How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 286

Felix, who had been peeking into the living room from a distance, nodded.

 

‘There’s no way those two would abandon him.’

 

Kairos, while not as confident as Felix, gave a small nod as if to say that confidence of that level was still believable.

 

In contrast, the Second Prince’s wife nodded grandly, as if to make a point

 

“Of course. When I met Marquise before, she talked endlessly about the Young Master of Ajas. I’m certain that if she hears news from the capital, she’ll rush here out of worry for him.”

 

“My mother told you about me…?”

 

A blush crept across the child’s cheeks, who had always seemed mature. Only then did Noah look his age.

 

‘Will my own child grow up that adorably someday?’

 

The princess smiled without realizing it, patting her stomach.

 

“She said something like—”

 

“Let’s save the chat for later, Sister-in-law.”

 

“Ah—yes, Your Highness.”

 

For a moment, the surprised gazes of the servants turned towards Kairos.

 

It wasn’t because he had embarrassed the Second Prince’s wife, who was kindly interacting with Noah. No one would be shocked by the antics of a known scoundrel.

 

Rather, it was because that scoundrel had just used the word ‘sister-in-law.’

 

So when Kairos revealed the reason for his visit, they were even more shocked.

 

“You’re aware the capital is in chaos right now. I’d like you to protect my sister-in-law here until the situation is under control.”

 

“You mean… Her Highness the Second Prince’s wife?”

 

Noah looked at him in surprise.

 

Kairos, seeming to sense the question behind Noah’s gaze, spoke in a dry, self-deprecating tone.

 

“Right now, the Imperial Palace is the most dangerous place for her.”

 

Even if one ignored the tone in his voice, the stiff expression on the Second Prince’s wife’s face revealed enough—it hadn’t been an easy journey for the two of them to get here.

 

Noah, still lacking in experience, couldn’t fully grasp the situation.

 

Instead, he tried to consider the implications from Ajas’ perspective.

 

Like it or not, Noah had to learn and relearn how to uphold the authority and honor of the name Ajas.

 

So he couldn’t give an answer lightly.

 

‘Didn’t they say the First and Second Princes were rivals for the throne…?’

 

Then why was the First Prince asking to protect the Second Prince’s wife instead of the Second Prince himself?

 

Noah had heard from his father that the Second Prince, Julius, was currently imprisoned.

 

So it made sense that the First Prince was stepping in because the Second Prince couldn’t protect his wife.

 

But that didn’t explain why the First Prince would go out of his way to protect her.

 

‘If it were Father… or Mother, what choice would they have made?’

 

As Felix watched Noah wrestle with the decision, he frowned.

 

Even he could tell that wasn’t an easy decision to make.

 

‘If the First Prince is holding the Second Prince’s wife hostage, this could turn into a disaster.’

 

If they weren’t careful, Ajas could be dragged into a hostage situation, and even Leonhard wouldn’t be able to handle the aftermath.

 

Just as Felix was seriously considering barging into the drawing room, Noah, having thought deeply, gave his answer.

 

“As you know, there’s an unwritten rule in Ajas that we don’t get involved in capital politics. So, I will consider your visit to Paul Herbina as if it never happened.”

 

“You….”

 

“But….”

 

Kairos frowned fiercely, but Noah remained unfazed.

 

The boy looked Kairos in the eye with a calm expression and spoke.

 

“Paul Herbina is currently overwhelmed with people. Those in need of treatment or rest are being quietly guided to safer locations.”

 

In other words, if the Second Prince’s wife wished to stay here anonymously, just as a pregnant woman, they would protect her.

 

Both the First Prince and the Second Prince’s wife looked surprised.

 

Noah’s answer was a truly appropriate one, one that showed mercy to those in need of protection while eliminating elements that could become politically problematic in the future.

 

“Do you need protection, Lady?”

 

But the way he asked if she’d accept his offer was somewhat rude.

 

As evidence, Kairos’s face crumpled once again.

 

If he got angry and walked out, it would naturally be seen as rejecting the offer.

 

But before Kairos could say anything, the Second Prince’s wife spoke up first.

 

“Yes. Please, I would be grateful, Young Master of Ajas.”

 

She was smiling at Noah.

 

The impolite way he had spoken—out of consideration for Ajas’ stance—didn’t seem to bother her at all.

 

Kairos looked like he was about to say something, then just let out a sigh.

 

He had no other choice. He had been forced to leave the palace to protect her from the assassins sent by Marquise Calvin.

 

“Fine. But in that case, I’ll consider this offer as one coming from Ajas itself. You understand what that means, don’t you?”

 

In other words, even though Noah said he’d protect her, if anything happened to the Second Prince’s wife, Ajas—specifically Leonhard—would be held responsible.

 

For a brief moment, the worn-out adults began to suspect that perhaps that was precisely Kairos’s purpose.

 

To harm the Second Prince’s wife at Paul Herbina, and pin the blame on Ajas.

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

Noah nodded without hesitation, not knowing whether he was aware of the doubts and concerns of those around him.

 

Felix clicked his tongue briefly as he watched the scene from afar.

 

‘You shouldn’t have backed down. Pregnant or not, you should have just kicked them out.’

 

‘If Noah kept being this sentimental, how could he ever manage a great domain like Ajas?’

 

Even though the way Noah had handled the two royals—and the decision he had made—was impressive beyond belief for a five-year-old, Felix was thoroughly displeased.

 

‘Must be all that influence from his stepmother… Looks like I’ll need to keep a closer eye on him.’

 

While Felix was having thoughts that would have made Raenel faint in horror, Kairos rose from his seat.

 

“Then I’ll leave my sister-in-law’s safety in Ajas’ hands. I trust you won’t allow even the smallest gap in security.”

 

“You’re not staying here, Your Highness?”

 

“No.”

 

At his reply, the Second Prince’s wife looked worried.

 

“Will you be alright?”

 

“I may be a disgrace of a royal, but I’m still a prince. Don’t worry.”

 

Kairos gently tapped the mark on his cheek and smiled sweetly.

 

The servants of Paul Herbina looked as though their eyes were about to pop out.

 

Unbothered, he gave the Second Prince’s wife a polite bow.

 

“I’ll bring my brother back. Please, just focus on your safety, Sister-in-law.”

 

“Yes. I’m counting on you. Please be safe, Your Highness.”

 

Her voice, warm and caring, was as sincere as if she were truly worried about family.

 

‘How is this possible? How can the First Prince and the Second Prince’s wife be so close?’

 

‘There couldn’t be a better time to eliminate her, and yet…?’

 

After Kairos left Paul Herbina with his hood pressed down.

 

The servants and guards in the living room were confused by the unsolvable question and they secretly glanced at the second prince’s wife.

 

Fortunately, there was someone among them who shared the same question—and could ask it innocently, without any hidden agenda.

 

“I heard that His Highness the First Prince and His Highness the Second Prince are rivals for the throne. But… were they actually on good terms?”

 

The Second Prince’s wife looked at Noah briefly, and upon realizing that the child’s eyes held nothing but genuine curiosity, she smiled.

 

“Yes. Though it took me quite a long time to believe that myself. What do you think, Young Master?”

 

“About what, exactly?”

 

“About the fact that the First and Second Princes aren’t constantly trying to tear each other apart whenever they lock eyes, but rather—actually care for each other. Can you believe it?”

 

Noah blinked several times as if he was thinking for a moment, then nodded.

 

“Just because two people are rivals doesn’t mean they have to be enemies.”

 

“Even though they are competing for the throne?”

 

“Maybe… family can be more important than the throne.”

 

It sounded, on the surface, like the naive response of a child.

 

But anyone who knew Noah’s upbringing would never think that way.

 

Who would have expected that?

 

Even if I had a younger sibling and had to compete with them to become the next Marquis of Ajas, I still wouldn’t dislike them.”

 

That these words would come from the mouth of a child who had been taught to value Ajas’s honor and pride more than his own life.

 

* * *

 

At that very moment, in the Imperial Palace—

 

A road leading to the Emperor’s palace.

 

“What about our Kyle? Haven’t you found where he is yet?”

 

“We’re still looking into it. Since he wasn’t at the Prince’s palace, we assumed he was with you, Marquise…”

 

“Is that supposed to be an excuse?! Are you royal guards or not? How can you not even know where the prince is?!”

 

“We are not His Highness’ personal escort.”

 

A displeased voice flowed from the imperial knight’s mouth, but of course, Marquise Calvin paid no attention to his expression.

 

“Ha! Do you even realize who that child is? He’s the next Emperor. The next Emper—Kyaa!”

 

At that moment, a strong wind blew and Marquise Calvin’s body swayed violently as if it were about to be blown away.

 

If the knight next to her hadn’t caught her, she would have fallen to the ground and even rolled around.

 

The wind continued to blow so fiercely that it was difficult to open her eyes.

 

After standing behind the large knight, Marquise Calvin was finally able to control herself.

 

She looked up at the direction from which the wind was blowing with a face filled with anger.

 

“What the hell kind of wind—”

 

Marquise Calvin opened her mouth wide, unable to finish her sentence.

 

Because she had made eye contact with the massive being floating above her head.

 

A wyvern so large that it flaps its wings to stay in the air, yet it can create winds strong enough to blow a person away.

 

* * *