Treat the Second Male Lead Like a Stone

Chapter 116

Following that, Ricardo spoke.

“Erkishian probably plans to use that woman.”

“That woman?”

“Well…….”

Ricardo hesitated to answer, busy rolling his eyes anxiously. I approached him without hiding my annoyance.

“Surely you don’t still think I’m bothered by the past, do you?”

I even spoke angrily, yet!

“N-no, I don’t!”

He startled and stepped backward.

“Idette, Idette, Idette, Idette.”

“R-right. That woman, Idette.”

Only then did I stop moving toward Ricardo.

“……But I don't quite understand the meaning of ‘use.’”

“The Empire wants Eileens, and if they plan to attack Orphen, there's only one possible answer.”

It felt like someone had struck me hard on the back of my head.

“They are well aware of Orphen's movements yet still judged war to be an unavoidable method. However, that path would undoubtedly lead Carpea to ruin.”

Did he mean to grant the power Eileens possessed to Idette?

After all, it wasn’t Eileens herself the Empire wanted; it was the magic she held.

……No matter how I thought about it, that was the only conclusion.

‘But Erkishian?’

I had never imagined such an outcome before.

At the very least, I had believed in the sincerity of his feelings for Idette.

But if it wasn’t this way, there seemed no other strategy for Carpea to secure victory.

“Then is Lady Idette with you now?”

I felt uneasy. She had truly believed her relationship with Erkishian was genuine.

That he was the one who would bring her the future she dreamed of.

“No. She has avoided surveillance and disappeared.”

My heart felt as if it sank.

“But I have an idea where she might be.”

“Lady Idette sent me a letter not long ago. She is likely near the capital, so finding her won’t take long.”

A place too close, the Imperial Palace.

‘If I were Idette, I would have gone directly to see Erkishian.’

Because she would want to confirm the truth with her own lover rather than Ricardo.

My grip tightened.

“Oh, and Ricardo.”

“Yes. I’m listening.”

“About brother Leon.”

Ricardo’s face quickly hardened at his mention. I hastened to continue before unnecessary emotions could flare uncontrollably.

“We're truly like family. No more, no less.”

“……!”

“And I’ve certainly never had feelings for him.”

Ricardo, frozen stiff, moved his lips as if he doubted his own ears. Then, he opened his mouth in a trembling voice.

“Could you say that once more?”

“We're not like that.”

“One more time……”

“I said we aren't.”

Ricardo’s lower lip quivered slightly. Then, after a brief moment, he released the breath he'd been holding and covered his face with his hands.

His ears were visibly flushed red.

I brushed my arm casually and continued speaking nonchalantly.

“You were with Lady Idette, so I thought there was no need to explain, considering how displeased I was.”

“……You certainly chose an effective way to ruin me.”

Feeling awkward, I turned my gaze away, and Ricardo slowly lowered his hands from his face.

“Truly, your revenge is both perfect and cruel.”

The emotions that had accumulated inside him finally erupted.

* * *

After Penny and Ricardo left together,

Peril, who remained alone, used the belongings Ricardo left behind to create dolls identical to him.

‘I’m truly pathetic…….’

The doll staring arrogantly back at him was nearly indistinguishable from Ricardo himself. Seeing him standing there in a haughty posture only worsened his mood.

With an inward sigh, Peril reached into thin air, causing the prearranged magic circles to explode with tremendous noise.

It was loud enough to seem like a huge battle had occurred.

Then, Peril cast binding magic upon the Ricardo doll seated in front of him.

The Tower Master had come under Erkishian's orders to capture the traitor, Ricardo.

With such a large battle, it would seem unnatural if Ricardo appeared unharmed.

‘This much should be fine.’

Thinking so, Peril cast the magic circle upon Ricardo without hesitation.

It was the most enjoyable moment of his day.

* * *

“Do you not even trust the contract?”

Peril stared at Erkishian with eyes filled with anger. He responded with a plain smile.

“It’s only natural. Someone already broke free from his leash once; suspicion is inevitable.”

Ricardo, who had lost his right arm, declared defeat in front of Erkishian. Though his arrogant expression remained, what could he do now?

“You can't do anything.”

Remembering his conversation with Harnen, Erkishian let out a short laugh.

When they had gone to capture Ricardo, already branded a traitor, he had fled, betraying even his grandfather.

〈I can't let a great hero’s end be this meaningless. In the name of Carpea, the Imperial Family promises you a chance for revenge.〉

〈……!〉

〈If you cooperate, your honor, along with that promise, will be protected.〉

Everything had gone perfectly.

Blinded by empty revenge, the hero had disclosed even his grandson’s hiding place and the plans overheard in secret.

Capturing Ricardo was beyond the capability of the Imperial forces alone. Once the Tower Master's own position was threatened, he readily complied with the Imperial command, capturing Ricardo safely.

With Ricardo’s major forces, the knights, also located, everything proceeded flawlessly.

“The Tower Master’s abilities always amaze me. Isn’t it a pity to remain as though you're dead, unable to freely use such power?”

“Perhaps.”

Peril answered coldly, tightening the magic circle around Ricardo.

The battle had seemingly been difficult, as Peril treated Ricardo roughly, unlike his usual self.

Ricardo gasped in pain as he struggled to breathe. Even then, Peril seemed unsatisfied.

Eventually, he even kicked Ricardo’s abdomen several times with a hateful expression.

‘……I was foolish to think they might have already conspired.’

Erkishian shifted his gaze toward the sky. The pleasant breeze blowing felt refreshing, not entirely unpleasant.

His victory was close at hand. That was an undeniable fact.

But he didn’t like the way events were unfolding.

The fact that everything was proceeding smoothly bothered him.

“That’s enough.”

Despite his calm order, Peril’s foot still aimed toward Ricardo.

Observing them quietly, Erkishian sighed softly and turned his head away.

‘……I clearly overlooked something.’

Judging by Peril and Ricardo’s appearance, a battle had certainly taken place.

Yet the seed of doubt that arose in the corner of his heart continued to grow uncontrollably.

His eyes narrowed briefly, then Erkishian quietly murmured.

“Bianca, was it?”

“…….”

“Yes, there was that woman too.”

The only person before whom Ricardo ever acted pathetically.

* * *

As soon as I returned home, Atticus grabbed hold of me.

“Lord Harnen has……”

His following words were drowned out by Allen running down the hallway.

“My lady!”

Seeing his face as he shouted urgently toward me, I instantly sensed something was wrong.

“It’s the Imperial Knights.”

I tightly shut my eyes.

“I-It doesn't seem ordinary. His Highness himself brought the knights.”

Allen’s hand rested nervously on the sword at his waist. After barely calming my racing heart, I opened my eyes.

“We’ve done nothing wrong, so we just need to remain confident. Let’s go quickly.”

Allen urgently followed behind me. I signaled quietly to Atticus with my eyes.

“First inform my brother.”

When I hurried down to the hall on the first floor, I saw the intruders who had forcibly entered the estate.

‘Grandfather shouldn’t hear of this.’

In a situation where stability was paramount, Erkishian had deliberately caused this scene.

“What is the meaning of this rudeness!”

At my outburst, Erkishian smiled, as though he'd been waiting for it.

“Oh, the Marquis is away? Then you must be the proxy. That speeds things up.”

The instant Erkishian signaled the knights behind him, they quickly dispersed throughout the estate.

I descended the stairs with clenched fists, confronting him directly.

“You haven’t even explained the reason for this.”

“You’ll see soon enough. If what I’m looking for is found, you’ll have to explain yourself.”

Sounds of a thorough search echoed throughout the mansion.

“I look forward to hearing your excuses.”

Shortly afterward, several knights urgently approached Erkishian, whispering something to him.

“Ahh. Were we too late?”

He let out a dry laugh as though he had anticipated this outcome. Then, smiling clearly, he asked me.

“Where did you hide Ricardo?”

I tilted my head, puzzled.

“Are you asking me about the whereabouts of my ex-fiancé who broke off our engagement?”

“…….”

“How mischievous of you.”

In that instant, Erkishian’s expression was covered in icy coldness.