Home/I ended up having a surprise marriage with the male lead/ch 3

Chapter 3

Emilia was dumbfounded.

But perhaps because it was so utterly absurd, she felt more stunned than anything else.

Given Reina's current circumstances, she must have been going through a psychologically difficult time. Terrified of being sold off to some wretched noble at any moment.

Still, how could she set her sights on a man who's already engaged?

Even in dire straits, there were lines that shouldn't be crossed.

Emilia's head throbbed.

What would the male lead think when he eventually found out?

"Reina, there are certainly better options for you."

But that was about all the advice she could offer.

After all, she couldn't exactly tell Reina that she would eventually enter a contract engagement with the male lead and live happily ever after—she wouldn't believe it anyway.

"No! You only say that because you don't know my situation!"

Reina lifted her head and cried out.

"I truly need Cedric... I absolutely cannot do without him!"

She stared at Emilia as if resentful that Emilia could speak so calmly.

"And Cedric told me he's tired of you and wants to break up! So if the two of you stay together, you'll only bring each other pain!"

Emilia's expression hardened in an instant.

Until now, she could have dismissed Reina's words as desperate nonsense.

But what she had just heard was different...

"...Did Cedric really say that with his own mouth?"

Reina bit her lip hard and nodded.

As if she hadn't wanted to say such a thing.

Emilia's mind flashed back to Cedric's behavior at the dinner table.

For a moment, she felt as if she'd been struck on the head.

"So please, yield Cedric to me."

"...Get out. I don't want to hear any more from you."

There was no reason to keep listening.

And she had to confirm it—whether Reina was spouting nonsense or not.

If, by any chance, what Reina said was true.

If the confidence with which Reina acted came from Cedric himself...

If the way Cedric had behaved so freely around Reina wasn't just delight at meeting an old friend...

"Are you not leaving?"

Emilia stopped her thoughts and turned her head.

But Reina remained rooted in place.

As if she was determined to hear Emilia say, "I'll break up with Cedric."

"Fine. Then I'll leave."

Emilia rose from her seat and grasped the doorknob.

She had intended to go find Cedric anyway.

But Reina's outcry from behind stopped her from stepping out.

"Th-the truth is, I'm pregnant with Cedric's child!"

---

Thud. Emilia's arm fell limply to her side.

"...Say that again."

"Hic, I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. Say it again."

"Hic, sniffle."

"Who exactly is the one who should be crying here?!"

In the end, Emilia exploded.

Here she was, having just heard that another woman was carrying her fiancé's child—and she was the one in tears?

Just then, the door burst open.

"What's all this shouting and commotion?"

She turned her head and saw Cedric.

He scanned the room, spotted Reina sobbing miserably, and his eyes went wide.

"Reina...? Why are you here...?"

He quickly strode over to her.

"What's wrong?! Did Emilia do something to you?!"

Cedric fussed anxiously, kneeling beside Reina.

As if she were his lover, he gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

At the sight, Emilia's eyes grew cold.

"Cedric."

"What."

He answered distractedly, busy wiping Reina's tears.

"Is it true that this woman is carrying your child?"

"...What?"

Cedric's neck turned stiffly.

"Reina is carrying my...?"

He looked dazed, as if the news had come as a shock.

Judging by his reaction, it seemed Cedric hadn't known about the pregnancy either.

But seeing that only made a bitter laugh threaten to escape.

The fact that he didn't even get angry and say "What nonsense"—

That meant it was certain they had slept together.

And because she had caught a glimmer of elation in Cedric's eyes—

"...You're truly out of your mind."

Emilia clenched her fist.

"Not even an animal would behave like that... How could you... Are you even human?"

Now she understood why he hadn't contacted her even once.

He hadn't given her a single thought. Too busy meeting Reina.

And I had no idea.

She felt like such a fool for worrying all that time, wondering if something had happened to him.

Just then, Cedric shot to his feet.

His face was flushed red, as if he'd been insulted.

"D-don't be ridiculous! What am I supposed to do if I don't feel attracted to you as a woman?! If only you were as lovely as Reina, as gentle as Reina! But no—you're nothing special, yet you're always trying to lecture me!"

"...Me? To you?"

Emilia repeated, a beat slower.

"Yes! Do you have any idea how miserable that made me feel?!"

Cedric fumed, words pouring out like a broken dam.

"And Reina said she'd accept a guy like me—she even told me she'd get me a countship!"

Finally, he puffed out his chest.

"But what can you do for me, other than hold me back from now on?!"

Emilia gazed silently at Cedric.

In the eyes of the House of Ilake, Reina was nothing but a shameful bastard.

So a countship was utterly out of the question.

Moreover, any earl looking to sell Reina off for a high price would never welcome Cedric with open arms.

Truthfully, a moment's thought would have revealed the absurdity.

If only Cedric hadn't been so blinded by Reina.

But what was the point of saying that now?

To Cedric, she was just a woman who overstepped her place and tried to teach him.

"So... that's all you ever thought of me."

Emilia's head slowly drooped.

They had been together for four whole years.

The reason she hadn't immediately doubted Cedric when Reina spoke was precisely because of the time they'd shared.

I should slap him across the face. Grab him by the collar and shake him.

But she didn't feel like it at all. The strength in her clenched fist ebbed away.

Rather than anger, she felt drained.

Being in that space with the two of them was simply unbearable.

I can't breathe.

As she silently turned away, Cedric snapped and reached out.

"Hey! Where are you going?! I'm not done talking! So we're breaking—"

Slap.

Emilia firmly knocked his hand away.

"I'll break up with you. So don't... touch me with those filthy hands."

"W-what?"

Her icy voice made Cedric flinch.

In that moment, Emilia ran out of the house.

Rush—

A sudden downpour blocked her path, but she merely brushed it off as if it were nothing but a nuisance.

---

Creak, thud.

Without even changing her clothes, Emilia collapsed onto the bed.

Lousy bastard. Wretched man.

Whether from the rain or not, her body felt heavy as soaked cotton.

She covered her eyes with her cold arm.

If only he had asked for forgiveness the moment he returned...

If only he had shown even a hint of remorse...

No. At the very least, he shouldn't have made her feel like such a fool alone at the dinner table.

Then she wouldn't be feeling like this.

How ridiculous I must have looked to him.

What hurt most was that she was someone he didn't even need to show the slightest respect to.

That was simply too heartbreaking.

Emilia suppressed the wave of emotions rising within her.

She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the heat rising again.

Let's not think about anything right now.

And so, huddling her shivering body, Emilia fell asleep.

Back   Next