The Obsession of the Tyrant Sub-Male Lead is Unnecessary

Episode 41

Verona’s mouth fell open in shock.

‘What kind of twist is this?!’

“H-ha… so, you’re saying that the gentleman you’re interested in is…”

“I know, I know… I realize how insignificant I am compared to him.” Elise’s face fell, her expression downcast.

Verona quickly waved her hands, feeling a pang of sympathy. “It’s not that at all! Why would you say you’re insignificant? Absolutely not.”

“Really? Then… do you think I would make a good match with the Grand Duke?”

“Uh… well…”

How was she supposed to answer that?

She couldn’t just reveal Osmund’s true nature to this innocent girl nursing a crush, but at the same time, she couldn’t exactly encourage her to pursue him either.

‘Osmund was the male lead in the original story, so it’s not shocking that someone else might harbor feelings for him…’

But why did she have to confess her admiration for him now, of all times? Right after Verona had vowed to support her?

Verona felt Retrius’s exasperated gaze from the corner, as if mocking her predicament. She cleared her throat and spoke cautiously.

“Um, but isn’t there quite an age difference between you and the Grand Duke?”

“I prefer older men.”

“…”

Elise’s resolute reply left Verona momentarily speechless.

‘That’s… not quite the issue here…’

On the surface, Osmund had all the qualities that might appeal to a young lady—a prestigious title, abundant wealth, and, while not as striking as Carlos, reasonably attractive features.

Whether or not he was genuinely kind remained to be seen, but she could understand how Elise might be smitten.

However, in the original novel, the female lead Olivia was always by his side.

‘Getting involved with the main couple could have unpredictable consequences.’

Verona didn’t want to hurt this innocent girl, but she felt it necessary to hint at reality, if only a little.

“Um… he’s… not an easy man to win over.”

“I know! That’s why my father refuses to take my feelings seriously. He hasn’t even passed along a single letter I’ve written to him…” Elise looked on the verge of tears, and Verona tried her best to keep a neutral expression.

“Well, as far as I know, the Grand Duke hasn’t shown much interest in women…”

“That’s exactly what makes him so appealing! He’s different from other young lords. He always smiles and greets people warmly, even those who don’t know his name or title.”

That’s only for show, Verona thought. She remembered Osmund’s cool, inscrutable gaze that hid an unsettling depth. A sigh escaped her.

This innocent girl had clearly fallen for the image Osmund projected.

Once Elise began talking about him, her earlier shyness disappeared, and she sang his praises with bright, fervent admiration.

“That’s why I couldn’t help but fall for him!”

“Lady Milecour…”

Verona quickly interrupted Elise’s enthusiastic recollection of their past encounters.

“I understand that you have feelings for him, but perhaps… perhaps you should reconsider?”

“Reconsider? Why?”

Verona hesitated. Should she tell her the truth?

She had called Elise here partly to disrupt the Marquis of Milecour’s ambitions and to help with her unrequited love. Verona had intended to support her wholeheartedly.

But with Olivia in the picture, that seemed impossible. And Osmund himself wasn’t entirely what he seemed.

Of course, Verona had no particular interest in who Osmund chose to marry. It wasn’t as though he was marrying her, after all.

‘But meddling with the main couple wouldn’t end well.’

Knowing Olivia wasn’t the saintly character from the original novel made Verona wary of meddling.

Finally, she decided to be honest.

“The Grand Duke… he’s rather close to a young woman who’s under his guardianship. Although she’s only the daughter of a viscount, there seems to be…”

“Oh, you mean that lady at the academy?”

“Pardon?”

Olivia was indeed at the academy, but… “that lady”?

There was no need for Elise, a marquis’s daughter, to address Olivia, a mere viscount’s daughter, so respectfully. Even if Olivia had the Grand Duke’s support, she was still only his ward.

“Isn’t her name Olive?”

“It’s Olivia. But… you know her?”

“Of course! There’s nothing about the Portrey family that I don’t know.”

What’s with that self-assured look? Even if she knew about Osmund and Olivia’s relationship, her confidence seemed odd. Did she think their connection was unimportant?

Just as Verona was trying to piece things together, Elise dropped another bombshell.

“She’s soon to become Lady Billefeld, after all.”

“Lady… Billefeld?”

Billefeld? That was Osmund’s maternal family name. In other words, it was the family of Osmund Portrey’s mother.

“You didn’t know?”

Seeing Verona’s stunned expression, Elise tilted her head in curiosity before nodding in understanding.

“Officially, it’s still unannounced, of course.”

Elise continued brightly.

“But I heard it from my father just yesterday! The Grand Duke is expected to make an announcement soon, formally recognizing Lady Olivia Merayton as his maternal cousin.”

Verona’s mind spun, leaving her speechless.

‘Wasn’t the novel I read a perfectly ordinary story?’

The male lead adopting the female lead as his cousin? This wasn’t just unheard of; it shouldn’t even be possible.

None of this bizarre, chaotic development was in the original novel.

‘What on earth is going on? Weren’t Osmund and Olivia supposed to be slowly building a romantic relationship?’

It almost felt as though Olivia had accidentally given Osmund some kind of experimental potion at the academy, and it had scrambled his mind. Given that Carlos was originally a second male lead, there should have been some tension or emotions sparking between Osmund and Olivia, even if they hadn’t fully developed yet.

Unless… could it be that Osmund didn’t love Olivia?

Granting her his mother’s family name was understandable as a means to elevate Olivia’s status, should marriage be in their future. The Billefeld Dukedom, while long absorbed by the Portrey family, was still a noble title, preserved as an empty name in the family lineage.

But adopting her as a cousin? That would make Olivia someone he could never marry, officially bringing her under his care and protection in the capacity of close family.

‘Why would he do that?’

Verona was baffled. Was this what Olivia had wanted? She had assumed Olivia planned to make a name for herself at the academy, then proudly take her place as the Grand Duchess.

‘Unless… Olivia doesn’t want to marry Osmund?’

It was almost chilling to think about what her true intentions might be.

“There were rumors, of course, about whether the Grand Duke might harbor feelings for her, but they were all just that—rumors,” Elise said, with a tone of admiration.

“Seeing the steps he’s taking to keep such talent from going unrecognized proves how noble he truly is.”

Still reeling, Verona could only listen with half an ear as Elise continued to extol Osmund’s virtues.

“And please remember to call me if you ever host a tea party, Your Highness!”

Elise left in high spirits, fully convinced that Verona would follow through on her promise. Her face shone with warmth and affection as she took her leave.

Once Elise had departed, Verona rubbed her temples and sighed deeply. Retrius, now back in his human form, clicked his tongue and took a seat across from her.

“Portrey really is an unpredictable character. Just as talented at backstabbing as His Majesty.”

“Truly…”

“So, are you still planning to help that young lady with her romance? It seems this ‘Olivia’ character has no interest in sitting by the Grand Duke’s side anymore.”

“I’m not sure…”

What was supposed to be a gesture to earn favor with the Milecour family had only brought her more headaches. Just what was going on?

‘Is it even possible for the story’s plot to twist this much?’

She’d already seen the novel deviate once when Carlos, originally a secondary character, became so pivotal. But for the main characters to shift from lovers to family? That was beyond anything she’d anticipated.

“Oh, I don’t know anymore!”

Verona threw herself onto the couch in frustration.

“Retrius, can’t you read minds or see into the future or something?”

Retrius snorted.

“Do you really think I’d be sitting here with you if I had those powers?”

“I can’t make sense of what’s going on with the Grand Duke… or with Olivia.”

“Just help Lady Milecour as she wants. It’s up to the Grand Duke whether he accepts her or not, and she’ll be thrilled with even a little support from you. Besides, the marquis’s dream of making his daughter empress isn’t something you can help him with, right?”

It was sound advice coming from someone who had no knowledge of the original story’s expected outcomes for Osmund and Olivia.

But knowing the story’s twists and turns as she did, Verona couldn’t shake her unease.

“I need to think this through,” she murmured.

“Suit yourself. But I’m telling you, you’re overthinking it.”

As Retrius grumbled, the parlor doors opened, and Mary entered.

“Your Highness, the Milecour carriage has departed. I’ll clear the table.”

Verona nodded as Mary and a few other maids began to tidy up the room. Retrius, now aware of their presence, stood up and whispered quietly.

“By the way, Lady Milecour really seemed innocent and sweet, Your Highness.”

At that moment, Mary flinched, the sound of porcelain clinking sharply as she accidentally bumped the plates together.

“Mary, is something wrong?”

“Oh, no, it’s just these new dishes—they’re a bit heavier than I expected.”

Mary bit her lip, and Retrius, oblivious to her reaction, left the room.

Verona noticed Mary’s unusual expression and raised an eyebrow.

“Mary, you’re acting a bit…”

“Oh! Speaking of which, Your Highness, His Majesty asked me to deliver a message to you.”
TL/N: I completely forgot about the dragon knight name in m notes he is Retrius but i forgot his nickname if you guys see the name letty its him