The Tragic Male Lead Chose the Wrong Partner

Compared to Anita, Hans—neatly dressed—frowned.

“I gave up everything because of you, didn’t I?”
Having stolen money from the Everett barony and run off, he could no longer return to his former position as a noble’s illegitimate son.
Anita lowered her head, stroking her aching stomach.

‘I thought he was a responsible man…’
But it turned out he was only greedy to start a business while pretending to be a noble.
By the time she realized that, it was too late.

She was pregnant, and she had already handed over all the savings she had.
Hans, who had always been gentle, revealed his true colors once everything fell apart and frequently scolded her.
Knowing his true nature, Anita shook her head.

“No. I thought I knew the person, but I was wrong.”
“You’re lying, aren’t you?”
Hans chuckled and yanked her wrist.

“You have to do as I say. I’m the one who saved your life, remember? What do you think would happen if I told Count Queensguard you were still alive? Me? I’d probably get some hush money and be done with it. I’ve got noble blood in me, after all.”
Anita kept denying it, but Hans dragged her toward first class.
“May I see your first-class ticket?”

“I’ve got a friend in there. Just meeting them for a moment. If you don’t want to get fired, step aside.”
Pushing the attendant aside, Hans barged into first class and began roaming around.
“Hans, stop it.”

Anita, her face pale as death, pleaded, but he was relentless.
“Anita? Is that you?”
In the end, they ran into Cynthia.
Seeing a golden opportunity, Hans beamed and greeted Cynthia and Masera.

“Do you know Anita? I’m Hans Everett of the Everett barony. I’m Anita’s lover.”
“Lover?”
Cynthia’s red eyes turned to Anita, who was carrying heavy bags. Compared to Hans, her clothes were shabby, and she looked thin.

Cynthia walked over to the fearful-looking Anita and whispered softly.
“Anita, you look awful. Is something wrong? Is that man really your lover?”
“He is…”

“Don’t tell me—he’s the baby’s father?”
Startled by Cynthia’s subdued question, Anita’s eyes grew wide.
“How did you know I was pregnant? You can’t tell from my clothes…”

“I found out back at the mansion by accident. It’s part of why I saved you.”
Her warm voice made Anita feel like she might burst into tears.
Contrary to what she feared, Cynthia didn’t ask why she had shown herself or threaten her.

“Mr. Everett. How about we have a meal together? My treat.”
Cynthia looked at Hans with a slightly sharper gaze as she made the suggestion.
“…Pregnant women need to eat well, after all.”

At that offhand remark, Masera’s eyes turned to Anita carrying the heavy bags.
Then, he shot Hans a very displeased look.
Hans, sensing the tension, awkwardly picked up Anita’s luggage.

Masera asked with a look of utter disbelief.
“If you give your bags to the crew, they’ll bring them to your cabin. Why carry them?”
“Well, we’re not actually staying in first class, so…”

“Then why are you here?”
At the pointed question, Hans jerked his chin toward Anita.
“Anita was happy to see the young lady she once served, so we came to say hello.”

“Pathetic.”
Seeing right through him, Masera sighed and turned around.
He didn’t object to Cynthia’s offer to buy Anita a meal.

* * *
The luxurious first-class dining car.
The slurping noises from someone who didn’t care for table manners made the surrounding nobles frown.

Unlike Anita, who nibbled cautiously while glancing around, Hans was devouring his food greedily.
“Which one’s pregnant?”
Masera asked Cynthia in a low voice, having watched them for a while.

Even Cynthia, who was usually cheerful and positive, was making a face of disgust.
Hans put down his fork, wiped his mouth, and resumed pretending to be noble.
“The truth is, my family opposed my relationship with Anita because she was a maid. That’s why we’re on the run. But I have to take responsibility for the woman carrying my child.”

He tried to present himself as a responsible man and use Anita to gain sympathy.
Masera sighed and called for an attendant.
“Please reserve a first-class room. A pregnant woman will be staying there, so make sure it’s well-prepared.”

“Understood. I’ll notify the medical staff as well.”
Anita grew flustered and tried to decline, but Masera waved her off, signaling not to worry.
Having achieved what he wanted, Hans smirked slyly.

‘Guys who grow up pampered are so easy to fleece. Just whine a bit and they’ll put on a show and give you money.’
Masera stood up and said to Cynthia,
“I’ll head in first. Take your time and talk.”

“Thanks.”
Cynthia smiled warmly as she saw him off.
At that moment, Hans scowled at Anita’s plate.

“Hey, if you eat that much, there won’t be anything left for me. Gonna blame the baby and eat it all yourself?”
The words slipped out, a habitual put-down, and Hans immediately looked around awkwardly, then forced a laugh.
“Just kidding, you know?”

Cynthia stared at him blankly.
She knew she shouldn’t meddle in other people’s relationships, but this was too much.
“That’s not funny.”

“Pardon?”
“Don’t act shameless when you’re getting a free meal thanks to Anita. And stop chewing like a damn peasant.”
Her blunt reprimand made Hans flush bright red with humiliation.

Seeing his flustered face, Cynthia let out a cheerful laugh.
“Just kidding, you know?”
And she threw his own words right back at him.

‘That damned woman…!’
Hans ground his teeth in frustration.
“Sir Hans, I sincerely hope the baby is born safely. And that Anita stays healthy, too.”

Cynthia’s typically cheerful voice felt strangely different.
“You understand what I mean, don’t you?”
The knife in her hand gleamed just slightly under her cold gaze.

* * *
After finally having a good meal for once, Anita followed a grumbling Hans to the first-class cabin.
“Anita, I live in the capital. I’ll give you my address.”

“My lady…”
“Think of me as a friend and reach out anytime. Even if it’s nothing. I want to see the baby once they’re born, after all.”
Cynthia offered her the option as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Anita didn’t have the courage to ask for help, but knowing there was someone she could lean on gave her a bit of comfort.
At that moment, Hans turned back and asked Anita,
“Hey, that pale woman—isn’t she the maid you talked about?”

“No, she’s not.”
“But the only household you ever worked in was the Queensguard family.”
Hans stepped closer, threatening her as Anita kept her lips sealed.

“They’ll find out if they investigate anyway. You should speak up now—for your baby’s sake.”
Anita’s face turned pale again.
“Y-yes. It’s her. I mean… she had her reasons, but it wouldn’t be good if people found out she used to be a maid…”

Hans began to put the pieces together.
‘So that officer really doesn’t know his wife used to be a lowborn maid. Makes sense now, why the Count went to such extremes.’
But would he really go as far as killing all the servants just to silence them? And she doesn’t really look like the Count’s daughter ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) either.

He didn’t know the full story, but it was clear she desperately wanted to keep her past hidden. Then maybe he could use that to squeeze some money out of her—and knock her off her high horse while he was at it.
Hans grinned viciously.
“Thanks to me, you got to eat fancy food and sleep in first class. You’re welcome, huh? A place someone like you could only dream of seeing. I’m gonna order a ton of fine liquor and room service.”

Just as Hans puffed himself up and was about to enter the first-class cabin, a burly attendant blocked his path.
“This room is reserved for one person only.”
“What?”

Hans blinked in confusion, and the attendant spoke firmly.
“The guest requested that no one except for a person named Anita be allowed inside.”
“No way.”

“Sir, I must ask you to leave.”
Faced with the large-framed attendant, Hans could no longer push through like before.
“Damn it…”

Hans clenched his fist tightly and muttered a curse.
“Just wait. I’ll wring a real fortune out of you yet.”