The Tragic Male Lead Chose the Wrong Partner

* * *

“A joint venture with the Medeian royal family? That’s… is that even possible?”
Helene, who had planned to use this opportunity to assert that the real treasure was on her land, muttered in a daze.
Even major companies from the homeland had to wait months only to be turned down—how had this happened so fast?

“Cynthia. No matter how desperate the situation is, you shouldn’t lie about the queen of a powerful nation. You won’t be able to handle the consequences.”
“Y-yes, what if Her Majesty gets angry over your lie and cuts off aid to Lutemia?”
The demons—including Helene—didn’t seem like they disbelieved Cynthia’s words. Rather, they hoped she was lying.

Cynthia tilted her head proudly and said,
“Well, since the scale of the business got so big, we needed partners. I actually brought something for that. Dalia, would you hand me the letter from the royal palace?”
With her usual solemn expression, Dalia brought forward the letter.

“Agreement to establish a joint business with the Medeian royal family. Phase 1 investment: 100 billion.”
“One hundred billion…?”
Everyone’s jaws dropped at the staggering figure.

The Grand Madam, upon seeing the royal seal in the letter, broke into a wide smile.
“Heavens, our Snow White has pulled off something enormous! Incredible! Getting an investment from that proud queen is like plucking a star from the sky.”
Among the stunned guests, conflicting reactions began to emerge.

Before such massive capital, the explorer’s exposé became utterly meaningless.
A few, quick to assess the situation, stepped forward toward Cynthia.
“Our family has been in construction for generations. Would you happen to need anything?”

“Princess, you’ll probably need supplies for the laborers. Our merchant guild can supply goods at the lowest prices.”
Those who had criticized Cynthia earlier kept their mouths tightly shut.
One lady, sensing a huge opportunity for profit, smiled broadly.
“For steel, you should go with us! They seem skeptical of this amazing project anyway.”

The woman pointed toward the daughter of a steel family, who bit her nails in panic. She’d just been criticizing Cynthia earlier, scolding her for lying.
‘Damn it, if Father hears about this, he’ll kill me!’
It was like she had just let a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip through her fingers.

Meanwhile, those who had stayed silent and neutral the whole time now wore victorious smiles.
‘If you stay quiet, you get halfway there.’
Watching their varied reactions, Cynthia could feel the weight of the Medeian royal family's power.

‘Well, they are the strongest country of the era.’
“I’ll invite you all to the official residence next time. If you’re interested, just give my aide Dalia your card and we’ll send invitations.”
Dalia, suddenly promoted to aide, cleared her throat and tried to maintain a straight face.

The very people who had been openly mocking earlier now sidled up to Dalia and slipped her their business cards.
Cynthia didn’t miss the demons’ pathetic change of stance.
“Oh, you over there—no need to give your card! It’s only useful as goat feed anyway.”

“Pardon? I…”
Without breaking her cheerful tone, Cynthia turned to Helene.
“Unni, don’t invite people like that anymore. If they look down on me, they’re also looking down on you, and mocking the duchy too, aren’t they?”

The pointed-out individuals flushed bright red, and the Grand Madam and princesses furrowed their brows like ferocious beasts and waved sharply.
“Helene. To associate with such despicable creatures—do you have no sense? Remove them at once.”
“…I apologize.”

Helene lowered her head, her lips twisting in humiliation.
* * *
After the article unfavorable to Masera came out, Brigadier Steve was in high spirits.

He took documents he usually had Major Rodriguez deliver and brought them personally to the official residence.
‘Serves him right! If he doesn’t want to go bankrupt, he’ll have no choice but to crawl and beg me or the Duke of Recanosa.’
He was ready to treat Masera like a proper servant now.

He headed straight to the office, hiding his excitement behind a strained expression, and approached Masera.
“I heard the news. They say the Nox land turned out to be worthless. What happened? Did the princess scam you? I heard the real inheritance belonged to the duchess.”
Masera’s expression remained as neutral as ever.

Brigadier Steve, not receiving the reaction he wanted, pressed on.
“I imagine you’ve sunk quite a bit of money already. You must be worried. Where’s the princess? She didn’t run off after being caught lying, did she?”
“She’s at the duchy’s tea party.”

Masera answered in a calm voice.
“A tea party at a time like this? The princess is quite something.”
Brigadier Steve feigned sympathy as he pressed his forehead, then pulled out a cigar and placed it on Masera’s desk.

Offering a cigar was usually a signal for negotiation, but Masera shook his head.
“I don’t smoke anymore.”
“You quit because of marriage? You must be deeply shaken, being betrayed by the wife you trusted.”

Seeing Masera’s brow twitch, Brigadier Steve’s lips curled into a crooked grin.
“This isn’t the time to refuse me. You need money, don’t you?”
“Not particularly.”

Revealing his true intent, Brigadier Steve picked up the cigar and stuck it into Masera’s mouth.
“Masera Gize. Just because we’re standing on the same level for a moment—do you think we’re equals?”
Unlike himself, who was commissioned through the elite officer track, Masera had clawed his way up as a child soldier.

With the cigar still in his mouth, Masera gave a wide, sneering smile.
“Equals? So that’s what you thought. I never spent the whole war sitting in HQ twiddling my thumbs and chasing women, though.”
“So you admit the difference in rank. I went through the proper procedures, while you joined as a starving boy soldier.”

Brigadier Steve flicked his cigar with a smirk and added,
“Should’ve brought chocolate instead? Since you’re obsessed with sweets after starving back then.”
He was mocking the story of Masera as a child soldier, running errands for soldiers in exchange for chocolates.

“….”
For a moment, the violet around Masera’s pupils darkened and spread like ink. Steve flinched and shrank back instinctively.
But then he puffed out his chest and laughed haughtily again.

‘What’s he gonna do? Without my help, he’ll go bankrupt.’
Brigadier Steve walked toward the door, hand on the knob, and turned back with a triumphant face.
“Think it over, Masera. I’m not a coldhearted man. If you show me proper respect and kneel—then maybe I’ll…”

He was finally about to make his grand offer, full of gloating—
Bang!!!
“Argh!”

The door suddenly flew open and smashed into his face. Steve screamed.
“Brigadier! I’m ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) back! Guess what happened today—!”
Cynthia had flung the door open with force and was calling out to Masera—only to find Steve kneeling on the floor.

“Huh? Brigadier Steve, why are you kneeling in front of my husband?”
And just like that, it was Steve who ended up kneeling first.
Blood trickled from his nose as he groaned.

Cynthia’s wide eyes turned to Masera, who was holding a cigar in his mouth.
‘A man on his knees with a nosebleed, and another standing above him with a cigar in his mouth… what kind of noir scene is this?’
But that wasn’t the important part.

“Um… are you smoking a cigar?”
With a slightly disappointed tone, Cynthia asked. Masera promptly spit the cigar out and shook his head.
“No. Just… to look tough.”

A ridiculous excuse, but Masera was flustered.
He knew Cynthia hated the smell of tobacco.
Back when he went to pick her up at the Count Queensguard’s estate, he’d seen her walking past some smoking soldiers while fanning herself and saying, “Ugh! Smoking in the street? Disgusting!”

The thought of being judged for something like that had made him quit on the spot.
“Oh, I see.”
Passing the groaning Steve, Cynthia handed Masera the royal letter.

“Brigadier, the Queen is investing. The first round is 100 billion.”
“W-what?”
Before Masera could even react, Steve—his face bloodied—sprang to his feet, clutching his nose.

Masera, eyes widened, looked up at her like a frozen statue.
“She proposed we co-own the land under both our names—the Medeian royal family and us. Basically, a joint venture. Take a look and sign if you agree. And… Brigadier Steve looks like he’s in pain. Maybe you should stop hitting him.”
As Cynthia explained, Brigadier Steve blinked in confusion.

“One hundred billion investment… and a joint venture? That’s… impossible…”
Thud.
The impact from the door must’ve been harder than expected—Steve swayed and then collapsed backward.

‘He’s the one who fainted from joy? Shouldn’t it have been Masera?’
Cynthia had no idea she was the true culprit behind Steve’s bloody nose.