Blackening the Affectionate Male Lead (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13
I never thought the meal would be this quiet.
Whitney put food in her mouth and chewed, but she couldn’t even register its taste.
In the silent dining room, the only sounds were the occasional scrape of a knife against a plate.
‘I feel like I’m suffocating.’
Whitney glanced at Margrave Rubernus and her aunt.
They were silently focused solely on their food. Then, her eyes met those of the little boy sitting beside her aunt.
Seeing the boy’s bashful smile, Whitney’s lips curled upward.
‘So this child will be the heir of House Rubernus.’
His silver hair was an exact match to Margrave Rubernus’s, and his green eyes represented the House of Duke Orleans.
Or perhaps they leaned slightly more toward blue? Staring into those mysterious eyes brought to mind a forest holding a tranquil lake.
‘Beautiful.’
Was that an impolite thing to think about a boy? Meeting his unwavering stare, Whitney gave him a bright smile.
He must be about five years old? The boy’s face turned red, and he quickly lowered his head.
‘So cute.’
Whitney chuckled softly and looked away. Just when the meal seemed endless, it finally concluded, and the Margrave spoke.
“The reason I summoned you here, Princess, is to seek your assistance in entering the capital.”
She hadn’t expected him to dive straight into the main topic. Whitney nodded as if she already understood.
“I intend to spare no support in making you the shining star of this debutante season. However, I hope you won’t forget that House Rubernus stands behind you.”
“I won’t forget your kindness.”
“The rest would be best discussed with my wife, so I shall take my leave now.”
“Thank you, Margrave, for inviting me to this meal.”
Whitney bowed to the Margrave and sat back down. He gave a nod and exited the dining room.
“We should move elsewhere now as well.”
At her aunt’s words, Whitney rose and followed her.
They went to the garden prepared behind the mansion, where a table was already set with tea and pastries.
The excited boy started to run toward the table but suddenly glanced up at his aunt.
“Leo, you mustn’t eat too much.”
“Don’t worry! I’ll only have two!”
So his name was Leo.
Whitney smiled faintly, watching Leo’s back as he brimmed with delight.
As the two took their seats, a maid warmed the teacups and poured in fresh tea.
“You must have been quite surprised by my sudden message.”
“Actually, I was happy. I hadn’t reached out even once, yet to know you remembered me brought me joy.”
A bittersweet smile appeared on her aunt’s face.
“I couldn’t contact you either. You weren’t at Father’s funeral, so I didn’t know about you. Had I known, I would’ve contacted you sooner—I’m sorry.”
“When I heard about the accident, I couldn’t believe it. Though we weren’t particularly close, you were the child my sister held especially dear. I hadn’t done anything for you, so it was hard for me to face you.”
If Father’s carriage accident hadn’t happened, would she have learned about her aunt sooner?
Whitney lowered her head deeply.
“Lift your head. The accident wasn’t your fault. I left you alone, but I truly believed you’d be doing well.”
“It’s alright. I’m….”
In truth, it hadn’t been alright. But Whitney shook her head and simply smiled. She couldn’t forget why she’d come here.
She hadn’t come to complain about her hardships, and she was certainly past the age for such things.
She lifted her head and spoke to her aunt.
“With your help, I’ll reclaim what I’ve lost. Please trust me and leave it to me.”
“How spirited you are. Now that I look closely, you resemble your father quite a bit… Since the Ducal Mansion won’t be offering you any support, you’ll stay here and learn.”
“My stepmother won’t allow that.”
“Don’t worry about her. I’ve already looked into that woman.”
At her aunt’s words, Whitney blinked. Somehow, she saw a flicker of fire in her aunt’s eyes.
“Though I’m sure you’ve already been introduced—Sonia will be your personal maid from now on. And starting tomorrow, I’ve invited a renowned instructor to begin your debutante lessons, so you’ll be busy.”
Whitney nodded. Yet she wondered—why hadn’t they asked her directly? It seemed natural to wonder how she intended to assist House Rubernus, yet her aunt said nothing about it.
“Aunt, I have a question. I understand House Rubernus is on good terms with Her Majesty the Queen—so why did His Majesty the King send House Rubernus to the frontier?”
She knew it was impolite to ask, but it mattered greatly to her. If the king’s displeasure stemmed from something more complicated than she realized, resolving the conflict might be beyond her power.
“I don’t know the exact reason, but Margrave Rubernus was very well-regarded among the common people. That must have been displeasing to His Majesty.”
“Then, is the Queen’s favorable relationship with House Rubernus meant to counterbalance the King?”
“Yes. It’s common knowledge that the King and Queen don’t get along, so she’s likely trying to strengthen her side.”
“Then, would House Rubernus not care if their relationship with the Queen deteriorated?”
Her aunt set down her teacup and stared at Whitney, clearly wondering why she was asking this.
After a long, steady look into Whitney’s unwavering eyes, she smiled faintly.
“If a suitable price is offered in return, it wouldn’t matter.”
“I was thinking it might be better to gain the King’s support than the Queen’s.”
“Do you have a good plan, then?”
At her aunt’s calm question, Whitney replied.
“Aunt, I intend to align myself with His Highness the Second Prince.”
“…The Second Prince? The one the Queen couldn’t kill despite her desperation?”
“But he is the one His Majesty the King favors. It will be risky, but if House Rubernus supports the Second Prince, the King will be pleased.”
The King must have felt frustrated that he couldn’t openly help House Rubernus—so this would be a welcome move from his perspective.
“The Second Prince, you say… Are you certain? Certain you can win him to your side?”
“Yes, I’m certain.”
Whitney answered without hesitation, her eyes sparkling.
“If you become a shining star and capture the heart of His Highness the Second Prince, I shall support you whenever needed. I swear it on the name of Rubernus.”
Hearing her aunt’s promise, Whitney beamed.
“I will too! Leo will too! We swear on the name of Rubernus!”
Leo, still with crumbs at the corner of his mouth, raised his hand high as he declared this. Whitney gently wiped his mouth with her handkerchief.
In her heart, she made a vow—she would never let anything endanger this adorable child.
[This is the timeline separator]Lady Rubernus’s face twisted in fury as she listened to Sonia’s report.
“So she had injuries on her body?”
“It seems Princess Whitney didn’t receive affection at the Ducal Mansion. Most likely, the mistreatment began after Duke Orleans passed away and she was left alone.”
“…Find out if there’s medicine to remove the scars. And we’ll also need ointment for any unhealed wounds.”
“There were traces of herbal remedies applied. Thanks to that, the wounds weren’t too severe.”
Her heart tore apart.
When she’d heard her younger brother had died, she’d wanted to go—but she hadn’t. Going to the capital herself would have immediately alerted the King, who would surely interpret it as disobedience.
“I should have at least sent word. I was far too careless.”
When her brother had said his child needed a mother, she couldn’t bring herself to object. Though his remarriage had seemed rushed, she’d assumed he’d handle things well.
“I must send a letter to Lady Orleans. She’s been acting as interim head of the household until Whitney comes of age, correct?”
“Yes. Until Princess Whitney completes her debutante season, Lady Orleans holds authority over her.”
“Whitney must have written to me not just for guardianship, but for other kinds of help as well. It seems I’ll be busy for a while.”
Lady Rubernus immediately began preparing letters to the Orleans family’s relatives. Her small, powerless niece had reached out—now it was her duty to take that hand and guide her.
“I’ll need to speak with my husband. This will likely require significant funds, so I should consult him.”
“The Margrave said you may proceed as you see fit and that there’s no need to inform him separately.”
“He’s gone to the border again?”
“He left word that he’ll return soon.”
Lady Rubernus nodded. As Sonia prepared paper and pen on the desk, she immediately began writing. In truth, the letter’s contents didn’t matter much.
What mattered was how much money she enclosed. It seemed clear now that Cecilia hadn’t become Duchess to be a good mother to Whitney.
“Did she have a daughter?”
“Yes—Melissa Orleans. She’s currently a lady drawing attention in high society, though no marriage proposals from suitable families have been accepted, as far as I know.”
“Look into this Melissa further. Find out which families have proposed matches for her.”
If decent families had made offers yet received no response, it meant they were aiming higher.
Lady Rubernus thought she understood—she knew exactly whom Cecilia and her daughter were after.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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Chapter Comments (1)
Inline Comments (9)
Cecilia hosted parties every two weeks, inviting guests to the Ducal Mansion—lik
What if it was Prince Carl? Or the man who brought them from the countryside and helped them?
“Meeting someone privately?”
I think she dyes her hair, or that she’s an illegitimate daughter of another man.
Mother would surely be furious, so it remained to be seen how she’d react. Judgi
I hope Cecile gets a very gentle punishment that cuts her down 🙂🔪
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This is the first time I’ve seen a good aunt help the heroine; I think this novel is different.