Blackening the Affectionate Male Lead (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 16
Startled, Whitney stepped into the grass and lifted her head.
Her body shrank under his icy gaze and sky-blue eyes fixed upon her. Though her captured wrist throbbed, Whitney’s eyes sparkled.
“Your Highness, Prince Chester.”
She was glad he had finally appeared—the very person she had been searching for. Yet he seemed to feel differently than she did; she could tell just from his eyes.
“What’s your purpose, Whitney Orleans?”
“…I don’t have any purpose like that. I just…”
Wanted only to protect you.
Whitney swallowed her words. She already knew how he’d react to such a confession, so instead, she stared silently at Chester for a moment before lowering her eyes to her restrained wrist and speaking.
“It hurts. Will you keep holding me like this?”
Chester’s grip loosened around her wrist. Whitney glanced briefly at her aching wrist, then raised her head.
“I thought I’d leave without seeing you again.”
“So you came here because of me?”
“No. Her Majesty the Queen summoned me. The Rubernus family and the Crown are on good terms, after all. But I did hope I might run into you while I was here.”
Whitney smiled brightly. She truly felt relieved to have met him.
“The debutante ball you mentioned, Your Highness—it’s going to go well. So please wait just a little longer.”
“…Are you offering to spy for the Queen?”
“If that’s what you wish, Your Highness. People seem to be coming, so I should go now. Oh, and I heard the royal family uses a secret correspondence method. If you ever need me, please contact me through that channel.”
“You want me to contact you?”
“Aunt already knows—I’ll stand on your side.”
Chester’s brow furrowed. Her words made no sense to him at all.
Startled by a rustling sound, Whitney grabbed Chester’s hand and ducked low. After scanning their surroundings, she rose first.
“I’ll go ahead now. See you again. And if you ever need Bellonia, just let me know.”
She added that she’d send it anytime, then stepped out of the grass, brushed off her clothes, and walked toward the carriage as if nothing had happened.
[This is the timeline separator]Chester stared blankly at his own hand. The warmth still seemed to linger there. Without a doubt, only Whitney Orleans would have boldly seized his hand like that.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
At Aaron’s question, Chester snapped back to reality and looked toward where Whitney had disappeared. He let out a hollow laugh, thinking of Whitney, who was already gone.
“…Isn’t Lady Rubernus on the Queen’s side?”
“Actually, isn’t Her Majesty drawing close to House Rubernus precisely to keep His Majesty the King in check? The princess’s words don’t seem false.”
“I never thought she was the Queen’s spy, but her actions are certainly suspicious.”
“Indeed, there are many suspicious points. Shall we investigate a bit more? The debutante ball is still some time away—it wouldn’t hurt to watch and wait.”
“And what about you? What brings you here now?”
“The Queen has summoned Lady Elenia again.”
Chester gritted his teeth.
“Then I can’t stay idle—I must see His Majesty the King.”
“What do you plan to do?”
“I’ll interrupt tea time—the Queen’s least favorite method.”
He immediately headed toward where the King would be. At this hour, the King would have finished lunch and be in his study. The King was the only person the Queen respected—and the only one who could possibly rescue his mother. Sadly, Chester’s own power had limits in protecting her.
Upon reaching the study, Chester bowed to His Majesty the King.
“Well, what is it?”
“I came because I wanted to share a cup of tea with you after so long. If I’m interrupting, I’ll take my leave.”
“Nonsense. The weather is fine—we should have it outside.”
The King glanced out the window and stood up without hesitation, as if he’d been waiting for Chester all along. Perhaps he’d known all along but had no choice but to stay silent and observe.
“Yes, the weather is lovely. It would be nice to have tea together in the garden for once.”
“Good. Let’s do that. I also had something to discuss with you—your timing is perfect.”
They headed to the garden together. His mother would be in the Queen’s palace, but he couldn’t go there directly. Showing his intentions openly would be dangerous—he needed a different approach.
The Queen’s informants watched him everywhere in the palace. The moment word reached her that he was having a private tea with the King, she would surely come immediately.
And not alone—she’d bring her son with her.
Chester’s prediction proved accurate. The Queen, her cheeks slightly flushed, appeared alongside Karl.
“Why are you here, Your Majesty? I didn’t summon you separately since you seemed busy.”
“I happened to see you while strolling with my son. The weather is so pleasant—may we join you for tea?”
The King nodded. Chester breathed a quiet sigh of relief inside. The Queen’s arrival meant his mother had safely returned to her room.
“Karl received another excellent report card.”
“Naturally—he is my son. Chester has already become a Swordmaster, yet Karl still shows no sign of such talent. People have been talking.”
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. Karl will awaken his aura soon. Didn’t you yourself only open your aura after coming of age?”
Queen Adelaide lifted her teacup, the corners of her mouth curling upward.
“I already possessed my aura even before that. It’s truly odd—he inherited my blood, yet has no aura at all.”
The King clicked his tongue and gave Karl a scrutinizing look. Chester understood the King’s implication: if Karl wasn’t superior to him, then Chester—not Karl—would be the heir.
“But Brother excels in scholarship and commands everyone’s respect. He’s truly the worthy ruler to succeed Your Majesty. I’ve only awakened my aura—my sword skills are so poor they might as well be useless.”
Chester shook his head gently and carefully added to the King’s words. The more the King belittled Karl, the more dangerous it became for him and his mother. To avoid provoking the Queen, he had to humble himself and redirect the King’s attention toward his elder brother.
“Your Majesty, why don’t you enjoy tea with Her Majesty and my brother for once? I just remembered something urgent—I’ll take my leave.”
“Very well, go ahead.”
The King didn’t stop him. Besides the Queen’s watchful eyes, he already knew whom Chester intended to visit.
Chester immediately turned and walked quickly toward where his mother would be.
[This is the timeline separator]Whitney returned to the Rubernus estate by carriage.
Sonia greeted her as if she’d been waiting for her arrival. Judging by Sonia’s somber expression, something must have happened.
She followed Sonia’s lead to the reception room.
“Has something happened?”
“Princess Melissa is here.”
“My sister? Did Mother come with her too?”
Sonia shook her head. Thankfully, it seemed only her sister had come—likely just to check the situation. When Whitney entered the reception room, she saw Melissa elegantly dressed and felt reassured. Everything appeared normal—nothing unusual had happened at the Ducal Mansion.
In contrast, the moment Melissa spotted Whitney, her expression twisted sourly.
“Sister, what’s going on? You didn’t even send word. You should’ve contacted me first.”
“Listen to you! Since when do family members need to send formal notices? I came because I was worried about you—you’ve never left home before.”
Melissa stepped forward and pulled Whitney into a tight embrace. Uncomfortable with such affection, Whitney gently pushed her away.
“As you can see, I’m doing fine.”
Whitney shrugged and spoke to Melissa.
“Really? I expected you to suffer after leaving home, but you seem to be doing quite well.”
Melissa asked sulkily, clearly displeased that Whitney defied her expectations. Though she called her “aunt,” she’d never contacted Whitney before—probably assuming she couldn’t act as a proper guardian.
‘She stayed quiet instead of demanding I return because Aunt must have sent money.’
Whitney could guess without being told. Having received a large sum, they’d grown curious about how she was faring—worried she might be forming other plans, and wanting to confirm she was still under their control.
“Aunt is treating me well. I have to work hard—so I can help you, Sister.”
“Hmph. You’re not harboring other intentions, are you? I heard you went to the palace…”
Melissa glanced sidelong at Whitney, probing for a reaction. She’d rushed over so quickly because she’d heard an unbelievable rumor.
“Yes. I met Her Majesty the Queen. She might truly help you—she seems to view me favorably.”
“…Is that really true?”
Whitney nodded, then took Sonia’s hand and said,
“You’ll achieve what you desire, Sister.”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
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.