The Obsessive Male Lead Is Jealous Of My Doll - Chapter 46

23 — 2

Karentina sighed inwardly as she thought about the contents of the original story. Before becoming the Imperial Consort, Christina was known as the Swan of the Empire, the belle of the social scene.

‘She was graceful and beautiful above water, though beneath the surface, she engaged in all sorts of dirty deeds.’

The fact that the nobles believed the absurd story about Imperial Consort Christina’s illegitimate child was because she was considered a virtuous lady in social circles.

Among the nobles, it was a prevailing opinion that the Emperor, who had a poor reputation, had impregnated Christina before marriage and then abandoned her. She was portrayed as a pitiable woman who loved the Emperor but modestly wished for his happiness, making her a topic of public interest. Most of the aristocratic faction, led by her father, the Duke of Horton, accepted Christina’s story as a fact, and even the paternity test conducted at the temple revealed that the child was the Emperor’s, causing a huge scandal in the empire.

With public opinion in turmoil and the sharp demands from the nobility council to fill the vacant empress position, she was appointed as the Imperial Consort. Not long after, the Emperor collapsed.

As a result, instead of Ignis, who was still young, Imperial Consort Christina gradually encroached on the imperial palace.

“The reason we didn’t suspect the head maid, Timothia, was because she had been serving His Majesty long before the Imperial Consort arrived. She was someone who was loyal to His Majesty more than anyone else.”

“….”

“Contrary to the rumors circulating throughout the Empire, His Majesty is neither a tyrant nor a debauchee. They’re all false rumors.”

Gemma, wiping her tears with the handkerchief, spoke in a trembling voice.

“There’s also a reason why His Highness the Crown Prince is wary of women of Young Lady Karentina’s age.”

Karentina was so startled by her subsequent words that she nearly fainted.

“The Imperial Consort has taken control of the palace and pushed women into the Crown Prince’s bed chamber.”

“What?”

“At that time, His Highness was fifteen years old.”

Her heart sank as she heard the story of Ignis’s past, which wasn’t mentioned in the original story.

‘It’s outrageous even as an adult, but at fifteen… Isn’t this abuse?!’

Karentina was in shock and confused. Unable to hide her dismay, her hands trembled uncontrollably.

“There were rumors throughout the imperial palace that that he sometimes took aphrodisiacs with his meals and the young Crown Prince was following in the Emperor’s footsteps by summoning women to his quarters every night.”

She was so shocked by this unexpected story that she covered her mouth with both hands.

“After the enraged Crown Prince burned down the entire palace, women could no longer come and go, but he became an object of fear due to the gossip of those who didn’t know the real situation.”

‘…How could such a thing happen?’

Gemma’s voice trembled slightly as she was overcome with emotion.

“After that, assassins targeted His Highness’s life, and he even earned the infamous title of the ‘Bloody Crown Prince’.”

The more she heard, the more Karentina was rendered speechless by the outrageous behavior of the Imperial Consort.

“After reaching adulthood, women who were infatuated with His Highness have taken it upon themselves to touch even the Princess… It seems His Highness’s forgotten memories have resurfaced.”

To think they even touched Stella…

Karentina began to understand a bit why Ignis was so wary of her. She recalled his ominous red eyes from when they first met.

“His Highness had so much to protect—the young Princess, the Emperor who was bedridden with illness, his loyal subordinates, and even his own life.”

“….”

“He’s cold and arrogant, but… His Highness is a lonely person.”

Gemma’s eyes reddened, and eventually, large tears began to roll down her cheeks.

“Gemma…”

Karentina felt a twinge of sympathy in her chest.

“I deeply apologize for causing such a misunderstanding for you, Young Lady Karentina. I’ll take responsibility and correct His Majesty’s distorted thoughts.”

Soon, the room was filled only with Gemma’s sobs. Karentina walked up to her side and gently patted her back. Although she knew the novel’s story, she hadn’t given much thought to Ignis’s sharp misunderstandings…

From Gemma’s perspective, it seemed like she might be worried that she had been greatly hurt.

“It must have been difficult to talk about His Highness’s matters, so thank you for telling me. Just calm down for now. And really, I’m fine.”

Gemma wiped her flowing tears with the handkerchief Karentina had given her.

“Young Lady Karentina…”

She was always cheerful and full of affection, so seeing her crying like this made Karentina feel uneasy. The novel focused exclusively on the current affairs of Ignis and Ceria, so she had never imagined that there would be such a backstory in his past.

‘I know she didn’t deceive me or set a trap.’

Karentina, who was thinking of Gemma, who had sweat beading on her forehead to dress her up since dawn, quietly opened her mouth.

“His Highness may have misunderstood.”

“….?”

“But I was really happy to be pampered by Gemma and the maids for the first time.”

Although it was hard work, who would turn down something beautiful? Karentina shrugged her shoulders deliberately and continued her words playfully.

“I don’t want to be misunderstood by His Highness, so I’ll refrain from dressing up in front of him. And by the way, I really enjoyed how Gemma made me look beautiful earlier. I’ve never experienced being pampered before.”

“Young Lady Karentina…”

A look of pity appeared in Gemma’s eyes, though Karentina didn’t mind.

‘Once I retrieve my magic stone, I’ll live a luxurious life, enjoying diamond spoons.’

Unfortunately, without someone like a chaperone or a godmother to help her, she desperately needed the help of Gemma, who knew a lot about the social world. Karentina then grabbed the hand of the woman in front of her at the thought and asked with a pleading look.

“When I go to the capital later, will you help me then? You made me look so beautiful earlier that I almost fell for myself.”

Gemma nodded, a faint smile on her face.

“Please just leave it to me.”

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