Chapter 94: Love and Longing in the Imperial Maze

“Ah, you haven’t heard? Duke Diches has just been released on parole and reinstated as his closest aide.”

It was the return of the possessive Male Lead.

From the back door of the royal prison, encircled by sturdy walls, a man stepped out. Brushing back his jade-green hair, he peered past his glasses at a world that looked both familiar and new. After months away, the scenery—a slow drift of clouds, rustling leaves, and at the edge of it all, a silver-haired woman—seemed almost surreal.

“Lady Elina I.”

Duches dashed to her and embraced her delicate frame. She had endured so much waiting.

“I knew you’d be waiting for me.”

“Here, take this.”

Lady Elina I, standing a couple of steps away, offered him a black plastic bag. Inside was a generous serving of white delicacy, which Diches devoured greedily as he looked upon the beautiful woman before him, seemingly bathed in silver light.

“In prison, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. My first lover, Rioli; my second lover, Asand; my third, Keshan… [omitted]… my twenty-first, Katrina; my twenty-second, Ijail… [omitted]… even my fifty-first, Lilius, mean nothing compared to you.”

Though Diches had been with countless women, they were mere fleeting flings. Never had anyone looked at him as steadfastly as Lady Elina I, who loved not just his image, but his true self.

“Despite my past—a tangled love for my mother that bred both adoration and disdain for women—I finally realized there’s only one woman in my life. You are the only one I have ever truly loved.”

“Ah, Diches.”

Lady Elina I blushed shyly, covering her rosy cheeks as she spoke in a clear, smooth voice.

“I know… someone as beautiful, kind, and considerate as I am—with a warm capacity for hugs despite my tearful, sensitive nature, yet at times decisively sharp and wise—who in their right mind could dislike me?”

With a soft chuckle, Lady Elina I smiled demurely and lowered her eyes.

“I’ve always thought of you as my prince. But the last time I saw you, all my fantasies were shattered.”

“Lady Elina I?”

“Compared to me, Diches, you, though handsome, lack genuine kindness. You obsessively cling and try to possess others, and unlike me, you never maintained your dignity—indulging instead in reckless escapades, all wrapped up as bittersweet devotion to your mother. Even as a duke, that red mark on you remains.”

Why is it that such a pathetic man ends up as the Male Lead? While the Female Lead is harshly criticized for even minor missteps, the Male Lead is forgiven no matter how debauched or despicable.

“That day, I realized: someone as perfect as I am deserves more than your one-track love. Only a truly well-rounded Male Lead—handsome, kind, and supportive—has the right to claim me.”

Gently sweeping his silver hair from his ears, Lady Elina I offered an ethereal smile. Diches, utterly captivated, grasped her slender wrist.

“Why shouldn’t I be given a chance to explain? I had no choice but to be possessively attached as the Male Lead. Or is it that my past indiscretions with other women—whose feelings now amount to nothing—are to blame? Please, believe me… so don’t leave me.”

“What are you saying, Diches?”

Lady Elina I softly caressed his calloused hand against her cheek. With a pure smile, she embodied sheer loveliness.

“I’m not going anywhere. I love you. All you need to do is keep loving me—be one among the many who care for me.”

“So you think my love isn’t enough? Tell me.”

“Well, compared to you, I’m hardly worth it.”

Her long, silver eyelashes curved gracefully as her radiant smile lit up the space. Letting go of Diches’ hand, Lady Elina I retraced her steps.

Left alone in a desolate alley, Diches stood for a long moment, utterly stunned.

“This can’t be happening! This just can’t…! Hmph.”

In the Emperor’s office, Karlahee’s expression faltered at the harrowing sounds of weeping. Opening the door, he found Diches slumped over his desk. Next to him, Creon—busy shredding his daily documents—lifted his head politely.

“You’re here.”

“Yes. But what about your honor? After all, the duke lost his honor the moment he landed in prison.”

“I can’t exactly offer comfort, but this is going too far.”

With an irritated sniff, Diches flung a tissue at Karlahee before releasing a heavy sigh, burdened by his woes. Resting his elbows on the desk, he wiped his tear-streaked face with dry hands. Slowly, his sealed lips parted.

“If she isn’t completely mine, nothing matters… Do you really think the role of the possessive Male Lead is just a label? Wanting to monopolize the Female Lead is the very essence of being a Male Lead!”

“So all Male Leads are like you, huh?”

Overwhelmed, Diches shot Karlahee a piercing glare.

“Are you saying you’ve never been possessive?”

“Never—at least not in the desperate, clinging way you do.”

“But you do like her, don’t you?”

“…”

At Karlahee’s sudden comment, he raised an eyebrow and, with a casual shrug, added,

“Who exactly am I supposed to like?”

“I know. In fact, His Highness had me…”

“Wrong.”

It wasn’t even worth hearing. Karlahee, momentarily forgetting his own tension, scolded Diches.

“If you’re not going to work, get out. And come back tomorrow.”

“Then why doesn’t Creon, who’s been busy shredding documents all morning, get fired?”

“That’s his job. Instead of nitpicking at hardworking people, mind your own business.”

At his superior’s cold words, Diches abruptly stood. “Understood. I’ll be on my way today.” With that, he swung open the door and left.

Striding resolutely down the long corridor, Diches paused at a corner where, like a mirage, a flash of silver hair had appeared and vanished.

“Lady Elina I?”

Without hesitation, Diches took off in pursuit. Rounding the corner, he spotted the back of a silver-haired woman and quickly grabbed her wrist.

“Diches… Duke?”

The woman turned around. Although she dressed and acted like Lady Elina I, she was none other than Elina II.

Elina II mused that wandering aimlessly through the Imperial City had its perks. After all, according to cliché, getting lost for an hour and twelve minutes was the perfect recipe for encountering the Male Lead.

“It was you, wasn’t it? Sorry for grabbing you like that.”

“Not at all! I was in a bind, and I’m so glad we bumped into each other. Whew~”

“I’ll walk you back to your room.”

Knowing she now resided in the Forbidden Imperial Palace as the Emperor’s fiancée in place of Lady Elina I, Diches began walking down the corridor with Elina II. Seeing the weight on his face, Elina II innocently asked,

“Duke, what’s on your mind? You don’t look so good. In times like these, you really need to cheer up!”

“It’s actually… well, it’s all because of Lady Elina I.”

“Ah… I see.”

Elina II, also known as Kim Bing-ui, lowered her gaze wistfully. Her expression silently pleaded, ‘Why search for a twin when I’m right here? Can’t you spare a glance for me?’

Yet, hiding an inexplicable inferiority complex, Elina II brightened her tone.

“Hehe, isn’t Lady Elina I stunning? Unlike me, she’s thoughtful, thrifty, and truly one of a kind.”

“Absolutely. I once believed that a Male Lead should claim such a woman exclusively… but monopolizing her is simply impossible.”

“I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure Lady Elina I will return. No, I’ll make sure of it!”

Elina II glanced back with a smile. Seeing Diches’ confused expression, she clenched her fists and continued eagerly,

“Duke, you really don’t get it, do you? These days, regret novels are all the rage!”

“Regret novels… you mean that?”

“Yes. They’re designed to make you regret ever letting Lady Elina I go!”

It was an unexpected strategy. While Diches stood dumbfounded, Elina II hesitated and scratched her cheek.

“So how about using me to show Lady Elina I what true happiness looks like?”

“…”

“I don’t mind being used… Besides, there’s a reason I was born with a face identical to Lady Elina I. If we show a united front, she’ll surely feel jealous. And when she returns, you owe me a treat, right? Hehe—oh… why are tears flowing all of a sudden?”

Elina II bowed her head as she curiously observed the sudden tears streaming down Diches’ face. A spirited Female Lead forced to serve as her twin substitute—burdened by constant comparisons and hidden insecurities—was bound to evoke sympathy from any Male Lead.