How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love

Estroa’s pattern appeared on the second princess’s body!

When the Empress heard the news, she immediately rushed to the Second Princess’ palace to confirm the fact, and the news soon reached the ears of the emperor.

The pattern that appeared below the second princess’s neck, in the middle of her collarbone, was certainly the pattern of Estroa, And after hearing a few words of advice from the emperor, she immediately launched several fireballs into the air.

The power expressed through patterns is different from that expressed through magic. Anyone who mastered magic, and those who had power, could see where the other’s power came from.

The emperor, who found out that the second princess really expressed the pattern, was very happy and told the second princess that he would grant her a wish.

The second princess doesn’t want anything else, but if possible, she asked for the punishment the emperor had given to the second prince, To be canceled.

Surely the Second Prince had committed a great sin, but the emperor had already said that he would grant her anything she wanted, so how could he go against his own words?

The emperor immediately agreed, and immediately released the second prince from probation.

The next morning. The second prince, who was out of probation, immediately visited the palace of the second princess after greeting the emperor and empress.

Congratulating her on the manifestation and thanking her for helping him, he gave her a gift.

* * *

“There was no need for you to bring something like this.” 

“Yeah, it seems like it just got more complicated because of me.”

Today, In the second princess’s palace, the servants were busy preparing to move, and not only the servants but also the maid were busy with checklists.

The exact date has not been set, but a celebration will be held soon with the first princess’ ceremony. At that time, she was promised by the Empress that she would be given Rose Quartz Palace, the first princess’s Palace.

In addition, for her dignity as a princess, she received royalties and jewels several times larger than those given to the princess, the right to appoint a knight of the Gryphon Knights as an escort, and the right to have a Marquis or even a Duke’s child as her handmaiden, If she wants.

Since the three duke’s families didn’t have children of the same age as the princess’s palace maid, they only sent congratulatory letters, but several marquis and count families were competing to send expensive gifts to impress her.

Even now, through the wide open window, she sees the servant carrying a large box entering the garden.

Julius, who confirmed the situation with Mariette, lifted the teacup with a small smile.

“Everyone is eager to look good for you.”

“It’s so funny. The fact that people’s attitudes change with just one pattern.” 

Since manifesting the pattern, Mariette has never worn her necklace. She won’t do it in the future.

‘So that those who laughed at me for being just a princess can see this Estroa pattern well.’

“This is a pattern, don’t say that. Isn’t it proof that you are a member of the Estroa imperial family and qualified to compete for the position of the next emperor?”

“That’s right. I now have the qualification to compete for the position of the next emperor.”

Mariette’s gaze at Julius was just cold enough to make him wonder if she was the one who helped him.

As if trying to dig into the truth, Julius’ eyes also shone quietly. 

“It means that the day when my brother can see me as not just his little sister is not far away.”

“Why do you say that? Even if we compete for the throne together, you are my sister.” 

“Did you act so sweet even to the first prince?” Or is it because you even see me as a weak competitor to compete for the throne?”

“Marie, don’t speak so sharply.” 

Julius’ eyes looked sad.

“Which of us will be the next emperor will be determined by a test. I am ready to accept whatever the result is.”

“Brother, are you really sure you won’t be angry? Even if I suddenly express my pattern, or even if you lose the throne to the first prince, the son of the mistress?” 

“Yes, because he is my brother and you are my little sister.”

“Don’t put me on the same line as the first prince!” 

The teacup that she put down overflowed with tea. Julius’ gaze fell toward Mariette, who bit her lips as if she was resentful and then spoke with a hint of resentment in her voice.

“Do you still see him as your brother in your eyes? This time he secretly raised monsters. He manipulated evidence and witnesses to put all sorts of ridiculous tricks on you. Are you still saying that because you haven’t heard what bad things the ignorant people say about you?”

“That kid saved my life. If it wasn’t for him, I would have been dead. We couldn’t even make the antidote for the poison he was exposed to if it weren’t for Marquis Ajas. If it wasn’t for him, he’d be dead.”

“I’m sure that’s what he was planning to do. Please come to your senses, brother!”

“Marie.”

Julius let out a long sigh. Thinking that sigh was reprimanding her, Mariette clenched her fists tightly.

“I feel sorry for him. That’s why I wanted you to get closer to him…”

“You still don’t know? That’s why I hate the first prince more.” 

“Marie.”

“Don’t call me that in a reprimanding way. After the installation ceremony, I’m the first princess, equal to my brother.”

Mariette’s eyes were sharp as she looked at Julius. 

The intensity of the flame, which burned away all family loyalty, made Julius sad.

“I wasn’t doing this for you, brother, I was doing it for me. I don’t want my father to appoint the first prince as crown prince while I’m still not powerful enough.”

Since the second prince has been released, there is no reason to appoint the first prince as the crown prince without taking the test.

“Since I have helped you, please listen to my request too. On the day of the ceremony for the installation of the princess, please beg our father to postpone the Estroa test until I finish the royal studies class. Can you?”

“Are you going to build your faction in the meantime?”

“Yes. Several people have already sent letters. It’s all thanks to you. Thanks to the foolishness of my older brother who treated the first prince as his younger brother and supported him.”

Despite the cold sarcasm, Julius’ expression didn’t change. He just sends a sad glance toward his sister.

“It’s good to have that,  but think twice before you act. There are plenty of people who would stand on your head if you gave them a little space.” 

“It’s the words of someone who actually experienced it, so I will engrave it deep in my heart. but I won’t be taking any more of your advice from now on, because I’m not your dear little sister anymore”

“Marie…”

“I want to rest. Please go back.” 

After saying that, Mariette got up from her seat.

It was not polite to remain seated once the owner of the palace had got up. With a sigh, Julius rose from his seat.

“I see now that you look sick. I’ll have someone send you some medicine tomorrow, and you should take it.”

“I don’t need it.”

“The wind is still very cold, so take care of yourself.”

“That kindness will one day become a poisonous tooth that bites your neck.”

After Mariette, who turned her back coldly, left the living room, Julius walked around in the gardens with his aides, his entourage of servants, and his two escort knights.

“This is weird…”

“What are you talking about?”

Julius opened his mouth with a complicated face.

“While I was on probation, no one checked on the Second Princess’s court? Marie’s pale face looked like she was sick, so why didn’t the royal doctor say anything?”

“As far as I know, the second princess has never called for a doctor. Could it be that she was just very tired from the series of disturbances?”

“It can’t be just because of stamina. Because when the pattern is manifested, the stamina actually gets better.”

‘So why did Mariette look as pale as if she were about to collapse?’

Even compared to the last time I saw her, her body was quite thin.

Julius narrowed his eyes as he recalled her slender wrists, barely able to hold a teacup.

“I’m sure she’d hate it if I sent a doctor…Kane.” 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Choose medicines that are good for the body. take it to the second princess’s palace. Don’t come back just because she sent it back, hold on until she receives it.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Kane’s face contorted into a frown. He’d already predicted his future when he’d said, “Don’t come back just because she sent it back.”

“And Eric.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Organize a list of those who have requested an audience with the second princess’s palace, as well as those who sent gifts and letters, and put them on the desk in my office. Don’t forget to do it in secret.”

“Is it for inspection purposes, or—?”

“You are asking useless questions. Anyway, since you’re an only child, you can’t understand my feelings.”

“….”

“That’s right. Growing up as an only child, Sir Eric probably never shared a bean with his younger siblings. what a pity Sir Eric could not find out about the brother and sister’s affection until the day he died.”

Rosalyn, an aide with whom Eric had a bitter relationship, chimed in, not hiding the twitching corners of her mouth.

Because of that, Eric, who had rarely changed his expression, frowned. 

Rosalyn was probably the only one in the imperial palace who could make Eric, who rarely smiles, even a small smile, like that.

“You are good at saying that you shared a piece of beans with that mouth. Did you eat the pudding you bragged about taking from your brother the other day?”

“Oh, you have a bad memory. I didn’t take it from my brother, but I received what my brother gave me. Sir Eric, you are still young, but you already have dementia.…!”

TL: dementia is a group of conditions characterized by impairment of at least two brain functions, such as memory loss and judgment.

“Orion will prove who it is who speaks twice.” 

“Sure. My lovely brother will prove it. Our beautiful friendship!”

‘Seeing the two of them arguing well made me realize that I had really been released from probation.’

Thanks to the unexpected appearance of the younger sister’s pattern and her help, things worked out better than expected.

‘I’m a little confused.’ 

There are already three Estroa who manifested the pattern this time. They are also three of the emperor’s four children.

‘Has the pattern of Estroa ever been manifested at such a high rate? It would be nice but….’ 

Mariette’s pale face kept bothering him. 

Julius looked around the palace for no reason, thinking that he should visit his mother soon and talk to her.

* * *

Crash!

“Princess! Are you okay?”

“I am okay, so go away.” 

“But, I need to clean up the floor—” 

“It’s okay, so go away!”

Startled by Mariette’s shout, the maid looked at her, then bowed her head and walked out of the bedroom.

The sound of the maids rushing out was followed by the sound of the door closing.

Only then did Mariette lie down as if she was about to collapse, and raised her arms over her tightly closed eyes. Even through her closed eyelids, her vision seemed to be spinning. 

‘My Body, strength…’ 

Her hands were shaking. Her stomach churned and Made her nauseous. Her physical condition was so bad that she staggered and misplaced her hand and broke a vase.

‘As expected, too much blood was drawn yesterday.’ 

The important thing was that the blood had to be drawn again tonight. 

‘If my blood continued to be drawn like this, it could be really bad.’

Mariette was not unaware of this. But it was something she knew and was determined to do.