The Darkened Second Male Lead Seeks to Rewrite the Original Storyline

“Siklaen doesn’t matter. The only one I want… is you.”

“W-What? Want me?”

Ria stammered, instinctively leaning back.

He was talking about ‘choosing me’ before, and now he says he wants me?

Zen leaned back casually in his chair, completely ignoring Ria’s shocked expression.

“I have a proposition for you.”

“No thanks, I’ll pass.”

Her curt response was meant to shut him down, but Zen seemed unfazed and continued as if she hadn’t spoken.

“Let Darren have Siklaen, and you’ll have me.”

“What?”

“Marry me.”

Zen said it lightly, as though discussing dinner plans. Ria barely managed to stifle a scream.

She couldn’t make sense of what was going on. Was it her personality in this new life that appealed to him? But that couldn’t be—every interaction they’d had so far was her acting out the villainous Ria from the original story.

And honestly… he doesn’t even look like someone who likes me.

None of the usual signs of romantic interest were present. Forcing herself to stay composed, Ria shot back,

“Don’t tell me you actually think I’d agree to this. What would I even gain?”

“Did I say it was a trade?”

“What?”

“It’s not a trade. It’s just a suggestion. One you can’t refuse.”

“That’s what people call blackmail.”

“If you marry me, you’ll become Empress of this country. Every woman in the kingdom dreams of that. Do you really think it’s blackmail?”

“Well, I must not be from this country, then, because I don’t want it.”

Her rapid-fire response seemed to momentarily catch Zen off guard, and his brow furrowed.

“…Am I not good-looking enough?”

He leaned closer, as if to prove his point, and Ria couldn’t help but inhale sharply.

“Everyone says I’m handsome.”

Ria squeezed her eyes shut. Even in this absurd situation, she couldn’t deny it. He was handsome. But she couldn’t afford to give in.

“Fine, count me out of that ‘everyone.’”

“Ah, so you prefer Darren? Do you like dark hair? I could dye mine if that’s what you want.”

Ria waved her hands dismissively, as if shooing away an annoying fly.

“Enough with the jokes. Let me ask you something.”

Zen raised his eyebrows, signaling her to continue.

“What do you gain from this? There has to be a reason for you to be making this so-called proposal.”

Zen clamped his mouth shut.

“When did you even start liking me? What’s your reason for wanting to make me Empress? You don’t need my family’s power; you’re the sole heir to the throne.”

Ria stared directly into Zen’s piercing blue eyes, as though trying to unravel his true motives.

“Well? What do you gain from this?”

A long silence stretched between them. Then, finally, Zen blinked slowly and spoke in a low voice.

“…My life.”

Back at the Keblick mansion, Ria lay sprawled on her enormous, plush bed, dressed in nothing but a negligee, clutching a pillow tightly. The bed was so large that she could comfortably lie across it, and its softness made it feel as though she were sinking into a cloud.

Don’t overthink it. All I want is for Siklaen to be happy.

Ria nodded firmly to herself, as if solidifying her resolve. Ever since her meeting with Zen, her thoughts had been in turmoil, but the conclusion was always the same.

Siklaen’s happiness depended on Zen. More specifically, on Zen’s feelings for Siklaen.

Zen was the one who would save Siklaen when her life was in danger.

If Zen’s ridiculous idea of me being with him or becoming Empress ever comes true, everything will fall apart.

Rolling onto her back, Ria stared up at the ceiling, Zen’s words echoing in her mind.

“If you accept my proposal, maybe you’ll eventually have that withdrawal certificate back in your hands.”

According to her plan, she should have successfully withdrawn from the Academy today. Afterward, she would return to House Keblick and live idly, cutting ties with all the characters in the novel.

If only it weren’t for Zen…

“Ugh…”

She let out a frustrated sigh, fully aware of the selfish thoughts creeping into her mind. The situation had left her wanting things she shouldn’t.

A part of her didn’t want to leave. She wanted to stay here, living a luxurious life with doting, wealthy parents.

“Argh!”

Ria buried her face in her pillow and pounded it with her fists.

In truth, she wanted to stay at the Academy. She wanted to study without a care in the world. Her past self, unable to afford textbooks or even a snack during breaks, made her long for such a life even more.

When Zen had torn up her withdrawal certificate right in front of her, she hadn’t hated it.

Ridiculous.

Yet the desire to stay kept creeping back into her heart.

“Ahhhh!”

Ria let out a loud scream, as if to chase away the negative thoughts.

The door burst open.

“My lady!”

It was Isabelle. She must have rushed over after hearing the noise, as she frantically scanned the room.

“My lady, are you all right?!”

Still lying on the bed, Ria muttered absentmindedly.

“Isabelle.”

“Yes, my lady! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. But I need you to do something for me.”

“For me?” Isabelle’s voice was tinged with confusion.

In a low voice, Ria gave her an order, one that had been lingering in her mind ever since her conversation with Zen.

“Find out everything you can about Zen Widia, the Crown Prince.”

Isabelle blinked, clearly startled by the sudden command.

“The Crown Prince? What exactly do you want to know?”

“Anything. Especially if… if his life is in danger or if his position as heir is unstable.”

“What?”

Isabel glanced around nervously at Ria’s irreverent command.

“Just do as I say! I need to know if there’s anything I don’t already know.”

“…Yes, my lady.”

“Now, leave.”

“Are you sure you’re all right, my lady?”

Ria didn’t bother answering. Instead, she shot Isabel a sharp glare. Isabel hesitated but eventually bowed deeply and exited the room, her face still clouded with concern.

Ria hugged her pillow again and flopped onto the bed, rolling back and forth.

“‘My life,’ huh?”

Zen had said there was only one thing he could gain: his life.

That statement kept nagging at her.

“It didn’t sound like a joke or a lie.”

Still, that didn’t mean it was the truth. What on earth could threaten the life of the Crown Prince, and what did she have to do with saving him?

Part of her wanted to tell him outright. You’re going to die saving Siklaen anyway. I know. I’ve seen it happen.

“Ugh, whatever.”

Ria burrowed under her blanket. Moonlight streamed faintly through the arched window beside her bed. The mattress was soft, and the blanket was warm. Tomorrow, she’d wake up and enjoy a delicious breakfast.

For now, she decided to leave her tangled thoughts for tomorrow and let herself drift into sleep, a faint smile on her lips.

“There’s only one thing I can gain: my life.”

She didn’t yet realize how deeply that single sentence would shake her world.

Ria walked down the halls of the Royal Academy with Isabel trailing behind her. A few noble girls greeted her as she passed.

“Good morning, Lady Ria.”

Ria tilted her head in acknowledgment. To her surprise, the gesture seemed to encourage more people to gather around her.

She was caught off guard by her own popularity but soon remembered why. In the original story, many students had sided with her when she bullied Siklaen. It made sense—House Keblick was second only to the royal family in power.

“Lady Ria?”

Lost in thought, Ria snapped out of her reverie when one of the noble girls addressed her. She must have been one of the countless extras Ria couldn’t be bothered to remember.

“Hmm?”

Ria chose a neutral response. She wasn’t sure whether to treat her formally or dismissively, so she settled for neither.

Fortunately, her ambiguous reply didn’t seem to bother the girl, who continued speaking.

“Did you, um, tell your father—the Duke—about what happened yesterday?”

“What happened yesterday?”

Ria frowned as she recalled the previous day.

Ah.

She finally recognized the girl. She had been close to Ernie—the one who had stood up first when Ernie had stormed away from the table.

“And why do you ask?”

Ria deliberately adopted a cold tone, watching as the girl flinched at her words.

“I-I was just…”

“Never mind.”

Ria turned away abruptly, her sharp dismissal making the girl’s face fall.

She hadn’t intended to blame this unfortunate extra. After all, Ria’s situation wasn’t much different. People like this girl never changed simply because they were reprimanded.

So instead of scolding her, I’ll make use of her.

“Tell me about Ernie.”

Ria’s seemingly generous tone made the girl’s face light up instantly.

“What would you like to know about her?”

The eagerness in her response, coupled with her sparkling eyes, made it clear that she wasn’t truly close to Ernie. She was just the type to align herself with whoever benefited her most.

An easy type to deal with.

Ria put on a kind smile.

“Oh, nothing specific. I just don’t remember much about her. Did she always go here?”

“It makes sense that you wouldn’t remember. Her brother recently distinguished himself in the war, and His Majesty greatly praised their family. That’s why she only entered the Academy recently. She’s been acting quite arrogant ever since. But after all, she’s just from a count’s family. How dare she behave so rudely to someone like you, Lady Ria?”

The girl didn’t miss the chance to flatter Ria, but Ria ignored the praise, her thoughts elsewhere.

A war?

It was the same thing Isabel had told her, yet the word still felt foreign. There hadn’t been any mention of a war in the book she had read.

What war? And why has Ernie suddenly appeared?

Noticing Ria’s troubled expression, the girl smirked slyly and added,

“Her family is nothing compared to the prestigious House Keblick. After what happened yesterday, she might be hiding in shame, too afraid to show her face again.”

“I doubt it.”

Ria stopped abruptly, gesturing ahead with her chin.

Standing in the corridor was Ernie, smiling brightly as if she had been waiting for her. Their eyes met, and Ernie’s expression made it clear that her presence was anything but coincidental.