The Male Lead Is Mine - Chapter 201

“I’m still sponsoring musicians and looking for places to invest,” Limontri answered. He had received his inheritance in advance upon coming of age and had been increasing his wealth through prudent investments.

“Limontri, do you have any interest in studying abroad?”

“Yes, Father? But I’m not the heir.” His eyes widened when his father raised the subject of studying abroad. It was common for children of upper nobility to study abroad, but generally it was a reserved right for the successors of the family.

“I just don’t want you to waste your talents.”

“Father…”

“Just consider it.”

Limontri was at a loss for words from the unexpected proposition. The only thing that was certain was that he would no longer be able to meet with Violet if he were to study abroad. ‘Violet…’  The thought of not being able to see her was saddening, and he continued to puzzle over why he felt that way long after he departed from his father’s office.

* * *

Since there was only one person whom Limontri could seek counsel with during moments like this, he patiently waited for Hiel after calling upon him at the palace.

“What’s going on?” Hiel asked, looking at his friend who had suddenly called on him unannounced.

Limontri remained silent as he stared at the necklace that dangled around Hiel’s neck. It was the only necklace that the crown prince would wear ever since Elsa had gifted it to him. He recalled how Hiel had candidly admitted that he loved Elsa.

“Your Royal Highness, how can I know whether I like Violet?” Limontri asked abruptly.

“What?” Hiel had never expected to be asked such a question. He took a sip of tea and observed Limontri, who was seated across from him. They hadn’t gathered for tea recently because Aris had been busy preparing for her wedding. That’s why he had been surprised when Limontri suddenly sought him out and said he urgently needed to talk. “Have you come to the realization that you’re in love with Violet?”

“I don’t know.”

Hiel smacked his forehead with his palm and looked at Limontri. “Then, what possessed you to ask me a question like this?”

“I want her to be closer to me.”

“And?”

“And I want her to smile at me.”

“Is that all?” Hiel urged.

“I want her to be sweet to me too.”

“Does it make sense that you still don’t know your own heart when you think about her in that way?” Hiel regarded his friend with a dumbfounded expression. Even at a glance, it was apparent that Limontri held special feelings towards Violet. It seemed only the couple in question remained clueless. There had always been a special vibe between the two of them, even before either had come to realize it. Apart from Hiel, Aris had noticed it too. Hence, they had always expected the two would end up together one day.

“But are these truly romantic feelings?” Limontri asked.

“Then, how else would you define them? What if I were to marry Violet against her will? How would you feel?”

Limontri frowned and muttered, “It feels unpleasant.”

“Why?”

“Because Violet has feelings for me.”

“Does it not stir up any other emotions?”

“I’d feel saddened if such a thing were to happen.” Pressing his hand against his chest, he added, “And it aches here.”

“That means you’re in love,” Hiel tutted. Violet and Limontri really were such a hopeless couple. They obviously had feelings for each other, but they were slow to realize it. The two had only come this far because Violet had made a frank confession.

“But… I don’t have intense feelings when I see her,” Limontri said.

“Seriously…” Hiel clicked his tongue. For a late bloomer like Limontri, his frame of reference when it came to matters of the heart were romance novels, which often described love as a strong attraction. “There are many different forms of love other than what you see depicted in novels. I get along with Elsa comfortably—that’s the form our love has taken.”

“A comfortable love?” Limontri asked.

“I’m saying there is such a thing as quiet love,” Hiel said, picking up his teacup. After taking a sip, he continued. “There’s passionate love where you fall head over heels in love with one another, and then there’s a quieter love that develops from mutual respect and slowly deepens over time. You are in the latter group.”