The Tragic Male Lead Chose the Wrong Partner

“Abuse toward staff inside the residence is strictly forbidden.”
Masera’s icy voice sent a chill down my spine.
Ah yes, the classic misunderstood male lead trope. Jumps to conclusions without hearing the full story.

Caught in a cliché where the male lead misunderstands everything, I let out a sigh.
To him, I must look like the textbook wicked hypocrite—pretending to be kind in public, then beating servants in secret.
Still, I decided to explain myself.

“I didn’t order any violence. I came to the kitchen because I was hungry and happened upon it. I was trying to stop it.”
Second trait of a misunderstood male lead: doesn’t believe a word I say.
As expected, Masera only looked at me with those cold, unblinking eyes.

It was the perfect cue for him to unleash a barrage of cutting insults.
Something like, “Truly vile,” or “You somehow manage to disappoint even when I expect nothing,” or maybe, “Lying and violence—you're disqualified as a human being.”
But right now, I had no choice but to endure the suspicion. I’d just have to reveal everything later, expose Roje, and make Masera eat his words.

“My lady would never do such a thing. Please, punish me instead.”
Roje spoke with the face of a pitiful scapegoat—like she was nobly taking the fall for the noble she served.
Masera looked back and forth between us in silence, then nodded.

“All right.”
Both Roje and I blinked in surprise at the unexpected reply.
Masera continued.

“She’ll be brought before a military tribunal.”
It was more than unexpected—it was shocking. Roje flinched and blurted out,
“What? You’re applying military law?”
“Once you’re inside this residence, you fall under military jurisdiction.”

Roje’s face went pale. She’d expected a light punishment—abuse among servants was common, after all.
“You may all return to your duties.”
With a small gesture from Masera, the apprentice maids bowed, sniffling.

Someone must have started whispering rumors during the commotion—by now, other staff members had gathered at the kitchen door, throwing sharp glances my way.
“Ugh, I always hated Roje, but still… taking the punishment for her master seems kind of pitiful.”
“So it’s true then? That Lady Cynthia ordered it all?”

I heard murmurs in the crowd.
I turned my head and smiled sweetly.
“Everyone. I know I don’t have the best reputation, but gossiping behind someone’s back before {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} the facts are out is a form of violence too. If you’re curious, ask me directly.”

They clearly didn’t expect me to call them out. A few looked away in a panic.
Masera stood silently, arms crossed, staring down at Roje.
That piercing gaze could squeeze a secret out of anyone.

“I-I was only following orders…”
Despite the freezing winter night, Roje was visibly sweating as she stammered.
Masera asked,

“I heard you beat the apprentice maids yesterday because they didn’t clean the tub properly.”
“Well, that’s…”
Realizing she’d be punished no matter what, Roje opened her mouth.

But I cut her off before she could throw me under the bus.
“I was barely clinging to life at the time. Not exactly in a state to be giving orders.”
“A bit dramatic, but yes, that’s what I heard too.”

Masera gave partial agreement.
That’s when Roje, face pale with panic, tried to wriggle free.
“Actually, the young lady woke up briefly in the middle…”

“Funny. Eugene told me this, word for word: ‘I went to see Cynthia every day, but she was always asleep. So, she didn’t wash up until today.’”
Masera’s public statement felt like an execution.
The servants near me subtly edged away.

I did wash as soon as I woke up! How unfair.
But that wasn’t the point right now.
“Dalia, who’s been nursing me this whole time, said you never once came into my room. So how would you know the tub was dirty? When did I supposedly give you those orders?”

I stepped up to Roje and asked calmly.
She opened her mouth but faltered, unable to answer.
I didn’t give her time to recover.

“And you’ve been threatening the apprentice maids under my name to skim ingredients, haven’t you? Planning to blame them when it got discovered?”
I was planning to expose this later, but thanks to Masera not acting like the usual male lead, I could use it now.
“What? My lady! Even if you plan to use me and throw me away, how could you accuse me of something like—”

I brushed off her hysterics and turned to Masera.
“Colonel, may I review the kitchen’s supply and purchasing records myself?”
He nodded, readily giving permission.

Why is he being so cooperative? I mean… thanks, but this is new.
* * *
Using my experience from working in kitchens, I examined the records. The paperwork was flawless—but the actual supply levels didn’t match.

She’d been thorough.
“Roje. You might fool others, but not me. You stole the ingredients and sold them.”
Roje clenched her fists and glared at me.

“My lady.”
She still looked down at me like she had the upper hand. Leaning in, she hissed,
“You’re staking your life on this, aren’t you? You fraud.”

“That’s right.”
They would eventually try to kill me under Count Queensguard’s orders.
I hadn’t figured out how to deal with it—but luckily, Masera gave me a way.

I glanced toward him, along with the adjutant and steward checking the documents.
Then I smiled coolly at Roje.
“Go ahead. Tell them I’m a fake. But you’re already a proven liar and a thief of military supplies.”

This wasn’t just a house—it was a government residence, a military facility.
Embezzling military goods here was tantamount to treason—colluding with the enemy.
A crime punishable by death.

“Your mistake was getting caught before the wedding. For the count and the colonel—who both need this marriage—you’ll be the scapegoat. You’ll be executed.”
Roje clearly hadn’t known that. She went sheet-white.
“D-d-death penalty? How do you know that?”

“You didn’t read the confidentiality oath when you signed on? Didn’t pay attention during training?”
I shrugged and lowered my voice.
“Even if you’d completed your mission, you’d still have been killed. That’s how Count Queensguard handles his pawns.”

Roje’s face contorted as her panic set in.
Then, finally understanding the situation, she dropped to her knees and began begging.
“My lady, I’m so sorry. Please, think of the bond we had… I beg you. My younger siblings are starving—I had no choice!”

She sounded like she was begging me, but her voice was clearly aimed at Masera, hoping to stir his sympathy.
Roje and the others who came with me didn’t have siblings—but I played along.
“I knew your situation. I let things slide at the count’s estate out of compassion. But continuing it here? And using my name to do it?”

I helped Roje to her feet with a warm voice, then whispered just for her to hear.
“Help me, and I’ll get you out of this. I need information about the count.”
“Yes. Yes. I’ll cooperate. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

Satisfied with her answer, I went back into character.
“Roje, I don’t think you acted alone. There are others who came from the count’s estate. Were any of them accomplices?”
She seemed to take the hint—this was her cue to frame someone else.

She nodded with a solemn face.
“Jessie and Peregrine.”
“All right.”

With a glimmer of hope on her face, Roje was led away by the soldiers.
I watched her go, then turned to Masera and bowed my head.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not managing the staff properly.”

“Do you wish to pardon her out of sympathy and return her to the count’s estate?”
At his question, I lowered my gaze and slowly shook my head.
“No. I don’t plan to forgive her. Please proceed by the book. Jessie and Peregrine were accomplices, she said.”

In truth, what I told Roje was just false hope.
I don’t need cooperation from traitors.
That was a lesson learned through two brutal lifetimes.

I glanced at Charles watching from a distance.
I gave him a small wink—as if to say, Just keep being my quiet little watchdog.