(BL) Rejected by daughter's second male lead-Chapter 50

The most effective way to start a rumor was to coordinate their dress code. Using the same or similar colors and designs, and wearing matching accessories, was a time-honored tradition for announcing that two people were partners.

However, Yuan and Gillen clashed from the very beginning of that tradition.

"I prefer something simpler. A color like black or navy—"

"Are you going to a funeral? It has to be flashy and bright to catch the eye. What am I supposed to do with a man who has no sense of style like you..."

"What? I’m quite the fashion plate, you know! I was once voted the number one best-dressed nobleman!"

Although he couldn’t argue with the word ’man,’ the phrase ’no sense of style’ was hard to stomach. In reality, Gillen possessed looks that were admired by many, and with his height and physique, he was often mentioned as the finest among the few extreme dominant alphas in the empire. In short, clothes looked good on him.

"You always wear dark colors and tight-fitting clothes, so you probably just look decent. The Duke has no eye for design. Your aesthetic sense is lacking, too. I bet your head valet or head maid picks out your clothes every day."

"..."

It was true that the head maid picked out his clothes every day. Sometimes, for big parties, he would wear whatever Cecilia or the tailor shop owner recommended.

"You should at least buy and read the magazines published by the tailor shops. Instead of just summoning people to your mansion to do the ordering or buying whatever is in the catalog, you should try picking out and coordinating your own clothes."

"...I get it, so—"

"Honestly, even dressing head-to-toe in one color looks tacky. And you always slick your hair back with pomade, don’t you? You insist on such a uniform look, so you look even more—"

"I get it, I get it! Stop nagging me!"

Gillen shouted, feigning that he was covering his ears in exhaustion. He waved his hands at Madame de Ziner.

"No dark colors, only bright colors! Show me something flashy with a lot of embellishments. And bring whatever jewels, cravats, scarves, and gloves you have!"

There? You happy? Gillen looked at Yuan with such an expression. Yuan turned his head away coyly and kept his mouth shut. But from that alone, Gillen could tell that Yuan was somewhat satisfied.

"Um... Your Grace the Duke, are you really attending the party as the Marquis’s partner? If your argument is likely to be prolonged, we could visit you at your residence instead."

Madame de Ziner whispered into Gillen’s ear. However, before Gillen could answer, Yuan cut in.

"What are you whispering about?"

His tone was like that of a husband catching his cheating wife. Madame de Ziner, startled, straightened her posture and raised her voice.

"It’s just that it seems the two of you are having difficulty aligning your esteemed opinions... so I was suggesting that our tailor shop could prepare the party attire and bring it directly to your residences."

"Difficulty? It’s not difficult at all, what are you talking about?"

Yuan asked with a frown. Gillen gently patted Yuan’s knee from the side to placate him, then spoke to Madame de Ziner.

"Yes, I don’t understand your words either, Madame. We are simply in the process of coordinating our opinions to match our outfits. Don’t worry too much. It’s obvious we’re on intimate terms, isn’t it?"

Gillen squeezed Yuan’s knee, bared his teeth, and smiled. Yuan glanced down at the large hand gripping his knee but said nothing.

Are they really on intimate terms...? It doesn’t seem so, but then again, it does. Madame de Ziner, though confused inside, put on a perfect customer-service smile on the outside.

"I see. I must have misunderstood. I suppose since you are both extreme dominant alphas, your conversations can be quite dynamic, hoho. Well then, I will prepare everything shortly, so please wait while enjoying some refreshments. Your Grace the Duke, and Marquis."

Madame de Ziner bowed and disappeared to the back with a few employees. As soon as she was gone, Gillen quietly let out a sigh.

"Hey, Yuan. Are you really going to be like this?"

He asked, lowering his voice and gritting his teeth.

"What did I do?"

Yuan asked back shamelessly.

"We came out to look like we’re on intimate terms, so what are we supposed to do if we keep fighting? Try to speak more kindly and with better manners."

"In that case, why don’t you try to accommodate me a little, Duke? Does it make sense for a man like you to be so stubborn when you’re dating an extreme dominant alpha who’s a handsome, genius mage and a high noble, twenty years your junior?"

"That’s...!"

Come to think of it, what Yuan said wasn’t wrong. An ordinary alpha male would dote on his date. He would make a point of being mannerly, polite, and devoted, as if treating a princess, and the moment other people laid eyes on his partner, he would emit aggressive pheromones to threaten them.

That was how immense an alpha’s possessiveness was. Those bastards called alphas were a breed that would sweet-talk and seduce their partner, then get them to carry their seed to keep them by their side forever.

Until now, Gillen had never met anyone who made him feel such possessiveness or a desire for monopoly. There were times he had felt sexual desire, stimulated by the pheromones of omegas who had deliberately approached him, but since he didn’t love them, there was no way something like obsession could develop.

’So now I have to pretend to be one of those foolish alphas...’

Gillen let out a small groan. He quietly looked at the man sitting next to him.

A face so beautiful it was blinding, soft hair that seemed to be made of molten pure silver flowing in strands, long, lowered silver-gray eyelashes, and clear, serene blue eyes beneath them... The sharp, straight bridge of his nose and the rosy complexion reflected on his white, seemingly soft skin were so admirable.

The short hair that fell below his long neck doubled his beauty, and the various jewels and splendid clothes made Yuan’s looks shine even brighter. It felt like an illusion, as if the sparkle came not from the jewels, gold thread, or silk, but emanated from every part of Yuan’s body.

A long time ago, he could understand why High Priest Marius had seen Yuan as nothing more than a divine power tank. Yuan was truly a creature meticulously crafted by God. No, he looked like God himself.

In fact, looking back, Gillen had never seen anyone this handsome in his past and present lives combined. Of course, Hexion, Cecilia, and Gillen himself were all blessed with excellent looks. It was natural, as they were the protagonist and main supporting characters. But Yuan... was just on a different level.

’How can someone who looks like this end up as just the second male lead? Is the author insane?’

Gillen thought that absentmindedly. That was, until Yuan, sensing Gillen’s gaze, opened his mouth.

"What are you looking at? You’re drooling. Close your mouth."

Ah... so this is why he was the second male lead.

Gillen was instantly snapped out of his rapturous appreciation. The moment he opened his mouth, the nonsense began, a crazy narcissist spouting gibberish and bullshit. Yuan had a huge flaw that made it impossible for him to ever be the male lead of a romance fantasy.

Right, that’s why I was trying to stop him... Get a grip, Gillen Blake. This bastard is a devil in an angel’s mask. It would be a relief if he only spouted insults, but he’s an incredibly powerful character who can kill or injure people if he sets his mind to it.

"There’s a word for people like you."

Gillen said politely.

"...What is it?"

Yuan asked, feigning indifference with eyes that were subtly full of expectation.

"Princess."

When Gillen gave his short answer, the corner of Yuan’s mouth twitched slightly.

"Well, I’ve never heard any princess from any kingdom said to be prettier than me, but it’s true that I look as beautiful and noble as a princess. I tend to dress flamboyantly and am as elegant as a royal—"

"It’s short for ’Princess of the Terrifying Trap.’ Princess."

After saying that, Gillen stood up from his seat.

"I’m going to step into the fitting room for a moment. I was thinking of having my measurements retaken. You just sit here and rest."

Before Yuan could cause a scene, Gillen quickly escaped into the fitting room. From outside, he could hear Yuan muttering, "Terrifying... trap, trap?" Gillen barely managed to hold back the boisterous laughter that threatened to burst out as he caught a passing employee.

The employee caught by Gillen couldn’t help but smile along as he saw Gillen’s bright, smiling face. Thinking that it wasn’t entirely a lie that His Grace the Duke and the Marquis were on intimate terms.

The two men, who had roughly decided on a dress code and settled on their clothes and accessories after a series of minor squabbles at the tailor shop, walked through the city. Every time they passed, the nobles walking on the street would widen their eyes in surprise. There were also people who stopped in their tracks to turn around or whisper into each other’s ears.

"Just walking together isn’t enough. For now—"

He was about to suggest they go to a well-visible open-air cafe and sit there as if advertising their relationship. However, before Gillen could finish his sentence, Yuan spoke.

"Can’t you just be honest? We even have a contract, do you really think I can’t handle this much?"

Yuan scoffed. What is this kid trying to say now? What has he understood this time? As Gillen looked at Yuan with uneasy eyes, something suddenly slipped between his arm and armpit. It was Yuan’s arm.

"I draw the line at holding hands. It’s physiologically impossible for me. But linking arms is fine."

Uh..., no... I’m not fine with it...