The Blackened Second Male Lead’s Wife

The emperor’s treatment went smoothly and Kuhn had completely assimilated into society here. 

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I expected it, but Kuhn became a huge insider. 

Kuhn attended all kinds of banquets and chatted with the nobles. 

Kuhn’s vigorous chatter unexpectedly brought about a big change in my daily life. 

“Oh my.
My eyes are twice as big.
This is amazing!” 

This noble lady was Baron Grande’s wife. 

She looked at herself in the mirror with admiration. 

After applying eyeshadow and drawing a dark eyeliner, her eyes with fake eyelashes attached looked sweet yet intense.

The baroness said, fluttering her long eyelashes as if satisfied. 

“Even if the most accredited makeup artist did my makeup, I was never satisfied with plain-looking makeup.
What I wanted was this intense makeup look.
I really like it!” 

The capital’s famous makeup expert could not escape from the refined aristocratic makeup style.

Clear skin and delicate, refined makeup look. 

Baroness Grande, who had small eyes, could not have been satisfied with such a makeup look. 

Baroness Grande looked at me with a delight and said. 

“I have always thought your makeup was really pretty.
I should have asked you to teach me how to do makeup earlier.”

Count Leo’s wife, who was watching from the side, helped. 

“She says that.
But she wouldn’t dare come talk to you.
Because you’re the Lady Pernia.” 

She wouldn’t have come to Pernia for this, who had a nasty and feisty personality. 

Baroness Grande nodded and said. 

“But I completely misunderstood you.
You’re such a kind person.” 

Countess Leo smiled and nodded. 

“That’s right.
Just as Lord Kuhn said.” 

That’s right. 

The reason why I became so famous among noble women was because of Kuhn. 

The women surrounded Kuhn and asked. 

[Kuhn, your eye makeup looks a lot cleaner and better than the other day.
Have you been studying eye makeup?]

Kuhn said with a smile. 

[Pernia taught me.] 

When an unexpected name popped up, the women were surprised. 

[Lady Pernia?] 

[Now that you mention it, it looks just like Lady Pernia’s makeup.] 

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After that, noble women began to visit me one by one.

Because they wanted to learn how to do makeup like me. 

‘This is really surprising.
I didn’t think the noble ladies would come to like me like this.’

In fact, they all generally thought of me as ‘beautiful, but too wild’ or ‘fierce.’

However, the world is vast, there are many people with various preferences for things. 

There were also many people in the capital who were tired of the refined aristocratic makeup style. 

Some wanted to make their small eyes bigger.
Some wanted to make their plain features look glamorous and stand out.
Some wanted to wear thick makeup as a way to rebel. 

There’s not a lot of those types of people, but there’s also not an insignificant amount of those types of people.

One or two people who came to visit me soon formed an organization with me.

Called the TMA.

The Thick Makeup Association for those who like to wear heavy makeup. 

Baroness Grande said, raising her eyelashes with mascara that I heated up. 

“I’m tired of that style.
What’s so good about looking delicate and refined? I want my eyes to look super big.”

Countess Leo nodded, applying a red rogue over her lips. 

“I wish they would stop saying that you’re vulgar for wearing thick makeup.
I just want to have a little heavier makeup look.” 

With her fingernails painted black, Marquess Marenne raised the corners of her lips with an icy glare.

“I’ve liked witches more than princesses ever since I was young.
This is more like my style.”

It is said that I was the object of admiration for them, who were suppressed by the standardized aristocratic culture. 

Should I say that I was a noble wolf who kept her style? 

They looked at me with sparkling eyes. 

“We’re lucky to have someone like Lady Pernia in today’s society.” 

“That’s right.
Lady Pernia took my breath away after seeing her raised eye makeup while everyone else had the same makeup look.” 

The women praised me and giggled.
I giggled with them. 

How can I not when all these women are lining up one by one to compliment me?

After all, it has been a long time since I was able to chat comfortably with other ladies after Estelle left to study abroad. 

It’s so much fun to chat with people with common taste in makeup.

Then Countess Leo said, 

“Ah, Lady Pernia.
When I went to a banquet with the makeup the lady gave me on, Duchess Rosasa showed great interest in the makeup.
She asked if it was okay to visit lady Pernia.
Would it be alright if she visits you?” 

“Duchess Rosasa?!” 

My eyes widened.

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This is because Duchess Rosasa, who has a very gente personality, does not seem to be a person that would be interested in such an organization. 

Of course, there was no reason to refuse her visit for that reason. 

I nodded my head. 

In response to my answer, Countess Leo clapped in delight. 

“Seems like we’ll be getting more members.”

* * * 

Duchess Rosasa- in other words- the Benevolent Duchess.

Although she is the duchess of the extremely powerful Rosasa family, she was famous for never treating her subordinates rashly. 

So, she has a good reputation among many, but on the contrary, many who are rising up in society accused her of not having the qualities of a duchess due to her kind treatment towards servants.

Duchess Rosasa said with a bitter smile. 

“They’re all saying that because I’m not a stern person.
Changing one’s makeup won’t suddenly change your personality, but I want to try it.” 

She looked at me with a soft expression and said. 

“Will you help me?” 

Her pale brown eyes looked so weak, making her seem like she can never hold authority over anyone else.

But I thought she had a more honest heart than anyone else.

The fact that she, who is a duchess, had to confide in me means that it must have been really tough for her.

I nodded with confidence. 

“Of course.” 

And I continued to say. 

“And, I have one thing to tell you.
Makeup alone can change your personality.” 

It’s just that people don’t know how to change  through changing their appearance.

Even the Benevolent Duchess was no exception.

* * *

A woman entered the banquet hall where the tea party was held.
The woman is Countess Meloni with fox-like eyes.
(TL note: FYI Meloni is a Korean ice cream/snacks brand)

“Hoho, I’m sorry I’m late.” 

She did not look sincerely sorry for her lateness at all.

Because the host of this tea party is Duchess Rosasa. 

Duchess Rosasa would forgive her, saying that it’s okay.

Or that’s what Countess Meloni mistakenly thought would happen.

Countess Meloni’s face, which had a coy smile, hardened.
Her eyes blinked widely and looked at Duchess Rosasa sitting at the end of the table. 

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Duchess Rosasa, the docile woman with a gentle appearance, was not there. 

What replaced Duchess Rosasa was a haughty-looking woman with raised eyebrows. 

Duchess Rosasa said nothing.
She just looked at Countess Meloni with an expressionless face. 

And that was enough to subdue Countess Meloni. 

The “strong unnie” makeup has that effect. 

Countess Meloni took a step back with a pale face and properly bowed to the duchess. 

“I-I tried not to be late, but there was a problem with the wagon wheels.
I-I should have checked the wheels before coming here, but I didn’t.
I apologize, Duchess Rosasa.” 

Duchess Rosasa opened her mouth to answer, but I, sitting next to her, shook my head. 

Not yet. 

You have to stay silent long enough to get the most use out of the “strong unnie” makeup look. 

The longer you stay silent, the stronger you become. 

As expected, the longer Duchess Rosasa stayed silent, the harder Countess Meloni’s face became, and she soon began to cry. 

I feel a little sorry for her, but what can I do? 

‘This is not a gathering for the neighboring mothers to drink.
You should have known to behave yourself.’

She should’ve at least known to be careful of opponents who ranked higher than her.
You should also never laugh out loud so rudely like that even though the opponent is easy.

Anyway, the attitude of the other women gathered here changed significantly. 

They, who had always been relaxed in front of Duchess Rosasa, sat with their backs straight and their faces tensed.

* * *

After Duchess Rosasa joined the TMA, many other women followed suit.

Because of that, I became very busy. 

Since those women developed an interest in me and came to like me. 

Then, one day… 

I met Kuhn at a banquet bustling with people.

“Everyone’s been talking about you these days.
They all want to get close to you.” 

“Oh really.” 

“You know it’s all thanks to me, right?” 

I responded to his shameless declaration. 

“All thanks to you? It’s all thanks to me.
A person’s charm is bound to shine someday, and that’s just what’s happening to me now.” 

Kuhn held onto his stomach and burst into laughter at what I said.

“Why didn’t you come with Kardien?” 

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“He had to attend a meeting in the palace, so he couldn’t come.
Lucian is the most capable knight in the empire so he is very busy.” 

“Hmm.” 

Kuhn’s eyes narrowed.
Then he muttered something incomprehensible. 

“That guy’s not one to accept orders so obediently.” 

“…What does that mean?” 

“Did you tell him not to follow you?” 

I couldn’t figure out what the hell he meant, so I frowned. 

“I would never say that to him.
I just told him to put his work first.
Attending a banquet with me isn’t as important.”

Kuhn smiled mysteriously. 

“That’s what you think.” 

“……”

When I was about to ask him what he meant…

“Nia!” 

My eyes widened from the loud voice.

Lucian looked at me and Kuhn with furrowed eyebrows.

I approached him with a puzzled face. 

“What happened? I thought you had an important meeting today.” 

“The meeting ended earlier than I thought.” 

Then he asked with a wary eye. 

“Did Kuhn say something weird again?” 

If he had said anything strange to me, I would have clapped back at him and made him regret it.

I wanted to fuel his jealousy, but this was supposed to be a peaceful banquet. 

If we make a scene, it would be rude to the host of the banquet.
Also, if we offend Kuhn, Lucian’s relationship with the imperial family may become complicated.

I slipped away from Kuhn, and linked my arm with Lucian. 

“We just had a short conversation.” 

“What kind of conversation?” 

“Don’t know.
It wasn’t anything big.
See, I don’t even remember what we talked about.” 

“Nia!” 

I reached out to Lucian, who looked at me with displeasure. 

“Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since we’ve been together at a banquet.
Shall we dance?”