26
Let’s take a moment to pause and return to the original story, The Curly-Haired Grand Duchess.
As I’ve mentioned several times before, it’s a classic cliché-filled Northern Grand Duke romance—fully committed to the familiar flavors we all know and love—featuring a heart-wrenching mutual healing arc between the female lead and male lead.
And in such a predictable Northern Grand Duke-style setup, the one cast as the tragic second male lead was none other than my ultimate favorite—Sion.
Throughout the original work, he showcased an almost impossibly pure and unwavering love that was doomed never to be fulfilled—a perfect portrayal of unrequited devotion.
And I, a pitiful reader, was the one who got completely hooked and emotionally wrecked by this tragic second-lead storyline.
[KimLYN25
Oh wow, this story really knows how to do second leads right~]
[KimLYN25
This is next-level… The second male lead’s story is more delicious than the main couple’s.]
[KimLYN25
Ah… Sion… this heartache is unbearable 😭]
[KimLYN25
Starting today, I’m going all in on the Sion coin.]
[KimLYN25
Seriously, Sion was the one who risked his life in that fight, so why is the male lead taking all the credit like it’s his moment? Unbelievable.]
[KimLYN25
Are you kidding me? It was Sion who saved you back then, you clueless heroine!!!]
[KimLYN25
Dear author… Let’s be honest—just make Sion the male lead already….]
[KimLYN25
a;sldkfjqwe PLEASE just let him end up with her in the end, I beg you. Let’s drift the plot now a;sldkfj]
[KimLYN25
I can’t take this anymore. It’s always Sion who’s getting hurt, fighting, suffering like hell—and yet the heroine only gets butterflies for the male lead? I don’t buy the emotional arc at all. No logic, no chemistry, no empathy—I’m dropping this series.]
└ LemonFrog91
Uh… well… that’s because he’s the main lead…?
└ fhvkstkfkd
This person again lol. Always says they’re dropping it but still pays for every single new episode 😂
└ A Noble Lady Possessed by Hell Joseon
This, folks, is the terrifying power of second lead syndrome~
Comments
[KimLYN25
…Ha… In the end, it was a death ending… This is just too much. I’m removing this series from my library.]
...Anyway.
Just thinking about all those countless painful moments still brings tears to my eyes.
Simply because he was the second male lead, Sion had to endure a series of cruel and unjust misfortunes.
Worst of all, in the final chapter, the heroine never even realized Sion’s feelings—and stood at his grave saying this outrageous line.
'Sion, my precious friend. I’ll never forget you.'
“No way.”
Muttering to myself, I gnawed fiercely on the sleeve of my raggedy sleepwear.
“I refuse to ever watch my favorite character meet such a crappy ending again!”
I thought back to that hopeless first meeting between Sion and Genevia from a few days ago.
“There can’t be a repeat of that complete disaster.”
Lost in thought, I stared intensely at Sion’s flawless profile as he quietly focused on reading documents.
“But still… Even if the heroine’s behavior makes sense, why isn’t Sion showing the slightest reaction toward her?”
In all honesty, I had quietly expected that Sion would feel some kind of fateful pull or instinct the first time he met Genevia. But judging by their last encounter, there wasn’t even a flicker of attraction—if anything, they were lucky not to walk away actively disliking each other.
“Could it be… because the original key event hasn’t happened yet?”
In the original story, Sion and Genevia’s first real encounter happens on the night before the Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony—in other words, tonight.
'Tonight, the Grand Duchess plans to send assassins to prevent Sion from attending the ceremony.'
During the assassination attempt, Sion gets gravely injured. Then, by chance, Genevia—who happens to be at the Grand Duke’s estate—finds him and treats his wounds. That moment becomes the catalyst for their connection… and the beginning of Sion’s unrequited love.
“That means there are two things I must do tonight.”
Folding down my chubby fingers one by one, I laid out the plan.
“First, crush the assassins targeting Sion.”
“Second, orchestrate a fateful Round 2 encounter between Sion and Genevia.”
This was the pivotal moment when the original story’s romantic arc truly began. Considering the main male lead was bound to appear soon too, I had to get Genevia’s heart leaning in the right direction now.
Gazing at Sion’s melancholy expression as he remained fixated on his papers, I renewed my resolve.
'Don’t worry, Sion. I’ll make sure your love comes true.'
No matter what it took, I was determined to help my favorite escape his lifelong singlehood.
Just then, Elda entered the room.
“Young Lord, Ms. Lin. I’ve brought the morning refreshments.”
“Ooh~!”
Drawn in by the sweet scent, I zoomed over to the tea table.
There, a delightful spread of fancy cookies—ones I’d never seen before—was neatly arranged.
“Oooooh.”
“They say these are leftover from the bulk order the main house placed.”
For reference, the Grand Duke’s estate was currently buzzing in preparation for the upcoming Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
Thanks to all the hustle and bustle since yesterday, Garen, who had been hard to catch sight of, finally appeared as the door opened.
“These are deliveries addressed to you, Young Lord. Please check them.”
At Garen’s signal, the servants began carrying in a variety of boxes, large and small.
Looking mildly annoyed, Sion set down his papers and asked.
“What are they sending now?”
“They’re outfits and accessories prepared for the coming-of-age ceremony.”
“And who sent them?”
“We believe they were sent by some of the senior nobles and retainers…”
As the servants cautiously opened the boxes, it became immediately clear they contained luxurious clothing and ornate accessories. Alongside them were cards filled with long-winded, handwritten notes in various scripts.
After glancing through the contents, Sion clicked his tongue and said.
“Send everything back.”
“Everything, sir?”
“Yes. Every speck of dust that came with them.”
“But… surely they sent these despite the Grand Duchess’s disapproval, just to build a connection with you. Wouldn’t it be wiser to accept?”
“It’s precisely because they come with ulterior motives that I said return them. I want nothing to do with their pointless political games.”
Sion added with cold disdain.
“And besides, none of this junk shows even the tiniest bit of practicality or efficiency. What terrible taste.”
“Understood. I’ll have everything returned,”
Garen said, suppressing a sigh as he motioned for the servants to take the items away.
As the servants bustled out, I—who had been hiding behind the teacup set—rose and casually spoke up.
“A wise decision, Sion.”
Shoving a handful of sweets into my mouth, I declared.
“There’s an old saying in the fairy world. A good face completes any fashion. The peak of tuning is stock performance. Basically, the more flawless the base, the less you need to dress it up. Nom nom.”
I swallowed the cookie and pointed dramatically toward the corner of the room.
“Besides, we have that! The ‘Fairy-Made Custom Favorite Outfit™!’”
Following my finger, Sion, Garen, and Elda all turned to look in the same direction.
There it was—Sion’s outfit, completed just yesterday.
“The one and only custom ensemble, born from my hard-earned fabrics and a design forged through blood, sweat, and tears! An outfit for Sion, by Sion, of Sion!”
It was the result of a perfect collaboration: the high-quality fabric I bought at the plaza, an innovative design squeezed from my many years of romantic-fantasy experience, and Elda’s blessedly skilled hands.
Pointing boldly at Sion seated behind the oak desk, I declared.
“Just look at him. That flawless, impeccable face. That undeniable height and perfect proportions. And let’s not forget the honed muscles—tight and solid from constant sword training. Do you seriously think the ordinary clothes of this world could handle Sion?”
“……”
“……”
“……”
I faced the three of them, now quietly listening to my dramatic speech, and said with solemn intensity.
“No matter what happens, at tomorrow’s Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Sion has to be the best-looking, most dashing man in the entire room. Got it?”
“Yes, Ms. Lin! I’ll help too!”
Overcome by emotion, Elda nodded furiously, eyes brimming with tears.
For reference, based on my original story knowledge, the Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony was a grand, annual event held for all coming-of-age citizens across the Northern lands.
However, for the noble daughters and sons of the ruling Luxior Grand Ducal House and its vassal families, a special ceremony was held within the Grand Duke’s estate.
'That means tomorrow, all the Northern elders, retainers, and influential nobles—not to mention the Grand Duchess herself—will be gathered in one place.'
It was the perfect stage to showcase Sion’s transformed image and rising status to everyone—especially Genevia, who must have already arrived somewhere within the estate.
'Of course, that’s assuming I can deal with tonight’s assassins without a hitch…'
Looking at Sion, who was awkwardly pretending to read documents after my storm of fanatical devotion, I made a firm vow.
“Anyone who dares block Sion’s path—I’ll crush them all myself.”
And finally…
Night fell.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Support me on Ko-fi
1 Comments
LOLLLL
ReplyDeleteI love her