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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Worn-Out Male Lead Picked the Wrong Opponent
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I quickly approached the two of them.
Eugene spotted me and panicked, trying to run away, but I swiftly grabbed his hand.
Then I went up to the officer with the silver-white hair.
He was a tall, handsome man with refined facial lines, and judging by his hair color, he was definitely one of the Esat People.
'The Esat People lost their country and suffered massacres.'
The few survivors had all fled to other lands.
I bowed solemnly toward the officer.
"Major, let me apologize for his rudeness in your place. I'm sorry."
I could tell he was a major from his insignia.
He must have risked his life fighting to reclaim his lost homeland and his people's rights.
And under another nation's banner, no less.
The young major responded to my apology with an amiable smile.
"It's fine. He's just a child who doesn't know any better yet."
"Thank you for your understanding. But I don't think it should be brushed off simply because he's a child."
The major's blue eyes widened slightly before curving kindly once more.
"I don't want to use the rod or scold him. I'm truly unbothered."
"No. If we do that, nothing changes. In Eugene's memory, the white-haired man will be a monster, and in yours, Eugene will remain a rude child. I'll talk to him about why he thinks that way, so could you wait just a moment?"
He stared at me intently for a moment, then nodded with a smile playing on his lips.
"Understood. I have no plans afterward, so I'll wait patiently."
I led Eugene a short distance away. Holding his hand tightly, I made eye contact with him.
Eugene avoided my gaze and struggled to escape.
"Let go! It hurts!"
I tried to meet his eyes while speaking firmly.
"You're the one hurting yourself. I'll let go when you're ready to talk with me without running away."
Eugene's face flushed bright red upon noticing the gathering stares, then he began to tear up and went limp.
I released his hand and asked in a gentle voice.
"What's this about a white-haired monster? Will you tell me where you saw it?"
Eugene was a victim of the war too, so he likely carried some trauma from it.
Perhaps he had a bad memory tied to someone with a similar appearance.
His lips trembled as he held back tears, sniffling with his head bowed.
"There's a white monster in a book that eats kids. The bad monster ate the protagonist's friends."
"Can you tell me the title?"
Tears finally spilled, and Eugene rubbed his damp eyes with his sleeve.
"The Snow Queen."
"It was that cruel a story..."
I wiped his tears with a puzzled expression.
"So that's why you were scared. But that's just a fairy tale. The major and I don't eat children. White hair is simply an inherited trait—he's a person just like you. Don't you think he'd be hurt if you called him a monster?"
I explained in a calm voice.
Eugene made a sullen face and said nothing.
"Even adults feel hurt and sad when they're wounded."
As I added that, Eugene's mouth twitched as if he had something to say.
He seemed hesitant, so I waited patiently, but in the end, the child said nothing.
"The major saved lots of children during the war. Isn't that cool? Shall we go hear the story of how he bravely rescued them?"
"......"
This time, he followed me obediently.
I approached the major and explained why Eugene had said such a thing.
The major, who had been listening attentively, put his officer's cap back on and spoke.
"I understand. My hair color is unusual, so it must have felt unfamiliar. I approached too rashly. Eugene, I'm sorry."
The major turned and smiled at Eugene.
Eugene stared down at his toes with a complicated expression. But he didn't apologize.
"I... wanna go. I need the bathroom."
The situation seemed utterly burdensome for him, so I let Eugene go.
As I watched his fleeing back, I gave the major an awkward smile.
"It's hard to make a child understand an adult's perspective. Forcing an apology won't change anything, so please bear with it just a little longer. He's a good kid—he'll realize his mistake soon and come apologize."
What needed to change wasn't outward words or actions, but his inner thoughts.
If prejudices were left alone, they'd harden into lifelong values. It would be truly difficult to change them then.
So I decided to put in the effort until he realized it himself, no matter how long it took.
"Understanding each other always takes time, doesn't it?"
He extended his hand for a shake.
"I'm Major Isaac Rodriguez, attached to Federal Army headquarters. Are you one of the Esat People by any chance? I'm not familiar with the people at the mansion."
I grasped his offered hand and shook it vigorously.
"I'm Cynthia Queensguard. Not Esat—just born lacking color."
I didn't mention my genetic condition.
Instead, I handed him the macarons I'd bought earlier and added,
"A humble gift. There's an evening banquet tonight too, so please have some before you go."
He gazed quietly at the macaron box, then gave his characteristic gentle smile.
"I'll enjoy them. But I have a prior engagement tonight, so I probably can't attend. If you invite me next time, I'll definitely come."
Afterward, I shared macarons with the other officers and NCOs as well, inviting them to the evening banquet.
Unlike Masera's soldiers, who looked reluctant, the officers above major rank were delighted and expressed their thanks. Though it was obviously insincere.
'With promotions on the line and all...'
Socializing meant putting on a good face even for unpleasant counterparts.
Major Isaac Rodriguez watched Cynthia walk away holding her parasol.
He belonged to the Federal Army, and this was his third visit to the Lutemia Republic.
Thus, he had no idea that Cynthia was Masera's fiancée. He simply assumed she was one of the noble ladies who interacted with the mansion.
But one thing was clear: she was a deep thinker with a warm heart.
If she'd harbored prejudices against the Esat People, she would have grilled him instead: What did you do to make the child say that?
He himself had faced countless discriminations born of preconceptions, so he'd planned to dismiss this incident as just another everyday occurrence.
"If we do that, nothing changes."
But she hadn't stopped at merely rebuking the child's words and actions—she'd first sought to converse with him and understand his intentions.
'In truth, the one with prejudices was me. Assuming everyone views the Esat People negatively... when the child knew nothing at all.'
"The scary villain in Eugene's fairy tale book has white hair. Eugene doesn't like me much either. He's just scared of white hair like ours because of the book."
Her innocent expression radiated a consideration that sought to harm no one.
Even in the parasol's shade, her red eyes sparkled vibrantly, her lively face and flawless smile carrying a power that put others at ease.
He had originally planned to head straight to the Esat autonomous region, but now he decided to stay in the republic for a while.
Because he was curious about this person named Cynthia.
"......I want to know more."
He pulled out a lemon macaron and took a bite.
He was someone who normally never touched sweets, but the soft sweetness melting in his mouth felt pleasantly different this time.
