The Darkened Second Male Lead Seeks to Rewrite the Original Storyline

“It’s dangerous, so I’ll escort you to your carriage.”

Zen’s unexpected words left Ria staring at him as though she’d seen something unbelievable.

‘Dangerous? After just holding a sword to my neck?’

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Zen gazed at her intently, as if genuinely puzzled by her reaction.

“No, it’s nothing….”

Ria swallowed her words. She wanted to tell him that he was the most dangerous thing around, but the presence of the sword hanging at his waist was too overwhelming to say it out loud.

After the commotion subsided, the two of them were heading toward the front gate.

It was just a short walk from the garden, across the schoolyard, to the gate, yet today, it felt unusually long.

The school at night was unsettling, like an abandoned amusement park. Everyone walked toward the exit, giving the eerie sense that they were somewhere they didn’t belong. As though ushering them out, the illuminated path led them to the gate, where Ria suddenly remembered something.

“Hey, Zen.”

“What?”

“You said earlier, when you mentioned your proposal, that the only thing you’d gain from it was your life.”

Zen tilted his head slightly, as if telling her to go on.

She wanted to ask—Do you know that Duke Corende is trying to kill you? And what does your death have to do with me? The questions rose to her throat but sank back down.

“I was just wondering what you meant by that.”

“It’s exactly as I said,” Zen replied nonchalantly. “This seems to be the only way for me to survive.”

“But why would you die?”

Ria couldn’t help but ask. She knew Zen’s death was inevitable—it was part of the story. But Zen wasn’t supposed to know that. He couldn’t know that. That’s what made it so strange.

‘He’s not clairvoyant, so how does he know about his own death?’

Zen gave her a faint, enigmatic smile.

“I already told you, didn’t I? In this life, I’ve chosen you. That’s all you need to know. Anyway….”

“Anyway?” Ria’s curiosity peaked, but Zen clamped his mouth shut, clearly unwilling to continue.

Feeling frustrated, Ria pressed further. “But I don’t have the power to save you or anything like that.”

“I’m not asking you to save me. I just want you to….”

Zen suddenly stopped walking, and Ria realized they had already reached the gate. Beyond the ornate golden gates stood a carriage bearing the crest of the Kavlick family, with Isabel waiting nearby.

Zen glanced briefly at Isabel.

“Just what?” Ria asked, stepping in front of him to block his view of Isabel, afraid he might stop talking again.

“Just stay the way you are.”

At that moment, a gust of wind swept between them. Ria’s jet-black hair blew into her face, obscuring her vision.

“Ah, I can’t see….”

She blinked through the strands of hair, catching a faint glimpse of Zen standing utterly still. The flickering light of the lanterns cast shifting shadows over him, leaving an impression as though he might disappear at any moment.

‘Why does it feel like he’s going to vanish…?’

Ria shook her head, trying to dispel the strange thought. There was no way that could happen.

She rubbed her eyes with both hands.

“It’s late. Go on,” Zen said, nodding toward the carriage.

“Oh… right.”

It was indeed late. Isabel’s expression seemed to grow sterner, as if she were silently urging Ria to hurry.

As Ria walked toward the carriage, she glanced back to see Zen still standing there, unmoving.

“What about you? Aren’t you going?” she asked, tilting her head.

“Do you expect me to escort you all the way?” he teased.

“What? No, that’s not what I meant—”

“I’ll save the escorting for after the wedding.”

Only then did Ria realize he was teasing her.

“Zen!” she exclaimed, exasperated.

Zen gestured for her to go, tilting his head again. Reluctantly, Ria turned and walked away, though an uneasy feeling gnawed at her. She felt as though she shouldn’t leave him behind. Something about him seemed off tonight.

“Miss!”

Isabel hurried over, her face filled with concern.

“Why are you so late? The Duke is worried about you.”

“Sorry,” Ria mumbled, allowing Isabel to guide her into the carriage.

Even as she stepped inside, Ria couldn’t resist looking back.

The courtyard was now filled with flickering lights, but Zen was nowhere to be seen—already swallowed by the darkness.

Seeing Ria’s maid approaching, Zen turned away without hesitation. Without even glancing at the illuminated path, he walked confidently down the unlit road, as though he could see perfectly in the dark.

His gaze fixed ahead, Zen casually raised one hand.

“Prince Zen.”

A man suddenly appeared on the empty street, bowing lightly in greeting.

“I have something for you to do.”

“Your orders, Your Highness.”

Without so much as glancing at the man, Zen kept walking and issued his command with practiced ease.

“Investigate the Evons. Everything you can find—facts, rumors, even unverified information.”

“Consider it done.”

Just as silently as he had arrived, the man vanished without a sound. Zen didn’t pause, his footsteps steady as he mulled over the names. Ernie Evon, Byron Evon….

‘They’ve never been involved until now. Is this a good sign, or…?’

Lost in thought, Zen eventually stopped in front of an old building, its exterior completely overrun with creeping vines. The eerie atmosphere was enough to make the rumors circulating among the students about it entirely believable.

Zen stood before the building like it was familiar.

Clang—

As if welcoming him, the heavy iron door creaked open on its own.

Expressionless, Zen stepped inside. The moment he crossed the threshold, the decrepit building transformed.

The hallway lit up automatically, revealing red carpets that stretched beneath his feet. Portraits of past monarchs lined the walls, and above hung chandeliers adorned with diamonds and rubies. At the end of the corridor was a circular hall.

It was a sanctuary accessible only to members of the royal family. Zen walked through the hallway with calm, deliberate steps, his mind replaying the events of the day and thoughts of Ria.

‘I need to marry her as soon as possible. For any real change to happen….’

His footsteps echoed throughout the building.

When he reached the central hall, he found identical hallways branching off in all directions. It was like being trapped in a mirrored maze, where finding the way back would be nearly impossible. But Zen didn’t hesitate, walking decisively toward one of the hallways.

At the end of the hallway stood a door entirely adorned in gold. There was no handle, but as Zen approached, it opened automatically.

Inside was a room dominated by an enormous bed, framed with gleaming golden pillars and draped with crimson curtains. Zen threw himself onto it without ceremony.

“Haa….”

His sigh echoed in the vast room. Even the ceiling was bathed in crimson light, which Zen found unbearable. He closed his eyes, but the redness lingered behind his eyelids, bringing vivid memories to life.

A woman with her back turned, completely unsuspecting. Zen followed her, drawing his sword.

This was the only way now.

Striding forward, Zen raised his sword high. Just as he was about to strike, he hesitated.

Her waist-length curls of brown hair glimmered faintly in the light. He remembered the first time he’d seen that hair bounce beside him, along with her foolishly kind smile.

He had once thought he could do anything to protect that smile, to keep her tiny frame—barely reaching his shoulder—safe from harm.

‘I once believed that was love.’

Swallowing a sigh, Zen didn’t falter. He slashed her back without hesitation.

“Ack….”

Her scream of agony tore through the air as she collapsed, blood spraying everywhere.

Zen wiped a drop of blood from his face. His crimson-stained blade dripped steadily onto the floor.

With a jolt, Zen opened his eyes and sat up in bed. His face was drenched in cold sweat.

“Damn it….”

He buried his face in his hands. Of all days, it had to be today—the day it had all happened.

Memories were cruel, clinging stubbornly to the things one wished most to forget.

‘I’ll never be able to forget it. Not even when this is all over.’

It was unclear how much time passed before Zen opened his eyes again. His blue gaze had darkened further, consumed by shadows.

Meanwhile, back at the Duke’s mansion, Ria was enduring a barrage of scolding from Isabel during the entire carriage ride home.

“The Duke and Duchess will surely have words for you! Honestly, if you’re going to be late, you should at least send word!”

Isabel repeated the same lines over and over without changing a single word.

“I get it, I get it! I won’t do it again!”

Finally, Ria raised her voice, and Isabel reluctantly stopped her nagging. The truth was, Isabel was just as worried. The Duke adored Ria, and there was no telling how angry he might be. The fact that the mansion’s lights were still on late into the night was proof enough.

Having never been scolded by her parents before, Ria entered the mansion with a mix of dread and curiosity.

‘Huh?’

To her surprise, what greeted her was the sound of boisterous laughter from two men. One was the Duke, and the other was a man she had never seen before.

Caught off guard by the unexpected sight, Ria froze at the entrance to the hall.

“Lady Ria has returned,” the butler announced with a bow.

Noticing her for the first time, the two men turned to her with wide, welcoming smiles.

“I’m… sorry for being late,” Ria said cautiously.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. You’re here safe, and that’s all that matters.”

The Duke, who was always doting, seemed to be in an especially good mood.

‘Is it because of that man?’

As Ria tilted her head in confusion, the man strode toward her. He was an imposing figure, his height on par with Zen’s, but his presence felt far more overwhelming. It wasn’t just his muscular build—it was something else entirely.

With his short brown hair and rugged appearance, he looked like someone who would be laughing heartily over beer and chicken in a tavern.

‘He’s handsome, but… he seems like the type older women would love.’

While Ria was lost in thought, the man suddenly called out to her.

“Ria!”

Before she could react, he scooped her up in a bear hug, squeezing her tightly.