“…Understood. If that is Your Highness’s wish, then I hope you thoroughly enjoy the hunting competition.”
My voice trembled as I spoke to the princess. It felt as if goosebumps were covering my entire body, and I found myself rubbing my arms without realizing it.
It was pure terror. Knowing the impending disaster all by myself, and knowing that I absolutely could not prevent it. Ignorance would be a blessing.
I looked at Princess Ariel, who was smiling innocently in front of me, with a hardened expression.
Surely the ‘author’ wouldn’t kill the protagonist’s best friend in the original novel, right? I had never wanted to know so desperately what the ‘pillar’ of the novel was as I did now!
My steps felt unbearably heavy as I returned from tea time with Princess Ariel. This intense premonition that she would be at the center of a major incident at the upcoming hunting competition weighed on me. I had to calm my trembling heart and carefully organize my thoughts.
As I left the garden and exited the palace, the family’s carriage was waiting. I boarded the carriage with a calm expression, showing no signs of disturbance.
Inside the shaking carriage, I went over all the possible incidents that could happen at the hunting competition.
The worst would be an attack on Princess Ariel, an unexpected wild beast attack, a stray bullet while aiming for prey, a sudden earthquake…
I had a strong feeling that something bad would happen, but the problem was that there were countless possibilities for what that ‘bad thing’ could be.
I needed to change my way of thinking.
At least one thing was certain: it was not the accident at the hunting competition itself but rather the emergence of the ‘pillar’ of the novel.
It is important to note that this novel is narrated from a first-person perspective from Leia’s point of view. Specific events do not necessarily have to match the original novel. It only needs to be something of great importance to Leia for the ‘pillar’ to emerge.
…Is there really nothing I can do?
Do I just have to wait helplessly, knowing that something is about to happen, but being unable to do anything because it is the ‘pillar’ of the novel, just waiting for the disaster to strike?
My chest felt tight. This feeling of being completely bound and helpless was not what I wanted.
Even if it was a feeble attempt, I had to struggle somehow to save Princess Ariel.
Think. Think…!
The important thing right now is not the appearance of the ‘pillar’, but what kind of accident will happen at the hunting grounds. Since the ‘pillar’ will appear according to Leia’s consciousness anyway, as long as that isn’t disturbed, does it really matter what specific incident occurs?
As long as Princess Ariel can be safe. If I can even slightly reduce the disaster she will face.
If I can prevent unnecessary sacrifices for the sake of the protagonist’s inevitable happy ending!
…Yes. Because I know what’s to come, I am given the responsibility to prevent this disaster.
I took a deep breath. From now on, I must keep a close eye on Princess Ariel.
In this novel, where Ariel is merely a supporting character like me, I wanted to prevent her from being sacrificed meaninglessly by the author’s sadistic plot. While my death has some justification as a punishment for a villain, what crime has Princess Ariel committed?
As long as Leia’s consciousness flows according to the original, that’s enough. There is no need for Princess Ariel to be in danger! It is too unfair for supporting characters to lose their lives just to serve the main character. At least, it felt that way to me, a supporting character.
I know this world is not for me.
Nevertheless, I wanted to prove with my entire being that I am also a part of this world. Even though I am not the protagonist, I still occupy a part of this world.
Regardless of the fact that I am in the opposite faction of Princess Ariel in the social circles, I decided to help her for a more fundamental reason.
Princess Ariel is a supporting character like me. That’s why I want to save her.
Author! I will show you that supporting characters like us can have enough meaning without having to die!
That evening, after returning from meeting Princess Ariel, a letter bearing the seal of the Duke of Stanley arrived for me. It was an official invitation to a dinner at the Duke’s residence.
Whew, isn’t this why I went to tea with Princess Ariel? I soon sent a reply that I would attend the banquet.
The day for me to visit the Duke’s residence was set for the following day.
***
Even though Ares says he likes my natural look, since the Duke and Duchess will be present at the banquet, a certain level of elegant attire was necessary out of respect for them.
“…But Ares, why are you here?”
On the day I was to visit the Duke’s residence, Ares unexpectedly showed up at my house!
To my astonishment, Ares answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“To escort you, of course. It’s proper etiquette for a partner to accompany you to a formal invitation, isn’t it?”
“But we’re going to your house anyway.”
“I don’t think the location is the important part.”
“Haa…”
Raising an eyebrow and replying so nonchalantly, it made me wonder if this really was the usually well-mannered Ares. I had no idea he could be so sly!
Anyway, he came prepared with a perfect excuse. However, I needed to get him out of this room so I could get dressed.
“Ares, I’m going to put on my dress and do my makeup now. It’ll take quite a while, so why don’t you wait in the parlor or take a walk in the garden?”
“Hmm…”
Why is he hesitating? He could just say ‘alright’ and leave right away!
“Ares?”
When I called him in a voice full of suspicion, he asked with a childlike curiosity in his eyes.
“Can’t I watch you get ready?”
I was shocked!
Why on earth would he want to watch that?
When I looked up at him, speechless and incredulous, Ares turned his head away to avoid my gaze and cleared his throat.
“Ahem, I was just curious about how your appearance changes so much after you’re fully dressed up… I wanted to see how it’s done.”
So, in short, Ares was curious about how women ‘transform,’ just like any other man, right? Seeing this, even the gentlemanly Ares seemed like an ordinary young man who had just shed his boyish innocence.
Since he had already seen my bare face and wet hair, there was nothing much to hide.
With a slightly reluctant expression, I nodded.
“…Alright. Suit yourself.”
As soon as I gave my permission, Ares looked extremely pleased, which made me feel happy too. A smile crept onto my lips.
As always, Miranda helped me get ready. After going into the dressing room and changing into my formal attire, I sat down at the vanity, and Miranda began applying lotion to my face.
Ares sat a little distance away, watching the process with fascination. He didn’t forget to ask questions from time to time.
“Do you really need to apply powder on already pale skin?”
He also asked questions like this.
“Doesn’t it tickle when the brush goes over your face?”
But the most interesting comment was this one.
“If someone is good at drawing, they could easily do makeup too. It’s quite similar to painting, isn’t it?”
Unable to hold back my laughter, I finally said to Ares,
“Ares, could you just stay quiet? You’re making me laugh, and Miranda can’t work properly.”
“Oh, was I? Sorry.”
Finally, Ares fell silent. Only then could Miranda focus seriously on my makeup without the giggles.
Once the makeup was done, Miranda started styling my hair. Glancing at Ares through the mirror, I noticed he had a look on his face that suggested he wanted to ask something.
“If you have something to say, go ahead, Ares.”
He replied, looking a bit shy.
“Well… I was wondering if you could wear the jewelry I gave you…”
As he spoke, his face turned redder and redder, which I found utterly adorable!
It seemed like I, too, was finally seeing him through rose-colored glasses.
“There’s nothing difficult about that. Sure.”
I gladly accepted his suggestion. Miranda, quick to catch on, opened the jewelry drawer and took out the box containing the hairpin Ares had gifted me.
In front of an expectant Ares, Miranda skillfully gathered my long hair up and adorned it with Ares’ pearl hairpin.
When Miranda finished, a naturally wavy ponytail was elegantly arranged.
“Thanks for waiting, Ares. I think I’m all set now.”
“Ah.”
Ares gracefully extended his hand, and I lightly placed mine on top of it. He gently curled his fingers around my hand.
With my family seeing us off, I boarded the Stanley family carriage that Ares had arrived in. The carriage rolled along briskly, carrying us away from the estate in the late afternoon.
As the carriage set off, it began to sink in that I was about to meet Ares’ parents, and I started to feel increasingly nervous. My exhaled breaths came out in quivers.
Just then, Ares held my hand firmly but not painfully.
“Bianca.”
I looked at him, my face somewhat stiff.
“Are you a bit nervous?”
“Of course.”
With my reply, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. My closed eyelids fluttered slightly.
Ares’s voice, soft and warm, reached my ears.
“Actually, I’m a bit nervous too. This is the first time I’m bringing someone to meet my parents.”
His words instantly calmed my racing heart.
“Am I really the first? What about Leia?”
Her name slipped out before I could stop myself.
Well, it was only natural, considering that at one point, Ares’s closest companion wasn’t me, but Lea!
Ares frowned deeply at my question.
“I never formally introduced Leia to my parents. Sure, she visited the estate frequently, but…”
Even if Ares never formally introduced her, how could his parents ignore the fact that their son’s closest friend was the daughter of a baron? They must have noticed her, seeing her as more than just a friend, perhaps even as a potential partner for their son.
This meant that during the dinner with the Duke and Duchess of Stanley, I wouldn’t just be exchanging pleasantries and laughter. I’d be constantly compared to the shadow of Leia that existed in their minds.
Ugh. I felt like I might get indigestion before we even started eating.
“…Bianca.”
“Yes.”
Ares called my name, hesitated for a moment, and then let out a deep sigh.
“…Never mind.”
“…”
I had a sense of what he wanted to say. He likely wanted to insist that he and Leia were just friends.
But he seemed to realize that such an explanation wouldn’t be convincing to me. So, instead of explaining at length, he chose to let his actions speak for his true feelings.
As a somewhat awkward silence settled between us, the carriage passed through the main gate of the Stanley estate.
Oh no, my breath was getting short again! I was completely enveloped by the tight, suffocating tension.
Feeling my fingertips grow cold, I clenched my fist slightly. Ares, who had been silently watching, firmly took hold of my hand once more.
