I Was a Supporting Character

“There’s nothing much to regret even if we don’t get entangled with the imperial family, so why bother with a political marriage?” Ares retorted with a hint of defiance.

“Exactly as Ares says. Besides, His Majesty would prefer that the princess marry someone of her choosing,” the Duchess added, backing up Ares.

Was it just my imagination, or did it seem like both of them were holding their heads high with pride?

Once again, I was struck by the immense prestige of the Stanley family. This was the kind of pride that could stand toe-to-toe with the imperial family—the pride of the empire’s most distinguished noble house!

And here I was, someone who was receiving such warm hospitality from the masters of this grand house! How satisfying!

As I was inwardly basking in the feeling, the Duchess spoke up again.

“In reality, it’s the imperial family that’s in a hurry. Even though Princess Ariel is the current heir, they won’t be at ease until at least four generations of succession are securely guaranteed.”

I quickly ran through the line of succession in my mind.

Princess Ariel was the first in line, followed by other distant relatives of the imperial family…

“If they’ve married into foreign royalty or other noble houses, they’re excluded from the line of succession. The same goes for those who have explicitly renounced their claim,” Ares said, his face tinged with bitterness. It didn’t take long for me to understand why.

“So, you’re on the same level in the succession line as the remaining distant relatives of the imperial family,” I pointed out.

“You’re well-informed, Bianca,” the Duchess smiled at me. Ares shook his head with a sigh.

“I initially intended to step down from the line of succession since I had to continue the family line. But His Majesty was so earnest in his request…” Ares trailed off, and the Duchess picked up where he left off.

“His Majesty believes that there’s no better lineage than that of Ares, who hails from the Ducal House and is the great-nephew of the late Emperor. So, in the unlikely event that Princess Ariel is unable to succeed the throne, Ares would also have a claim,” the Duchess explained.

“Of course, in that case, the next Emperor would ultimately be decided by a vote in the noble assembly,” Ares added, speaking as if he was certain he would never become Emperor.

Yes, Ares, I get it. You’re perfectly fine just being the Duke of Stanley.

I was already aware that Ares was one of the highest-ranking men in the empire, but hearing it all laid out like this made it truly overwhelming.

Ares chuckled softly. “From what I’ve seen, Princess Ariel is so healthy and lively that I don’t think she’ll be collapsing anytime soon. Literally, the future of our empire is in very sturdy hands.”

Indeed, too sturdy, perhaps. She’s so robust that she’s even participating in the hunting competition… Wait, what?

Oh no! The hunting competition!

I had gotten so caught up in the moment that I’d forgotten all about it! The hunting competition with Princess Ariel!

A sudden chill ran down my spine as if I’d been doused in cold water.

I had already anticipated that something significant would happen to Princess Ariel during the hunting competition. But now, linking that with Ares’ potential claim to the throne made me realize that this could be a far more momentous event than anything I’d encountered in the novel so far.

Wow… The ‘author’ really went to great lengths to pave the way for Leia, even to the point of sacrificing Ariel to make Ares Emperor and Leia Empress? But if that were the plan, they should have just made Ares the Crown Prince from the start! That way, Leia could’ve been with the Crown Prince and become Empress, much more straightforward!

“Bianca, what’s wrong? Your expression just went completely stiff…” Ares asked, his voice tinged with concern.

“Huh? Oh, I was just lost in thought for a moment. Sorry about that,” I replied, snapping back to the present.

I hurriedly apologized, but Ares’ expression remained stiff and unyielding. With a small sigh, I decided to share just a little of what had been on my mind.

“Princess Ariel has decided to participate in this hunting competition, and I’m a bit worried. Yesterday at the tea party, she mentioned that she’ll be taking only a minimal number of guards with her.”

“Hmm…”

At my words, Ares’ expression also darkened.

The Duchess, who had been listening to our conversation, spoke in her distinctively clear voice.

“If Princess Ariel has made up her mind, there’s probably no one who can dissuade her. Ares, you should at least keep a close watch on her.”

“I will, Mother.”

Ah, even just confiding in someone like this makes me feel a little less burdened. At least, I won’t be the only one on edge on the day of the hunting competition.

The Duchess let out a small, amused laugh.

“It seems the Princess is quite confident. Sometimes, that confidence crosses the line and puts others in a difficult position. Bianca, you know this well, having experienced it already.”

“…It’s embarrassing, Duchess.”

She was referring to the time when the royal family didn’t send an invitation to our house for the palace banquet. I bowed my head in discomfort.

After that, the conversation shifted to lighter topics.

We talked about my hobby of painting, Ares’ hobby of playing the violin, and more. The Duchess mostly asked me questions, and I responded.

Thanks to the Duchess’s warm regard for me, the atmosphere throughout the conversation was pleasant. She was not only elegant in appearance and posture but also in her speech. Despite the significant age difference between us, I never found our conversation boring or stuffy.

However, I’m not entirely sure if this kindness and generosity will continue once I marry Ares and officially become a member of the Stanley family. After all, being a son’s “lover” and becoming a “daughter-in-law” are entirely different matters.

Still, I believe I succeeded in making a good impression on Ares’ parents today.

It’s a relief that all the social skills and reputation I’ve honed over the years weren’t in vain!

Before I knew it, most of the cocktail glasses on the tray carried by the maid had been emptied.

Well, as they say, you don’t realize you’re getting wet in a light drizzle. Even though these cocktails are low in alcohol, drinking so many has definitely made me feel tipsy. The Duchess, her face slightly flushed as well, commented with a smile.

“You must have had quite a bit to drink. Your face is all red, Bianca.”

“Oh, is it? Actually, I do feel a little tipsy.”

When I touched my face, it was warm. If I drink any more, I might just lose control.

Sensing my state with keen awareness, Ares stepped forward.

“Mother, I’ll take Bianca to her room.”

“Alright. See you in the morning. Rest well, Bianca.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Duchess.”

Though my head was spinning, I managed to keep my composure and successfully bid the Duchess farewell!

The Duchess, accompanied by her maid, left the corridor first. Only after watching them go did I start heading back to my room with Ares.

Ares gently supported my shoulder as we walked.

Heh, I’m not that drunk yet, but it feels nice, so I’ll just enjoy it.

“Hahaha…”

No, I take that back. The fact that I can’t stop smiling foolishly like this must mean I’m definitely drunk. Ugh!

“Bianca?”

“It’s nothing. Haha… I’m just in a good mood. I think I’m a bit drunk.”

“Didn’t you say you could handle your liquor well?”

“Haha, yeah… I guess the tension finally wore off.”

When we arrived in front of my room, I looked at Ares and said, “Well, sleep well. See you tomorrow.”

“…”

Hmm? Ares seemed hesitant, as if he had something to say.

But why is his face suddenly turning red?

“Ares?”

When I called his name again in confusion, Ares opened his mouth as if to speak, but then closed it again, constantly hesitating with that flushed face.

Ah, I see what’s going on… Heh.

I suddenly felt the urge to tease him. But doing so in the hallway wouldn’t be appropriate.

I smiled and, as if granting him a big favor, said to Ares, “Would you like to come in and have a cup of tea?”

There was a soft click from the handle, and the well-maintained door opened smoothly without a creak. A nightgown, which the maid had prepared beforehand, was laid out on the sofa.

Naturally, I took Ares’ hand and led him toward the sofa.

And as for the nightgown… It needed to be put away, of course.

On the table, there was a teapot that had been placed there a little earlier, still warm. Sitting beside Ares, I reached out to grab the teapot’s handle.

“Bianca…”

Ares gently placed his hand over mine as I reached for the teapot.

No words were necessary. I slowly withdrew my hand.

I wondered what my face looked like as I gazed at Ares now.

My face must be flushed, my eyes slightly unfocused, clearly showing that the alcohol had taken effect. Heh…

That’s why I can be so bold, inviting Ares into my room this late at night, just the two of us. I couldn’t do this if I were sober!

I slid my fingers through his blonde hair, lightly brushing aside the strands that hung over his forehead. The softness as it slipped through my fingers was so captivating that I found myself lost, absentmindedly running my fingers through his hair over and over.

Then Ares wrapped his arm around my back and pulled me close, holding me so tightly that our noses almost touched. Leaning in close, he whispered softly in my ear, “I think I’ll need to drink wine with you more often.”

Were Ares’s lips always this red?

As I stared at him in a daze, his lips curved into a perfect, charming smile.

Ugh. Somehow, it felt like I was the one being teased. My tone naturally turned a bit pouty.

“Hmph. I can actually hold my liquor quite well, you know.”

“Well, I don’t think you need to drink until you lose your senses…”

Gasp, I had no idea Ares could speak in such a seductive voice! Where did the most polite man in the social circles go?

I lowered my eyes slightly and traced the outline of his red lips with the tip of my index finger. If I had to choose the most beautiful curve in the world, Ares’s lips would certainly be a contender.

One of the arms Ares had wrapped around my back loosened and then removed the pearl hairpin from my hair. The tightly bound ponytail unraveled, letting my hair cascade down.

“…Your scent is wonderful.”

Ares whispered as if his breath might stop, his long fingers entwined with my long, dark hair. He lifted his hand and gently pressed his lips to the ends of my hair.

The warmth of Ares’s love and affection washed over me like a hot breeze. I couldn’t help but respond in kind. For a moment, I decided to stop thinking with my head.

Almost as if in a trance, I placed my hands on Ares’s shoulders. Then, tilting my head slightly, I pressed my lips gently against his, giving a soft, firm kiss. I even forgot to breathe.

I loved the sensation of our lips perfectly sealed together. The sweet scent of the cocktail lingered in the air, and I inhaled deeply, as if trying to capture it all inside me.

“Haa…”

As our lips parted, the breath I had taken in trembled as it was released. Even so, I couldn’t bear to completely pull away, so I kept my forehead pressed against his.

Ares chuckled softly in a low voice.

“Haha, Bianca. If we go any further, I can’t make any promises.”

At his words, I smiled gently, still with our foreheads touching.

He was giving me a warning, letting me know the line he couldn’t cross. I didn’t want to selfishly push past that line, carried away by my own feelings. This was my way of showing consideration for Ares.

Slowly, reluctantly, I pulled away from him. As I withdrew, Ares’s arms, which had been holding me, also slowly released me, his hand brushing softly down my back as if he was reluctant to let go.

Ares gently took my fingers and kissed them slowly.

“Have sweet dreams.”

“You too, Ares.”

I walked him to the door and saw him off. As I stood there, watching him walk down the hallway, the hot and sweet atmosphere we had shared in the room felt almost like a dream.