I Was a Supporting Character

After Leia Saturanos’ visit, I almost daily went to the tea house Aphrodite. It was to meet the ‘author.’

I needed to know the original content of the novel she wrote. At first, I thought as long as I didn’t actively interfere with the romance between Ares and Lea, I would be fine, but it seems I was too naive.

What is the standard for an antagonist?

From an objective point of view, committing evil deeds according to universal human common sense would undoubtedly make me an antagonist. I can confidently say that I have never committed such malicious acts.

However, does that alone absolve me of being the antagonist in the novel?

The ‘author’ mentioned that I would turn into an antagonist due to jealousy towards Leia. Perhaps what the ‘author’ considers an antagonist may not be the same as what I think.

I fervently supported the main couple to avoid becoming antagonists by my standards. I advised and admonished Leia to become a person worthy of the dignity of the Stanley family. However, the ‘author’ might view those actions as evil, defining them as interfering in a negative light.

In the end, the person who would define me as an antagonist is Leia Saturanos herself. If my presence is perceived as a hindrance to their love, then I become the antagonist! In the midst of a couple building their love, if I, carrying jealousy, intrude, Leia will naturally see me as an obstacle!

If one sees an obstacle as inherently negative and malicious, then I am already an antagonist.

I wish the solution were merely to do nothing and stay quiet to avoid being labelled an antagonist. However, even that turned out to be the wrong answer.

I genuinely didn’t want any connection between Ares and Leia.

Translators: Stardust. Read on moonlight novels only

However, unintentionally, I kept encountering Ares, and, according to the ‘writer’s’ settings, I became friends with the two couples, Ares and Leia, even though I simply stood by. I realized this as Ares followed me out after the Metis party and when he rejected Leia’s suggestion to visit me together at the free cafeteria.

In the early stages of the romance, the two main characters, who should always be together, were not in such a situation because Ares made an impulsive move.

Yes! The origin of all my confusion was indeed Ares Stanley.

Leia’s behaviour pattern was predictable. The ‘writer’ was just a bystander.

So where did it go wrong? The answer lies with the male protagonist of this novel, Ares.

Certainly, as the ‘writer’ told me last time, the undescribed parts are entirely dependent on the free will of the characters in this world. Even if she directly described the content, she mentioned that it could change based on my actions.

The only unchangeable thing is the crucial ‘pillar’ of the novel.

The setting where I develop feelings for Ares is undoubtedly described in the novel. So, the sentence ‘Bianca fell in love with Ares at first sight’ must be present.

The fact that the two protagonists fall in love with each other must be clearly described in the text. No, can there be any romance without a scene where they confess their love to each other? At the very least, there should be a narrative like, ‘They fell in love with each other.’

Based on my experience, overcoming emotions set in a novel is almost impossible. How much I struggled knowing that my affection for Ares was part of the ‘writer’s’ setting. However, since it was futile, I decided to just accept it.

In my opinion, those two will never be able to overcome this setting. They don’t know the truth about this world. So, Ares and Leia should have already developed feelings for each other by now, just as described in the novel!

During the early stages of budding love, didn’t they want to be together and engage in activities together? Isn’t becoming indifferent to each other something that should happen much later, perhaps during the phase of boredom in their relationship?

But why does Ares keep deviating from my expectations and behaving differently?