The Extra Decided to be Fake

Episode 121

Time? There wasn’t any reason why it wouldn’t be.

“So, what did you call me for?”

The first question Lillian threw out after moving to the greenhouse at Theo’s request and confirming that no one else was around. Outwardly, it was a rather sassy and indifferent question, but honestly, inside, she was filled with excitement and anticipation.

If Lillian hadn’t been so cynical and adept at controlling her expression, she would have undoubtedly been smirking from ear to ear.

“Well, yes.”

As if I don’t know that I have to get married, there’s no way you wouldn’t confess!

Lillian knew very well how much Theo liked her. They had a bond that they could never share with anyone else, and for Theo, she was that important.

Of course, he surely had feelings for his family and friends as well. But Lillian knew that Theo held her in his heart as something more.

It would be closer to a desire for something that couldn’t be replaced by anything else in his world, rather than just romantic feelings. Lillian understood that feeling very well. It was like that with Swan, and she had felt such emotions before.

If she was such a presence to Theo, he surely wouldn’t be able to let her go like this.

Seeing him hesitate and call her like this, unlike usual, there was no doubt. This unmistakably smelled like a confession.

‘Should I reject him once just to tease him?’

If she liked the confession, she was willing to accept it. And from running to Cedric to proceed with the marriage, Lillian had imagined everything from the moment Theo’s confession left his lips to entering the wedding hall together with Theo.

It would be terribly awkward and uncomfortable, but it didn’t feel unfamiliar, perhaps because she had always thought that someday, something like this would happen to her. Maybe it was because she had always assumed that Theo would naturally be there in that position someday.

‘Well, let’s just accept it.’

Lillian concluded very satisfactorily. And then, Theo opened his mouth.

“I… I don’t think I can continue like this with you in the future.”

It was a line that had never existed in Lillian’s imagination even once.

* * *

Theo liked Lillian. She herself was well aware of that fact. There was only one existence that stole logic and reason from him, and that was Lillian.

At first, the feeling of wanting to see her and be with her was simple, but as time passed, it grew deeper. Without realizing it, Theo found himself smiling at the thought of Lillian, and whenever their eyes met, he couldn’t help but feel his heartbeat resonate in his ears.

‘More serious than I thought.’”

Even though he couldn’t shake her from his mind, why did she look so beautiful? Even her cool and cynical personality seemed cute, making him want to pinch her cheeks.

Before, Theo thought he could live well without Lillian, but at some point, he felt it was impossible. It would be fair to say that he had fallen for her.

The problem was that Theo was someone capable of objectifying himself.

He knew that his emotions and Lillian’s emotions could never weigh the same. Lillian’s thoughts about him could never outweigh her thoughts about Swan, and the fact that he was too inadequate to be Lillian’s partner.

A relationship that couldn’t be severed yet could never continue could coexist.

‘Lillian must know too. That I like her.’

Yet Lillian remained silent. Theo thought that was representing Lillian’s emotions. If Lillian felt the same way, she would have defined their relationship sooner.

Their relationship over time had been too close to be just friends, too impure to be family, and too awkward to be lovers. And so far, Theo had been satisfied with this relationship.

If he weren’t occasionally anxious, it would be false, but Theo respected Lillian’s feelings. He had already become accustomed to Lillian not thinking of him as much as he thought of her. The fact that their hearts were not the same size didn’t bother him.

Because.

“It’s a secret, but among the living, you are the most precious to me, Theo.”

“What about the Duke?”

“Dad would understand since you saved my life.”

Thinking like that, seeing Lillian say such things made Theo feel like it wasn’t such a big deal.

Of course, Theo didn’t honestly confess to Lillian. He played it off as a joke.

“Is that so? I would’ve regretted it if I didn’t enter the temple.”

“That’s not what I meant. I would have really died without you.”

Intentionally or unintentionally.

“Because you waited for me, because you held onto me now… That’s why I feel alive. Sometimes.”

Lillian would say that with a gentle smile. Theo would often think of that moment, the night he was engulfed in the fear that Lillian might have died.

And how much he struggled for breath that night.

Lillian said Theo supported her life, but maybe Theo was the one who truly relied on her. Lillian was Theo’s refuge, his hometown, and his family, all at once.

‘Lillian will calm down over time.’

Whether she pushes him away or accepts his feelings.

Until then, they could pretend not to notice this ambiguous relationship.

At least until the rumors of Lillian’s impending marriage spread throughout the manor.

Time was running out. Regardless of Lillian’s feelings, Theo had to make a decision.

In that case, there was only one answer Theo could choose.

“I don’t think I can continue like this with you.”

“What?”

Lillian’s expression stiffened instantly. But Theo continued calmly.

“It’s not like you didn’t know. Our relationship is ambiguous. It’s time to sort it out.”

“You… Are you serious?”

“Do you think I’d lie about something like this? I’ve thought about it, and this feels right.”

There was no mischief in Theo’s expression. Lillian could tell. He wasn’t taking his words lightly. But was such a difficult statement, not a confession but a declaration of severance?

Finally, Lillian’s face twisted in frustration.

“Don’t joke around.”

“What?”

“Don’t try to sort out our relationship like this. Do I look like a joke to you? Don’t you even know that you like me? If you’re going to sort things out like this, why did we hold hands, go on dates, and even kiss all this time?”

“Hey, hey. Hold on—”

“Even if I were to marry another man, you wouldn’t care at all? You’ve been avoiding me because I’m getting married, and now you suddenly want to sort things out between us? Are you that lacking in courage and ambition?”

As her words continued, Lillian’s voice grew more and more strained. It had been a few days of mental anguish for Theo since he realized he was avoiding her.

“I, I like you. I even got permission from my father to marry…”

Finally, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

“Ahaha!”

Theo burst out laughing unexpectedly. He was making light of such a serious moment? At the moment when Lillian’s tears were about to come out due to absurdity, Theo wiped his eyes with an unchanging face and looked up.

“Oh, really. Lillian, do you like me?”

“…No. I don’t. I hate you. I hate you more than burnt bean soup. Just disappear from my sight.”

“Pfft.”

Theo chuckled softly as he put his hand into his pocket.

“Hey, when did I say I was leaving?”

“…What?”

“What I wanted to do was propose, stupid.”

As Theo took his hand out of his pocket, there was a small jewelry box on top of it. It was a case containing a ring.

“I can’t continue with this ambiguous relationship with you anymore. So, whether it ends in rejection or acceptance, I have to confess to you.”

Only then did Lillian understand Theo’s words, her face turning bright red with anger. Seeing her like that, Theo chuckled before continuing.

“If, as you said, I saved you, then will you let me spend the rest of your life with you?”

I love you, Lillian.

With those words, Lillian bit her lip, holding back tears, then suddenly pulled Theo into a hug.

“You’re really annoying, you know?”

“But you like that about me.”

At that, Lillian finally let out a small laugh. For some reason, the laughter didn’t stop, as if her lungs were filled with butterflies.

Agnes was right. Life may be a series of hardships, but if you can overcome unhappiness, there’s no reason not to be happy.

“I love you.”

One of the two embracing each other whispered softly.

It was a moment when happiness found its way into Lillian’s world after a long time.

 

– Fin –

 

TL/N: The novel “The Extra Decided to be Fake” is now finished. I sincerely hope that you found the novel as captivating and touching as I did. Despite some readers finding it uninteresting, I see it as a heartwarming story. The deep affection Lily feels for Swan is indescribable, and Lillian’s truly unwavering love for Swan until the end is truly moving. This novel, while not based on past lives or reincarnation, has a remarkable realism in portraying the profound attachment of a vulnerable child to the person they cherish.