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Chapter : 30
Even as an Extra, I Refuse the Death Route (30)
“…What the heck is going on?”
I stood there, dumbfounded, in the spot where Serena had just left.
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t find a reason why Serena would act that way.
Why was she behaving like that all of a sudden?
“Humans and relationships really are exhausting.”
Though my heart didn’t feel that way, I forced out a curt remark.
Otherwise, the negative emotions would just spiral out of control.
I was used to a life of isolation, and in that, I had always defended myself like this.
It was a memory I had forgotten while living in another body for a while.
“Haah…”
I bundled my negative emotions together and exhaled them with a deep breath.
I decided to think of it as a relationship that would recover soon enough.
Getting caught up in petty feelings wasn’t like me.
“Oh my, we meet again.”
Just as I was trying to calm myself, an unwelcome voice reached my ears.
“…I greet you, Princess.”
Even as I gave a formal reply, every nerve in my body instinctively went on alert.
“What were you doing here?”
“I was just taking a short walk on my way back to the palace.”
“I see… with whom?”
Why was she interrogating me so thoroughly?
Her angelic smile, the one she always showed, curved on her lips—but her eyes weren’t smiling.
“With my brother.”
“You mean Sir Edwin. What a close sibling relationship.”
If anyone else had said that, I would have taken it lightly.
But after already feeling a clear hostility from her, it somehow sounded mocking.
“Though your expression isn’t very pleasant. Did you have a quarrel?”
“…No, of course not.”
Leella’s slight smirk irritated me.
I forced a smile with all my strength, suppressing my emotions.
“Actually, I unintentionally overheard your conversation just now.”
Leella covered her mouth with her delicate hand and let her eyebrows droop.
It was a sarcastic smile disguised as pity.
“I see, it’s nothing serious.”
“I think that maid Serena seems to secretly have a crush on Sir Edwin.”
“…….”
Leella took a step closer to me.
“She might even be jealous of Irenea.”
Leella shrugged lightly and blinked slowly.
What on earth was she talking about?
“They’re siblings. That’s impossible.”
“Hoho, who knows.”
Leella responded with a faint laugh to my statement that it was ridiculous.
“The world’s perception may not see it that way, you know.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Oh my, I’m sorry if that was unpleasant.”
When a slightly sharp tone slipped out of me, Leella immediately acted as if she were stepping back.
“Sir Edwin cherishes Irenea so much that I only meant it in a good way.”
“…Yes.”
Of course, I knew that wasn’t true.
But lashing out recklessly wouldn’t benefit me.
After all, I was the only one feeling hostility at the moment.
Even if I explained it to others, they probably wouldn’t notice.
Leella had the image of a kind, angelic princess, friendly even to those below her.
“Irenea must have some kind of strange charm.”
“…Yes?”
“Sir Edwin, and even Iart… hmm…”
Complimenting me out of nowhere?
Leella, deep in thought, continued slowly.
“I wonder which other man you’ll attract next.”
I froze for a moment at Leella’s sneering words, and soon a surge of anger rose within me.
Clenching my fists painfully, I held back my fury.
Yes, I must endure.
If I lose my temper here, I lose.
“Thank you for the compliment. I’ll work even harder.”
I exhaled deeply and forced a bright smile as I replied.
Though I realized I had been gritting my teeth without noticing.
“…You’re such a cheerful person, Irenea.”
Leella’s expression twisted for a moment at my words, but she quickly returned to her usual demeanor.
She tilted her chin slightly and smiled faintly.
“Thank you.”
Our sharp gazes met.
For some reason, I felt that looking away would be losing, so I continued the silent battle of eyes.
“You have quite a gaze.”
Suddenly, Leella stepped close to me, making me blink rapidly.
She reached out and gently touched the tips of my hair.
“I’d like to look into those eyes for longer.”
“….”
“Always be careful with your behavior in the palace.”
I felt her fingers brushing back the hair that had fallen over my ear.
Her touch was soft—but chillingly cold.
“Well, I’ll take my leave now. I hope we meet again soon.”
Leella lightly waved at me and gracefully walked away, leaving me standing there.
The Next Day
“Ugh, this is so annoying!”
I had hoped I might feel better after sleeping, but recalling yesterday’s events made me thrash about.
What? Attract men?
“So irritating, seriously.”
Hearing words I had never heard before, my blood boiled.
She was skilled at getting under one’s skin.
Who was an angel, I wondered.
“This isn’t because I changed anything; it’s definitely her nature.”
I muttered to myself, biting my lip.
Even if I, who should have died, survived, it didn’t mean I could change someone’s nature.
The story had changed, but the characters remained the same.
Beneath the surface of the story lay these inherent natures.
“…Right, roles. That must have been the meaning behind it.”
Roles.
That was the keyword of the third episode.
Iart played the role of the villain, so he met a tragic end.
By that logic, Leella was the protagonist, so she reached a happy ending.
“This time, there’s no way.”
Even though the protagonist was on a death path, this time I was taking on the protagonist’s role.
I couldn’t let Iart die and leave Leella to take that place.
“I’ll make sure to get it back later.”
Because of the clear positions, I couldn’t act immediately.
But someday, I would repay today’s humiliation.
Knock-knock.
“Yes?”
As I clenched my teeth with rising emotions, a knock came.
“Irenea, may I come in?”
It was Sophie’s voice, which I hadn’t heard in a while.
“Oh, yes!”
I hurried to the door and opened it myself.
“Sorry for coming by so early.”
“No, not at all. Is there something?”
“Sir Taron came to the kitchen. He said His Highness wants to see you.”
“His Highness?”
The unexpected news turned my irritation into excitement.
“Right, he says to come to his office.”
“Yes, I’ll get ready immediately!”
Sophie smiled and left, and I quickly finished preparing.
Walking toward Iart’s office, my steps felt lighter than usual.
“You’re here.”
Perhaps waiting for me, Taron was standing outside the office, accompanied by the head pastry chef.
“Hello.”
“Irenea? What brings you here so early?”
Sir Edwin whispered to me in surprise as I passed by.
“I’ll explain later.”
Ignoring the startled Edwin, I followed Taron and the chef into the office.
Seeing Iart seated at his desk, perfectly dressed early in the morning, was exhilarating.
“Your Highness, the two have arrived.”
“Oh, I see.”
As Iart looked up, his low, smooth voice seemed to make the sunlight streaming through the window sparkle.
Even seeing someone handsome repeatedly still felt thrilling.
“Sit.”
“….”
Today, his hair shimmered more than usual, swaying subtly as he moved.
“…Hey.”
“Ah, yes!”
I snapped out of my daze at his slightly annoyed voice and hurriedly took a seat next to Frit, across from Iart.
“You probably came with an idea in mind.”
“Yes.”
At Frit’s reply, Iart set down the documents I had handed over.
“I’ll have them implemented.”
“Thank you!”
I jumped up and bowed deeply.
Would I have felt this happy if it were anyone else?
Probably not—this joy was because it was Iart accepting my ideas.
“From now on, this will concern the royal palace. You need to take responsibility.”
“Of course, don’t worry.”
I nodded firmly.
Iart watched me silently for a moment, then let out a faint chuckle.
“You’re always full of energy.”
Iart smiling more than before wasn’t good for my heart.
My face felt like it was slightly burning.
As I tapped my cheek with the back of my hand, Iart returned to his usual expression and said,
“Focus. Let’s sit down.”
“Ah, yes…”
I hurriedly adjusted my posture on the sofa.
Iart spread out the documents on the table.
“First, let’s make a few simple items as a trial.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Discuss and choose two or three items, and also bring dessert recipes that can be made using those tools.”
“Yes.”
Watching the two of them speaking so seriously, I started to take it seriously too.
I recalled the recipes I had noted down carefully.
“Ah, and…”
As I pondered, Iart’s voice made me look up at him.
“You’ll be in charge of reporting.”
“…Me?”
I thought the chef would handle it, but Iart’s gaze was on me.
“Why, can’t you do it?”
I quickly replied to his raised eyebrow.
“No, I can do it.”
The chef patted my shoulder lightly.
When I turned, he smiled.
“There’s no strict deadline. Prepare carefully and report.”
“If you wait a moment, I can bring it immediately.”
The documents were mostly basic designs I had already selected.
And of course, I had noted recipes that could be made using those tools.
“Right now?”
“Yes, I already prepared them in advance.”
“Hmm.”
Iart thought for a moment, then spoke to the chef.
“You have a lot to do, so you may leave now.”
“Yes, understood.”
The chef stood, bowed to Iart, and left the office.
“If you don’t need time to review, bring it here now.”
“Yes, I’ll be back immediately!”
Following the chef, I quickly left the office.
Passing by Edwin, who looked at me with concern, I continued briskly.
“That went well.”
“Yes, thanks to you. Thank you, Chef.”
“From now on it’s your responsibility, but come if you need help.”
“Yes!”
The chef headed to the kitchen, and I hurried back to the office with the recipes I had organized.
“Oh?”
For some reason, Edwin and the knight who had been standing at the door were gone.
I approached and heard voices through the slightly open door.
“…That’s what I think.”
It was Leella’s voice.
