Chapter 43
“Sorry, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry…”
I kept apologizing like a broken record, stiff and frantic.
I should’ve thrown myself to the ground, begging to be spared, but Tessarion had both my arms in a firm grip, so I couldn’t even bow.
“Roy, look at me.”
“…Hic!”
As I thrashed to escape, he held me tighter and said firmly. I squeezed my eyes shut—I couldn’t face him.
…Did he find out?
That I like the female lead?
Knowing how sharp he is… of course, he found out. It’s over. It’s all over.
“A mere servant, someone who should at least be sold at a high price, dared to covet his fiancée… I’ll die. He’ll kill me with that sword and reset everything again.”
My vision went black.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
My heart pounded like crazy as I mentally prepared to dive into the River of Death—
And then, Tessarion suddenly hugged me tight.
“Gack.”
I couldn’t breathe. Then he started smacking my back like a giant rice thresher.
“You’re okay.”
Ack! Ouch! That does not feel okay!
“Calm down.”
I-I’ll calm down, just stop! It hurts!
My hands stopped trembling. My frozen brain came back online. While rubbing my sore back, I reached behind me.
“D-Duke… urk! It hurts.”
“Hm?”
“M-my back…”
“Your back?”
Tessarion looked startled and let go. I leaned against his shoulder, trying to touch my now-burning back. But of course, I couldn’t reach.
“Does your shoulder blade hurt?”
He yanked my shirt open.
Riiip!
Buttons popped off, and my bare chest and shoulder were completely exposed.
I gasped and tried to pull the shirt back over myself. Tessarion turned me around, leaned in, and ran his finger down my back.
“Here?”
“Eek…!”
A cold shiver climbed my spine, and my shoulders jumped. His careful fingers tickled enough to make me stiffen up.
“It’s a little red, but there’s no sign of wing growth.”
Little? I almost threw up!
I shook my head furiously with tears in my eyes.
“No, Duke… your hands just hit like whips!”
“Huh?”
He blinked, looked away awkwardly, and scratched his neck. The powerful grip on me loosened.
While gathering my torn shirt, I glared at him in protest. Then I sighed and knelt.
“Please, if you’re going to hit me, do it properly! Or beat me just enough that I don’t die!”
Yes. This is the righteous path.
If Tessarion beat me up, everyone’s misunderstandings would be cleared, and I could sleep easy tonight. But the war demon, who was supposed to be heartless, just looked down at me blankly.
“Why would I?”
“Because of me! I disobeyed your orders and fell for Prince Helios’s vile provocation. I ruined your first joint training! Worse, I couldn’t stop your ill reputation from spreading and caused Princess Berieta to misunderstand! Please don’t forgive this insolence!”
“What?”
“Punish me by the law, beat me until your anger subsides, throw me in jail—restore discipline!”
I planted my head on the floor at his feet and shouted boldly.
Tessarion furrowed his brow, rubbed his temple, sighed, and did a dry face wash.
“Roy. Can’t you just… stay still?”
“I just realized that even being near you is a punishable offense.”
“You’re driving me insane.”
“That’s my line, you know?”
Honestly, I am losing it because of you.
Why are you the one going crazy? You should be obsessed with the heroine! This way, not only will the romance arc fall apart, but the entire original plot will collapse!
As a sub-male lead, my job is to quietly help the two main leads fall in love. Be gently supportive, trigger jealousy at key moments, set the table beautifully, and hand it over to the main lead.
This is the time to disappear.
“Stand up.”
Tessarion ordered. I lowered my head and replied.
“Just say the word, and I’ll walk to prison myself.”
“Shut up and get up.”
Ah, there he is—finally angry. Now that’s more like him.
Phew. I stood, feeling slightly relieved, then clasped my hands behind my back and bowed my head calmly.
Should I bite down hard to protect my teeth, or just try to shield my face? I was still debating it when—
“Berieta didn’t misunderstand anything. You’re the one who’s got it wrong.”
“…Excuse me? Didn’t the Princess ask why I was here?”
“Just listen.”
“Yes, sir.”
I shut up right away.
“There’s an imperial decree, yes—but it’s a purely political contract. Berieta found shelter. I bought time. That’s it. She doesn’t care who’s in my bed.”
“No way!”
That was nonsense. When I shouted emotionally, Tessarion narrowed his eyes and growled.
“Mouth.”
“…Shut!”
I snapped my mouth shut like a clam.
“Let me be clear. I’m not interested in Berieta. I don’t care if she dies or sleeps around with anyone. Not my concern.”
Oh, Duke…
Still pretending you hate nice, pretty people and calling love “just politics”? We call that denial phase, Your Grace.
“If you understand this, nod.”
“…”
I had plenty to say, but for now, I nodded.
“The joint training was just to assess the knights’ individual skills, so don’t worry. As for Helios… it was my mistake for being careless, knowing your straightforward nature and his sly character. If blame must be placed, it’s on me.”
Ugh… damn. That was so touching it pissed me off more.
No! If you keep treating me like this, what happens when the Princess asks me to help her run away later? You’ll lose your mind and tear me limb from limb!
“So, have all your misunderstandings been cleared?”
Tessarion looked at me with his fingers interlocked, head tilted slightly.
“…”
I chewed on my lip and looked around, fidgeting behind my back.
I was trying to figure out how to safely get locked up or exit this story quietly as a supporting character.
“But still…”
“Roy Dover.”
He said my name in a low, weighty voice. It carried enough pressure to send a chill down my spine.
I hesitated, sweating.
Should I correct him and risk it for freedom? Or stay silent and regret it later?
“…You’ll regret this.”
“What now?”
“If you keep being nice to me, I’m really going to go off the rails! I’ll demand expensive chocolates every day from the head butler! I’ll make Mrs. Moress summon the prettiest women in the world! A-and I’ll sprawl out on your bed and laze around all day! I’ll totally ignore your reputation and do whatever I want!”
