I Was A Supporting Character

Chapter 11 – This Was All Set-Up (5)

After the ‘author’ completely left the teahouse, the cold wind that was worse than the cold in the middle of winter seemed to pass between me and Ares, who was left behind. 

Ares sat quietly in front of me who was completely frozen, in the place where the ‘author’ had been sitting a while ago.

“You said you were going home because you were tired, and yet here you are.”

Ugh, I suddenly became a liar.

I averted my eyes, looking for an excuse. 

“I met a friend by accident. We haven’t seen each other in a long time, so we were chatting at this teahouse.”

That’s right! This is it! The ‘author’ isn’t a friend, but it’s true that she’s someone I haven’t seen in a long time! Alas, my improvisation, great!

“… … Is that so.”

He pretended to agree with my words, but Ares’ stiff expression was saying that he didn’t believe me at all. 

It’s dangerous to talk about the ‘author’, so I decided to quickly change the topic.

“How did you come all the way here? Where is Leah?”

“… … .”

After not answering my question for a while, he looked at me and opened his mouth slowly. 

“She returned safely in her carriage. Thank you for worrying about her.”

“Are you sure? What if something happened on the way…”

“So, you think I should have brought her home directly?”

Isn’t it obvious? She is your lover.

Instead of words, I quietly answered with my eyes. Leah was the first woman to be close to Ares. Then wouldn’t she be able to receive that kind of treatment?

Ares looked at me and sighed heavily. This person must be the type to sigh a lot. 

That’s another thing I learned about him. 

I smiled and asked again. 

“How did you get here? I thought you too would go straight home from the salon.”

“I stopped by a wine bar and was about to go, but I saw a familiar figure by the window. As expected, it was you.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I guess I’ll have to change my seat in the future. My heart was still pounding in surprise.

No, to be honest, I couldn’t tell if I was pounding in surprise or pounding because I liked it.

Those beautiful eyes staring at me quietly seemed to pierce my heart, so I wanted to avoid that gaze.

I drank the rest of the tea at once and grabbed my handbag.

“Then I will go. See you next time.”

“… … Please be careful.”

I greeted him with a light courtesy and quickly left the place. 

Whoa, the atmosphere is so heavy that I can’t even breathe.

As I left the tea house, I smiled weakly. I don’t know what I’ve been doing for the past two years, and now I’m about to die.

I didn’t know I would be friends with Ares and would meet him at the teahouse.

I was surprised to see him suddenly appearing in the teahouse, but I was slightly moved when he said he came to the teahouse when he saw me. 

Because it means that he didn’t ignore me as a friend.

When I think of the unrequited love I had for the past two years, this is no less than a luxury. 

During my unrequited love, I can’t even say a word to him. 

I was afraid that my voice might tremble if I speak, and that my face would turn red.

Oh my God, does it make sense that Bianca Uranos, who controls the capital’s socialites, is shy because she has unrequited love for a man!

I wanted to become a woman who is as strong as an iron wall, unwavering under any circumstances. 

In fact, it was embarrassing. 

The fact that I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him for the first time without saying a word was so ridiculous and shameful. 

I didn’t want to be a crazy person who fell in love stupidly like that. 

While holding him in my heart, I only pretended I didn’t see hin for many years. 

It would have been nice if I can erase my feelings, but unfortunately I couldn’t, so I have not been able to throw him away until now.

But now I have a reason to let go. Because I know the truth in my heart.

What the ‘author’ set for the development of the novel was the reality of my emotions. It meant that my feelings are planted on purpose. 

So it was never because of my ignorance that I fell in love so helplessly. 

That alone reassured me quite a bit. 

Now that I knew the reality of my love, the next step was to throw it away cleanly.

However, this was not as easy as expected. The ‘setting’ was that powerful. 

In other words, even though Ares is trying to come close to me like a friend right now, but soon, his mind will be filled with Leah.

So, Ares. please stop coming to me even if you just approach me as a friend, I’m suffering enough right now.

After meeting the ‘author’ for the second time, I decided to complete the things I had to do before I died again one by one.

Anyway, it seems that the ‘author’ will not deviate from the position of a bystander who is thoroughly observing how the novel is going, so it would be useless to cling to her.

I sat down at my desk and opened an empty notebook I had bought to use as a diary. 

I decided to write down a meticulous list of things to do before I die.

Ultimately, I decided to live my life loving people, so I wrote it down with a big title. 

And the people I have to love… ….

The first thing that came to mind was my parents. And soon my heart sank. 

Dear parents, sooner or later, they will see me, who died before them. 

It is said that the biggest disloyalty is to die before the parents, and I am going to do that eventually.

No words can comfort them, but I am thankful that I can prepare things to leave behind for them in advance.

… … But what do I prepare?

Shall I write a letter? Or should I draw a picture?

Anyway, material things won’t do much to comfort my parents, so I thought it would be better to prepare things sincerely. Letters and drawings, I’ll do both!

I decided to write the letter later, and I decided to draw a picture first. 

I want to draw a harmonious image of my family, but I’m not really sure how to draw them. So I have no choice but to draw with my imagination.

So where should I paint it? The weather is nice, let’s go outside first! 

As soon as I made my decision, I rode my horse and headed to a river where I could hear the clear sound of the water. 

I thought I did well in my decision to come out and paint.

Because if I didn’t come out, there was a risk of being caught by the servants in the count’s mansion.

As the flower of the social world, my drawing skills were at the top. 

I’ll emphasize it again. I didn’t sit still and reached the top because of my looks. 

It was the proper reward for me after putting in more effort than anyone over the past decade. 

There were no people visiting the river because it was still spring. 

When I got off the horse and dipped my hand a little, the water was still very cold. 

A little further from the river was small grass covered with clover. 

I went there and laid out the handkerchief I had brought to keep the clothes I was wearing from getting wet and sat down on them. 

I remember playing in the water when I was a kid. 

Then, a rough idea of ​​what kind of picture to draw came to my mind. 

I took charcoal in my hand and carefully sketched out the scenery. 

I wanted to leave behind in the most peaceful and enjoyable times. 

The good times when I could just laugh and act comfortably without any worries. 

Come to think of it, it was in this river that I learned to swim. 

With the help of my parents, as well as several maids and attendants, I have mastered various survival skills from an early age. 

Thanks to this, I can be confident that I can endure harsh situations. 

Even if I die, it probably won’t be by drowning. 

However, the water should not be underestimated. 

The people who are most at risk in the water are those who are confident that they are good swimmers.

We have to be extra careful especially in this cold water. 

The wind blew through the river. 

While I was sketching, a sudden gust of wind blew my hat, which I had taken off for a while, and fell into the water.

“Whoa… …. I have to bring it back.”

Fortunately, it didn’t fall too deep, so I thought I could just get it without swimming. 

I picked up stones nearby and pressed the sketched paper to keep it from being blown away by the wind, and I approached the water. 

I tried stretching my hand, but I can’t reach it.

Well… … . Guess I’ll have to walk in the water.

I took off the shoes I was wearing and placed them a little far away from the water. 

When the stones touched my bare feet, I felt throbbing and pain as if I was doing acupuncture.

“Ugh!”

With every step I took, I had a feeling that health was transmitted through the soles of my feet.

I thought the hem of the skirt would touch the water, so I boldly rolled it up to the top of my thigh and grabbed it with one hand. 

It’s possible because no one is watching, otherwise, I’d rather give up my hat. 

As the skirt that used to wrap around my long legs disappeared, my movement became more comfortable. I cautiously jumped into the still-ice-cold water. 

“Ah, it’s cold!”

Unbeknownst to me, a groan came out of my mouth. 

Fortunately, after walking a few steps, I caught the hat.

“Let’s go back… … .”

I don’t think it’s possible to wear it on my head because it’s wet anyway, but if I wash and dry it, I will be able to use it again next time.

I held the hat in my hand and straightened my bent waist. 

And at that moment, I was so shocked that my heart was pounding.

“Bianca?”

Whoa! Who is that!

I was already panicking before I could turn back and see the voice calling me. 

How could he see a lady doing this in the water with her thighs exposed! 

I turned my head, stiff enough to make a creaking sound when I moved. 

Let’s check who called me. But I really wanted to scream.

That’s Ares Jupiter!

“Oh, hello…”

I didn’t even think of letting go of the skirt I was holding, so I just stood there awkwardly, stuttering and greeting him.

Ah, I felt my face turn red without even looking in the mirror. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life!

The cold water paralyzed my senses until my submerged knees, and I could hardly move.

No, that man is looking at me with a red face, how can I trudge out in front of him!

“Hey, the water is still cold. Come out… … .”

Oh, I guess you are more cold-hearted than me. How can you come to your senses and speak up so quickly!

But with you staring at me, I can’t get out! This ignorant man! Ahh! 

How could this man be so oblivious! I really just wanted to sit there and cry.