I Was A Supporting Character

Chapter 3 – The World is Turned Upside Down (3)

TL/Editor: Alcatraz/Latte

The ‘author’ was fazed. My nerves were as tight as violin strings as I could feel the knots in my stomach.

“Who are the protagonists? Even if I were to know about it, I wouldn’t change a thing. So please tell me.”

“Are you certain?”

“Of course.”

The ‘author’ stared at me cautiously, nonetheless she contemplated my answer.

She looked straight at me to decide which decisions would be the best.

“The male protagonist is Ares Jupiter,” she answered.

My mind was blank.

The truth came like a bolt of lightning.

Ares Jupiter, the man I had an unrequited love for three years.

He’s the male protagonist?

Doesn’t this mean that my feelings will never be reciprocated as my role is nothing more than a mere supporting character…?

The calm within the sea of my heart began to flare up.

Tears welled up within the orb of my eyes before they slid down to my cheeks.

“So, I’ll never be with him in this world?”

“…Yes, you’re right.”

“Is that the reason I became a villain? Because I was jealous of the heroine who’s with him.”

“Right. You are going to turn evil from being blinded by love.”

Another word I didn’t understand popped up, but I didn’t even bother.

“Then, will I suffer to get over this unrequited love all my life?”

The ‘author’ nodded as she affirmed my conjecture.

“According to my original novel, due to your unrequited love, you will not be able to tolerate Ares Jupiter’s relationship with the female protagonist and interfere with their relationship. Eventually, Ares noticed your feelings, but that doesn’t justify the vile things you’ve done to the heroine.”

I laughed.

This was hilarious.

My life was no different than a cheap soap opera.

I resigned myself to my fate before I managed to plead the ‘author’.

“Can’t you revise the contents of the novel? I won’t ask you to alter my death, but can’t you at least release me from this love?” I plead earnestly.

It was agonizing to know that my feelings won’t ever come true. 

Unfortunately, she shook her head vehemently as she refused my appeal.

Rough words slipped out, destroying my noble bearing, however I can’t help myself.

I have already mustered enough sanity into facing this situation. 

“No. This novel is mine. I wrote it perfectly the way I wanted it. Novels are only interesting if there are conflicts. If you have an unrequited love for him, the female protagonist would have some adversities before reaching her happy ending. If there is no antagonist in the story, then everything would be boring. That is what I made you for.”

“But, I’m not going to be the villainess! The male and female protagonists will be fine either way, everything I do won’t even disrupt their happy ending!”

“Even if you beg me, it’s impossible.”

Disappointment wasn’t enough to describe my feelings. Why was she, the ‘author’ of this novel, saying that it was impossible to revise her novel?

“Why? It’s your novel.”

“Since I have entered this world. I am now a part of this world. To revise the story, I have to go back to the original world.”

“Then go back, fix it, and come back in.”

“It doesn’t work that way! The ‘powerful man’ said he would only grant my wish once. And I gave myself, who was in the original dimension, in exchange to enter this world. So I can’t go back.”

I opened my mouth to the unexpected turn.

“Are you saying that you are dead in your original dimension?”

“I don’t know my current situation because I can’t check it. But the thing is, I’m not in that dimension and I can’t go back there.”

One problem keeps appearing after the other. In short, it was impossible for her to go back to the original world and revise the contents. Thus, my fate is fixed. My feelings will forever remain unrequited. 

“I’m going crazy.”

The ‘author’ patted me gently and said, “Just live your life to the fullest. Sorry for making it hard. Still, now that you know of the truth, at least you won’t leave this world as a memory of a villain.”

“…Yes. Thank you very much,” I replied soulessly.

‘The writer’ asked me.

“Aren’t you curious about who the heroine is?”

I laughed dully. No matter what happened, Lord Ares Jupiter won’t fall for me. I wasn’t even minorly interested to know his relationship with the female protagonist.

“I’m not curious. I’m not going to end up with Lord Jupiter anyway.”

“But how about you decide after you listen to me? Whether you will interfere with their relationship or not.”

I looked at the ‘author’ with a befuddled expression.

“Is her identity that important? Who is the heroine?”

“…Leah Saturnos.”

“!”

My body perked up hearing the familiar name. The female protagonist was the Baron’s daughter, Leah Saturnos, the one who just made her debutante in high society last week? It was her coming-of-age ceremony and 18th birthday if I wasn’t mistaken.

I felt nauseous.

“T-the young lady who’s clueless of the world is the female protagonist? Are you certain that she is the one destined to be with Lord Ares Jupiter?!”

The eyes of the ‘author’ sparkled with interest.

“What do you think? Did you change your mind? Do you want to be a villain? Do you think she doesn’t deserve Ares Jupiter?”

Once again, my dull laugh resounded.

Oh, how many more times must I feel this stubborn aching in my heart?

“No, I won’t interfere with them.”

“Tsk.”

The ‘author’ clicked her tongue as if she was regretting her decision. Seems like she was eager to watch the drama unfold, however I won’t do what she wants.

I took another sip leisurely. I was curious as to how she would react to my opinion. I told her with a deep tone, which hid the laughter I held in.

“Rather, I think I’ll cheer them on. I hope that their relationship will bloom smoothly with my help.”

“OMG!”

She let out another strange word. Her reaction was not within my prediction.

She inquired with me, “What’s your purpose? Why do you want to help the guy you like get along with other girls? Have you gone mad?”

I answered calmly, “That’s a great question. Why would I do that? That’s….”

I wanted to say, ‘Of course, I just wanted to mess with you’, but that reason was too petty of me. I finally decided to tell her a more noble reason, “I want to help them so that love will sprout as Ares comforts the pitiful Leah!”

“If he wants to be happy, he’ll get along with the woman he loves. As far as I know, Lady Leah Saturnos is an impossibly cheerful lady, sometimes she doesn’t even notice her surroundings and has a simple appearance. How can she stand in this cunning social world?”

“Won’t the novels lead to the same ending even if I intervene anyway?”

“……”

The ‘author’ was dumbstruck from my reply. Seeing her tongue-tied appearance, a strange sense of victory enveloped me.

I continued in a reassuring tone, “I won’t meddle too much. I can’t play any major role in their relationship either way since I’m just a side character.”

“…Alright.”

I smiled sweetly at her, who was still staring at me with a lost expression. She gave me a shot, so this is what I’ll do.

The ‘author’ asked, observing me with her chin resting on her hand, “Are you curious about anything else?”

I thought for a moment, yet shook my head with a content smile.

“No. For now, I already know most of the things that I need to know. If I have any questions, I’ll ask you later.”

“Do you expect me to answer more that easily?”

Her unexpected answer stunned me.

“Does this mean we will never encounter each other anymore?”

“Why do you think so?”

“Aren’t you curious how the story is going to progress?”

“I can know that without having to meet you. However, if you want to see me, I’ll show up sometimes at this tea house, in this place.”

I was relieved. Unknowingly, I seem to have recognized and accepted this ‘author’ as the creator of this world. When I found out that she wouldn’t disappear, I felt unconsciously relieved.

“You don’t plan on telling me when you’ll come?”

“I will come whenever I want to.”

I laughed.

“I must be very lucky to have met you. Well, I guess this is goodbye for now.”

The ‘author’ looked at me curiously.

“You seem to have a stronger mental fortitude than I expected. I didn’t even describe this personality in my novel.”

I spoke to the ‘author’ in a guiding tone.

“You are not an almighty ‘God’. In the parts you didn’t describe, my life was formed out of my own will, some of my personality must have been partly developed there. It’s arrogant of you to think that you know everything.”

“Yes, you aren’t entirely wrong.”

Unexpectedly, she readily admitted her shortcomings.

She emptied her teacup before getting up.

“Then, I’ll go first. Nice to meet you, Bianca.”

I smiled at her and responded, “It was nice meeting you as well. Oh and… can I just call you ‘author’?”

She giggled and laughed.

“Alright. You may call me ‘author’.”

I decided to honor the creator of my world with this nickname.

“Alright, ‘author’. Till we meet again.”

“Haha! Bye!”

The ‘author’ smiled cheerfully and left.

Standing by the side of my usual seat, I looked at the path she took as she walked away, waving her hand, with a smiley face. At her fading back, I fell into a chair with a vacant expression.

My head dropped listlessly. The truth about this world I’ve learned weighed tremendously on my back.

Everything that made me, Bianca Uranos, was created by the intention of the ‘author’. 

To act as a supporting character of this thorough novel.

Even this affection for Lord Ares Jupiter was created by the ‘author’, so it wasn’t genuine.

I felt wetness on the back of my hand as I inadvertently rubbed my face.

Without knowing, tears were dripping down my face.

It’s not ‘real’, but why was I so apprehensive? It was just a forged emotion anyway, but… why was I holding on to it so much?

I sighed heavily. All sorts of thoughts rallied in my heart.

Moments later, I decided to forget about them. 

My love for Lord Jupiter wasn’t my own either way, why should I hold on to it when it will bring me so much pain?

It felt as if I was temporarily released from my heart ache.

I’ve longed for my affection to be requited. Unfortunately, after knowing the truth about this world, it seemed ridiculous to have regrets about my unrequited love.

I peeked out of my window.

Is this a twisted fate?

Outside, Lord Ares Jupiter could be seen entering the wine bar Dionysus.

I looked at him and muttered quietly in my heart.

Goodbye. My first and last love.

Ares Jupiter was the same age as me, our birth dates only differed for a few days. He is the heir to the Duke of Jupiter, a prestigious noble with a long history. A man who has a sincere personality and gentle manners.

Nonetheless, even without all these titles upon him, I fell in love with him at the first sight.

Just looking at him once was enough to leave butterflies in my stomach.

Maybe his brilliant appearance was the cause.

However, even without his rank and status, he still piqued my interest. As he was a good-natured man himself.

I didn’t know that this feeling would last for more than two years. At this point, I couldn’t say that I fell in love with only his appearance, I had fallen for his entire existence.

He was courteous to women, but never to the point of being affectionate or seductive. All the young adolescents of my age were anxious and tried countlessly to make him set his gaze at one of them.

I didn’t want to dip into the muddy water, and so I faked my disinterest. I maintained my noble and high facade. 

It’s all about my pride and self-esteem. 

I didn’t want to admit that I had fallen in love so easily, so I pretended as if I wasn’t attracted to him.

My feelings weren’t real anyway.