How to Survive as a Supporting Male Lead

Iann’s earlier response wasn’t solely to provoke Kallian, but it was also for Yuhwa’s romantic prospects.

If he had outright declared, “Yes, I’m interested! I’m in love!” it might have disrupted any chance of Yuhwa and Kallian’s romance even beginning. Naturally, this wasn’t for Kallian’s sake; it was all for Yuhwa.

‘Yuhwa, see how much I care about you? So could you stop laughing at me now, please?’

“Do you have feelings for this woman?”

“Excuse me!? This woman?”

‘She’s your future wife!’ Iann exclaimed. No matter what, Yuhwa was currently under his protection as the Count and Tower Master. She was not to be treated lightly. Besides, Kallian was destined to grovel before her as the male lead in the future. This was Iann showing a bit of magnanimity, reigning Kallian in before he crossed a line.

Of course, Kallian, unaware of this reasoning, only grew colder, his growing anger chilling the air.

“You dare to say you’re interested. How dare you.”

It wasn’t how dare you covet Yuhwa, but rather, ‘how dare you think of romance without me?’ Yet to Iann, it sounded like the former. The implied, over-the-top declaration of love was enough to momentarily distract Iann from his teasing.

Even this brat changes when he falls in love, Iann marveled.

“The power of love…”

He muttered absently without realizing it.

“…Was that your answer just now?”

The Duke of the North’s frigid tone froze the air. Only then did Iann realize he had actually said those cringeworthy words aloud.

‘The power of love?’ It was so cringe-worthy that even he found it unbearable.

“No, I didn’t say anything.”

He lied slyly, his polished blue eyes glinting innocently, utterly devoid of guilt. Kallian’s crimson gaze, however, only grew darker.

To Kallian, Iann’s dreamy declaration about the “power of love” seemed like the words of a man deeply smitten in his relationship. Even his denial came across as someone embarrassed by his own confession—like a man experiencing his first love.

“Ha…”

Kallian raked his fingers through his hair again, thoroughly ruffled. No matter how he tried, he couldn’t calm down. Not with that woman standing behind Iann, watching him with such intrigue. It was intolerable.

This wouldn’t do. He needed to be alone with Iann.

That was all he wanted.

Without warning, Kallian grabbed Iann’s arm.

“Come with me.”

“Huh? Wait—what?”

Caught off guard, Iann stumbled forward a few steps before abruptly halting.

When Iann refused to move further, Kallian spun around impatiently.

“If you’d just stop using magic and follow me—”

Iann started to protest, but the rest of his sentence was cut off.

Iann’s face was flushed red, his entire body taut as if bracing himself in a desperate show of resistance. He wasn’t even using magic; he was just stubbornly digging his heels in.

“What… What is it?”

Iann’s small, defiant voice cut through the tense moment. He could always sense when someone thought less of him, and Kallian’s incredulous look hit the mark. Finally, Kallian sighed heavily, releasing his grip.

“Hoo…”

The sound of his own exasperation echoed. Kallian felt a pang of self-loathing. Why was he letting himself get so riled up over someone as childish as Iann?

“Ha…”

With another deep sigh, Kallian watched as Iann dusted himself off indignantly, fussing with his disheveled clothes. Why was he suddenly pulling people and making a fuss?

“Hey. You idiot, you’re too strong. If I get bruised, I’ll send a compensation bill to your estate, just so you know!”

“I didn’t grab you that hard.”

Kallian’s calm rebuttal was true enough. If he had used his full strength, Iann’s arm might not have survived intact. Still, Iann wasn’t about to let that stop him from raising his voice.

“Anyway!”

The louder one always wins. Like blasting a car horn in traffic, Iann decided to drown Kallian out with sheer volume.

“I…! Hey!”

Ian looked for something to shout about. He spotted Yuhwa staring back at him with sparkling eyes.

“For the first time! Even brought a partner! What’s wrong with you?! Huh?!”

“Does that even matter right now?”

“Of course, it matters, idiot!”

“Clearly, you’ve lost your mind.”

“A long time ago!”

The tension spiraled higher, their voices growing louder. It had been years since they fought so childishly, and their argument drew whispers from onlookers wondering if they should intervene.

And just as it seemed neither would back down—

“His Majesty, The Emperor approaches!”