How to Survive as a Supporting Male Lead

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Did you even wash your hands?”

“I did, I washed them!”

“When.”

“I washed them as soon as I got here, alright? Are you treating me like some kind of disease?!”

“Can you blame me? Take a good look at yourself.”

“…I may not be squeaky clean, but I’m not that filthy.”

“I know the state of your office and your bedroom. You don’t need to make excuses.”

“It’s not a lie, damn it. I’m a normal person, it’s you who’s got the obsessive compulsive disorder! How many times do I have to tell you before it sinks in?”

“Stop spouting nonsense. The way you keep your office and bedroom—no living being would tolerate it. Even a monster would run away screaming.”

“Oh, come on, don’t exaggerate. Fine, fine. I’ll let it slide today since you gave me chocolate.”

“You think you’re letting it slide? Have you considered that maybe I’m the one tolerating you?”

“Nope. Never. It’s always been me doing the tolerating.”

Iann retorted between mouthfuls of chocolate. Kallian, who had been replying to Iann’s every word with a sharp edge, nearly let a smile slip before quickly forcing it back down. This was just like any other of their usual spats, yet strangely, it felt… pleasant.

“Hey, but you hate chocolate.”

“I do.”

“Then why do you keep stashing it in your office?”

“Because of you.”

The sharp tip of Kallian’s pen pointed straight at Iann.

“Me? Why me?”

“Whenever you find chocolate in my office, you don’t make as much of a mess.”

“Ah, good thinking. Keep stashing it for me in the future, then.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Kallian said it offhandedly, turning back to his paperwork.

“But did you know this?”

“What?”

Iann asked, slipping another piece of chocolate into his mouth.

“I put some peperoncino in a few of those chocolates.”

“Gah!”

“So you did eat it.”

“You—are you insane?! Hey!”

Iann clamped a hand over his mouth and let out a shriek. A fiery pepper taste exploded across his tongue, making his eyes sting and his nose prickle.

“You don’t have time to argue with me. There’s no water in my office. I cleared it all out.”

“Y-y-you bastard! Just you wait, seriously!”

With a final line worthy of a villain’s last stand, Iann vanished like a gust of wind. Kallian watched him go, a small smile playing on his lips.

Honestly, it was Iann’s fault for helping himself to chocolate in someone else’s office. And yet, when he thought of those tear-brimming blue eyes glaring back at him, Kallian’s mood eased.

“Next time, should I put in just a little less?”

He had known Iann couldn’t handle spicy food, but he hadn’t realized it was this bad. He had barely put any peperoncino in—less than one whole pepper. Kallian himself had tasted it first, and it hadn’t even registered as spicy. Really, it was Iann’s fault for being so hopeless with spicy food.

Kallian chuckled to himself for a moment before forcing the smile away and focusing on his work again. He had a mountain of tasks to get through, thanks to Iann’s disruptions.

“Ah.”

But it wasn’t easy. Before he knew it, he was laughing again. He couldn’t stop thinking about Iann’s startled scream, or those puffy blue eyes glowering at him. The irritation he’d carried with him all day had completely evaporated. Kallian finally gave up trying to hold it back and laughed out loud as he pulled the bell cord.

The gentle chime brought the head maid to the door Iann had left ajar.

“You called, sir?”

“Yes.”

Only after Kallian answered did she step into his office. It was customary that no one entered the Duke’s office without permission. Even so, everyone in the household knew this room was strictly off-limits. Kallian guarded it fiercely, and he kept it pristine.

“Do we have any more of this chocolate?”

Kallian gestured to the abandoned chocolate box.

“Yes, three boxes remain.”

“Send one to Count de Loit’s room. Bring the rest here.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

She dipped her head respectfully, pausing to glance at Kallian’s expression before smiling faintly.

“You look well, Your Grace.”