How to Survive as a Supporting Male Lead

The problem, of course, was that two eternally single guys with absolutely zero social cues were never going to come up with a proper answer when it came to romance. But they didn’t know that. They kept analyzing and discussing, but in the end, no clear conclusion emerged.

“Anyway, it does look like they’re getting closer, don’t you think?”

“Yeah. I guess that’s true.”

They ambled through the festival street, sharing half-baked observations. They looked like two regular festival-goers. They really weren’t the types to get invested in things they didn’t understand. But then Iann’s eyes locked onto a certain tent.

“Hey, Derrick!”

“What. The two of them look like they’re having an important conversation right now.”

“No, look over there—there’s a balloon dart game. Let’s do that.”

“I thought you wanted to see what kind of atmosphere between the two of them. Why are you going somewhere else?”

“Honestly, no matter how hard I look, I can’t tell a damn thing. We’ve been at this for ten minutes and all we’ve come up with is ‘they’re getting closer.’ Let’s just ask Heizen about it later.”

“The Crown Prince?”

“Yeah. He’s got plenty of experience with love, doesn’t he?”

“Oh.”

There was some sort of logic there, and as usual, Derrick caved to Iann’s reasoning.

“So you’re saying let’s go play darts?”

“Yeah. Let’s make it a bet.”

“Ugh, no. That’s such a hassle.”

“Chicken?”

Derrick stomped off to the tent, paying the fee and grabbing a red dart in no time. He was just as quick to fall for provocation as Iann was.

“What are you waiting for? Aren’t you coming?”

“Oh. That’s the spirit—”

Excited, Iann ran over to Derrick.

* * *

Contrary to what Iann and Derrick expected, Kallian and Yuhwa hadn’t grown any closer at all. They were simply talking about the deal they’d struck the day before at the Hunting Festival.

“So, when will you let me access the library, Your Grace?”

Yuhwa asked with a polite smile, doing her best.

“You’ll have to try harder. I need to see some action before I can decide.”

“You know it’s because of me that you were able to come to the festival today, right?”

“Hmm. I’ll have to think about that.”

“Then at least give me a proper request. I’ll make sure to give you results.”

“Why is it so urgent? Our deal was only made yesterday.”

“How long do you think I can stay at your mansion? I don’t have time to waste.”

“Why not? Just stay here.”

Yuhwa’s expression froze.

“You’re telling me to stay at your mansion now?”

“Yes.”

Kallian answered coolly. What was so difficult about it?

“If you want, I’ll prepare a room for you. At the very least, it’ll be better than what the Count’s family is offering. Anything else you need?”

“No. That’s not it.”

“There must be a reason you’re so hesitant to leave Iann’s mansion.”

“What?”

“There’s something you’re interested in.”

Kallian probed carefully, trying to glean the relationship between the two from Yuhwa, since he couldn’t get from Iann.

“There’s nothing like that. But I’ll never move into your mansion.”

Yuhwa’s answer was firm. She didn’t so much as mention Iann’s name. Not taking the bait, huh? Kallian’s eyes cooled as he realized he wouldn’t get the answer he was after.

“Why not?”

It wasn’t like he really cared about the answer. He didn’t sincerely want her to stay at his mansion. He just wanted her anywhere but at Iann’s mansion.

“Because you keep tormenting our sweet Iann.”

“That again.”

Kallian ran a hand through his hair, irritation clear in the gesture. Whatever Iann had done, Yuhwa believed in him unwaveringly. She thought he was nothing but kind and good.

That put Kallian in a bad mood. Iann had done enough to fill a stack of books with his antics, and yet Yuhwa still thought he was pure while he was the villain? And the fact that she was acting like she knew Iann better than he did… that was the worst of all.

“You think Iann’s kind?”

“Yes. That’s why he’s always so gentle with me. No matter what powers I might have, it’s not easy to be so nice to a stranger.”

“You don’t seem to realize that Iann de Loit is the Empire’s most notorious troublemaker.”

“What people say out there doesn’t matter. What matters is that Iann has been kind to me.”

Had Iann brainwashed her or something? Kallian genuinely wondered for a moment. Seeing his confusion, Yuhwa only tilted her head at him.

“I’m guessing… Your Grace doesn’t really know Iann at all, do you?”

Kallian’s expression went rigid.