I Became A Wretched Extra In A Healing Story - Chapter 10

When Reibella first realized that this world was a novel, what she was most curious about was Erina, the protagonist of this world.

She was so curious about whether she had really regressed, and if she was living happily as in the novel.

If she was struggling alone, Reibella thought of embracing her, comforting her, and becoming her friend so she wouldn’t be lonely or desolate.

But she didn’t actually act on it. It was because of Erina.

Because she knew her future was a path of flowers. She was worried that if she interfered unnecessarily, it might disrupt Erina’s future.

So she had decided to just watch, but who knew it would become the biggest mistake of her life.

Who would have known that the child she truly cheered for and wished happiness for would stab her in the back?

At one time she was filled with resentment, but now she just didn’t want to get entangled.

Although she unintentionally became a food taster, she had vowed again and again never to encounter her.

Fortunately, the maids seemed to have the same thought, so they arranged her movements accordingly, which had been a relief…

…But why do you suddenly appear?

“…Reibella, are you alright?”

“Ah, yes, yes! I’m fine.”

Reibella erased her startled expression and forced her stiff lips to smile. In response, Erina, who was sitting across the table, smiled back. It was a cute and innocent smile.

“I heard you were my food taster? I didn’t know.”

“It’s natural that you didn’t know.”

While adult members of the imperial family tend to have food tasters by their side during meals, for young members, tasting is sometimes done in secret. This was to avoid causing great shock to the young imperials.

“No, I should have known. I’m sorry. I’m also sorry you were poisoned because of me.”

The princess’s golden eyebrows drooped. Anyone could see she looked upset.

At this, sharp glances from the maids accompanying her poured onto Reibella. Their eyes seemed to say, ‘What are you doing now?’

“…Please don’t say such things, Your Highness. It was my duty.”

“No. A young child like you shouldn’t do such dangerous work. I’ll talk to Dad about it.”

The reason Reibella became a food taster in the first place was precisely because she was young. It was to prevent even special poisons that take effect based on age and gender.

Even if the princess spoke to the emperor, nothing would change. The princess’s safety and life would be the emperor’s top priority.

But Reibella hid such thoughts and expressed her gratitude.

The princess smiled contentedly at her response.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, thanks to your concern.”

“I’m glad. Oh, if anyone says they can’t treat you because you’re a slave, tell me. I’ll scold them again.”

…Slave?

‘Ah. Was I a slave?’

Originally, food tasters had a status equal to that of lower noble maids, but ‘Reibella Felicity,’ who had been stripped of this role, was now a slave. It was a punishment given to the descendants of a family annihilated for treason.

The descendants of a family that committed high treason couldn’t cleanse their status through adoption or marriage unless the emperor allowed it. To prevent such occurrences, convicted criminals were sometimes branded on their necks.

Fortunately, Reibella, who had escaped before her sentence was finalized, didn’t have such a brand.

‘So such things happened without my knowledge.’

Truly, this world only pretended to be peaceful, but when you looked closely, it was quite turbulent.

“…So, about that.”

The princess, who had been chattering friendly as if they were friends who had parted yesterday and met again today, suddenly trailed off and looked at Reibella cautiously.

Reibella’s attention, which had been secretly wandering, turned to the princess at her changed behavior.

“Reibella, would you like to be my maid?”

…Huh?

“I’m already your food taster.”

“No, not that. That’s dangerous. I’d like you to be by my side, helping me with my tasks.”

A recruitment offer?

‘…Could this be one of those rare chances for a reversal in life?’

It seemed the princess had taken notice of her after she survived eating poison in her stead.

‘So, does this mean I’ll become a supporting character who initially harbors ill will but is moved by the kind and virtuous protagonist to become a foot-washer, no, a loyal subject?’

…I don’t really like that.

Usually, such roles had to devote their lives in loyalty, either to atone for their wrongs or to repay the kindness bestowed by the princess.

‘But what if I gain the princess’s trust that way?’

If that happened, she could move freely outside, and if she built enough trust, the princess might even willingly allow her to go to another country.

It was a tempting offer. The problem was that getting involved with the princess kept nagging at her mind as it meant her life wouldn’t be spared.

‘The emperor is her dad, right?’

The princess’s father was a man who would punish his subjects, even for a knight falling off a horse, considering it a threat to the princess.

Every time the princess got even a small scratch, someone would have to die. Was there any guarantee it wouldn’t be her?

‘Besides, doesn’t the princess get kidnapped several times and often encounter assassins?’

Being the female lead in a childcare story, peculiar incidents frequently occurred to the princess. Kidnappings without context and inexplicable life-threatening crises happened time and time again, keeping the emperor and male lead candidates busy.

For them, it might just be episodes to reaffirm their affection, but would she be able to survive?

‘I really don’t want to get involved…’

As Reibella hesitated to answer, Erina’s expression turned gloomy. At the same time, the maids’ fiery gazes turned towards Reibella.

This time, she pretended not to notice.

“Then, think about it and let me know. I’ll wait.”

“Thank you for the offer.”

“No, I need the smart Reibella. I didn’t expect you to accept right away. I’ll try harder. So…”

“Your Highness.”

When the princess was about to say more, a maid who had been whispering behind her called out.

“I apologize for interrupting, but the knights who went out to subdue the demonic beasts have arrived.”

“Oh, already? They said they’d come in the late afternoon.”

“Sir Carlson apparently rushed the schedule, saying he wanted to see Your Highness.”

“Sir Carlson?”

It was a familiar name to Reibella too. In the original story, Dominic Carlson was the commander of the First Imperial Knight Order, who had made a knight’s vow to the princess that he hadn’t even made to the emperor. He was said to have been saved by her or something.

“I should go.”

The princess rose hurriedly with an excited expression. Reibella also stood up to see her off.

However, the princess, who seemed about to go straight out, stopped in her tracks and stared at something. At the end of the girl’s gaze was a purple flower.

“The flower is pretty.”

…Don’t tell me.

The princess trotted over and stopped in front of the raffle. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the flower.

“Wow, where did this flower come from?”

“I, I picked it up. It was blooming nearby.”

Fearing that if she said it was a gift, the princess would pry into who gave it to her, Reibella answered that she had picked it herself. She didn’t want that child to suffer unfairly just because of an association with Felicity.

“Where?”

“Well, somewhere over there, I think?”

As Reibella pointed vaguely somewhere, tilting her head as if she couldn’t remember, the princess’s face quickly turned glum.

“I like purple flowers, you know. The first flower I received from Dad was a purple pansy.”

“I see.”

“This flower is really pretty too.”

Somehow, the flow of the conversation was heading in a direction that made her think, ‘Please, anything but that.’

Princess, please don’t do this. Okay?

She prayed and prayed in her heart that ‘those words’ wouldn’t be uttered. But this world was truly cruel to extras.

In the end, the protagonist spoke those words.

“Reibella, could you perhaps give me that flower?”