Male Lead, Don’t Follow Me! - Chapter 17

***

“I need to hurry and strengthen my spirit powers.”

I went out to the yard and tried to summon a spirit. How is it possible that I haven’t succeeded even once?

This time, it wasn’t a flower tree, but I did manage to summon something.

It wasn’t a water spirit, but something similar… a huge mass of water.

Because of that, the house almost flooded, and I got scolded by my parents…

There was a faint sense of power, but it was useless.

‘If I had power, I wouldn’t care whether they end up together or not.’

Honestly, looking at it objectively, they made a well-matched pair. Both had great abilities, came from good families, and their looks were beyond compare.

The problem was that I was caught between them.

“Okay, calm down and try to feel the spirit’s power.”

I tried to calm my mind and feel the power of nature.

It would be nice if even just one spirit would choose me because they liked me.

No matter how many times I tried, I couldn’t succeed.

“Fine, that’s enough! It can’t be helped.”

So what if I’m not a spirit user? I just need to find a way to survive.

“Miss, Lady Kirin has come to visit.”

“Is that so? Let’s get ready to go out.”

Ena tilted her head, seeing my somewhat determined expression.

“Somehow, you seem full of energy these days, Miss!”

That’s because someone is fueling my fighting spirit.

I gave Ena a thumbs up.

“Kiara, don’t fight with the Duke today.”

“Don’t worry. There won’t be any fights as long as he doesn’t provoke me.”

Ephelia let out a small sigh at my words.

“But how are we supposed to help him?”

“Well, I do have one idea…”

“What is it?”

“Kiara, you might not like it.”

If you know I won’t like it, can’t you just not do it? Why do I keep getting entangled with Bishwaltz?

This might be the female lead’s buff.

The female protagonists in novels are always overly considerate to a fault.

But I’m not the female lead, so I don’t need to be nice or get involved in unnecessary trouble. Therefore, I have no intention of helping that guy.

Why? Because if Bishwaltz finds that woman, my head would probably already be separated from my body.

“Then I won’t do it. I don’t particularly want to help anyway.”

Ephelia shrugged at my refusal.

“I thought you’d say that. But it’s a shame.”

Ephelia seemed to have anticipated my rejection and reacted calmly.

That made me even more uneasy, and I narrowed my eyes.

“Nothing happened.”

Ephelia shook her head. Was it just my imagination that she looked a bit disappointed?

Maybe he already likes Ephelia. And perhaps Ephelia feels the same way.

***

“W-What?”

I frowned at Bishwaltz’s words.

I came to the Duke’s mansion because I couldn’t resist Ephelia’s persuasion, but I didn’t come to hear this kind of story.

“Are you perhaps interested in Lady Kirin?”

I asked Bishwaltz with a wary look. Anyone but you, absolutely not.

“Lady Lowell, you seem particularly interested in me.”

“You must be imagining things.”

“Who I’m interested in is my own business.”

“Of course, it’s your freedom. As long as it’s not Lady Kirin.”

Bishwaltz and I glared at each other, growling.

I don’t know if I’ve become fearless or if I’ve just resigned myself to whatever happens, but Bishwaltz didn’t scare me at all anymore.

“And what’s wrong with me?”

He asked, seemingly a bit upset by my words.

“Do I really need to spell it out for you?”

I looked at him with a crooked smile.

I already know what kind of person you are.

“You speak as if you know me quite well.”

Bishwaltz raised his eyebrows elegantly while staring at me intently.

“N-No. But still, this isn’t right! Why should Ephelia pretend to be your lover?”

This was the plan Bishwaltz and Ephelia had come up with.

If they pretended to be lovers, the hidden woman would appear.

It was a ridiculous story about how a stalker-like woman who spread rumors about him would get jealous and reveal herself.

Doesn’t Bishwaltz know?

That there is no hidden woman for him.

“Was there really a woman?”

You fraud! Do you think I don’t know your true intentions?!

“Does that matter? The woman who spread rumors about me hasn’t shown up yet.”

Would you show up if you were in her place? Especially when I know better than anyone what kind of person you are.

I kept my mouth shut.

Ephelia, who had been quietly observing, put down her teacup and said,

“Then how about this?”

Both Bishwaltz and I turned our heads simultaneously.

“Instead of me, why don’t you do it, Kiara?”

“What?!”

Ephelia blinked her eyes as if wondering what the problem was.

My concern was that Bishwaltz and Ephelia were getting closer, and Ephelia wanted to help him, so this was the only way.

“I guess the Duke doesn’t mind?”

Why aren’t you saying anything?

I thought he would throw a fit and refuse, but he was surprisingly quiet. And what’s with that look of increased interest in his eyes?

“I don’t particularly care who my counterpart is.”

“…I see.”

Come to think of it, I had nothing to lose. After all, I’m the woman he’s looking for, and if I’m the one playing the fake role, he’ll never find me, right?

He probably doesn’t think the person who spread such rumors could be right beside him.

‘Right, that way I can protect Ephelia and not get caught myself.’

The only thing that bothers me is how long I’ll have to keep this up.

“What’s the time limit? We can’t keep this up forever.”

“I heard you’re planning to volunteer for the Kaibern region.”

I immediately looked at Ephelia. She shook her head as if to deny it.

“Don’t tell me you investigated me?”

Right, it wouldn’t be complete without that. You’re the type to use anything to get what you want.

He told me shamelessly, without changing his expression.

“Shouldn’t I know about the two people who are going to help me?”

“So what are you trying to say?”

“I’ll help you go to the Kaibern region. If you help me until then, I’ll take care of the rest.”

It seems Bishwaltz was quite irritated by that incident.

“But why are you trying so hard to find that person? If you love someone, you should know when to let go.”

I sneered and crossed my arms.

It wasn’t a good thing that he, the obsessive male lead, had started to focus on one person. And if that person was me…

Should I be relieved that it’s not Ephelia?

“If you love someone, I think you should keep them by your side until the end.”

I felt a chill at Bishwaltz’s words. He is dangerous for Ephelia.

“That’s insane! Imprisonment?”

“Insane? Where did you get the idea that keeping someone close is imprisonment? And can’t you watch your language?”

He asked, clearly upset by my words.

At the word ‘insane’, an indescribable expression flashed across Bishwaltz’s face and then disappeared.

For a moment, I thought I saw a faint smile spread across his face, but it must have been my imagination.

‘You should be grateful I didn’t curse you outright.’

I ignored his words and raised my palm to interrupt him.

“I’ll help you only until we go to the Kaibern region.”

I absolutely can’t let that guy get close to Ephelia.

I’ll help you to the point where you’ll be the one begging to stop.

“Hmm, I think you two get along quite well?”

“Ephelia!”

I shouted, horrified at the mere thought.

This is all happening because of who? Ephelia kept smiling, seemingly pleased with something.