3. Imperial Palace Banquet

Unable to understand Kiriel’s sudden action, Kana eventually concluded that it was just a whimsical prank or caprice.

As time passed, the Imperial Palace banquet approached. She closed the spirit magic book she had been reading and skimmed through the letters she had received.

Letie informed her that she was staying at a townhouse in the capital and that she had partnered with the second prince, Richard Irgis. As expected, the female protagonist was smoothly connected with the male protagonist.

Olivia and Evie also sent news that they had found partners from families they were acquainted with.

Other young ladies with whom she had some connection also filled their letters with details about the Imperial Palace banquet.

Kana replied to them with casual updates about her daily life and expressed her anticipation for the banquet. She still hadn’t found a partner.

‘Anyway, the main figures will attract attention, and it’ll be easier to work alone.’

If any troublesome young men approached, she could simply distance herself or join a group of young ladies without partners.

Around that time, Kana’s communication device lit up. Olivia’s code appeared in small letters at the bottom. She immediately answered the call.

“Olivia?”

— Kana, are you busy right now?

“No, I’m just relaxing with a book and some tea. What’s up?”

— I was wondering if you’ve found a partner for the Imperial Palace banquet yet.

It must have been before receiving a reply, but she was really curious. Considering Olivia’s personality, it was fully understandable. Kana stirred her tea with a teaspoon and answered indifferently.

“I haven’t found one yet, but I’m still thinking about it.”

— Ah, I see. If you want, you can partner with my brother.

“If it’s Miss Olivia’s brother… Sir Alderaan Short?”

— Yes.

Olivia’s voice was lively as she answered. Kana suddenly recalled a supporting character she was familiar with. Coincidentally, his name was also Alderaan.

‘Is there another supporting role player besides me in this novel? Come to think of it, I think the maximum number of players was two.’

After she chose ‘Fake Saint’, if the novel ‘Fake Saint’ appeared on another supporting role player’s list and that person chose it, it wasn’t impossible. Kana had worked with other supporting role players before.

Of course, even if they knew each other outside the novel, they strictly adhered to their roles during work. They only had brief conversations when they were in the same faction or met privately.

While she was briefly reminiscing, Olivia’s lively voice flowed from the communication sphere.

— If you want to ask my brother to be your partner, just let me know. I’ll ask him for you.

“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

— Don’t mention it. Then, have a good rest.

“You too, Miss Olivia.”

The connection was cut off. It seemed Olivia’s purpose was to recommend a partner to her.

While Kana was in contact, Celia, who had been sitting on a thick book on spirit magic, asked cautiously.

[Kana, aren’t you going to meet that Alderaan person?]

‘No. He might not be a supporting role player, and even if he is, there’s no need for me to approach him first in a situation where our work doesn’t overlap. We’ll meet at the imperial palace banquet anyway, so if the situation allows, I can greet him then.’

Kana waved her hand lightly. There was an unspoken rule among supporting role players that they shouldn’t ruin each other’s work with excessive socializing within the novel.

It wasn’t strictly enforced, but if not followed, it would harm everyone, so it became an implicit rule. Kana, who put all her effort into earning star ratings, also faithfully adhered to that rule.

As Kana was enjoying her tea and relaxation time, Lena cautiously called her.

“Miss, the Viscount is asking you to come to the drawing room.”

“Who’s with Father right now?”

“The Master of the Magic Tower.”

“I see. Just a moment.”

Kana lightly tidied her clothes. Since she was studying and resting intermittently, she looked neat even if a bit plain. Celia naturally blended into her necklace.

When Kana, ready, entered the drawing room, Viscount Round greeted her with a beaming smile. He winked at her from an angle where Kiriel couldn’t see.

‘…Oh dear.’

Kana hid her awkward feelings and responded to his signal with a slight smile. Viscount Round approached her and whispered softly.

“Kana, the Master of the Magic Tower said he wants to talk to you separately. Do your best.”

Encouraging his daughter by patting her shoulder, Viscount Round slightly turned his head towards Kiriel and said.

“Now that Kana is here, I’ll leave. Feel free to talk.”

“Yes.”

Kiriel nodded indifferently. When Viscount Round left, Kana sat in the seat her father had occupied.

Lena, who had been standing by, replaced the teacups in front of each of them with new ones, poured tea, and then stepped back. Kana started the conversation while watching Kiriel sip his tea.

“Tower Master, are you here about the spirit stones again?”

“Yes.”

“It’s beneficial for our family, but it must be troublesome to make additional purchases through detours every time.”

“Considering the interests of the four great families and the imperial family, there’s no other way. It’s fine since I can buy more and store them through the Round family.”

Kiriel’s handsome face was calm. As he said, the complicated process had intricate interests involved. Especially when it came to acquiring special materials like spirit stones, it was inevitable. Kana agreed.

“Indeed, possessing special materials is strictly monitored… and my father is well-versed in preservation magic.”

That was why Viscount Round was in charge of proxy purchases and preservation of the spirit stones. Kiriel nodded in affirmation.

After easing the atmosphere with light conversation, Kana got to the main point.

“By the way, why did you say you wanted to meet me?”

“Oh, it’s about the imperial palace banquet. Do you have a partner?”

It was an awkward and stiff question. While Kiriel felt a subtle tension just asking about a partner, Kana shook her head calmly.

“No.”

“Then, can I escort you at that time?”

“Sure.”

Having often been escorted by noble children while working as a supporting role player, Kana accepted without much emotion. Originally, Kiriel from ‘Fake Saint’ did not bring a partner to the imperial palace banquets. Occasionally, small variables like this would arise while working within a novel.

There were various reasons why sub male leads, who normally wouldn’t even glance at a background supporting character, would volunteer to be their partner. The main reasons were twofold: either they couldn’t be the partner of the female protagonist they liked, or they were too popular and found the flood of partner requests bothersome, so they used a quiet lady as a shield.

‘Kiriel is probably the latter.’

Typically, the latter would later fall deeply in love after seeing the true nature of the female protagonist. Kiriel was also likely to become interested after seeing a new side of Letie and might abandon his current partner.

‘It would be annoying to hear people gossip about it… but it will die down soon enough. If the sub male lead neglects me, I’ll just blend in with the group of kind and gentle ladies.’

Kana, who had anticipated future events based on her past experiences, calmly sipped her tea. Kiriel felt somewhat disappointed by her indifferent reaction.

“Did you perhaps expect my partner request?”

“No.”

“Your reaction is a bit weak for that.”

“No, I was quite surprised, actually.”

Kana shrugged her shoulders. Kiriel chuckled at her monotonous voice, which lacked any real emotion.

“It doesn’t seem like it at all.”

“Should I express my joy more dramatically now?”

“…No, it’s fine.”

Kiriel, looking sullen, waved his hand dismissively. He had requested her because she seemed like a straightforward and comfortable conversationalist, but he couldn’t understand why he felt a sudden sense of regret.

He impulsively spoke up.

“Miss Round, aren’t you curious about why I requested you as my partner?”

“No. I just thought the Master of the Magic Tower must have his reasons.”

Kana smiled awkwardly and played with the ends of her hair. Kiriel, feeling deflated by her light-hearted response, let out a short laugh. Even that seemed charming.

“Simple, but not entirely wrong.”

“Then I got half of the Master’s thoughts right.”

Kana responded slyly. Kiriel nodded slightly and continued.

“Yes. Since we’re partners now, just calling me Kiriel is enough.”

“Okay, Lord Kiriel. Please call me Kana as well.”

Kana spoke comfortably without pushing back. Refusing would only prolong the argument.

A faint smile appeared on Kiriel’s handsome face.

“Alright, Miss Kana.”

“Then, please take care of me at the imperial palace banquet.”

“Sure.”

Kiriel grasped Kana’s outstretched hand as she spoke formally. Her small hand was completely enveloped in his large one. Even after the handshake ended, their hands did not easily part.

Kana looked at her hand still held by him with a perplexed expression.

“…Lord Kiriel, you can let go now.”

“Oh, right.”

Kiriel let go of her hand and cleared his throat, changing the subject.

“Ahem, what about the color of our outfits?”

“Oh, you want to match colors too?”

Kana blinked at the sub male lead’s more proactive attitude than she expected. Kiriel immediately affirmed.

“Yes.”

“Then it would be good to match the accent color. Which do you prefer, green or blue?”

Thinking of Kiriel’s eye color, purple would also be nice, but that color was reserved for the female protagonist, so she excluded it.

‘I’ve never had good experiences when my colors clashed with the main characters in major episodes.’

She had no desire to stand out in a negative way by wearing the same color dress as Letie. She wasn’t part of the villain faction that opposed the female protagonist now.

“I would…”