“Thank you for your kind words. However, there are other concerns on my mind. Lady Letie, you might be overworked, exploited, or have your business taken over by others.”

Letie, as the female protagonist, would succeed smoothly. But Kana pointed out potential issues, fitting her role. Understanding her concern, Letie added an explanation.

“His Highness the Second Prince has agreed to secretly support me in this matter.”

“Oh, then you can prevent any unwanted attention in advance. So, why do you want to involve me in this, Lady Letie?”

Kana’s question was gentle yet firm. Letie took a deep breath before answering.

“I would like to source mana stones from you, Miss Kana.”

“Mana stones?”

“Yes. Making healing water is good, but to increase its efficacy and shelf life, mana stones are necessary. While the Curtis family is known for their mana stone mines, it’s rather…”

Letie trailed off. Kana continued her thought appropriately.

“You don’t want to draw too much attention by dealing with the Curtis family since it’s a small-scale business, right?”

“Exactly. You’ve hit the nail on the head. So, what do you think of my proposal?”

Letie swallowed nervously. To her, Kana was a somewhat difficult person to approach—someone who seemed close yet distant at times.

Kana blinked slowly.

“I’ll consider it positively for now.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Kana had simply made her decision based on the guaranteed success and the work involved, but Letie beamed with joy. Watching the delighted female protagonist, Kana spoke.

“But before I give a definite answer, I have a question.”

“What is it? Please feel free to ask.”

“Do you have a specific container in mind for the healing water? Given that it will hold your ability and utilize mana stones, it seems like the container would need special treatment as well.”

Kana laid the groundwork for a smooth episode progression. Letie, her eyes widening slightly, soon laughed awkwardly.

“Sharp observation. Actually, I was thinking of asking young marquis Hail to approach Lord Liriel Curtis about it, but…”

“He declined, saying it wasn’t his area of interest and that he was too busy, right?”

“Yes, exactly!”

Letie admired Kana for accurately predicting Liriel’s refusal. Kana calmly suggested.

“Then how about proposing it to the Master of the Magic Tower, who has extensive knowledge in magical tools?”

“…Oh, won’t he just turn me away?”

Letie shuddered involuntarily, recalling the cold and aloof Master of the Magic Tower from before her regression. But to Kana, it seemed like an unnecessary worry.

‘After all, this episode is meant to create a connection with Kiriel.’

There was no way the sub male lead would refuse the female protagonist’s proposal.

Once a character is labeled as a male lead, no matter how strictly they separate public and private matters, their boundaries tend to blur when it comes to the female protagonist. Even if they act coldly upfront, they inevitably end up helping.

Unless it’s a regret-filled story where the male lead accumulates karma, Letie from ‘Fake Saint Was Real’ wouldn’t face such cold treatment from the male or sub male lead.

Kana, fitting her role as a supportive character, encouraged the female protagonist.

“Lady Letie, don’t worry before you even try. Lord Kiriel may be difficult to approach personally, but he handles official matters meticulously.”

“That’s true.”

“If you’re going to start something, it’s better to enhance the quality by entrusting it to a professional. Why not propose it to him? If your intentions align, he will likely consider it positively.”

She cautiously persuaded the female protagonist. Letie fell silent, deep in thought. Kana waited patiently while sipping her tea.

After a long contemplation, Letie accepted the advice. Her golden eyes sparkled with determination.

“Alright. Even if I get rejected, I won’t regret trying.”

“Yes, you will certainly succeed, Lady Letie.”

“Thank you for your encouragement, Miss Kana.”

“You’re welcome. If you have a prepared contract, please hand it over now.”

“Of course!”

Letie retrieved a contract from her spatial pocket and handed it to Kana.

Kana quickly skimmed through the contract, weighing the pros and cons, and then signed it with a pen she had prepared in advance. Letie’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Is it alright to sign it so quickly?”

“Yes. I trust you, Lady Letie.”

Kana returned the words of trust that the female protagonist had previously told her. Since the episode was more important than minor benefits, negotiating conditions didn’t matter much to her.

Unaware of this, Letie was touched by Kana’s seemingly cold yet kind attitude.

“…You’re really something.”

“No, I just hope this endeavor succeeds since I’m involved.”

“Yes.”

With that, the contract exchange was completed. Kana dispelled the spirit summoning she had been using.

As the two stood up and shook hands, creating a warm atmosphere, an unwelcome guest arrived on the terrace.

It was young duke Dain Serade. Ignoring the supporting character present, he addressed his sister.

“Letie, it’s surprising to see you inviting someone.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

Despite her calm voice, Letie’s gaze turned sharp. The atmosphere became tense, but Kana remained indifferent.

“You’ve been preparing something for a while… What are you up to?”

“Why do you care? Since when have you been interested in my affairs? Just ignore me as you usually do.”

Though Letie was smiling brightly, her voice was laced with barbs. Dain’s eyebrows twitched in irritation.

“You always speak so sharply.”

“Thanks to my dear family.”

Letie retorted calmly, a sneer on her lips. Dain’s face contorted slightly in displeasure. He was hurt by his sister’s negative reaction despite his rare concern for her.

Kana found the scene rather pathetic. Celia, perched on her contractor’s shoulder, chuckled.

[Oh dear, these people. There’s someone here!]

‘That’s the life of a supporting character.’

[Has he forgotten there’s someone else here?]

‘To be precise, he considers them so insignificant that he doesn’t even acknowledge their presence. Not to mention, he has no respect for the female protagonist.’

Kana was indifferent. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen such behavior.

In such situations, the norm was to wait for the scene to conclude and then quietly leave. Celia clicked her tongue.

[Tsk, what a mess.]

‘It’s supposed to be the setting that shapes the female protagonist’s actions and character.’

While they conversed, Dain responded to Letie in a restrained voice.

“Your words are harsh.”

“I thought I was being quite polite. Don’t make it worse in front of a guest. You’ve already ruined the pleasant atmosphere.”

Though her voice was even, it carried anger. Unlike when dealing with her brother, Letie sent a gaze filled with apology to Kana.

It was only then that Dain noticed the supporting character across from him. His cold golden eyes scanned Kana.

“…Miss Kana Round, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s been a while since the imperial banquet, Young Duke Serade.”

Kana responded calmly. Ignoring her greeting, Dain went straight to the point.

“Miss Round, what were you discussing with Letie?”

“That’s a matter between Lady Letie and me, and I can’t disclose it.”

Kana drew a firm line.

From a business perspective, Letie was overwhelmingly more important. While his authority might be higher among the characters in ‘Fake Saint Was Real,’ it wasn’t the same for her as a supporting character.

Dain stared at Kana’s calm green eyes. Unlike at the imperial banquet, she stood firm even without the protection of the Master of the Magic Tower.

Finding it absurd, he scoffed.

“You’re quite bold without the Master of the Magic Tower to back you.”

“What does the Master of the Magic Tower have to do with my refusal to answer? I never assigned him such a role in the first place.”

Kana responded indifferently. The idea of relying on the protection of the sub male lead, who ranked third in importance for a supporting character like her, was utterly laughable.

Had she not been working, she might have burst out laughing. If Kiriel had heard this, he would have retorted with disbelief, calling it nonsense. Celia, watching, fumed.

[Oh my, listen to him!]

‘He’s a narrow-minded character. Celia, I appreciate you getting angry on my behalf, but don’t waste your emotions on someone like him.’

[Got it. Hmph, I hope he stubs his toe somewhere.]

Celia grumbled as she calmed down. Of course, Letie didn’t stay silent either. Shielding Kana, she sharply rebuked Dain, who was at a loss for words.

“Brother, stop it. Don’t be rude to my friend any further.”

“I didn’t mean…”

Dain uncharacteristically hesitated. He was taken aback by his sister’s fierce defense of someone who’s not family

Turning her back on her bewildered brother, Letie bowed her head in apology to Kana.

“Miss Kana, I’m truly sorry for this unpleasant situation.”

“I’m fine. And it’s not your fault, Lady Letie. Please raise your head.”

“Miss Kana, you’re so generous.”

Letie’s lips curved slightly upward as she lifted her head. Kana gently patted the female protagonist’s shoulder, sensing her subtle bitterness.

Feeling naturally excluded, Dain watched them comfort each other in a daze. Regaining his composure, he finally spoke.

“…Letie, I did not intend to attack you or Miss Round.”