Chapter : 25
Even Extras Can Refuse Death Routes (25)
“…Title?”
“Yeah. Just like you said, it’s only the role I’ve been given.”
I tilted my head, clearly not understanding, and Shel added an explanation.
“No matter what that person’s true nature is, the story unfolds according to the title they’ve been given.”
“I get that part…”
That wasn’t the part I didn’t understand.
The part that felt off about Shel’s words was this:
“‘Given,’ huh… does that mean someone actually assigned the title?”
Shel’s expression stiffened for a moment.
He looked at me with a face that said “oops,” then immediately changed his expression in an instant.
“Well… I’m not really sure about that part.”
That was a clear lie.
There had been a flash of a guilty expression just now—what was that about?
“Lying.”
I said bluntly, narrowing my eyes. Shel exhaled sharply and leaned back again.
“I don’t know. I only speak within the limits of what I’m allowed to say.”
I guessed that meant he wasn’t going to say any more.
Well, that answer was enough.
“Alright, got it.”
Shel looked at me curiously, surprised that I wasn’t pressing further.
“Why?”
When I asked, Shel narrowed his eyes.
“Well… you look different than usual.”
“Really?”
“You looked so anxious before. Did something happen?”
Trouble happened all the time, but that wasn’t it.
Over the past few days, while buried in creating designs and work, I realized something.
“I just feel like if I worry, I lose.”
“Hooh.”
Shel looked at me with a proud expression as I smiled faintly.
“Anyway, in a situation where I don’t even know if I’ll be able to return immediately, I have to do everything I can here.”
“You’ve grown a bit, huh?”
“Humans grow naturally.”
I crossed my arms haughtily and lifted my chin.
Watching Shel stare blankly at me, I suppressed my laughter—but it eventually burst out.
“Hahaha… heh… ahem…! Anyway, I’m going to try everything.”
“What are you going to do?”
Shel, who was laughing along, asked with amusement in his eyes.
“Everything I want to do in that moment. If I’m going to change the story anyway, I might as well change it the way I want, right?”
“So that’s why you’ve been busy lately?”
“That too.”
So instead of endlessly pondering the keywords the book gives me at the start of each episode, I decided to just dive in.
And among those things I wanted to do was making desserts.
“So what ending do you want?”
Shel had been asking a lot of questions today.
Judging by his fascinated expression, he seemed to be enjoying this.
“Seems like you’re having fun, huh.”
I glared coldly as I muttered, and Shel responded confidently.
“Of course. If it weren’t fun, why would I even bother talking to you?”
“Sure thing.”
After saying that bluntly, I answered Shel’s question.
“The ending I want is to prevent Eart’s death.”
“…You keep talking about that. Do you like him?”
Shel asked seriously, no longer with a teasing smile.
“Of course. He’s my favorite.”
“Favorite? What’s that?”
“He’s like a child I’ve given birth to in my heart.”
“What on earth does that mean?”
“You probably wouldn’t understand no matter how many times I explained.”
Looking at Shel’s utterly confused face, I felt a little victorious.
If I’m going to change the story, I want it to end the way I want.
“Anyway, I’ll make Eart happy.”
“Isn’t that a bit much for you?”
“Just killing two birds with one stone.”
“You’re a strange kid.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
On the morning of returning to the Carton Empire.
Eart had finished all preparations and, before heading to the carriage, shared a brief tea time with Heinz.
“The weather is nice today.”
“Yes.”
Eart had eaten with Heinz every day for the past week and had many conversations.
Heinz wasn’t particularly flashy with words.
Yet Eart found conversations with someone like him unexpectedly comforting.
“What are your plans once you return to the empire?”
“Well… I’ve grown to want to do so many things after talking with you.”
“That’s a relief, then.”
Perhaps because they shared similar scars, Eart quickly opened his heart to Heinz.
They had grown surprisingly close, almost unrecognizable from the person who always doubted and pushed him away.
“I thought I had let go of all greed…”
He couldn’t immediately change everything.
But just knowing that the part of him he thought had died was alive again was a huge change.
Eart reflected and smiled faintly.
“Prince Heinz.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Next time, I’ll invite you to the Carton Empire. Will you come with Laura?”
Heinz quietly placed a hand on his chest in response to Eart’s smiling invitation.
“It would be an honor. Laura would like it too.”
After the brief tea ended.
Eart stood in front of the carriage heading back to the Carton Empire, mulling over Heinz’s words.
—What are your plans once you return to the empire?
Hearing that, the first person who came to mind wasn’t Taron, who had always been by his side, nor Reela, who had suffered alongside him.
It was Enna, the person who had tormented him most.
And then, Irene came to mind.
Both had said similar things, but they were still different people.
Eart knew this but had deliberately avoided thinking about it.
No one could know if the same situation would repeat until it happened.
Moreover, the circumstances now were different.
He already had Reela, his fiancée, by his side, soon to become the crown princess.
The maid who had jumped into his life was only someone he needed to understand.
With that in mind, Eart boarded the carriage.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the day Eart returned.
Yesterday had been nearly sleepless.
Thanks to that, all the designs were completed in time for Eart’s return.
Of course, there were many things left to create, but for now, this was enough.
‘This time, I have to be careful. No mistakes.’
I couldn’t risk saying anything rash again like last time; Eart might get angry.
“Pastry Chef, when will His Majesty return?”
I was itching to show the designs.
“Hmm… probably not until after lunch.”
“I see.”
Even though it wasn’t that far away, the time felt unbearably long.
Excitement made it hard to focus on work.
I had a feeling everything was going to turn out well.
“Ah, Serena. Good morning.”
“…Mm.”
Huh? That was unusual.
Normally cheerful and smiling, Serena looked unusually grim.
“Serena, are you feeling unwell?”
“No.”
“Then why the long face? Did something happen?”
“…Nothing.”
Serena didn’t even look at me as she answered.
‘She’s not in a good mood…’
Seeing her avoid the topic, I was about to step aside when she spoke.
“Irene.”
Serena called with a heavier-than-usual voice.
“Hm?”
“You… never mind.”
What? Why’d she stop talking?
I tilted my head and stayed put, and Serena spoke again.
“Last time, you said you didn’t have someone you liked, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Was that true?”
“Yes… why do you ask?”
I was a bit caught off guard by the sudden question but sensed there might be a reason.
“…Never mind.”
Before she could say more, Serena spun around and left.
What was this situation?
“Irene, I think we need to revise this.”
“Oh, yes!”
I barely had time to think before jumping into revisions.
After quickly finishing and having a simple meal, time had flown by.
“They should be arriving soon…”
I was waiting outside in the garden when someone tapped my shoulder.
Startled, I turned to see Edwin.
“What are you doing here?”
“Nothing, just…”
I didn’t want to tell him I was waiting for Eart; he might scold me, so I mumbled vaguely.
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes.”
Seeing Edwin made me recall Serena earlier.
“Right, brother.”
“Hm?”
“Did something happen with Serena?”
“Serena?”
“You know, the one you told me to call before.”
Since Serena brought up the person she liked, maybe something had happened with Edwin.
“Oh, that friend’s name is Serena. I haven’t seen her since that day.”
“Hmm, I see.”
If it wasn’t something with Edwin, what could it be?
I felt uneasy.
“Why?”
“Nothing, just…”
Perhaps she was struggling alone.
Having never experienced unrequited love, I wanted to help but didn’t know how.
“Do you have someone you like, brother?”
“…Hm?”
If Edwin had someone he liked, Serena would suffer even more.
I asked just in case, and Edwin visibly hesitated.
‘What’s with that reaction…’
If he didn’t, he would have said so immediately. His hesitation suggested he did.
“Yes, I do.”
I thought so.
But his reaction was strange.
This was the second time I’d heard he liked someone, yet the reactions were completely different.
Serena had blushed shyly with joy, but Edwin…
Yes, he smiled, but there was something faintly sad in his expression.
“Brother, you don’t mean…”
Seeing that expression made me cover my mouth instinctively.
“You don’t like Reela, the princess… or anything like that, right?”
Edwin, who had been listening quietly, suddenly scrunched his face.
Then he spoke in a slightly agitated voice.
“What…! That’s impossible!”
“Right? Phew, just making sure.”
“Making sure my foot.”
Edwin glared at me and muttered gruffly.
Then who is it?
I guess it could be someone I don’t know; I haven’t met every person, after all.
“Then who is it? Someone I know?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“That’s unfair. At least tell me.”
Edwin smiled faintly at my whining.
“I’ll tell you later, later.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
I watched him nod and then fell into thought.
Should I tell Serena or not?
I began worrying she might cry.
Just then, a loud shout came from the main gate.
“The Crown Prince has returned!”
“I’ll go. See you later.”
“Yes.”
At the knight’s shout, Edwin also ran toward the main gate.
Finally, Eart had returned.
