Chapter : 37
I slowly blinked my eyes, fighting the urge to drift off.
“A quick nap won’t hurt, right?”
I relaxed my eyelids a little.
“Since we’re talking about it, let’s decide immediately. Who would be suitable as a companion?”
Why were they fighting like that? I thought, my mind growing hazy.
“Can’t the Emperor just decide?”
I didn’t speak it aloud this time, but it seemed as if everyone had read my thoughts because they all turned to look at me.
I hurriedly pulled my back off the chair, where I had been leaning comfortably, and said,
“…Why me?”
Why are you looking at me like that? Uneasily.
As expected, my uneasy feeling never failed me.
“Then, shall we hear Lady Selene’s opinion?”
“Shall we?”
Their eyes, full of expectation, were on me. No, don’t expect anything.
I spoke as cautiously as possible.
“Me? I… well… shouldn’t His Majesty the Emperor decide that?”
When I finished, the four of them paused for a moment, then looked impressed.
“Oh my, indeed…”
“This isn’t an easy decision, I was too hasty.”
“I’m amazed at your depth of thought.”
No, I wasn’t thinking at all.
When I waved my hands to correct their misunderstanding, Noel muttered something suspicious into my ear.
“If Lady Selene is to report… today would be difficult, I think.”
“Huh?”
“You must be tired from getting dressed, so I can report in your stead. Or would you like me to say you will have an audience tomorrow?”
Me?
“No, no. I think it’s fine if you report, Noel.”
I forced a smile and waved my hands, and Sirinyu tilted his chin and said,
“Shouldn’t the one who accomplished it report as well?”
Can’t you just keep that pretty mouth shut!
I furrowed my brows at Sirinyu, and Eloi and Viviana, sitting beside me, grabbed my arms and joined in.
“Yes. You’ve done incredible things so far, you should be rewarded.”
“Oh, no. It’s fine.”
“You’ve already done things that are hard to accomplish even once in a lifetime. You can boast a little.”
My past achievements flashed through my mind—protecting Luri from monsters… deciphering the old books… meeting the prophet…
“Feels like I’m the protagonist… but I’m a supporting character.”
Haven’t I done too much for a supporting role? And now I have to report all this to the Emperor?
You might think, “So what? It’s just reporting,” but something felt off.
Can a supporting character, whose name doesn’t even appear in the story synopsis, really accomplish so much?
Something’s wrong.
I needed to figure out what went wrong and where. Partly, I just wanted to go home and lie down.
“I’m fine, so please report, Noel.”
Seeing my exhausted expression, Noel clapped his hands lightly. Everyone looked at him, and he got up, offering me his hand.
“Rest for today. We’ll arrange a meeting to discuss things in detail.”
I returned to the mansion even more exhausted. As soon as I entered my room, Luri and Yurie clung to me and bombarded me with questions.
“Miss, how was it?”
“Tired…”
As soon as I took off my clothes, I wanted to dive straight into bed. But Luri and Yurie twirled me around and pushed me into the bathroom.
They watched me get into the tub and kept whispering through the slightly open bathroom door.
“The prophet? She’s supposed to be a witch whose age you can’t tell. Is that true?”
“Did she really predict everything that would happen?”
When I didn’t answer, the door opened a little further, and Luri’s crimson hair peeked through.
“Miss, are you okay?”
“I need to think…”
“…You must tell us later.”
Once the door closed, I relaxed and let my mind wander.
“What should I do?”
Nothing had gone according to my expectations so far.
Of course, coming here itself was unexpected, but my plan to quietly remain a supporting character was falling apart.
Submerging my head fully in the warm water, I suddenly thought,
“Could it be… I’m not a supporting character?”
Wiping the water dripping from my head, I shook my head vigorously.
That couldn’t be. Even at the Possession Hotel, they said I was a supporting character, and my name wasn’t in the guidebook…
“Let’s check again.”
I quickly finished washing, sent the maids out, and dug through the drawers for the guidebook.
Then I noticed a letter on top of the drawer.
It looked like the envelope that El, a former employee of the Possession Hotel, had sent. I quickly reached out and grabbed it.
*”Hello, this is El. How have you been?
This is the first time I’ve sent a letter with my name.
A lot has happened since I sent the last letter. That’s why this one is late.
I’m sorry to bring bad news first despite the late letter.
It seems the story’s main axis has been significantly shaken by a return.
I need to look into it further, but it seems an object that shouldn’t have entered the story might have done so. Do you have any idea what that could be?
If not, it may be the influence of someone who previously possessed this world. That person’s whereabouts are currently unknown, and the Possession Hotel is a little chaotic.”*
Reading this, my eyes naturally shifted to my bracelet.
Could it be?
An object that shouldn’t have entered the story…
I knew the bracelet had special powers, but did it really mess up the story?
I tried to remove it, but it wouldn’t come off, as if something was blocking it.
My heart sank.
So all my struggles were because of the bracelet I chose without thinking?
No.
I shook my head.
If the bracelet is that dangerous, isn’t it the person who left it there who’s at fault? They never said not to take it!
Feeling aggrieved, I turned back to the letter. Something caught my attention that might explain the cause other than the bracelet.
“Someone who had previously possessed the world?”
Then I wondered—do the people in this world remember the previous person? Probably not.
No one had mentioned such a person, so I assumed the story had reset as if it were all starting over.
“But if it isn’t…?”
Hearing that the person’s whereabouts are unknown made me anxious. I hope it doesn’t affect me.
I continued reading the letter.
*”Now, let me give you some good news!
No matter how the story twists, the overall plot—sealing the Demon King and bringing peace to the world—won’t change. Once the Demon King is sealed, you can return to your original role, Lady Selene.
A comfortable supporting role, enjoying your life!
We also plan to send a gift for all your hard work, so please look forward to it!
We’ll also provide you with the address so you can send letters soon.
Until next time!”*
I carefully folded the letter and put it back in its envelope.
The altered story, the strangely important tasks entrusted to me—I felt uneasy.
“Please tell me I’m not supposed to seal the Demon King too.”
I shook my head hard. I didn’t want to accidentally trigger a flag with such an unlucky thought.
I sighed. Once I could reply to El, I would have many questions to ask.
The next day, I was lounging in my room late when someone knocked.
Huh? Snack time isn’t until later…
“Yes?”
The one who entered after I answered was Arkas.
“Oh, brother?”
“Selie, did you meet the prophet well?”
I sat up on the bed, and Arkas peeked his head into the room, leaving the door open.
“Yes, it went well. But why does it feel like it’s been so long?”
“I’ve been hunting monsters until recently. So I couldn’t go with you. Sorry.”
“No need to apologize.”
I gestured for him to come in, but Arkas continued speaking while still holding the door.
“Selie, since it’s been a while, would you like to go out together?”
“Ah, no…”
I pulled the blanket up to my chin and lay back down.
“You haven’t been home long. You should rest, not go out.”
I just had a long outing yesterday. I don’t plan to go out this week.
Lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, Arkas took a step into the room and spoke softly.
“I’m not suggesting somewhere crowded…”
“Hmm…”
“How about a tea time in a scenic spot?”
“Hmmm…”
I half-listened and yawned. Arkas quietly stayed, watching me.
This is… awkward.
I just rolled my eyes at him. Why is he acting so strangely today?
Normally, Arkas always listened to me unless he had a clear purpose.
He’d never forced me to do something I didn’t want to. That’s why his current behavior felt odd.
“Selie…”
Arkas was gripping the door tightly.
