IBTHM Chapter 15

I understood that funneling ability stats to protagonists was the core of countless genre novels, but...

'Then what are side characters whose names never even appeared in the book supposed to live on, dear Author?!'

For the first time, I resented the author I'd fangirled over as much as Abel.

If I hadn't experienced a side character's life, I probably wouldn't have dared blame Abel's benevolent creator.

'No, honestly, I'm not even a side character.'

Wouldn't you have to at least appear in the book's content to be classified as either protagonist or supporting character?

So why on earth did I have to become "Random Passerby Character 1 who might have appeared somewhere"?

If I'd been reincarnated as such an insignificant character, they could've at least made my setup mediocre enough not to raise any expectations—like a common roadside pebble.

Instead: a strange family that meticulously preserved white attribute bloodlines through generations without any mixed blood.

That family's sole daughter who seemed rather lacking in many ways.

Probably the only person in the Empire—Hades was certain I was the only one—who couldn't hide their core jewel, their vital weak point.

Wasn't this a suspiciously unique setup for someone who never even made an appearance?

So I'd secretly hoped.

That once I adapted to this world, I might awaken something special.

But apparently...

"Hup!"

"I didn't tell you to tense your body?"

...I was wrong.

"I'm really a useless person. Your Grace must find me frustrating too, right?"

When I asked dejectedly, Hades exhaled a sigh.

"Why would you think that? I always tell Abel something similar, but the same goes for you. You don't have to try so hard to accomplish something. I'm here."

"So because capable and perfect Your Grace will protect me so thoroughly that not a hair on my head gets hurt, I shouldn't worry needlessly—is that what you mean?"

"Exactly."

...And so Father, who would pass away a year from now, answered with a smug expression once again.

"Still, you never know what might happen. Your Grace is frequently exposed to dangerous situations... If, heaven forbid, something happened to Your Grace, I'd become a widow at this tender age."

Right—a year from now I was scheduled to become a single mom raising Abel.

Even at my rational suspicion based on knowing the future, Hades merely scoffed.

"Is that what worries you?"

"A little..."

"Don't worry."

Hades squeezed our clasped hands firmly under the table while suddenly bringing his handsome face close.

Was not using turn signals hereditary?

I felt slightly flustered by the suddenly proximate face.

Smirking, Hades said, "I'm not irresponsible enough to die alone and leave my wife behind."

The first lesson with Hades ultimately ended without any progress. When I emerged after finishing the meaningless training, I was nearly drained.

Having suffered from Hades's constant frustration with me and my own anguish over my utterly useless existence, I immediately sought out Abel's room.

Abel, who'd just finished his etiquette lesson with the Countess, wore a brighter expression than expected.

I'd actually come looking for him thinking that wicked devil-woman Countess had surely tormented him, but contrary to expectations, nothing seemed amiss—what a relief.

Of course, I didn't drop my guard just because Abel's outward expression looked fine.

Abel was far too precocious a child, skilled at hiding his wounds, and the Countess was a woman who'd hound such a child at every opportunity.

Anyway, seeing Abel's face light up with an expression like he'd gained the whole world at my suggestion to take a walk—honestly, my mood was fantastic.

Seeing, hearing, touching my bias wasn't enough—now even receiving love from him! Wonderful!

Though I wasn't quite confident about the "receiving love" part... delusions weren't crimes, right?

"Um... but Young Master, are you uncomfortable somewhere?"

From his room all the way to the greenhouse garden, Abel kept stopping in place occasionally with uncomfortable-looking steps.

His expression seemed rather gloomy too, like he had some worry...

"Ah! No. It's nothing."

"You're not tired? Maybe I shouldn't have suggested a walk. Right. You must be tired from studying so hard. Should we just go back? I knew..."

"My lady!"

Abel shouted urgently. Looking at my startled face, he shook his head vigorously.

"...I don't want to. I want to take a walk. I'm happy being with you. I'm not tired at all, so please don't worry. Okay?"

As if worried I might suggest going back inside again, Abel quickly closed the distance that had widened between us and squeezed my hand tightly.

His face looked so earnest, like a young child who'd once been lost and didn't want to lose hold of his mother's hand—my chest suddenly felt touched.

Something pitiful yet adorable and lovable.

What a contradictory bundle of charm...

As if that wasn't enough, Abel tried to say something more.

He pointed at the flowers and plants blooming quite abundantly in the greenhouse garden and spoke.

"You know what? When I told Father you liked flowers, he had the gardeners plant so many new ones like that."

"Oh, really?"

Until late afternoon, the gardeners worked busily without a moment's rest.

I'd thought the gardeners seemed busy for a while now, but learning it was due to Hades's orders felt fresh somehow.

'His personality is completely different from what I thought.'

The more I met Hades, the more he made me reconsider my prejudices.

Wasn't the northern Duke usually supposed to have an indifferent and cold personality?

He didn't seem like the romantic type who'd plant flowers in a garden for a lady.

Or perhaps it was that "I'll be warm only to my woman" thing?

No wait—the premise of "my woman" was wrong to begin with...

Strictly speaking, weren't Hades and I in a sort of tacit contract relationship, even if we didn't say it outright?

Me for easy fangirling, Hades to install a placeholder in the vacant Ruvermonte lady's seat.

Still, there was no need to inform Abel of such reality when he was probably imagining a warm relationship between father and prospective mother in his own way.

I acted surprised.

"Oh my. I didn't realize that—I should thank His Grace when I see him later."

I wasn't particularly fond of flowers, but...

"Hehe... Father is truly a kind person. And... you too, my lady."

Abel glanced up at me shyly before immediately lowering his eyes.

As if embarrassed by his own words, he fidgeted with his toes while blushing—I nearly grabbed him in a hug and rubbed my face all over those chubby cheeks.

Calm down, Aisha.

Not yet... it's still too soon.

"You're right. His Grace is kinder than I expected."

Having barely calmed my excited heart to respond, Hades's genuinely kind face came to mind and I grew depressed again.

I'd thought I could take his destined death lightly, but increasingly that wasn't the case.

Knowing the weight of guilt Abel would inevitably feel, I couldn't help but worry.

Until Hades died, he would probably be Abel's entire world.

In other words, imagine if Abel willingly endured a painful death in my place instead.

What would I think seeing Abel's corpse, dead instead of me?

'Too horrific.'

Thinking "Hades was destined to die anyway" and moving on seemed to get harder with each passing day.

The sorrow and guilt of those left behind.

Our young Abel would probably have to endure all of that...

"My lady. Is something wrong? Your expression looks a bit... troubled. Did, did I do something wrong?"

Perhaps due to my darkened expression, Abel asked worriedly.

"Ah! No. Nothing like that."

I answered immediately, but Abel looked unconvinced.

Eventually, after agonizing, I decided I should say something.

"Um... it's really nothing. Just a very personal worry."

"What is it? Can't you tell me? I might be able to help you, my lady."

Abel's face immediately filled with eagerness.

I debated briefly whether to tell Abel about this.

Of course, it was an excuse to hide my real worry, but this was still a legitimate concern...

Eventually, stopping mid-walk, I crouched down beside Abel.

When I showed him my left wrist where Hades's handkerchief was still tied, Abel tilted his head.

"This is a secret."

When I carefully unwrapped the handkerchief, my left wrist was revealed. The white core jewel embedded on the inside gleamed dully.

Gasp—startled, Abel immediately recognized it and drew in a sharp breath.

"M-My lady! This is..."