This Wasn’t in the Script, Duke!

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‘Even in death, I’m still a side character!’

Five years into my career as a no-name actress, a stage accident led me straight into the casting call of a god-written romance fantasy novel. For the seventh time, no less, I’d landed the role of a maid; a role with neither romance nor a compelling story arc. Still, orders are orders. A side character’s duty is to prevent the leads from going off-script and ensure the story unfolds as planned.

When the frustratingly naive female lead becomes unduly interested in some random extra…

“What?! You didn’t know that knight prefers men, my lady?!”

“Oh, really? I almost made a terrible mistake!”

With my quick thinking, crisis averted! Another day, another incident-free performance. At this point, I’m practically a veteran professional among side characters.

Content with these small victories, I was ready to nurture this female lead and send her off to marry the cold-hearted duke, as the story dictated… but then…

“What happened to your hands? Is this how the Count’s household treats its servants?”

“From now on, another maid will attend to Lady Travis’s bath. I don’t want your hands in the water.”

“Eat your fill. This is prime veal.”

Wait, this isn’t in the script!

***

“Am I that intimidating?”

Would it be easy? I looked at the sole Duke of the Empire.

“I’m grateful for your kindness, Your Grace, but you are a nobleman and my employer.”

“So you can’t be at ease with me?”

“…That’s about right, isn’t it?”

Oscar continued to avoid my gaze, silent for a long moment. Then, his usually relaxed lips pressed together, the full lower lip pushing out into a slight pout.

Um…

Is he… sulking?

Could he be…?

※ This novel’s chapters are half chapters, but they’re numbered normally to make things simple.