Protagonist (5)
There had never been a single moment in my life when I was the protagonist.
In elementary school, I couldn't control my bladder and wasn't allowed to go on the school trip with my classmates.
In middle and high school, I always ranked near the bottom because I wasn’t very bright. On top of that, I was introverted, not fitting my large build, and had very few friends.
Just like that, the descriptions of me had always belonged to a ‘supporting role.’
I was the ‘background’ for those who shone even without trying, the ‘lighting’ that made them stand out even more.
And that didn’t change when I became an adult.
In fact, society—faced without the shield of being a minor—was an even more thoroughly constructed world for the ‘protagonists.’
“It’s been a while, Rohan. You seem to have grown quite a bit since I last saw you.”
That’s exactly how I felt right now.
Like I was once again facing that reality.
“And...”
Michael’s gaze, which had been on me, briefly lingered on Grace.
But then, without saying a word to her, he casually walked right past her.
...You bastard.
“Lord Lippenstein.”
“What is it, Rohan? The appointment is soon. We’re not too late to talk once we’re inside.”
“No. You’ve yet to greet Lady Euclid.”
“What?”
I wouldn’t just sit here and ‘read’ this ‘page’ anymore.
Even if ignoring Grace in front of me was something that benefited me, even if it was a ‘plot point’ that absolutely had to happen—I could never just stand by and watch.
“......”
Michael caressed the ring on his index finger and stared into my eyes.
Just as I was about to speak again, determined not to back down.
“...It’s a bit enviable, having an attendant like you.”
Then, with a laugh that I couldn’t tell was scoffing or amused, Michael turned to Grace with a look of absurdity.
“It’s been a while, Grace Euclid. Is the Head of your House doing well?”
“As always, the Lord is in good health. And you, Lord Lippenstein, how have you—”
“Let’s go in. The evening breeze is cold.”
Turning his back to Grace’s ignored greeting, Michael gently led Ariel inside.
The Lippensteins slowly drifted away.
Grace, her face pale like a child lost in the streets, only moved her lips without a sound.
Looking at her like that brought on all sorts of thoughts.
Even thoughts like killing Michael right now and using a Bookmark...
But Grace, as if she were used to things like this, looked at me as if nothing had happened...
“Let’s go in, too.”
“...Allow me to escort you.”
***
Ariel had been right.
‘I knew it. I knew I’d run into Lord Rohan.’
The moment she saw Rohan standing in front of the restaurant, Ariel barely managed to suppress her overflowing joy.
The moment Michael said he was going to meet Grace, she was certain Rohan would be there too.
And when she saw Grace naturally standing beside him, that joy quickly turned to displeasure.
But that ‘displeasure’ turned into ‘pleasure’ at the way Michael treated his fiancée, Grace.
“Lord Lippenstein.”
“......”
“I heard... I heard you’ve been nominated for the ‘Merlin of the Year’ award again this year. If you win, that would make it ten years in a row— I’m genuinely hap—”
“I’m eating.”
Michael’s sharp voice cut Grace off like a blade.
But.
“Light conversation during a meal can also enhance the appetite. Lord Lippenstein, this isn’t a funeral hall.”
“...Funeral?”
Just as Michael’s brow furrowed, Rohan turned his eyes toward Ariel, as if he had been waiting.
“What do you think, my lady?”
“Huh? M-Me?”
Startled by the sudden question, Ariel nearly dropped her knife.
“I... I agree, actually. It helps me savor the food, and conversation really is the best seasoning.”
Receiving Ariel’s reply, Rohan turned back to Michael with a look that said, See? Even your sister agrees.
Michael wanted nothing more than to slam the table and storm out, but Ariel’s gaze kept him in place. He couldn’t even get angry.
Michael gritted his teeth inwardly.
That’s not like you, Rohan. Seems you’ve changed quite a bit.
Every time Grace tried to speak to Michael, he ignored her.
And every time, Rohan opened his mouth.
His words were always concise and blunt, and they made Michael angry—but since they all sounded reasonable enough, he couldn’t lash out carelessly.
What was stranger was that Ariel kept nodding along with Rohan.
As if she was on his side.
To think I’d be swayed by something so trivial...
This kind of exchange had repeated like a hamster wheel ever since they sat down.
I came here to finalize the annulment. That’s all I need to focus on.
Regaining his composure, Michael wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked at Grace.
“I heard you voluntarily stepped down from your position as Captain of the Imperial Royal Guard.”
“Yes. I believed there were still many in the Empire who desperately needed my help, so I resigned.”
At last, Michael’s eyes turned to her, and Grace smiled in relief.
But that joy didn’t last long.
“Do you truly believe that position could help the people?”
“Pardon...?”
“Judging by your reaction, I suppose you were sincere.”
The atmosphere froze in an instant.
Even Ariel, who had been silently watching, tensed at Michael’s calm yet piercing tone and noble gaze.
“You continue to bring me nothing but disappointment.”
Just as Rohan was about to speak, seeing the strange sorrow on Grace’s face, she grabbed his wrist.
My lady...?
Rohan was taken aback by Grace’s restraint.
It was as if she was telling him not to interfere—as if she wanted to hear him out.
Seeing that, Rohan decided to endure it a little longer.
Meanwhile, Michael turned his gaze back to his reflection in the glass window.
“In three years, I will take office as Director of the Imperial Bureau of Magical Engineering. I’ve already finished discussions with the current Chairman, Schwein Habgear. I trust you understand what that means.”
Even without Michael saying it directly, Grace realized the significance of those words.
Does this mean... there is no longer any future between Lord Michael and me...?
The Imperial Bureau of Magical Engineering—a dream workplace for every mage—was a direct institution under the Imperial family.
To belong there meant to become the Emperor’s possession.
“If that happens, under Imperial law, I—Michael Lippenstein—will cease to be a member of House Lippenstein and become a subject of House Historia. You understand what that entails, don’t you?”
Becoming the Emperor’s possession.
That meant receiving unthinkable privileges that ordinary people couldn’t even imagine.
But in turn, it also came with responsibility—restrictions.
Using one such restriction, Michael declared:
“No man affiliated with the Imperial family may marry without the Emperor’s permission. Therefore, here and now, I inform you of our ‘annulment.’”
He was forcing Grace to accept their separation.
“This is the final courtesy I can offer you.”
If it were a one-sided annulment from the Lippenstein family, the Euclid family could preserve its honor and avoid any major consequences.
That was why Michael called it a ‘courtesy.’
But courtesy was a privilege only the strong could offer to the weak.
By taking on all the risk himself, Michael was asserting that his house was that powerful—and that he was in a superior position to Grace.
“So may you, like your reputation, graciously forgive—”
“Lord Michael.”
Grace called his name and then fell silent.
Perhaps she wanted to stop this absurd reality.
But reality, like Michael’s eyes, remained infinitely calm and unwaveringly clear.
“If I were to beg you to stay... would you give up that position?”
“It’s for the greater cause. I reject your rejection.”
“Then what must I do... what must I do to keep you from leaving?”
Michael closed his eyes.
There had been times he cherished with Grace, moments he had enjoyed.
“You used to ask me that too, back then.”
Now only diluted memories, but still—like all things in hindsight—they were not something he wanted to discard.
However.
The Grace Euclid I once knew... no longer exists.
The Grace of his past,
...is already dead. What stands before me now is merely a puppet of the Empire.
“Even now, there is no way.”
That’s when Rohan stood up.
“Lord Lippenstein. I’d like a word.”
That was his limit.
***
Fwoosh.
A spark flared at Michael’s fingertips and lit his cigarette.
Seated in the terrace room, he stared out over the city’s nightscape beyond the railing.
“Hard to believe that just a few years ago, that place was burning.”
Michael Lippenstein, too, was a hero who had participated in the last Human-Demon War.
His achievements paled in comparison to Grace’s, but still, he had accomplished great things.
“I feel the same. Without the defense spell you designed, Lord Lippenstein, we’d likely still be struggling to rebuild that city like so many others.”
“You flatter me. So, Rohan. What is it you wanted to say to me?”
Michael turned to look at me.
I’d been keeping my distance, holding back this whole time, but finally, I spoke.
“Why are you rejecting Lady Grace?”
“It’s simple. I never loved her.”
My hand clenched.
That was the line—I already knew it.
Which is why it pissed me off even more.
“That’s all it was?”
I wanted to draw my sword and scatter his flesh across the cityscape right then.
“Yes. My relationship with Euclid was established through our families. There was never a chance to refuse. We didn’t have a choice from the beginning.”
“Then why does Lady Grace love you?”
“Beats me. Must be a love that shallow.”
Crack.
I clenched my fist hard enough to crush bone.
A shallow love?
No. Grace’s love for you was never shallow.
You wouldn’t know.
You wouldn’t understand the crushing weight of truth once you finally lift your head and face it.
Or how much pain Grace is in right now, bearing that weight alone.
Grace—my lady, she.
Even in the end, she died looking at you.
And she died bitterly, blaming herself instead of you, loving you even in her final breath.
『“Just...”』
From the page that surfaced in my mind, I spoke.
“Then let me ask one last thing.”
“This is strange. The Rohan I know was never this talkative—”
“Would it be all right... if I took Lady Grace from you?”
“...What?”
『“To have you look at me...”』
“Her gaze.”
『“To have you call my name...”』
“Her words.”
『“...I wished for it.”』
“I’m asking if I may have all of that.”
“......”
I will no longer live as a supporting role.