I’ll Become the Female Lead in this Trashy Webnovel

23. Whether the extras die or not (2)

“What about me?”

Shouldn’t Ariad do something, too?

After Franklin International School was established, the crown princess, who managed the school ahead of its opening, became famous far and wide.

As the author, So-hee made it like that to make the heroine stand out more.

As Ariad, she couldn’t let Kelly take this as it was.

“Don’t you need my help, Your Highness?”

The corner of the Empress’ mouth curled into a smirk.

“Oh, Ariad. You have work to do,as well.”

Yes.

No matter how much she hated her daughter-in-law, she just couldn’t leave her alone.

“You can assist Miss Kelly in preparing for the opening ceremony.”

“What?” Sohee blurted out.”Just…just assist?”

“Then, what else can you do aside from assisting?”

Wow.

She was determined to open Pandora’s box right now.

As Joshua listened to the discussion, he saw So-hee shake from anger and decided to intervene, “I don’t think it’s something a sick person should do, Your Highness.”

The pair of blood-red eyes, which had the same color but didn’t resemble each other in any way, clashed.

“So I can’t even make her do anything because you’re scared her injuries would worsen.”

“It would be nice to hear such a thing when you get that sick.”

Pointed statements were exchanged between elegant voices and noble gestures.

Feeling guilty, So-hee interrupted the two.

“Stop. I will help you by assisting Miss Kelly, Your Highness. It’s not a difficult job. And, I think my legs will be all healed by then.”

“You don’t have to do it.” Joshua glanced at her seated right next to him.

“No. I want to help, Joshua.”

She would do anything as long as Joshua would stop arguing with his mother.

She heard shrimps would perish in a whale fight, and that was exactly what it looked like.

The clingier Joshua became when it came to Ariad, the more flames in Bianca’s eyes burned.

Only then did the man sitting next to So-hee halted his overprotection.

“I should get up now to prepare for the celebration.”

Bianca lifted her keen gaze and left the dining hall with Kelly.

When Joshua and Sohee were the only ones left, she started talking. “Please. Don’t argue with the Empress because of me, Joshua. She’s still your mother.”

Joshua used his thumb to wipe the tomato sauce at the corner of her mouth.

“It’s pretty obvious that she’s bullying you.” Irritation was evident in his pale face. “How can I stay still?”

Sohee smiled at him. “It’s alright. I can manage her on my own. If she bullies me, I’ll make her pay back twice.”

Joshua let out a low chuckle when she raised two fingers.

Then, he gave her a gentle hug.

“You’re cute when you’re strong-willed.” He whispered in her ear.

* * *

Joshua went into the shower after their breakfast.

So-hee sat on the bed, all alone, as she planned her future.

“Is my web novel still alright?”

Although she was this novel’s author herself, the information she had was useless since many things in the plot had already been twisted.

At best, she only knew her characters’ personalities.

For now, she needed more information to save Deon.

What would happen exactly at Vandelli’s trial and how would Joshua utilize it to ruin Deon?

She had to find a reliable source of information.

“Is there anyone like that?”

Ariad, who was outnumbered by McKinley’s people, could not have planted her ally in this castle.

Even if Ariad was just a supporting character with a small role, there were not many extras whose names were mentioned directly in her novel.

All she could think of right now was Deon and no one else.

Suddenly, So-hee exclaimed a name that crossed her mind.

“Yes! Hugh Carlywood.”

She remembered that name from the letter Deon had shown her in the past.

“It’s obvious that the man had an affair with Ariad.”

He said he would wait for her that day, but she simply dismissed it.

She couldn’t go at that time because Deon had tied her up.

She didn’t mean to reject Hugh Carlywood outright.

Maybe, he was a person Ariad could trust.

What if Joshua had caught him?

If she made the mistake of approaching him, Sohee might put his life in danger.

The crown prince might kill him, too.

Frown lines marred her forehead in concern but then she let out a dumbfounded laugh.

“Is this even the time to care about an extra? Take care of yourself first, Han So-hee.”

If it wasn’t for Ariad, he was simply an extra who wouldn’t have existed in her web novel anyway.

Why would she feel guilty about using him?

She shouldn’t care if he died.

“All right. I should find Hugh at the Empress’ party first.”

She assumed she had chosen the perfect solution, but she had another problem that she hadn’t considered.

As Sohee expressed her desire to attend the celebration, Joshua uttered a determined refusal.

“No way, Ariad.”

That’s right.

The crown prince didn’t want her to attend the party.

After changing into a neat black suit, Joshua approached So-hee sitting on the bed.

“No? Why not? I want to play, too. I want to see other people and eat something delicious.”

“I’ll play with you later. I only want you to meet people once you get better. Don’t worry. I’ll bring some delicious food to your room.”

Was this bastard power tripping again?

Why didn’t he want her to go?

Why would he surround her with an iron wall, instead?

Perhaps, he didn’t appreciate her intervening with his plans.

“You want me to be alone until the night? It doesn’t make sense.”

Joshua sat on the wooden chair, gently stroking So-hee’s head as if he was soothing a child.

“I can’t help it.” He murmured desperately. ”Even if I go with you to the party, I can’t be next to you because I’ll be busy talking to the guests. Trust me. You will be safer in your bedroom.”

“You can leave me alone at the party.”

“No,” Joshua replied coolly.

“I’ll be sitting on a chair at the party in silence.”

“Even if you remain seated, you’ll do some strange things and it will get you in trouble.”

Damn it.

She would have little time to meet Hugh after this celebration.

Deon would be released in less than a week and Joshua would make sure her web novel would end horribly.

She must get a hold of a source.

Joshua halted the gentle strokes in her head when he told her, “I could show you around in an hour. No. Thirty minutes is enough.”

“Thirty minutes? How disappointing~”

She hated her incompetence.

Not being able to walk on her own was the worst.

She stared at Joshua sadly and a deep sigh flowed through Joshua’s mouth.