The Fate of the Perennial Sub Male Lead is in My Hands

A self-confessed romance novel nerd.

Chloise Byers’ matchmaking history began when she was roughly six years old – I say roughly, because I don’t remember much younger than that.

Since then, the princess and the prince lived happily ever after.

Young Chloise, who noticed that most fairy tales read to girls ended similarly, became aware of her own uniqueness around that time.

“Even though she’s a princess, she’s worked like a maid since she was young. Can she really get along well with the prince?”

People think that Chloise is responsible for matchmaking couples as soon as they meet, but that’s a misunderstanding.

Even though she may seem like a crazy person at first glance, Chloise goes through a rigorous character analysis.

In that sense, her brother Vileon and the Fourth Princess Odette were an impossible combination that could never come true.

“Is that so?”

Marienne asked, quenching her thirst with iced juice.

“Lady Byers, have you ever seen a bald lord before?”

“No, but why is there suddenly a bald man here? My brother and the Duke of Blackwood both have great hair.”

“The past doesn’t matter, the Duke could turn up tomorrow as a shiny hard-boiled egg.”

“Wait a minute.”

Chloise interrupted Marienne.

“What does the Duke going bald have to do with my brother’s marriage to the Princess, Aide, as far as I can see, even if by some miracle he does lose his hair, as you say.”

Chloise clicked her tongue.

“Her Highness would find a duke-like substitute if she could, but he wouldn’t give my brother a chance.”

“How could you say such a… cruel thing!”

Marienne panted. Marienne argued that Vileon just hadn’t had a chance to stand out yet.

She said that if she continued to help him get noticed, like she had with the earrings, he might have a chance.

Chloise was very sceptical.

“I also don’t think that my brother is inferior to the duke.”

“Of course not!”

“He’s handsome, he’s fit, he’s got a good family, he’s got skills, and he’s got a sweet disposition – objectively speaking, he’s a first-class man.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying!”

“But you know what, Miss Aide. If he’s good in the eyes of others, he’s good in the heart of the Princess.”

Marienne shivered again.

“Besides, it’s the aftermath of the union that counts. They lived happily ever after, and it takes more than love to make a couple happy.”

“Lady Byers…”

“Am I wrong?”

“Why are you being so unnecessarily logical today?”

“Oh, my God, Miss Aide. I’ve always been logical. People just didn’t believe me.”

Chloise lifted her teacup gracefully.

“My brother is a person who loves unconditionally. He loves his wife, his family, and even helps the young daughter of a distant relative-in-law, and he would be delighted. But in her eyes, it seems like an overbearing act. Moreover!”

I didn’t want to say this, but I couldn’t help it if I wanted to argue his point.

“In case you’ve forgotten, the Princess is a sickly person. She tires easily and can only concentrate on one thing at a time. On the other hand, there are always too many people around my brother.”

“Lord Byers will handle it well on his own.”

“That’s true. Although my brother will never be able to live his life according to his own will.”

Ugh, she sounded like a mean sister-in-law. Chloise muttered, ‘Cancel, cancel,’ and looked at Marienne.

“I mean, it’s just that it’s so shallow. He’ll find love with her, but he’ll have to suppress his true nature.”

It is often said that many things in the world depend on one’s own choices.

If Vileon chooses to love outside of himself, if that means giving up other happiness, then there’s nothing Chloise can do about it.

It’s his choice.

But I want him to keep in mind that there are other paths. For example, loving someone who allows you to be yourself without hiding.

“Hhng…”

Marienne pursed her lips. The aide, who resembled a fluffy plush toy, seemed to like him more than the Countess who had given birth to Vileon herself.

Chloise made a rather theatrical gesture, pushing up her unworn glasses.

As far as she was concerned, her brother and the Princess were doomed from the start.

In romance novels, it’s not uncommon for a man and a woman to fall in love because of the wrong potion or a mistake in the dark. But that only works for the right person.

As far as Chloise could see, even if it happened, Odette would tell Vileon to forget the night.

If he performed so impressively, she might even invite him to the palace occasionally?

Vileon wouldn’t be able to say no, and then he’d get his own little hopes up again, and then he’d end up feeling rotten to the core, and he’d be even more focused on his work than he already was.

They’d be better off just being friends.

Chloise was eager to explore new combinations other than the ones she could already see coming to an end.

“What about you, Miss Aide. Do you think there is someone who would accept and embrace my brother if he were to embark on a new love?”

Marienne frowned at the mention of new love. It was a thought she didn’t even want to entertain.

To an outsider, it might seem like the lives of the entire family were hanging on the relationship between VIleon and Odette. But for Marienne, there was something more important than her dislike for the idea.

“What kind of question is that? Who is it that can’t accept Lord Byers’ choice?”

“Even if it didn’t work out, my brother has had deep feelings for someone for a long time. He was by her side for 10 years. He will continue to work for her and prioritize her in the future.”

“Yes, he’s a hopeless romantic. He’ll surely treat his lover well, so why…?”

The knot in her stomach tightened. Chloise struggled to control the corners of her mouth that threatened to curl up into a smile.

“Doesn’t it bother you?”

“What do you mean?”

“The fact that he’ll continue to see her, the way he has before?”

“The Lord Byers I know is the kind of man who assures his lover that he can’t erase the past, but that she’s the one he’ll love now, and he’ll tell her a thousand times and show her by his actions until she’s convinced.”

“So is Aide Didi all right?”

Just then, the door opened without a knock. The youngest Daisy with no manners, barged in and snatched Marienne away.

No! This is where the real fun begins!

Chloise went downstairs and vented her anger. She shouted that she would take Marienne out tomorrow for revenge.

Vileon said he couldn’t bear the thought of sending the two out alone, so he’d come along.

‘Well, as they say, jealousy is the best way to arouse a man.’

For the past ten years, all Vileon had to say was about Odette, until one day he stopped talking about her. It was a natural change, one he hadn’t even realised.

Again, Chloise was willing to honour the choice of her blood.

If Vileon chose to remain unmarried for the rest of his life, as he had always done, and only look at Odette Rose, so be it.

Chloise is not a madwoman who would force a relationship on an unwilling person.

But when he’s so concerned for the safety of his spunky, cute, and eager aide that he brings her to his house?

If he starts being overprotective, carrying her like a princess when she insists she can walk on her own?

Whoops, that’s a different story.

Chloise Byers is not going to let this matchmaking opportunity slip through her fingers.

◇ ◆ ◇

What a holiday-like feeling!

Marienne sat down on the terrace of the shop. She thought it was just a place that sold ice cream, but the interior was unusual.

Statues and columns of laurel-crowned goddesses gave the place a distinctly ancient temple atmosphere.

In the centre of the hall was a marble fountain. Naturally, the fountain was real, and crystal clear water trickled down quietly.

The best part was the costumes of the shop staff. Both men and women wore white robes with coronets. You’d think they’d have a hard time serving customers in their flimsy clothes, but they moved with poise.

“They’ve been open for over a year, and they still have a lot of customers.”

Chloise said as she sat down next to Marienne.

“It’s really good. At first, the consensus was that it wouldn’t last because of the fancy exterior, that the buzz would be short-lived, that it would blow up like a bubble, but guess what, the owner was an ice cream genius.”

After paying the bill, Vileon stepped out onto the terrace. He was about to sit next to Marienne out of habit, as he had done when dining at the Count’s mansion, but stopped when he saw his younger sister seated there first.

“Brother, what are you doing, sit down.”

Vileon gave his sister a quick glance before taking a seat across from Marienne.

‘What a sweet brother and sister.’

Marienne glanced fondly at Vileon, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards, and at Chloise, who was smiling broadly.

Today, Vileon was as dazzling as the sky on a clear Saturday morning, and when she heard what he’d ordered, Marienne stifled a laugh.

Fruit carbonated water with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

For someone who didn’t look like he had much of a sweet tooth, he was surprisingly good with dessert.

One could say he was truly a suitable partner for a date. Without needing to worry about the other person’s preferences, he could indulge in sweet treats to his heart’s content. It seemed like he wouldn’t even lower his spoon with a hint of hesitation.

But does Odette have a sweet tooth?

“Here’s your order.”

“Wow…”

Marienne let out an involuntary gasp. The ice cream bowl looked like it had been stolen from some temple. Meanwhile, Chloise looked at the bowl in front of Marienne and asked worriedly.

“But will you be able to eat it all by yourself, Miss Aide?”

As it turned out, the dish Marienne had ordered was usually sized for two.

It was an impressive display of pickled fruit, topped with jelly, and piled high with crushed milk ice, condensed milk, three scoops of ice cream, and chocolate-covered sweets.

She hadn’t been out in a while, and in her excitement, she had ordered something expensive and large.

“Of course.”

Marienne replied confidently.

“Or I’ll share with Lord Byers.”

“…?”

Vileon, who had been passing out paper napkins to his companions, reacted a beat too late.

“Lord Byers, would you like some? Oh, what can I do, put it in a small bowl?”

While she was happy to share, the problem arose when it came to the next step. She felt hesitant about sharing the dessert she had ordered unless it was divided properly.

“It’s okay. You can leave it if you can’t finish it all.”

That’s when Vileon looked away. Whatever he saw, his tone softened.

“Or…”

“Or what?”

“I’m just curious about the taste of pink ice cream, so just one bite.”

Vileon leaned slightly forward over the table.

“Will you share it with me?”