His eyes curved sorrowfully like a lonely moon hanging in the night sky.

“I will be your friend.”

I was sincerely delighted by that answer.

“Wow. Really? I’m so happy.”

As I laughed with excitement, he laughed along. I hiccupped and fanned myself with my hand to cool down my flushed face.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m totally fine! Don’t worry about it.”

When I stood up and walked in a straight line to show I was okay, he chuckled. I thought I was walking straight, but in his eyes, it seemed I was staggering.

‘Yezar is stronger with alcohol than I thought.’

I learned another new fact. As the breeze from the open window cooled me down a bit, my senses returned.

My hazy mind also cleared.

“Yezar.”

“Yes, Julieta.”

“Even if I’m drunk, I won’t completely black out and forget everything, okay? You can’t take back your words about being friends with me! Got it?”

As I looked at him earnestly, he readily nodded.

“I take responsibility for my words once spoken. Do you see me as such an untrustworthy person?”

“No. Of course not! I believe in you. There’s no one as faithful as you!”

In the novel, when it came to Yezar, he was the epitome of a sincere, kind, and gentle sub-male lead.

“What do you see in me to trust me so much?”

I almost blurted out that I saw him in the novel. Instead, I spoke indirectly.

“Well, even though I’ve been stuck in the Orbetian Count’s household, there are still rumors circulating, you know.”

“Are you referring to the rumors about me?”

Even if I hadn’t known the contents of the novel, there was no way I would think badly of Yezar. An upright duke. Kind to the weak and mercilessly punishing the wicked. The top bachelor that noble ladies swoon over.

“Yes, even though Yezar probably has no interest in such rumors and doesn’t know, your reputation is quite good.”

As I spoke as if praising him, he rubbed the rim of his wine glass. His ears reddened, perhaps from the rising intoxication.

“I wasn’t aware of that…”

Of course. He’s a sword idiot and a female lead idiot. He wouldn’t pay attention to anything else.

“Now you know from here on. Besides, I’ve been to several arranged meetings, but no one has approached me as sincerely as Yezar from the start. Now you understand why I trust you, right?”

Rather than someone trying to deceive me with sweet words, a straightforward man like him was much more trustworthy.

“Yes, I understand.”

As he answered and continued to fiddle with the wine glass, I swiftly snatched it away.

“Why do you keep touching it if you’re not going to drink? What a waste.”

Now that my intoxication had faded, I gulped down the wine again.

“All at once…”

“Ugh. It’s strong indeed.”

I frowned in discomfort, and he couldn’t hold back and laughed loudly.

“Pfft. Hahaha.”

“I’m suffering here. Is it that funny?”

“So- sorry. But pfft, hehe…”

Now even his shoulders were shaking. During the wedding, half his expression seemed lifeless. Seeing him laugh brightly, I felt both annoyed and relieved.

After laughing for a while, he calmed down and looked at me. Then he opened his mouth that had been closed and spoke.

“I… For quite a long time, there was someone I loved.”

At his sudden confession, I held my breath.

Slowly looking at the man in front of me, his gaze meeting mine seemed hollow. Yes, even though he appeared fine on the outside, he must have suffered more than anyone else in his heart.

Because he had loved the female lead devotedly for a very long time. Like all sub-male leads in novels who love the female lead with dedication and blindness.

“Was that the reason you said you couldn’t bring yourself to love someone?”

“Yes. But that person has already become someone else’s wife.”

Although his expression was calm, the pain spreading like ripples on a lake was evident in his voice.

I knew that offering half-hearted comfort would only make him seem pitiful, so I spoke honestly.

“You look very sad. Wasn’t it painful for you?”

“…It’s alright. Rather, I think it’s fortunate. Both I and they are now married. Everyone will be happy from now on.”

The female lead, male lead, and Yezar were friends. Initially, Yezar was closer to the female lead, but… After meeting the male lead during his time as the crown prince, the female lead fell for him helplessly.

And Yezar watched it happen while suffering in silence. He instinctively realized that there was no place for him there anymore. But what, everyone is happy?

“Ah, really! I tried not to interfere, but! When you said ‘they,’ it means Yezar was caught in the middle, right? Something like stepping aside for the sake of friends who love each other, right?”

His surprised face, as if wondering how I knew, was telling me everything.

Ah. So frustrating. Really, what a pushover.

“Because you’re so kind! You’re the only one suffering in silence.”

Well, would they even acknowledge Yezar’s struggling heart? Absolutely not! After the story ends, they live happily together like lovebirds, supporting each other.

That fool alone suffers in silence, gets sick, and despite the pain, still wishes for their happiness!

“I’m fine.”

Even as he said that, his expression darkened endlessly. I firmly grasped his cheeks with both hands without hesitation.

“Ju- Julieta?”

“Again, saying you’re fine! What’s fine? At the wedding today, you were trembling so much. Your expression was half-dead!”

“You- you’re drunk.”

Seeing Yezar trying to calm me down in bewilderment, I felt a surge of heat and shouted confidently.

“No! I’m not drunk!”

What’s drunk? I’m not dizzy at all! Right now, I only felt a sense of mission to say a word to this foolish man.

“Stop saying you’re fine! If it’s hard, you can say it’s hard! The person you love became someone else’s wife. How can you be fine? If it were me, I would have stopped eating and drinking for a whole week. I would have cried and shouted that he’s a bad person until the mansion shook!”

“Are you getting angry on my behalf?”

“Of course. Even if it’s a contract, I’m your wife!”

That’s right. Even if it’s a 2-year contract, I’m his wife! As I was huffing and puffing in excitement, he placed his hand on top of mine.

“Yes, wife. Thank you. Actually, I’m not okay. It’s hard. Because I loved for a very long time.”

As the long-standing confession poured out to me, the unintended recipient, tears welled up in my eyes.

What should I do with this pitiful and lovely sub-male lead? I can’t just take him for myself.

“Tsk. I’m accepting it now because I don’t have a shred of romantic feelings for Yezar. Later, when you fall in love with someone, don’t talk about your past love with that expression. That lady’s heart will feel like it’s being torn apart.”

At my honest answer, Yezar nodded.

“I understand. But Julieta, if you listen to my story as a friend, that won’t happen.”

Meeting his eyes full of faith and trust, I tilted my head. Because Yezar said something completely absurd.

“Huh? What do you mean? After we divorce, we’ll be complete strangers. Even friendship is a contract friendship!”

At my answer, his pupils wavered.

“Contract friendship?”

“Yes! After the divorce, I’m going to travel and make new friends.”

“Am I being pushed aside?”

As he asked that, his voice now sounded muffled. Indeed, gulping down that strong wine all at once made my head dizzy and my body hot. Words came out unfiltered, without going through my mind.

“Hmph. What’s the point of hanging out with an ex-husband? It’ll only lead to bad rumors.”

“Is that so? An ex-husband would be like that, I suppose.”

“Yes! Of course!”

I innocently answered and reached for the wine glass again. But he confiscated that glass, and then, and then… What did he do?

I have a very vague memory of something sweet and sour flowing down my lips and into my throat. I’m not sure…

The sound of birds seeped into my ears. As I tried to lift my eyelids, they felt as heavy as water-soaked cotton.

My head was also pounding tremendously. It felt like someone was ringing a bell right next to my head.

It felt as if something unpleasant was clinging to my entire body, making it heavy and nauseating, and I wanted to escape this discomfort.

But then, a clear fragrance brushed the tip of my nose. As I got closer to that scent, a cool and refreshing sensation was felt on my cheek.

Wanting to break free from the unpleasant feeling of my skull splitting, I brought my face closer and fumbled with my hands without knowing what it was.

‘It’s cool and refreshing.’

Gradually, the heavy feeling in my head seemed to clear up. Ah, come to think of it, I vaguely remembered gulping down wine last night.

So did I get drunk on the bottle? Gosh, how inconsiderate of me. On our first night. A newlywed bride passing out drunk. But since it’s Yezar, he must have prepared something. Maybe he brought some ice.

Or some other modern hangover remedy…

“St- stop…”

Huh? It’s Yezar’s voice, but he sounds troubled. What? What is it?

“Please stop touching.”

Stop touching what? I slowly opened my tightly closed eyes. Then, the upper body that made my nose bleed last night came into full view.

“Eek!”

Startled, I began to assess the situation. I had an idea of what I had been putting my face and hands on until a moment ago. I didn’t want to know.

“I told you to stop… It’s embarrassing.”

The image of him turning his head to the side was etched into my pupils. His reddened neck and face, the Adam’s apple moving up and down.

“I’m sorry!”

A hoarse scream escaped from me, my throat parched from the alcohol.