How to Survive as a Supporting Male Lead - Chapter 10.2
“But this time is different, don’t you see? He’s the host of the hunting festival. Imagine how much he has to do! Yet he dropped everything to come here. You know how upset he must be?”
Derrick paused, considering Iann’s point. Kallian, usually strict about public duties, showing up out of the blue like this was, indeed, unusual.
“Hmm…”
“Please, Aide Derrick. I’ll be back immediately.”
“Hmm…”
“Come on?”
Iann clasped his hands under his chin, giving Derrick a playful wink. Derrick’s expression immediately soured.
“Oh? You wanna see some other poses, huh? Is that it?”
Iann never wasted his words, especially when it came to saying something meant to annoy someone else. With his limbs flailing as he prepared to leave, Derrick quickly realized that letting Iann go might actually improve productivity.
“Five minutes. You have five minutes to go and come back.”
“What? Who puts 5 minutes on their nose? Give me more time!”
“Who’s attaching time to noses? Can’t you see the stack of paperwork?”
“No, no, I need to make sure I look perfect before I see Kallian. Ten minutes.”
“Don’t you have any shame? Ugh… nine minutes.”
“Yes!”
Seeing that negotiating was only wasting more time, Derrick swiftly backed down a bit, conceding an extra four minutes. While Iann celebrated his small victory, Derrick retrieved a nine-minute hourglass. Iann squinted suspiciously.
“And where did you get that?”
“It’s for people who don’t know how to keep track of time.”
Iann shot Derrick an exasperated look, but Derrick didn’t budge. He had no fear of Iann’s theatrics; the real threat was the mountain of paperwork that had yet to be dealt with.
“Time’s ticking. Think you’ve got time to waste?”
“Ah! You should only start counting once I leave!”
“If the sand runs out before you get back, I’m leaving early. Taking a half day.”
“You heartless jerk!”
Iann rushed over to the full-length mirror in the office. Preparation was crucial when facing Kallian. Their neat, polished appearances always seemed to grate on each other’s nerves.
“I think it’s been a minute already.”
“Oh, come on! Give me a second before flipping the hourglass, alright? We’re at least that close, aren’t we?”
Hurriedly, Iann straightened his hair. The once disheveled silver locks settled neatly in place. He rubbed his eyes to erase signs of exhaustion and repeated “frog legs” under his breath to relax his face and lips.
With a radiant smile, he declared himself ready. This carefree, worry-free face was bound to ignite Kallian’s annoyance.
After a quick glance at the sand rushing down steadily, Iann dashed out of the room. He thought he heard Derrick shout for him not to run, but he ignored it. “Time spent with a furious Kallian” was one of the few precious moments related to Kallian.
Standing at the staircase leading to the second floor, Iann took a deep breath. He couldn’t let it show that he’d hurried over. He had to appear calm and dignified as he approached Kallian.
With the poise of a lead at a grand ball, Iann descended the stairs.
“What brings the esteemed Duke of the North all the way here?”
As he gracefully made his way down, a soft, white light radiated behind him, the same gentle halo he’d used to impress Yuhwa. His silver hair shone brilliantly, its luster unchallenged by the glowing aura. The strong, chiseled features of his face were framed perfectly.
Stopping at just the right distance, Iann maintained a pose he’d spent a week practicing to look as handsome as possible, gazing down at Kallian. Eighteen years of rivalry had trained Iann to carry out these gestures flawlessly.
Kallian’s brow twitched, hinting at his irritation. As intended, the brightness of Iann’s face grated on him. And as Iann’s smile lifted ever so slightly, Kallian’s mood sank further.
Was his good mood because of ‘that woman?’ Kallian’s gaze grew icy. Iann’s joy was his misery. And so, that joy needed to be shattered.
“Iann.”
Matching Iann’s cheerful expression, Kallian smiled as well. It was a strained, malicious smile, yet his beauty made it effortlessly attractive.
“Do you have a death wish?”
The problem was that such a pretty face was being used to deliver such an ugly message.
