Regrets Of A Second Male Lead

rd apologized politely.
Chloe felt strange for a moment, but his behavior was very composed.

 

“Chloe, are you okay? I’m glad Gerard caught you.
That was close!”

 

Leila said while grabbing Chloe’s arms.

 

“Yes, I’m fine.
Thank you, sir.”

 

Chloe thought it was a good thing it was night.
If it were day, her blushed face would have been revealed to him.

 

“It’s no problem.
It’s a relief after all.”

 

Gerard grinned and accepted her gratitude.

 

“Chloe, hold my hand so you don’t slip again.”

 

Leila held her friend’s hand tightly because she was afraid Chloe would slip again.

 

“Here we are! What do you think? Isn’t it nice?”

 

Leila asked while flopping herself down in a patch which was empty from moss.

 

Chloe hesitated again, contrary to Leila.
She knew that a Lady shouldn’t sit with nothing underneath.
And for some reason… She didn’t want to stain the cloth tied around her waist.

 

“Take a seat here, young Lady.”

 

Gerard realized why Chloe was hesitant, so he laid a handkerchief on the ground beside Leila.

 

“Thank you, Sir.
I keep getting help from you.”

 

“It’s my pleasure to help you, young Lady.”

 

They sat together like that and looked up at the dark sky.
She wondered if they were also tired from walking around all day.
There was silence between them for a moment.

 

However, the silence was quickly filled by Leila.

 

“We had so much fun today!”

 

She stretched out whilst admiring the night sky.

 

“I wish every day was like today! The three of us can have a lot of fun together, right?”

 

Leila looked at Chloe and Gerard for their agreement.
The two nodded.
There was no disagreement on the fact that all of them had spent a great day together.

 

“Let’s decide on our name!”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“When you read novels, a trio is usually given a name.
Let’s make a name like that for us! I’ve always wanted to do something like that.”

 

Chloe and Gerard found Leila’s remarks quite childish.

 

“Oh, I’ve got a great idea.
Why don’t we take it from our surnames? Bla, Ro, St, two letters from each…”

 

“Yes.”

 

However, the two gave positive answers.
They didn’t want to offend Leila because she looked quite excited.

 

“Uhm… All right, Blarost! We’re the Blarost trio now!”

 

Upon Leila’s words, fireworks embroidered the night sky.

 

***

 

However, the days of the Blarost trio did not last very long.
Leila got closer to Frederick, which effectively reduced the number of gatherings they held.

 

Then, one Tuesday, it was their tea time.
Leila urgently contacted Chloe that she would not be able to attend today.

 

“Leila… said she can’t attend today.”

 

“Yes, I’ve just been informed regarding that.”

 

Gerard nodded at Chloe’s words.
An embarrassed look flashed across their faces and disappeared as soon as it appeared.
If she heard the news more quickly, she could have canceled their tea time.

 

However, she was informed after Gerard had already arrived at Count Roem’s residence, the place where the tea time would be held today.
Eventually Gerard and Chloe had to face each other awkwardly in the garden of Roem mansion.

 

“…”

 

From far away, the two seemed to be enjoying tea time.

 

However, they were soaking in dismay over Leila’s absence in their hearts.
Normally, Leila led the conversation with her energetic personality, so they never experienced such awkwardness.

 

However, when it was just the two of them, it felt so awkward.

 

What kind of conversation did they usually share? They didn’t have a clue as to what topic to talk about, obscuring the sentiment that they had been communicating well all this time.

 

“Are the other young ladies of the Roem Family at home?”

 

Gerard brought up an easy topic.

 

“Only Catherine.
Karina went to young Lady Godner’s tea party.”

 

“Then after this tea time, I should greet young Lady Catherine.”

 

“Oh, how should I explain this? Catherine just started working on a new piece recently.
My sister doesn’t meet others when she’s working, so it’ll be hard to greet her today.”

 

“Well, there’s nothing I can do then.”

 

“Thank you for your understanding.”

 

The conversation didn’t continue after that.
Gerard wondered why he didn’t know what to say.
He was usually so confident that he did not miss out on social conversation anywhere else.

 

However, he didn’t know what to talk about with the third daughter of the Roem family.
He wondered if it was because Chloe Roem was different from the other young ladies he met in society?

 

Gerard became friends with Chloe because of Leila.
Therefore, when Leila disappeared, he was confused whether he should treat Chloe as a daughter of another family or as a friend.

 

“…”

 

In the silence that followed, Gerard lifted his cup.
He was getting thirsty.

 

Did he ever say that it was a good thing that Chloe Roem drew a line between them and didn’t try to break the silence? Well, he wished it was different today.
He wanted her to say something.

 

It was then.

 

“Sir, you said you were interested in Amone’s paintings last time, right?”

 

“Yes, I did.”

 

“Then, would you like to take a look at our gallery? There are several paintings by Amone.”

 

Chloe made an unexpected suggestion.

 

“The gallery of Count of Roem… It’s an honor for me.”

 

To be able to escape from this awkward atmosphere… It was an honor for him.