The Male Leads Were Stolen By The Extra [EN]: Chapter 154

“Is it even right to kick everyone out just to move you around?”

Even while grumbling like that, Maclaine was diligently moving the bags of compost.

With spring arriving, everyone working at the Grand Duke’s castle was given a vacation to the villa to tend to the garden.

That way, Tan could come outside and wander around the garden.

Since he had no reason or desire to be seen by people, whenever he tended the garden, the entire castle staff was given a vacation.

“This just makes the rumors even worse.”

Maclaine added, but Tan didn’t respond at all.

His actions only fueled the rumors.

That the ghost that only appeared on the 5th floor was chasing people away to freely roam the Grand Duke’s castle.

The old rumor had now spread beyond the North and was often heard even in the capital.

“Everyone is happy about the unexpected vacation.”

Eugene approached slowly.

In her hands, she held a plate of beautifully cut fruit.

“Every time I see you, it feels like you have one more wrinkle?”

Seeing her always taking Tan’s side, Maclaine’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Sir Maclaine remains the same.”

Even with the childish jab about his age, Eugene was unaffected and simply chuckled kindly.

“……Well, whatever. Is it just you again today? It must be getting too much for you now; you should pass on the position.”

Feeling awkward at her reaction, Maclaine glanced at Eugene with apologetic eyes.

“…….”

Eugene smiled benevolently but didn’t answer, a hint of bitterness on her face.

“Looks like that bastard said he doesn’t need anyone. I wonder if he’s really planning to be alone forever.”

Maclaine sank into a chair prepared for rest at the edge of the garden.

Eugene stood next to him.

The two looked in the same direction.

Tan, who had been silently working in the garden like a tireless ox since earlier.

Ironically, the noble dragon often came down to the North to meet the former Demon King.

Ian and Reyev were both gone.

Unlike humans, they didn’t age, and now, only they remembered the glory of the old days and their friends.

“Please come and check on Master often.”

Maclaine, who was reaching for the fruit, paused at Eugene’s words.

Although not immortal, Maclaine, being a dragon, could sense energies that others couldn’t.

Like the aura of death emanating from Eugene now. He could feel that her life was nearing its end.

“Don’t bother. That guy doesn’t even welcome me. You stay by his side.”

“Hehehe. Still, it’s a relief that Sir Maclaine is here. Even if I leave, there’s someone else who remembers Lady Eun-young by Master’s side.”

Eugene stroked her wrinkled, old hands.

She knew she didn’t have much time left.

Being almost 90 years old, it wouldn’t be strange if she closed her eyes at any moment.

She had lived diligently and had no regrets.

The only thing that worried her was that if she closed her eyes, there would be only one person left in the Grand Duke’s castle who remembered Eun-young.

Lonely and isolated. Only that person, always keeping his place.

“Ha. Relief, my foot. He even turned away his own son; what makes you think he’d want to see me?”

Maclaine remembered clearly.

How Tan had severed ties with his son after Eun-young’s death.

Even though he was the son who inherited both of their blood.

When Eun-young was by his side, she bridged the gap between father and son, but everything changed after she passed away.

Tan chose to be alone and isolated himself. His son tried to persuade his father several times, but he didn’t budge.

“Is it even possible to only feel emotions for one person?”

Maclaine, resting his chin on his hand, poked at the innocent fruit with a fork.

When Eun-young was by his side, Tan had changed and showed human-like qualities.

So he thought he had changed, but after she was gone, he returned to his original self.

So the emotions he seemed to have learned and realized were only expressed and existed for one person.

“That stubborn bastard. And he didn’t even shed a single tear when Eun-young died.”

Thwack.

The fork deeply pierced the beautifully cut apple slice.

Having seen Eun-young taking care of him with utmost devotion and love even as she aged, he had worried that he might break down at her last moment.

But it was an unnecessary worry.

Unlike himself, who had cried his eyes out, Tan didn’t shed tears or grieve when she died.

He had simply held her weakening hand even tighter.

“Goodbye isn’t a permanent farewell.”

“What?”

Maclaine turned his head to look at Eugene.

“It’s to meet again, so Master didn’t cry.”

“…….”

Maclaine felt like he had been struck on the head.

He had never thought of it that way… Sometimes, old humans seemed to realize more than he did.

He thought that what she said might be right.

That might be why Tan had remained here for over 30 years, enduring the rumors of being a ghost.

“So please come and see Master’s face often. It’s presumptuous, but it’s this old woman’s last request.”

“It’s only once or twice a year. I have family to take care of too.”

“Of course.”

Eugene smiled warmly at Maclaine, who gave a reassuring answer even while grumbling.

Tan was still in the garden he had made for her.

So that spring flowers that couldn’t be seen in the capital could grow, and autumn fruits that only grew in the North could bear fruit.

So that she could smile when she saw the unchanging garden when they met again.

* * *

“Grandfath… Ah, no. Uncle! Look at this!”

Jennie realized her mistake and quickly corrected herself.

Tan’s appearance was clearly that of an uncle, not a grandfather.

Another 3 years had passed.

Jennie, who was 7, had turned 10.

She was still a young child, but she had grown taller, and her hair, which was a color between black and brown, had grown longer.

“Come on. Please look at this!”

Jennie, who had approached Tan from a distance, fearlessly grabbed his large hand and pulled him along.

It had taken a lot of effort and time to get to this point.

To be able to go out with her grandfather, who used to be scary and could only be seen from afar.

This was all thanks to Eugene, who had passed away last spring.

Jennie had made a promise with Eugene, and she had worked hard to keep that promise.

The result was now.

The two were now in the village of Bellano, quite far from the North.

Bellano was a resort town popular with nobles, and Jennie had been begging for months to come on a trip with Tan.

A trip with Tan was a series of surprises and excitement for Jennie.

To be able to move instantly without riding a carriage. To be able to have everything she wanted.

Her grandfather was an amazing person and the best, the more she knew him.

“This is an apricot! It’s a fruit that only grows in this village!”

Jennie said, pointing to the ripe yellow apricots displayed on the stall.

Tan already knew.

He had come here on a trip with Eun-young a long time ago. She had loved the apricots that grew here.

Tan, looking down at Jennie, who was sparkling her eyes as if she wanted to eat it, looked at the owner standing in front of him.

“How much is it?”

“Oh my. You’re so handsome. Are you here on vacation?”

“I asked how much it is.”

“It’s free for handsome people. Here, one each.”

Despite the icy reaction, the owner cheerfully handed out two apricots.

“Thank you! Pretty lady!”

In case the inhuman Tan might cause an accident, Jennie quickly accepted the apricots and smiled brightly.

Then she quickly took Tan and left the stall.

“You should just say thank you and accept it in these situations.”

Jennie said proudly, handing one of the apricots to Tan.

It was like a 10-year-old great-granddaughter teaching her grandfather, who had lived for over a hundred years.

But he didn’t dislike it. It was probably because Jennie resembled someone so much.

“It’s delicious! It’s sweet and sour!”

Jennie’s face brightened as she took a bite of the apricot. She even liked apricots just like her.

“You eat it all.”

“Wow! Really? But Grandpa, no, Uncle, you don’t eat much. You should at least eat some fruit.”

Jennie, who was about to receive the apricot, came to her senses and shook her head.

“Eat it before you regret it.”

“……Then, hehe, thank you!”

Nevertheless, Jennie, who couldn’t take her eyes off Tan’s apricot, quickly accepted it as if there would be no second refusal.

“Hehe. What should we do after eating this?”

It was when Jennie, in an even better mood, was hurrying her excited steps.

Thump.

“Hey! If you’re going on a trip, you should say something!”

Then suddenly, the ground shook greatly, and a thunderous voice was heard.

“Oh, hello……”

Jennie bowed first, recognizing the man who was approaching Tan with anger.

It was the dragon who visited the Grand Duke’s castle once or twice a year.

“Why do I have to report to you?”

“Report, my foot! I almost came all the way here for nothing!”

Seeing the two bickering, it seemed like she should make way.

Jennie watched for a moment and then moved away from the two to look around the market.

“Do you know who I saw in the South? The face and even the aura are exactly the same. This is definitely……!”

“I know.”

“……Wh, what?”

“I know.”

“Are you kidding me? You knew? Then why have you been quiet until now…….”

Jennie heard the conversation between her grandfather and the dragon Maclaine, but she didn’t understand any of it.

She wasn’t interested, so she was looking at the sparkling sculptures when she turned around.

“Ouch!”

Jennie, who hadn’t been looking properly, bumped into someone passing by and fell.

“Oh my. I’m sorry. I didn’t see where I was going. Are you okay?”

Then, a kind voice and a friendly white hand were extended in front of Jennie.

Jennie rubbed her nose and slowly raised her gaze.

Jennie’s eyes widened as she saw the face of the person standing with the sunlight behind them.

“Uh, uh……?”

“Yeah? Are you okay?”

“Ah, no, this is…….”

Jennie, who was so surprised that she blinked and spoke incoherently, quickly turned her head.

At that moment, Jennie couldn’t help but be even more surprised.

Because she saw Tan looking at this place.

It was the first time she had ever seen her grandfather with such an expression—an expression that looked like he was about to cry.