The Male Leads Were Stolen By The Extra [EN]: Chapter 160

Eun-young gazed at Tan with a newfound appreciation, seeing him in a completely different light.

He sat stiffly on the sofa, looking undeniably embarrassed.

He seemed a little nervous about this novel experience.

Having grown up without parents in his previous life, he’d never had to seek permission for marriage or formally greet elders.

Consequently, he’d never faced opposition or had to consider anyone’s feelings.

But now, she had a father and a mother.

Even her two older brothers, who had somehow caught wind of the situation, joined in, creating a formidable family presence across from Tan, making him visibly uncomfortable.

“You mentioned you’re Duke Hershbrook’s in-law, Marquis Carsick,” her father began.

“That’s correct.”

“I was aware you were seeing Lenia. But don’t you think marriage is a bit premature, considering you haven’t been together for very long?”

Eun-young’s eyes widened as she watched her father’s serious expression.

*How did he know we were seeing each other?*

And considering he had arranged blind dates for her without her consent, she felt it wasn’t really his place to say such a thing. She was about to intervene when she felt a warm hand gently clasp hers.

It was Tan, sitting beside her, offering reassurance.

She turned to him, and he gave a slight shake of his head.

*It’s okay,* he seemed to convey.

But she needed to express her feelings clearly to her family.

They must all be bewildered by this sudden announcement.

She felt obligated to explain to her loved ones that her decision wasn’t made lightly and that her feelings were genuine.

“Father. Mother. I was the one who insisted. I was the one who asked to get married first.”

“Leia.”

“He wanted me to spend more time with my family. But I’m the one pushing for this because I want to be with him as soon as possible.”

“…….”

Her father, Count Astell, was rendered speechless, his mouth agape.

He couldn’t comprehend his daughter’s fervent defense of the Marquis, and he was taken aback by this previously unseen side of her.

She had never shown interest in anyone before. In fact, her lack of interest had been a source of worry for those around her.

Now, suddenly, his daughter had someone she was seeing, and on top of that, she was declaring her intention to marry him in a matter of days. It was enough to give him a headache.

But more than that, his daughter was revealing a facet of herself he had never witnessed.

As a family member, as a father, he could sense it.

He knew that his daughter had been prone to melancholy since she was young, as if there was an unfillable void in her heart.

Whenever that happened, an expression of profound loneliness, too intense for a child, would cloud her face.

She might not remember, but she used to say peculiar things when she was very little.

‘There’s someone waiting for me.’

‘Dad, I have to go to that person. Soon. So they don’t wait too long.’

‘So, even if I leave one day, don’t be sad. I’m going to be happier.’

Was it a dream? Or was she simply captivated by the love stories in the fairy tales he often read to her before bed?

The Count had always dismissed it as his daughter being more sensitive than others.

But when he saw Tan, he understood.

No, he understood when he saw Leia looking at Tan.

That what she had said back then was true. That it wasn’t just childish prattle.

That the man his daughter had been talking about, the one she had been waiting for, was this man.

He knew it instinctively, a gut feeling.

Because he was Leia’s father.

“Lenia, please be quiet. I need to speak with the Marquis,” the Count stated firmly. He needed to approach this rationally. If this man was truly the one his daughter desired, he needed to assess his character.

“Father, this person is…….”

“I’m not suggesting you get married immediately.”

“Tan!”

Eun-young’s voice rose in protest as she looked at Tan.

Tan remained unfazed, his gaze fixed on the Count, his grip on her hand tightening.

“I want Leia to spend more time with all of you. Time is finite and precious, and I hope that she’ll create memories of happiness with you that I alone cannot provide.”

“…….”

“I want her to experience a wider range of happiness, so she has no regrets later in life.”

Tan had realized this when he had sent her away once before.

Unlike his heart, which held space for only one person, her heart was vast and accommodating.

So, unlike him, she cherished many things.

Her children, Ella and Eugene, the garden they had cultivated together, her wedding ring, and even the simple bench they had built together.

In the happy memories she recalled in her final moments, there were countless things.

So many that he felt a pang of regret that they had spent almost their entire lives together.

So, if there was a next time, he wanted her to depart that life surrounded by more people, more memories, and more happiness.

Happiness for Tan was solely her, but she always desired more sources of joy beyond him.

But that was alright.

Because.

“Then you’ll have to wait again…….”

“What are you talking about? Where am I going?”

Tan smiled as he looked at Eun-young, who appeared saddened.

“I’ll be by your side. I’ll be watching your happiness from the closest side. Forever.”

Always, from the nearest vantage point, witnessing your joyful smile.

“Tan…….”

Eun-young, overcome with emotion, reached out and embraced him tightly. Tan chuckled and gently pulled her closer, his hand resting on the back of her head.

“…….”

At that moment, the family members seated before them were dumbfounded, watching the two of them retreat into their own private world. They had been completely forgotten.

“……Ahem! Ahem!”

“Hey! Get off! What are you doing with your parents watching!”

The Count, his face flushed, finally cleared his throat in embarrassment, and Wharton, the second older brother, raised his voice in mock outrage.

“What’s wrong with it? We’ll be seeing each other often when we get married,” Eun-young retorted, pouting as she reluctantly detached herself from Tan’s embrace. Her face betrayed her disappointment.

“That, that, that! Oh, really…….”

“I understand how you two feel. But marriage is still too soon,” Wharton sputtered, at a loss for words. The Count stepped forward, adding his voice to the chorus of concern.

“Father.”

Eun-young called out to her father anxiously, wondering if he was still opposed to the union despite her heartfelt plea.

“Well, I understand your intentions, so we will seriously observe your relationship.”

“Thank you. Our Leia.”

Following her father’s lead, her mother bowed her head slightly to Tan.

It wasn’t an immediate green light for marriage, but it was permission to continue their relationship.

The moment a flower of laughter was about to bloom on her face, as if she had safely navigated the crisis.

“Let’s talk for a moment, Marquis.”

*Why is that human being like that again?*

Wharton, the second older brother, rose from his seat.

* * *

“Do you really have to do this? You’re going to regret it.”

“What regret? A man must have the strength to protect his woman.”

At her words, Wharton snorted derisively and readjusted his sword.

Wharton, the vice-captain of the Imperial Knights, had formally challenged Tan to a sword fight, provided he knew how to wield one.

“Even my parents approved, why are you doing this, Brother?”

“Hey! How did I raise you……!”

“What did you raise? My parents and first older brother raised me. Don’t you remember you took all my toys and snacks and teased me relentlessly?”

Eun-young’s face contorted in exasperation.

“Anyway! How can you protect you while living without being able to beat me? I can’t allow it! No, I won’t!”

Wharton, visibly agitated, shouted and stormed into the training hall prepared in the hotel, his sword at the ready.

“Oh, geez…….”

“Aren’t you worried?”

John, the first older brother, who had been quietly observing, approached her.

She glanced up at John and then turned her gaze to the two figures standing in the training hall.

“I’m worried about someone getting beaten up.”

“Who? The Marquis?”

“What are you talking about? My brother.”

Eun-young had explicitly told Tan that he didn’t have to lose on purpose.

She knew his strength well and was aware of his swordsmanship prowess, so she was genuinely concerned for Wharton.

He took great pride in becoming the vice-captain of the Imperial Knights at a relatively young age, and a complete defeat at Tan’s hands might lead him to lose his appetite for a while.

“Leia. What kind of person is the Marquis to you?”

Then, at the quiet question, her head turned back to John.

“What kind of person is he that you’ve become so strong?”

Eun-young didn’t want to deceive John, knowing that he had always been kind, thoughtful, and caring towards her since she was young.

“Brother. You might think this is a childish sentiment. That person is…”

She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and added, “The reason I exist.”

“…….”

John’s eyes, which were fixed on her, flickered with emotion.

He could clearly see, as someone who was building a precious family, that the emptiness that had always resided within his younger sister’s heart was now overflowing with something.

And he knew by whom.

“So don’t worry. I’ll be happy anytime if I’m by that person’s side.”

John could only smile at the face that beamed like a blooming flower.

“Okay.”

A gentle hand patted her shoulder.

“It’s over.”

When Eun-young, who was smiling at each other with John, checked the training hall again, everything was over.

Tan was walking towards her without hesitation, a triumphant smile gracing his lips.

“As expected, my man.”

Eun-young smiled brighter than ever and gave him a thumbs-up.

Then, suddenly worried, she looked at Wharton, who was sitting on the floor of the training hall.

“Why does that human being have that expression?”