I'm possessing the Second Male Lead of a Romance Novel

Elliot lay awake long after returning to his chambers, the remnants of hunger gnawing at his insides. The apples he'd managed to sneak from the kitchen had barely taken the edge off, and his stomach protested the lack of a proper meal. 

Every attempt to close his eyes and drift into sleep was met with the persistent ache of exhaustion coupled with the void in his belly.

By the time dawn broke, he felt like a husk of himself, the weight of fatigue pressing down on him as he forced himself out of bed. His ankle still throbbed, and his head buzzed with a dull ache, but he had no choice but to report for duty. 

He dressed as quickly as he could, fumbling with the intricate buttons on his uniform, and hurried out to meet the Crown Prince.

______

The day began disastrously.

During breakfast, Elliot spilled tea while serving Aedric, earning a scolding from a nearby steward. Later, during sword practice, he handed the wrong blade to the instructor, which prompted a pointed look from the prince himself. By the time they moved to the study for Aedric's lessons, Elliot's hands trembled with every task he performed. His body felt heavy, his movements sluggish, and his mind clouded.

Despite his attempts to remain composed, it was clear to anyone watching that something was off. And no one was watching more closely than Aedric.

The Crown Prince sat at his desk, observing Elliot from the corner of his eye as the young attendant struggled to keep up. Aedric didn't say anything at first, but his grip on the quill tightened as he watched Elliot stumble over yet another task.

Finally, after Elliot dropped a stack of books he was meant to organize, Aedric couldn't hold back any longer.

"Elias," he said sharply, his tone laced with frustration. "If you're going to be my attendant, you need to act like it. Stop making so many mistakes."

Elliot stiffened, quickly gathering the books from the floor. "Apologies, Your Highness," he murmured, keeping his gaze lowered.

Aedric frowned. The apology was expected, but something about Elliot's tone unsettled him. He sounded… hollow. Exhausted. But Aedric had been taught that a leader must always be firm, even when dealing with those under his care. His father's voice echoed in his mind: Compassion breeds weakness.

So instead of softening, Aedric straightened in his chair, his expression hardening. "If you can't handle this, maybe I need someone more competent."

The words stung more than Elliot wanted to admit. He clenched his jaw, willing himself to remain calm, even as a surge of anger bubbled beneath the surface. "It won't happen again, Your Highness," he said quietly.

Aedric didn't reply, turning back to his studies. But there was a flicker of something in his expression—guilt, maybe—that he quickly buried.

Elliot held himself together until he was alone.

The moment he stepped into a secluded hallway, his composure cracked. He balled his fists, his nails digging into his palms as frustration, exhaustion, and anger collided in his chest.

"This is ridiculous," he muttered under his breath, pacing back and forth. "I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to be here, to deal with this nonsense."

The system's voice chimed softly in his mind:

Calm yourself, User. Excessive emotional displays are ill-advised.

Elliot froze for a moment, his anger briefly redirected toward the system. "Ill-advised?" he hissed. "You're telling me to calm down? I just got berated by a six-year-old prince for trying my best! I haven't eaten properly, I haven't slept, and now I'm supposed to pretend like everything's fine?"

Emotional outbursts may result in negative consequences. Please reconsider your actions.

"Negative consequences?" Elliot snapped. "I'm already dealing with the consequences! What more could possibly happen?"

He slammed his fist against the wall, the sharp pain doing little to alleviate the storm raging inside him. He wanted to scream, to vent every ounce of frustration he felt at being trapped in this strange world, at being forced into a role he didn't want. But before he could let out another word, a voice interrupted him.

"Elias."

Elliot's blood ran cold. He turned slowly, his heart sinking as he saw Sasha, the head maid, standing a few steps away. Her expression was unreadable, but the tension in the air was palpable.

"M-Miss Sasha," Elliot stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

She took a step closer, her hands clasped neatly in front of her. "Do you have any idea how loud you were just now? Anyone could have heard you."

Elliot swallowed hard, his mind scrambling for an explanation, but none came. He had been too caught up in his emotions to consider the possibility of being overheard.

Sasha's gaze was piercing, her tone calm but firm. "You've had a difficult day, I can see that. But outbursts like this are unacceptable—especially for someone serving the Crown Prince. Do you understand the position you're in?"

Elliot nodded mutely, his earlier anger replaced by a sinking sense of shame.

"I'll let this go for now," Sasha continued, her voice softening just slightly. "But only because it's your first offense. Consider this a warning, Elias. The next time you lose control, there will be consequences."

Elliot bowed his head, barely managing to whisper, "Thank you, Miss Sasha."

Sasha lingered for a moment, her sharp eyes seeming to search his face for something. Then, with a nod, she turned and walked away, her footsteps fading into the distance.

Elliot leaned back against the wall, exhaling shakily. The system's voice returned, quieter this time:

You were warned, User. Please exercise caution in the future.

"Yeah, yeah," Elliot muttered, rubbing his temples. "I get it."

As the weight of the encounter settled over him, Elliot realized just how precarious his position in this world truly was. He couldn't afford to let his emotions get the better of him—not here, where every mistake could cost him dearly.

With a heavy sigh, he pushed off the wall and began making his way back to his duties. There was no time to dwell on his frustrations. If he wanted to survive, he would have to learn to play the part.

______

Elliot had barely managed to close his eyes and drift off into a much-needed rest when a knock came at his door. It wasn't loud, but the rapid, impatient rhythm made it clear that whoever was on the other side wasn't going to wait long. He groaned, dragging himself out of bed, his legs feeling like lead.

When he opened the door, a steward stood there, looking faintly amused. "The Crown Prince has summoned you to his study. Immediately."

Elliot blinked, his exhaustion catching up with him. "But… isn't it late?"

The steward only shrugged, his smile turning slightly pitying. "His Highness doesn't observe what you'd call a regular schedule. You should hurry before he grows impatient."

Elliot sighed, already regretting waking up at all. "Understood."

He did not want to answer a summons this late, but what other choice did he have but to cater to the needs of the crown prince when he was called for?

By the time Elliot reached the study, he could hear muffled noises inside—things being shuffled, followed by an exasperated huff. He hesitated, the door slightly ajar, before knocking softly.

"Come in!" Aedric's voice rang out, high-pitched and tinged with irritation.

Elliot stepped in and immediately spotted the boy prince sprawled across an oversized chair behind a desk, one arm draped dramatically over the side. His golden hair was slightly messy, and his tunic looked like he had dressed himself in a hurry. Aedric was fidgeting with a quill, tapping it on the desk as if daring it to solve all his problems.

"You took forever, Elias," Aedric said, his tone accusatory. "What were you doing, sleeping?"

Elliot suppressed a wince, bowing deeply. "Apologies, Your Highness. I came as soon as I was summoned."

Aedric didn't seem convinced. He narrowed his eyes at Elliot before turning his attention back to the parchment in front of him. "Do you have any idea how terrible my day has been?"

Elliot straightened, keeping his expression neutral. "No, Your Highness. I'm sorry to hear that."

"Of course you're sorry," Aedric muttered, pushing the parchment away with enough force to send it skidding across the desk. He crossed his arms and slumped further into the chair, his lips forming a pout. "Everyone's always sorry. Sorry this, sorry that. But no one ever fixes anything."

Elliot stayed silent, unsure if he was supposed to respond. Aedric clearly wanted an audience, but saying the wrong thing could make matters worse.

The prince huffed again, turning his piercing golden gaze on Elliot. "Aren't you going to ask me why I'm upset?"

"I didn't want to presume, Your Highness," Elliot said carefully, already dreading where this was going.

Aedric sat up straighter, his small hands gripping the armrests. "Well, you should've! You're supposed to know these things. What kind of attendant doesn't notice when their prince is having the worst day ever?"

Elliot bit the inside of his cheek to keep from saying something that might get him into trouble. "I… apologize, Your Highness. May I ask what's troubling you?"

Aedric's pout deepened, and he slid out of his chair entirely, standing up to pace back and forth. He waved his hands in exaggerated gestures as he spoke, clearly relishing the chance to vent.

"They've chosen a fiancé for me," he declared, throwing his arms up as if the very idea was an insult to his existence. "Can you believe it? I don't need a fiancé! I'm only six! And even if I did need one, I should get to pick, shouldn't I?"

Elliot blinked, unsure how to respond to that. "That does seem… very sudden, Your Highness."

"Exactly!" Aedric exclaimed, spinning on his heel to face Elliot. "It's ridiculous! They think they can just pick someone for me, like I'm too stupid to decide for myself. But I don't need anyone! I'm going to be king one day—I can handle everything on my own."

Elliot nodded slightly, a safe gesture that conveyed agreement without committing to any particular stance.

"Do you agree with me or not?" Aedric demanded, his hands on his hips.

"I—of course, Your Highness," Elliot said quickly. "If that's how you feel, then I fully support you."

Aedric studied him for a moment, his sharp golden eyes narrowing. Then, he let out a loud, dramatic sigh and flopped back into his chair. "At least you have some sense. Everyone else keeps saying things like, 'It's for the good of the kingdom,' or, 'You'll understand when you're older.' But they're wrong. I do understand, and I don't want it."

Elliot remained silent, unsure if his input was still required.

"I mean, what am I supposed to do with a fiancé?" Aedric continued, throwing his hands up again. "Play dolls? Go to tea parties? They'd just get in the way."

Elliot suppressed a smile at the mental image of Aedric reluctantly attending a tea party, but he quickly masked it. "You make a compelling point, Your Highness."

"Of course I do," Aedric said, clearly pleased with himself. He leaned back in his chair, his irritation giving way to a smug grin. "I'm always right."

Elliot's stomach twisted as he felt the disapproving gazes of the staff lingering on him again. The steward by the door looked like he wanted to step in and redirect the prince's frustration, but he held his tongue, leaving Elliot to deal with the situation alone.

"Elias," Aedric said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"You're not as useless as the others," Aedric said, his tone almost grudging. "At least you listen. That's why I picked you, you know. Because you're not annoying like everyone else."

Elliot bowed his head, unsure whether to take that as a compliment or not. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Don't let it go to your head," Aedric added quickly, crossing his arms.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Your Highness," Elliot replied, his tone perfectly neutral.

Aedric huffed again, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in his expression as he turned back to the desk. "Good. Now go stand over there and be quiet. I need to think."

Elliot obediently moved to the far side of the room, grateful for the brief reprieve. As Aedric began scribbling something on the parchment again, Elliot couldn't help but marvel at the sheer energy the boy radiated, even when upset.

He really is just a kid, Elliot thought, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. A very loud, very dramatic kid… but still a kid. But also one who can kill me at a thought's notice.

And for the first time since waking up in this strange new world, Elliot found himself almost smiling.