The Male Leads Were Stolen by the Extra Chapter 76

 

Tan leaped down from the railing and approached Sellonia.

 

“Are you alright?”

 

He approached, examining Sellonia thoroughly.

 

She looked up at Tan with a blank expression and nodded.

 

His red eyes were filled with such worry and concern that she couldn’t help but nod.

 

“I’m late.”

 

His hand carefully touched Sellonia’s shoulder, where Ian’s handprint had been.

 

His expression was twisted into a frown, as if he were somehow putting the blame on himself.

 

“…”

 

Sellonia forgot what she was supposed to say at that moment.

 

She should have asked him how he got here and told him that he shouldn’t be here, yet her mind was blank.

 

Her shoulder, which had been tingling just moments before, now felt hot as if it were burning under Tan’s touch. Even seeing his persistent gaze linger on her exposed shoulders made her feel naked. The embarrassment she felt to the extent she wanted to cover them.

 

She’d been waiting for him without even realizing it.

 

She’d gotten used to Tan appearing at such moments, so she’d been scanning my surroundings, just in case.

 

Then, finding the surroundings empty, she thought, what was I doing?

 

He wouldn’t come, and she had to take care of her own business.

 

She realized she’d been unknowingly relying on him.

 

She was about to give up and move, when he suddenly appeared. Who would have thought he’d actually appear…

 

“Sellonia, what do you want to do with him?”

 

Tan asked Sellonia, ignoring the distraught Ian.

 

“You’re the one who got me! Right. I’ll punish you for insulting the nobility today.”

 

Ian, knocked out without a fight, let out a low groan and grabbed the railing to his feet.

 

His face flushed red, as if he was ashamed of being pushed back without even being able to fight back.

 

Panicked, Sellonia grabbed Tan’s arm. If he stayed like this, it would be truly dangerous.

 

Ian would really try to execute Tan, and Tan wouldn’t spare him.

 

“Tan, let’s go. Let’s get out of here…!”

 

“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress!”

 

At that moment, a voice, drowning out her voice, echoed across the terrace.

 

Sellonia’s face instantly paled at the appearance of the Emperor and Empress.

 

Whether Ian was there or not, the Emperor and Tan could never face each other. Even if Tan had no memory, the Demon King and the Emperor…

 

“Shall I get rid of him without anyone knowing?”

 

Tan, oblivious to her feelings, stared intently into her eyes, asking only what to do with Ian.

 

“That’s not the problem. You can’t do this right here, right now. You can’t just come into the palace. For now, hide yourself.”

 

“Where. If you thought I’d let you off easy just because His Imperial Majesty showed up, you’d be mistaken!”

 

This time, Ian, who was behind her, growled and reached out.

 

In an instant, Ian’s arm passed over Sellonia’s shoulder and grabbed Tan’s collar. Well, he tried to.

 

Tan easily swatted his arm away.

 

“You bastard!”

 

Embarrassed at having slipped in front of Sellonia, Ian roared and tried to lunge at Tan.

 

Sellonia was stuck between them.

 

Yet she paid no attention to Ian as she pushed against Tan’s chest with a nervous expression.

 

“Tan, hurry. Return to the mansion for now!”

 

“Princess Basin, please come forth and pay your respect to Their Imperial Majesties!”

 

A voice calling for her echoed loudly throughout the terrace.

 

Knock, knock.

 

“Miss, you need to come out…!”

 

Before Ella’s anxious voice could be heard beyond the door, the closed doors on both sides of the terrace burst open.

 

With a slam, the curtains Ian had drawn were drawn back.

 

“Come out. His Imperial Majesty is waiting.”

 

The knights who had opened the doors and curtains spoke to Sellonia.

 

Before them, a magnificent scene unfolded: the nobles gathered in the hall bowing to the Emperor.

 

“Those three, come out here and pay your respects to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress!”

 

The chamberlain shouted loudly to them on the terrace.

 

‘F*cking doomed.’

 

Sellonia’s vision suddenly dimmed. The Emperor and Empress were already standing at the highest point of the Neggit Hall.

 

The chamberlain had specifically mentioned the three of them, so Tan’s disappearance was the bigger problem.

 

“Just keep your mouth shut and bow as quietly as possible.”

 

Sellonia whispered so quietly that only Tan could hear, and led him out onto the terrace.

 

Ian gritted his teeth at Tan, who was walking closely behind Sellonia, but he followed her out of respect for the Emperor.

 

He couldn’t swing his sword in front of the Emperor.

 

“The star of the day has finally made her appearance.”

 

The Emperor welcomed Sellonia with open arms.

 

“I greet Your Imperial Majesty the Sun Emperor of the Sacred Empire and Your Imperial Majesty the Moon Empress of the Blessed Empire.”

 

Sellonia bowed to the Emperor and Empress, repeating a familiar phrase.

 

Tan, standing a step behind, bowed as well. A cold sweat ran down her spine. She only hoped the Emperor wouldn’t take an interest in anyone else, especially Tan.

 

“Hahaha. Yes. I’m so happy to see our Empire’s treasure, the Princess, in such good health again.”

 

“Thank you. I’m beyond grateful that Your Imperial Majesty even threw such a splendid banquet today.”

 

“Of course, I should have a celebration for the Princess. You couldn’t attend the victory ceremony, after all.”

 

“It’s an honor, Your Imperial Majesty.”

 

“Yes. Since you’re on leave, get some rest before you return. I’ll always keep a spot for you in the healing center.”

 

“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The formal conversation continued, yet Sellonia couldn’t shake the feeling of precariousness, as if she were walking on a knife.

 

She wished she could quickly finish her greetings and let the Emperor and Empress return. The Emperor and Empress usually only showed up at celebratory events like this, not grand events, and then left.

 

“So many of you have come today for the Princess. Everyone, raise your heads.”

 

The Emperor spoke cheerfully, scanning the hall for everyone present. However, the Crown Prince was still nowhere to be seen.

 

One eyebrow rose subtly. He was keeping his expression under control, but he couldn’t hide his displeasure.

 

“What about the Crown Prince.”

 

“He’s coming.”

 

The Emperor quietly asked the chief chamberlain beside him, and received a reply.

 

“Tsk.”

 

The Emperor sat down on the throne, dissatisfied.

 

Originally, he would have simply offered a congratulatory remark and left, but he decided to wait and see how the Crown Prince treated the Princess before returning.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I will be going first.”

 

The Empress, not enjoying such occasions, spoke to the Emperor and turned away.

 

“Don’t freeze because of me. Enjoy today’s banquet.”

 

The Emperor addressed the nobles, who were hesitating and watching the situation closely.

 

Soon, the palace musicians began to play a beautiful melody, and the nobles began to move slowly.

 

Only Sellonia’s face turned ashen.

 

The moment the Emperor sat on the throne, although she suspected it was a lie, the words he spoke regarding not to worry about him convinced her. He meant he wouldn’t turn back and would watch the celebration.

 

Why today, of all days…

 

For now, she was going to take Tan and rush to the terrace, then teleport out of here.

 

“Follow me.”

 

Ian, who had been holding his breath, spat out a retort to Tan.

 

At that, the people gathered around him began to glance in his direction, seeing Ian’s fierce appearance.

 

“Huh? Isn’t that the Beast of the Night?”

 

Pellaine and Abel also looked this way, tilting their heads as if they recognized Tan.

 

“Beast of the Night?”

 

“Oh my! Where is he?”

 

In an instant, curious eyes gravitated towards them.

 

“I’m going crazy, really!”

 

Sellonia screamed inwardly at the unmanageable situation, then calmed herself down.

 

Right. In this situation, it would be better to simply take Ian and Tan, who were like ticking time bombs, out of the banquet hall.

 

Let’s take them out first and think about what’s next. With that in mind, she was about to take her next step.

 

“Hmm? By the way, who is that behind the Princess?”

 

The Emperor’s question echoed loudly and clearly in the hall, which was still sluggish.

 

Sellonia froze in place.

 

“I’ve never seen him before.”

 

Emperor Arhexios rubbed his chin, looking down at the large man with striking black hair. He couldn’t help but stare at the man.

 

He was a tall, muscular man with crimson eyes, and even from afar, his appearance was striking.

 

“They say he’s the Beast of the Night.”

 

“Oho, he’s the Beast of the Night in the rumors?”

 

The Emperor’s eyes widened with curiosity at the chamberlain’s statement. Wasn’t Tan the one he’d been longing to see?

 

“Come out, identify yourself to His Imperial Majesty, and pay your respects!”

 

The chamberlain raised his voice to Tan, who remained silent despite the Emperor’s words.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty the Emperor.”

 

It was then.

 

As everyone was staring at Tan, a voice came from somewhere. Everyone’s gazes turned in the direction of the voice.

 

“Oh, Lord Hershbrook. You haven’t left yet.”

 

The Emperor greeted the man entering the hall with a cheerful expression.

 

Sellonia, recognizing the man now entering, narrowed her eyes slightly. It was Grand Duke Ius Hershbrook, whom she had encountered once before.

 

But why would the Grand Duke suddenly appear at this moment?

 

She was wondering, when Ius, drawing everyone’s attention, walked towards them with a steady gait, stopped precisely next to Tan, and spoke.

 

“Let me introduce you. This man here is the new Grand Duke, who will succeed me.”