In Which The Second Male Lead Wins

02. Oh, Joy

I started with a smile and ended with an existential crisis. To think that i'm a character in a novel? In a Fiction?

I'm Fictional?

Oh boy you don't know how many times I've looked in the mirror and caressed my face while thinking, 'This is Fiction?'

I even stared at my books, my servants, my family at breakfast and thought, 'Fiction???'

So from what i can gather from the story, the girl i adored as a little sister for this past few years is actually not the real Sofia?

More like someone took her place in her body and acted like that.

So that explains why Sofia has been doing weird things and talks nonsense from when she was five.

It's because someone transmigrated into her body! And without that person's interference, Sofia might be executed as the Villainess.

And the original 'Heroine' of Second Time Villainess is a two faced snake who wants the now transmigrated Sofia to die because she 'took' all of her male leads.

I sighed and rubbed my face in exasperation.

"Something wrong, son?"

Father's voice snapped me from my nth existential crisis. I turned towards him and offered him, what i hope, a warm smile.

But seeing the doubt in his face that is not the case.

"All is well, Father" i answered curtly. He didn't answer but instead lets out a low hum. After that we went back to not talking at all and eat.

You might be wondering where my mother is now.

Well she is six feet under but we don't talk about that frequently so this might be the only time i mention her at all. Father is sensitive and the topic of second marriage or a wife makes him bristle.

I don't have a fond memory of my mother that much, i just know that she liked to be cooped up in her room for her daily flower arrangement activity.

The woman was beautiful and Father once compared her to a rose that even though it has thorns he can't help but want to adore it and caress it.

Ever since her death, Father has been a workaholic (he was one but this time it's like his office turned into his room) and never spared me any glance except the occasional breakfast we took every month.

Yes every month. But most of the time he just doesn't show up so this is one of those rare times.

Okay this might be the perfect time.

"Father,"

The man stiffened for a bit and looked up from his meal, "Yes?"

"I need money."

It was silent for a moment but Father nodded, "How much?" He proceeds to resume his eating, probably confused.

"As much as you allow."

Clang!

Oh, he dropped his fork.

He probably wonders why his son is asking for so much money when previously, he never went pass his allowance limit.

"I'm not doing anything illegal, Father. I assure you, the guards won't come knocking our door,"

But before the man could say anything, i continued.

"I just want to shop. Everything has been a little hectic and i need to refresh. Oh and if possible, could i take only Philly for this outing?"

"No, take Herman too. I'll call the knights to escort you—"

"Is that how little you trust Philly? Father, Philly is very capable in every aspect, my safety one of them. It's just too suffocating to make the knights escort me and follow me around from store to store."

"But—"

I turned towards Father and gave him the biggest puppy dog eyes, i tilted my head for cuteness as well, making sure i check all the boxes for creating a deadly puppy dog eyes.

"Please..?"

Wow he froze and clenched his fork hard. It must've been a shot to the heart. Thank you Sofia and book-Sofia for teaching me this. I successfully K.O-ed my cold Father.

I never knew puppy dog eyes could used by boys as well but i just know i'll be utilizing this in the future too.

Not to be a narcissist but my 16 year old youthful face is a deadly weapon no one can resist. I just know it.

Father finally caved in and gave Philly a bag with gold coins after i'm done changing.

The mission of this outing, at first, is to look for a magic stone. And i want to know if it's too early to meet the prodigy who later on will create a legendary magic stone that is sought after from around the world. I need a specific magic stone to raise up my mana and it's not cheap.

Second, it's been awhile since i went to the town centre to buy street food. Visit Cafes and try some new desserts. After that i'll shop for clothes because the illustration that showed transmigrated-Sofia's original world also showed the fashions there.

The ride in the carriage was short and it stopped in front of a large store for clothing. It included not only men but also women's clothing.

After browsing through them and talking with the owner for almost half an hour i bought some blouse,black pants and some set clothes. Not only that i managed to persuade the owner to make me something elegant, something long and flowy because i fell in love with the style after seeing the illustrations.

When the owner said that the design is too feminine and not fit for a man of my status i said,

"Well am i not pretty enough for this?"

While pointing at my face. He gulped and shook his head, that's when he agreed. He knew if he talked about it a little bit more it's the same as insulting my looks.

I know i'd look gorgeous in this, thank you.

After we finished, Philly loaded our carriage with the bags and boxes.

"Philly," i called out to the brown haired man who is currently holding a box.

"Yes?"

"I think Retail Therapy might be my new addiction."

"Yes...?"

Of course i didn't expect the man to know what that is. Even i only know about it when book-Sofia says that she likes Retail Therapy.

And to be honest with you, having this much money and spending it to look good is healing your soul.

"Ah oops, Philly we're going to that street."

"Are you sure, Young Master?" He asks, worried.

And that's understandable. The next place we're heading for is Street Saint Bernard. Unlike the name, there's nothing saintly about it at all.

It is a street closest to the slums and that's where i can find our magic stone master's quaint little store.

"Stop before going inside, we'll walk there. With disguises of course."

I squeezed myself inside the carriage. Oh the carriage is big, it's just i bought too much and the boxes ended up eating away the spaces.

Me and Philly prepared our disguises in the carriage. A simple temporary hair dye and eye color dye will do the trick. We deliberately wore shirts and took off our expensive belongings.

Then unexpectedly,

BOOM!!!

We flinched and my eyes immediately looked for the cause of that explosion. It's coming from Street Saint Bernard and...

My eyes widened when i see a long black haired guy with tattered clothes running out of the crowd holding a suitcase.

"Oh, Joy.."