I Became a Side character in a BL novel

57-Difficult as Water (1)

Countess Cecilia Evermore entered the room.

She was exactly as Rosetta had imagined her to be.

She didn’t command attention—she owned it. Every step, every gesture, even the way she removed her gloves and sank into her chair carried deliberate weight. It was the performance of a woman who understood the power of silence and stillness.

"Thank you," she said, her voice cutting cleanly across the room. "All of you. For coming."

The usual nods and murmurs followed. The nobles were listening—but not yet alert.

"I know many of you were expecting a good hunt," she continued. "And some of you," her eyes flicked toward Marquis Rivalls, "were looking forward to taking home trophies—some rare antlers, exotic pelts, or perhaps a strange carcass from the Southern Wilds."

Marquis Rivalls smirked, clearly imagining the additions to his collection. His wife, Lady Isabel, kept her eyes lowered, hands folded, but Rosetta didn’t miss the slight tilt of her head. She was curious—more than she would dare let him see.

"Well," the Countess went on, "rest assured, the hunt will happen. But… that is not the only reason I called you here."

The room stilled. Rosetta had a feeling there was something more to this.

"I ask only this," she said. "Keep an open mind. What I’m about to tell you may sound impossible—but it is very real."

From her sleeve, she drew a small, aged notebook. The leather was cracked, the pages soft at the edges from time and secret handling.

"I found this in a hidden compartment of my late husband’s study. A false drawer. I’d never seen it before. It contains… things he never spoke of when he was alive. Until now, even I didn’t know the full truth."

A ripple of unease moved through the room. Rosetta felt it—like a shift in the wind before a storm.

"Many of you may not know this," she said, her tone sharpening. "But before we were nobles, my husband’s great-grandfather was one of the greatest pirates of his time."

Gasps filled the room. Forks paused mid-air, wine nearly spilled.

Even Alan, seated beside his wife Mary, turned toward her with wide eyes. Mary shook her head gently. She clearly hadn’t known either.

Only Prince Christopher and the Princess sat—unfazed.

So they already knew? Rosetta thought.

The Countess pressed on. "Not the kind you’re thinking of. This was during a time of war, when our nation wasn’t as strong as its enemies. Pirates were encouraged by the Crown to attack enemy ships—stealing from them, weakening them."

Christopher spoke then, his voice calm and composed. "The Crown did not officially sanction piracy. But when those pirates worked against our enemies, they were… encouraged. Quietly."

The Countess gave a slight nod. "My husband’s great-grandfather was one such man. And for his service—and the wealth he offered the kingdom—he was granted land and title."

Lady Isabel leaned slightly toward Marquis Rivalls. "That’s… astonishing," she whispered, barely audible.

But the Countess wasn’t finished. "It was something we chose not to actively speak about. I was aware of this part… but what I didn’t know was this." She lifted the notebook higher.

"What is in that book, Mother? Did Father write something unusual?" Mary asked.

"Most of the entries are ordinary. Hunts, daily matters, nothing out of place. But one entry in particular stood out," she said. "He wrote of a well-guarded secret passed down through generations in the family—something no one outside was allowed to know."