Chapter 3The Side Character Complex

That night, there was a knock at my door.

"Come in."

Through the sheer curtains of my canopy bed, I saw Caleb enter.

He stood tall, cold, and distant, acting like the perfect gentleman.

I rolled my eyes.

Gentleman? This morning his hands were wandering all over my legs.

Hypocrite.

But I wanted to test the plot.

Does the "original script" force the three male leads to fall for the heroine and abandon me?

Not that I care about being abandoned. The Sterling family runs this city.

The original novel said that after the boys fell for Emma, "Luna fled the country in shame."

Hilarious.

I, Luna Sterling, could fail anywhere, but never in this city.

"Caleb."

I called out from behind the veil.

He finally moved, his voice raspy. "Why did you call me?"

"Come here."

I pulled back the curtain, extending a pale wrist.

Caleb froze. He walked over hesitantly.

When he saw me, his pupils dilated. The tips of his ears turned pink, and he looked away.

"Luna, put some clothes on..."

"Help me."

I turned around, exposing the zipper on the back of my black mini-dress.

He didn't move for a long time. Just when I was about to get annoyed, hot fingers brushed my skin.

The sound of the zipper sliding down was deafening in the quiet room.

"Done."

His cool voice was thick with something else.

I chuckled and turned to face him.

"Kneel."

I commanded.

I hate looking up at him. I'm the only one allowed to look down.

Caleb’s face remained impassive as he obediently dropped to one knee.

"Say it. What are you to me?"

I rested my chin on my hand, watching him.

"I am... your servant."

He closed his eyes as he said it, his neck flushing a humiliating shade of pink.

"Good. Remember that, Caleb. You are Luna Sterling's servant."

Like any standard Mary Sue male lead, Caleb has a backstory that requires saving.

At least, that’s what Emma thinks.

I think I treat him great.

His mom is our housekeeper, so we grew up together.

He’s my little servant.

Of the three boys, Julian is a high school friend, but Wyatt and Caleb are my childhood friends.

They’ve always obeyed me.

Because I’m me.

I thought our dynamic was perfect.

But Emma thinks I’m a bully.

So, I’ll show her what bullying really looks like.

If I can't avoid the plot, I'll ride it.

I want to see if these three really have it in them to fall for her.

"You heard about the bet with Emma, right?"

I twirled my hair idly.

Caleb’s voice was low, his face shadowed. "Yes. I heard."

"Then watch yourself. If I lose..."

I narrowed my eyes threateningly. "I'll make you pay."

"I won't let you lose..."

He mumbled it so quietly I almost missed it.

I saw beads of sweat on his forehead. He looked like he was overheating.

"Is my room too hot? You're sweating."

Caleb opened his mouth to explain, but his face turned beet red.

He shifted his kneeling leg slightly.

Silence.

I waved my hand, disgusted.

"Leave. Don't sweat in my room."

Caleb let out a breath and practically fled.

Outside, he leaned against the wall, gasping for air.

He looked down at his white shirt, soaked through with sweat.

His phone buzzed.

Group Chat: [The Princess's Dogs]

Julian: [Is she mad?]

Caleb: [Yeah. Just left her room. She's annoyed.]

Wyatt: [It's all that meddling Emma's fault! Tomorrow, I'm putting on her shoes. Don't fight me on this.]

Julian: [You wish.]

Caleb: [...Scram.]