How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 148

With a hint of anticipation in my eyes, I soon found myself disappointed. The store contained nothing but a black cube-shaped box with several white ‘?’ marks on it and a single button below.

[1 try: 1,000P

※Upon use, an item will be randomly given.]

I had guessed as much from its appearance, but it really was random.

‘And it costs 1,000 points for just one try?’

I currently have 1,300 points, so…….

“I can only try once?”

Given all the hardships I’d endured, I thought I’d at least get a few tries, but only one? What kind of amazing item could it be?

Curiosity made me want to press the button immediately, but I hesitated.

‘What if it’s time-limited?’

I hadn’t played many games, but since childhood, I’d experienced the cruelty of domestic games, so I couldn’t help but think negatively.

Of course, sometimes holding back leads to regret…….

But right now, I didn’t feel like taking unnecessary risks.

‘I’ll save this for later.’

There might be a time when I’ll need it.

* * *

The next day, I received permission to return to the palace. As I prepared to leave, Evgenia summoned me separately.

‘Is she going to talk about identifying the culprit among the maids?’

I had received a notification through the message window, but Evgenia often called me separately to praise my achievements, so I assumed it would be the same this time.

“Let me help you get ready, Your Highness.”

“Huh? It’s fine. I think I can go like this.”

Even though I hadn’t been going out much while staying at Evgenia’s palace, I still dressed neatly every morning. It was part of maintaining the dignity of a princess.

Since I usually met Evgenia like this, I thought it would be fine, but the maid delivered an unexpected order.

“Her Majesty Evgenia has instructed that you take your time to dress formally and come properly adorned.”

Suddenly……?

This had never happened before, so I was taken aback, but I decided to comply. After putting on all the accessories I usually avoided, the maids finally let me go.

Isaac naturally followed, intending to escort me, but the maid firmly said,

“Her Majesty instructed that only the First Princess should come.”

Is there something important to discuss? Or is she gathering the princesses again like last time?

It was a bit strange to leave my guardian behind, but since it had happened before and he often waited outside, I didn’t think much of it.

Isaac didn’t protest much, likely because it was Evgenia’s order.

After bidding him farewell, I followed the maid. Assuming we were heading to the office or garden as usual, I grew puzzled.

‘The path seems different…….’

The unfamiliar route, combined with being separated from my guardian, made me uneasy.

Could Evgenia’s maid be planning something against me?

……It’s hard to say. Just like I hadn’t expected Cirilla to be threatened.

Given how much I’d recently interfered with the Futurum Ducal House, it was hard to feel at ease. If I were Molis Futurum or the Duke of Futurum, I’d dislike me too.

We seemed to be leaving the palace through a different gate, not the main one, which only added to my confusion.

‘Should I run? What if I’m overthinking this?’

As I hesitated, Evgenia appeared in the distance, and my tension eased.

“Nepheli? Are you feeling unwell?”

“Huh?”

“You look pale.”

As I approached, Evgenia asked with concern.

She must have noticed my expression earlier. Well, I had been acting a bit obviously.

“Thank you for your concern. I think I was just nervous because the path was unfamiliar.”

“It’s understandable, especially since I didn’t let you bring your guardian. I should have been more considerate. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“Good. Follow me. We have somewhere to go.”

Evgenia turned around. As I followed, I cautiously observed her and her maids.

Like me, Evgenia was dressed formally, as if for a banquet.

‘Where are we going that requires such attire?’

If it were just a private conversation, this level of formality wouldn’t be necessary.

I was about to ask when Evgenia suddenly spoke.

“We’re going to the training grounds.”

“Huh?”

“You seemed curious, so I told you. Was I wrong?”

“Ah…… no. Thank you.”

Flustered, I resisted the urge to cover my face. If I touched it now, my makeup would smudge. Instead, I bit my lip.

I’m usually not great at managing my expressions, but I’ve never been this transparent.

Yet, in such a short time, Evgenia had already seen through me twice.

‘Is Evgenia just really good at reading expressions?’

As I followed, the word “training grounds” suddenly clicked.

‘Could the strange order to dress up and leave my guardian behind be because…….’

We’re going to the training grounds? To avoid interference while selecting a new guardian candidate?

“Did you figure it out now?”

Evgenia asked cheerfully beside me. Her tone carried a hint of amusement. Despite my earlier resolve to be cautious, my troubled thoughts were clearly written on my face.

“Ah…… well…….”

Embarrassed, I fumbled for words, but Evgenia calmly continued.

“It couldn’t be helped. With your personality, you’d keep avoiding it otherwise, right?”

Her words hit home, and I flinched. Logically, I knew selecting a new guardian was crucial for the main quest.

But I wasn’t eager, so I’d unconsciously avoided it. Whenever the thought crossed my mind, I’d tell myself there was still time before the birthday banquet.

“I thought you’d visit the training grounds after I mentioned it, but you didn’t. You didn’t even ask the maids about it once.”

“…….”

“I heard you were only interested in uncovering the perjury culprit. You probably thought I called you today to discuss that, didn’t you?”

Another direct hit. I hadn’t realized Evgenia understood me so well. I thought she was too busy to pay much attention to me, but perhaps her affection for me was higher than I thought.

“I thought taking care of my people was the priority, so I focused on resolving that first.”

“But even after resolving it, you spent all day in your room without moving, right? Just reading books borrowed from the library?”

“…….”

I couldn’t argue. As Evgenia said, after freeing up my schedule that afternoon, I spent my time reading and doodling.

But I hadn’t expected this to reach Evgenia. Of course, it was her palace, so it made sense, but it still felt like a minor defeat.

“I fully understand your desire to take care of your current people. But the new guardian will also become one of your people, so you need to evaluate them carefully. Don’t you agree?”

“You’re right, Your Highness.”

I nodded as Evgenia smiled softly. She was correct.

The new guardian would not only share my mana but also be responsible for my safety. I couldn’t afford to be careless.

‘Plus, I’ll need to steadily increase their affection to ensure they don’t betray me.’