How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 153

“…….”

“I… cannot.”

“Is it because you’re a magician? If that’s the case, there’s no problem. I’ve already heard it’s possible.”

“Beyond that….. I don’t think it would work.”

Although I had prepared myself for this situation, now that it had actually arrived, I almost let out a sigh. I carefully managed to hide my disappointment and asked cautiously.

“Are you refusing because you dislike me?”

“How could that be? I simply felt it was a position unworthy of someone like me. Most likely, Her Highness had the ‘Trial of Lublin’ in mind when she brought up the guardian matter to Your Highness.”

How did he know about this when I hadn’t shared the quest details with Killis or anyone else?

“What makes you think that?”

“Because she’s allowing new guardians to be brought in after several years. Everyone must have realized the birthday gift was just a pretext. In fact, they probably know that Evgenia holds Your Highness in special regard and is trying to create opportunities for you. Moreover…….”

“…….”

“The biggest obstacle, House Futurum, has been dealt with. Of course, they brought their punishment upon themselves, but with this stumbling block removed, this must surely lead to the Trial of Lublin.”

“Do you think everyone can guess Evgenia’s intentions?”

“Most likely. You’ll probably see more people showing their ambitions toward Your Highness. Especially with the birthday banquet approaching.”

More than now, when I can barely handle things as they are?

Seeing my eyelids trembling, Killis spoke up.

“That’s precisely why I cannot do it. I cannot properly fulfill a guardian’s duties since I cannot leave the royal capital for extended periods.”

He’s saying exactly the same thing as Evgenia. I never expected Killis to say it himself.

“Above all, having a guardian is also an opportunity to expand your influence. It would be much better to choose someone from a good family as your guardian. Therefore…….”

“…….”

“Please choose someone good who suits Your Highness’s taste.”

Ding!

[<System> Affection with ‘Killis Yelpen’ has slightly decreased.]

……He means don’t choose him.

He wants me to persuade him more.

If it weren’t for the message window floating in the air, his earnest words might have almost fooled me.

Come to think of it, since he said from the start that it wasn’t that he disliked it, this reaction wasn’t completely incomprehensible.

Though I’m at a loss for how to persuade him further.

“Well, if I need someone who suits my taste and has good qualifications……. I think that person is right in front of me.”

“In front of you… what do you mean……”

“Don’t you know, Killis? That it’s hard to find someone as good as you? And it’s not easy to judge whether someone is suitable or not in just a few weeks.”

“You can tell if someone is truly suitable without observing them for long.”

“Maybe so. But what if I don’t want to look elsewhere when there’s already someone suitable right beside me?”

“…….”

“It’s fine if you can’t leave the royal capital for long. Because I have Isaac and Reno. I don’t think the two of them are any less capable than Meliana’s three guardians.”

Of course, having three would be much more advantageous. However, having two didn’t seem particularly disadvantageous either, so I didn’t desperately need a new guardian. It was already hard enough managing the ones I had.

“So if it’s alright, I’d like you to become my guardian.”

Killis’s lips quivered as if he had something to say, but no words came out. Instead, he bowed his head deeply.

“But Your Highness…….”

“……?”

“You don’t even love me, let alone have any feelings for me. Yet you say you would choose me?”

Ding!

[<System> Character ‘Killis Yelpen’s affection has slightly decreased.]

It dropped again already?

Looking at the message window, I felt at a loss. Especially since I had no talent for comforting others or saying pleasant but empty words.

“I suppose that’s also why you would choose me, knowing I’m a magician. Because you wouldn’t need to share mana. Isn’t that right?”

The real problem was that everything Killis was guessing was correct. I had rushed to propose the guardian position because I was in a hurry.

“Honestly, I can’t say that’s not true.”

“I thought as much.”

“But this isn’t just about you, Killis—it’s the same for others too. I plan to avoid sharing mana as much as possible. And loving someone would be difficult as well.”

Though I was speaking to Killis, these words were really about acknowledging my own resolve and reality.

Eventually, I would have to return to reality, so I couldn’t afford to give my emotions to anyone. Nor should I.

“However, if a new guardian wants it, I’ll have to share mana regardless of my wishes. Most people who want to become guardians will want that.”

Paradoxically, this was why I could accept any relationship, even unwanted ones.

Just like how I first accepted my relationship with Isaac. After all, I must return no matter what.

“If I must have a relationship….. I just thought it would be better with someone I’ve seen more often. Besides, you’re also my fiancé.”

If it’s something that has to be done anyway, wouldn’t it be better with the man I have to marry anyway?

“Your Highness, can you kiss me?”

“If you want.”

“Even more than that?”

“That too, if you want.”

Killis slowly squeezed his eyes shut before opening them again. His expression was deeply sorrowful.

“Your Highness….. you have a cruel side to you.”

I silently stared at him. Deep down, I thought the same thing about myself.

Though I knew you don’t always need to tell the truth in life, and that revealing everything is the most foolish thing to do, I didn’t want to play with someone’s heart. That’s why I couldn’t say anything in the end.

After a brief silence, Killis spoke.

“Though you cannot love me, can I believe your words that you won’t love anyone else?”

“Yes.”

There was no hesitation or room for doubt in my answer. This much, at least, I could answer with certainty.

“You can believe that.”

“Then…… I accept.”

Killis came over and sat on the sofa where I was sitting. He grasped my chin as if lifting it up. My head tilted back considerably. My eyes widened involuntarily at this uncharacteristically rough action.

But there was something even more surprising. He was lowering his head as if to kiss me.

‘Is he really going to do it?’

For a moment, I flinched unconsciously. After all, he had struggled just holding hands last time.

Hadn’t he acted like he wouldn’t do anything without feelings? Why did he change his mind?

Killis seemed to notice my surprise.

“Don’t you like it?”

“It’s not that, I’m just…… a bit surprised.”

“You’re the one who said you could do it if I wanted. Those words broke my patience.”

Ah….. So my words were the problem.

As he said, Killis had feelings for me from the start. He had just been holding back… and I had provoked that.

Though this late realization hit me, knowing I couldn’t take it back, I simply closed my eyes as a sign to continue.

‘It’s fortunate Isaac is outside.’

I was glad I had let him wait outside until my conversation with Killis was finished. Even though my relationship with Isaac was also an unavoidable obligation, I wasn’t keen on kissing in front of others.

At this closest of distances, an unfamiliar scent reaches me. A strong smoke fragrance. It seemed like an ill-fitting scent.

For such a calm man, I would have expected a scent like that of old books, if anything.

Then our lips met.