How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 165

“Your brother’s guess is correct. Her Highness will conduct the Trial of Lublin. To do so, she must balance the number of guardians between the First Princess and Meliana.”

Morris spoke in his usual calm tone. Talus, who had been agitated, felt the last shred of his rationality slipping away.

“You! How can you remain so composed when you know all this? We can’t do anything about the Trial of Lublin! That’s why Evgenia is making such a fuss!”

“What does it matter if Her Highness conducts the Trial of Lublin? Let her do it.”

“What, what did you say?”

“Everything that happens during the trial is part of the trial itself. Even if the First Princess were to suddenly die, it would be Lublin’s will. Isn’t that so?”

“You…….”

Talus, realizing his brother’s sinister intentions, let out a sigh mixed with admiration. He planned to send assassins during the trial.

While it would be difficult to send them within the palace without being caught, once the Trial of Lublin began and the princesses left the palace, things would change.

From that point on, the princesses would no longer be under Evgenia’s protection. Even if assassins flooded in, they would have to endure it as part of the trial.

Of course, with the strength of Isaac and Reno, Nepheli’s guardians, it wouldn’t be easy…….

‘But it’s important to at least try.’

If they were lucky, they might be able to eliminate her during the trial. Then, regardless of the outcome, Meliana would claim the throne.

Having finished his calculations, Talus relaxed his expression as if he had never been agitated and stroked his chin.

It was a plan he liked, but he couldn’t completely shake off a lingering unease, so he found himself asking,

“What if the First Princess passes the entire trial and becomes Evgenia before Meliana?”

“Do you think Meliana would fall behind the First Princess?”

“I don’t want to admit it, but that’s the reality. If the First Princess’s magic circuits had been intact, would Meliana have even been mentioned as a successor? You know that too, don’t you?”

“I do. But as you said, the First Princess’s magic circuits are damaged. As long as that remains unchanged, she won’t surpass Meliana in the tasks given by the other races.”

Morris smiled as if to reassure him. Only after hearing his younger brother’s confident words did Talus feel a weight lift from his chest.

Yes, the Trial of Lublin relied more on the princess’s individual abilities than the guardians’ skills.

The tasks given by the other races couldn’t be solved through clever tricks, so Nepheli wouldn’t be able to pass. No, she must not pass.

* * *

The thing that had worried me the most over the past few weeks was finally over. Since it was customary to dance with the new guardian, I ended up dancing with Killis once more.

Though we hadn’t danced during the guardian appointment ceremony, standing and moving around for so long had left me exhausted. I was so tired that I didn’t even care about Killis’s discomfort.

“You seem tired.”

“A little, yes.”

“You’ve been dancing all day, so it’s only natural.”

I had just been thinking the same thing.

Feeling as if my thoughts had been read, I let out an awkward laugh.

“You should return to the princess’s palace and rest after the dance.”

“Is that alright?”

“Of course. Though this banquet is to celebrate Your Highness’s birthday, the main events are over. The remaining guests will stay and enjoy the banquet before leaving.”

“Then I should do that.”

Though I wouldn’t be able to rest completely once I returned…….

Today was actually the day I needed to share mana with Isaac. Killis seemed unaware, so I didn’t mention it.

The reason I hadn’t prepared for the exhaustion of the banquet was because of my monthly cycle. It had seemed like it would end the day before, so I had compromised on today. Pushing it further would have been too dangerous.

The dance ended. After saying goodbye to Killis, I turned to look for Isaac and Reno. I expected them to be together, but to my surprise, only Isaac was there.

‘Where did Reno go?’

I was about to ask Isaac when—