How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 56

I hadn’t realized there were such restrictions.

“Can I go if there’s a special reason?”

“Yes, that’s possible, though it’s an exception…… You can go if the other races request a peace visit first or if the ‘Trial of Lublin’ begins.”

“The Trial of Lublin?”

“It’s a sort of test, one of Evgenia’s authorities. When it’s impossible to choose one of the heirs, the judgment is left to the other races.”

He added that the other races often assign issues they face at that time.

I had learned something new, but it didn’t change much. In the end, the chances of seeing the other races seemed slim, and obtaining the items the quest specified felt distant.

However, there was no need to fall into despair. Not long after, Evgenia sent a maid to me with a secret message.

“Your Highness, the princess, wishes to meet you. Would you like to enjoy tea time together tomorrow afternoon?”

Since the banquet, Evgenia had not summoned me. The only reason I could think of for her invitation to tea time was one.

‘It seems the result of the prune proposal has come out.’

Since this was the news I had been waiting for, I readily accepted Evgenia’s invitation. Kilis had said it would lead to good results, but that remained to be seen until the outcome was revealed.

“I am honored to meet you, Evgenia. May the light of Lublin be with you.”

Thanks to the knowledge Kilis had magically conveyed to me and the etiquette I had been diligently learning over the past few days, I was able to greet Evgenia without feeling flustered. Even upon seeing her again, she was still remarkably young and beautiful.

“You’ve come. Please, have a seat.”

I took a seat across from her as she indicated. The place she had chosen for our meeting was a garden bathed in warm sunlight.

The table, placed under an arched dome, was comfortably shaded, allowing us to enjoy the surrounding scenery without straining our eyes.

“Nepheli, how have you been lately?”

“There’s nothing concerning for Your Majesty.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to pay much attention to you. If you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Evgenia gazed intently at me. Just as I began to feel perplexed by her persistent stare, she spoke.

“……You speak just like Duke Yelpen.”

“I suppose it’s because I see him often.”

“Indeed. It’s easy to resemble those around you.”

Evgenia dismissed it casually. Then she offered me some tea, remarking on its pleasant aroma. Only then did I feel relieved.

I didn’t know how Nepheli had treated Evgenia before, but it seemed that the knowledge Kilis had imparted to me had unconsciously influenced my demeanor.

“During the last banquet, you presented a commendable proposal.”

Commendable? That was quite a positive opening. Could it be that, just as Kilis had said, the outcome was favorable?

“While Morris and Meliana predicted it wouldn’t work, their forecast was pleasantly off the mark.”

“What do you mean by that……?”

“The issues in the central region have been resolved. I thought we would only narrowly avoid disaster, but the profits exceeded expectations significantly.”

[<System> ‘Ielo Ma of Anesis’ affection has slightly increased.]

[<System> The powers of the central region show goodwill towards you.]

Ding! Ding!

A message notification popped up. It disappeared quickly after I finished reading it.

“Thank you. But Meliana’s suggestion was excellent as well.”

“Ah, the one about selling the Uollo Plains to fund charity? It’s a noble thought.”

Evgenia set her teacup down.

“But what if you had nothing to offer? What if you had nothing to present this time? Could you still provide assistance?”

“If that were the case, wouldn’t other opinions have emerged?”

“You might be right. Meliana is a determined girl, so she would have found a way somehow.”

“…….”

“But that method ultimately means relying on the Futurum family. That child has grown up that way. Morris raised her like that.”

She stirred the sugar cube jar with a small tong and picked up a cube to drop it into her tea. With a plop, ripples formed on the surface of the tea.

“This is what someone’s help looks like. You might think you can be independent at any time, but once you become accustomed to help, it’s not easy to stand up on your own. When there’s an easier path, why should I put in the effort? I can just hold out my hand.”

The sugar cube dissolves instantly. Evgenia elegantly stirred her tea with a small teaspoon.

The more I listened to Evgenia, the more confused I became. She seemed to defend Meliana while simultaneously criticizing her.

I thought Nepheli was a bystander and that Meliana was cherished, but was that not the case?

As I remained silent, trying to decipher her ambiguous words, Evgenia spoke first.

“Of course, you might feel envious or disappointed. You’re not receiving enough help.”

“No, I don’t think that way.”

“Anyway, I admire the courage and wisdom you’ve shown this time. Morris praised Meliana for her generosity and said she has the qualities of a ruler, but what you’ve demonstrated also reflects the qualities of a ruler.”

“That’s too much praise.”

“Even if you don’t produce outstanding results, it’s important to come up with solutions somehow. The drive to push forward even if someone laughs at you is also crucial.”

“…….”

“Moreover, the results were good. Because of that, the lords of the central region expressed their gratitude. That’s why I called you here to bestow an award.”

An award?