I Transmigrated as an Extra in a Trashy Dark Romance Game - Chapter 15

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

She found herself listening intently to details she was hearing for the first time.

“Of course, such matters don’t interest me much. But there was one intriguing thing.”

Gulp.

“Do you know how your father, Viscount Moulton, came into such a large fortune, young lady?”

His question left her inwardly bewildered. All she knew about the original Edith was that she might have suffered psychological abuse from those around her, potentially had deep trauma (like the prickling sensation at her feet), and was known as the gloomy young lady.

In the game, Edith’s story was only mentioned in a single line of description; she was an inconsequential side character. There was no way she’d know the source of the money.

As if reading her thoughts, the Crown Prince’s smile deepened.

“The source of the money… was a grant from the imperial family. Why would such a large sum be given to a mere commoner? What exactly is the Moulton family…”

Setting down his teacup, the Crown Prince grew serious, interlacing his fingers on his knees and speaking quietly, as if interrogating.

“I wanted to investigate further, but it was beyond my authority. So, I thought perhaps you, young lady, could satisfy my curiosity. That’s why I invited you here.”

As if cutting off the serious conversation, he reverted to his original expression and smiled slyly.

But she wasn’t the person who could give him the answer he wanted. Because she wasn’t the real Edith.

“…I’m afraid I don’t know either, Your Highness. It was too long ago, and Father… the Viscount… never told me anything specific.”

At Edith’s answer, the Crown Prince stared intently into her eyes for a moment.

“Is that so? It was the first thing to pique my interest in a while, so I wanted to ask. What a pity.”

His gaze felt like it was searching for a lie.

“Hmm… Anyway, it’s strange you’re not in my memory. To think I was unaware of a young lady as lovely as you exists in the empire. It’s unpleasant to learn of things I didn’t know.”

Just as the heavy atmosphere lifted and she could finally breathe, a knock echoed through the reception room.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, time is short. The western nobles will be arriving soon; you must proceed to the conference room immediately.”

The voice from outside, likely the Crown Prince’s aide, sounded urgent, as the conversation had gone on longer than expected.

“Well then, young lady, take care on your way.”

His tone was indifferent, implying his business was finished. Edith hastily stood up to follow the Crown Prince’s lead.

However, as he passed by, patting her shoulder, he wore that eerily deep smile once more. The final words he left her with carried a different weight.

“Oh, right. It would be best if you didn’t get too close to the Saintess.”

After the Crown Prince left, Edith slumped into the chair, tension draining away. A wave of fatigue washed over her.

‘That madman… is he trying to isolate the Saintess? His obsession is something else. To say something like that to me, who he’s only seen a few times…’

Hearing his final warning, she was certain. He saw her as a nuisance…

Recalling his already obsessive behavior towards the Saintess, she suddenly remembered one of their possible endings.

The Crown Prince, having isolated Serenity from everyone around her one by one, confined her to the palace’s most secret location and tormented her whenever he could…

In that ending, subjected to gaslighting, she was no longer a saintess but had fallen into a state where she couldn’t live without the Crown Prince.

Shivering at the horrific image, Edith absolutely did not want to get entangled with the Crown Prince.

But accepting that final warning felt impossible when she remembered the warmth of Serenity’s hand gripping hers so tightly. A small storm seemed to brew in her heart.

She didn’t want the future she knew to come true—for Carlton to be executed, for Serenity to be violated by those men. This feeling went beyond mere discomfort; it was a deep-seated pity that had taken root in her heart.

Caught between the Crown Prince’s warning and her pity for them, Edith felt pressured to make a decision, paralyzed with indecision. Then, Carlton’s voice sounded, as if he’d been there all along.

“I will escort you to your carriage, my lady.”

“Ah, Sir Carlton… We meet again.”

“Yes. It seems we meet frequently.”

His tone was still rigid and formal, his face expressionless, but a hint of apology colored his words. He likely felt responsible, having been the one ordered by the Crown Prince to monitor her. The report about her, her being dragged to the palace—he probably blamed himself, and that feeling seemed to seep into his words.

“Ahem, are you well these days? If you require any assistance, I am at your service anytime, my lady.”

Carlton spoke casually, clearing his throat, but his ears were noticeably flushed. Though always the stoic, serious knight commander, he seemed to become a slightly gentler person around Edith.

Understanding his underlying meaning, Edith felt her palms grow sweaty and her face heat up with embarrassment. For some reason, a strange ache pulsed in her lower abdomen, and she subtly rubbed her stomach with her hand.

Bidding a light farewell to Carlton, who had seen her off, she boarded the carriage. On the way back to the estate, watching the scenery pass by the window, she replayed the day’s events.

As the estate drew near, she suddenly remembered the situation she’d left behind.

‘Ah, I should have asked Sir Carlton to escort me all the way to the estate, even if it was imposing…!’

Those people were surely convinced she had committed some crime and been dragged to the palace.