I Transmigrated as an Extra in a Trashy Dark Romance Game - Chapter 71

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

“Perry had to go to the banquet hall ahead, so I came to escort you. Edie, when you’re all dressed up… you really were a noble, after all.”

Seeing Kazan marvel at her, even covering his mouth with his hand, Edith felt inexplicably shy and tried to change the subject.

“Ahem. Anyway, wouldn’t entering together with you, Mr. Kazan, draw too much attention?”

“What does that matter? You don’t need to worry about others at a banquet.”

“No, that’s not what I—”

She had tried to deflect, but Kazan completely missed her point. Frustrated, Edith lightly thumped her chest.

He either didn’t care or didn’t notice. He subtly offered her his arm. With a shallow sigh, Edith accepted his escort and proceeded to the banquet hall.

As she had anticipated, all eyes fixed on the pair. Those gazing at them included the royal family—adorned in gold like Kazan—the Guardians of the Desert flanking them, and dozens of elaborately dressed young women.

“There are… quite a lot of women here.”

The number was excessive. Edith covered her mouth slightly, murmuring in a voice only Kazan could hear.

“They’re all candidates to be my princess consort.”

“Huh?!”

Her voice came out far too loud at the unexpected reply. Glancing around self-consciously, she lowered it to a whisper again.

“No, seriously, why are there that many candidates?”

“They’re women my father brought into the palace before my coming-of-age ceremony. I don’t know how it works in your country… the Empire. Here, they reside in the palace with me, and in the end, one is chosen as the princess consort. The rest become concubines.”

“Huh. So he’s a King Uija, then…?”

“King Uija? I don’t know what that means, but I don’t even know their names—I’ve been avoiding them. They’re all women my father dragged in to push me toward marriage.”

“Ah…”

She almost suspected him. Almost accused him of being a fox in sheep’s clothing—or rather, a wolf in bear’s clothing—wondering how that night could have been genuine when he had so many women around him.

She learned that in this kingdom, only royalty could hold administrative positions—governing, politics, diplomacy, finance—so there was a tradition of securing as many successors as possible.

Aside from Kazan, dozens of princes and princesses were currently fulfilling their roles across various sectors.

The king with the most concubines in history was said to have had three thousand. She didn’t know if it was true or not, but the number had an oddly familiar ring to it.

As Edith sat there, visibly shaken, Kazan naturally guided her toward the center of the banquet hall. Those who noticed their approach began to speak.

“Oh, the Prince and our guest from the Empire. Are you finding the kingdom comfortable, any inconveniences?”

Before Edith stood the King of Silverwind—whom she’d glimpsed on her first day—and beside him, the Queen. They held elaborately crafted golden goblets. Realizing belatedly that Kazan had dragged her to the center, Edith greeted them according to imperial etiquette.

Unlike her first impression, the King possessed a remarkably gentle disposition.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty of Silverwind. The kingdom is as beautiful as I had heard—I find myself lacking time to take it all in.”

“Oh my, I hadn’t the chance to meet you before, but your fair skin and night-kissed hair are truly as lovely as the rumors say.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Queen.”

She had vaguely known there were rumors circulating about her. But she hadn’t expected them to reach the ears of the royal family this quickly. Edith bowed her head, concealing her awkwardness.

* * *

At the edge of the banquet hall, there were drinks in round goblets and peculiar dishes she’d never seen in the Empire. And, most importantly, what appeared to be the Sunlight Berries Edith had been so curious about—piled high.

“They really do emit a faint glow, just like Mr. Kazan said. Amazing…”

She took a small plate and scooped up a few of the berries. Following her habit, she slipped into a corner and popped one into her mouth.

The fantastic harmony of tangy juice and sweet flesh made her heart warm to this kingdom.

Just then, she noticed the princess consort candidates she’d seen upon entering approaching her.

“Are you the Imperial who arrived with Prince Kazaniel?”

One of them, a woman with tawny curly hair, stepped forward slightly and tossed the question at Edith.

Her expression was razor-sharp with wariness. She had seen the face of the woman the prince held in his arms the day he returned to the kingdom.

That pale skin flushed pink—even to her, as a woman, it had looked lovely. And there had seemed to be an odd current flowing between the prince and this mysterious woman.

Misunderstanding and suspicion twitching across her barely composed face, Edith tilted her head. She finished chewing the berry in her mouth and swallowed before answering.

“Yes, that’s… probably me?”