I Transmigrated as an Extra in a Trashy Dark Romance Game - Chapter 72

Volumes 1 - 3 of TETDRG is available uncensored on ko-fi!

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

Edith’s complexion, pale among all the dark skin, stood out all the more.

“What exactly is your relationship with His Highness?”

“Nothing, really.”

Contrary to the tense, bristling atmosphere of the women who had approached her, Edith waved a hand and answered casually. Their expressions grew complicated.

The curly-haired woman asked again if they were truly nothing. Receiving another firm denial, this time the woman standing behind—with long black hair neatly pinned up high—stepped forward.

“My apologies, my lady. We were rude, letting our curiosity about the rumored figure get the better of us. I hope you enjoy your time in the kingdom.”

She offered a crisp, unhesitating apology, then led the group back to their original places.

Edith, with a bemused expression, was trying to process what had just happened when Perry, who had been some distance away, approached as if his business was concluded.

“Hm? Edie, what were you discussing with them?”

Perry, who seemed to have witnessed the scene from afar, hurried over with his boyish face set in a firm expression and asked.

Edith, standing awkwardly alone without a familiar face in sight, smiled warmly at the welcome sight of Perry. As she greeted him, she sensed his steps momentarily falter.

“Ah, Mr. Perry! They just suddenly asked what my relationship was with Prince Kazaniel.”

“What did you tell them?”

Perry looked at her with undisguised curiosity, asking cautiously.

“I said we weren’t anything.”

“Oh dear, goodness…”

At Edith’s firm reply, Perry suddenly winced, his expression pained. He covered his mouth with his hand and let out a soft exclamation.

At his reaction, Edith tilted her head in confusion.

“Huh? Why?”

“Never mind… By the way, do you know who those women who spoke to you are?”

“I heard they’re candidates for the prince’s consort.”

“Then you probably have some idea how the selection process works. The tall young lady with black hair who was talking to you just now is practically already decided as the next princess consort.”

She imagined them standing together: Kazan, with his deep bronze skin and silver hair that gleamed like moonlight, towering over 190 centimeters, and beside him, a woman flaunting her height of what looked like 178 centimeters, with hair as dark as pitch.

The tall couple would look quite striking.

“Ah, I think they’d suit each other well.”

Perry seemed to visualize it in his head. Then he looked at the marveling Edith with a peculiar expression.

“Hmm… She’s from the wealthiest merchant family in the kingdom, second only to royalty. His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen seem to consider her the most suitable candidate.”

Edith found herself nodding unconsciously at the familiar social dynamic—connections and silver spoons prevailing here as well.

Then a question suddenly occurred to her.

“But why are you telling me this all of a sudden, Mr. Perry?”

“Haa…”

He let out a deep sigh, placing a hand on her shoulder. Whether he had decided to display an unusually wide range of expressions today or not, his face shifted to one of serious gravity as he spoke.

He looked like a man on the verge of quietly confessing a great secret.

“Edie, are you aware of the rumors circulating about you right now?”

“Yes, to some extent. That I’m the Imperial woman who arrived in the arms of the prince returning from his coming-of-age rite?”

“His Highness may seem that way, but he is actually exceptionally sharp-minded. Becoming first in line for succession, surpassing all those princes and princesses, earning the trust and admiration of the people—it was all a result he calculated and anticipated.”

That awkward Kazan—the one so brusque and quiet when she spoke, the one who clamped his hand over his mouth all night to stifle the sounds escaping him—being that kind of person? She couldn’t believe it. It didn’t suit him at all.

If Perry was right, his inner nature reminded her, just for a moment, of someone she’d tried to forget. The Crown Prince.

Half-doubting, half-believing, Edith listened.

“But ever since His Highness returned carrying you so preciously in his arms, he’s simply allowed the rumors to spread. Perhaps that, too, was by his design. I know you’re a good person, Edie. I hope you remain safe.”

“What does that have to do with my safety? I don’t understand what you’re getting at. Besides, I plan to leave once this year is over.”

“Haa. Even if you don’t understand now, you will soon. And please, be careful. Especially with what’s coming.”

He moved closer, his voice even quieter than before.

“Especially with the one I mentioned—the top candidate for princess consort. The power struggles among these women are quite brutal. That king who kept three thousand concubines? In the end, fewer than a hundred remained. There are reasons for that…”

Edith couldn’t follow. These stories felt utterly unrelated to her, and Perry’s grave, worried expression only left her deeply confused.