I Transmigrated as an Extra in a Trashy Dark Romance Game - Chapter 78

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

Perry, who had told her otherwise, was probably just being sensitive. And Tisha, with her constant warnings, was only anxious about the selection.

But still—the way she kept trying to look away from the truth kept nagging at her.

She had been told there was no need to arrive before the tea began, so Edith arrived at a leisurely pace. Perry opened the door, and she stepped inside.

Inside the hall sat about thirty women, and in their midst, Kazan.

Tisha sat close to him. Naila and her group were somewhere in the middle.

From the seating arrangement, there seemed to be some kind of hierarchy among them.

At Edith’s entrance, the hall fell silent. Then the women, who had never favored her, began murmuring among themselves.

“No manners at all, just barging in like that.”

“Why is that Imperial here?”

“Wasn’t today only for the consort candidates?”

Naila’s group seemed to be snickering, likely remembering her pathetic state from the other day. Edith forced herself to ignore it.

Perry stepped forward, shielding her from their whispers, and greeted Kazan formally.

“Your Highness. I have brought Ms. Edie.”

“Well done. Show her to a vacant seat nearby.”

Amid the murmuring, Edith followed Perry’s guidance and sat in the remaining empty seat. The moment she sat down, the women’s gazes began to flicker between her and Kazan.

The familiar discomfort made Edith’s expression sour before she could hide it.

“Prince Kazaniel, I was under the impression she wasn’t a consort candidate. Why is she here?”

One bold woman asked Kazan bluntly.

Edith’s ears perked up. Perhaps, as Perry had suggested, Kazan was about to clarify things. She was curious what his true intention was in inviting her.

“I invited her. She may not be a consort candidate, but that doesn’t mean she cannot be here.”

“Oh my. Prince Kazaniel, don’t you think you’re being far too kind to a foreigner?”

Naila’s group giggled, their mockery dripping as they recalled the image of Edith being blatantly ignored by Kazan. They flattered him coyly.

That remark sparked muffled laughter from several others.

“That’s right. And you know how that person deceived both you and us, even though she’s not even a candidate. Yet you still invited her—you have such a generous heart, Your Highness.”

“Ah! You mean at the banquet?”

‘I never deceived anyone…!’

She had done no such thing. And what did Kazan supposedly know? Sharing secrets she wasn’t privy to, barely suppressing their snickers at Naila’s words, they began whispering amongst themselves—too quiet for the prince to hear, but loud enough for Edith.

“Shameless… She said they were nothing at the banquet, and then she sneaks in and out of the prince’s chambers like a fox?”

“I know. I almost fell for it.”

“Still, it’s a relief His Highness saw through her. Just the other day…”

If it was this audible to her, Perry, standing beside her, must have heard everything too.

Perhaps that was why his expression tightened, unable to hide his discomfort. He kept fidgeting, stealing glances at Edith.

Across the hall, the atmosphere around Kazan seemed lively and pleasant.

For someone who had claimed to avoid these women at the banquet, he was fitting in far too well. A flicker of betrayal stung her chest.

‘You said you didn’t even know their names…’

Was Perry right? Was Tisha? How could he sit there so calmly, smiling, while she was being treated like this? Edith’s chest felt tight, suffocated.

After a long while of warm, amicable exchanges with his consort candidates, Kazan seemed to have something to say. He cleared his throat carefully.

“I’m afraid I must say something regrettable to all of you.”

He covered his mouth with his hand, composing himself before continuing.

“I am aware of the efforts you have made as candidates for my consort. But during my coming-of-age rite, I have already chosen, in my heart, who my princess consort will be.”

At Kazan’s words, the room rippled like a sudden wave.

Some held their breath in desperate hope. Others exhaled in resigned disappointment—of course it would be Tisha. And still others were simply stunned that the prince, who had always avoided them, had made a choice after all.

But Edith alone felt a warning blare in her head, consuming her thoughts. This isn’t right. If Perry had delivered his message, this wasn’t how the conversation was supposed to begin.

Her heart pounded with dread.

‘This isn’t the right line…’

“I…”

* * *

Kazaniel Nefertarios.

The fifth prince among eight princesses and fifteen princes of the Silverwind Kingdom. Recognized by both the people and his siblings as the first in line for succession.

From a young age, he possessed an exceptional mind and body. His brilliance surpassed all others, and he had learned statecraft at the king’s side from an early age.

Certain that Kazaniel would succeed him, the king had begun assigning princess consort candidates to his side as soon as the prince began to show promise.

But even Kazaniel had one flaw: he kept women at a distance.

Until he left the kingdom with Perry for his coming-of-age rite, he hadn’t given a single thought to the consort candidates.