I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 65

The tea party was as splendid as I had requested. Although the only invited guests were Hella and Dahlia, enough refreshments were prepared to feed twice their number, and musicians were even invited. The performers tuning their instruments filled the small hall.

Before Hella arrived, Dietrich personally inspected the state of the hall. Standing before the musicians, he crossed his arms, seemingly dissatisfied.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, not exactly…”

I approached Dietrich, following his gaze, and asked.

“But it seems like there is?”

“Well, the tuning is unstable, which I find unsatisfactory. While the guests might not notice, since I’m hosting this tea party, it bothers me.”

He was right. Observing the musicians with instruments that looked as real as they did during the welcome banquet, I reached out. My attention fell on an instrument shaped like a violin, which I found particularly familiar.

“May I take a look for a moment?”

When I extended my hand to the musician sitting at the front, he nodded and handed me the instrument.

“It seems the fingerboard hasn’t been maintained in a long time. The bridge also looks slightly low. Are there no other instruments available?”

“I didn’t have time to prepare my own instrument since the Grand Duke summoned me so suddenly. I brought this as a spare, but as you mentioned, its condition is…”

“Still, how could you neglect an instrument like this?”

Not a single part—fingerboard, bridge, or body—was in good condition. Even an amateur wouldn’t possess such a pitifully maintained instrument. I sighed heavily after inspecting the violin.

“If the lead musician’s instrument is in this state, it’s no wonder the tuning is off. There’s no other choice; switch places with someone else. Is that okay, Dietrich?”

“Yes, Saintess. Do as you wish.”

“Thank you. You there, please move to the back. It would be better to switch places with that person.”

I pointed to someone I had been keeping an eye on. The individual I gestured to stepped forward with a moved expression. Taking the lead musician’s seat, his face lit up with excitement. He gave me a grateful smile, to which I responded with a small nod before moving away.

Trailing after me, Dietrich smiled in satisfaction and asked, “That’s much better. Saintess, have you learned to play an instrument?”

“…A little, in the past.”

Dietrich’s casual question made my left fingers tingle slightly. Nervously rubbing my index finger, I gave a hesitant reply. Dietrich’s gaze briefly flicked to my fingers before returning to my face. Realizing he was observing my nervous gesture, I stopped rubbing my finger and smiled as naturally as possible.

He spoke as though he hadn’t noticed anything.

“I’d love to hear you play someday. I’ll gift you an instrument after the tea party.”

“No, thank you. I don’t play anymore.”

“Oh, did I say something inappropriate? If something happened to your hands that prevents you from playing…”

Dietrich’s concerned question made me bite the inside of my cheek. This perceptive man seemed determined to deduce why I no longer played an instrument.

It appeared he had noticed my reluctance to play. Watching Dietrich probe for an opening, I took a deep breath and shook my head.

That was something that happened in reality, not in this game’s body. Haniel’s fingers were unblemished and pristine. Even the spot Dietrich had bitten had healed completely without leaving a scar, thanks to the medicine.

“No, it’s not that. I just don’t have the talent for it.”

“You have a sharp eye for instruments.”

“That’s all. My playing is terrible, so there’s no need for a gift.”

If taking care of one’s hands were considered a talent, I could confidently say I was completely untalented in that regard.

Dietrich spoke regretfully, “I see. If you change your mind later, please let me know.”

<Dietrich’s affection has slightly increased.>

This sly man seemed to grow fonder of people who left openings for him to exploit. Noticing the system notification about his rising affection, I averted my gaze and replied, “I’ll think about it.”

***

“Saintess, hello!”

“Hello, Hella.”

As Hella and Dahlia entered, Hella immediately ran over to greet me. She wore a neat outfit I hadn’t seen before.

I hadn’t provided it, so who had?

“Dahlia gave it to me. She said it didn’t fit her and told me to wear it…”

“Really? Did you thank her?”

“Oh, not yet.”

As I stared at the outfit, Hella fidgeted with her sleeve and spoke. While Hella ran toward me, Dahlia, left standing awkwardly behind, listened to our conversation before cautiously approaching.

Smiling at her, I said, “Thank you, Dahlia.”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. I just gave her clothes that didn’t fit me…”

Dahlia replied in a quiet voice, stammering. Her hesitant tone was quite different from Tricia’s usual clear and confident speech.

“Hella, you should thank her too.”

“Thank you, Dahlia.”

“Uh, y-yes. Thank you for letting me meet the Saintess.”

Hearing just their voices, Hella sounded more aristocratic. Though she was shy when speaking to me, she didn’t stutter while talking to her peer, Dahlia.

Patting Hella’s head, I said, “Shall we sit down and talk?”

As soon as we sat down, I piled a mountain of snacks in front of Hella, who was staring at the treats. Then, I turned my attention to Dahlia.

I knew Tricia was wary of me, so I wondered why Dahlia had come to see me.

As Dahlia fidgeted with her teacup, I asked cautiously, “Dahlia, why did you want to meet me?”

“Well, it’s about my sister Tricia…”

“Lady Tricia?”

Dietrich, seated at the same table, tilted his head toward me. His expression seemed to question why Dahlia was bringing up Tricia with me. Having no knowledge on the subject, I shook my head and turned my attention back to Dahlia.

Holding her teacup tightly, Dahlia began to speak.

“Well, actually…”

“Take your time and speak freely. I’m listening.”

I gently encouraged her, seeing her struggle to get the words out. Dahlia closed her eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and then resolutely opened them.

“I can see things that others can’t.”

“Huh?”

It was an ambiguous claim. When I responded with confusion, Dahlia quickly elaborated.

“Things like the movement of magical power or holy power.”

How could Dahlia, a seemingly unimportant character, possess such an ability?

The first question that came to mind was how she could see such things. A character capable of perceiving the flow of magic and holy power would surely be crucial, warranting system-provided information. Yet, there had never been any data on Dahlia.

As I frowned in thought, Dahlia, perhaps misunderstanding my expression, looked on the verge of tears and asserted, “I-I’m telling the truth! That’s why I came to see you, Saintess!”

“Alright, I believe you. So, you can see such things—why did you seek me out about this?”

How was seeing such things related to coming to me?

“Ever since you arrived in the Empire, I’ve started noticing something strange about Sister Tricia.”

“Are you referring to magical or holy power?”

“Yes. My sister has no such abilities, but suddenly a golden mist began swirling around her head, and she started acting strangely.”

“Hm, it’s true. Lady Tricia has been behaving oddly these past few days.”

When Dietrich agreed, Dahlia nodded enthusiastically and continued, “Yes! She started showing interest in the Grand Duke, whom she previously despised… Oh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, Lady Dahlia. I’m well aware that Lady Tricia doesn’t like me.”

Dahlia blinked and covered her mouth in shock. Watching her flustered reaction, Dietrich smiled gently and said, “It’s alright. Please continue.”

After hesitating, Dahlia resumed speaking in a more refined tone.

“She’s been acting as if she’s lost her mind. She suddenly storms out of her room at night, meets with people she usually avoids, and even yells at you, Saintess. That’s not the Sister Tricia I know.”

As I listened quietly, a particular curiosity came to mind, and I asked, “Dahlia, can you tell me who she’s been meeting with?”

“Oh, um… it’s Sir Gillian. The man who was thrown out during your welcome banquet.”

Perhaps thinking I didn’t know who Gillian was, Dahlia referenced the incident at the ceremony as she explained.

“Ah, that man.”

“Yes, I’ve seen her meet with him several times.”

“Did you notice the same golden mist around Sir Gillian that you saw around Lady Tricia?”

“Hm…. No. Sir Gillian has always been surrounded by a murky golden aura, so there hasn’t been any change.”

Recalling her observations, Dahlia spoke, and Dietrich’s brows furrowed. It seemed he was trying to decipher what the murky golden light meant. Ignoring his thoughtful expression, I turned back to Dahlia.

“What about me?”

“You’re extraordinary, Saintess. Your entire body is enveloped in golden light. You have holy power, don’t you? Couldn’t you use that power to restore my sister to normal?”

“Before we discuss that, I have one more question, Dahlia. How does Sir Lucius’s magical power appear to you?”

“Sir Lucius? His magic only shows golden sparks around his body occasionally when he casts spells.”

“And I’m surrounded by it all the time?”

“Yes.”

Throughout Dahlia’s explanation, no system windows appeared. By this point, an event like ‘Dahlia’s Request’ should have been triggered.

“Saintess, please restore my sister to her original self.”

Dahlia pleaded earnestly. Stroking my fingers, I gazed into the empty space above. It seemed the golden mist Dahlia mentioned might be the system’s influence. Could it be guiding Tricia to fulfill her role as the villainess?

<‘Haniel’ cannot interfere with certain settings.>

The previously quiet system suddenly displayed a message. After reading the words carefully, I closed the system window.

“Alright, Dahlia. I’ll restore Lady Tricia to her original self.”

<‘Haniel’ cannot interfere with certain settings.>

Although the closed system window reappeared, I had no intention of taking back my words.

The system stated that ‘Haniel’ couldn’t interfere, but it didn’t say the player couldn’t. This meant there was still room for me to act, and perhaps, as Dahlia requested, I could free Tricia from her villainess role.

Though I didn’t know how to use the holy power surrounding my body, I had the system. The only route where Tricia became a villainess was Dietrich’s route, so I suspected the key to liberating her lay within the ongoing event, ‘The Source of Fear.’

‘Check Dietrich’s capture event.’

<Dietrich’s Capture Event: ‘The Source of Fear’>

• Identify the source of Dietrich’s oppression and work toward understanding and cooperation to improve your relationship with him.
• First Objective: Discover the relationship between Dietrich and Gillian.
• Second Objective: Not yet generated (Release date pending).

Seeing that the second objective hadn’t been generated, I firmly reassured Dahlia.

“I’ll figure something out.”