I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 77

“Saintess.”

As I approached Lucius, Adrian cautioned me. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but I had no intention of bringing up the fact that I had eavesdropped on the conversation between Beatrice and Lucius.

Smiling at Adrian briefly, I turned to Lucius and said, “I found out who Lucinda recommended. I’m thinking of going to find him—would it be okay to go now?”

“Saintess, your condition isn’t good. Moving right away…”

Beatrice, who had been bowing her head, looked at me and spoke in a worried tone. Before I could respond that I was fine, Lucius interjected.

“I’ll accompany her, so it’ll be fine.”

“You’re coming along again, Sir Lucius?”

Although I was ready to create a reason for him to follow me if he declined, I replied nonchalantly.

After reading the third fragment of Lucius’s past, I had a rough idea of why the events involving Lucinda kept continuing. It seemed Lucinda’s current relationship with Beatrice mirrored aspects of Lucius’s past. Lucinda’s relationship with Oliver was likely a key element in this event.

If I focused on their relationship, I’d likely obtain results that would help with capturing Lucius.

“I’ll take my leave now, Sir Lucius.”

Adrian seemed to assume I wouldn’t reveal that I had overheard the conversation, as he politely bid Lucius farewell and left. Shortly after, Beatrice also returned to her room, leaving only Lucius and me in the hallway.

Lucius occasionally glanced at me as we walked. As we headed toward the central building, I spoke to him.

“Sir Lucius, I have a favor to ask.”

The moment I mentioned a favor, Lucius frowned as if wondering if I was serious. I quickly continued before he could say anything.

“It’s not a difficult request.”

When I added that, Lucius pondered briefly before responding curtly.

“Let’s hear it.”

“I want to say that Lucinda has been demoted to a regular attendant.”

“What?”

Before Lucius could change his mind about listening, I quickly explained.

“I’m not saying we should use influence over personnel decisions… I just want to try lying about it, with your permission.”

“You need to explain who you plan to lie to.”

“To Oliver. The attendant Lucinda mentioned in the recommendation letter.”

Lucius furrowed his brow, clearly not understanding. He asked, seemingly puzzled by my reasoning.

“Why?”

Smiling, I replied, “I’ll explain on the way. First, we need to find Oliver.”

***

“Saintess! I heard you were looking for me. Did… did Lucinda…?”

It wasn’t long after I began looking for Oliver that he came running to me himself. Out of breath, Oliver froze when he saw Lucius standing beside me and bowed deeply.

Seeing Oliver’s exaggerated greeting, Lucius spoke in a voice full of annoyance, “Saintess, are you finished with your errands in the palace now?”

“Not yet.”

I relayed the contents of Lucinda’s recommendation letter and the training schedule the knight had mentioned to Oliver. Slowly, Oliver straightened from his deep bow, his face brightening as he listened to my explanation.

<You have completed the event ‘Finding the Attendant Mentioned in the Recommendation Letter’ (Lucius’s Palace).>

• Reputation has slightly increased.

<You have completed a linked event (Lucius’s Palace).>

• An event to obtain ‘Lucius’s Past Fragment (3)’ has been generated.

<This information has already been obtained.>

<Duplicate collection is not possible.>

<The event is automatically terminated.>

The system window popped up briefly. The information I had already gathered earlier was part of this event. No new system windows appeared after that.

Confirming the completion of the linked event, I turned my attention to Oliver. He asked, “So, if I complete the training, I’ll be able to access the eastern building?”

“I’m not sure about that, but since promotion is possible after the training, wouldn’t access to the eastern building come with it?”

“Thank you, Saintess!”

Oliver bowed deeply in gratitude. His excessively grateful manner was almost servile, but I accepted his thanks while meeting Lucius’s gaze behind him.

Lucius, who had been observing me, gave a slight nod. It was a subtle gesture granting permission for the request I had made earlier.

Smiling faintly, I turned back to Oliver with a serious expression.

“Oliver, there’s something you should know.”

“W-what is it?”

“Lucinda told me she plans to leave her position and return to her hometown. So, before she does…”

“Sorry?”

Oliver suddenly shouted, causing me to frown slightly. Lowering his voice, he stammered, “S-sorry. But that can’t be true. Lucinda loved her work here and… and…”

“You should ask her about it directly. Once you finish the training, you might be able to meet her.”

“Yes! I understand!”

“Do your best… Oliver?”

Interrupting me mid-sentence, Oliver threw off his cap, which he had been wearing, and sprinted down the hallway toward the training grounds. Watching his retreating figure with a mix of amusement and disbelief, I heard Lucius speak.

“You’re good at lying.”

“I only said what we discussed earlier. It’s all thanks to you, Sir Lucius.”

Using Lucinda’s feelings as an excuse, I managed to persuade Lucius. I shared the conversation I overheard between Lucinda and Beatrice, explaining that Lucinda wanted reassurance from Oliver. Specifically, I repeated what Beatrice had said to Lucinda:

“Do you think Oliver would have shown any interest if Lucinda wasn’t the palace manager?”

As I asked this, Lucius attentively listened.

“I only met Lucinda and Oliver for the first time today, but I think they have feelings for each other.”

“And so?”

“I believe they can have a good relationship even if Lucinda isn’t the palace manager. That’s why I wanted to tell her this through that little lie.”

Lucius shook his head. “Making such judgments after one meeting… Is this because you’re the Saintess? You see the world in such a bright light.”

It was the first time I’d ever been told I see the world brightly. Caught off guard by the unexpected comment, I laughed and asked, “So, will you allow it?”

“Hmm…”

After some contemplation, Lucius responded calmly, “Say that Lucinda wanted to return to her hometown. That makes more sense than saying she was demoted.”

“Are you certain?”

“Pardon?”

As I stared at the empty space Oliver had just vacated, lost in thought, Lucius asked in a low voice.

“Do you think Oliver will follow Lucinda if she returns to her hometown with nothing?”

His tone carried a trace of cynicism. Lucius gazed at me as if mocking the idea, convinced it was impossible.

I pondered. If this were reality, I would have undoubtedly agreed with Lucius. But this was still a game.

It was a bleak game filled with misery and bad endings, yet it couldn’t be worse than reality.

Harboring a sliver of hope, I answered Lucius, “Yes.”

My firm reply left Lucius momentarily stunned.

<Lucius’s affection has slightly increased.>

***

Three days after Oliver began his training, Tricia and Dahlia came to visit me.

“Oh, hello, Saintess.”

Tricia greeted me hesitantly as she approached. There was no trace of hostility in her attitude anymore.

From a spot near the training grounds, where I had been observing Oliver and the knights’ training, Lucius raised an eyebrow and looked at Tricia.

“Sir Tricia, what is with that strange demeanor? Why are you acting so bizarrely?”

Despite Lucius’s perplexed expression, Tricia replied succinctly.

“Good day, Sir Lucius.”

“Wait? Sir Tricia? Why sir?”

When I asked about it, she answered sheepishly, “I’ve been knighted, so sometimes I’m addressed with that title.”

“But Dietrich called you ‘Lady Tricia.’”

“The title doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change who I am. So, Saintess, you can call me whatever you like.”

Tricia stammered as she explained, then gestured toward Dahlia, who handed me a small box she had been holding.

“Hello, Saintess. This… please accept it.”

“What is it?”

“Well, Sister Tricia, Hella, and I discussed it and chose this gift, but… I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”

When I opened the box, I saw a practical-looking dagger. Its handle was the perfect size for my hand, and its sharp blade gleamed under the light.

Was it meant for self-defense?

Taking the dagger out of the box, I examined it, turning it over in my hands. Then, I ran a finger near the blade.

“Saintess, don’t touch the blade. You’ll hurt yourself.”

“Ah, thank you, Lady Tricia.”

Before my finger could touch the blade, Tricia grabbed my wrist and warned me. Her serious tone made me carefully place the dagger back in the box.

“There’s no need to thank me for something like this. I should be the one expressing gratitude…,” Tricia muttered bashfully.

“Wait, Sir Tricia. Do you know the meaning behind gifting a dagger to the Saintess?”

Lucius sighed after checking the gift in the box and asked.

“The meaning?”

“Isn’t the meaning of gifting a dagger to ensure the recipient’s safety, Your Highness?” Dahlia asked innocently, tilting her head as if she knew nothing.

Beside her, Tricia frowned and replied, “Yes, that’s what it means.”

Hearing Tricia’s confident response, Lucius pressed his temples and looked at me.

“Saintess.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really going to accept this?”

“Well, it’s a gift, so of course…”

“Why do I know the meaning, but you don’t?”

How would I know what a dagger symbolizes? Frustrated by Lucius’s reaction, I asked, “Does gifting a dagger have a bad meaning?”

“The traditional meaning is, as Sir Tricia said, to wish for the recipient’s safety.”

Then there shouldn’t be a problem.

I alternated glances between the dagger and Lucius, considering his words.

So it’s fine to accept, right?

“But when a dagger is given to the Saintess, the meaning changes.”

“Pardon?”

“A dagger gifted to the Saintess is a request to lead a sacrificial ritual.”

What’s so wrong with leading a ritual?

Tilting my head, I looked at Lucius. He glanced theatrically between Tricia, Dahlia, and me before finishing his statement.

“It means they’re asking you to lead as the sacrifice.”

“Lead as the sacrifice? Is that even possible?”

“The ‘lead sacrifice’ refers to you, Saintess. So, will you still accept the gift?”

As Lucius finished speaking, both Tricia and Dahlia, who had given me the gift, turned pale.