I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 79

“Isn’t it too early for them to meet?”

Lucius, who had repeatedly asked for the book, suddenly hardened his expression and asked.

Shrugging, I replied, “I think it’s fine. Oliver has worked hard, so it should be okay.”

Although it had only been a few days, Oliver seemed desperate enough during that time. Remembering how Oliver endured the grueling schedule without a single complaint, I said to Lucius, “It’ll be fine.”

Speaking decisively, I met Lucius’s somber eyes with a slight smile.

<Lucius’s affection has slightly increased.>

After hearing my response, Lucius remained silent until Oliver returned with a clean face.

Watching Oliver running toward us from afar, Lucius, feigning disinterest, asked me, “So, about the book?”

***

Lucinda, who had been summoned abruptly, widened her eyes when she saw Oliver.

“Go ahead and talk to Oliver, Lucinda.”

“W-wait a moment, Saintess.”

“This is your last chance to talk before you return to your hometown, right?”

“Pardon? What do you mean, ah…”

While the nervous Oliver kept his gaze fixed on the floor, I spoke to Lucinda. Grabbing Lucius’s wrist, I started walking toward the door. I didn’t forget to give Lucinda a sly wink as a signal.

Lucinda quickly caught on to my playful comment, turned to Oliver, and opened her mouth to speak. Despite having no prior explanation, she was sharp enough to understand the situation immediately.

“Saintess…”

Before her trembling, fearful voice could stop me, I quickly stepped outside.

“…Oliver, what nonsense are you about to spout to involve the Saintess and bring her here to find me?”

A cold voice escaped from behind the door. Holding onto Lucius’s wrist, I listened intently to the voices coming from the room. I could feel the steady pulse of his wrist beneath my fingertips.

With my ear pressed to the door, I glanced at Lucius’s calm face. He met my gaze with an expression devoid of emotion.

Lucius subtly twisted his wrist to free it, but I held on tightly.

Caught in my grip, Lucius stared at me coldly.

“I-I heard you’re going back to your hometown, Lucinda. That you’re giving up your position…”

“Get to the point.”

Although Lucius’s face remained expressionless, the pulse under my fingertips grew irregular.

<Event! ‘Lucius’s Wish’ has been triggered.>

• The outcome depends on Character ‘Oliver’s statements.
• The player may intervene once the outcome is determined.
• Success Rewards: Increase in Lucius’s affection and significant chance of obtaining ‘Lucius’s Past Fragment (4).’

Although Oliver might not know it, his words carried immense responsibility. Depending on what he said, Lucius’s feelings could change—an extraordinary burden for a single character.

“Lucinda!”

Oliver’s loud voice made Lucius frown, his displeasure evident. Clicking his tongue, he asked, “Saintess… Do I really need to listen to this?”

“Shh.”

“It’s loud enough without keeping quiet.”

Raising my finger to signal silence, Lucius replied listlessly. Rather than his unchanging face, the erratic pulse beneath my fingertips provided a better gauge of his emotions.

Whether it was the absurdity of eavesdropping on a servant’s conversation or curiosity about Oliver’s reaction, Lucius was undoubtedly being influenced by the dialogue.

“Even if you return to your hometown, can I visit you sometimes…?”

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why? It’s obvious…”

Oliver, who had confidently called out Lucinda’s name, now mumbled in a shrinking voice.

Cutting him off, Lucinda asked sharply. Her brief, pointed question left Oliver confused, and he hesitantly repeated, “…If you go back to your hometown, I can’t give you what you want.”

“The only thing I want is you…”

“…What?”

The conversation between Oliver and Lucinda fell silent. In the pause, a system notification appeared.

<The outcome of ‘Lucius’s Wish’ has been determined as ‘Success.’>

• The player may now intervene.

“There’s no need to listen any further, Sir Lucius. Let’s go.”

Focusing on the dull thumping of his pulse against my fingers, I pulled Lucius’s wrist.

“That’s ridiculous. Oliver, you were only interested in me because I’m the palace manager.”

“What are you saying? It doesn’t matter to me whether you’re the manager or just a regular attendant like me. In fact, I prefer a position where I can be closer to you.”

Despite my desire to stop listening, Lucinda’s impassioned cry echoed from the room.

“Oliver!”

Enough. I’ve heard enough.

Before anything more difficult to endure could escape the room, I hastily walked away.

Lucius followed me without hesitation, allowing us to leave without hearing more of Lucinda and Oliver’s heartfelt confessions.

<You have positively influenced the relationship between ‘Lucinda’ and ‘Oliver.’>

• Reputation has increased.

The system window displayed a brief message confirming the positive outcome of their relationship.

“That went well.”

The resolution was much smoother than I anticipated. As expected, misunderstandings can only be cleared up through conversation. Relieved by how cleanly the situation was resolved, I relaxed my shoulders and spoke to Lucius.

Lucius, who had been frowning in thought, called me in a heavy tone.

“Saintess.”

“What if Dietrich weren’t a Grand Duke?”

“Dietrich?”

“Yes, Dietrich.”

After pondering deeply, he asked not about himself but about Dietrich.

Hmm, Dietrich…

At Lucius’s question, I briefly contemplated before answering, “It wouldn’t matter much.”

“Are you serious?”

Lucius scrutinized my face as if trying to gauge my sincerity. Without hesitation, I nodded.

I wasn’t lying.

The most important aspects of Dietrich’s character were his looks and personality, not his status.

If Lucius was expecting a negative reaction, then his question was fundamentally flawed.

<Event! ‘Lucius’s Wish’ has concluded.>

• Success rewards acquired.

<Lucius’s affection has slightly increased.>

Seeing the system notification marking the event’s conclusion, I spoke casually, “If Dietrich weren’t a Grand Duke, that would be fine too.”

If he weren’t a noble like the other capture targets, it might even have been more interesting…

Imagining Dietrich as a butler or servant, I realized Lucius was staring at me with a slightly displeased expression. Straightening my own face, I noticed Lucius observing me silently, as if he wanted to ask something else. After a brief sigh, he shook his head and ruffled his hair with one hand. Glancing at the wrist I was still holding, he irritably pulled it free.

I rubbed my palm, still warm from the contact, and asked Lucius, “But why did you ask such a question?”

Feigning ignorance, I posed the question. Lucius replied matter-of-factly, “If you approached him just because he’s a Grand Duke, I’d throw you out of my palace. If you have no duties and impure intentions, I can’t leave you alone.”

His answer sounded cold, but I thought to myself with a laugh,

As if you’d actually do that.

It wasn’t me who was skilled at lying—it was Lucius.

<Lucius’s affection has reached (♥).>

• ‘Lucius’s Wish’ successfully completed.
• A high-probability event for obtaining ‘Lucius’s Past Fragment (4)’ is recommended.

<Available Events>

• The Cause of the Emperor’s Illness (Recommended)
• The Herb Chamber’s Request (2)
• Adrian Capture Event (Special): May be inaccessible in the ‘Disappointment’ state.

Among the events listed in the system window beside Lucius’s face, the recommended one sparkled brightly: “The Cause of the Emperor’s Illness.”

Ugh, I don’t want to do this one.

It was the quest I had already declined because it involved working with the Second Prince.

<The Cause of the Emperor’s Illness (Recommended)>

• Choose a character to proceed with.
• Select either Lucius or the Second Prince.

What? I can progress with Lucius instead?

It must not be an emperor-assigned quest if this is possible.

Pouting slightly, I selected Lucius’s name in the system window and spoke, “You mean people should work if they don’t want to get thrown out?”

Feigning innocence, I asked, but Lucius frowned at me as if confused.

“Sir Lucius, don’t you want to uncover the cause of the Emperor’s illness?”

<Event! ‘The Cause of the Emperor’s Illness’ has been triggered.>

Unfolding the hand he had shaken off earlier, I extended it toward Lucius and said, “I’ll help you. Let’s figure it out together, Sir Lucius.”

***

“Here?”

“Yes.”

“Dion, you need to provide accurate information. Didn’t I tell you? I came here for the Saintess’s sake.”

Dietrich, who had joined Dion, spoke calmly while maintaining his guard against him.

The location Lucius and Adrian had sent Dion to was a small village in the Holy Kingdom. More specifically, it was the destination Dion had reached while investigating on their orders.

Lucius had tasked Dion with digging into Haniel’s background. The village they stood in now was the end of that trail.

“We don’t have time, Dion. Instead of wasting it here, we should focus on finding a way to save the Saintess.”

“This is the place.”

At Dion’s firm response, Dietrich glanced at the house in front of them and said, “The villagers said that house is where offerings and corpses are kept.”

“That’s also where Haniel lived.”

“So the Saintess managed the offerings?”

Surrounding the small house, holy knights stood on guard. Glancing past them at the house, Dietrich adjusted his hat and asked.

Dion, maintaining his composure, replied while moving forward, “No. The offerings…”

“Sigh. Dion, can’t you cooperate a little?”

“Dietrich, stop interrupting and listen to the end.”

Scolding Dietrich sharply, Dion navigated past the holy knights patrolling the village and explained, “There was no one managing the offerings. They said it didn’t require management.”

“Why?”

“Because it maintains itself.”

“Did the Pope arrange that?”

Looking at the house beyond the knights, Dietrich whispered.

“No, it doesn’t seem like that.”

Dion’s denial prompted Dietrich to tilt his head, signaling for more explanation.

“The Pope is also investigating Haniel’s background.”

“What?”

“Just like us.”

“Why would the Pope…”

Unable to comprehend, Dietrich lifted his head, seemingly entranced. His gaze settled on Haniel’s house, which swayed like a phantom.