I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 87

“How is it?”

“I’m not particularly knowledgeable about herbs, but from what I can point out… these herbs shouldn’t be used together.”

“Oh, really? No wonder the results kept turning out poorly.”

Adrian pointed out the names of the herbs on the paper to make it easier for me to understand. As I confirmed the parts he indicated with his finger, a system window popped up.

<Information about ‘Potion Composition Ratios’ has been acquired!>

This game really has an unnecessarily tedious process. If Adrian hadn’t pointed it out, I would have kept trying until I discovered that these herbs couldn’t be used together.

As I nodded, Adrian continued his explanation.

“This is also being used incorrectly. It says you’ve used an extract from the root, but the required elements should be extracted from the leaves, not the root. And this herb should be left at a low temperature for ten days…”

“Wait a moment.”

<Information about ‘Potion Composition Ratios’ has been acquired!>

<Information about ‘Potion Composition Ratios’ has been acquired!>

Every time Adrian spoke, a system window appeared. I calmly raised my hand. How can he claim he’s not particularly knowledgeable about herbs when he knows this much? Then how much does he know when he claims he’s well-versed?

I couldn’t even fathom the extent of Adrian’s knowledge. It was clear that being this capable was what allowed a commoner to rise to such a position.

When I raised my hand like someone who had a question, Adrian stopped his explanation and turned his gaze to me.

“Speak.”

“Could you write it down for me?”

I’d tried to listen while eating, but the constant appearance of system windows obstructed my view, leading to futile gestures. Adrian, watching me with one hand raised and the other holding a spoon mid-air, answered calmly.

“Alright. I’ll write it down, so focus on your meal.”

With Adrian’s generous consent, I was finally able to concentrate on my meal. Though slightly cold, it tasted fine.

As I ate, I cautiously observed Adrian’s composed face. His neatly kept green eyes, which appeared kind when his gaze lowered and his lips remained shut, and the slight dishevelment of his brown hair over his forehead. The precarious air that once surrounded the younger Adrian was now barely noticeable.

The soft scratching sound of a pen against paper brushed past my ears. The smooth rustling of the pen’s movement created a sense of calm. With this peaceful sound as the background, I glanced down at the letters Adrian was writing and smiled unconsciously.

His handwriting was more refined compared to before.

When I let out a small laugh, Adrian stopped his hand and raised his head to look at me.

Raising an eyebrow slightly, he asked, “Why are you laughing?”

“Oh, nothing. Your handwriting is so neat… You’ve gotten much better at it.”

At my offhanded remark, Adrian responded sharply. Placing his pen down on the table, he asked, “Did you just say ‘gotten better’?”

As if probing, he questioned me, and I tilted my head innocently in response.

“Did I say that?”

Feigning ignorance, I replied with a playful air, causing Adrian to frown and glare at me.

“You’ve been like this the whole time…”

<Adrian Capture Event (Special): ‘Suspicion’ is in progress.>

• Current Progress: Certainty 90%, Disappointment 10%

Muttering in irritation, Adrian let out a short sigh, his face hardening into its usual cold expression. With a detached tone, Adrian said, “That’s enough. Continue your meal; it’s already been a while.”

Without further comment, I finished my meal and received the paper where Adrian had thoroughly outlined the proper herb usage and composition ratios.

The progress of Adrian’s event ‘Suspicion’ had leaned toward certainty, which meant the opportunity to approach him openly would soon come. Despite confirming the event’s progress, I deliberately avoided looking at Adrian’s subtly forlorn expression.

“Saintess.”

When I returned to the office with Adrian, waiting for us were the desk he had ordered and Lucius.

Adrian, seeing Lucius standing naturally in the reception room, pressed his temples tightly and entered the office.

“I’ll finish the remaining work and come out shortly. If you need anything, I’ll assist you then.”

After finishing his sentence, Adrian disappeared into the office, leaving Lucius standing by the desk. He gestured to me.

“What brings you here, First Prince?”

Still unable to shake off my lingering disappointment in Lucius, I approached him and asked curtly.

“Can’t you stop calling me ‘First Prince’?”

“Why? You are the First Prince, aren’t you?”

Mocking his complaint, I glanced indifferently at the pile of herbs on the desk and asked, “Did you place these here?”

“The attendant left them here. Why do you ask?”

“I thought so.”

I already knew Lucius wouldn’t bother going through the effort of bending down to pick up the herbs and neatly placing them on the desk. Pulling out a chair nearby, I sat down and unfolded the paper.

Despite the short time Adrian had, he had written an extensive amount of information, filling the page with black letters.

As I read the text, a system window noisily popped up, informing me of newly acquired information, which I promptly closed. I then glanced at Lucius, who was idly standing nearby.

“Didn’t you say you’d help if it was within your capacity?”

“I did.”

“Then Saintess, how about you treat me accordingly as well?”

Lucius spoke authoritatively. He pretended to dislike being treated as a Crown Prince, yet among the three princes, Lucius was the most fitting for the title.

Hearing his dissatisfied tone, I replied indifferently again, “I’m treating you exactly as you want, First Prince.”

“Stop calling me that title…!”

Lucius snapped irritably and bit his lip. He glared at me fiercely, as if he wanted to pinch my mouth for my indifferent retort, then pulled a chair to sit across from me.

“You are providing help befitting your status as a prince, so I’m simply giving you the treatment you deserve.”

“What more must I do to satisfy you?”

“Why would Your Highness’s actions require my satisfaction?”

“That’s…”

As I looked dryly at the confused Lucius, I sifted through the herbs on the desk, separating the ones I needed, and spoke.

“I just hope that you do not give up on what you’re capable of doing.”

“Would that satisfy you?”

Oh, for heaven’s sake. How long was he planning to keep asking?

I looked up, intending to reprimand his persistence, but I ended up answering reluctantly when I saw how serious his expression was.

Perhaps because his affection level had increased, Lucius seemed to care more about every word I said compared to before.

As soon as I answered, Lucius extended his hand.

“Fine, then let’s start by taking over control of the Binding Seal.”

“Right now?”

With a mischievous look on his face, Lucius grabbed my hand and began channeling his magic.

“Ah…”

A strange sensation coursed through my body, and I slumped over the desk. As I let out a sigh-like groan, Lucius continued channeling his magic and spoke.

“Saintess.”

“…Yes?”

“Stop calling me ‘First Prince.’”

“Then what should I call you?”

<70% of the Binding Seal’s control has been transferred to ‘Lucius.’>

• Due to the Binding Seal’s influence, you cannot defy Lucius’s commands.

I responded curtly but blinked blankly at the system window that appeared before my eyes.

“Call me by what you used to. Lucius.”

“Ugh… Lucius, was taking over the Binding Seal’s control for this?” I gritted my teeth as I asked.

Lucius, looking extremely pleased, curved his lips and leisurely replied, “Of course not.”

Resting my cheek against the cold desk, I glared at Lucius’s smug smile before forcing myself upright.

Better to follow Lucius’s commands than Gillian’s.

As I mustered strength to straighten my trembling body, Lucius, who was still holding my hand, flinched slightly.

“Lucius?”

Lucius’s shoulders jerked, and he gripped my hand tightly, furrowing his brows deeply. Without answering, he seemed to concentrate on something.

<To protect the player ‘Haniel,’ the system restricts the control of the capture target ‘Lucius.’>

“What’s this?”

Lucius growled through clenched teeth. I alternated between his expression and the system messages, piecing together the situation.

It seemed Lucius was struggling to fully take control of the Binding Seal.

As expected, the system was trying not to infringe on my free will unless it was a life-or-death situation. It’s strange to describe it as “trying,” but that’s how I interpreted it.

“Lucius, what’s wrong?”

Feigning ignorance, I asked the straining Lucius, who furrowed his well-defined brows and explained after steadying his breathing.

“It seems I can’t transfer more control of the Binding Seal.”

“Really?”

“If you deal with Gillian in this state, it’ll likely have a significant impact on you…”

Trailing off, Lucius fell into deep thought, his expression grave. He seemed to be seriously contemplating the consequences of dealing with Gillian or removing the Binding Seal in its current state.

“Whether it’s the Binding Seal or Gillian, handling either will definitely cause issues. Until I find a way to fully transfer control, we’ll have to leave things as they are.”

Just as I was about to agree with the serious-looking Lucius, a sudden ringing pierced my ears.

<Gillian, the owner of the Binding Seal, has died.>

Wait, hold on…

Lucius just said there’d be problems if something happened, so what…

A sharp, high-pitched ringing stabbed through my ears, and the system’s interface began flashing red.

<Danger! The player ‘Haniel’ is affected by the Binding Seal.>

“Saintess?”

“Lu… Lucius. Something’s wrong with Gillian… Huff!”

I gasped desperately for air and clung to Lucius’s hand. Before I could finish speaking, my breath came in ragged gasps. As I struggled for air, Lucius leapt to his feet.

<To protect ‘Haniel,’ the system will temporarily shut down!>

My blurry vision was stained entirely red. Through the crimson haze, I saw Lucius approaching and the office door swinging open.

As Adrian and Lucius hurried toward me, the system shut down.