How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 18
Reno’s head didn’t budge an inch, so I couldn’t see his expression from where I stood.
Still, I was this startled, so I could only imagine how much more shocked he must have been.
“How dare a mere dog of my sister block my path? Can’t you see I’m speaking to her?”
“I apologize, but as the Princess said, my only master is Her Highness Nepheli.”
Unlike me, who was thoroughly shocked, Reno continued to smile even after being slapped, positioning himself firmly between me and the woman.
“Isn’t it only natural for a loyal dog to protect its master?”
“Not only do you disgracefully amuse yourself with a Medietas as your guardian, now you’re hiding behind him like a coward…….”
The woman sneered at me from behind Reno, but it wasn’t her expression that bothered me—it was the word she had just used.
‘Medietas?’
It was a word I had heard from a maid earlier. I had guessed it wasn’t something good.
But now that she was openly showing her disdain, it left me feeling unsettled. To top it off, she even mocked someone by comparing them to a dog.
In the meantime, the woman opened her fan, partially covering her mouth. The tips of the fan’s ribs were stained with a faint, dark red.
‘That… surely not……?’
Before I could fully grasp what was happening, the woman, noticing the oddity of her fan’s tip, scowled at Reno.
“Filthy.”
She carelessly dropped the fan to the ground. The fan landed, splayed out, revealing its state. Small, dark red droplets had bloomed at the tips like tiny stains, unmistakably blood.
“……Reno.”
“…….”
“Look at me.”
“I’m fine, Your Highness.”
Unable to hold back any longer, I grabbed his arm and spoke firmly.
“Look at me.”
In truth, it didn’t matter if he didn’t turn around. I could just move to see his face.
Reno hesitated for a moment, sighed, and reluctantly turned toward me. A long, thin cut stretched across his cheek, as if scratched by the fan.
‘So that’s why he hasn’t been looking my way since earlier…….’
Was it because of this.
A heavy heat settled in my chest, tightening painfully.
I should have reacted the moment he was struck, but I had stood there like a fool, too shocked to do anything. The anger rising within me was now directed at myself.
“……Apologize.”
“What?”
“I said, apologize.”
I glared at the woman, who laughed, as if in disbelief.
“The dog misbehaved, so I punished it. And you want me to apologize? Have you lost your mind, sister?”
“Don’t speak like that.”
“Mixing with a Medietas and now you’ve sunk to their level? It’s shameful to think the blood of Lublin runs through your veins.”
“Feel free to be as ashamed as you want. I’m ashamed too—ashamed that I have a sister like you.”
Thinking of Jiyu, I couldn’t help but pity Nepheli for having such a sibling.
Wait, should I be pitying myself now? After all, I’m Nepheli right now.
“Have you finished?”
“Finished? Not even close.”
I stepped out from behind Reno and stared the woman down, tilting my head slightly.
“Apologize to Reno. Now.”
“Are you serious?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
The woman let out a scoff at my words.
“You’re not even worth my time. Let’s go.”
“You’re just leaving like this……!”
Before I could fully reach out to grab her, my vision spun wildly.
Clang!
The sharp sound of metal piercing my ears sent chills down my spine.
If Reno hadn’t been holding my waist so firmly, I might have collapsed right there, my knees giving way.
When I looked straight ahead, I saw Reno blocking a menacing sword aimed directly at me. The blade’s edge shimmered with a mix of blue and pale green light, slowly flickering.
What was that light? No, more importantly, was she trying to stab me with that sword?
“Sheathe your sword, Phoebe.”
Unlike my trembling state, the woman remained strangely calm.
“Looks like you’re scared, sister.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. What can we do about my sister being weak?”
At the woman’s words, the man who had pointed his sword at me withdrew it.
Meanwhile, the woman, who had been sneering at me, turned away, telling me to ignore her, and the men followed behind her, moving away.
Watching the three of them leave, this time I couldn’t do anything. While I felt foolish, my body wouldn’t listen to me.
I suppose it couldn’t be helped. A real sword had dropped right in front of my face and then disappeared.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Mm…….”
“You must have been very startled? Don’t worry, everything’s fine now.”
Sensing my trembling, Reno comforted me, telling me to take deep breaths in and out. Following his instructions, my racing heart slowly began to calm down.
Only then did Reno withdraw his hand that had been patting my back and ask.
“Can you stand on your own?”
I nodded without speaking. Reno let go of me.
Ding!
[<System> ‘Reno Harsen’s affection has slightly increased.]
