How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 27
I couldn’t seem to get the scene of slapping Reno out of my mind. Though it wasn’t an easily forgettable sight to begin with…….
‘Come to think of it, I couldn’t even get an apology because of that man.’
All because that platinum-haired man had drawn his sword…….
Finding myself repeatedly glancing toward the twin guardians due to my lingering displeasure, Meliana set down her teacup and spoke.
“Do you want my guardians?”
“What?”
“You keep looking at Fabian and Zabern like you want them. If you want them, I can give them to you, sister.”
It was incomprehensible. Give them to me? Moreover, I was taken aback by Meliana’s behavior of treating people like objects right to their faces.
I couldn’t understand what kind of mindset would allow someone to say such things. Even more surprising was that no one contradicted her statement.
Even the twin guardians, who were being treated like objects by Meliana, showed no change in expression.
“But of course, you’ll have to offer something of equal value.”
“……?”
“Give me Lord Isaac.”
“What……?”
“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear.”
Meliana’s eyes roamed over Isaac with a subtle gaze. Her desire was blatantly obvious, without even an attempt to hide it. Anyone could tell she was coveting him.
At first, I thought I had misheard and was shocked, but my expression soon turned cold.
When she treated the twin guardians like objects, I remained indifferent. Well, they were her guardians after all. It wasn’t my place to interfere, I had reasoned.
But treating Reno like a dog wasn’t enough, and now she wanted Isaac too…….
Already harboring resentment toward Meliana, I made no effort to hide my displeasure.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I was only looking at him because I remembered what he did to me yesterday.”
“Really? I thought you had developed an interest in something new. What a shame.”
“That……!”
How dare she!
As I was about to retort in anger, a servant announced loudly.
“Her Majesty Queen Evgenia arrives!”
Just as when I had entered, the double doors opened simultaneously. As everyone around me stood up, I followed suit, sensing the proper etiquette.
A platinum-blonde woman, petite in stature yet exuding strength, entered the room. She was the mother of myself and the other princesses.
Behind her followed two middle-aged men in formal attire—the dukes—and lastly, a young man.
‘That man is my fiancé, isn’t he?’
Perhaps because I had seen them all in the character codex?
It felt more familiar than foreign. I had thought I would feel strange seeing the man who was to be my fiancé, but I didn’t feel anything at all.
At that moment, Meliana was the first to grasp the hem of her skirt, bowing her head as she said.
“We are honored by your presence, Your Majesty. May the light of Lublin be with you.”
“May the light of Lublin be with you.”
Cirilla, who stood beside me, assumed the same posture, so I followed suit, though uncertain if I was doing it correctly.
Then everyone offered their greetings in unison. Their collective voices were loud enough that I could almost slip by without having to speak myself.
However, while I might have avoided it for now, there would be many more such obstacles to overcome in the future.
‘I wish I had at least looked at the book I borrowed earlier.’
Though I knew that even if I’d had the chance to read it, it wouldn’t have solved everything. The saying “seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times” exists for a reason. Still, I felt a lingering regret that it would have been better than knowing nothing at all.
“……Everyone, please be seated.”
Queen Evgenia, the ruler of this country and—according to the setting—my mother, scanned the room and spoke in a tone both dignified and gentle.
Only then did everyone take their seats. Her Majesty’s dukes sat at the very end, creating an arrangement that placed father and daughter pairs beside one another.
‘So that’s why they left empty seats.’
Next, Duke Killis, who was said to be my fiancé, took his seat between Lord Isaac and Lord Reno. Once everyone was settled, the servants brought out the appetizers.
“I’m pleased you all could join us despite the sudden invitation. Please enjoy your meal.”
At Her Majesty’s words, everyone began eating, but I hesitated to move my hands. There were so many spoons, forks, and knives before me. I could only stare, unsure which to use.
‘Huh?’
Among the various forks laid before me, one suddenly sparkled with a faint blue light.
‘Is this guiding me to use this one?’
As soon as I picked up the fork, the light quickly faded.
It continued this way throughout the meal. Each time a new dish was served, the appropriate cutlery would sparkle. Thanks to this, I managed to continue dining without obvious difficulty.
Being a royal banquet, the food was even more exquisite and delicious than usual. However, there was no way I could truly enjoy it in such an uncomfortable setting.
I picked at my food slowly, and it wasn’t until dessert was about to be served that Queen Evgenia finally spoke up.
“The reason I called you all here today is that, while I wanted to have a family meal, there’s something troubling me…….”
Everyone turned to look at Her Majesty as her voice rang out softly yet clearly.
