How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 32
Ding!
[<System> Conditions fulfilled.]
[<Quest> Killis Yelpen’s Suspicion. Completed (1/1)]
A new message window popped up.
‘So, it wasn’t just a static shock, huh?’
Feeling a lingering tingle in my hand, I clenched and unclenched my fist lightly, when Killis spoke again.
“Apologies for using magic without Your Highness’s permission.”
“That tingling sensation just now…… was that magic?”
“Yes. It was a spell to check for any abnormalities in your body. Recently, it seems there were traces of your mana almost going out of control—am I correct?”
“Can magic tell you something like that?”
“If you read the flow, it’s possible. Especially when it comes to mana, it’s even easier.”
How fascinating. But at the same time, it made me uneasy. I had no grasp of the limits of magic.
“It’s not certain, but I suspect Your Highness’s memory loss is due to the mana surge. You’ve often been at risk of it before, and this time, I believe the accumulated strain finally erupted.”
“…….”
“I suggest you speak with Lord Isaac regarding this matter as well.”
Killis’s tone was so calm that I found myself feeling embarrassed.
From the way he mentioned Isaac, it didn’t seem like he was unaware of the relationship between Nepheli and Isaac.
“Um, Duke?”
“Please, feel free to call me Killis. So, what would you like to ask?”
“Well, do you happen to know any way to suppress mana? You might already know, but this situation is a bit…… unsettling.”
Feeling awkward, I started fidgeting with my fingers.
That damn system threatened me through the message window about dying if I didn’t maintain a relationship with Isaac, but…… the thought of having to keep it going felt burdensome.
Of course, Isaac was incredibly handsome, fit, and the act felt good when we were together. Still, my moral compass was too strong to enjoy a relationship purely for the sake of a goal without any emotions involved.
“There’s nothing.”
“Really, nothing at all……?”
“You may not remember, but Your Highness’s mana circuits are damaged.”
“What does it mean for them to be damaged?”
“To put it simply, every mage has a ‘vessel’ for storing mana. Normally, when this vessel is full, it won’t absorb any more mana. However, Your Highness’s body doesn’t recognize the size of this vessel.”
“…….”
“If water fills the vessel to the brim but you keep pouring more, what do you think will happen?”
“It will overflow.”
“Your Highness’s condition is exactly like that. Even though the vessel is already full, you continue to absorb mana from the air, and the mana that cannot fit in the vessel infiltrates your body and causes a surge.”
“Then can’t I just use the excess mana to get rid of it?”
“Your Highness’s body doesn’t just fail to recognize the size of the vessel, it’s also cracked. Simple magic is fine, but the more advanced the magic, the greater the strain on the vessel.”
I recalled the warning message that had popped up when I suddenly conjured the ointment, as well as Reno’s worried reaction.
“If the overflowing water can’t be contained, and the vessel breaks completely, you will be completely submerged. You will die if you can’t manage the excess mana, and you will die if the vessel breaks.”
Now, everything I had been through started to make sense. No wonder when I first became Nepheli, I felt like my whole body was burning and that I might die…….
Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was too much for me to die in reality. This was Nepheli’s problem, not mine.
“So, Your Highness needs a way to transfer mana without overloading the vessel.”
“That means…….”
“You need Isaac. Nobles can provide mana to their guardians, and guardians can use the mana they receive from the nobles.”
In the end, it meant there was no way to avoid establishing a relationship with Isaac.
‘I didn’t know guardians could receive and use mana.’
It wasn’t mentioned in the book I read yesterday…… Wait a minute. Guardians?
“Um, I have a question.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“You just said guardians, right? Does that mean not just Isaac, but also Reno and you……?”
“I don’t. I’m a magician, so I already possess unique mana. But if you wish to, I would gladly oblige.”
“Oh, no! That’s fine! It’s not that I don’t want to! What I mean is…….”
“You don’t need to say anything. I won’t misunderstand. I know that you don’t dislike me. And I also know that you don’t like me.”
I hadn’t expected him to hit the nail on the head like that. It was convenient to have it clarified so quickly, but there was still something weighing on my mind.
“I appreciate your understanding, but…… is it really okay? If I have a relationship with Isaac and Reno instead of you?”
“It’s fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s an important matter concerning your well-being. I understand it’s unavoidable.”
“……”
“However, this is only my understanding as Duke Yelpen and your fiancé. If I were to express my personal feelings, it’s not okay. It couldn’t be okay. Just thinking about them desiring you makes me jealous.”
