How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 43
But seriously, isn’t this too difficult? While my rival princess enjoys the support and strength of her paternal family, here I am, expected to turn a princess with nothing into the next Evgenia…….
Recalling the main quest, I stifled a sigh.
“What happened to Nepheli’s mana circuit to cause its damage?”
“You should ask Lord Isaac. He’s the one responsible for Your Highness’s condition.”
“What? Lord Isaac did that?”
“He didn’t do it directly, but he holds responsibility. It’s the reason he’s so unconditionally devoted to you.”
So Isaac is somehow connected to the damage done to Nepheli’s mana circuit……?
Then, his loyalty must stem from guilt or a sense of responsibility.
“May I ask how you ended up becoming my fiancé?”
“I volunteered.”
“……Really?”
“You seem doubtful.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just surprising. According to what you’ve told me, I seem to be somewhat removed from the line of succession.”
“That doesn’t matter. Even if Your Highness does not become the next Evgenia, it’s of no concern to me. My desire to be your fiancé is simply the natural order of things.”
“The natural order……?”
“Think of it as something that was meant to be. You don’t remember, but you are the one who owns my heart. And I swore upon it—to love only you and do anything for your sake.”
“…….”
“That’s all.”
Killis gave a fleeting smile, one that stirred an ache in me just watching it, as though there was a longing hidden within.
But that smile quickly vanished. Returning to his expressionless self, he announced that we’d continue the lesson, then started writing on the slate with a spell.
His actions somehow felt like a silent plea not to ask further, so I decided to drop the subject.
Killis finished the lesson around the time the sun was dipping below the horizon, just as it was time for dinner.
I urged him to stay and eat with me, but he shook his head, saying he had much to do back home. Instead, he handed me a mountain of assignments for both review and preparation.
‘Assignments……’
It was a word I hadn’t heard since high school, stirring both a sense of nostalgia and bewilderment—especially considering the sheer volume.
Certain that it was far too much for anyone to realistically complete, I voiced my concerns to Killis, only for him to respond curtly.
“Just do as much as you can manage. However, I’d advise completing it all if possible. After all, at this very moment, Your Highness is already falling behind Princess Meliana.”
It was a ruthlessly honest remark. Isaac, Killis—why did everyone around me seem so unyieldingly cold?
‘Still, if I want to return home, I have to push through.’
Steeling myself, I opened the stack of assignments Killis had left me.
* * *
Two days had passed since then, filled with routines that felt both similar and distinct. Isaac continued to stand guard, while Killis would visit daily, offering lessons and handing out an overwhelming amount of assignments.
Unbeknownst to me, princesses were required to maintain strong physiques and protect themselves.
This meant training in fitness and self-defense, with horseback riding and archery as additional skills. Typically, magic suffices, so learning to shoot arrows isn’t necessary, but I was an exception, unable to use magic.
They assured me it wouldn’t take up too much time—just two or three short sessions per week.
Though Nepheli’s physical strength was better than it appeared, she was still considered frail, and anything beyond that would strain her.
Isaac and Reno would alternate as my instructors…….
“Your Highness, you must focus. Your arm is shaking.”
Startled by Reno’s low voice in my ear, I shivered slightly, inadvertently releasing the tightly drawn bowstring. The arrow shot forward in a rapid arc.
Thud!
The arrow had flown far and barely lodged itself at the edge of the target. Reno, examining it, gave a brief exclamation.
“Oh! Outside the target.”
Just as he’d said, the arrow had missed the rings, sticking out awkwardly near the very corner.
“Seems Isaac wasn’t entirely truthful. He said you shot perfectly well yesterday.”
“……That’s because you’re distracting me.”
In truth, I wasn’t entirely confident I could hit the center even if I focused, but feeling embarrassed, I grumbled back anyway.
And it wasn’t completely unfounded. Isaac never spoke to me in this casual manner, after all.