How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 45
“The reason I became your guardian was because of Isaac. If he hadn’t volunteered to be your guardian, I doubt I’d have even considered it. I had no particular interest in the position, after all.”
“……?”
He became my guardian because of Isaac? Could it be that he has some sort of rivalry with him?
“Well, then Isaac suddenly declares he’s going to be Your Highness’s guardian. And on top of that, you said you had no plans to take on another guardian besides him. The late Duke had quite the headache because of it.”
“Is there a problem with having only one guardian?”
“It’s not exactly a rule, but it’s never happened before. Plus, Isaac is the sole heir of House Harsen.”
“……?”
Still not quite understanding the issue, I tilted my head, and Reno kindly elaborated.
“Given Isaac’s personality, if he became Your Highness’s guardian, he’d just follow you around all the time. Why, just yesterday, he insisted on standing guard, keeping watch outside your room even though you weren’t going out, right?”
I nodded, confirming his words, and Reno, as if expecting it, continued.
“That guy. You probably didn’t know, but he stays close to Your Highness during the day on guard duty and even remains nearby at night, too. He’s there even with the guards switching shifts. The only time he trains on his own is when you’re in class with Duke Yelpen.”
I was at a loss for words, my lips parting in silent surprise. He was protecting me not only during the day but at night as well.
“I had no idea. When does Isaac even sleep?”
“He’s human, so he does sleep, but he’s so sensitive to any movement that he wakes up immediately. Even though I told him not to worry since I’ve assigned a spirit to keep watch over you, he won’t listen. He’s completely inflexible.”
“A spirit? You assigned a spirit? To me?”
“Yes. This little one here.”
With a wave of Reno’s hand, a glittering cluster of light appeared. Made entirely of white light, it took the form of a tiny fairy with delicate wings, from which a faint green dust drifted down as it fluttered. At a glance, it looked almost like a firefly.
“Normally, it stays invisible and just lingers near Your Highness. It takes a lot of energy to reveal it like this.”
“It’s beautiful……. Would it be okay if I touched it?”
“Of course.”
I cautiously extended my hand, and the spirit came over, eagerly rubbing itself against my fingertips. There wasn’t a distinct feeling of contact, but it gave off a subtle warmth.
“When Your Highness needs me, this little one lets me know.”
Ah, so that’s why the maids had said such things. They’d been curious about how Reno always seemed to know when I needed him, arriving right on cue.
With another wave of Reno’s hand, the spirit disappeared, leaving me wistfully fiddling with the fingers it had touched.
“Sorry, I got sidetracked for a moment. Anyway, if Isaac were solely responsible as Your Highness’s guardian, he’d hardly have time for anything else. His personal training only happens when you’re in other classes, so there’s no way he could manage the Harsen estate’s affairs. It must have felt like an intrusion.”
“But even as the Duke’s heir, shouldn’t he take care of the Harsen family……?”
“Usually, yes, but to Isaac, Your Highness takes absolute priority. If he saw the family duties as hindering his ability to protect you, he would have gladly given up his role as heir.”
“To that extent……?”
“Yes. That’s why the late Duke Harsen was so concerned. He knew his son’s temperament all too well.”
“I suppose he had good reason to worry.”
A perfectly capable heir saying he’d give up his title? And the only heir at that. I’d have been worried too.
“Imagine how it felt for me, watching all this. The late Duke is the one who took me in, after all—my benefactor. Seeing him so troubled, I had no choice but to step in.”
“So when you say it was because of Isaac……?”
“I meant that if things continue as they were, Isaac might have actually given up his title. So I told him I’d join as well. This way, while I assist as a guardian, Isaac could still attend to his responsibilities as Duke.”
