How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 52
The quest details were good. Good, but all the materials were rather strange.
“Dragon Heart?”
It was, quite literally, a dragon’s heart. Although it was indeed a heart, it was more like a beautiful gemstone, a crystallized form of a dragon’s powerful, condensed mana.
However, it was an extremely rare item, only obtainable if a dragon either died of natural causes after a long lifespan, or was killed.
In the case of the former, it was unclear when it could ever be acquired, as a dragon’s life span was incredibly long, while the latter was nearly impossible. Dragons were described in historical records as beings with power and intelligence so immense they were almost god-like. For humans, killing such a dragon was an exceedingly difficult task.
The Dragon Heart wasn’t the only baffling item. The other items listed below were just as extraordinary.
Though she only needed one of them, none seemed easy to obtain. Was this even possible?
‘There’s no time limit, and it doesn’t hurt to accept it, so I might as well take it for now.’
With a slight nod, the quest was registered. And at the same time, Isaac’s voice rang out.
“Do you need a Dragon Heart?”
Wait, did I just say that out loud? For Isaac to ask me that.
But since he’s asking if I need one, it must not be entirely unobtainable. With a hint of expectation, I asked.
“Do you know how to get one?”
“Evgenia inherits a signet ring embedded with a Dragon Heart, passed down through generations. It’s a legacy left behind by Laura Mare Anesis, the second Evgenia, after her passing.”
“The second Evgenia, she was the Medietas born between the firstborn dragon, wasn’t she?”
“Yes. The second Evgenia inherited an exceptional amount of dragon power and left behind the Dragon Heart. Since then, each Evgenia has used the power of the Dragon Heart to create an egg.”
“Creating an egg…… Do you mean…… a literal egg? Like, a chicken egg?”
“I’ve never seen it myself, but that’s my understanding.”
So the founding myth I read in the chronicles was real? Not just mythic embellishment?
“It’s said that each Evgenia uses the ring’s power to condense their mana with the blood of their chosen partner, thus creating the egg. This is also why royal family members are born with innate magical talent.”
“Ah…….”
So, you need the ring to create the egg. That’s why they have these regular cycles, and the Guardians have magic to prevent pregnancy…….
Thoughts floated loosely in my head, resisting any attempt to organize them. Whether to call it a cultural norm here or just the lore—it was shocking either way. It was almost too much to brush off as “just a game.”
Hmm, but at least if they’re making eggs, there’s no pain from childbirth…….
I let my thoughts drift wherever they wanted, but then quickly pulled myself together. My curiosity was satisfied, but that wasn’t the main point here.
‘So if I become Evgenia, I’ll get the Dragon Heart? And then I can restore my mana circuits?’
It sounded straightforward, but it wasn’t that simple.
To get the Dragon Heart, I’d need to become Evgenia—but to become Evgenia, I’d need the Dragon Heart. It was a maddeningly circular solution with no clear answer.
‘For now, it seems impossible to get the Dragon Heart…… Should I aim for the other two items?’
Isaac’s cooperation was essential if I were to become Evgenia. But if I couldn’t restore my mana circuits, he’d be consumed by guilt, and his affection for me would surely drop.
‘If his affection keeps dropping, who knows what could happen.’
Still, thanks to this quest, I at least had a clearer direction. Even though I still felt overwhelmed by everything ahead…… it was better than being utterly lost without any idea of what to do.
‘For now, let’s deal with the man in front of me.’
Looking at Isaac, still kneeling flawlessly with no hint of agitation, I finally spoke.
“I understand your stance, Lord. But could you consider mine as well?”
“My lady’s stance, you say?”
“Recently, I lost my memory. I was shocked to wake up in pain all over and then find out I had to…… engage with you.”
Even as I spoke, tension gripped me, bracing for the possibility of an affection-drop notification popping up at any moment.
But if I ignored the tension between us, letting it fester unaddressed, it would eventually rot. Even if I stood to lose something, addressing it was the right choice.
“But…… I felt relieved when I realized being close to you took away the pain. I also understand now, from your explanations, that this connection is necessary for my constitution. And it’s not as if you had much of a choice either…”
“I do not serve Your Highness under compulsion.”
“……You say it’s by choice, but Lord, you’re restraining yourself too much. Constantly pushing yourself too hard, and blaming yourself.”
Good. The notification window still hasn’t appeared.
“I understand that you can’t help but feel responsible. Just as it’s your duty, it’s also something I can’t avoid. But the idea that I’m allowed to enjoy this while you cannot…… it feels a bit uncomfortable.”
“There is no need for discomfort. You may do as you please, Your Highness.”
“See, that’s exactly what I mean. Are you saying that because you owe me, I can treat you however I want?”
“Naturally, yes.”
Hopeless. There was just no reasoning with him!
