How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 95
“Is this the first time?”
The low voice from right beside me made me flinch without realizing it. I looked up and saw Isaac’s face hardened.
The man, who already had a cold demeanor, was now deliberately fixing his expression, and it was so sharp that it made my heart sink.
It belatedly dawned on me that Isaac had been showing a softer expression when he was in front of me. Even I, who was only glancing at him from the side, was startled, so Meliana, who was facing him directly, must have been even more taken aback.
When I looked at Meliana’s face, she looked unusually scared. The confident, arrogant expression she usually wore was nowhere to be seen.
“That is…….”
“Please tell me, have you threatened Her Highness before?”
“Well, it’s just that my guardian tried to protect me.”
“So, you’re admitting it. Who dared to threaten Her Highness?”
“Lord Isaac, even you… how could you do this to me…….”
“If you choose to remain silent.”
Isaac began, his gaze sweeping over each of Meliana’s guardians one by one.
“I will consider that everyone here agrees with that.”
Isaac hadn’t even drawn the sword at his waist, nor made any overtly threatening moves. Yet, with that single statement, an icy chill spread through the air.
The heavy silence that followed was oppressive, the tension so thick that no one dared to act recklessly. And as the weight of numerous gazes fell upon me, I realized I was the only one who could diffuse this situation.
“It’s fine, Lord Isaac. Please, let it go.”
“Are you certain, Your Highness?”
“Yes. And Meliana, I think it’s best if you stop here as well.”
“……Ha.”
Meliana, who had been frozen in place, grimaced at my words.
Her displeasure was evident in the way her face contorted, but finding nothing else to say, she begrudgingly gave the order.
“Have everyone lower their swords.”
At Meliana’s command, the swords were swiftly lowered.
Still glaring at me and Isaac.
Meliana added with a pointed tone.
“I’ll let today’s incident slide since I also made a mistake. But keep this in mind, Lord Isaac—there won’t be a next time.”
After issuing her threat, Meliana spun on her heel and strode away. Yet, strangely enough, her departure wasn’t intimidating—it felt almost laughable.
“She picked a fight and then ran away.”
Reno commented, his impression seemingly mirroring mine.
While the issue with Meliana had been resolved for now, a new problem had arisen. The earlier clash, which nearly escalated into a swordfight, had frightened the people who had come to collect their iron supplement rations, causing many of them to scatter.
‘I worked so hard to gather everyone here…….’
I glanced at the noticeably empty spaces left behind by those who had fled and stifled a bitter smile.
The thought even crossed my mind that Meliana might have orchestrated the earlier commotion with this outcome in mind.
When the distribution was finally wrapped up, the quest’s progress read as follows.
[<Linked Quest> Revolution That Changes the World. (In Progress)
―Distribute the new alternative supplements (480/1,000)
―Time Limit: 5 days 14:31:12]
‘I’ve made significant progress, but…….’
The numbers felt underwhelming compared to what I had hoped for. My mood soured at the thought of how much further there was to go, and the outlook wasn’t exactly optimistic.
As time went on, there was a chance that fewer people would come forward to receive the iron supplement blocks.
On the way back to the palace, Isaac spoke up.
“Reno Harsen.”
“Y-Yes?”
His voice was calm but deeply resonant, carrying a subtle weight.
When I turned to look, his gaze was sharp, though not as severe as when facing Meliana earlier. Still, it was enough to make me instinctively stiffen.
It seemed like Isaac was about to criticize Reno for provoking Meliana earlier.
If that was the case, I should support Reno since it was all for my sake…….
“Why didn’t you mention that the princess was threatened?”
“Huh?”
“Is this reaction normal?”
“Well, it’s not, but I was surprised. I didn’t expect you to blame her.”
I understood what Reno meant. I thought he would be angry about provoking Meliana, but instead, he was talking about the earlier incident.
“I admit that it was reckless, but I don’t think it’s something to be blamed for. The second princess insulted you first, so as your guardian, I apologize, but as a fellow guardian, I agree with you.”
“Really?”
“However, hiding the fact that the princess was threatened is a serious issue.”
“Ah……?”
