CHAPTER 7.
Shall I Go See Her Now?
“Your Highness, what color would you like for your dress?”
“Something bright would suit you, as always…”
“Shall we put your hair up or leave it down?”
The maids bustled about for the upcoming ball.
Amid the chaos, I stole a glance at the numbers above Seira’s head.
Maid of the 3rd Princess’s Palace
Affection Level: 538
Seira’s affection had dropped significantly — because I kept nudging her guilt.
But even so, a value above 500 wasn’t exactly low.
I stared intently at her affection score, thinking.
Over the past few days, I’d discovered a few more functions of this system window.
Those words above people’s heads showing names and titles—
If you stared at them long enough, it was like clicking on them. A detailed information window popped up.
Ding!
Just like that.
[Close attendant to Princess Ruibel Azester. Niece of Countess Arlia, the princess’s nanny. Entered the palace at age 5 as the princess’s playmate and became a maid at age 15.
▶ Health: 138
▶ Mana: 72
▶ Attack: 20
▶ Defense: 161…
▶ Ideal Type: A righteous, kind-hearted man
▶ Romance View: Dreams of an honest and sincere relationship without lies.]
In the game, players could use characters as [Allies] in each scenario. These stats were probably for reference.
Interestingly, it also showed unrelated info like ideal type and relationship views—
That was thanks to an item Hezen owned: [Miriam’s Ring].
“What a scumbag. Even paid money to build a damn harem.”
Miriam’s Ring was a cash item with zero combat effects.
Hezen’s obsession with playing the main character and hitting on every female character made me furious.
“Well, at least I’m using it to gather intel…”
Seira had high morality stats and a romantic view based on honesty and virtue.
So I targeted her guilt.
“Seira, be honest with me. Are you hiding your feelings for Hezen because of me?”
“Y-Your Highness… I-I was wrong… sob…”
Every word I said chipped away at her affection level.
And I didn’t stop there. I made regular visits to my sister Elizabeth.
Her ideal type, revealed by Miriam’s Ring, was a muscular, hyper-masculine man.
“I’m troubled about Hezen, sister… Actually, he’s…”
“What?! Sir Hezen stopped exercising and now has a flabby belly?!”
“Yes, all that muscle is gone now… Oh, and this is just between us! We’re sisters, after all!”
Sister Elizabeth couldn’t hide her disappointment.
Her affection points dropped in real-time, showing just how let down she was.
I even braved approaching my arch-nemesis Sylvia.
“Sylvia, do men usually not wash their hands after using the restroom?”
“Ugh, how filthy! Who on earth—?!”
“Hezen does that. I wouldn’t know—he’s the only man I interact with, so I thought I’d ask someone with brothers…”
“Good heavens! Disgusting!”
Sylvia, who was a germaphobe, dropped her affection score dramatically.
Watching the affection levels of Hezen’s targets plummet made me scoff.
“Hmph. Let him panic when he sees those numbers tonight at the ball.”
But petty sabotage like this wasn’t enough.
That damn guy had aggressively pursued every woman possible—
This barely made a dent.
I needed a big hit.
A blow that would send everyone’s affection for him crashing all at once.
“You look stunning today, Your Highness!”
“You’ll be the brightest star at tonight’s ball!”
The maids’ gushing flattery made me glance at the mirror.
All dressed and done up, I wore a deep wine-red dress with bare shoulders.
They draped a black shawl over it.
“Thanks.”
I gave a soft smile and headed to the ballroom.
“Announcing the arrival of Her Highness, Princess Ruibel Azester!”
At the herald’s booming voice, everyone’s eyes turned toward me—then gradually shifted away.
As I sipped my drink with a graceful smile, sure enough—
“Ruru…”
Hezen approached with a gentle smile.
For days, he’d been circling around me like a fruit fly, trying to win back affection.
“R-Ruru… about the other day…”
[SYSTEM] Emergency Alert!
[SYSTEM] Emergency Alert!
[SYSTEM] has begun to feel intense hatred upon hearing your voice…
Each time, my rage surged, filling my power stat to the brim.
“Eek!”
Apparently, he still remembered that day I smacked him so hard he lost teeth.
Because now, every time he tried to approach me,
his system would scream alerts and he’d flee with some ridiculous speed buff skill.
I could only glare as he ran off like a coward.
“How have you been?”
Hezen greeted me with fake friendliness.
“Ah… There are too many eyes here for me to punch him.”
I clicked my tongue at his slyness.
As we closed distance, the quest window lit up again—annoyingly loud.
“So noisy.”
I turned to him, not bothering to hide my irritation.
When Hezen was nearby, I could see his quest and system notifications.
And within a 1-meter range…
Ding!
The interface appeared.
Buttons to check the player’s status, skills, items, and more.
Once again, it hit me—
this really was a virtual reality game.
One golden button in particular caught my eye: [Player-Exclusive Shop].
But I looked up at him and smiled sweetly.
“Long time no see, Hezen. Have you been well?”
He froze.
Clearly not expecting that reaction.
“Ruru… are you not mad anymore?”
He asked suspiciously.
Of course, my affection level for him was still firmly at –999.
[SYSTEM] Emergency Alert! is beginning to harbor lethal intent toward you!
Ignoring the usual sirens, I kept smiling.
“Oh my, ‘mad’? That makes it sound like we fought.”
I picked up a dessert from the table and held it out.
[SYSTEM] Emergency Alert! ‘s lethal intent is intensifying!
[SYSTEM] ‘s lethal intent is now incalculable. Caution advised.
“Here, Hezen. Want to try this?”
Sticky honey-based dessert glistened on the plate.
Hezen’s face turned ghost-white at the incalculable danger warning.
“Y-You want me to eat this…?”
“Ugh… kkhhk… s-save me…”
A palace servant writhed in agony on the floor, bound by invisible force.
Above his head:
Palace Servant of Azester Imperial Palace
“What’s wrong? Who said anything about dying?”
Ancelot smiled as he approached.
“I just thought…”
Each step closer painted terror across the servant’s face.
“I’d share a precious tea said to be served only to Azester royals.”
He held a teapot in one hand.
It was the same one the servant had just brought to him.
Ancelot grabbed the servant’s jaw.
“Gkh!”
Despite the crushing grip, the servant clenched his lips and shook his head furiously.
“What’s this? You don’t want any?”
“Mmmph!”
Ancelot tilted his head, amused.
“That’s odd. You offered me rare tea—thought I’d share the honor with you.”
“Mmphh!!”
“Well, if you insist…”
He smiled and tilted the pot over the servant’s head.
Splash.
Lukewarm tea soaked his hair.
“Aaaaaaagh!”
The servant collapsed in a faint.
“Tsk.”
Ancelot nudged him with his toe.
How boring.
He tossed the pot aside.
He caught the faint scent of a paralytic poison.
So subtle, a normal person wouldn’t notice.
A few more kicks dislodged a dagger hidden in the servant’s chest.
“Planning to paralyze me and finish me off, huh?”
Ancelot sneered and picked up the dagger.
With one thrust, he ended the servant’s life.
Rumors would soon spread—the murderous prince of Luenhart had claimed another victim.
But Ancelot didn’t care.
He had more important things to worry about.
“Ruibel Azester. Third princess of the Azester Empire…”
A girl who fluttered like a spring blossom—
and perhaps, someone outside the rules of this System.
He first saw her on the way to his diplomatic audience with the Emperor.
She’d stopped him in his tracks—
not because of her beauty, but because of a strangely familiar scent.
Then he noticed the pink window above her head.
Ancelot frowned.
“So she’s this round’s ‘awakening sacrifice’…”
A pink window meant she was the player’s romantic partner.
And he knew that bastard would awaken via her death.
He hadn’t planned to interfere.
But the 999 affection number rubbed him the wrong way.
Every woman in this world had 999 toward the player.
It was ridiculous—and disheartening.
“She’s just like the rest.”
He’d looked away coldly, even as something in her gaze disturbed him.
Then she stole his pendant.
His first instinct was to kill her.
But then he saw her use that power—and access the System.
Now, he was intrigued.
Maybe… just maybe, she could give him what he wanted.
“Time to pay her a visit.”
Humming, Ancelot stood before the mirror.
The ball was already underway.
Normally, he avoided noisy events.
But Ruibel would be there.
He chuckled at the memory of her dodging him all week.
“Cough, cough… Sorry, I’m not feeling well today… Let’s reschedule.”
“Weren’t you just charging around, threatening to beat the player?”
“…”
Or sending a maid to pretend she wasn’t home…
“Sorry, Prince. Her Highness isn’t available—oh!”
“Then who’s sitting on the windowsill?”
“I am but the shadow of Princess Ruibel.”
Or leaping from the third floor to escape.
“Your Highness! I told you not to jump from the windows!”
“…”
She was like a sneaky little mouse—but amusing.
Still, it was time to collect on that pendant.
“And I do miss her a little.”
He smiled as he imagined her wide-eyed look—like a frightened bunny.
With a click of his fingers, glowing letters appeared above his head:
Prince of Luenhart Kingdom
He cast a satisfied glance at the text and strode off into the night.
