🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter – 07
No, what on earth is going on here?
“I will devote my whole body and help you place the crown on Astarote.”
At the boy’s determined words, I held my head.
“No, that’s not what I mean!”
[(Completed) Quest Achieved: Find a Consort Candidate]
“Eh?”
What is this?
I swallowed hard at the unexpected completion message.
There were clearly five target capture characters. I thought it had to be one of them, so how did the quest succeed?
Reward – [Insight] +20
[Insight] 27 (▲20) / 99
‘It jumped up a lot.’
This wasn’t even a main quest, but the stat increase was huge for a sub quest.
[(New) Sub Quest — Love Pact]
Prepare future plans with the person you promised a future with, and report to the king.
Item obtained: [Marriage Proposal Letter] x1
Time limit: 23 hours 59 minutes
And now even a new quest message appeared.
This really means the quest succeeded.
‘Could a young duke really be okay?’
But seeing that no favorability status is appearing, something feels strange.
And what about Cedric, who already came here?
While I was still regretting things, Cedric finally appeared.
“Wow, amazing!”
Just hearing his voice shattered my illusion completely.
Even though it feels strange to say this now, honestly, Cedric is the most handsome person in this game.
Seeing him in real life, there’s no doubt he has an unreal kind of beauty.
But that’s only when you’re blinded by looks.
‘No matter how handsome he is, what’s the point if his head is empty?’
The owner of that overly light, carefree voice started acting wildly.
“I even got to meet the rumored young duke of Granada!”
Unlike the calm young duke, this pretty useless guy with a light, empty personality made only one thought come to my mind.
‘This is so disappointing…’
It felt like I had been dreaming something impossible, and I couldn’t even speak properly.
“Two people who are so hard to see in one place? This is my lucky day!”
That strange tone, that ridiculous laugh—I was getting dizzy.
“A-Young Lady!”
Mina, who had been watching from afar, desperately called me.
‘What should I do?’
In front of me was cheerful Cedric. Behind me was anxious Mina. And next to me was the young duke of Granada.
Completely cornered.
The young duke signaled to his servant and had Mina called over.
“It’s getting late. You should all go back now.”
Then he spoke to Cedric, who was standing there with his mouth open.
“Cedric Montpellier, correct?”
“Yes! I am Cedric Montpellier!”
“What are you doing here at this hour?”
His tone was clearly displeased, his sharp eyes showing strong pressure.
We are all the same age, so why does he feel like an old adult?
“My father told me to come!”
Honestly, how can someone so handsome look so foolish?
The young duke quickly understood who my confession had been directed to.
“Go back quietly today. I will speak to the Marquis of Montpellier.”
“Thanks! I’ll go then!”
Cedric ran away in panic.
‘At least that distraction is gone.’
Now it was just me and the young duke.
“You seem like you have something to say.”
I avoided his gaze.
“W-Well…”
“…Did you mistake me for that guy?”
“No! I mean—!”
If this quest gets canceled now, I’m really in trouble!
“Lady! It’s bad!”
Mina rushed over and grabbed my hand.
“The Grand Duke will find out soon! We must go back!”
“Mina, wait!”
But there was no time.
“If Father uses that skill, we’re doomed…”
“Talk tomorrow!”
“You’re going home, right?”
“I still have something to say!”
“Then go back for now.”
The young duke nodded and called his butler.
The butler with curled moustache and neatly dressed coat looked like a perfect image of a servant.
“This way, please.”
I gathered my courage and spoke.
“Young Duke of Granada…”
“Call me Ryan, Astarote.”
As expected, I couldn’t undo a completed quest.
Calling a name means getting closer.
“Then you can call me Asta too.”
At least that part was settled.
“It is an honor to be allowed such familiarity by the kingdom’s only hope.”
“Eh?”
Kingdom’s only hope?
That title was used only much later in history…
Why does he already know it?
Before I could ask—
“Asta! My beloved starlight, where are you!”
My father’s voice rang out.
“Sorry, I have to go!”
If Father saw me alone with a man this late at night, things would get serious.
I ran toward the back of the ballroom following the butler’s lantern.
“There!”
I climbed out the open window.
“A-Young Lady!”
I landed on the ground and immediately saw red text.
Duke Halshtain is using [Child Safety Service Lv.5]
The skill I never wanted him to use.
The most terrifying skill for all his children.
[Active Skill — Child Safety Service Lv.5]
Can instantly locate his children.
Range: 500m around Duke Halshtain
Cooldown: 1 day
Target will know the skill has been used.
‘Saved!’
I was inside the building, so I quickly gave the butler a thumbs-up.
He bowed politely and left.
‘We got through it.’
I sat down, exhausted.
Then the door burst open.
“Astarote Halshtain!”
“Hmm, Father?”
I blinked innocently.
Father smiled and opened his arms.
“There you are.”
“Yes, I was tired, so I came back early.”
“Such a mischievous child. Father was worried.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s late. Let’s go home.”
“Go home?”
If I go home now, what about the quest?
“Father…”
“I want to stay in the palace alone.”
If I go home now, I’ll lose all the time.
Father looked disappointed.
Duke Halshtain’s favorability decreases by 1.
Duke Halshtain Favorability: 99 (▼1) / 100
It was always full, but now I could finally see the number.
