For some reason, I wasn't particularly surprised, as I had expected this to happen based on the story's progression.
I slowly turned around. The pre-festival that started at dusk had now turned into deep darkness.
The few surviving lights, amidst the broken lamps caused by the monsters, faintly illuminated the face of the person who called me.
[Goodwill 20%]
However, I could easily distinguish the male leads even in the darkness.
"Your Grace."
Calling Bunter this way felt very unfamiliar, as it was the first time I did so.
'Until recently, I was speaking to him casually and arrogantly...'
Now that the masquerade ball was over, it would be a big problem if I continued to do so.
While I was practicing the unfamiliar "Your Grace" in my head, Bunter quickly approached and stood in front of me.
Despite the unfamiliar title, his eye color was not strange to me.
"Thank you for your help today... I am truly grateful."
He bowed politely to me.
'Well, I kind of expected this much.'
Now that I had developed a bit of a hard mode, I replied nonchalantly.
"I didn't come out to help Your Grace specifically. So there's no need to thank me."
Despite feeling awkward, the smooth honorifics flowed out naturally.
"But..."
"..."
"You went out of your way to save people, didn't you? Including me."
He lifted his head and glanced at my hands, which were resting calmly.
Following his gaze, I lowered my head unconsciously, and my eyes widened slowly.
I finally realized that my hands were trembling intermittently.
'Right. I pushed myself too hard with this low-stamina body.'
I wasn't good at using the crossbow, as my arm strength was poor.
But my trembling wasn't just because I had pushed myself.
I pretended to be calm, but in fact, I was more afraid of the situation than anyone else.
The giant chicken foot raised to stomp on me, the numerous monsters that charged at me alone, and my body and hands moving out of control.
The chilling scenes came back to me, and I involuntarily squeezed my eyes shut.
But I tried not to show it and hid my trembling hands behind my back.
"Anyone else would have done the same. Don't worry about it..."
"No."
Bunter denied it, despite my desperate attempt to act nonchalant.
"No one could have been as brave as you. Even though the monsters were so easy to deal with..."
He suddenly stopped speaking and frowned, as if he was in pain.
'...Is he feeling guilty for hiding his magic and not doing anything?'
I didn't understand Bunter's dilemma.
What's wrong with being selfish for my own safety?
Besides, he had done what he could.
Just like I had relied on the system to save my life and, in turn, saved the extras arranged by the game.
"Everyone did their best in their own way, and that's enough."
I shrugged and replied nonchalantly.
"I wouldn't have been able to do anything without the crossbow and would have just been chased by the monsters."
"..."
"I know you did your best to save the children within your limits. I couldn't do that in front of the Crown Prince; I was too scared."
Even as I said it, I found it to be a very accurate statement, which made me a bit amused.
If Bunter hadn't taken the initiative and killed the monsters, I wouldn't have been able to stop the Crown Prince's order like I did earlier.
Bunter, who had been watching me with a calm, slightly amused expression, suddenly had his navy blue eyes flicker.
And.
[Goodwill 24%]
His head flashed.
4%. I was surprised by the significant increase.
'...He's just going to turn back when he meets the heroine soon, so there's no point in constantly clashing with him.'
The smile on my face slowly faded.
"Thank you for your praise. I'll be going now."
I hurriedly ended the conversation.
In fact, I was so exhausted that I couldn't bear to stay any longer.
'Come to think of it, Bunter is the only one who thanked me for saving him.'
He was the only normal male lead, so I felt a bit reluctant, even though I knew it wasn't true.
Just as I was about to turn and leave after a brief bow,
"Miss."
A warm palm urgently grabbed my arm.
I turned my head in surprise to see Bunter looking at me with an unreadable expression.
"The gift you sent... I received it well."
His lips, which had been hesitating, parted, and he whispered softly, just for me to hear.
"Can I also give you a gift in return for your help today?"
At that moment,
"Penelope!"
Someone called out to me from the side with a stiff voice.
[Goodwill 27%]
The darkness made the goodwill more noticeable than his appearance.
But I could immediately tell who it was from the irritated voice.
"What are you doing with my sister?"
"Renaud."
Indeed, it seemed to be a day for the male leads to gather, as Renaud appeared this time.
'I thought he had left already...'
He was the kind of person who would leave without a word when he grabbed my sleeve, but he always showed up at the most surprising moments.
I was taken aback by the pink-haired figure glaring at Bunter and me with narrowed eyes.
"Come here, Penelope."
Renaud called me, eyeing Bunter, who was holding my arm, with suspicion.
However, Bunter didn't let go of my arm. Seeing this, Renaud's demeanor became more aggressive.
'Why does this feel so familiar...'
I suddenly remembered the training ground.
I was caught between them, trying to read the situation, and then I gently shook the arm Bunter was holding.
"Your Grace."
Unlike other male leads, Bunter's grip on me wasn't very strong.
I could have pulled away with all my strength, like I did with Derrick and Eclis, but I didn't want to do that to the only male lead who treated me with respect.
"Your Grace...?"
But Bunter remained unmoved.
I looked up at him with wide eyes. Renaud's voice became more sarcastic.
"She said to let go."
"..."
"Ha! You're not letting go?"
Finally, the hot-tempered Renaud clenched his teeth and stepped forward to pull me away.
Just then, the arm that was being held slipped free. It was a weak, resigned touch.
As soon as Bunter's grip loosened, Renaud quickly grabbed me.
He pushed me behind him as if to hide me.
Now that he had no more reservations, he smirked and taunted Bunter.
"Your Grace, you seem to be trying to take advantage of an innocent, naive girl. Don't you think you should consider your age?"
I was shocked by his rude words and punched his shoulder without thinking.
"Are you crazy? That's not what's happening!"
"You be quiet! A girl like you, who's not afraid of anything..."
Renaud shouted at my reaction.
I was furious.
"If you're going to say that, let me go. I'll go by myself."
After saying this coldly and twisting my hand, the guy panicked and shouted.
"Anyway, you have no chance, so stay away from her from now on!"
"You really..."
"Ah, let's go, let's go! Ugh, what a temper..."
Renaud grumbled as if he had intended to leave all along.
'Who's talking about temper?!'
I was so taken aback by his comment about my temper that I almost swore, but I held it back.
I could still feel the burning gaze on the back of my head.
As I was half-dragged by Renaud, I glanced back.
Bunter, still standing in the same spot, looked at me and moved his lips when our eyes met.
"I'll wait for your answer, Miss."
I was surprised by his unexpectedly persistent side.
As I looked at him with wide eyes,
Suddenly, he stopped walking, and a loud voice came from ahead.
"Ah, hey! There's no need to answer, so don't waste your time..."
"No, it's fine."
I hastily interrupted Renaud and replied.
"I told the messenger not to expect an answer to the gift."
I repeated what I had told him before, smiling.
The smile I hadn't given him when I was wearing the mask.
Looking at his navy blue eyes, which flickered again, I thought.
[Goodwill 26%]
It was surprising that the goodwill increased even after a firm rejection.
As I was dragged out of the outdoor banquet by Renaud,
"Miss!"
"Penelope!"
Emily and the Duke, who had been waiting anxiously near the entrance, ran over to me with relief.
"Are you okay, Miss?"
"Are you hurt anywhere? Huh?"
They took turns checking my body.
I answered with a bewildered expression, not expecting such a warm welcome.
"I'm fine. I'm not hurt."
"Don't worry. I guess they're just worried because they didn't see you take out all the monsters..."
Renaud, who was about to make a sarcastic remark, immediately shut up when he saw the Duke's eyes widen in shock.
The annoyed look on his face was quite amusing.
I turned my head and looked at the Duke again.
"Is the Duke hurt anywhere? And Emily?"
"I was lucky to avoid any trouble because I had to go to the cabana in the middle of the event."