Chapter 97: The Villain's Ending is Only Death
Seeing me suddenly stop talking, the Crown Prince narrowed his eyes.
'He has a sixth sense, that guy.'
I had planned to lay low at the duke's mansion after the hunting competition ended, after bombing the courtroom.
However, the fact that the bastard woke up earlier than expected put me in a very awkward position.
Cold sweat trickled down my neck.
I managed to answer without my voice trembling.
"…I ended up testifying."
"You must have had a tough time."
Fortunately, the Crown Prince didn't catch my nervousness.
"Thinking about it, you did a great job during this hunting competition. You even saved the Crown Prince, so you deserve a reward."
"That, that's not necessary…"
"No, nothing in particular."
Everything was done at the system's command.
Besides, why would I accept something from him, only to hear what he might say later?
But with my sharp refusal, the Crown Prince scolded me.
"You must want something, right?"
"Didn't you say you were crazy about gold, which is similar to my hair color?"
'…Hmm? Something seems off.'
This thought flashed through my mind, but I was quickly drawn in by what he added.
"Would you like a chest of gold?"
But I was the only Ecart Countess in the empire.
Not a poor and miserable college freshman struggling to make ends meet.
Besides, even if I took it, it would just be game money, and what use would I have for a lot of it when I returned?
I refused, my voice tinged with regret.
"Tell me when you want it. Before I change my mind."
Annoyed by my repeated refusals, the Crown Prince grumbled in a cold voice.
"Then… I have one request to make of Your Highness."
After some thought, I brought up what I had been worrying about.
"Promise me you'll listen. Promise me."
"How big of a request could it be? It's a bit scary."
"It's not that big of a request."
He arrogantly gestured with his chin while lying down.
"Unless you're asking for the Empress's head, I'll consider it. It might take some time, but I might even be able to get the Duke's head."
"I don't want the Duke's head."
I shuddered at the thought, then got to the point.
"Whatever news you hear in the future, don't try to kill me."
"I'm asking you not to kill me, no matter what happens. If you're going to give me a reward, let this be it."
I was making a serious request, but all I got was a hollow laugh.
The Crown Prince asked, looking exasperated.
"Do you think I'm some bloodthirsty murderer?"
I wanted to say it out loud, but I couldn't with his bloodshot eyes glaring at me.
'…Why ask if you don't want to hear the answer?'
While muttering in frustration, he raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Usually, noble ladies would ask to be invited to the palace again or for some royal jewels. Why do you pick such useless things that other noble ladies wouldn't even consider?"
"You have a history, don't you?"
My sharp retort left the Crown Prince speechless.
After a moment of deep thought, he suddenly narrowed his eyes.
"Did you do something while I was asleep in the courtroom?"
This time, my mouth snapped shut.
'He's got a sixth sense.'
I barely managed to suppress a gasp.
His animal-like intuition was sending shivers down my spine.
"No, no. What could I have done?"
"Then why are you making such a request?"
"Just to prevent any potential issues if we happen to meet at a banquet in the future. I really was sick then."
"You said you'd give me a reward first."
I only told you because you said you'd give me a reward. Why are you dragging this out?
The Crown Prince clicked his tongue, looking displeased.
After a long moment of contemplation, he finally answered.
"You're promising this on your honor as the Crown Prince! Got it?"
Getting his clear answer, I couldn't help but smile.
'Yes! At least this will help me get through a few tough spots!'
It was the best news I had heard since coming here.
Through this hunting competition, I realized that no matter how hard I tried to avoid the X-marked characters, I couldn't completely avoid them during the main storyline.
Unlike my elation, the Crown Prince looked distinctly unhappy, his face twisted.
"Is that really so good?"
"Of course! How good it is."
Receiving a promise not to be killed by the most dangerous of the four was a cause for joy.
I couldn't help but smile broadly.
Calisto, who seemed upset at being treated like a 'bloodthirsty murderer,' eventually let out a hollow laugh.
My joyful, grinning face seemed to amuse him.
"You… are really strange."
He muttered to himself, looking at me with unfamiliar eyes.
I swallowed my retort that he was the strange one.
After all, my goodwill had increased.
Surprisingly, Calisto had become the second male lead with the highest goodwill, following Eclis.
And I couldn't help but think that this game was really going off the rails.
The final day of the hunting competition dawned.
Nobles gathered in the open field for the selection of the winner and the closing ceremony.
The Duke and his two sons, including Bouter, were also present.
The tents where the competition was held were piled high with game caught by each family.
Originally, I had no intention of coming.
However, the Crown Prince sent a servant to insist on my participation, leaving me no choice.
The midday sun was scorching.
I brought a parasol to use as a shield, but as expected,
"Look! It's Countess Ecart!"
"Did you hear? The Countess used a crossbow on the nobles…."
"Is it true that she had a secret meeting with the Crown Prince?"
As soon as I appeared, whispers and murmurs erupted from all around.
'Go ahead, talk all you want.'
I stood at the edge of the shade, ignoring the commotion.
My mind was preoccupied with the thought of escaping before the Crown Prince came to question me after hearing the news.
I didn't care about the extra characters' gossip.
"The Crown Prince is here!"
Soon, the Crown Prince walked up to the podium with a grand announcement.
I subtly covered my face with the parasol to avoid being recognized.
"Did everyone catch a lot of game?"
Standing above everyone, the Crown Prince looked down with a haughty expression, opening the closing ceremony.
Peeking at him from under the parasol, I was surprised.
'He was clearly ill just yesterday…'
There was no sign of illness in the Crown Prince on the podium.
"This hunting competition has concluded without any major issues."
His calm, matter-of-fact tone left me speechless.
- The one who will become emperor must be flawless.
Calisto was faithfully following his own words, truly embodying the 'Iron-Blooded Crown Prince.'
"Everyone has worked hard. I'm curious to see who showed the most passion in courting."
The nobles laughed at his words.
"Let's start with the announcement of the game counts."
The Crown Prince nodded to the crowd below.
A servant who had tallied the game counts over the four days brought a large scroll.
Soon, the names of the participants and their final game counts were announced loudly.
"I dedicate my game to Lady Julie!"
"I dedicate my game to Lady Natalie…!"
Occasionally, young, spirited nobles would declare their dedication of the game to their lovers.
The servants were busy recalculating the scores.
'Oh, this is more interesting than I thought.'
The atmosphere heated up quickly with the blushing faces of the ladies whose names were called and the cheers of those around them.
I understood why the Crown Prince had made a joke.
I watched the selection of the winner with much more interest than when I first arrived.
Naturally, the scores increased as the announcements progressed.
Perhaps because of the prize money, some people didn't hand over their game. The Duke was among them.
The male leads' names were not called for a long time.
As expected in a dating simulation game, it seemed the top spots were reserved for the male leads.
After a considerable amount of time, finally,
"The second son of the Ecart family, Lord Leonard Ecart!"
I perked up at the familiar name.
"Two weasels, three pheasants, one marten, three deer, and eight rabbits! Fifth place!"