As I approached the dining room, the muffled sound of laughter and chatter slipped through the doors.
I didn't know exactly how many lovers Davina had. The game never specified, and honestly, I doubted it was worth memorizing every face. All I needed to know was which ones had the power to kill me.
Then again… wasn't that basically everyone in this world?
I let out a dry chuckle as the maids opened the grand double doors for me.
The dining hall was vast and glowing under the soft light of countless candles. At the long table sat more than a dozen well-dressed men. Their conversation halted the moment I stepped in.
I walked calmly to the head of the table, eyes scanning every face.
First, seated to my right, was none other than Cassian. He didn't even glance in my direction. Not that I wanted him to. It wasn't because of how cruelly he treated me last night, I already disliked him long before I entered this game.
One of the worst possible endings in his route had left me, the player, utterly disgusted.
After killing Davina and restoring the empire, Cassian made Aurora — my character — his empress. It seemed like a good ending, until he began forcing her to dress and act like Davina.
Perhaps during their time together, something inside him had twisted. A warped blend of hatred and desire had bloomed, so tangled he could no longer tell love apart from vengeance.
He grew deranged. Possessive. He loved and tormented Aurora as though she were Davina's ghost.
The kind of male lead I might've swooned over in fiction, but in real life? No, thank you.
I should avoid Cassian as much as possible from now on.
To my left sat a young man with golden hair and eyes as blue as the sea. His face was unfamiliar. I'd never seen or heard of him in the game. Probably not tied to the main story.
Despite the number of people here, only Cassian and Drake were official love interests. That was a relief. I had no intention of seducing every man at this table.
Still, each of them stood out in their own way, elegant, composed, and clearly noble-born.
Sons of powerful families. Instead of inheriting titles, they were sent to warm the bed of a princess. Anyone with half a brain could see the political scheme behind it.
Was Davina a fool for allowing these men into her chambers? Or had she simply been too powerless to stop it?
Either way, they weren't my type. I preferred cold, muscular warriors like Drake.
My gaze drifted to Drake standing silently behind me. He wasn't going to eat?
"Sit down, Drake."
Gasps echoed around the table. Was Davina the type who forbade Drake from dining with her?
Drake looked down at me, his eyes frosty.
The favorability stat above his head, which had risen from -30% to -25% earlier, suddenly dropped back down to -30%.
Wait… when did it even increase in the first place?
Why is it dropping again? Did I say something wrong?
God, these men were harder to handle than most women I knew.
"Never mind… if you don't want to."
I sat back down and swallowed hard.
Cassian shot me a look of disdain. What now? I wasn't going to bother you anymore, just leave me be.
Alright, I've met the harem. That counts as completing the mission, right, system?
Still no sign of activity in front of me. Guess I had to suffer through this awkward meal.
I sighed and picked up the knife and fork, ready to get this over with.
But my wrist still ached, making it hard to cut the meat.
Damn it. Just another reason to hate Cassian.
Then a hand reached over, took my plate, and replaced it with one where the meat was already neatly sliced.
I looked up, surprised. The golden-haired man beside me offered no explanation, just a gentle smile.
Was this kindness genuine, or just another ploy?
I knew nothing about him, yet he was seated beside Davina. That had to mean something. I needed to find out more.
"What's your name?"
He froze at the question, and for a fleeting moment, something like pain flickered through his blue eyes.
"Xavier, Your Highness. Just Xavier."
Xavier. The name itself felt rare and deliberate. Why hadn't he ever appeared in the main storyline?
"It's a good name. I'll remember it." I nodded, cool and indifferent, keeping up the act.
"The honor is mine, Princess." Xavier replied with a soft smile, a quiet happiness blooming on his face.
Was he just that good an actor, or had I truly hurt him by not remembering?
Still, the favorability meter above his head spoke the truth: 15%.
That was actually… quite high. In fact, it was the only positive number at this table.
One less enemy was better than one more dagger. But I still needed to know his motive. Wealth? Status?
I speared a piece of meat and asked, lips curled slightly. "Do you want anything, Xavier? To thank you for the meat, I'll grant you one request."
I watched him closely, searching for the smallest flicker in those sapphire eyes.
But what I saw instead was radiant joy.
"May I… visit you tonight?" He asked softly, glancing toward Cassian like he expected me to say no.
Everyone in this palace knew how obsessed Davina had been with Cassian. For a long time, she'd refused to call for anyone but him, until he broke her, body and soul.
Cassian remained focused on his meal, as if Davina didn't exist. I wasn't sure if he had already developed that twisted obsession with her yet, but I bet he was happy to finally get away from her and return to his little sweetheart.
"Alright."
I nodded. The sparkle in Xavier's eyes deepened. His happiness… almost made me feel sorry for him.
I only agreed to let him visit. I never said anything about what he could do there. My body was still recovering, thank you very much.
The meal ended shortly after. The system popped up: Mission Complete. I gained 5% random favorability, which went straight to Xavier. Now he was at 20%. Not surprising, he was the only one I'd shown even a hint of kindness.
The rest? Unchanged. Still at rock bottom.
I left the dining room with a tangled mess of thoughts. Drake followed like a silent shadow. His job, after all.
I rubbed my chin as I walked, piecing together the information I had.
Right now, Davina was cornered. A queen on the board surrounded by pawns.
I was starting to think… maybe Davina wasn't as stupid as the story made her out to be. Maybe the choices she made weren't hers at all, but forced by those around her.
I needed a way out. Otherwise, checkmate was just a matter of time.
"Your Highness, watch out."
Drake's voice warned me, but without a hint of concern.
I blinked, turning and slammed my forehead into a column.
Or rather… a man.
Tall and broad-shouldered. A chiseled build and storm-gray eyes.
There was no mistaking him.
The third male lead had arrived: Dylan Castanier, the duke who secretly commanded a rebel army plotting to overthrow Davina's throne.
And the affection score flashing red above his head in the shadowed hallway felt no different from a blade pressed against my throat.
[-45%]
I'm doomed.
***