ORHML 10

Chapter 10

「Leonil Graham
: Strategist / Affection level unknown ▼」

Seeing that there’s an affection stat, he must be one of the male leads. Probably my sister’s man.

「▼ Kiira’s affection level and Gracie’s affection level are inversely proportional. 」

So, the more he likes Kiira, the more he hates me. And the more he likes me, the more he despises Kiira.

On the surface, we looked like we got along, didn’t we, sister?
…Or not?

Well, if we really got along, you wouldn’t have begged me to forgive those bastards, would you?

And for them to act like that, they must’ve had something to rely on.

Couldn’t it have been you pulling the strings?

If the Emperor’s men are those guys, then the “Emperor’s daughter” refers to us—two princesses. That means either one of us is the heroine… or maybe both.

But if you’re the heroine, then you can’t possibly be a bad person, right? Usually, heroines are kind! Obedient! Loving toward their family! Isn’t that how it goes?

…No. I already decided to watch first, so let’s not jump to suspicion.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Princess.”

Even on second glance, that pink hair and sky-blue eyes left a mysterious impression. Definitely the face of a male lead candidate!

“What brings you here?”

He was handsome in a delicate, intelligent way—like he’d never once held a sword. Who wouldn’t flare their nostrils a little when greeted by a man like that?

“I’ve come to escort Princess Gracie.”

He probably hates me, right? But wow, what a pretty smile. Kind of fluttery.

I didn’t realize I was so weak to beauty—both pretty and handsome—but I’ve been reminded of it often since coming here.

“To where?”

“Didn’t Princess Kiira invite you to join her for a boat ride?”

Not going. No way. After what happened last time, there’s no chance I’m going.

“Ah, I’m not g—mmp?”

My voice disappeared.

「Quest! Kiira Fletcher Gabriella Bastian has invited you on a boat ride! 」

Once I beat this game, I’m going to find the developers and kill them.

**「When you accept the invitation and arrive at the quest location, choices will appear.

Option 1. Go with Leonil Graham.
Option 2. Go separately from Leonil Graham.
Option 3. Don’t go. 」**

Oh, option 3 exists? Then 3.

「Invalid choice. 」
「Invalid choice. 」
「Invalid choice. 」

Yeah, I expected that. Ugh.

Fine—Option 1: Go with Leonil Graham.

“Will you be going in that outfit?”

At his words, I looked down at my yellow dress. The canary-like fabric was stained all over with grass, and worse, it was overly frilly.

“Is it unsuitable for a boat ride?”

“No. I just meant… it may not be wise since Princess Kiira won’t be the only one there.”

So the four girls will be there too. Ugh, I hope Fan Girl Lady and Triangle Girl aren’t among them.

In any case, in this outfit I wouldn’t even be able to resist if something happened. I’d better change into something lighter.

“Wait five minutes.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Maybe I really am the villain among the Emperor’s daughters. Even though my sister always stuck to me, the other young ladies always clung to her—as if they were scared of me.

I’m the one who’s scared, damn it!

So I walked ahead, leaving my sister behind.

Thankfully, at least knights were allowed to accompany us as far as the dock.

「Quest notice! Once you board the boat, choices will appear. 」

“Are you sure it’s okay to board?”

Francis asked seriously again. Now that I thought about it, my new maid Lilfay might not know me well, but Francis… he definitely did.

“Sir Francis, how long have you been my guard?”

“About five years now.”

Then I should be asking you things, not my maid. Sigh. Nothing’s ever easy.

“Why are you so worried?”

Francis had been acting strange. Every time our eyes met, he deliberately looked away. Maybe he was still mad. After all, Clayton snatched away the four-leaf clover.

“You can’t swim, can you?”

“I can’t swim?”

“You almost drowned in a river as a child. You’ve hated water ever since.”

…Sister, you really do seem like the villain. Otherwise, why would you urge someone with that trauma to go boating?

But then… why am I the villainess? Just looking at what you did to me, you’re the real bitch here!

The thought brought back a faint memory of my sister’s warmth when she embraced me.

Stop doubting. I know how hard that is already.

“I suddenly feel scared.”

Leonil, who had been walking ahead, turned back at our conversation. In the sunlight, his pale pink hair shone even more brightly.

“You won’t fall in.”

“If you do, I’ll rescue you, so don’t worry.”

Their opposing words contrasted so sharply—Francis’s fiery red hair flaring in the wind, looking like a fluffy puppy I almost wanted to pat.

Of course, I absolutely wouldn’t. He was mad, after all.

“Please do save me, Sir Francis.”

You’re my knight, so if I drown, you’ll die too. You’d better save me.

The image of rescue dogs flashed in my mind, making me laugh. When I smiled at Francis, he stared back dumbfoundedly—looking even more like a puppy.

“Gracie!”

“Ah, sister.”

I turned at the call to see her there—with the four young ladies I’d hoped to avoid.

Fan Girl Lady had, of course, brought another feathered fan. Triangle Girl wore a tight inverted-triangle dress, her chest so puffed out it looked like it might explode. When our eyes met, I nearly convulsed from fear, imagining myself trapped in that suffocating dress.

The other two looked alike, probably sisters.

“Gracie, ride with me.”

“Yes, all right.”

Better with my sister than with them. At least we were the same build, so if it came to a struggle, I could fight back.

The boat moved automatically, something mechanical installed beneath.

On board were only Leonil Graham, my sister, and me.

The transparent white sailcloth flapped gently in the wind, shading us. White suited my sister well. As Leonil gazed at her, his eyes briefly met mine—icy for a moment, then blank, then smiling.

This was clearly a setup for me to bond with Leonil. But how am I supposed to know? I’ve never played dating sims.

Besides, he seems to like my sister more than me!

Damn it, I’ve never even been in a relationship before!

「Quest! Be careful not to fall into the water at the curve ahead! 」

You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m really going to fall?

「If you complete this quest, you will receive the following reward▼ 」

A sharp bend appeared ahead. I sighed and tapped the arrow.

「▼ G Corp will cover your hospital bills. 」

Fuck that. I’m not falling in!

I gritted my teeth, glaring at the upcoming bend. My hands shook as I clutched my skirt, especially since my sister kept watching me. Fear chilled me.

Was it my sister or Leonil who planned to push me?

The current looked fierce. If I fell in there, would they even recover my body?

“Gracie. Do you remember what happened long ago?”

Don’t bother me.

“What do you mean?”

“When you played a prank, and we both fell into the river.”

Her pretty smile looked so innocent. For a second, I wondered—what if she really is the heroine, and the four girls are the malicious side characters?

Also, why does the name Kiira Fletcher Gabriella Bastian sound so familiar?

“Did that happen?”

“Yes. That’s why I’m so glad you came with me today.”

Warmth spread again as her hand covered mine where it clenched my skirt.

“May I hug you, Gracie?”

No, because I’m sure you’ll throw me in if you do.

But I couldn’t answer. She hugged me first. And damn it, I was weak to warmth like that.

「Approaching danger zone: 30 seconds. 」

I suddenly thought—I should check my sister’s affection level.

**「Kiira Fletcher Gabriella Bastian
: First Princess / Affection level unknown

▼ Use an item to reveal affection level. 」**

Hugged tightly against her, I didn’t hesitate. I tapped the arrow.

「▼ Affection toward Gracie Fletcher Gabriella Bastian: 100%. 」

…So my sister isn’t bad?

Then am I the villain? Is this game about me reforming, reconciling with her, and marrying one of the male leads?

**「P.S. If you fall into the water, a penalty will be imposed.

▼ G Corp will fire you. 」**

Ha. Fuck.

All that worrying was pointless.

So what if I’m a villain? I’ll just get back home, take that 7 billion payout, and reclaim my shining life working at G Corp.

Thankfully, the hug ended just as the curve approached.

The boat tilted sharply to one side. The challenge wasn’t too difficult—I only had to grab the edge tightly as my body swayed.

But then, something was wrong. My body felt cold, distant, as if controlled by someone else. My mind blurred, and suddenly I stood up. The boat rocked violently under me.

Splash!

「Quest failed! 」

My body moved on its own, diving into the water—as if it wasn’t even mine.

“Hel—help…! Mmph…!”

My sister just looked down at me calmly as I thrashed.

“P-please, hrrgh…!”

Sister, you really never disappoint, do you? Thanks for proving it.

**「Bonus quest for ‘Player 2,’ who failed due to high difficulty!

If you escape the water within the time limit, the quest will still be counted as cleared. ▼ 」**