SIAHG 49

Chapter 49

The slave knight Yurel is someone who entered as a slave when Evelyn was young.

According to the setting, despite being a slave, he had exceptional talent in swordsmanship, and even as a child, he was assigned to protect Evelyn. After reaching adulthood, he was rewarded for his contributions and became a baron.

He was an incredibly skilled individual, but every time he was around Evelyn, he was treated as though he were a mouse caught in a trap.

However, Yurel himself was rather nonchalant, which led to many comedic scenes where Evelyn would scold him, but Yurel would remain unscathed.

“If April is ‘Lightpril,’ then Yurel must be ‘Lightrel.'”
“Don’t just slap ‘light’ onto everything…”
“So, Yurel doesn’t like it? Oh, looks like Yurel hasn’t been romanced either.”
“Actually, I do like it! It’s funny! It’s not that I haven’t been romanced; it’s just that I couldn’t… sob sob. Are you satisfied now?”

I had always thought that he was an unromanceable character because his traits were too dangerous to be approached, but maybe in hard mode, it’s possible to romance him?

‘No, more importantly, what kind of character gives a thumbs up as part of the romance route? That’s not even a sign of affection. What’s going on here?’

While thinking this, I followed Evelyn’s group out of the aerial garden.

For some reason, walking felt comfortable. As I realized how natural my steps were, I also realized that my pace was perfectly in sync with the others.

It seemed like the three of them were adjusting to my steps.

“Perhaps… that’s the case.”

When we passed the entrance to the aerial garden and came to a spot where the hall could be seen, I saw the people from the heroine’s faction standing as if they were waiting for me.

It felt strange, facing the members of Evelyn’s faction.

What would it be like when I change factions later on?

The atmosphere was becoming tense.

Sian called out to me.

“Lady April, please come this way.”
“Huh?”

What’s he talking about? Does he think I’ll go wherever he tells me to?

“Hurry.”

I suddenly saw desperation in Sian’s sky-blue eyes.

“Come back, Lady April.”

The crown prince was ordering me. He was glaring coldly at me while standing with Duke Kyle.

I guess he didn’t like the friendly atmosphere between us.

“The strategist Sian’s affection has increased!”
“The crown prince Azeph’s affection has greatly increased!”

“Lady April says no one dates her, but…”
Duke Kyle said, sounding somewhat regretful.

“Lady April must have a reason for liking me. It’s certainly better than claiming ownership over a lady no one even dates, like some scoundrel.”

That’s not true, so let me correct that.

“That’s not it.”

I declared innocently, pretending I knew nothing.

“April likes her friend, Lady Evelyn, more than she likes Duke Kyle and Sir Sian combined.”

“What…? Evelyn?”

Duke Kyle seemed taken aback by my unexpected words.

“I like Lady Iveline more than both Duke Kyle and Sir Sian combined!”

I smiled brightly.

“Lady Evelyn’s affection has greatly increased!”
“Duke Kyle’s affection has increased!”
“Yeniel’s affection has slightly increased!”

Duke Kyle probably increased his affection because he liked the idea of Evelyn and me growing our friendship.

I didn’t understand why Yeniel’s affection had increased, though.

I noticed that the crown prince’s gaze had become much darker, mixed with obsession, jealousy, and desire.

Why? I knew the crown prince liked me, but I couldn’t understand why he was reacting so intensely.

“Lady April, I’ll go now.”

I turned around and smiled sheepishly, pretending not to notice the tense atmosphere.

“Must you really go?”

Evelyn didn’t want me to leave. Duke Kyle lightly tapped Evelyn on the shoulder.

“Ive, don’t provoke anyone. It’s Lady April who will be in danger.”

The people from the villainess’s faction quietly stepped aside. Evelyn, biting her lip, looked at me before quickly whispering.

“Lady, remember our promise. If you ever want to come to me on the third floor, you can come anytime.”
“Yes.”

I would have liked to switch sides right away, but I really couldn’t do that in the third-floor banquet area.

In the fourth-floor area, roles were automatically assigned to those who moved together.

I felt both regret and a faint excitement at the thought.

After staying with the heroine’s faction members, the crown prince approached me.

“What have you been doing outside, Lady April? What did you talk about with Duke Kyle?”

It felt like an interrogation. I could read the crown prince’s gaze, which looked as though he was accusing me of a crime.

It was a jealous look.

“The appearance of a rival sometimes awakens the male lead’s emotions, strengthening his attributes.”

I realized what type of male lead the crown prince would be if I were to describe him in a reverse harem setting.

‘You? You really don’t know your place.’

He was the obsessive male lead.

“It’s a secret! Everything I talked about with Duke Kyle is precious, so I won’t tell you.”

I grinned.

“No. Tell me. I’ve heard he spent more than 12 billion on you. Everyone in the hall is talking about it. What did you receive?”

The crown prince’s tone was sharp.

He sounded almost like a jealous lover, even though we had never even dated.

‘Did his affection really reach over 90%?’

That thought crossed my mind.

If so, the crown prince’s love must be that of a lover, or perhaps eternal love.

Although it seemed like that emotion was not more important to him than his own life.

“It’s a necklace! Duke Kyle bought me a beautiful necklace!”

“Give it back immediately.”

The crown prince snapped coldly.

“I’ll buy you a new one, don’t get confused. Whatever he said when giving you the necklace, it wasn’t sincere. There’s a reason he’s approaching you, and it’s not for genuine reasons. He might just be toying with you, thinking you’re a pretty face.”

It seems like the crown prince added the “obsessive” and “trash” attributes.

“I don’t entirely agree with your words, but… it’s better if you give it back.”

Sian seemed to feel guilty, even though he knew he had no right to be jealous.

“Duke Kyle’s reputation is not good among the socialites. He’s constantly changing the ladies he associates with. If a man gives a necklace to someone he’s not dating, it usually carries an impure meaning. It’s not a gift given to a friend. It’s more likely a gesture of condescension or seduction. He didn’t spend 12 billion on you for nothing. If he’s going to claim 12 billion from you, it’s for a reason…”

It was definitely not a pure friendship gesture.

I laughed joyfully at Duke Kyle’s words.

“Duke Kyle is a very good friend of mine, April’s friend. We’ve known each other for 10 years. He’s a very good person! And I’m not sure, but the necklace was bought for me by April.”

The crown prince seemed furious, and Sian appeared to have lost his composure due to jealousy.

It seemed like he still didn’t realize where his place was.