Chapter 12
Chapter 12
I'm Irid." "Irid? Fallen Emperor Irid?" "........." "No wonder you hesitated. No one would look kindly on hearing that name. What rotten luck to get saddled with it, huh?" Ronya chuckled mockingly, then lowered her voice in warning. "Don't cause any trouble and just stay quiet until you leave. Centra wants to help every pitiful beggar she sees, but not me. I'd rather kill them." "...
I've never been taught to repay kindness with enmity."
"I've never been taught not to kill beggars."
"Enough!"
Centra hopped in between you and Ronya.
"I appreciate the concern, Ronya, but this Mr. Irid seems like a good person. You don't need to be so wary!"
"What makes you say that?"
"When I jumped from the third floor... he politely looked away like a gentleman. Come on, Irid! You don't mind if I call you that casually, right? This way—today's stew is really delicious!"
You were led once more. By her gentle touch, her sun-bright smile, and the faint rosemary scent brushing your nose.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The position of imperial prince meant meeting many people and bidding farewell to many more. Naturally, that included women. Especially in the empire, where political marriages were actively utilized. Second Prince Irid had met many noble ladies up to now and knew their ways inside out. The heavy perfume scents, the masks of pretense, their greed for power, the ploys disguised as accidental touches. Irid swore he had never once felt his heart flutter. The intentions in their eyes were too blatant. Eyes that saw him as a treasure chest. Someday, Irid would surely enter a political marriage. But he believed no foolish emotion like love would bloom from it. ...
So this faint pounding in his chest now must be an illusion. "How's the stew?" Centra watched Irid eat with her hands cupped like a flower bud. Her clear, round eyes held not a shred of artifice. "Delicious. Excellent... cooking." Irid somehow couldn't meet that gaze, which held no intimidation or sharpness. His heart raced, his emotions veering in strange directions. It's just the shaking from three days of sleeping rough for the first time in my life, overreacting to simple kindness, the Second Prince told himself firmly, again and again. "I'm glad! I was worried it might not be to your taste!" "I'm in no position to be picky about what I'm given. And I don't want to be so shameless as to demand more from someone helping me." "See? I do have a good eye for people...! Ronya keeps nagging me, 'You have no guard up at all—', but I think things through in my own way. Look, Irid's a good guy!" Seemingly satisfied with Irid's response, Centra beamed and praised her own judgment. Hearing himself called a good person just for knowing shame felt oddly off to Irid. Was receiving praise for something so basic this embarrassing? Irid scooped another spoonful of stew while listening to Centra's cheerful chatter. Compared to the delicacies he'd tasted before, the flavor fell short, but its comforting warmth was nice. There seemed to be a fair amount of meat inside. A greasy aftertaste. And some herb to mask any gaminess—white celery? Or... "By the way, you really didn't see up my skirt, right?" "—Guh, khk, *cough cough cough*...!" Irid, savoring the stew, choked on the sudden strike. "Oh no, s-sorry! I was just asking... here, water!" "*Cough cough cough*... Warn a, *cough*, person, before...!" "Drink some water first. Here, I'll pat your back. Or is it the stomach?" Centra patted Irid's back repeatedly. The impacts reverberated through his whole body. At this rate, he'd choke on water too, so he waved her off to stop. Irid calmed his coughing with sips of water. "*Hah*, *whew*..." "So, you really didn't see?" "...
You brought it up yourself in front of that mercenary Ronya."
"I wasn't sure, so I went for it. I thought she'd chase me out again. So, what's the answer?"
"I didn't. I swear."
"Phew, good thing you didn't. I thought you'd seen I wasn't wearing any."
"No, it was definitely black..."
"You did see it!"
Caught by the persistent leading question, Irid quietly bowed his head. Black. Frills. A small, precious red ribbon in the center. Slightly translucent. An unforgettable combination. Centra mumbled shyly, her face a bit flushed.
"I didn't ask for no reason, you know? People might get the wrong idea... like someone wearing underwear like this must be that kind of girl or whatever! I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding."
"I've never thought that way."
Even a unicorn wouldn't jump to 'sexy underwear means she's promiscuous' in that situation. It wasn't unfamiliar to Irid either. Noble ladies' advances always came with bold undergarments. But he'd never felt this embarrassed before.
"I don't have money, but I wanted pretty clothes. Like dresses or accessories... stuff like that! So underwear has the smallest area and doesn't cost much...?"
"Stop, stop!"
Irid cut off the flood of TMI with a pained expression. He feared how far this overly pure girl would go. He suddenly understood why the mercenary Ronya protected Centra.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Azuuaaaaaah—!!"
"Is seeing the prince's panties such a great thrill...?!"
I don't care if the Magic Tower Master looks at me like I'm crazy. I protected my pride in my direction! The Magic Tower Master lightly tapped my head as I struck a victory pose.
"Hmm, so... you're planning to seduce the prince like this and snag the Dragon Heart...?" 'Are you seriously gay?' Eye contact season 2. Unacceptable slander. I shook my head firmly.
"Nope."
"Then what do you plan to do next?"
Asking about the next development—she's finally getting interested in TRPG. I readily spilled my plans.
"The initial scenario I thought up is already ruined."
"Ruined, huh."
Ruined. An event skip so brilliant even academy extras would weep—I raised the white flag. Timing's bad too. No time for a territory management arc now. It was meant as a three-hour teaser anyway. Finish the basics, drop some hooks, end the session—maximize the cliffhanger effect. The prince's elusive footwork made time tight. But mindlessly piling on petting scenes to end it lacked romance. No payoff either. Can't have 'Petting was fun, but early session sucked. Die.' I needed leverage. Build tension fast / advance the plot / make the session fun and satisfying. Leave them wanting more. That was my goal from the start. Fortunately, I have reins now. The prince is surprisingly weak to skinship. Without hypnosis beams, just holding Centra's hand blanks his brain—plain as day. If things derail, just grab his hand!
"Affinity's still too low. Flesh out Centra's character more, solidify the bond with the player, then trigger the event. Probably... after about two sessions' worth."
"Even if you say that, I don't get it...? Hmm, but hey."
"Yes, what is it?"
"About Centra's modeling. Was it okay to use Heart?"
"...
What, any issues?" I thought for a sec and brushed it off. Like there'd really be any problem. The Second Prince hasn't even seen Heart.