The next event would be occurring soon. Technically, it would be two events wrapped in one. Three, if you wanted to get really specific. Each event leads into the next one.

Wasn't that just describing the entire game in general?

Lecil shook her head, getting rid of the circuitous thoughts. The point is that the next event wouldn't be a problem because she knew the contents and how to solve it. This would be the first time she actually gained something other than the right to live.

"Irene."

"Yes, Princess?"

After having witnessed the latter half of the event with Tristan, Irene broke free of her shell. She no longer followed the script set to her from before. She helped bandage up Lecil's hand in a caring manner so that it would heal nicely. There wouldn't even be a scar left over due to the magical remedies accessible to those residing in the palace.

Good riddance too. Lecil wanted nothing to do with such a meaningless and ridiculous wound. If it were possible, she would get rid of the lines on her wrists as well. They were never treated properly. She would have to check to see if there are any magical solutions to remove them. Or maybe she could get a pair of matching tattoos to cover them up.

She hid a scoff. A princess with tattoos? As if.

"I'd like you to pick out an outfit for me to wear today. Something warm."

Glancing at the wardrobe full of luxurious and high-end clothes, Lecil felt nothing. It was all worthless. They were the peak of fashion, but no one ever noticed her in them. They were mostly dark with long sleeves and little decoration. Nothing fancy with frills like Anne would wear. Lecil would like to call her wardrobe 'mature' or 'elegant', but if she was honest with herself, they were dreary and depressing.

Irene's eyes sparkled.

"Are you sure I can choose? Do you not have any preferences?"

"As long as it can be paired with gloves and a scarf, I don't mind."

Irene seemed over the moon at the chance to dress up a Princess. Lecil let her hum and pick through the outfits. She cared nothing for them.

Except for maybe one. There was a dress she always admired from afar, but she was too young and short to wear it. Lecil had forgotten about it over the years, but one day, a present arrived outside her door. The Queen bought the dress years ago and set the delivery date for a time when Lecil could wear it, on a day years after her death.

A small gift. The dark blue matches your eyes.

Those were the words attached to the gift didn't match her actions. They weren't loving or scornful. Just thoughtful. Like the Queen took great care to hide her affection for a daughter that wasn't her own.

Well. It didn't matter now. The Queen has passed and the dress was ruined by Sallow.

"Don't take too long, Irene. I need to meet with my brother before noon. We'll go shopping afterward. "

Irene paused, notably more downcast.

"You're going to meet with Prince Tristan?"

"As if. I'm referring to Kly."

"Oh."

Lecil could see it written on Irene's face.

If it is not Tristan, it will be fine. Kly will be much kinder to Princess Lecil.

Lecil half-wished that was the case. Kly's affection towards her was at 0%. He wouldn't kill her on sight, but he definitely wouldn't be 'kind' to her. More like he would refuse to give her the time of day. She would need to act quickly and simply. Too many words, and he would dismiss her. Too slow, and he would walk off.

The event would take place outside near the Royal Guards training facilities. Lecil would follow the script and go for a walk outside like planned. If she didn't, there would be repercussions in some shape or form. Missing events was a clear way to reduce affection. Best case scenario, it stayed the same. Worst case? Lecil wouldn't even get to see her death coming.

Unlike Tristan, there wouldn't be a chance in hell if Kly drew his sword.

"How about this?"

Lecil examined at the light gray wool coat and fuzzy hat Irene offered. She pulled out a royal purple scarf and a pair of matching gloves.

"Lets go with that then. And Irene."

"Yes?"

"Maybe pick out something to wear underneath beside my nightclothes."

Irene flushed. It was only a joke, but Irene took it very seriously.

"I didn't mean to offend you, Princess. I'll have something to show immediately."

Lecil rolled her eyes.

"If you insist on calling me Princess all the time, add my name afterward. Princess Lecil. I'm not my sister."

Irene realized she'd been thinking of Lecil as the Ghost Princess all this time. Calling her Princess, in comparison, felt safe. Informality was a big no-no in aristocracy. She could never call Lecil by her first name. But if she were allowed to keep the title, it wouldn't be an issue.

Irene turned around to hide her slight smile.

"Understood, Princess Lecil."

It would cause confusion with more than one Princess.

Anne. What a bore. The spoiled child fed with a silver spoon. Lecil hasn't seen Anne's affection score yet, but it would be possible for it to drop below 0%. That girl would never kill Lecil directly. Instead, she played a significant role in swaying the others' affections scores. Tristan. Kly. The Dukes. She could become a colossal hindrance or the best wing-woman out there based on her affection score.

It is just such a pain to raise her score, though.

Lecil drew concentric circles around her temples.

Calm thoughts. Think calm thoughts.

She imagined puppies and rainbows. Unfortunately, Celia remembered the puppy she had on Earth. That thought led to it her family. Friends. Classmates. All that wasted potential and lost prospects.

"Aah. Ah."

Great! Now I'm depressed.

=

The brisk air was chilling. With snow layering the entire ground, it was bright out regardless of cloud cover. Lecil wandered along a carved path through the southeastern side of the palace.

"Irene, make sure to stay on my left."

"Hm? Ah, yes."

The request was odd, but Irene followed without asking. She remained two steps behind but was firmly on the left now.

Lecil nodded and didn't bother explaining.

-

Main Event - Benchmark

Rewards: Affection+

Consequences: Variable

-

She angrily waved the stupid screen blocking her vision.

If you're going to interupt at least tell me something I don't know!

Their destination was a training field just up ahead. It was where the Royal Guards jogged every morning. Sweating figures could be seen running the large rectangular track. They were carrying huge logs.

Like, 'this tree will make a study keel for my caravel' sized logs.

They are taking keelhauling too literally.

On approach, Lecil could see both men and women in the group. Celia needed a reminder from Lecil's memories that all these women knew how to circulate mana through their bodies to increase their performance.

Lecil respected these women a lot. The Royal Guards was the only place in the Kingdom where women held an edge.

"Princess Lecil, why did we come here? There are better views around the palace."

The words made Lecil smile. This was a popular destination in Renegade. Sweating men and women, bared chests and bulging muscles. It was supposed to be an alluring sight.

It's just fanservice.

"I told you. I came to meet my brother."

"Prince Kly?"

"Mhm."

Lecil pointed to a man at the lead of a small group, carrying two logs, one on each shoulder. He wore a loose tanned shirt and comfortable pants as his feet carried him past the struggling recruits. It appeared they were racing.

"Let's wait for him at the finish line."

The new arrivals received several sidelong glances. Some of them didn't even know who Lecil was. No matter how ignorant they may be, they could piece the truth together from Lecil's disposition.

The most upsetting thing was the transformation from confusion to dirty looks. Surprisingly, it was mainly from the women. They seemed to be more in the know about her origin or at least heard whispers. A magical gag order restricted anyone from saying a thing in front of the royal family or outside the house. The downside was that the information could spread through the palace without worry.

At a bench near the finishing line, a drill instructor assigned more laps to slacking recruits. The brazen woman ordered them to pick up a second log from the pile if they were going to drag their feet.

"Princess. What are you doing here? This is no place for such a delicate lady like yourself."

Lecil wanted to roll her eyes at the cliche. By a woman no-less. Instead, she smiled politely.

"Don't mind me. I have business with my brother. I will wait for him here."

Lecil sat down on the edge of the bench and crossed her legs. The nameless instructor eyed her but didn't dare say more. Irene looked uncomfortable as she stood next to her. Lecil whispered to her.

"Remember. Stand to my left."

Irene furrowed her brows. Even now? She complied without mentioning anything.

Lecil regarded the recruits passing by. Some stopped and stared but were whipped into shape by the instructor. As more people finished and set their logs down, the number of recruits remaining on the field dwindled to only those that were competing with the Prince. The masochists passed Lecil twice now but were farther from Kly than when they started. Kly didn't seem to notice their presence as he nearly lapped them.

The recruits on the sidelines that recovered started catcalling and cheering as Kly gained on the flacking competitors. Irene gaped at the event while Lecil waited patiently for things to end.

The second prince rounded the bend, bounding ahead of the last competitor—a loud cracking sound.

Members of the crowd turned one by one to see their massive pile of logs collapsing, falling in their direction. It would crush a dozen of them before they could scramble out of the way. Including the Princess.

Irene shrilled.

"Princess!"

"Don't move."

The words were an imperial command. Irene froze in place while the others stumbled out of the way. The instructor was bracing to take the center of the impact.

Even as the logs toppled, Lecil stared straight ahead at Kly. It was time for him to notice.

Kly dropped a log, causing it to bounce and interrupt those behind him. They yelled obscenities as they dropped their own logs and were about to call foul when they saw the accident occurring. With a huge step and windup, Kly's eyes honed in on a target. Lunging, he threw the huge log like a spear.

*WHOOSH*

It flew.

Lecil kept her smile and held onto her hat as her hair was blown back. The log passed just to the right of her face.

*BOOM*

It crashed into the falling bundle and caused them to explode outward in the opposite direction. The recruits cried out and yelled, falling to the ground covering their faces.

Irene was shaking.

If-If I remained on right... then-then...

Ultimately, there were no significant injuries. Just a few splinters here and there. The instructor regained control and ordered any injured to be tended to, and the logs re-stacked correctly this time despite her having missed it herself.

The prince jogged over and made sure everyone was alright. It took several moments of Lecil waiting patiently for her to be noticed. When Kly did notice her, his usual calm expression broke for a moment.

He quickly covered it up.

"Lecil. I didn't see you."

Indeed he didn't. He calculated a path to avoid hitting anyone but never wondered if his sister was among them.

"I was waiting for you to finish. Congratulations on winning, by the way."

Kly looked at the log he left behind on the track. Technically, he lost the challenge.

"I can't call that a win."

Lecil stood, smiling as she looked into Kly's eyes. They were the same height. His blond hair was short, parts of it matted to the sides of his head.

"Please. You saved all the guards with that throw. I doubt any of them will begrudge you the win. They are more likely to praise you for your quick reactions."

"Hm."

Lecil smirked as the ticker above his head changed to 2%.

Turning back to Irene, Lecil made sure she was okay. The girl looked shaken but unharmed.

"Why did you come here, sister?"

She was 'sister' now? Was he a tsundere?

"I wanted to ask for your help."

"My help?"

"I need a personal guard. I was hoping you could recommend someone since you know them best."

4%

Hah! This is easier than I thought.

"Hm."

Lecil watched him look around at the many people gathered. His eyes seemed to linger on the female candidates.

"I would prefer a man. I don't know if you can tell, but the women seem to be glaring at me."

Kly's eyebrows knitted ever so slightly. He was an expert in micro-expressions. Indeed, the women were congregating, a few looking in Lecil's direction as they spoke to each other.

"A guard shouldn't harbor any ill will towards who they are guarding. Maybe one of the newer recruits?"

"Hm."

It seemed to be his favorite word.

Kly nodded and pointed out a young man with medium-length brown hair.

"Rain."

The prince's voice was soft, but it carried. Several people turned while Rain pointed to himself. He separated from the others and jogged over.

"Rain. My sister needs a personal guard. Will you do it?"

Rain was young, even younger than Kly. He had a pointed chin and bright eyes—a very eager fellow.

"If I am allowed, it would be an honor."

With a turn of his feet, he bowed deeply to Lecil.

"I hope I will meet your expectations, Princess."

Lecil smiled. Yes, he would do.

"I look forward to working with you. Thank you, Kly. I owe you one."

"Mhm."

Lecil held a hand to her mouth to prevent herself from laughing. It was the same word, just a different tone.

5%

Wasn't this too easy? Honestly.

Better to retreat after an easy victory than linger and somehow screw it up.

"Alright, I won't stay in your way. Rain, can you meet me outside my room in thirty minutes?"

"Yes, Princess! Allow me to clean up and report to the sergeant. I will be by momentarily."

"Good. Irene, let's go."

Irene did a double-take. How could the Princess power-walk that quickly? She scrambled to catch up, calling out from behind.

"Ah! Princess. Do I stay on your left?"