Chapter 17

For some reason, the Duke shouted angrily.

I think that somewhere in the void I should be able to hear the crown prince say something like ‘Ah, noisy’.

I then quickly responded to the duke.

“Yes, I was the one who provoked the crown prince first.”

“Well done.”

“…… What?”

“We can use this matter of the Crown Prince injuring you to make him owe us a favor. You are worthy of being an excellent member of the Eckhardt family, Penelope.”

I felt like I was about to go crazy every time the Duke’s unexpected answer came.

“We need to thwart the Crown Prince, he’s gotten more and more out of sight since he won the title of War Hero.”

“Father, father.”

Those words that were detrimental to the royal family could bring chaos to this family if anyone heard them.

In stark contrast to my terrified mood, the Duke continued speaking as if nothing had happened.

“Penelope, you should know that the Eckhardt family is not on any side, we are merely neutral.”

“Yes, indeed.”

No, I had no idea.

“Even so, without our family’s support, it will be difficult for the Crown Prince to resist. Since the Empress passed away, the forces supporting the Crown Prince have also decreased.”

“… ……”

“Moreover, after the Imperial Crown Prince left for the war, the Second Prince’s birth mother, also known as the Imperial Concubine, she took control of the entire palace.”

“… …. …”

“At that time no one knew who would become the next emperor.”

I didn’t even know that the original Crown Prince had that kind of backstory.

It’s because the content of that shitty game didn’t mention anything except for the raid on the male protagonist.

‘Because of that he acted like a mad dog at the banquet’

At first I didn’t understand why the Imperial Princess and the Second Prince would send an assassin to assassinate the Crown Prince.

“So just continue as you are.”

“You did a very good job this time, so instead of punishing you, it’s more appropriate to reward you. Is there anything you want?”

“Reward?”

Before I came here all I could think of was the impending punishment, I didn’t even think about getting a reward.

When the Duke gave me a slight facial head, I remained sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the Duke.

“Should we call the jeweler over again? It’s near the season change, how about throwing out all the old clothes and making some new ones?”

The unusual size of the reward made my jaw drop.

‘How generous.’

But Penelope already has a lot of jewelry and clothes she bought earlier, so the duke’s offer isn’t terribly necessary.

I thought about what would be good as a reward, and quickly, after some thought, I responded to the duke.

“Please allow me to take some time for reflection, and I’ll respond after I’ve thought about it.”

Ending the conversation with the Duke, I closed the door of the office behind me, and then a window of white system alert boxes suddenly appeared.

The System has improved relations with members of the Duke’s family, reputation value +5. (Total: 5)

“Ha.”

I couldn’t help but let out a breathless laugh.

‘What exactly did I do to get this?’

The truth is, I didn’t try to improve my relationship with the people around me. If I had to say one thing I did, it would be to slightly intimidate them so that they wouldn’t underestimate me ……

‘Is being injured because of the crown prince even such a big deal?’

I was surprised by many unexpected things, including what the Duke did.

At the same time somehow, I felt a little proud of myself.

Because no matter if it’s goodwill or reputation value, a numerical increase always means good things here.

‘Very well, let’s continue to follow this next.’

“Miss, you’re back.”

Just after stepping into the room, Emily ushered me in.

I hurriedly walked towards the desk to sit in the chair, then nodded perfunctorily.

Because there were still many things to consider besides thinking about the desired reward.

“Miss, this ……”

Emily followed and handed me something.

“This was used to wrap your neck the day you passed out. The young duke ordered me to throw it away, but just in case, I washed it and kept it.”

“Ah.”

I gazed at what Emily had handed me.

A white handkerchief.

It had been lent to me by Winter Belldandy, and I had completely forgotten about it

“Thanks, Emily.”

I praised Emily for doing something worth thanking. At the time of the praise, Emily beamed with joy.

The handkerchief that was once drenched in blood was now as white as new. As I gazed at the handkerchief, I thought about what I could do with it.

”No matter what, it’s necessary for me to return this favor.”

Although I hadn’t originally wanted his concern, I still needed to be polite.

In addition since he was also one of the Raider targets, it was necessary to meet with him again.

“Emily, can you tell the butler right away to have the gem merchant come over tomorrow?”

“The gem merchant?”

At my abrupt request, Emily first cocked her head, then slapped her hand as if in understanding.

“Ah! Are you planning to buy some new accessories for the upcoming celebration?”

“Celebration?”

While I was confused, Emily immediately answered.

“It’s to celebrate the establishment of this country, and the celebration will be held next week! And I’ve heard that the celebration will be held with great pomp and circumstance because of the triumphant return of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ……”

“Don’t mention the word Crown Prince.”

My tone that suddenly became cold made Emily backpedal and cover her mouth.

Even the thought of the Crown Prince made me feel throaty. I huffed and waved my hand at Emily, who had started watching my face.

“Get the butler.”

“Obey! I’ll be right back!”

The silence of the room came at me after Emily left.

I tapped my fingertips on the desk as I fell into a deep thought.

“So next week is the celebration, huh…”

The designated chapters in the game for encounters with each Raider Objective are gradually unlocked in order.

For example, I had to go through some chapters of Leonard and Derrick’s route before the Crown Prince line could be unlocked.

So that’s why I would unexpectedly meet Winter right after meeting the Crown Prince.

But anyway, on the day of the banquet he was the one I would meet for the raid. That’s why up until now it’s only been following the plot line.

The last of the remaining Raider targets is Knight Ikris, and he will appear after I meet Winter.

When the festival is held, the day when the last Raider Target will be brought back to the Duke’s mansion is coming up.

“What did Penelope do …… during the celebration again?”

In the middle of the game’s hard mode, I only noticed that although the Duke brought back the last Raider target but never visited him. Because at the time I was busy playing the ‘Day of Celebration’ chapter

One by one, I toured ‘Celebration Day’ with Leonard or Derrick.

“Just thinking about that makes me very angry.”

The final conclusion was that I didn’t even have a peaceful solo date during the celebration.

I hastily pulled open a drawer and pulled out the piece of paper I had hidden earlier.

While reading it quickly, I muttered.

“I have to bring him back before the Duke finds him.”

Right after experiencing almost being almost killed by the crown prince, I made up my mind.

Because I don’t want to seek death anymore, I have to cheat a route as much as possible and then leave this hellhole.

To accomplish this, I had to focus on the easiest Raider target and raise his favorability.

“Ikris.”

Gazing at the written on the paper, his name, I did a double take.

“That’s you.”

Not too long ago I was busy exploring this dukedom.

Even if I say that the Dukedom of Eckhardt is as large as a town it’s not an exaggeration.

As you passed by the beautifully arranged gardens and expansive meadows, you could see the knights’ training grounds and the dormitories accompanied by a grove of trees.

‘I remember a dog hole somewhere ……”

I’ve been searching for this dog hole in order to find the secret trail to sneak out of the Duke’s mansion before the festivities begin.

Even though I tried to do so, it wasn’t easy to find because the place window was too big.

After unsuccessfully searching for the dog hole again today, I walked back to the garden with feeble steps.

I ordered Emily to prepare some refreshments and then sat down under a large tree to read a book.

Just as the story in the book was about to reach its climax, I heard a rustling behind me.

“Emily, can you get me a bookmark?”

Nearing the end of the chapter, I couldn’t take my eyes off the content and casually reached out to where Emily should have been.

But I didn’t hear any response until I finished reading the chapter’s is last drawing

“…… Emily?”

I closed the book and turned back.

“Are you still …… okay now?”

The person standing beside me was holding a tray with refreshments. It wasn’t Emily, but someone I never thought I’d meet even here.

“Ahhh …… well.”

[Favorability 8%]

I burst out with a dumbfounded exclamation when I saw the numerical bar of favorability on the head of Derrick, whom I hadn’t seen in a few days.

It was still 6% the last time we met, and I don’t know what made the favorability go up.

Hoo hoo …… cool wind blew past Derrick and I, bringing a faint floral scent in the wind.

My vision was temporarily blocked by the strands of hair that fluttered in front of my eyes, and thanks to that I reacted.

I was staring stupidly at him, and realizing that I meant to stand up.

As I was about to get up, Derrick stopped me.

“No, you don’t have to stand up.”

“That’s okay, I was planning on going back now anyway.”

“So you don’t want these refreshments?”

“Ah ……”

‘Isn’t there anyone you can please, offhand! .

“May I ask if Emily asked you to bring them here?”

“No, it’s because I happened to have something I needed to talk to Strife about and I told her to bring this by me.”

“Something for me?”

What would he, who hated Penelope with a passion, say to me?

My curiosity didn’t last long when it became clear where he was coming from.

“It’s about what happened at the palace the other day, isn’t it?”

Although the Duke ignored the matter and even gave me a reward, Derrick surely wouldn’t let the matter go away.

‘Hey, consider this as a continuation of what was intended to be, an apology in front of the duke.’

I held back my sigh as I cautiously pondered and organized my words. I then droned on like an emotionless robot.

“I apologize for causing a commotion, even though you made it a point to warn me.”

“You must have felt flustered at the time, Young Duke. I spoke to my father and I will stay at the Duke’s mansion and ground myself. But if you think I deserve a harsher punishment ……”

“No.”

He cut me off indifferently.

“That’s not what I was going to say.”

When I lifted my eyes to Derrick’s face, he frowned slightly.