The S-Class Hunter Doesn't Want To Be A Villainous Princess - Chapter 25

Renee sent Cedin away and held onto her throbbing head. There was a reason why she wanted him gone quickly. She felt more at ease when she was alone.

The more time she spent with Cedin, the more her feelings became complicated.

Feelings that she had long forgotten began to surge within her like a rising tide.

A feeling that felt like she would make a mistake over and over again.

'What kind of feeling is this?'

When she looked at Cedin, she felt a strange sensation, as if something was tickling her chest. It felt unpleasant. She felt tense and wanted to escape somewhere. Especially when their hands touched, she really wanted to run away.

She was afraid of people approaching her. It seemed like Cedin approached too quickly this time as well, and she was afraid.

She tried to ignore the unknown feeling and shook her head.

No, it's nothing. After taking a deep breath, Renee turned her gaze back to the chat window.

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> says that if you have a headache, she will heal you.]

"I'm fine. But can you help me with this instead?"

[Quest Cleared!]

<Special Quest - Your Faithful Disciple>

Clear Condition: Achieve Cedin Anshirad's Favorability of 500

Clear Reward: Fame +50, Relationship Change: ?? Relationship

[Reputation increased by 50 as a clear reward!]

[You can change the relationship as a clear reward. Please choose one of the following options!]

[Option 1. No change]

[Option 2. Romantic relationship: A stage where you confirm each other's feelings!

Special benefit: If you choose this relationship, a linked quest will occur!]

'Romantic relationship...?'

Confirming each other's feelings. She hasn't acknowledged this as a feelings yet. Renee hesitated for a moment at the expression that didn't sit well with her.

'Choosing the romantic relationship would naturally be the right choice, but...'

The more quests, the better. It meant more rewards. Of course, it varied depending on the content.

[You have chosen Option 1! <Relationship: Master-Disciple relationship> will remain the same!]

'What kind of a romantic relationship is this? I don't have any feelings.'

It was disappointing, but she didn't want to determine the relationship so soon when she didn't know what trials awaited her in the Tower.

'Quests are not easy to decide.'

[The <Emperor of Temptation> asks if you won't regret it.]

"Well, I might regret it. But I'm a cautious person."

[The <Emperor of Temptation> claims that for a quick quest resolution, it might be better to just marry anyone and escape!]

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> kicks <Emperor of Temptation> with his foot!]

"...Old man. Do you know how many times I've died because I followed your advice? Regression ability might not work here. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So I have to move carefully."

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> suggests choosing a male lead candidate.]

"For now, it's better to choose Cedin as one of them. It's a safe choice since his favorability is high."

[The <Emperor of Temptation> asks who the other two should be.]

"I think one of them should be Ishir.

Still, even though he is the male protagonist of the original novel and my current lover, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Even if she doesn't like Ishir, it should be fine to consider him as a candidate.

"And for the other one... Well, who should it be? I don't really have anyone around. Should I look for someone else?"

Even when she tried to think of people around her, there really was no one. Besides Ishir, there were no other male leads in the original novel. Cedin is a special case.

"Should I just register anyone? And then I can focus on Cedin or Ishir."

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> advises against that, saying it's too risky.]

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> agrees with <Queen of Waves and Healing>'s opinion.]

"Hmm... Then let's look for someone else. I want to clear it quickly, but there's no need to take unnecessary risks."

[The <Emperor of Temptation> raises his hand.]

"Why are you raising your hand?"

[The <Emperor of Temptation> suggests that he has a good idea.]

"...What kind of idea?"

[The <Emperor of Temptation> shyly smiles.]

Why is this old man suddenly acting like this?

Renee looked at the chat window with a puzzled expression and frowned. No way. Could it be that this old man, could it be?

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> angrily tells you not to listen to that demon.]

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> agrees with <Queen of Waves and Healing>'s opinion.]

[The <Emperor of Temptation> protests, asking if you don't want to regain your freedom quickly.]

The Constellations seemed to have noticed as well and started arguing fiercely in the chat window. Renee rubbed her forehead as she watched the chaos. This is not the time for this.

"For now, just say it."

[The <Emperor of Temptation> clears his throat.]

[The <Emperor of Temptation> offers to become your male lead candidate!]

***

On the other hand, Ishir came out of the barracks and headed towards the Capital as if running away.

Why did he have to run away like that? It was because of the shame he felt.

'Your Highness. Just a month ago, you despised me. It's a bit awkward to suddenly show such excessive interest.'

When Ishir heard Renee's words, a certain day came to mind. It was a day he had long tried to forget. That day was the day he had tried so hard to forget.

'It was a day when things didn't go well for me.'

Ishir grimaced bitterly.

'Obey the Emperor's words. It is your duty as the Crown Prince!'

'My duty is to protect the Empire, not blindly obey the Emperor's unjust orders for the sake of the throne.'

'You spoke well. So the Crown Prince's duty is to protect the Empire? Then all the more reason your duty is to protect me. Isn't me the Empire itself?'

The Emperor shouted angrily. In his hand was a sword, pointed towards Ishir.

'....'

'If you don't follow me, I will find another successor. Let's see, how about Edin? At least that child won't dare to defy me like you do.'

It was a day when he had to be dragged away by his father, the Emperor, and listen to threats without saying a word.

The Emperor's constant threat to change the successor pushed him to the edge of the cliff.

'Why did that memory suddenly come to mind?'

What does that day have to do with Renee? Ishir slowly searched through his memories.

Ah.

Of all days, that day was the day of Lianne's engagement celebration. So even if he was in a terrible mood, he couldn't skip it.

What was holding Ishir's Crown Prince position was his engagement to Lianne.

But what was worse than the Emperor's threat was the celebration itself.

At the celebration, Renee not only claimed to have sent an assassin to Lianne but also cursed her.

Foolish Lianne couldn't say a word and just stared at Renee.

Normally, Ishir would never have intervened, but that day he acted out of whim.

It was because Lianne's situation seemed similar to his own.

'If Lianne had said something to Renee, nothing would have happened.'

Renee, who seemed like she would never shut up, fell silent as soon as Ishir grabbed her arm. He dragged her to the garden.

The situation was sickening to him. Renee, who was doing foolish things because of love, and Lianne, who couldn't say a word despite being in a contractual engagement.

They were all sickening.

But what was most sickening was Renee crumbling as soon as they were out of people's sight.

'Your Highness, please look at me, not my infamous reputation.'

Ishir sat down, covered in dirt, and watched Renee cry.

What was truly similar to his situation was not Lianne, but Renee.

The reason Lianne didn't say anything to Renee was because she sympathized with her.

Just like when Lianne sympathized with Ishir.

But there was a big difference between Ishir and Renee.

Ishir eventually succumbed and fell silent, while Renee, foolish as she was, did not.

That made Ishir miserable.

'I know that I am a very flawed person. I know that I have made too many mistakes.

But if Your Highness would show me just a little bit of interest, if you would, then-'

'...Lady Marchius. The lady has already caused me enough trouble.'

Ishir disliked Renee's foolishness.

Renee's struggles,

Renee's weakness,

Renee's outbursts.

He disliked all of it.

'Let me make it clear here.'

So, even though he knew he would regret it, he spoke.

'I have no intention of giving anything to the lady. Whether it's interest or affection.'

Unfortunately, his expectations were not wrong.

Renee's struggles, Renee's weakness, Renee's outbursts-

Now, they were slowly breaking down Ishir's heart.

***

[Quest Cleared!]

[Trial of the Tower] - 1st Floor

Clear Condition: Designate three male lead candidates and engrave their names on the monument.

Clear Reward: Clearing the 1st floor of the tower.

As Renee engraved the names on the monument, a quest clear notification popped up. She closed the notification window and opened the gate to the next floor.

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> is genuinely concerned if you won't regret it.]

"Yeah, I won't regret it."

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> suggests you think again.]

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> is worried about your heart.]

Renee tried her best to smile at the concerned constellations.

"I'm really okay."

She closed the chat window and stepped through the gate. And just before the gate closed, she turned back towards the monument.

'...Am I really okay?'

Ah, it's already too late. Let's quickly move on to the next quest. She eventually crossed the gate.

And as she disappeared, a faint light flowed through the names on the monument. Starting from the first name, slowly.

<Candidate for Male Lead>

[1. Cedin Anshirad]

[2. Ishir Von Lamdisha]

...

And just before the third name could shine, the light disappeared.

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