How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 4: Liyana's lies

Liyana scanned me from head to toe, her eyes widening with a sense of wonder as her striking crimson gaze sparkled.

"You look so handsome, darling," she purred. She moved around me with an almost supernatural grace, her fingertips sweeping lightly across my clothes.

"Thank you..." I answered, though I was privately amazed at how she could radiate such undeniable beauty even in simple attire. They say true elegance is found in one's bearing, and Liyana was the perfect example of that truth.

"You're quite cruel, darling. Why didn't it occur to us to visit the duchy? I was waiting for you there, you know?" she teased. Her voice was playful, yet it carried a small note of accusation.

What a liar... I was certain she hadn't been at the duchy; instead, she had been hovering over me the entire time I traveled by carriage.

Having spent significant time with her, I had become well-acquainted with the depth of her obsessions and the extremes she would go to.

Searching the area, I noticed the absence of her usual butler and the maid who typically attended to her every whim.

In the game, those two servants were fiercely loyal and never left Liyana's side. Their disappearance was a blatant sign of what was happening.

Taking in Liyana’s disheveled state—her dress was rumpled and her hair was slightly messy—it was obvious she had flown here personally after seeing me head straight for the city.

I could easily dismantle her argument by asking why she was here or how she knew my exact route.

However, pointing out those inconsistencies would surely result in trouble for me.

So, choosing to ignore the obvious, I came up with the best excuse I could manage.

"I didn't want to be a bother..."

"Since when were you ever a bother to me, darling?" she shot back.

Then, she pulled me into a tight embrace, causing the hateful glares from the crowd to grow even more intense.

"I know you don't like me, darling... but shouldn't you at least say goodbye?"

Her voice trembled with emotion as tears began to shimmer in her eyes.

As she sobbed against my chest, I felt as though my neck was resting on a chopping block. Every person nearby was staring at me, their gazes sharp enough to pierce my soul.

In their eyes, making such a stunning woman cry was perhaps the ultimate sin a man could commit. If they realized she was the Duke's daughter, they would probably have lynched me in the public square.

After all, the city of Hamen was under the Duke’s jurisdiction and protection, making her essentially their princess.

The only reason she went unrecognized was due to her skill, which prevented people from perceiving her true identity.

It was an incredibly powerful skill that was frequently mentioned in the game's lore. Yet, it was frustrating that the developers chose to detail a minor skill rather than explore Riley's background.

It made me wonder: just how much did the creators despise or ignore Riley?

Currently, she was acting in a way that differed completely from her game persona.

The loving looks, the lingering words, the sweet whispers—even the sincere sorrow—I had never witnessed this side of her in the game.

If I weren't aware of her other nature, I might have already fallen for her.

It was shocking to see the harbinger of the world's end acting so kindly and affectionately toward someone.

If the game developers saw this, they would likely cry from pure shock.

With a heavy sigh, I instinctively returned her hug.

"I'm sorry..." The words came out with genuine regret.

Despite being the object of her affection for so long, the idea of loving her back never took root in my heart.

I knew I was being selfish, but the terror of a future with her was simply too much to handle.

Seeing her smile at my words made my heart ache with a tangle of feelings. As much as I feared her, I didn't actually hate her.

I simply couldn't bring myself to return the love she constantly poured on me. Conflicting emotions stirred within me, preventing any real response.

I could probably fake it and act more loving, but in the end, that would be a lie to both of us.

'I'm sorry, Liyana, but our future only ends in your happiness with the protagonist...'

The system was still active, tied to the main scenarios of the game.

This meant my certain death and her future with another had to happen, or I would fail.

My destiny seemed carved in stone. If I strayed from my path to hope for a life with Liyana, the system would trigger my 'bad end'.

If I followed the script, Liyana herself would be the one to kill me.

No matter which road I took, the result was the same.

'Death.'

I am going to die.

VOOOMMM...!!!!

Hearing the magic ship arrive outside the tower, I reluctantly pulled away from Liyana.

She looked deeply saddened as the vessel bound for the academy arrived.

"I'll see you soon," I said, trying to sound as reassuring as possible.

I gave her head a gentle pat before kissing her on the cheek.

At my touch, Liyana froze, staring at me in a daze.

Her eyes went wide, and a deep blush crept across her pale face.

In that moment, she looked so cute and flustered that I felt a sudden urge to hug her again.

As I stepped onto the ship, I was filled with resolve. I was determined to find my own happy ending, regardless of the hurdles in my way.

With two full years ahead of me, I knew I had to maximize every second.

The system might be forcing me toward the main story, but I refused to be its prisoner.

Instead, I planned to investigate every side quest and every alternate path the protagonist could take.

I would change as many variables as I could to escape my fate.

But to succeed, there was one vital sacrifice: 'I could not let myself fall in love with Liyana.'

Two years from now, Liyana would meet the world's protagonist.

She would fall for him instantly, trapped in a destiny she couldn't avoid. After all, a Dragon's heart can only truly love their fated partner... and unfortunately, that wasn't me.

That position belonged to the protagonist.

Sadly, that fate meant my death, as she would eventually kill me to be with her new love.

Despite the shadow over our future, I was committed to showing her compassion.

No matter how twisted our path became, I wanted Liyana to know one thing: I never hated her.

In the face of this tragedy, I would hold onto this bit of humanity like a lifeline in a storm.

As the ship faded into the horizon, Liyana remained there, touching the spot where Riley's lips had met her skin.

It was a rare moment that sent her emotions into a whirlwind.

For the first time in ten years, Riley had taken the lead, a move that caught her completely off guard.

Was he finally moving past his usual passive behavior?

The idea fascinated her, and a small smile touched her lips, showing a spark of hope.

Her red eyes glowed like rubies, reflecting her dark inner thoughts.

Faint black scales appeared around her neck, giving her an otherworldly presence.

"Has your heart finally moved for me, Riley?" she whispered to herself, placing a hand over her chest, where there was no heartbeat.

Liyana's heart was a void, cold to the feelings of others.

Even Riley hadn't managed to break through its frozen walls.

What drew her to him was how different he was from everyone else.

He was the only person who didn't like her. While others gave her endless adoration, his eyes held a coldness that intrigued her.

It was a refreshing break from the usual worship, a dynamic that held her interest.

There was something alluring about his lack of interest—a challenge she found strangely exciting. In his gaze, she saw raw honesty instead of flattery, which was rare in her world.

But if he were to become like all the others, what was the point of keeping him for entertainment?

'Should I just kill him now?'

The thought drifted through her mind, a tempting solution to her problem.

With a simple motion, she could end him and avoid further trouble.

Yet, Liyana hesitated.

His presence acted as a shield against unwanted suitors and marriage offers, helping her keep her independence.

With a sigh, she shook her head, dropping the idea of killing him early.

Despite his flaws, Riley was still important to her in his own way.

Even if her heart didn't beat for him, she still liked him... a feeling she couldn't quite explain.

----

As the ship moved further away, I felt a wave of excitement.

Finally, I was going to see my favorite character in person.

The announcer's voice echoed over the speakers, stating we were approaching Arkein City, near Hamen, to collect more students.

It was a nearby city, only a few kilometers from where we started.

Arkein City was the home of my favorite heroine, the character I had supported through every playthrough of the game.

The idea of meeting her face-to-face left me feeling both anxious and excited.

I only caught a glimpse of her last time...

This time, I will enjoy her presence for the entire journey.