How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 750: A Goddess’s Advice to Godhood 7

It took Riley quite a while to convince Snow that he wasn’t planning anything strange.

She questioned him more than once, occasionally throwing in another teasing remark just to see his reaction. By the end of it, she was finally satisfied enough to answer him honestly.

Leaving the Heavenly Hall sometime later, Riley replayed everything Snow had told him.

In the end...

Snow’s explanation of Liyana’s schedule could be summed up in a single word.

Unpredictable.

Liyana didn’t have a fixed routine during her stay at the academy.

Some days she would spend the entire morning accompanying the Emperor to official meetings.

Other days she would suddenly leave the academy because the Grand Duchy had sent urgent matters that required her attention.

Sometimes she accepted personal requests from her father, while on other occasions she simply disappeared for hours without anyone really knowing where she had gone.

Even the palace officials had long since gotten used to it.

Her schedule changed almost every day.

There was no pattern.

No timetable.

Nothing Riley could use to predict where she would be tomorrow.

Snow herself only knew the general outline of Liyana’s responsibilities.

Most of what they discussed revolved around the Grand Duchy, matters involving the Emperor, diplomatic affairs, and the various duties Liyana had gradually begun taking over from the Grand Duke himself.

As for everything outside of those official responsibilities...

Even Snow didn’t know.

Liyana rarely spoke about her personal life unless she wanted to.

And when she did...

Half of what she said sounded like a joke, making it nearly impossible to tell when she was being serious.

Snow simply accepted that as part of Liyana’s personality.

After all, to Snow, Liyana was merely her cousin.

She didn’t know about the countless timelines.

She didn’t know about the game.

She didn’t know that beneath Liyana’s playful smile hid someone capable of becoming one of the greatest threats Riley had ever faced.

To everyone else...

Liyana was simply an eccentric princess of the Grand Duchy.

Brilliant.

Kind.

A little mischievous.

Nothing more.

Because of that, Snow couldn’t help but find Riley’s curiosity unusual.

She had asked him more than once why he cared so much about Liyana’s daily routine.

In the end...

Riley never gave her the real answer.

Fortunately, Snow came to her own conclusion.

She assumed Riley was simply preparing ahead in case another wave of rumors spread throughout the academy.

After everything that had happened recently, it wasn’t exactly an unreasonable assumption.

Liyana was the Grand Duke’s daughter.

Snow was the Emperor’s daughter.

Both of them were among the most influential women on the continent.

When people of their status became involved with Riley, even the smallest interaction had a habit of turning into academy-wide gossip before the day was over.

Snow had experienced that herself.

A single lunch together became a rumor that they were secretly engaged.

Holding hands became proof that they were already planning a wedding.

Even something as innocent as Riley visiting the student council office had somehow turned into whispers that the two of them were skipping work to spend time alone.

It was ridiculous.

But it was also something she’d grown used to.

So if Riley wanted to avoid creating another storm after Liyana’s arrival...

Snow could understand why he’d want to know where she was likely to be.

She never once imagined...

That Riley’s concern had nothing to do with rumors.

Instead, every question he asked, every piece of information he gathered, and every decision he made revolved around a single goal.

Making sure fate never had the chance to move in the direction he feared most.

.....

Members of high society had always been the main characters of this world whenever they appeared.

Whether one was born into the house of a small baron or the highest ranks of royalty, noble blood alone placed them above the average person in society.

A family name carried generations of history, achievements, and influence.

Simply introducing yourself was often enough to earn respect, admiration, or fear.

The greater your family’s legacy...

The greater the weight your name carried.

Some noble houses were so prestigious that even members of the imperial family treated them with courtesy.

And then...

There was the Heavens family.

A bloodline whose glory and reputation stood shoulder to shoulder with the Imperial Family itself.

Now imagine someone who possessed not only a status equal to royalty...

But was also the beloved daughter of the strongest swordsman in the world.

Someone whose existence alone was enough to make even the greatest nobles choose their words carefully.

Such a person wasn’t merely treated like royalty.

They were treated with the same caution and respect one would show an emperor.

"...Y-Your Ladyship—I mean... Your Highness..."

Principal Leilah quickly corrected herself.

"...No... Your Grace."

Even someone of her standing stumbled over the proper title.

She straightened her posture almost instinctively before offering a respectful smile.

"To what pleasure do I owe your sudden... honored visit?"

Standing before her was a young woman whose beauty almost didn’t seem real.

Long silver hair cascaded down her back like moonlight, her crimson eyes calm and unreadable. She looked young—almost delicate enough that a strong gust of wind might sweep her away.

Yet...

That illusion shattered the moment one truly looked at her.

The pressure surrounding her wasn’t overwhelming like the Emperor’s.

The Emperor’s aura was heavy.

Majestic.

Like standing beneath an endless sky while an entire empire rested upon your shoulders.

Liyana’s was different.

It was...

Unknown.

There was no obvious killing intent.

No overwhelming mana.

No visible hostility.

Yet every instinct in Leilah’s body screamed the same warning.

Danger.

Not because Liyana intended to harm anyone...

But because she couldn’t see through her.

It was like staring into a calm lake whose bottom simply didn’t exist.

No matter how carefully Leilah observed her...

She couldn’t grasp the depth hidden beneath those gentle eyes.

A cold chill slowly ran down her spine.

...

I’ve felt this before.

Her mind immediately recalled the only other person who had ever given her this feeling.

Grand Duke Luther Heavens.

The strongest swordsman alive.

A man who had long since reached the absolute peak of humanity.

Standing before him always felt as though the world itself had become quieter, as if every instinct begged you not to make the slightest mistake.

And now...

His daughter gave off that same unsettling presence.

Not as refined.

Not nearly as overwhelming.

But unmistakably similar.

"..."

Leilah’s expression remained composed, but inwardly she couldn’t hide her disbelief.

This...

This is the fragile flower the Grand Duke treasures so dearly?

Rumors from the capital often described Liyana as a sheltered young lady.

A noble princess carefully protected by her father.

Someone precious enough that the Grand Duke rarely allowed danger anywhere near her.

Looking at her now...

Leilah nearly laughed at the absurdity of those rumors.

A flower...?

Her fingers twitched ever so slightly.

She isn’t a flower at all...!

She was standing before something that had yet to fully bloom.

And somehow...

That realization was even more frightening.

If this was Liyana before reaching her father’s level...

Leilah couldn’t begin to imagine what she would become in another ten or twenty years.

For the first time in a very long while...

The Archmage found herself genuinely nervous while facing someone young enough to be one of her students.

"Fufu... please don’t be so nervous, Principal Leilah."

Liyana smiled warmly, her voice as gentle as ever.

"I only wish to ask you a few questions."

She paused for a brief moment before her smile grew just a little sweeter.

"...And perhaps ask for a small favor~."

For some reason...

Those words only made Leilah even more uneasy.

Why does she make a simple favor sound so terrifying...?

She quietly swallowed before forcing herself to calm down.

No.

She wasn’t just anyone.

She was an Archmage.

The Principal of Lumen Academy.

Someone who had faced dragons, kings, and countless political figures throughout her life.

Taking a slow breath, Leilah gradually regained her composure.

A faint pressure spread from her body as her mana naturally settled, restoring the dignified presence expected of the academy’s principal.

Liyana noticed the subtle change almost immediately.

Oh?

The corners of her lips lifted slightly.

As expected of the academy’s principal.

Even if she had been caught off guard for a moment, Leilah was still one of the continent’s greatest mages.

She wasn’t someone who would remain shaken for long.

With a graceful movement, Liyana crossed one leg over the other before neatly intertwining her fingers atop her thigh.

Her smile never disappeared.

"If it’s not too much to ask..."

She looked directly into Leilah’s eyes.

"...Could you tell me what my darling’s life was like during his first year here?

Leilah blinked.

"My... darling?"

"Riley."

"...Ah."

Liyana continued as if she were discussing the weather.

"You don’t have to tell me every little detail."

"I’m simply curious."

"What kind of student was he?"

"What did he usually do?"

"What achievements did he earn?"

"Did he ever fail at anything?"

Her smile remained elegant.

"Who did he spend his time with?"

"Who became his friends?"

"Who did he help?"

"And..."

She leaned forward ever so slightly.

"...Most importantly..."

Her crimson eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity.

"...Could you tell me every woman he’s interacted with during his time at the academy?"

"..."

"It would be wonderful if you could highlight them individually."

"..."

"And if possible, explain what kind of relationship they have with him."

"..."

Silence filled the office.

Leilah simply stared at her.

Her brain had stopped working

"...Huh?"

That single word escaped her mouth before she could stop it.

For the first time in years... no maybe most of the time now?

The elegant Principal of Lumen Academy completely failed to understand what was happening.

She had prepared herself for political negotiations.

Requests from the Grand Duke.

Perhaps even confidential discussions involving the Emperor.

Instead...

She was being asked to summarize Riley Hell’s social life.

More specifically...

His interactions with women.

Leilah’s expression became strangely blank.

...What kind of request is this?

Seeing her reaction, Liyana covered her lips as a soft laugh escaped.

"Fufu."

"I suppose it does sound a little strange."

"A little...?"

"I simply wish to know more about the time I wasn’t able to spend with him."

There wasn’t even a trace of embarrassment in her voice.

She spoke with complete sincerity.

"I’ve already heard plenty about his accomplishments."

"But accomplishments don’t tell me who he really is."

"They don’t tell me what made him smile."

"They don’t tell me who stayed by his side."

"They don’t tell me who became important to him."

Her expression softened.

"So I’d like to know."

Leilah remained silent.

"..."

No...

You’d like a complete relationship report...

Somehow...

That felt even scarier than discussing politics.

Before Leilah could organize her thoughts, Liyana spoke again.

"Oh."

"There’s also the favor."

"...There’s more?"

"Mhm."

Liyana nodded happily.

"If possible..."

She clasped her hands together.

"...Could you prepare a private room for just Darling and me when I enroll at the academy next school year?"

"..."

"Somewhere quiet would be nice."

"..."

"We’ll probably spend quite a lot of time together."

"..."

"So I thought having our own room would be rather convenient~."

Leilah’s eye twitched.