Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen: [Extra 3.2] The Struggle of Katrina Dunning

(Part II)

I was perplexed.

I might not be able to return for real.

…Actually, no. Perhaps, this was the real world, while my last memory was of the fictional world.

Or could it be that I was possessed by someone else from the parallel universe?

Mayhap I had been reincarnated into this world. Or, better yet, one of the game producers was reborn here and decided to turn the game’s storyline into reality.

Which came first… The chicken or the egg? It was akin to asking such a question. Nevertheless, if I didn’t think about it, I’d go crazy.

I kept mulling about it, over and over. At last, I finally accepted that world as a reality. Then, instead of seeing Emmeline as a mere antagonist, I saw her as a human being.

I’d be lying if I were to say that my anxiety had disappeared.

I was still anxious. I felt so alone. It was as if I was stuck in the boundary between the virtual world and the real world. The feeling of being driven into becoming someone I wasn’t… That stayed with me. Then, I became acutely aware of how fragile my existence was. The fear shadowed me forever.

I hadn’t been able to make up my mind about the differences.

Still, it wasn’t like worrying would get me anywhere. Thus, I thought that it’d be easier if I were to accept it.

…Either way, I want to have a passionate love affair with my favorite character!

Knowing the story’s future developments, if I were to help Uriel out by selling information, I might be able to meet Ralph Armitage in return!

As a result, the corrupt upper management of the church was exposed. Thus, the lower management of the church and the orphanages were much better off than before.

The upper management stole most of the subsidies previously provided by the government. The latest revelation, however, had helped the orphanages to nurture the children properly. Previously, those orphanages were underfunded.

It was important that they’d never go hungry. Hunger came before anything else. The environment in which the children could eat well was of top priority.

Upon seeing that my brothers and sisters were eating correctly, I felt glad to cooperate with Uriel.

Albeit he was a yandere towards Emmeline for some reason, I had to admit that he was an excellent prince.

…Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Lady Emmeline since the graduation party. I wonder if she’s alright?

Uriel’ yandere route was hardcore. To put it simply, he was a demon. Not only did he subject the heroine to lifelong confinement, but he also had a bondage fetish. In the game’s story, he’d embrace the heroine every night until she became pregnant… Actually, even after she became pregnant.

…Huh? No way…

Did Lady Emmeline…!?

As of the present, I was staring at Uriel, who gushed endlessly about Emmeline in front of me.

You have to be kidding me. Hey, please stop it. That sort of thing is only allowed in the fictional world, you hear me? In the real world, it’s actually an issue, okay?!

“…Hence why, I believe that Emmeline still hasn’t fully grasped how deep my love is.”

“More importantly, Your Highness, how is she faring?”

I mercilessly cut off his wild stories.

Uriel lifted an eyebrow. However, he didn’t appear to be in a bad mood.

“She’s fine. For Lady Dunning to care about Emmeline’s wellbeing, it’s actually quite surprising.”

“I won’t deny that. Previously, I wouldn’t have cared.”

“Then why would you?”

“It’s because I haven’t seen her for half a month. As such, I have an ominous feeling. I want His Highness and Lady Emmeline to end happily. Although coming from me, it might be difficult to believe. You didn’t embrace Lady Emmeline every night, right?”

Uriel didn’t affirm or deny my question. Instead, he only smiled. It was a very telling smile.

Someone had to praise me for not screaming right then and there.

This batshit crazy yandere! Leave her alone! Why did this happen!? She should’ve been able to avoid it at the graduation party! Lady Emmeline is in danger!

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, please release Lady Emmeline immediately.”

“Oh? But I don’t think that is necessary?”

“It’s for the sake of Lady Emmeline’s. At this rate, she’s going to break.”

“Hmm? Under what basis would you give such a piece of advice?”

“Judging from her innate temperament, I don’t think she’d survive being treated like a doll daily. Therefore, if you want to spend a long time with Lady Emmeline, please don’t confine her. It’ll benefit her wellbeing.”

“Confine, hmmm?”

“Well, considering that Lady Emmeline hasn’t returned home since the graduation party…”

Again, he only smiled.

This wicked prince…!

“Sometimes, her mother would visit her.”

“In other words, she has never returned home.”

“Is there a need for that? After all, she can meet her mother, the person she wanted to meet the most.”

“But still, it’s the Royal Palace. Surely, it’s an entirely different place from her house. Besides, I think it’ll be a good idea to let Lady Emmeline spend some precious time with her mother before her marriage.”

“Is that so? You use the word confine, but she’s free to wander around the Royal Castle?”

“But only limited to that, right? Which means she hasn’t stepped out of His Highness’ territory. While she may have some semblance of freedom, in the end, it’s still confinement.”

I don’t hate you, Lady Emmeline. Or rather, you’re too pure. I can’t help but be worried. Not to mention, you’ve been caught by the Demon King, who’s an obsessive yandere. There’s no way I can leave you alone.

“If your love is too suffocating, she’d want to run away. Rather than something you unilaterally impose on another, isn’t love supposed to be cherished together?”

“Are you saying that I’m being overbearing?”

“That’s right. I believe that you’re forcing it.”

“You aren’t the first to say that.”

“I just don’t want Lady Emmeline to break. Surely, you don’t want Lady Emmeline to become an unresponsive doll?”

Uriel seemed dubious. But after a few beats of silence, he admitted it.

“I’m aware of that. Although I’m reluctant to do so, I shall allow it.”

“Then, she may go home, right?”

“…Yes, but only once a week.”

“By the way, merely letting her return home won’t do. Let her stay overnight.”

“…Ugh.”

Don’t ‘ugh’ me! How narrowminded are you!?

When it comes to Lady Emmeline, why are you this stubborn!?

“…I understand. I shall allow her to do so.”

“That’s great! As a man, you aren’t allowed to go back on your words, got it!?”

“…Kuh! Fine. I won’t go back on my words. But only for one night. I won’t tolerate anything else.”

“How obstinate—!”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing~”

I wondered if her confinement would be lifted for the time being.

While it certainly won’t erase my mistakes, but Lady Emmeline… Despite the modest victory, I’ve earned you some freedom!