Chapter 3
I couldn’t believe it.
His affection went up because of a line like that?
Was something wrong with the game, or was something wrong with Jerome’s head? While I was seriously wondering about that, Jerome spoke.
“…Having a new face at the estate might be a refreshing change.”
Well, the skill worked, so I guess I should be happy.
I had just let out a relieved sigh when I felt someone staring at me.
I turned my head.
Lowell was looking at me with slightly widened eyes.
‘Uh…’
His expression clearly said, What kind of person is this?
“….”
I didn’t want to say something like that either!
If I want to raise affection, I don’t have a choice!
While I was desperately justifying myself inside, Lowell gave a soft smile.
“It will be good practical experience. Let’s have her come along.”
Thank you for pretending nothing happened.
I silently thanked him.
Anyway, I succeeded in getting involved with Jerome. That was enough.
Just wait, Jerome Winston. I’ll make you mine.
Going back to reality felt like it was only a matter of time.
***
We rode in a carriage with Lowell to the northern region of the Belcadia Empire.
As expected in a romance fantasy, the estate of the Northern Grand Duke was located in snowy mountains.
The Imperial Palace had been fairly warm, but the north was suddenly freezing. I couldn’t adjust to the cold.
When we arrived at the estate, Jerome came out to greet us.
He was wearing the same black uniform as before, except this time he had a black fur cloak over it.
He approached us and greeted us in a formal voice.
“Thank you for coming such a long way. Would you like to warm yourselves first?”
The dark circles under his eyes were twice as deep as before.
Lowell answered with concern.
“You look even worse than before. Let’s deal with the urgent matter first. Could you show us around?”
“Please follow me.”
Jerome’s condition looked so bad that he could collapse at any moment.
If he ended up dying from the curse, that would be a disaster for me. So I quickly followed them.
The estate, decorated entirely in black tones, was spotless but felt cold and empty.
There were only necessary pieces of furniture. Not even the usual decorations found in noble houses.
‘Minimalism is trendy these days.’
Wait, this is a game world. There’s probably no such trend.
After looking around the dining room and study, we reached Jerome’s bedroom.
Then Lowell spoke.
“I can clearly feel strong black magic here.”
The bedroom was just as practical and undecorated as the rest of the house.
Except for one thing: an incense burner on the bedside table.
It was decorated with gold and embedded with jewels. Completely out of place in this minimalist room.
Lowell looked at it.
“That’s purification incense from the temple.”
“After hearing about my headaches and nightmares, Lady Angus has been sending it regularly.”
At that surname, my body stiffened.
Vivian Angus.
The villainess who poisoned me in the game. The one I would have to deal with.
Lowell continued asking,
“Did it help?”
“My headaches eased slightly while it burned, but only temporarily.”
“Temple-made items are always like that.”
Lowell clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
“Did you try changing rooms?”
“Yes, but nothing changed.”
While they talked, I walked toward Jerome’s bed.
It was large enough for four people.
“May I lift the mattress? I’d like to check underneath.”
Jerome looked at me briefly at the sudden request, then called the servants.
“Lift it. Tear it open.”
The servants brought sharp knives and cut open the underside of the mattress.
White goose feathers flew out.
“There’s something inside.”
“Take it out.”
They pulled out a small, old wooden box.
The box gave off a damp, heavy feeling, like an old coffin. Its surface was worn and stained. Just looking at it made me feel nauseous.
Everyone in the room frowned.
Lowell stepped forward.
“Please step back. This is my area of expertise.”
The servants quickly moved away. Lowell muttered a short spell and opened the box.
Inside were short black hairs and a burnt black feather.
“It’s a curse using dark magic. The impure hair causes headaches, and the charred crow feather induces nightmares.”
He continued.
“I don’t know who did this, but it’s quite a nasty trick.”
Jerome’s face darkened.
He must have expected someone was cursing him, but seeing it directly was still a shock.
Lowell closed the box.
“Could you have the servants leave?”
Jerome gave a signal, and the servants exited.
Only the three of us remained.
“Do you suspect anyone?” Lowell asked.
“There are a few people I suspect.”
Jerome rubbed his chin.
As a Grand Duke, he must have many political enemies. It wouldn’t be easy to pinpoint the culprit.
But I didn’t know what they might try next.
Since I had decided to tie myself to Jerome, I needed to find the culprit quickly.
“Let’s remove the curse first,” Lowell said, picking up the box. “Please take us somewhere outside where we can light a fire.”
“This way.”
We went to the training grounds.
It was spacious and covered in sand, safe for fire.
Lowell placed the box on a stand, closed his eyes, and chanted.
“Comburo Maledictum.”
A sharp explosive sound rang out, and the box burst into flames.
It burned quickly and completely.
Just as the box disappeared, Jerome staggered.
“Ugh…!”
“Are you alright?”
I quickly grabbed his arm.
Of course I was worried. But honestly, I also wanted to create more connection between us.
We need to be tightly connected.
That’s how I’ll return to reality faster.
Jerome leaned slightly against me, catching his breath.
Lowell approached.
“When a curse tied to the body is severed, there can be temporary shock. How do you feel?”
Jerome examined himself.
“The headache is gone.”
“That’s good. The curse has been successfully lifted.”
“As expected of His Majesty’s most trusted mage. I will compensate you—”
Then Jerome’s gaze fell on the arm I was holding.
“…!”
Suddenly, he flinched and violently shook off my hand.
I was pushed back by the unexpected force.
“Ah—!”
I stumbled backward.
Before I could fall, Lowell quickly caught me.
I ended up in Lowell’s arms and looked at Jerome in shock.
Jerome looked just as shocked, his blue eyes shaking unsteadily.
Then the system window appeared.
[Jerome Winston’s affection has decreased by 10.]
[Jerome Winston’s Affection: 0]
Huh?
What just happened?
Affection can go down too?
While I stared blankly at the sudden drop, Jerome spoke stiffly.
“…Dinner is being prepared. I will have someone show you to your rooms.”
He quickly turned and left.
As I watched his back in confusion, Lowell spoke.
“Are you alright, Lady?”
“Ah!”
I suddenly realized I was still in his arms and quickly stepped away.
“I-I’m fine.”
I was still in shock.
The affection I worked so hard to raise just dropped.
It can decrease too?
Then Lowell said,
“I knew the Grand Duke disliked physical contact, but I didn’t realize it was that severe.”
“He dislikes physical contact?”
“Yes. It’s well known in the palace. Many women approach him, but there’s a reason he’s still unmarried.”
I didn’t know that.
So grabbing his arm made his affection drop.
Still, isn’t that too much? I was trying to help!
I was full of complaints, but I was the one who needed him.
If I wanted to go home, I had to endure this unfairness.
From now on, I’d avoid physical contact while romancing him.
Then Lowell spoke again.
“There’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“How did you know where the curse was?”
I froze.
I knew from playing the game that the cursed item was hidden under the mattress.
The only difference now was that in the game, Lowell had found it himself.
Lowell stepped closer to me.
“There was a barrier on the box to conceal its curse. Even I, an imperial mage, would have needed time to detect it.”
His deep violet eyes examined me carefully.
“How did you know immediately that the curse was under the bed?”
