Chapter 238

This was the first time I had seen Hiresia so flustered, apart from when she was caught eating meat.

She was frozen stiff, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, sputtering incomprehensible sounds.

At least I was in a better state than her.

Regina already knew about my “colorful” relationships with women.

I had even pleaded with her on the balcony during the ball, emphasizing the need for my “female connections,” and managed to secure her approval to some extent.

“Live as a free spirit if you need to,” she had said.

The problem was that “some extent” definitely didn’t include romantic relationships.

No fiancée in the world would allow her fiancé to have romantic relationships with other women.

A female friend and a lover were on completely different levels.

That was why my eyes were darting around anxiously.

I couldn’t speak carelessly.

Even I knew that a man who made excuses in this situation was the worst kind of man.

What I needed were sincere and honest words.

But that made it even harder to speak.

It was difficult to even figure out how to start.

I cautiously observed Regina’s expression, my mind racing.

Her eyes were as unreadable as ever, veiled in a cold mist.

Her gaze shifted from Hiresia to me, and then to the glass of water in front of her.

Gulp.

She took a sip of water, her demeanor calm.

And then she spoke.

“I don’t think I need to hear the answer.”

It meant that the answer to her question was already obvious.

…Anyone would think so, seeing Hiresia flustered and speechless.

“Uh, uh, uh, uh, P-Professor…”

Hiresia was trying to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out properly.

I couldn’t bear to watch her struggle any longer, and was about to say something when…

Regina reached out and grabbed Hiresia’s wrist.

Clank.

Hiresia’s body froze, like a machine that had run out of fuel.

…No, no, the meat-loving high elf was going to have a heart attack at this rate.

I instinctively reached out to stop her, but then…

Regina said something unexpected.

“Calm down. It’s not wrong to like someone. I think it’s a beautiful emotion. Especially if it’s love that transcends race.”

Were you truly the reincarnation of a saint?

Perhaps that was why she had remained so calm and composed, even after being dumped by Max…

“Uh, uh, P-Professor…”

Hiresia’s eyes welled up with tears, touched by her words.

But then.

“However, I believe we need to distinguish between romance and infidelity.”

Regina drove a stake through her heart with those words.

“Ugh…”

…High Elf Hiresia had become a zombie.

Her skin was pale, her face ashen, like a patient on the verge of death.

Her wrist, held by Regina, trembled uncontrollably.

She’s dying!

She’s really dying!

“W-Wait! It’s my fault, my fault! It’s all my fault! If I hadn’t flirted with her, Senior Hiresia wouldn’t have fallen for me!”

I interjected desperately.

This was definitely my fault.

I was the one who had intentionally approached Hiresia, the one who had actively pursued a relationship with her.

I couldn’t just stand by and watch her suffer any longer.

But then.

Hiresia’s ears twitched at my words, and she suddenly came back to life, her eyes blazing with a strange passion.

“What nonsense are you spouting?! This one was the one who flirted! This one will take the blame and bear the responsibility, so you just shut up and stay quiet!”

…No, High Elf, what are you doing?

She was even lying to protect me, even if it meant harming herself.

She was so agitated that she had even reverted to her old way of speaking.

“No, that’s not true! I was the one who…”

“You’re the one spouting nonsense! This one was the one who flirted with you, even though you were already taken! It’s clearly this one’s fault!”

It was a scene straight out of a soap opera.

…The adulterer and the adulteress, protecting each other.

At least they weren’t blaming the victim and demanding a divorce…

No, wait!

From the victim’s perspective, this was a complete mess!

I glanced at Regina, trying to gauge her reaction.

But her expression was as unreadable as ever.

Her impassiveness was terrifying.

I would have felt better if she had expressed her anger openly.

Just as I was thinking that,

Regina spoke again.

“We shouldn’t raise our voices in the hospital.”

Her voice was that of a professor.

…Well, she was a professor.

We immediately shut up.

“…”

“…”

They say that it’s scary when someone who’s usually calm gets angry.

It’s even scarier when they don’t get angry when they should.

Especially when their voice is as cold and composed as hers, as if they could pierce you with a needle without leaving a mark.

I, or rather, we, were acutely aware of that.

Even Hiresia was trembling like a scared puppy.

“I’ll just ask one question. Although I might not even need to.”

Regina’s gaze met Hiresia’s.

Hiresia’s eyes wavered.

But.

“Those feelings, they’re real, aren’t they?”

The moment Regina asked that question, a spark of determination appeared in her eyes.

“Yes, they’re real.”

“And you?”

The question was directed at me.

I didn’t need to think about it.

I had to answer honesty with honesty.

“Of course they’re real. For her. And for you.”

I hated womanizers.

Especially those who were already engaged.

But I couldn’t choose just one.

It might sound strange, but choosing one would have been the easier decision.

And I hadn’t made that easier decision.

No, I couldn’t.

Because I had to survive.

I had to clear this game and survive.

I could do anything for that, and I was doing it.

But I also had to admit.

That emotionally, I couldn’t make that choice anymore.

Regina and Hiresia.

I had genuine feelings for both of these special heroines.

It was undeniable.

It might have been an unforgivable greed.

But I couldn’t give up either of them.

I would rather give up on the game.

Because I wouldn’t be able to clear it anyway.

It would end in a bad ending.

If I lost either of these two heroines, that would definitely be the case.

I had a hunch.

That gaining the support of these two special heroines, who were notoriously difficult to conquer, was one of the essential conditions for clearing the game.

“For me too. That might sound hurtful to some.”

“No, I already know. I know his feelings for you are real.”

Hiresia’s words surprised Regina.

She hadn’t expected that.

That Hiresia would already acknowledge my relationship with her.

Because everyone wanted to monopolize the person they loved.

Regina narrowed her eyes.

“Is that so? You’re willing to accept being the second choice?”

Regina also understood.

The implications of Hiresia’s words.

Hiresia was a high elf.

A race known for their pride and nobility.

For such a being to accept that there was already another woman in the man’s heart…

It was incredibly difficult.

It would have been more understandable if she had demanded that I choose between them.

“I know. I know. But it can’t be helped. It was a relationship that existed before ours. How can I demand that he give it up? Besides, I know his feelings are real. It would be better for me to give up. But I can’t. These feelings… they’re the first real feelings I’ve ever felt in my life. I think I’ll regret it if I give up. So even if I become the second choice, I’ll accept it.”

“…”

Hiresia’s honest confession.

I was speechless.

And putting aside my emotions, I felt a heavy sense of responsibility.

I had to bear it.

The weight of their hearts.

“I see.”

Regina’s hand reached for the cigarettes in her pocket, but then she stopped, remembering that smoking was prohibited in the hospital.

It was a sign that her mind was also in turmoil.

She placed her hand back on the table and spoke.

“I can’t say that I know Lady Hiresia well. But I’ve observed her for several years, so I think I have some understanding of her character. I believe she’s someone who’s always sincere. I’m sure Lady Hiresia has received countless confessions from male students. No one would blame her if she decided to have a casual relationship with a human student. But she never did.”

“Yes… That’s true.”

Hiresia nodded slightly.

Regina continued.

“And yet, the man Lady Hiresia finally chose was an engaged man.”

“Th-That’s…”

“No, I’m not trying to say anything. I’m just saying that it shows how sincere Lady Hiresia’s feelings are. And honestly, I understand to some extent. Everyone was already saying that my relationship with him was doomed, so it must have been easier for Lady Hiresia to follow her heart.”

“Th-Thank you for understanding.”

“However.”

“Ugh.”

“I intend to marry him. I want to make that clear.”

“Ah, I know. You like him too, Professor.”

“I’m not sure.”

Hiresia’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected answer.

I knew it, and I smiled wryly inwardly.

They had definitely grown closer.

But I knew that she wasn’t confident enough in her feelings to say that she loved him.

Of course, her determination to marry him was an exception.

Regina had never intended to break off the engagement.

Even though Max had dumped her, changing her mind.

But that wouldn’t happen in this playthrough.

“Honestly, I’m not sure yet. And even if I do have those feelings, I don’t think they’re as strong as yours, Lady Hiresia.”

“That’s… sad.”

Wh-Why are you attacking her like that?!

“Sad?”

“Yes, because a loveless marriage is sad.”

“…”

The atmosphere turned somber again.

…Eccentric high elf senior, please stop messing with people’s emotions like that.

Regina blinked repeatedly, as if she had been struck dumb.

Hiresia looked at her with sincere eyes and said,

“I truly hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Yes, well…”

Regina’s expression was still strange.

She seemed lost in thought.

Hiresia stared at her for a moment, and then, with an expression that said she had to confirm this, she spoke.

“So…”

“Yes?”

“You’re okay with him taking a non-human wife, right?”

“Cough, cough, cough, cough!”

…I burst into a violent coughing fit, my lungs feeling like they were about to explode.