How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 151: Snowy Feelings 2

Right after Professor Lukeʼs defeat, the academy staff was quickly informed about the incident, thanks to Princess Snow.

The news spread like wildfire, and it wasnʼt long before Janica was taken to the infirmary to receive the care she desperately needed.

Now, with the immediate crisis behind us, Snow and I found ourselves walking side by side through the academy halls, our pace slowed by the weight of what had just transpired. ”This situation is bound to cause quite an uproar in the academy soon,” Snow remarked, her voice carrying a tone of inevitability.

I nodded in agreement. ʼYup, thatʼs to be expected.ʼ

This incident was going to send shockwaves through the academy, just as it did in the game.

The repercussions were bound to be severe, with the potential to further tarnish the academyʼs already damaged reputation.

The academy had been through so much drama just last semester.

There was the terrorist attack that had shaken everyone to their core, the assassination attempt on Princess Snow, and even the mysterious disappearance of two of the academyʼs top students. ʼTo which I was in avertedly involved in...ʼ

Each of these events had chipped away at the institutionʼs credibility, leaving it vulnerable to criticism and doubt.

Now, with this latest scandal involving a professor, the academy was in for yet another round of chaos.

As we walked, the quiet tension between us reflected the uncertainty of the days to come.

I couldnʼt help but think about how this event would play out in the broader context of the gameʼs original storyline.

In the game, this kind of scandal would have caused significant delays in the academyʼs schedule.

The upcoming written exams and the much-anticipated Duo exams would likely be pushed back by at least a week, if not more.

Student opinion will probably be split regarding the delay.

On one hand, some will welcome the extra time to prepare, especially given how important this semesterʼs Duo exams are.

This time, the exams wonʼt just influence class rankings; theyʼll also play a critical role in determining class placements for our upcoming second year.

Itʼs a shift that adds significant weight to the exams, making the delay both a relief and a source of anxiety for different students.

While there will be another class evaluation test, thatʼs more of an assessment for the first years, rather than something that will significantly impact us as second years.

I glanced at Snow, still somewhat in awe of how quickly she had assessed and managed the entire situation.

Sure, it was in line with her character-always composed, always ahead of the curve-but it was still surprising to see her in action.

There was a sense of relief knowing that she had taken charge, handling the staff and the aftermath with a level of competence that I could only admire.

It made me wonder just what she had said or done to keep me from being more involved than I already was. ʼSheʼs too reliable when it comes to matters like this,ʼ

Snow had a knack for navigating complex situations, and her influence was palpable.

While the academy staff did glance at me, none of them seemed particularly inclined to ask me any questions.

It was clear that Snow had somehow deflected their attention, ensuring that I wouldnʼt be dragged further into the mess.

Anyway, how exactly did she suddenly end up in that situation?

In the game, Snow wasnʼt actually supposed to show up until later on, when she helped Lucas clear his name after killing or restraining the professor. ”It was a bit surprising to see you back there, Snow,” I remarked, still trying to piece together how things had deviated from the original storyline.

Especially when you consider how busy she has to be with the upcoming student council elections. Piles of papers, notes, and preparations shouldʼve been enough to keep her glued to her office.

Snow perked her head up, her gaze neutral but attentive. ”My duties ended rather early, and I was actually planning on taking a short break outside to freshen up my mind. But then a certain mana signature suddenly spiked up, and before I knew it...” ”I see.” ʼSo, it was indirectly my fault, huh?ʼ

Did the effects of Monarchʼs Will amplify my mana output?

Considering the skillʼs effects, I thought only my presence was supposed to be expanded, but I guess my emotional state somehow reflects on my mana levels.

Snowʼs early arrival had completely altered the course of events, preventing the original scenario where Lucas would have taken the lead.

But then again, as I took on Lucasʼs role in that moment, I canʼt really complain much. Now that I think about it, what will happen to Lucasʼs and Janicaʼs relationship progress now?

I made sure not to raise any flags with Janica by avoiding her and even keeping some distance all this time.

Even now, I made sure to keep her in direct contact with Snow after saving her, hoping to avoid any complications like those that occurred with the other heroines.

Walking across thin lines in relationships would only bring me closer to death.

As we continued our walk, the gravity of the situation started to settle in. I glanced at Snow, taking in her ethereal presence.

With snow-white hair and jewel-like eyes, she was as beautiful as ever.

Her iconic white cloak, combined with her own personal white uniform, always seemed to highlight her overall beauty despite the high contrast of her dress.

It was almost as if she was designed to stand out, a beacon of purity and strength in the chaos of this world. ”By the way, why were you with Janica, Riley?” Snowʼs voice broke through my thoughts, her tone curious yet measured. ”I just happened to be there and noticed something off with one of the classrooms” I replied, keeping my voice even, trying not to give anything away.

Even if she asks, I canʼt exactly give any other proper answer other than this, she has an uncanny ability to see through lies so a half truth like this is the only thing I can give to her right now. ”Hm...”

Snow didnʼt seem entirely satisfied with my answer, but she didnʼt press the matter further. Instead, she glanced back at me, her gaze holding a slight hint of nostalgia. ”You know, Riley, itʼs been a while since weʼve seen each other..... If itʼs not too much to ask, can I take a moment of your time?”

Now that I think about it, what she said was true... This was technically our first real conversation since the semester started a few weeks ago.

Although we did occasionally see each other from time to time, no actual talk took place. Either she was too busy with her own responsibilities, or I was caught up in mine.

I canʼt say I was purposefully avoiding her because of my memories, but I canʼt exactly deny it either.

My complex emotions toward Snow were truly a factor, and deep down, I might have been unconsciously avoiding her.

As much as I wanted to avoid any flags with the heroines, that was just an excuse for being such a lousy friend.

I groaned inwardly before finally speaking. ”Sure...”

I didnʼt know what she wanted to talk about, but I could make a few guesses-probably something related to the upcoming elections or maybe even something more personal.

Seeing my response, she smiled, a happy expression that seemed to light up her face... but for some reason, it felt off. ..... ”You know Iʼm running for presidency, right, Riley?” ”Yes,”

We walked through the education district side by side, our presence together grabbing the attention of onlookers.

It wasnʼt unusual-this early in the semester, the district was bustling with students returning to their routines.

But as always, the noble students were particularly keen on gossip, and I could already see the whispers starting to spread, their curious gazes lingering on us a little too long.

Judging from their expressions, I knew that new rumors about me were bound to circulate soon.

Walking with the already popular Snow, who was not just any student but a princess and a candidate for the student council presidency, would undoubtedly fuel speculation.

I had expected Snow to take me somewhere more private if she wanted to have a serious conversation, but instead, we continued our stroll through one of the most public areas of the district.

I couldnʼt help but wonder if this was the best choice for her image.

Associating with me didnʼt necessarily provide a good or bad image-it was more complicated than that.

My reputation at the school wasnʼt exactly spotless, and aligning herself with me wouldnʼt do much for her campaign.

Still, Snow was nothing if not strategic. ʼShe had to have a reason for this.ʼ

Especially with all the eyes and ears around us.... ”Iʼll be blunt with you, Riley,” she said, her tone shifting as she turned to face me. ”I want you to join my team.”

Her words hung in the air between us, heavy with expectation. I had anticipated this, but hearing it directly from her still caught me off guard.

Snow was offering me a place in her campaign, a chance to be part of something significant.

Yet, despite the sincerity in her eyes, I knew my answer even before she finished speaking. ”Iʼm sorry, but I canʼt”

Snowʼs gaze didnʼt waver, but I could see the question forming in her mind. ”And why is that the case?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. ”Iʼm already running in support of someone else” ”Is it Rose?” she asked, her voice calm, but there was an undercurrent of something- disappointment, perhaps? Or maybe just resignation.

I nodded. ”Yes.”

For a moment, Snowʼs expression remained unreadable.

She was excellent at masking her true feelings, a skill honed by years of navigating the treacherous waters of noble politics.

But even she couldnʼt completely hide the flicker of emotion that passed through her eyes-a mixture of frustration and acceptance. ”I see,” she said softly, more to herself than to me. ”I suppose I should have expected that.”

Her words hung in the air, carrying a weight that made me wonder if there had been more conversations between her and Rose than I was aware of. Had Rose provoked her somehow? ”Well, I guess thereʼs nothing I can do about it now,” Snow continued, her tone lightening slightly, though there was still a hint of something deeper underneath. ”Itʼs a shame, but Iʼll let her have you for now~”

Her words caught me off guard. ”Excuse me?”

She turned to me with a playful smile, her eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and determination. ”Once I become president, can you at least promise me to consider a position in my campaign?”

I hesitated for a moment, but there was no harm in agreeing to consider it, especially since it was just a hypothetical situation for now. ”Gladly,” I replied, though my mind was already racing with other concerns.

Glancing around, I noticed the number of eyes still on us, and a sense of unease began to creep in. Lowering my voice, I stepped closer to Snow, my tone filled with caution. ”Is it alright for you to openly talk about politics like this?” I asked. ”With the way youʼre speaking, it sounds like youʼve already arrogantly won everything. Even if youʼre the leading candidate... there are certain things you canʼt say publicly, right?”

Snow paused, meeting my gaze with a thoughtful expression.

For a moment, I wondered if I had overstepped, if my concern was unfounded. But then she looked away, her eyes distant as if she was contemplating something deeply. ”Itʼs fine,” she finally answered, though there was a subtle shift in her tone that I couldnʼt quite place. ”My intentions are not on political matters...”

Her voice trailed off into a mumble, almost as if she was speaking more to herself than to me.

The way she said it made me wonder if there was something else going on beneath the surface, something more personal that she wasnʼt ready to share.

But before I could press her further, Snow straightened up, her usual composure snapping back into place as she gave me a reassuring smile. ”Donʼt put your mind into it, just think of this matter as nothing more than just my whims~” Snowʼs voice had a playful lilt to it. ”...Ok,” I replied, unsure of how else to respond.

I tried to focus on the rhythm of our steps, but the unease from our conversation lingered.

As we continued walking, I noticed that the space between us had closed without me even realizing it. I instinctively tried to create some distance, stepping back ever so slightly. However, before I could fully withdraw, Snow reached out and grabbed my right hand, her grip gentle yet firm, preventing me from pulling away. ”Your Highness?” ”Snow,” she corrected with a soft smile, her gaze meeting mine with a certain insistence. ”Thatʼs how youʼre supposed to call me, remember?” ”I thought that was only when weʼre in private?”

The thought of addressing her so informally in public, with so many eyes on us, made my stomach twist.

This wasnʼt just about avoiding awkward rumors anymore-it was about survival.

In an academy where reputations were everything, speaking to Princess Snow so casually could have serious consequences.

If it were Lucas, who was a commoner, the students might have chalked up any informalities to ignorance, but I didnʼt have that luxury.

As a noble, the rules were different.

Any misstep could fuel the gossip mill, and the last thing I needed was more exaggerated rumors circulating about me.

It was bad enough being constantly under scrutiny; adding fuel to the fire would only make things worse.

She does realize it isnʼt just the students around, right? I thought, my eyes flicking around the courtyard. Although I couldnʼt see or sense them, I was fairly certain that a couple of shadow knights from the emperor were lurking around her right now.

These elite guards were always present, invisible to most, but I knew they were there, watching and listening, ready to intervene at a momentʼs notice.

Once the emperor hears about this... then Iʼm screwed. Rumors have a way of spreading like wildfire in places like this, passing from one person to another until they become distorted information.

And once that information reaches the emperorʼs ears, itʼs only a matter of time before it gets to the duke. And when it gets to the duke... Liyana will hear it too.

I could already picture the cascade of misunderstandings and complications this would cause.

Liyana wasnʼt exactly the type to sit idly by if she thought someone else was getting too close to me.

If she caught wind of any rumors, especially those involving me and Snow, things could spiral out of control quickly. ”Itʼs fine... I donʼt want the two of us to hold each other back any longer, so just call me Snow from now on” ”Thatʼs...” ”Snow~” ”You know I canʼt-” ”Snow” ”....”

I sighed, realizing there was no winning this argument. Snowʼs persistence was both charming and unnerving, and it was clear she wouldnʼt back down.

Chuckling to herself as if finding my resignation amusing, Snow pressed herself closer to me.

Her actions werenʼt just playful; they were deliberate, making sure everyone around us noticed.

I could feel the stares of the nearby onlookers, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

This was exactly the kind of scene that would fuel the rumor mill, and I couldnʼt help but feel a growing sense of dread. ”Thereʼs actually something Iʼve been curious about this entire time, Riley,” Snow began, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. ”What exactly is your relationship with Miss Seo?” ”Weʼre friends....”

If you didnʼt consider the rumors surrounding Seo and me, it was clear as day that we were just friends-though, in Seoʼs case, we were best friends. ”And Miss Rose?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied my reaction. ”Rose is also a friend,” I answered, though in truth, she was more like a partner in our shared goals.

Our relationship was complicated, but I couldnʼt exactly explain that to Snow without raising even more questions. ”Then... what about Miss Clara?” she continued; her tone almost too casual. ”The same as the last two....” I replied, feeling increasingly uneasy with where this conversation was heading. ”Hmm~”

Snow hummed thoughtfully, as if processing the information Iʼd given her. ”Why are you even asking me such questions?” I finally asked, unable to hide my curiosity.

Snow wasnʼt the type to ask things without a reason, and the pointed nature of her questions made me wonder what she was really getting at. ”I just find it interesting, thatʼs all. Youʼre surrounded by so many remarkable women, yet you maintain that theyʼre all just ʼfriends.ʼ Even with all the rumors suggesting otherwise,” Snow remarked, her tone light but with an underlying curiosity that made me pause. ”I didnʼt think you were the type to listen to nonsense,” ”Believe me, I donʼt, but I do find it entertaining nonetheless,” she responded, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. ”Fufu... Am I also part of this labeled ʼfriendsʼ group of yours, perhaps?” ”In a sense...” ”You really have no mercy.... that hurts you know~” ”???” ”But I guess thatʼs what makes you a bit special in front of their eyes...” ”Hm?” I raised an eyebrow, not entirely sure what she meant by that. Was she talking about the other heroines, or was there something else she was hinting at? ”But Iʼm glad~” she added, her voice softening, taking on a tone that made my heart skip a beat. ”Glad?”

Snow stopped walking and locked eyes with me, her smirk fading into something more tender, something far more genuine.

The playful air around her seemed to dissipate, replaced by an expression that was both earnest and disarming.

Her smile was the most genuine, the most vulnerable I had ever seen from her, and it struck me in a way that made it impossible to look away. As our bodies pressed together in the slight crowd, the space between us seemed to shrink, and it was as if the rest of the world fell away, leaving only the two of us in this moment. ”Riley Hell, you know I see you as more than just a friend, right?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it felt like her words echoed in the silence that suddenly enveloped us.

The moment those words left her lips, time seemed to come to a standstill. The bustling noise of the students around us faded into nothingness, as if the world itself had paused to give weight to what she had just confessed.

My mind raced, trying to process the gravity of her words, but I found myself unable to move, unable to react, as if rooted in place by the sheer force of the moment. Her confession hung in the air between us, charged with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.

I could feel the heat radiating from her body, the closeness of her presence overwhelming my senses.

Her gaze never wavered.

This wasnʼt just a playful flirtation or a casual conversation.

Snow was trying to tell me something real.... ”I donʼt know if youʼll hate me for this,” Snow began, her voice trembling slightly but resolute, ”but jealousy is quite the hateful thing. After all, as much as I am a princess, Iʼm still a girl in love.” ”Snow-” ”Trying to balance Pushing and Pulling just doesnʼt seem to work on you, Riley. Not my way nor your way, even though Iʼve tried to be obvious.... Thatʼs why Iʼm going to be a bit more selfish now Riley, pushing everything Iʼve got towards you,” Before I could react, Snow closed the distance between us once more, slightly turning me to face her as she pulled me in.

The warmth of her body pressed against mine, and for a moment, I felt a soft, comforting warmth on my lips as her breath mingled with mine.

Her eyes were closed, and I could feel the gentle rise and fall of her chest with each breath she took.

It was reminiscent of our previous encounter, but this time it felt more intense, more lingering, as if she was pouring every ounce of her feelings into this one, single moment. ”Riley, I like you...” she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath, but it carried a weight that seemed to crush all the noise and activity around us.

It was then that I realized time had not stopped, but Snowʼs powerful declaration had made everything around us pause.

The bustling students who had been passing by, chatting and laughing, had come to a standstill.

Their gazes were fixed on us, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity.

The whole scene had become a tableau of shock and awe, with Snowʼs confession as the centerpiece.

My fate canʼt be changed.... ʼIʼm seriously going to dieʼ