How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 477: Slow yet Quick Winter Vacation

They say time passes quicker when you stop paying attention—and honestly, nothing’s ever felt more true.

Despite the lingering winter snow coating the land in a stubborn chill, today’s sun was shining unusually bright.

Its gentle rays stretched across the frost-covered forest, casting long shadows over the uneven ground.

The cold still clung to the air, but it was the kind of cold that soothed rather than bit—a rare, almost comforting kind of winter weather.

And in that strangely relaxing stillness, I continued swinging my sword through the air.

The forest around me, once dense and quiet, was now riddled with signs of prolonged training—broken branches, slashed tree trunks, scorched patches of snow from mana flare-ups.

This was the same place where my duel with Master Beon Gyeoul had taken place, and now, it had become our personal training grounds.

”Tsk... I told you to move your legs in sync with your hands! Again!”

”Yes, Master...” I replied with a sigh, already moving back into the first form of the technique.

Though his voice remained as sharp and irritable as ever, I was used to it by now.

A week and a half had passed since the start of my winter vacation, and in that time, our training had become a daily routine.

Repetitive. Relentless. And oddly... calming.

Aside from the whirlwind of unexpected chaos at the beginning of the vacation, the days since had been surprisingly normal—or at least, as normal as things could be in my life.

The girls had grown closer—not just to each other, but to everyone in the household.

My mother, ever the graceful and composed figure, had adapted well to the new guests—though the frequency of her sighs had increased tenfold.

My father, on the other hand, looked like he’d aged a few years from the constant pressure of being well dignified, I feel a bit bad but that bastard deserves it.

Still, they were getting used to it.

Everyone was.

More than just guests now, the girls were openly referred to—at least behind closed doors—as future family members.

They moved about the estate like it already belonged to them, and though that caused a fair share of tension, it also added an undeniable energy to the place.

The once-quiet halls were now filled with life.

The kind of life that came with Alice’s laugh echoing off the walls, Snow’s calm yet biting remarks during breakfast, Rose explaining magic theory to confused maids, and Liyana casually declaring war on whoever dared use the last of the bath salts especially when no one informs her when I’m going to use it.... which I’m honestly a bit curious about....

Even the servants seemed more motivated lately, throwing themselves into their duties with a spark of energy that hadn’t been there before.

Whether it was out of fear, curiosity, or the presence of so many powerful—and beautiful—young women wandering the halls, I wasn’t sure.

But somehow, the entire estate had grown more animated, more vibrant.

Livelier.

Better.

My dear little sister, Reina, had gotten noticeably more meek lately—which, to be honest, felt like a bit of a downgrade.

I’d always found her annoying stubbornness and sharp tongue oddly endearing.

The way she used to snap back with sarcastic remarks or glare at me like I’d personally ruined her life—it was all part of her charm.

But now, that familiar spark seemed dimmed.

Maybe it was the presence of so many prestigious and overwhelming figures in the house that made her feel the need to act more composed. To ”put on a proper face,” as she’d say.

Still, even though she seemed pressured being around the girls—especially the more dominant ones like Snow and Rose—there were signs of progress.

Well... kind of.

Her stuttering around Snow and Rose was still a major issue.

It was honestly a bit painful to watch sometimes, like a bunny trying to hold its own in a den of wolves.

She’d try to speak, only to trip over her words with the faintest blush on her cheeks and then immediately retreat into herself.

But with Liyana and Alice, she was doing much better.

And I guess that made sense.

Liyana and Alice had more approachable personalities—open, expressive, and playful in their own ways.

Reina gravitated toward them naturally.

Liyana, with her excessive affection and ridiculous declarations of love, probably overwhelmed her at first, but over time that same intensity had become oddly comforting.

Alice, on the other hand, had a quirky kindness about her, the type that made others feel included without pressure.

Together, those two seemed to have slowly chipped away at Reina’s initial hesitations.

In fact, the three of them had been spotted chatting by the greenhouse more than once—something that would’ve been unthinkable just a week ago.

As for Mother... well, her relationship with Snow was perhaps the biggest surprise of all.

I honestly thought Mom would have the hardest time warming up to her.

Snow wasn’t just some noble girl—she was the Imperial Crown Princess.

A literal monarch-in-waiting.

Add in her naturally sharp aura and commanding presence, and she should’ve been the hardest one to deal with.

But that wasn’t the case.

If anything, Mother and Snow had gotten along almost too well.

They were often seen together during tea time, discussing all sorts of things—ranging from palace etiquette to what type of curtains would best match the dining hall.

At first, I thought Snow might be putting on a formal front, but no.

She was genuinely relaxed around my mother, and oddly... even affectionate in her own way.

Maybe it was Snow’s sincerity that helped.

Or maybe Mom had simply gotten used to royal figures thanks to the chaos Liyana brought into the house long before Snow ever stepped through our doors.

Either way, seeing them interact so naturally gave me a strange kind of peace.

It was comforting.

The girls—each with their own history, power, and personality—were slowly becoming part of the family.

And so far, things had gone smoothly.

No major outbursts.

No dramatic confrontations.

Just the gradual blending of different worlds into something that looked surprisingly... whole.

And as much as I wanted to stay cautious, a part of me couldn’t help but think:

’Maybe this strange family of mine was actually going to work.’

Liyana being a threat still crosses my mind from time to time. I haven’t forgotten who she is—not really.

She’s still marked as my potential doom, the one tied to the world-ending scenario that would flip this world upside down.

She’s a boss character, a final calamity wrapped in elegance and charm.

But lately... that version of her feels so far away.

Spending more time with her—seeing her not as a ticking time bomb, but as the woman who clings to my arm with genuine affection—makes it hard to reconcile those two versions of her.

There’s a side of Liyana I’ve come to... love, honestly.

Not just tolerate or accept, but love.

Whether that side is real or not, I still don’t know.

Maybe it’s just a façade.

Maybe it’s her way of lulling me into a false sense of peace.

But even if it is a lie, it’s a damn convincing one.

From what I can see, Liyana’s trying—really trying—to be the perfect, understanding fiancée.

And that makes me feel like absolute shit.

Because while she’s doing her best to be open and supportive, I’m still preparing for the worst.

Still keeping one eye on the future where she might turn into the very thing I have to kill.

It’s a messed-up feeling—loving someone while bracing to destroy them.

Still, our relationship has grown, bit by bit.

Maybe it’s because of the other girls.

Maybe being around them reminds her she’s not the only one in my heart.

Even though Liyana accepts the harem dynamic—at least outwardly—I know it bothers her.

Just a little. And that little flicker of jealousy somehow makes her feel... more human.

Speaking of closeness, sleep has become something of a luxury.

Sure, being surrounded by beautiful girls every night might sound like heaven to some.

And don’t get me wrong—it has its perks.

But when you’re constantly wrapped in arms and legs, pressed against soft skin, and being whispered sweet nothings while trying to hold yourself back... it’s a whole different kind of hell.

I’m still a teenager in my prime. I’m not made of stone.

Of course, that doesn’t mean nothing ever happens.

Things happen—a lot, actually.

And now that the girls have gotten closer to each other, well... let’s just say they’ve gotten pretty comfortable with sharing.

It’s a bit more intense, a bit more exhausting, but who am I to complain?

I suppose the truth is, I’m living in a dream that might turn into a nightmare.

But until that happens—until the script flips and Liyana becomes who she was meant to be—I’ll cherish these moments, even if I know they may not last forever.

Liyana, Snow, Rose, Alice and even Seo soon....

They were all the people I truly love right now.... and I will make sure that remains true until the very end.