How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 646: Rose’s new color

The cheers faded behind her as Rose stepped off the stage.

A dull event...

That was the only thing she could think whenever she took part in things like this. No matter how flashy the matches looked, no matter how excited the crowd got, it never stirred anything inside her.

”Winner Rose Brilliance!”

The announcement echoed loudly, followed by another wave of cheering. People were practically losing their minds, but Rose’s expression didn’t change.

Her opponent—an S-rank senior—was still being carried off by the healers. He had been taken out in a single clean blow, her light magic so fast and sharp it didn’t even look real to most people.

”Holy—did you see that?”

”As expected of a future archmage, she’s not normal...”

”Wait, isn’t she already past the 7th circle?”

”No way, that’s just a rumor.”

”Still... I get it now. My cousin said this academy has monsters you shouldn’t compare yourself to. I thought he was exaggerating.”

”Between senior Alice and Rose, who’s stronger?”

The usual noise.

The same familiar awe.

The same comments she heard every single competition.

None of it mattered.

She didn’t hate the attention; she was used to it.

But everything around her felt... bland.

Her golden eyes saw the world in one flat color, like the whole arena was painted in washed-out monotone no matter how bright the lights were.

There was a time when she didn’t mind living like that—quiet, dull, predictable.

But now?

Now she couldn’t stand it.

Because ever since she met him...

Ever since that frustrating, warm, stupidly brave boy stepped into her life...

Her world wasn’t gray anymore.

He had painted colors into it—bright ones, soft ones, irritating ones, comforting ones. All of them tied to him.

And just like that, even something as meaningless as a tournament suddenly felt emptier because he wasn’t standing in the corner somewhere watching her with that small, annoying smile of his.

Rose brushed her hair behind her ear as she walked out the exit tunnel, ignoring the whispers still following her.

Riley didn’t come to watch me...

She lightly grumbled inwardly.

Although she understood Riley was probably busy with something else, and even though he never said he’d come watch her match, Rose at least wanted him somewhere nearby.

His presence alone was enough to make her day feel complete.

”He’s probably with the black rat— I mean, Seo, right now.”

Her lips twitched as she corrected herself mid-insult.

Since Seo and Riley were assigned to the same sector, it made perfect sense they would be together at the moment.

But even then... it felt a little unfair.

Rose didn’t get a say in which sector she was thrown into, so of course she couldn’t compete in the same place as him.

I’ll let her have this round of luck... just this once.

She sighed, accepting it with the hesitation of someone who wasn’t fully satisfied but understood the situation anyway.

Yes, she wanted to be with Riley right here, right now. Yes, she had a lot she wanted to talk about with him.

But she also understood that all of them — fiancés, sisters, whatever they were to each other now — needed to let the others have some alone time with him.

No one stated it out loud, but they were all already following that unwritten rule: first come, first served.

So, she stepped back this time.

For now.

”There are still so many things I want to talk about...” she murmured under her breath, almost sulking but not quite. Her golden eyes dropped for a moment, then softened with a different kind of thought.

”I wonder how many tries it’ll take...”

Her fingers brushed lightly over her lower abdomen.

She could still feel Riley’s warmth lingering inside her — that intimate reminder from earlier.

The moment she touched herself, her expression shifted, an excited, almost glowing look rising on her face.

Continuing her walk, Rose planned to stop by Snow’s sector first before meeting Riley and the others.

She had her whole route sorted out in her head. But halfway through—

”Young Miss...”

She stopped.

That voice was annoyingly familiar.

Turning around, she saw an old man in a tidy butler uniform bowing politely.

”Roberto?”

”It has been quite a while, Young Miss.”

”Yes... indeed.”

Roberto Perti, head butler of the Brilliance household. Her father’s personal servant since before she was born.

Seeing him here only meant one thing.

”No.”

”I haven’t said anything yet, Young Miss.”

”I don’t need you to. Your intentions are obvious. If my father insists, then tell him I’ll openly walk out of the family.”

Roberto stayed quiet for a moment, then sighed.

”...I understand your feelings on the matter, Young Miss. However... this time it is not only the Lord who is calling for you.”

Rose frowned slightly.

Who else?

”I am merely serving as the guide right now... for His Divine Grace.”

The moment he said that, a swirl of dark smoke gathered behind him.

A tall knight clad in black armor emerged from the shadows, stepping forward with a single knee lowered.

A shadow knight.

Rose narrowed her eyes.

The knight’s voice was calm, deep, respectful.

”Lady Rose Brilliance. By His Majesty’s divine grace, you are invited to have lunch with him.”

Rose stared at him quietly.

If the Emperor truly wanted to summon her, he didn’t need to bring Roberto. The imperial knights could’ve taken her themselves.

Which meant...

He’s telling me my father is nearby, she thought, understanding the Emperor’s subtle gesture.

She let out a small sigh.

Her plans for today were completely crushed.

”Alright,” she said, regaining her calm. ”Lead the way.”

The shadow knight bowed again, and Roberto stepped aside to follow.

.....

”It has been a while, Raymond...”

”Yes indeed, it has been a while, your majesty...”

Inside a luxuriously furnished private room—golden curtains pulled just enough to filter in a soft afternoon glow, a long rectangular table crafted from ancient celestial oak, and sculptures lining the walls that radiated both wealth and overwhelming authority—three people sat facing one another.

The emperor quietly cut into his appetizer, movements elegant yet unhurried, before lifting his gaze toward Duke Raymond Brilliance.

His eyes were unreadable, cold but not hostile, neutral yet carrying enough weight to make even seasoned nobles shift in discomfort.

Raymond stiffened ever so slightly.

Despite being one of the highest-ranking nobles in the empire, and a man accustomed to commanding thousands, the emperor was one of the few individuals who could easily make him nervous.

”I have heard your lands suffered from a drought these past few months,” the emperor said as he set his utensils down with a soft metallic tap. ”Has it been resolved?”

”Y-Yes...” Raymond straightened his posture further. ”Although the duchy could survive on its own thanks to our grain and wheat surplus, the additional budget Your Majesty granted allowed us to avoid unnecessary trouble...”

”Did you hire people from the church to cleanse the land?”

”Yes, your majesty. I made sure to acquire their services as soon as possible.”

”I see.”

As the two continued discussing state matters with heavy implications, Leilah—sitting on the emperor’s left, hands folded neatly on her lap—watched them with the expression of someone who had absolutely no idea why she was present in the first place.

Why am I here...?

Only an hour ago, she had been minding her own business, performing her duties as a judge for the student matches.

Then the emperor had casually asked her if she knew any good restaurants in the area.

She answered. And now here she was—dragged along into what was clearly a top-level political meeting.

”I heard Count Luffilus has been rebellious recently.”

”Don’t worry, your majesty,” Raymond replied, his voice firm yet respectful. ”I have already taken care of it.”

”I see...”

Leilah’s eyes darted between the two men, her expression frozen.

A-Am I even allowed to hear this kind of confidential information??

Meanwhile the emperor continued his calm conversation with the duke, until finally he brought up the topic he seemed most curious about.

”By the way, Raymond,” the emperor said casually, ”I believe you’ve already heard about your daughter’s relationship with my son-in-law.”

Raymond paused just a little. Just enough to show he didn’t like the topic, but not enough to be rude. He wore a polite smile to hide his displeasure.

”Of course, Your Majesty...”

”Good. Although I wasn’t able to ask your opinion beforehand,” the emperor continued, ”I believe your daughter is genuinely in love with him. That is why I blessed their union — Riley and his fiancées, with your daughter included. I trust you didn’t take offense at my and the Grand Duke’s decision?”

”...No, it is fine, Your Majesty,” Raymond replied, though his voice had a subtle edge. ”Someone with eyes like yours could easily see how sincere my daughter’s feelings are. Your actions were... understandable, given the situation.”

The emperor’s smile grew faintly amused.

Raymond’s tone was sharp in a way that only someone used to court politics would catch.

He clearly didn’t like the fact Rose was tied to Riley now, and the emperor — with his own information network being one of the best in the empire — already knew that father and daughter weren’t exactly close to begin with.

He was also painfully aware of the tension between them... and found himself wondering if that tension could be useful for anything later.

But before the emperor could push any further—

”Lady Rose has arrived.”

The shadow knight’s announcement echoed softly as Rose walked into the room with her usual apathetic expression, her steps light and graceful as always.

She quietly took a seat beside Principal Leilah, who looked at her in shock because she honestly expected Rose to refuse the invitation entirely.

Raymond also stared in surprise for a second.

”It is a pleasure to be in your presence, Your Majesty,” Rose said with her calm, neutral tone.

The emperor’s smile deepened, clearly entertained by her poised entrance.