How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 623: Contact Interlude

After receiving Emilia’s successful blessing, Riley and Snow’s date went on smoothly.

It was a rare chance for the two of them to just be together without interruption, so they made the most of every moment they had.

As always, eyes followed them wherever they went.

But unlike last year—when those gazes were filled with contempt, jealousy, and endless whispers—this time they carried something different.

Surprise. Wonder.

Even a quiet sense of understanding.

After all, their relationship was no longer a secret.

It had been officially announced during last month’s grand ball, and ever since then, no one dared to question it.

Riley might have been a noble, but compared to Snow—the imperial princess herself—his status alone could never match hers.

Yet, because they had both the Emperor’s and the Grand Duke’s blessings, not a single voice rose to criticize them.

Of course, there were still rumors floating around.

Many found it strange that Riley, despite being engaged to Snow, still had ties with several other high-ranking girls and academy geniuses.

But once he was connected to the imperial family, all those complications seemed to lose their weight.

No one wanted to challenge something that had royal approval behind it.

”They look so good together...”

”Hey, I know the princess is mesmerizing as always, but don’t you think Riley’s got his own charm too?”

”Wow, look at that... unbelievable,”

The academy’s reactions varied—some curious, some impressed, others quietly envious—but one thing was certain.

Riley and Snow, in everyone’s eyes, looked like they truly belonged together.

Although Riley would’ve preferred to spend his time with Snow somewhere quiet and romantic, he knew that simple moments like this—just walking side by side on the streets, talking about random things, and holding hands—were what mattered most to her.

It wasn’t about luxury or grand gestures; it was about being able to live like a normal couple, even if only for a little while.

Snow was his first love, and that alone was something Riley deeply treasured.

Whether good or bad, he couldn’t deny how much she’d changed his life.

The constant stares from others did get tiring sometimes, even for him, but he paid them no mind.

As long as Snow was smiling beside him, the rest of the world could fade into the background.

They went to her favorite spots around the city—little cafes and stores she liked—and Riley even showed her a few places they’d never visited before.

They ate, laughed, explored, and talked about things that had nothing to do with titles or responsibilities. Just them being themselves.

By the time the sun began to dip, they ended up at the academy’s central park, stopping by one of the benches near the flower field.

The air was filled with the soft scent of blossoms, the trees swaying lightly in the wind.

Sitting side by side, they quietly watched as students passed by, enjoying their rare bit of free time during the festival season.

Some of the foreign visitors and students noticed them, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe.

But when Riley’s gaze briefly met theirs, they quickly turned away, pretending they hadn’t been staring.

”Fufu~ you can just let them stare, Riley,” Snow said, her tone playful but gentle.

Riley chuckled softly. ”I know... but when it starts to feel like a whole flock watching us, it gets a bit annoying,” he said, leaning back slightly. ”Still, this spot has the best view.”

Snow followed his gaze and nodded.

The flowers had just bloomed, painting the park in shades of red, pink, and gold.

The sight reflected in her eyes, and for a quiet moment, everything around them felt still—just the two of them, sitting together in the heart of a peaceful afternoon.

They sat there for a while, arms gently wrapped around each other, letting the peaceful silence settle between them.

The breeze carried the soft scent of flowers, and the faint laughter of students in the distance mixed with the rustling of leaves.

Neither of them felt the need to speak right away; just sitting there, feeling each other’s warmth, was enough.

Eventually, Riley broke the silence with a small smile.

”So, how was it? Did you enjoy today?”

”Yes, very much!” Snow replied brightly, her voice full of honest joy.

”I see...” Riley said, smiling at her reaction.

The date hadn’t been anything extravagant—not like some of their previous ones that were full of grand gestures or fancy settings—but it felt different.

Softer.

More real.

It had the kind of atmosphere he always wanted with her: peaceful, genuine, and warm.

Even so, he could still see it—beneath Snow’s smile, there was a faint shadow in her eyes.

She tried to hide it, but Riley had always been quick to notice such things.

Snow caught his look and sighed softly, her expression turning gentle.

”I know you’re still worried,” she said, ”but I’m fine now. Really. That’s why we went to Emilia, remember? You wanted to make sure I was completely okay, right?”

”...Yeah,” Riley admitted quietly.

”Then why the long face?” she asked, tilting her head with a teasing smile.

He hesitated before answering. ”It’s nothing... it’s just that, well... I still feel bad.”

Her smile faded slightly. ”Why do you feel bad?”

”Because I’m the reason you got hurt,” he said, his voice low.

Snow’s expression softened, but she shook her head firmly.

”...You know you’re not,” she said. ”And even if you were, it wasn’t something either of us could’ve predicted. Things just happened. There’s no need to keep blaming yourself for that.”

Riley opened his mouth to argue but stopped himself.

The words caught in his throat, and after a moment, he quietly closed his lips again.

She was right—there was no point in arguing over who was at fault.

What mattered now was that she was here, beside him, smiling again.

”And also,” Snow said softly, her fingers brushing over his hand, ”you saved me in the end, right? That’s all that really matters.” She smiled faintly. ”Honestly... I kind of like that I got hurt.”

Riley frowned, his expression tightening. ”Please don’t say that.”

”Fufu~ but it’s true,” she chuckled lightly, though there was a trace of sadness behind her smile. ”It’s because I got hurt that I finally learned a bit more about the secrets you’ve been keeping from me all this time. As your most understanding lover, I take pride in my patience, you know? But even so, I still get a tiny bit... maybe just a little hurt whenever you go off and do things on your own.”

Her voice softened as she looked at him.

”You always carry everything by yourself, Riley. And this time, I got to see a glimpse of that mystery you keep hidden... Honestly, it was kind of satisfying, in a weird way. Though—” she let out a small laugh ”—it’s not exactly something I’d ever want to happen again.”

”Snow...” Riley whispered.

She turned her gaze toward the park’s flower field, her expression calm but thoughtful.

”It’s a shame though... I wasn’t strong enough to handle what happened. I still don’t know the full extent of what you’re involved in, or what you’re planning, but now I understand at least why you keep us all at a distance most of the time.”

Riley fell silent.

The truth of her words hit deeper than she knew.

She was right—painfully right.

Even though he had people who cared for him, who would willingly fight by his side, he still couldn’t bring himself to involve them.

It wasn’t distrust... it was fear.

The fear of seeing any of them hurt because of him.

He looked at Snow’s hands resting on his, her skin still faintly marked from her recent wounds. His chest tightened.

He wanted to tell her everything—why he did what he did, what he was preparing for—but the words wouldn’t come out.

Instead, he just held her hand a little tighter, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

Snow didn’t press further.

She simply smiled softly, leaning her head against his shoulder as if to say she understood enough, even without the words.

The truth...

It was a simple word, yet for Riley, it carried more weight than he could ever explain.

It was something he had never wanted to fully share with Snow—or with any of his lovers, for that matter.

Only Alice knew the complete picture, and even then, it wasn’t without risk.

The truth he carried was dangerous, too heavy, and once spoken, there would be no turning back.

Still, even with that fear in mind, he didn’t want to keep them all in the dark forever.

He hated having to distance himself from them again and again.

For Riley, their growth—their strength—was everything.

Every one of them was important to him, and he knew that sooner or later, they would want to stand beside him, not behind him.

Just as much as he wanted to stand with them.

The future they were walking toward wasn’t one of peace.

He could already sense the coming storm—the doom waiting just beyond the horizon.

And for that, he needed them prepared.

He already had plans set in motion, some of which directly involved Snow—plans to push her potential, to awaken the dormant strength within her.

All that was left was for him to suppress his own selfish fear—the fear of losing her.

After a long moment of quiet thought, Riley finally spoke again, his voice calm but serious.

”Snow... if I told you there’s a way to make you stronger—strong enough to stand with me—but it comes with the risk of death... would you still take it?”

Snow didn’t hesitate for even a second.

”Yes,” she answered immediately, her tone firm and unwavering.

Riley blinked, surprised by how easily the word left her lips.

”If it’s something that will make you rely on me even more,” she continued softly, ”then I’m willing to do anything. No matter how dangerous it is.”

For a moment, Riley just looked at her—the way her eyes didn’t waver, the quiet resolve in her smile.

He couldn’t decide whether to feel proud or afraid.

Maybe both.

He exhaled a slow, tired breath before a faint smile curved his lips.

”...Alright,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Snow smiled back, her expression calm but determined, as if she already knew what his answer meant.

The two lovers stayed there a while longer, quietly watching the flowers sway with the wind.

Neither of them spoke much, but in that silence, there was something deeper—a quiet promise between them.

When the sun began to lower, Riley glanced at the time and realized they still had a bit left before the evening curfew.

”Well,” he said, standing and offering Snow his hand, ”we still have time. Want to walk around a little more?”

Snow smiled and nodded softly.

So, they decided to spend the rest of their date wandering the commercial district.

They browsed through small shops, tried a few snacks from food stalls, and even stopped to listen to a street performer.

It wasn’t anything fancy, but the warmth between them was enough.

By the time they finally headed back to the dorms, Riley felt relaxed—satisfied even. The day had gone perfectly.

He smiled faintly to himself.

Knowing his lovers, he already expected what was waiting for them: a warm welcome, laughter, maybe even a little teasing.

The girls had probably prepared something special for Snow, knowing how long she’d been recovering.

He imagined the soft lights, cheerful smiles, the bond they all shared growing even stronger—

—or so he thought.

The moment he stepped through the door, that illusion shattered.

Cold.

Utter, biting cold.

The air itself felt heavy, and Riley froze in place as the atmosphere shifted around him.

That gentle warmth he’d imagined?

Gone.

Completely replaced by a suffocating chill and an invisible pressure that made his skin prickle.

”...Huh?” was all he managed to say before—

Snap!

In an instant, he found himself sitting on a chair, celestial bindings of pure magic wrapping around his body like chains.

”What the—”

He looked up.

Snow stood in front of him, her once warm blue eyes now turned sharp and glacial.

There was no trace of that gentle smile she’d worn earlier.

Rose’s golden eyes—usually filled with light and affection—had dimmed, cold and piercing.

Seo’s expression hadn’t changed much; her red gaze was as apathetic as ever, but somehow, it still managed to make his stomach drop.

Even Riley, who’d faced monsters and gods alike, couldn’t help but gulp.

What... happened?

Just hours ago, everything had been perfect. Now he was tied up in a chair like a criminal under judgment.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Alice standing quietly in the corner.

Her head tilted slightly to the side; eyes filled with that unmistakable ”I’m sorry! I’m really Sorry!!!”

Riley’s heart sank.

Seriously... what happened!?