How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 675: Frozen North 7

A prince...?

Questions surfaced one after another as Janica studied the beautiful young man standing before her.

He had introduced himself clearly—confidently even—as royalty.

There was no mistaking that.

But that only made things stranger.

Why a prince?

Or more precisely—why is a prince approaching me?

Janica was well aware of her own standing. While her fame didn’t reach the absurd levels of someone like Lucas or Kagami, she was still recognized in many circles.

People approached her often—seeking investments, business ties, or future cooperation.

But royalty?

That was new.

Being directly approached by someone of such status wasn’t something she had ever seriously considered.

”You wish to speak with me, Your Highness?” she asked carefully.

Prince Alain tilted his head slightly before offering a relaxed smile.

”Please, spare me the formalities,” he said gently. ”Feel free to call me Alain... or even Al, if you prefer.”

”...Alright,” Janica replied after a brief pause.

Honestly, she wasn’t sure how to react.

If her memory served her right, the Zelova Kingdom wasn’t among the continent’s dominant powers like the Germonia Empire, the Eastern Empire, or the Holy Kingdom.

Still, it was far from insignificant—its economic growth alone placed it on par with the Del Luna Kingdom.

Which made his interest even more puzzling.

”Why do you wish to speak with me?” she asked bluntly.

As far as she knew, there was no reason for someone of his caliber to single her out.

Meeting his slightly suspicious gaze, Prince Alain let out a soft chuckle.

”Please be at ease, Lady Janica,” he said reassuringly. ”I merely wish to relay something to you in private. Nothing more, nothing less.”

”Can’t you just say it here?” she countered without hesitation.

Her grip on the wine glass tightened ever so slightly.

In places like this, private conversations rarely meant something simple.

And even if she wanted to entertain a conversation with a prince, right now she was busy with something far more important.

Silently monitoring Lucas.

Her eyes drifted for just a moment toward the distance, confirming that he was still being surrounded—still smiling awkwardly, trying his best not to panic.

Only after reassuring herself that nothing had gone wrong did she return her attention to the man in front of her.

And more importantly...

She didn’t like this.

For some reason she couldn’t quite explain, the moment she met the prince’s gaze—no, more specifically, those beautiful violet eyes—something inside her stirred uneasily.

It wasn’t fear, nor was it hostility.

It was closer to a warning.

An instinct telling her to be careful.

Noticing Janica’s guarded demeanor, Prince Alain let out a soft chuckle.

Though he had suggested she address him informally, he hadn’t expected her to do so with such natural distance, as if titles truly meant nothing to her.

She’s a good candidate~

The thought crossed his mind as a faint, hidden smile curved his lips.

”While speaking here is certainly an option,” he said calmly, ”the matter I wish to discuss may reach... probing ears.”

He leaned in just slightly before adding, ”It isn’t anything particularly important, but it is somewhat personal.”

”Personal?” Janica echoed.

”Yes.”

The prince lifted a hand and lightly scratched his cheek, averting his gaze under her suspicious stare.

A faint blush surfaced as he gave a small cough, clearly trying to compose himself.

”A-anyway, that is the situation,” he continued. ”So... would you grant me this favor, my lady?”

Janica’s suspicion only deepened.

As far as she knew, there was little benefit for a prince—especially one from another kingdom—to seek a private connection with her.

The pieces didn’t line up.

And yet...

Curiosity tugged at her.

What exactly does he want from me?

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she weighed the risks, the crowd, and Lucas still lingering at the edge of her vision.

Feeling a faint sense of unease settle in her chest, Janica hesitated.

I am curious why this guy suddenly approached me... but...

A voice echoed in her mind.

”Oh, and a word of advice— in the social world, it’s better to trust your gut instincts than logic, if you want to stay out of trouble at least~”

Clara’s words rang unusually clear.

That was enough.

She made her decision.

”I’m sorry, Prince Alain,” Janica said calmly, her tone polite yet firm, ”but I actually have important matters to attend to right now. So, unless it’s something you can say here, I won’t be able to go with you.”

She dipped her head slightly in courtesy.

For just a fraction of a second, Alain’s brows twitched.

So subtle it would’ve gone unnoticed by anyone else.

As Janica turned to leave—

”Huhu... surely you jest.”

His hand moved.

Fingers closed around her wrist.

”Come now,” he said lightly, tightening his grip just enough to stop her, ”I only wish for a brief, pleasant conversation.”

The instant his skin touched hers, the strange warning sensation flared violently.

A warmth spread through her arm—unnatural, invasive.

”Let go of—”

Her words faltered.

Her vision blurred slightly, her thoughts slowing as her eyes began to glaze over.

The prince’s smile deepened, his violet eyes curving with satisfaction.

”Now then,” he murmured softly, ”let’s go, shall we—”

Thud.

His body jerked to a halt.

A sharp pain shot through his arm as his grip loosened instantly.

”Ugh—!?”

He gasped, stumbling half a step as another hand clamped down on his wrist instead.

”Who are you?”

The voice was firm—cold.

Prince Alain turned.

And shivered.

Golden eyes stared back at him, sharp and unyielding, as if piercing straight through his body.

”Y-You’re...?”

The pressure of that gaze alone felt suffocating—like standing before judgment itself.

Janica blinked, her dazed mind struggling to catch up as the fog began to clear.

”Lucas...?”

She looked up in surprise.

Wasn’t he surrounded by that crowd just moments ago?

Janica glanced around in a daze.

Even the crowd in the distance looked unsettled—people whispering, faces confused—as they realized Lucas had vanished from right in front of them.

”I’ll ask again,” Lucas said calmly, his voice low.

”Who are you?”

This time, his grip tightened.

Not much.

Just enough.

Alain felt it immediately.

Pain shot up his arm as if iron clamps had locked around his wrist.

He instinctively tried to channel mana, reinforcing his muscles—

Nothing.

He couldn’t move an inch.

How monstrous...

A thin layer of sweat formed at his temple, but he still forced a light smile.

”How about... letting go of my wrist first, my friend?” Alain said with a strained chuckle. ”Your grip is quite painful.”

Lucas stared at him for a moment longer, golden eyes unreadable.

Then he released him.

”Thank you—phew,” Alain shook his arm lightly, laughing as if to brush it off. ”Haha, I’ve heard many rumors about you. I’ve even watched one of your matches personally. Truly, you’re one of the brightest stars in the academy. Your strength seems to have no bounds.”

Lucas didn’t respond.

Not a nod.

Not a word.

Alain’s smile stiffened for just a split second before relaxing again.

Looks like I failed today... how disappointing.

He exhaled quietly, then turned toward Janica, who stood behind Lucas, her eyes sharper now as the haze fully cleared.

”First of all, Lady Janica,” Alain said, inclining his head slightly, ”I apologize. It seems I was... a bit too forceful.”

Janica didn’t reply.

She only narrowed her eyes at him.

Alain straightened and looked back at Lucas.

”My name is Alain Etrama Zelova,” he said smoothly. ”Second prince of the Zelova Kingdom. It’s nice to finally meet you, Lucas.”

Lucas didn’t acknowledge the introduction.

Instead, his gaze hardened.

Under Lucas’s golden gaze, Alain once again felt that unbearable pressure—

as if something far above him was silently passing judgment.

This time, his casual smile faltered.

”Haha... I wasn’t trying to do anything improper,”

Alain said lightly, though his voice was no longer as smooth as before.

”I merely wished to have a private conversation with Lady Janica. It seems my emotions got the better of me when she refused, and I ended up being... too forceful.”

He lowered his head slightly.

”For that, I am deeply sorry.”

With his plan ruined and the hired distractions failing to keep the monster in front of him occupied, Alain understood one thing clearly—

This was no longer a situation he could control.

”I believe I’ve caused enough discomfort for one evening,” he continued. ”I’ll take my leave now. Once again, my apologies for the trouble, Lady Janica.”

He turned to walk away.

”Wait.”

Alain stopped.

”...Hm?”

Lucas’s eyes dropped briefly.

”Your wrist,” he said. ”I broke it, didn’t I?”

Alain blinked, then laughed softly.

”Oh? This? Haha, please don’t concern yourself with it. I deserved at least this much punishment for my rudeness.”

”I’ll heal it.”

”...I beg your pardon?”

”I have divine power,”

Lucas said plainly.

”I’m not very skilled when it comes to using it on others, but healing something like that is easy. So at least allow me to—”

For the first time, genuine unease flickered across Alain’s face.

This bastard... does he realize something?

But when he looked at Lucas’s expression—earnest, almost innocent—it didn’t seem like an act.

”...Haha,”

Alain said, waving his good hand dismissively.

”There’s really no need to worry about such a minor injury.”

Before Lucas could respond, Alain turned away quickly, clearly unwilling to let the conversation continue.

He lifted a hand in a casual wave without looking back.

”Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Lucas watched as Alain’s figure disappeared into the crowd.

His gaze lingered.