How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 662: Light 3

It is said that the essence of a person is defined by the bonds they weave with others.

The concept is simple: the more you converse with someone, strive to understand them, and invest your time in them, the more substantial their existence becomes to you.

From that perspective, the sentiment held true.

As one uncovers the layers of another person, the weight of their soul grows heavier within one's own heart.

In the once colorless and predictable life of Rose, terms such as "special" or "love" had been reserved exclusively for one man—Riley.

He was the catalyst that allowed warmth to finally take root in her soul.

It was through him that the flickering light she had discovered within herself began to expand, eventually reaching the others she had come to value.

Which is precisely why—

She found her current state so peculiar.

Standing before the final resting place of Dorothy, Rose felt a confusing tangle of nameless emotions pulling at her spirit.

A volatile cocktail of joy, grief, tenderness, and remorse swirled within her, refusing to find peace.

Though they were sisters by blood, their paths in life could not have been further apart.

In reality, Dorothy Gale was little more than a stranger to her.

Even so... Rose could not shake the heavy burden of the girl's tragic conclusion. It felt fundamentally wrong. A quiet, pervasive cruelty. It was a sorrow that didn't wail, but instead clung to the air.

"Oz..." Rose whispered, her eyes never leaving the stone marker.

"Tell me, what was she like in those days?"

Oz drifted at her side, his face a mask of neutrality as he pondered the question.

"She was radiant," he answered eventually. "Full of life. A girl who never lacked a smile. In many ways, she resembled Alice Holloway... though perhaps she possessed a bit more maturity."

"I see..."

Rose allowed the description to sink in.

Despite never having met Dorothy face-to-face, the mental image she formed was unexpectedly vivid. A cheerful soul.

A girl people could lean on.

Someone who likely shouldered a burden far greater than she ever permitted the world to see.

Thinking of the girl who had once reached the pinnacle as the flawless student council president, Rose gave a faint, sorrowful shake of her head.

How much darkness were you forced to endure in solitude...?

A gust of wind swept past, dancing through her hair, while her golden eyes remained fixed on the name etched into the cold stone.

Dorothy Gale...

In the end, she wasn't even permitted to keep her own name.

To Rose, that felt like a unique brand of cruelty.

A name is meant to serve as the ultimate evidence of a person's life, the proof that they truly mattered.

Yet even that legacy had been stripped away, smothered by convenience and falsehoods.

Who could have guessed that the world she once viewed with indifference was so convoluted when observed closely?

As the saying goes, the more brilliant the light, the more profound the shadows it casts.

Rose exhaled a long, slow breath.

"It appears your whole life was intended to bring light to mine," she murmured. "And you succeeded... my dear sister. Though my knowledge of you is shallow... please let me at least set things right."

"Your determination regarding this matter seems absolute..."

Oz’s tone was steady, yet it carried an undeniable gravity.

Rose gave a firm nod and rose to her feet. The breeze continued to tug at her locks.

"My family—or rather, my father—brought this destiny upon himself," she declared. "And..."

Her golden gaze returned to the grave.

"I am simply attempting to mend what can be saved. At the very least, she earned the right to be recognized."

"The path you are choosing will make things very messy."

"I am aware," Rose answered without a second thought. "But wouldn't it be more fitting for him to live in disgrace... rather than allowing him a peaceful conclusion?"

"..."

Oz remained silent for a beat.

Then, he inclined his head in agreement.

"Furthermore, the world has developed a habit of branding the innocent as monsters lately," Rose added. "My sister is not deserving of such a title."

Her fingers curled into a tight fist at her side.

"To me, she is now the most brilliant starlight."

A subtle warmth bloomed in her chest. Internally, she thanked Riley—for providing the perspective to see this side of reality, and for showing her that a monochrome existence could be painted with color.

"My sister was never a monster. She was no villain," Rose stated with conviction. "She was, and shall always remain, a light of the Brilliance house."

Oz watched her, his silence serving as a witness to her words as they vanished into the wind.

In that instant, his own will became as unshakable as hers.

....

Within a shadowed chamber, a man let out a weary, rattling sigh as he collapsed into the depths of his seat.

"Ugh... damn it all..."

As his grip failed, a drained bottle clattered and rolled across the floorboards.

"Milord," a poised voice interrupted the silence, "I strongly suggest you reduce your consumption of alcohol."

"Haaah?"

Duke Raymond Brilliance raised his head with heavy movements. His vision was blurred, and his annoyance was palpable even through his stupor.

In this pathetic state, there was no trace of the prestigious high noble he was supposed to be.

The aura of authority and refinement that once followed him had evaporated. His hair was a mess, his garments were disheveled and creased, and his slumped frame made him look like a broken man attempting to drown his regrets rather than a Duke.

Roberto, his loyal butler, moved through the shadows of the room, gathering the scattered glass and empty vessels. He performed his duties quietly, though his face betrayed his internal stress.

This conduct—entirely beneath a member of the Brilliance line—had persisted for several days.

From the moment Raymond had arrived at the academy, he had shuttered himself away, ignoring all callers and shunning his duties.

Roberto regretted his choices.

He should have prevented his master from coming here to begin with.

He was well aware of how fractured the internal dynamics of the Brilliance family had become, particularly regarding their "star."

Even so, he hadn't anticipated that Duke Raymond would descend into such a vulgar reliance on spirits.

"Just... leave me be, Roberto," Raymond groaned. "I need something to dull the pain."

"I could overlook this once," Roberto said softly. "Perhaps even twice, I could find sympathy. But remaining barricaded in this room for three days and nights is a bridge too far, milord."

Raymond let out a sharp scoff.

"Are you my nursemaid now?" he barked. "Get out. Bring me more wine."

Roberto stopped, observing the man for a long moment before sighing under his breath.

He knew the catalyst.

The duke's brief, high-tension encounter with Lady Rose had rattled him—but a man of Raymond's stature wouldn't break from that alone.

The true killing blow had been the private audience with the emperor.

Following that abrupt luncheon, once the other attendees had vanished, the emperor had commanded Raymond to remain.

No observers.

No servants.

Just the two of them.

The specifics of that conversation had never reached Roberto’s ears.

However, the aftermath was undeniable.

Whatever the emperor had said had sliced deep into the duke’s soul—and now, Duke Raymond Brilliance was paying the debt, one bottle at a time.

If this self-destruction was the only way his master could find peace, Roberto might have normally allowed it.

He knew the Duke wasn't the sort to simply wither away under the weight of his own mind.

But this felt different.

"...Everything was flawless..."

The faint mumble escaped the duke's lips, nearly silent.

This cannot continue.

Roberto halted his cleaning, his grip tightening on the cloth in his hand.

He had heard those words repeatedly over the last few days.

Each time, they sounded more devoid of life.

After a moment of deliberation, he spoke up.

"By the way, milord."

"Hm? You're still here?"

Raymond didn't even bother to look in his direction.

"There is a match involving the young lady scheduled for this afternoon," Roberto mentioned tentatively. "Would you have any interest in attending?"

A heavy silence filled the room.

"...What would be the point?" Raymond sneered, sinking further into his chair. "It would only result in Rose severing ties with the family for good. Honestly... such a self-centered girl. To threaten me with exile from the family if I show my face again." He let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "Isn't it absurd?"

Roberto paused, then gave a slight shake of his head.

"I do not believe that is the whole truth, milord. Perhaps an overture of genuine care—of fatherly affection—could shift the young lady's perspective."

"That is because you are ignorant, Roberto."

Raymond’s tone became razor-sharp.

"Forgive me, milord," Roberto answered with composure, "but I suspect I understand the young lady better than you do—at least as she is now. I recognize your anxiety, truly. But if you wish to mend what has been shattered, taking a few painful steps forward is better than hiding."

Raymond went quiet.

For a fleeting second, it seemed the advice had pierced the fog.

Then, the duke clicked his tongue in annoyance and dismissed him with a wave.

"Just go get the bottles," Raymond grumbled. "I am stressed enough. Do not add to it."

Roberto’s jaw tightened.

"...As you wish, milord."

He turned to leave, clearly frustrated, but held his tongue.

Ultimately, a servant's influence had its limits.

Certain choices had to be made by the master alone.

The duke slowly rotated his chair to face the window.

Outside, the academy grounds were peaceful, drenched in the muted light of the afternoon.

Distant students moved about, their laughter a stark contrast to the gloom of the room.

Then—

The memory of a young girl surfaced in his mind.

He remembered how brightly the sun had shone on the day he first truly became conscious of that child.

Raymond pressed his palms against his face, his fingers digging into his skin.

"...Is this your vengeance upon me, Dorothy?"

Everything had been executed perfectly.

His strategy was flawless.

Calculated to the last detail.

He had dealt with that illegitimate brat in a manner that suited her station—or so he had convinced himself.

He knew her very existence was something that shouldn't have been hidden, yet wasn't the result beneficial for everyone?

He had provided her with a position, a duty, and a goal.

A tidy conclusion fitting for the pillar she had always wanted to be for their house.

He had even made sure the woman who gave birth to her was "handled."

It wasn't his doing that the woman died without his awareness.

Every vow he had made to the child had been kept.

And yet—

Why was he facing this retribution?

Why was his world starting to crumble now?

His chest felt constricted.

"Raymond... it would be in your best interest to confront your transgressions openly now..."

The emperor's warning rang in his ears.

The words had been delivered with a calm, almost soft tone, yet they had shaken him more than any direct threat.

A simple piece of counsel—but one that tore through the mountain of lies he had built around himself.

A sin he had buried for years was now clawing its way back to the light.

And he was well aware of it.

He should have taken action sooner.

He should have eradicated the problem before it could fester.

But now...

The time for that had passed.

The only thing left was to brace for what was coming.

Raymond reached for the small cabinet at his side and retrieved an object.

A tiny, obsidian stone sat in the center of his palm.

It was smooth and icy to the touch.

[This shall grant you the desires you truly crave...]

The voice remained vivid in his memory.

That peculiar woman who had crossed his path during his travels between his lands and the academy.

It was a fleeting meeting—strange and unsettling—yet somehow... impossible to forget.

It felt like destiny in a way he couldn't quite articulate.

Raymond gazed at the stone in the heavy silence.

And slowly—

A sinister glint began to manifest in his eyes.