How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 675: Frozen North 7

A prince...?

Doubts bubbled up endlessly while Janica observed the striking youth positioned right in front of her.

He had declared his identity without hesitation—boldly, in fact—as a member of the royal family.

No doubt about it.

Yet that fact only heightened the oddity of the situation.

Why a prince, of all people?

Or to put it better—why would a prince come up to someone like me?

Janica knew her own position all too well. Though her reputation didn't soar to the ridiculous heights of figures like Lucas or Kagami, she still held recognition across various groups.

Folks frequently sought her out—for funding opportunities, partnerships, or potential alliances down the line.

But a royal?

That was entirely fresh.

Having someone of that rank directly seek her out was never a scenario she'd genuinely pondered.

"You want to talk to me, Your Highness?" she inquired cautiously.

Prince Alain cocked his head a bit before flashing an easygoing grin.

"No need for all that formality," he replied softly. "Just call me Alain... or Al, if it suits you better."

"...Fine," Janica answered following a short hesitation.

To be honest, she had no clue how to handle this.

If her recollection was accurate, the Zelova Kingdom didn't rank among the continent's top forces such as the Germonia Empire, the Eastern Empire, or the Holy Kingdom.

Nevertheless, it held considerable weight—its booming economy alone matched that of the Del Luna Kingdom.

That only amplified the mystery of his attention.

"What do you want to discuss with me?" she questioned directly.

From what she understood, no cause existed for a figure of his stature to pick her specifically.

Meeting her somewhat wary look, Prince Alain released a gentle laugh.

"Relax, Lady Janica," he assured her warmly. "I just need to pass along a message to you privately. That's all there is to it."

"Why not say it right here?" she shot back promptly.

Her hold on the wine glass firmed up a touch.

In settings like this, secluded talks seldom pointed to anything straightforward.

And though she might consider chatting with a prince, at the moment she was occupied with a much weightier task.

Keeping a quiet watch on Lucas.

Her gaze flicked briefly toward the far side, verifying he remained encircled—still wearing that uneasy smile, fighting to stay composed.

Once she confirmed all was in order, she shifted her focus back to the fellow before her.

And above all...

She disliked this intensely.

For a reason she struggled to pinpoint, the second her eyes locked with the prince's—not exactly, but those captivating violet orbs— a restless feeling stirred deep within her.

It wasn't outright terror, nor outright aggression.

It resembled an alert.

An inner sense urging caution.

Sensing Janica's defensive posture, Prince Alain let out another quiet chuckle.

Even after proposing she use his given name, he hadn't anticipated her adopting it with such effortless detachment, like ranks held zero sway over her.

She’s a good candidate~

That idea flitted through his thoughts as a subtle, concealed grin tugged at his mouth.

"Talking right here works, of course," he stated evenly, "but the topic I have in mind might catch... curious listeners."

He inched forward a tad before continuing, "It's not hugely significant, yet it's somewhat private."

"Private?" Janica repeated.

"Indeed."

The prince raised a hand to rub his cheek lightly, glancing away beneath her doubtful scrutiny.

A subtle flush appeared as he cleared his throat softly, obviously steadying himself.

"A-anyway, that's how it stands," he went on. "So... could you do me this kindness, my lady?"

Janica's doubts grew stronger.

To her knowledge, scant advantages existed for a prince—particularly from a foreign realm—to pursue a discreet link with her.

The elements failed to connect.

Still...

Intrigue pulled at her.

What could he possibly desire from me?

Her eyes tightened a fraction as she assessed the dangers, the surrounding throng, and Lucas hovering at the periphery of her sight.

A subtle discomfort settled in her heart, causing Janica to waver.

I'm wondering why this fellow suddenly came over... yet...

A voice resounded in her head.

"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 advice echoed with striking clarity.

That settled it.

She reached her choice.

"My apologies, Prince Alain," Janica stated steadily, her voice courteous but resolute, "but I have pressing business at the moment. Thus, unless you can share it here, I can't join you."

She inclined her head in a brief bow of respect.

For a mere instant, Alain's eyebrows furrowed faintly.

So faint that no one else would have caught it.

As Janica pivoted to depart—

"Huhu... you must be kidding."

His arm extended.

Fingers wrapped around her wrist.

"Come on," he remarked casually, firming his hold sufficiently to halt her, "I simply seek a short, enjoyable chat."

The moment his touch met her skin, the eerie alert surged fiercely.

A strange heat flowed along her limb—unnatural, intrusive.

"Release me—"

Her sentence broke off.

Her sight hazed a little, her mind lagging as her gaze started to dull.

The prince's grin widened, his violet eyes arching in delight.

"Very well," he whispered tenderly, "shall we head off—"

Thud.

His form froze abruptly.

A piercing ache raced up his limb, forcing his grasp to slacken right away.

"Ugh—!?"

He wheezed, staggering back a half-step while another palm seized his wrist in turn.

"Who are you?"

The tone rang out solid—icy.

Prince Alain twisted around.

And trembled.

Golden eyes fixed on him, keen and relentless, as though drilling directly into his core.

"Y-You’re...?"

The sheer weight of that stare felt oppressive—like facing an ultimate verdict.

Janica blinked, her foggy thoughts fighting to sharpen as the mist lifted.

"Lucas...?"

She raised her gaze in astonishment.

Hadn't he been hemmed in by that group only seconds before?

Janica scanned the area in bewilderment.

Even the distant gathering appeared disturbed—murmurs spreading, expressions puzzled—as they noticed Lucas had slipped away from their midst.

"I’ll ask once more," Lucas declared evenly, his tone hushed.

"Who are you?"

This round, his hold strengthened.

Not excessively.

Precisely enough.

Alain sensed it at once.

Agony surged through his arm like steel vices had clamped his wrist.

He reflexively attempted to summon mana, bolstering his sinews—

Nothing happened.

He remained utterly immobile.

How terrifying...

A sheen of perspiration beaded on his forehead, yet he managed a forced grin.

"How about... releasing my wrist first, friend?" Alain suggested through a tense laugh. "Your hold hurts quite a bit."

Lucas regarded him a beat longer, his golden eyes inscrutable.

Then he let go.

"Thank you—phew," Alain wiggled his arm gently, chuckling as if to dismiss it. "Haha, I've caught wind of plenty of tales about you. I even viewed one of your duels up close. You're truly a shining talent at the academy. Your power appears limitless."

Lucas offered no reply.

Not even a tilt of the head.

Not a single syllable.

Alain's expression tightened briefly before easing once more.

Seems like today's effort fell short... such a letdown.

He breathed out softly, then faced Janica, who lingered behind Lucas, her gaze now keen as the daze completely faded.

"To start, Lady Janica," Alain noted, bowing his head a touch, "I regret my actions. I came across as overly insistent."

Janica stayed silent.

She merely sharpened her stare at him.

Alain stood tall and shifted back to Lucas.

"I am Alain Etrama Zelova," he announced fluidly. "Second prince of the Zelova Kingdom. A pleasure to meet you at last, Lucas."

Lucas ignored the greeting.

Rather, his look intensified.

Beneath Lucas’s golden scrutiny, Alain endured that crushing force anew—

as though a superior entity was quietly rendering its decree.

This time, his easy grin wavered.

"Haha... I had no ill intentions,"

Alain remarked breezily, even if his tone lost some of its polish.

"I only wanted a secluded talk with Lady Janica. My feelings overtook me upon her denial, leading me to act... too pushy."

He dipped his head a fraction.

"I offer my deepest regrets for that."

With his scheme thwarted and the paid diversions unable to hold back the beast ahead, Alain grasped one truth plainly—

This scenario had slipped from his command.

"I think I've stirred up sufficient unease for tonight," he pressed on. "I'll depart now. My apologies again for the disturbance, Lady Janica."

He spun to depart.

"Hold on."

Alain halted.

"...Hm?"

Lucas’s eyes flicked downward momentarily.

"Your wrist," he noted. "I snapped it, right?"

Alain's eyes widened, followed by a mild laugh.

"Oh? This? Haha, no need to fret over it. I earned at least this penalty for my impoliteness."

"I’ll mend it."

"...What did you say?"

"I possess divine power,"

Lucas explained straightforwardly.

"I’m not adept at applying it to others, but fixing an injury like that is simple. So please let me at least—"

For the initial occasion, real alarm flashed over Alain’s features.

This guy... does he suspect anything?

But upon eyeing Lucas’s face—sincere, nearly naive—it appeared genuine.

"...Haha,"

Alain uttered, gesturing away with his uninjured hand.

"No cause for concern over a small wound like this."

Before Lucas could answer, Alain pivoted sharply, evidently eager to end the exchange.

He raised a hand in a nonchalant farewell without turning.

"Have a fine rest of your night."

Lucas observed as Alain’s shape melted into the multitude.

His gaze persisted.