Trapped in an Lust Game as an Extra—Now I’m Ruining Every Heroine

It had always lingered in the back of Kael's mind.

Sure, the disruptions he caused happened sporadically, but that didn't mean people wouldn't eventually notice the troublemaker dropping in on the bulletin board from time to time.

So then ...

Watching the shifts in Thalia's expression, Kael drew a conclusion. "You're here as the messenger bird?"

"Gideon doesn't know yet."

Of course not. "I'm not sure what you're playing at, but I don't take kindly to threats. Especially not in my own room. So if you're planning to tell that bastard, go ahead—let him come knocking himself—"

"I'm not trying to threaten you!"

Kael frowned. "Then what?"

Thalia glanced at him, then at Ellaria—hesitating, as if what she was about to say, or show, was something forbidden.

After what looked like a war inside her head, she finally exhaled deeply.

Then, she rolled up one sleeve of her long black dress.

Most uniforms at the academy were short-sleeved—on both boys and girls. Even outside of uniform, people rarely wore full-length clothing in this summer heat.

It was late, sure, but the humidity still hung thick in the air.

Thalia's choice of outfit had felt strange from the start—too stuffy, too out of place.

And now Kael saw why.

Her slender arm, once pale and smooth, was now marred with bruises. Blue, deep red, even pitch black—splotched in uneven patches like a chaotic mural of pain.

Kael looked up at her face. She was clenching her teeth.

Trying to suppress the pain? 

Some of those bruises looked fresh. The newest couldn't have been more than a day old.

So it wasn't pain she was holding back.

After a long breath, and a forced composure in her voice, Thalia spoke. "When you started spreading those weird rumors about me... to be honest, I was more afraid he might actually kill someone."

Kael was starting to put the pieces together. "He almost did."

"I ... need help."

Here it comes—the part Kael had been hoping not to hear. "Tell your family."

"I can't." Thalia bit her lip. "They wouldn't believe me. You know how much influence the Halbrecht name carries. Gideon can twist reality however he wants."

"You don't know that if—"

"If I tried?" Thalia nodded sharply. Then her hands moved down, undoing the buttons on her dress shirt.

Kael narrowed his eyes. Ellaria stepped forward, trying to stop her, but Thalia shook her head. "I did try once."

Her hand paused. The fabric slipped down just enough to expose the left side of her waist—blackened by a deep, cruel bruise.

"...and this is what I got."

Ellaria covered her mouth in shock. Kael let out a breath.

There was no mention of this in the game. But knowing how violent Gideon could be—even over a stupid, baseless rumor—maybe this all made sense.

Still, it was a hassle.

Kael had no interest in stepping into the middle of a broken relationship. Then again, calling this a 'relationship' was already a stretch.

He did hate Gideon—hated him enough to want crush him. And if Gideon and Thalia's fall from grace turned out to be more disgraceful than just bruises and broken bones, all the better.

Wait ...

Kael cleared his throat. "Still not my business."

[Thalia's Love Meter has decreased: 4%]

[In this state, Thalia's Love Meter may fall into the negative and trigger hatred towards Host]

As if I care.

"Y-Young Master …" Ellaria whispered, her sympathy taking over. Her tone softened. "Didn't you say you wanted revenge on Lord Halbrecht? More allies could help, right?"

Kael clicked his tongue. I know that.

But saying yes too quickly would make it seem like he was just giving out help for free.

What was he, a public complaint desk?

At this rate, he'd be offering relationship therapy too.

"Let's say I do help you..."

Thalia, who had been staring at the floor moments ago, now looked up again.

"... what are you offering in return?"

Thalia blinked—clearly unprepared for that question.

So she really thought I'd help out of the goodness of my heart just because we share a common enemy?

"Inheritance rights."

"What?"

"As an Ashborn, your odds of ever becoming an heir are practically zero. Even if you're the only son in the family...

"... but that changes if you're the first to marry and have a child."

Kael's eyes widened.

Marriage in this world was sacred. Children were seen as symbols of fertility, of life.

Even Ashborns—if one became the first to have a child—his offspring would jump to the front of the inheritance line. That would last until one of the more 'legitimate' siblings had a child of their own.

And the parent would gain status too—finally acknowledged.

But marrying an Ashborn…

Kael's lips curled into a slow, sharp grin. "You do know what you're offering, don't you?"

"I'm the third of seven children. My family won't care if one of us ends up with an Ashborn."

"You've got to be jok—"

"I'm not." Her eyes flared with conviction. "To destroy Gideon Halbrecht, I—Thalia Greymore—am willing to break my sacred vow. I will betray the blessing of the Sky Authority. I ...

"...will become your bride, Kael Vyle."

This girl completely insane.