A few days after the Debutante ball.
"Mm..."
Having been ordered by Mother to remain in absolute bedrest, I was sprawled out on my bed, carefully rereading the message that had just appeared before my eyes.
⚙ MAIN QUEST - CHAPTER 1 ⚙Survive one month in the Ducal House (1/1) ✅ Achieve a certain level of maternal affection from Duke Astridje (75/50) ✅ Subjugate Lilien Nox Belverk (1/1) ✅⚙ EXCESS ACHIEVEMENT QUESTS ⚙Be held in Duke Astridje's arms (13/1) ✅ Be petted by Duke Astridje (274%) ✅ Sit on Duke Astridje's lap (35/1) ✅
Honestly, I'd worked hard over the past month, so I'd expected to clear the quests without issue.
"So, where's the reward?"
But the real point was the quest rewards. What would I get for all my diligent efforts over the past month?
⚙ REWARD NOTICE ⚙Second synchronization of past life memories as reward. Additionally, simply completing quests proposed by this system provides the user with immense benefits.
The message that appeared before my expectant eyes was somewhat disappointing, so I muttered with a sullen expression.
"...That's too much."
Right then, a new message popped up.
⚙ EXCESS REWARDS REMAINING ⚙Will accept 3 questions from the user.
(Note: Information related to the incident 10 years ago is restricted due to synchronization issues.)
I perked up for a moment, but upon seeing the note at the bottom, my expression soured again.
The incident from 10 years ago—information about my biological father, which I'd been somewhat curious about, would probably be restricted too. In that case, it wasn't really worth it.
"Ruined, Crown, Princess. I need info on that game."
After pondering for a bit, I suddenly remembered and asked the System.
The reason I asked about a game from my past life was that, for some reason, I couldn't recall details about it properly.
All I could remember about the game now were the faces of the Imperial Princess and Emperor, and the name Shinehart.
⚙ SYSTEM RESPONSE ⚙This system does not possess related information. Related information can be recalled through memory synchronization.
But it seemed the System didn't know either.
It was disappointing, but since I'd learn as my memories synchronized, I'd chalk it up to that.
It was a time-honored cliché for romance-fantasy protagonists to profit from prior knowledge of the original story and be revered for it.
Since everyone had mistaken me for a genius after I exposed the corruption in the study a month ago, I needed to recover my memories quickly before the "drug high" wore off and show them something new.
"Next question!"
Anyway, since the first question was invalid, I still had all my chances left, right?
"...Is this a gender-reversed world by any chance?"
So I asked the suspicion I'd harbored in secret, but the response was quite unexpected.
⚙ SYSTEM RESPONSE ⚙This world's gender ratio is normal. Additionally, societal perceptions of gender are not particularly different from the user's past life.
In other words, this world had no particular connection to gender reversal...
"Hmph. Then what is it...?"
I'd had my suspicions, but thinking about it, the imperial family had a crown prince, and all high-ranking heirs were princes.
Plus, there were plenty of men in the portraits of past Belverk family heads, so it seemed the way I was being treated was just coincidence.
"Why was I experimented on by the Marquisate?"
My second question was both a personal doubt and a way to confirm the main antagonistic force.
⚙ SYSTEM RESPONSE ⚙Due to dealings between Opstein Marquisate and the Holy Church. Cannot disclose more at this time.
Though the info was limited, I was still satisfied with the answer.
'...Why the Holy Church of all things.'
In fact, not just romance-fantasy parenting stories, but in fantasy novels in general, churches appearing as evil forces was a cliché.
What bothered me, though, was that the thing used to harm me at the Debutante was none other than "holy water."
Normally, holy water affects monsters or demons, right? It should bless ordinary humans without any adverse effects...
'...I'll ask Mother about it later.'
It seemed Belverk wasn't called the Monster Ducal House for nothing.
But since it wasn't urgent and I could learn it later anyway, I'd hold off using a question on it.
So, what should my final question be? Info on Second Sister or First Sister? No, I could figure those out with a little effort myself.
I should ask about something I absolutely couldn't learn on my own—something that would actually help me...
"Big Sister System... what exactly are you?"
After agonizing for quite a while, the question I finally uttered was that one.
Honestly, the System helping me now was a bit different from the typical status windows in novels.
Unlike the stiff, emotionless messages or stats displays, Big Sister System spoke to me so human-like.
These days, she didn't initiate conversations like she did early on, but that nuance still lingered.
Honestly, since she'd helped me so much, I no longer doubted her intentions or actions.
But that didn't stop me from being curious about her true nature.
⚙ SYSTEM IDENTITY ⚙Your eternal ally.
After about a minute of silence, the System displayed that absurdly concise phrase.
"...That's it?"
⚙ MODE CHANGE ⚙Switching System to sleep mode.
"Wait, no!"
Before I could even say anything, the System left those words and vanished from my sight.
"...Sheesh."
If I'd known, I would've asked about some awesome hidden piece or a place with genius talent. What a waste of a question.
"Leaving me behind again...!"
Just in case, I tried summoning a status window like in other novels—stretching both hands forward or waving around—but my "eternal ally" gave no response.
"...Hmph, fine. We'll see."
After flailing around for a while, I flopped back onto the bed, muttering sulkily. Then I turned at the sudden presence nearby.
"...Gasp."
I froze in place, breaking into a cold sweat.
"..."
The maids who'd brought my breakfast and cleaning tools stood at the slightly open door, eyes wide as they watched me.
'...Mortifying.'
I'd sent Schwarz out briefly to check the quests, thinking it safe, but forgetting to lock the door since I'd be leaving soon was the problem.
"M-Maid sisters..."
Still, I had to salvage it somehow. Blushing furiously, I toddled over and whispered with the most pitiful expression I could muster.
"P-Please keep what just happened a secret."
"..."
"...Ehehe."
The maids in the estate were all kind, so they'd keep today's embarrassing incident quiet.
"...Young Master, you were muttering strangely and wandering around for at least five minutes."
"I-I saw you waving at thin air, saying 'don't leave me behind.'"
"I heard you mumbling, 'Why was I experimented on by the Marquisate?'"
Speaking of which, sandwiches for breakfast today? Normally Schwarz would fuss over checking for poison, but I'll just eat.
"For someone abused your whole life, you're surprisingly cheerful..."
"Y-You almost got poisoned recently too, right? So..."
"...You've always shown us only your bright side."
For some reason, calling Schwarz back now felt too embarrassing with the maids whispering outside.
"Look, we didn't see anything today."
"...Yeah, yeah."
"Poor Young Master..."
Wait, why were they still huddled at the door over a bit of muttering?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Mother, Kairen here to pay respects... Huh?"
After breakfast, I entered the study for my usual morning greeting like always, but tilted my head at the changed atmosphere mid-greeting.
"Come in, Kairen."
Mother sat at the desk shuffling papers, flanked by knights in gleaming jet-black armor.
"Wh-Who are they?"
"Knights who will escort you from now on."
"Pardon? But Schwarz..."
Wasn't it an unwritten rule that a heir candidate's escort was handled solely by their personal maid? Why knights all of a sudden?
"Normally, Schwarz would suffice. But this is an exceptional situation where one Belverk heir has been targeted by external forces."
"Ah..."
"Thus, from today until safety is assured, the 1st Knight Order will rotate guarding you."
Her explanation made sense. But was it okay to use Belverk's elite 1st Knight Order just for me?
"It might feel stifling, but bear with it for now."
"...Yes."
"It's all for you, Kairen."
Since it wasn't harmful to me, I nodded quietly.
Even if the knights were split up, Mother was strong enough to conquer the kingdom single-handedly, so no issues there.
"The actual threat aside... the culprits behind it are no small matter."
"...The Holy Church?"
Lost in thought, I blurted it out unconsciously, and silence fell around us.
"You... knew?"
"Uh, well..."
"...To let my child learn of such things as a mother—my shame."
Mother bit her lip in the silence, then muttered while pinching her brow. Gauging the mood, I cautiously asked.
"Wh-Why is the Holy Church targeting me?"
"That's..."
She pondered briefly, then averted her gaze to answer.
"...I'll tell you when the time comes."
"Aww."
Still too soon? Her maternal affection had risen a lot lately, but it wasn't maxed out yet...
"On your tenth birthday, I promise to tell you."
"...Thank you!"
"I'm busy today, so return to your room for now. See you at dinner."
Seeing my face, she relented and said that. Beaming innocently, I watched her lips curve into a soft smile.
"...Ahem."
"...Ahem."
The knights now beside me looked away, unaccustomed to the sight, but this was Mother's true face to me.
'Wait. So now knights will follow me around?'
Bowing to Mother and exiting the study, I glanced at the knights trailing silently, eyes gleaming.
'...This is a huge opportunity!'
External threats were one thing, but to survive in Belverk, I urgently needed to win over allies.
However, the knights—one of Belverk's three major internal factions—were notoriously insular and hard to approach. This was a chance to get close to the mighty 1st Knight Order!
"K-Knight sirs!"
"...?"
"I-I have a request."
Whirling around, I put on my most innocent face for the startled knights.
"I-I want to tour the Knight Order barracks!"
They scratched their helmets briefly, then spoke in low, muffled voices from within their armor.
"...The Knight Order is no fun place."
"And for you, Young Master... better not to come."
Their echoed voices were hard to discern, but I could tell they wanted to keep me away.
"I-I'm fine with that!"
"..."
"I want to see cool knights with my own eyes!"
Not wanting to miss this rare chance, I clung to a nearby knight's leg and pleaded, jumping up and down.
"Please? Is it no good? Huh?"
"...This time only."
As my eyes sparkled, he glanced at his comrades, sighed, and relented.
"Yay!"
I wasn't sure if I could win the whole Order over, but I had a reason to get close to them no matter what.
In this scary world, I had to protect myself, right?
'...And training should come from a man, obviously.'
And as a guy, sweating and panting beside Schwarz or the estate's maids was too embarrassing.
"Young Master, are you sure it's okay?"
"...It's fine!"
So I'd definitely befriend these knight uncles, learn combat skills with a "hup hup," train with a "hey ho," and become a cool guy!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Wow...!"
Guided by my escort knights to the 1st Knight Order barracks, I looked around with sparkling eyes.
"All personnel, 15-minute break. As you know, stick strictly to maintenance time."
The knights had just finished training and were gathered inside for upkeep.
"Hehe."
And finally, the sight I'd longed for unfolded before me.
Shedding their armor revealed toned bodies and sweat-matted hair. And sweat-soaked washboard abs...
Wait, sweat-matted hair? Washboard abs?
"...?"
Sensing something off, I widened my eyes. The members removing black helmets and slicking back damp hair turned to me one by one.
"Um, excuse me..."
"..."
"I mean..."
It didn't take long for their gazes to turn icy.
"...Eek."
It was a fact I learned far too late.
'...Wait, aren't there men in the Knight Order?'
The Belverk 1st Knight Order consisted entirely of women.