Chapter 67: Gilmon’s Breaking Point

The feeling of being stared at by Sierra is so uncomfortable that I had no choice but to have a mechanical conversation with Phonia and Sophie.

"Ah, I have a question."

So, when Sierra joined the conversation, I couldn’t help but be very nervous.

"You were talking to the Princess a little while ago, how did you two meet?"

Sophie and Phonia’s gazes were focused on me at her question.

Sophie especially seemed surprised.

"That’s right, I was wondering about that. What did you do at the Imperial Palace for a week?"

"...It’s a secret. Yes, the Emperor asked me to keep it a secret, so I’m sorry. I can’t tell you. That’s when I became acquainted with the Princess. I helped her with something."

I explained casually, looking at Sophie.

She nodded, saying ’is that so’ at my flimsy excuse, but Sierra wasn’t easy to fool.

"Is that so?"

She dragged out the end of her sentence, acting suspicious.

"It’s different from what I know. Isn’t that right, Phonia? Didn’t you say you met twice before that?"

"...."

"What does that mean, Gilmon? Did you lie?"

"Ah, that’s..."

Phonia had an innocent expression, not knowing what she had done wrong.

No, she didn’t actually do anything wrong.

I didn’t specifically tell her to keep the fact that she met the Princess a secret.

But that’s because I thought Phonia wouldn’t have a chance to meet other women.

In the first place, I told both of them not to get involved.

I didn’t think I would end up being confined to the hospital room either.

Anyway, now that it’s come to this, I can’t deny it.

But I don’t know what she did.

"...Ah, I was asked for a favor for a moment. Nothing much happened. Phonia got an invitation and I went to pick her up..."

"Hmm, that’s different from what I heard."

"..."

"You saw the Princess drunk? And you just left her there."

"It’s not leaving her there!"

"Did something happen, by any chance?"

"There’s no way. Her Highness, no, Aisha is the Princess."

"Aisha?"

She caught me on my words.

Sierra said with a strange smile.

"To dare call the Princess so familiarly. And the fact that you were so friendly earlier that you even cursed at her, it’s suspicious. Given the Princess’s personality, she wouldn’t let it go after being insulted, but it’s funny how she left so quietly like a sorry cat. And the Head of Security was there, too. But she went back as if nothing happened..."

Sierra shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, I’ll just leave it at this. But you won’t deny that you met at the café after that, right?"

What is this woman thinking?

How much does she know?

"I heard you ran away then, too, what happened?"

Sophie looked at me, confused, and said.

"Gilmon, ran away? What are you talking about?"

But before I could explain, Sierra said.

"I don’t want to pry, but Phonia told me everything. The Princess made an appointment with Phonia, and Gilmon accompanied her to that place."

"That’s because I was worried about Phonia!"

"Is there a reason to be worried? There’s no reason for the Empire’s Princess to harm Phonia."

It’s entirely logical.

There was no flaw in her words.

"The Princess tried to kidnap Phonia! When we went to Signature Hills, she lured me in with Phonia’s phone...!"

On the other hand, my answer was illogical.

I’m clearly only telling the truth from beginning to end, but the more I talk, the weaker the truth becomes.

"...Gilmon, stop, please stop."

Sophie held her forehead as if she had a headache.

"...It’s obvious that what you’re saying is strange. Why did you follow her to the place where the Princess and Phonia were meeting? Do you really think the Princess would kidnap Phonia?"

"I know it sounds strange, but it’s true!"

"...Please, don’t make me doubt you anymore."

Doubt?

Doubt what?

Sierra delivered the final blow.

"I didn’t want to say this, but there are quite a few rumors about the meeting at the café. That day, the Princess, who met with Phonia, for some reason, went into the staff room with the man who accompanied her, Gilmon, and stayed there for a not-so-short time. The Imperial Family tried to stop it, but phones are so advanced these days. Someone recorded it."

Recorded?

Surely, it wasn’t like sounds were heard, right?

When I lost my mind and violated the Princess.

"They were inside for about 20 minutes. Leaving Phonia outside."

Sierra said, making a V with her index and middle fingers.

Damn it, was it 20 minutes?

During that time, Phonia was looking out the window alone.

I couldn’t tell what Phonia’s expression was.

She didn’t seem angry, but she didn’t refute Sierra’s words either.

What was she thinking all that time?

"Honestly, I’m a little worried. Sophie, are you okay? Gilmon left his girlfriend and was in a cramped space with another woman for over 20 minutes. Phonia, are you okay with this?"

Sophie’s pupils shook.

She swallowed and looked at me.

Her eyes were telling me to say something.

Phonia was expressionless, but that didn’t help me.

"Messiah has to impregnate women. I don’t know why, but I felt like I couldn’t do what I had to do because I was with you. So, I’m okay."

"Ah, no. Phonia, that’s!"

"...Gilmon Salazar, enough!"

Is this how it’s going to end?

I was at a loss.

But I had to make a final struggle.

A simple life with Sophie and Phonia.

That’s what I wanted.

I can’t be ruined by Sierra’s scheme.

"...It was all for Phonia. The Princess was corrupted! She was a crazy—."

"...So you fucked the Princess?"

"No, Sophie, please believe me. It’s not that I violated her, but..."

"...Gilmon, I saw it."

Sophie said as I was trying to explain myself in a hurry.

Saw what?

"I didn’t want to say it, but the liquid on Phonia’s clothes when I was sleeping."

"..."

"I smelled it. What did you do to Phonia?"

[The heroine’s favorability is decreasing.]

Ah, it was a catastrophe.

I’m being despised by Sophie.

You idiot, Gilmon.

"Didn’t you say you didn’t feel sexual desire for Phonia? That’s why I said I would help you. And you actually did. But, behind our backs... what did you think of us sisters as?"

She said, with a face that showed genuine disappointment.

"You were also preventing Phonia from making friends. You said you will take care of Phonia, but you were the one who ignored her the most. Not only did you ignore her, but you even fucked the friend who came to see Phonia. Didn’t you even think about how Phonia would feel waiting outside for 20 minutes? After all, you are a beast from the beginning. You used Phonia as bait to hook up with women."

Beast.

That’s what Sierra said to me before.

So, this is how it ends.

In the end.

Sophie grabbed Phonia’s hand and ran out of the hospital room.

This time, Phonia didn’t refuse her hand.

"..."

Sierra was still grinning and looking at me.

Standing up straight with her back straight and wearing the haughty expression unique to young ladies, to the point of being annoying.

"You knew very well that you can get my help from the beginning... and I can help you with anything. You just need to stay by my side, Gilmon."