It's been a few days since that morning the princess gave me those cookies. Ever since then, everything's been quiet. No drama. No chaos. Not even a single ruckus.
But for some reason, I've had this lingering feeling—like someone's been watching me.
I suddenly turned my head toward the sensation.
"Nothing," I muttered.
Still, I could've sworn someone was staring at me. Shaking it off, I headed back to my room.
When I got there, I opened my system—and my mouth twitched.
Legendary Achievements Accomplished:
A Princess Admires You
Title Gained: Prince in Shining Armor
Effect: Boosts charm. When saving a princess, gain +10% to all stats.
Reward: 50 tickets, 100,000 points
You Have a Woman Stalking You
Title Gained: Irrational Pursuers
Effect: Boosts charm. The more stalkers you have, the greater your charm.
Reward: 50 tickets, 100,000 points
Total Gained: 100 tickets, 200,000 points
...Charm boosts are nice and all, but I'm definitely turning the second one off.
I entered my room and shut the door behind me.
"What is this system, and why are these achievements legendary?"
System:
Host, as explained, you earn achievements through your own actions and effort.
"But why is it legendary?" I asked.
System:
…It is classified as legendary because calculations predicted a 0.003% chance of you ever successfully wooing a princess, given your current personality and behavior.
My veins throbbed. I grit my teeth.
Grind... Grind...
"What are you trying to say? That I can't get a girlfriend?!"
System:
Correction, Host. You can. The chances are simply... low.
"You ba—!"
System:
Host, your blood pressure is dangerously high. Calculations suggest you are angry. Initiating breathing exercise protocol.
"You fuc—!"
A few minutes later...
I checked my gacha and couldn't help but giggle. I even forgot what the system had said.
150 tickets.
All from this trip alone.
"Heh... heh... heh…"
I clicked the 10x draw.
Trash.
Again.
Trash.
Again.
Trash, trash, more trash…
"What the hell is my luck?!"
Everything was garbage—except for one item: Skill Upgrade Card.
I looked at my remaining tickets.
60 left.
"Tch, just 60 more. One more draw."
Click.
My eyes followed the list of items as they appeared. Then I froze at the ninth item.
Skill: Berserker
Activates only when Host experiences deep rage
Grants +200% to all stats
Nullifies pain
Causes total loss of rationality; fights purely for destruction and malice
"Holy... this is dangerous."
I groaned. "Now I have to control my emotions. Damn it."
Maybe there's a skill I can buy for that.
I scrolled through the shop and found it—Emotion Control.
Rarity: Rare
Cost: 1,000 points
I bought it without hesitation. It might not help now, but I'll train it. I also decided to hold off on using my Skill Upgrade Cards until I hit a real bottleneck.
Remembering something, I returned to the shop and bought something else.
A few days later…
With my new Enhanced Senses skill—already leveling up from constant use—I could finally confirm it.
Someone was following me.
I ran into a secluded spot and hid. The presence approached, rushing in just as expected.
I crept up behind them… silently.
"Boo."
"Aahh!"
I burst out laughing as the princess screamed and stumbled backward, startled.
She scrambled to her feet, face bright red, and tried to flee—but I stepped in front of her.
"Why were you following me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She stammered, flustered, then lifted her hand with sudden boldness.
"I—I, Princess Merida, offer you my hand... and I agree to be your bride!"
…
"Ah. Sorry, Princess."
"Huh?"
"I don't like you that way."
She froze mid-pose, arm still extended, then slowly lowered it.
In a shaky voice, she asked, "Then… Why did you come to the festival?"
"Obligation," I replied. "I'm the heir to the Hooligan tribe. I had to be here."
She sniffled, tears spilling over her cheeks. My chest tightened at the sight.
I knelt in front of her gently. "Don't cry, Princess. Let me ask you something first."
She nodded silently.
I wondered if she even understood what she was feeling—maybe gratitude mistaken for love?
"Do you like me?"
"Yes," she said softly.
"How do you feel when you see me?"
"My heart beats faster."
Maybe not love, I thought.
"I can't get you out of my head."
Hmm. That's a bit more serious.
"And every time we're close… I feel all tingly."
…Okay. She's definitely in love. With me.
I cleared my throat, trying not to blush myself.
She was about to continue, but I held up a hand. "That's… enough. I get it."
I stood and smiled. "Princess, if those feelings are true, then I'm honored. But… I think we should get to know each other better first."
Her head dropped. "What's the point? You'll be leaving soon."
"That's true. My father returns in a week or two. But until then… why not try to win my heart?"
"I don't think I'm capable of that, Sir Erik," she murmured.
I smiled warmly. "Love works in mysterious ways. Honestly? Besides my mother and the queen, you're the only woman who's ever surprised and intrigued me. If you try… maybe love will find a way."
"Really?" she whispered.
"Yes."
She wiped her tears, grabbed my hand—and dragged me along with her.
She took it upon herself to show me everything—her favorite foods, secret spots in the woods, the silly games she loved, the ones she made up as a child and never stopped playing. She was relentless in her enthusiasm, her energy never dimming, not even when she tripped over her own excitement.
And I followed. I listened. I joined in on every game, every story, every impromptu archery contest. At first, it was just to lift her spirits—to ease the sadness I knew would return when I had to leave.
But something changed.
The more time I spent with her, the more I began to see her. Not the flustered, lovesick girl who had once confessed with a stutter, but the fierce, unyielding spirit behind it. That fire I glimpsed at the archery range… that moment she raised her bow against her own father—it hadn't been a fluke. It was her. All of it was her.
Each morning, she waited for me at the gates, her whole face lighting up the second our eyes met. She'd wave, wildly, joyfully, like seeing me made her day. And I always followed—at first out of kindness. Then out of habit. Then out of something deeper.
Now, every time I see her smile, my chest tightens. Every time I catch her waiting for me, bouncing on her toes with excitement, my heart stumbles.
I want more time with her.
I want her to know she succeeded—that she won more than just my attention.
I want her to know…
I've fallen for her.