How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

"Hahaha, His Majesty... Father was quite relentless, wasn't he?"

Snow said, chuckling softly as she wiped away the tears of laughter forming at the corners of her eyes.

Her steps were light as she walked beside me, the events of the earlier breakfast gathering replaying in her mind.

"I hope you didn't take his bluntness as rudeness, Riley~."

"No… not at all," I replied, shaking my head. "I can tell the Emperor is just an honest man, especially when it comes to matters involving you."

Snow's lips curved into a playful smirk as she glanced up at me. "Now that we're back on the topic… which of us exactly gets to be your first wife, Riley~?"

I groaned inwardly, raising a hand to rub my temple. "Please, give me a break…"

"Fufu~," she laughed, the sound melodic and teasing. "Although I tried my best to stay quiet earlier and not get you into trouble, I have to admit—I'm actually quite curious about your answer, you know?"

"We'll know when we get there…" I muttered, hoping to sidestep the question.

"Hm?" Snow tilted her head, her blue eyes gleaming with mischief. "So, you're not sure? Even though I'm already here, by your side?"

I opened my mouth to respond but found no words, her comment rendering me momentarily speechless.

"....."

Snow burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the corridor. "Hahaha! You really are quite cute, Riley. Especially when you look so troubled—this part of you hasn't changed at all, even after everything you've been through. The trials may have left their mark on you, but I'm glad this side of you stayed the same."

Her gaze softened, and for a moment, the playful teasing gave way to a warmth that lingered in her expression.

It was the kind of warmth that made me feel both at ease and slightly on edge, knowing how unpredictable she could be.

But even amidst her teasing, there was a sincerity in her words that I couldn't ignore.

"Thanks, Snow…"

I sighed as I watched Snow giggle to herself, her carefree demeanor a stark contrast to the growing storm in my mind.

I knew it was only a matter of time before the complications surrounding my relationships with the girls would catch up to me, demanding a definitive answer.

If it were the me who had just started dating Snow, I would have reassured her without hesitation, confidently stating her name as my choice.

Back then, things were simpler—clean, untainted by doubt.

But that was before.

Before the memory of my life with Liyana surfaced.

That singular fragment of a forgotten world had cracked open my certainty, letting complexities seep into what should have been straightforward.

I wish I could openly say that Snow would have that position—after all, she's my first real lover in this world.

She's the one who brought light into the darkness I often found myself in, the one who reminded me that there was warmth to be found even amidst the chaos.

Yet… I can't bring myself to give a half-hearted, unserious answer.

Not when the implications of such a choice carry weight far beyond my personal feelings.

Because the truth is, I like Snow.

No—I love her.

That fact is unwavering, clear as day.

But then there's Liyana.

She isn't just another figure in my life.

She holds an integral role, not only in shaping my future but also in the fate of this world.

And with her, things are never simple.

There's an unpredictability to Liyana, a chaotic energy that makes it impossible to predict how she might react—or the lengths she might go to if I were to slight her.

And then there's the Duke, her father, whose influence could reshape my standing if I were to recklessly choose one over the other without consideration.

Liyana has always been an enigma to me.

Throughout my childhood, I never truly understood why she was so obsessed with me.

It was never about love—at least, not in the way most people understand it.

Her fixation always felt... cold, calculated, and rooted in something far deeper than mere affection.

It wasn't about me as a person, but what I represented to her.

And yet, with that memory of the life we once shared, something within me hesitates.

It's strange—this flicker of hope I have for her.

Because that life wouldn't have existed if we had no love for each other….

And because of the promise I made to the goddess, ignoring the other girls wasn't an option as well.

After all, the happy ending I envisioned included them as well.

Each of them had their struggles, their dreams, and their roles in the story I was trying to shape.

Alice, with her fiery determination and tender vulnerability; Rose, whose brilliance and discipline concealed a longing for connection; Seo, quiet yet bold in her own way, stepping beyond her fears and innocence for the sake of others.

I don't know if my relationships with them would ever reach the depth of what I shared with Snow now, but I know one thing: I would do everything I could to make them happy.

If that happiness meant deepening our bonds, I wouldn't shy away—though, of course, I'd ensure Snow was okay with it.

And then, there was the Saintess.

That sweet, innocent junior of mine, who radiated light yet carried the weight of divine expectations.

The goddess had entrusted her to me, tasked me with protecting and guiding her, but…

Did I really have to give this to her?

As I walked, the thought churned in my mind, my pace slowing with hesitation.

Without thinking, I opened the palm of my hand.

Golden light sparked to life, warm and vibrant as it twisted into form.

Two rings appeared, their luster almost otherworldly.

One was pure white, with a small golden gem at its center, its surface smooth and radiant like moonlight on still water.

The other was pure gold, holding a small white gem at its core, glowing faintly as if alive.

[These rings will help you and my dear daughter face all the evils to come,]

The goddess had said with unwavering confidence the last time we spoke.

But as I stared at them now, doubts pricked at the edges of my thoughts.

[Item: Ring of Bonds]

[Description:]

[A pair of simple rings, each etched with delicate symbols of light and trust. When worn by two individuals who have pledged their trust and loyalty to each other, the rings begin to subtly hum with a soft, inner light.]

[Effect:]

[The Ring of Bonds amplifies the divine power of both wearers in proportion to the strength of their bond. The deeper the trust and loyalty between the partners, the greater the amplification of their divine abilities. This amplification can manifest in various ways, such as:]

[Increased healing power] [100%]

[Enhanced offensive abilities] [100%]

[Strengthened protective magic] [100%]

[Improved communication and understanding: The bond deepens intuition and empathy between the wearers, allowing them to anticipate each other's needs and support each other more effectively.]

[Note: If the trust between the wearers is broken, the rings will lose their luminescence and the amplification effect will diminish significantly.]

[Note: The Ring of Bonds is a symbol of trust and cooperation, it us suggested for its wearers to support and uplift each other on their journey.]

Considering the effects and description of the rings, it was clear the goddess had a plan in mind.

These weren't just symbolic trinkets; their magic was designed to deepen bonds, fostering trust and connection between me and the Saintess.

While I could speculate on her intentions, doubting the goddess wasn't exactly a wise course of action—at least, not right now.

Still, the implications of this gift were unsettling.

"What's that?"

Snow's voice cut through my thoughts, startling me.

My body reacted instinctively, closing my palm as the two rings vanished in a flash of golden light.

"N-Nothing…" I stammered, my voice betraying a nervous edge.

Snow's blue eyes narrowed slightly as she studied me, suspicion evident in her expression.

She made a thoughtful hmm sound, tilting her head as if to say she wasn't entirely convinced.

But when she saw nothing in my hand, she chose not to press further, letting the matter drop.

For now, at least.

I exhaled slowly, relief washing over me, but the knot in my chest remained.

I couldn't let her know about the rings—especially not that I was supposed to give one to the Saintess.

A bonding ring meant to connect two partners…

Even imagining Snow's reaction sent a shiver down my spine.

There was no doubt in my mind: if Snow found out, that ring would never make its way to the Saintess.

As much as I wanted to trust her understanding, I wasn't sure how she'd feel about this particular task.

The goddess's blessing or not, a bonding ring was… significant.

Too significant for me to explain away casually.

For now, I'd have to keep this secret safe, waiting for the right moment to fulfill the goddess's request—and hoping that moment wouldn't cause more complications than it resolved.