Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough

A slight silence,

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Rod looked at the small figure nestled beside him and asked, puzzled.

“Rhodes, don’t you think I’m a very problematic person?” Ivina said softly. “Look, I’m blind, and I have a bad temper. The worst part is that I occasionally have an attack and suck your blood.”

"and then?"

"That means if you stay here any longer, it will be dangerous, very dangerous." Ivina gently rested her head on the bed and raised her slender hand.

Rhodes had a feeling that something was off.

He turned his head and looked at Ivina.

But then he suddenly noticed the thin layer of mist in the girl's eyes.

Yes,

The girl cried.

With the determination to bring this whole story to a halt, she told Rhodes about the best option.

after all.

She was greedy, no doubt.

But the moment she saw Rhodes' genuine concern in her eyes, she knew she had to respond to his kindness.

Even if it means ending the story, she clearly doesn't want the beautiful ending to ruin it.

At least she once had this friendship, and that's enough. At least in this worthless and haphazard life, she once received a sufficiently profound emotion.

So, let's stop here.

"I'm so glad to have met a friend like you."

"And then...and then, I'll try to get out of the Duke's mansion tomorrow. If I fail and faint or go into shock, you don't have to save me, okay?"

"You can burn my body directly. That way, you can avoid danger and prevent this town from being in danger."

"You have a formidable enemy, and the current situation is quite dire, so... you don't need to stay with me..."

Rod covered Ivina's mouth.

"Shut up."

Rod quickly bent down, bringing his face close to Ivina's, and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

One of the most common problems with mental illness is suicidal thoughts that lead to constant contemplation of death, something Rod knew all too well.

But this world is not the peaceful world we know; death is everywhere, so people's fear of death is far less than it is in a peaceful world.

Ivina, now she wants to give up everything again.

He understood this situation very well, after all, he had met too many girls like this, and he himself had been caught up in it in the past.

There's a reason why he always likes redemption literature...

Ultimately, it's about providing a safety net for newcomers.

"There's no need to worry about so-called enemies. Just take your time and then come with me to leave this place, you fool."

"Waaah..." Ivina struggled to pry Rhodes's hand open, but in the end she couldn't actually do it.

After all, Rhodes has now truly reached the third level of ascension, a level of strength that she cannot withstand.

"If I want you to live, there's no way I'll give up halfway."

Rhodes' eyes were serious as he focused all his strength on Ivina.

And Ivina gradually stopped struggling.

Her body became a little more at peace.

Seeing this, Rod released his grip.

but--

"In that case... then, let's move my coming-of-age ceremony forward a few days and hold it the day after tomorrow. Anyway, all the nobles who were supposed to come have already come. These few days are just for them to have fun. No one really wants to participate in my coming-of-age ceremony."

Ivina looked at Rhodes with a slightly sad smile.

There's nothing I can do...

Rod thought the story was that simple, but it's not that simple at all.

Wouldn't it be better to leave everything at this level?

But since he insisted on doing it this way, she had no choice but to comply.

Or rather...

The best thing for her is to learn the truth sooner and escape the painful struggle sooner.

That's right—

Let's move the coming-of-age ceremony to the day after tomorrow and reveal the whole truth.

In this way, Cecilia's plan will definitely be disrupted and she won't be able to hurt Rhodes. She will also be able to find out Rhodes's thoughts sooner, so she won't suffer so much.

just.

The faster the story progresses, the greater the probability that she will lose Rhodes.

But from the very beginning, she could no longer hold onto the hope of harming Rhodes...

Chapter 74 Once I've won you over, you're finished.

Why in advance?

“Because that would throw all the enemies’ actions into disarray, wouldn’t it?” Ivina looked away.

Rod frowned.

"Are you sure? One day is simply not enough time for you to stand in front of everyone without any problems."

"You almost fainted in front of a dozen people last time, let alone in front of a large number of people."

"I don't care! I'm having my coming-of-age ceremony the day after tomorrow, or at most the day after that... I want to leave the Duke's mansion as soon as possible!" Ivina shouted coquettishly, showing a look of unyielding determination.

Rhodes also calmed down.

He understood that Ivina genuinely wanted to minimize the trouble she caused, which was why she was doing this.

Even though he had given her an unlimited amount of leeway to prepare, she was like a timid cat, desperately trying to push back all the help he offered.

She just... didn't want to cause him trouble.

That idiot,

Rhodes cursed inwardly, but there was nothing he could do.

This was indeed the best approach for him. If Ivina's coming-of-age ceremony was brought forward, it would disrupt Cecilia's plans and thwart the witch's scheme.

After all, Ivina's coming-of-age ceremony was of great importance, and the nobles present were most of the powerful and influential people in the Eastern District.

If Cecilia successfully captures and brainwashes these nobles, her plan to control Phillips and other cities will definitely succeed.

Cecilia clearly knew that he held the card of Merrick, so if she wanted to follow the original plan, she would definitely use an even stronger card to control the Duke's mansion and disrupt Ivina's coming-of-age ceremony.

However, it is clear that if Ivina's coming-of-age ceremony is indeed six or seven days earlier than planned, Rhodes does not believe that Cecilia can prepare this new card in such a short time.

Therefore, they are very likely to give up this struggle due to the timing of their coming-of-age ceremony and retreat to other cities.

In this way, the crisis can be basically resolved.

But... putting aside the fact that Rhodes still doesn't quite believe she would willingly leave like this, he also believes that...

Even if her coming-of-age ceremony is brought forward and she's not prepared with her cards, she'll still make a move to annoy him.

But he also understood that, no matter what, he couldn't persuade Ivina to give up this idea.

A girl's stubbornness is a natural part of her personality, so how could it possibly be changed?

So, all we can do is try our best.

“I understand. Let’s do it your way and disrupt those witches’ plans.” Rhodes sighed.

“Hmm…” Ivina nodded, then lowered her eyes and rubbed her toes under the covers.

"Hmph, go to sleep, it's late."

After she finished speaking, she climbed to the other side of the bed on her own, seemingly not wanting to pay any attention to Rhodes at all.

This is Ivina—a stubborn, domineering, and self-absorbed person who speaks her own mind, yet you can feel the good intentions in every word she says.

Why be kind to others and malicious to yourself?

Rhodes simply placed all the clothes neatly beside the bed, then lifted the blanket that Ivina had already warmed up.

A cool breeze blew in, and Ivina shivered, saying coquettishly, "Hurry up and cover it up."

Just like an old married couple.

Rhodes turned his head to look at Ivina, his eyes growing even deeper.

"What, what are you doing? Are you plotting something? You finally couldn't hold back anymore?" Ivina didn't notice Rhodes's gaze at first. She looked at him several times before she shouted those words.

“No way.” Rhodes shook his head. “At least, my principle is to make others come to me when they can’t help themselves, rather than taking the initiative.”

"Huh?" Ivina's face stiffened.

"Hmm. To put it simply... if you really leave the Duke's mansion, in my eyes you've been conquered by me."

Rhodes nodded, then stroked his chin and said, "Only when I've successfully won you over will I feel a sense of accomplishment, but then I'll really start plotting against you."

"???"

Ivina's mind was in a complete whirlwind; she had no idea what kind of nonsense Rhodes was spouting.

But in the end, the idea is that as soon as you leave the Duke's mansion, you will be raped.

Oh, how could Rod be so wicked... If we can't get out, we'll die; if we do get out, we'll get raped...

Ivina's ear tips instantly turned a terrifying red, and her whole body felt hot.

Glug glug...