Chapter 10:
The Casino
AFTER I FINISHED DINNER, Luxion and I made our way to the deck and enjoyed the view.
“It gets pretty chilly at night,” I said. Our destination would be summery, but the sea winds were strong enough to pierce right through you. I shivered.
“Please dress warmly,” Luxion said with obvious exasperation. “You will catch a cold otherwise.”
“Nah. This is a perfect way to cool down. A nice escape from the fever.”
“Fever? Master, your temperature reads as perfectly normal.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I said.
There were heaters aboard the ship, so the temperature was cozy anywhere you went, but what I was really referring to was the excitement among the students. That was the nearly inescapable fever. Lucle and his group were desperate for an opportunity to get close to Marie’s friends, since fewer rivals were present at the moment. Their overzealousness was what had pushed me to retreat outside and cool my head; they obviously weren’t going to cool theirs.
“Anyway, how are preparations going?” I asked, changing the subject.
I’d worded the question vaguely, but Luxion instantly picked up on what I was referring to. “They are, in fact, finished. The rest is up to you.”
I let out a long, slow exhale. “Now I’m nervous.”
“All I can do is offer support in the form of wishing you luck.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve got to be the one to take it from here.” I sighed again, resigned. Eager to change the topic and get my mind off things, I added, “Anyway, I haven’t seen Miss Olivia this entire time. I know she apparently shut herself up in her cabin because she’s sick, but I’m getting a little worried.”
“You already have Marie, yet you are focused on the woman with the larger breasts?”
“You dummy,” I said. “That’s not it at all.”
Lately, Luxion had developed a habit of tying everything to love and romance. I could only guess that was thanks to Marie’s influence. I really wish she wouldn’t teach him crap like that.
“I’m saying that I feel bad for her, having to go on this school trip all by herself with no friends or support system,” I explained.
“You ‘feel bad’? Does that mean you intend to intervene?” Luxion asked.
“That’s exactly my dilemma. As much as I want to help her, I shouldn’t. I think it’s better for me to keep my nose out of her business.”
Since I’d already basically derailed the game’s plot, I felt no desire to rub elbows with the protagonist or her love interests. The last thing I wanted was to make the story completely unsalvageable—assuming it could still be salvaged, of course.
“I’m sure a background character like me butting in would only mess things up more.” I shook my head, sighing dramatically. “Ugh. Couldn’t at least one love interest have boarded our ship?” If the plot had proceeded as originally laid out, one of them would’ve been here.
“You and Marie seem to view every event as a predetermined element of the game, Master. However, I personally consider their absence a natural consequence of everything that has happened.”
I raised an eyebrow at Luxion. “How so?”
“You and the Roseblades essentially took down two regional lords on your own. It’s no wonder the other nobles are busy discussing the matter back at the capital. From what information I was able to gather, Julius, Jilk, and Angelica are apparently attending those meetings.”
“Wait. It’s our fault they’re not here?” My jaw dropped.
“Yes.”
It hadn’t even crossed my mind that our actions would have that much impact. “I guess that means we really ruined things for them, huh?”
“There is no need for you to feel apologetic. Julius is the crown prince and is responsible for this kingdom’s future. Attending the meetings is his duty.” Unlike me, Luxion seemingly didn’t feel the least bit regretful about ruining the trip for Julius.
“Isn’t that a bit cold?” I asked.
“I am merely stating facts. I have no interest whatsoever in Julius or the others. My concern is entirely for your and Marie’s futures. Why does each of your proposals end in failure, Master? I thought you were better-versed in the art of romance. I am beginning to wonder whether you are dealing with a mental issue. Shall I offer you counseling?” There was no sarcasm or spite in his voice. He was being genuine.
I cringed. “Don’t start acting all nice on me! Ugh. That gave me the creeps.” Maybe niceness is supposed to be some new way of getting under my skin? “Now I’ve got chills for two very different reasons. That’s it. I’m going back to my room.”
Luxion and I started toward the nearest entrance. Suddenly, his lens flashed several times. “Master, Marie is looking for you. It seems there is some sort of emergency.”