QT: I hijacked a harem system and now I'm ruining every plot(GL) Chapter 257 - closed

Chapter 257

Lani

Finally, school is open again.

It was suffocating being at ho.

Lira has already left,probably straight to His Highness. Being ho ant she had to act respectable, couldn’t be too farmiliar with him as an unmarried woman.

For , ho was dull and far too familiar.

As always, I lived in Lira’s shadow, invisible under her ever-bright spotlight. Always the extra in her play.

So when midnight strikes, I find myself slipping back to that familiar place. The one I keep promising I’ll stop visiting, stop indulging in immoral activities.

I don’t even lie to myself anymore.

I enter, take my usual seat, and let the sound of laughter wrap around . It’s lively tonight—music, murmurs, a low hum of pleasure and secrecy, probably like ther are glad to have left their hos too.

At least here, I’m not alone in my rebellion.

"Well, if it isn’t the Fox Princess. How was vacation?"

A farmiliar voice slides into my ear as soone drops beside . Marie.

I turn, give her a look.

"Likewise," she says smoothly, smirking.

"It’s sad that we have to hide who we really are," she adds, leaning on the counter. "Ho was exhausting—everyone asking if I’ve found a suitor yet." She groans.

Her hair is shorter now. Her arms, the ones peeking through her gown, look stronger—more defined. I catch myself noticing. Small, insignificant details.

But this is who I am now, isn’t it? Looking at won’s bodies enough to be able to see these small changes.

"Such is the life we live," I reply.

"Well," she says, mischief lighting her face, "I did find a suitor."

I choke on air and stare at her. "A suitor?"

"Yes. Him." She nods toward a table where a young man with sharp predator ears currently has his tongue halfway down another man’s throat—a Longear.

I blink, speechless.

"It’s an agreent," she explains. "We’ll marry, but live freely to our own... proclivities, until the ti cos to make an heir."

I pause... then smile. "That’s actually smart."

"Yeah. What about you? Will you continue to be with His Highness?" she asks.

"Yes," I answer imdiately, too fast.

Marie studies quietly, eyes softening.

"You’re braver than I’d ever be, choosing such a life."

"It’s not a bad life," I say, defensive.

"I’m not judging," she shrugs. "You know yourself best."

There’s a quiet beat, the air thick between us, heavy with unsaid truths.

"Want to co to my room, for so fun?" she offers lightly.

"Yes," I breathe.

But later, when the laughter fades and only the echo of her words remains—

Braver than she ever would be.

They keep ringing in my head, looping like a curse and a complint at once.

***

Felix

I never thought I’d be happy to be behind academy walls again, but I am. Desperately.

Edith and Lumiya’s fathers were relentless all vacation.

I barely had a mont of peace at the royal palace—diating, dodging, pretending I didn’t understand their hints.

They both want the sa thing.

And Grandfather, being extrely unhelpful, only laughed and said, "The decision is yours."

I wish soone else would make it for .

Lumiya’s been by my side longer. She’s beautiful, noble, composed. The daughter of a duke—politically perfect.

But Edith... she’s gentle, clever, and she believed in before the title ant anything.

I’m in my fourth year now. One more to go before I graduate.

There’s still ti to decide.

At least, that’s what I tell myself.

"Your Highness!"

Soone crashes into before I can turn.

Lira.

Of course. Only she’s this affectionate.

I laugh and catch her, arms steadying her. "My lady."

She beams up at , eyes bright. Taking a minor step back, I press a chaste kiss to the back of her hand, and she giggles.

"I think we’re overdue a reunion. Alone."

Her grin is almost conspiratorial. Marquis Moonfox kept the twins under lock and key, I barely saw them all vacation.

"You speak my mind, Your Highness." She links her arm through mine easily.

We’re halfway down the corridor when we bump into soone.

"My apologies, Your Highness."

A familiar voice.

Ah. Poppy.

I actually forgot about her.

"Poppy," I say.

She straightens, eyes eting mine briefly. My heart doesn’t skip. No ache, no sting—just quiet, distant fondness.

Ti really is the best healer.

"Your Highness. Lady Moonfox," she greets, bowing politely.

"Poppy, you’re looking well," Lira says.

And she is. Her hair’s styled, her jewelry delicate, her dress elegant. Of course—it would be. I heard she’s engaged to that bastard.

"Likewise, my lady," Poppy replies.

"Congratulations on your engagent," I say.

"Ah right, I forgot—congratulations," Lira echoes.

"Thank you, Your Highness, my lady." Poppy’s smile is genuine this ti, not the careful one she had one, a mont ago.

"If you’ll excuse ." She bows once more and walks past us, head high.

Unable to help myself, I turn to watch her go. One last ti.

And that’s it. No bitterness.

It’s bittersweet though—like watching a version of myself fade away with her. She laughs softly at sothing the bastard with the polished antlers says, stupid glasses and I catch the small twitch of her button tail. She still does that when she’s happy.

Cute, really.

Maybe not as striking as the noble ladies I’m surrounded by, but she’s still Poppy—simple, kind, and unbearably genuine. I begrudgingly smile.

Because she still is cute.

"Your Highness," Lira tugs at my arm, breaking my trance.

I exhale, straighten my posture, and turn away.

That Chapter is over—for both of us.

I have more to foward to, my life is different now, like Miss Edith says. The second I was no long longer Felix Longear our paths were ant to diverge.

I should have understood this fact ages ago. It was just hard to let go of that part of , but I think I’m ready now.

I place my hand on Lira’s, and she beams at . Yeah I am.