How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

Tristan was quietly taken aback. Ruellin wasn’t heavy at all; rather, he felt weightless, as if he hadn’t eaten properly.

‘So it’s true that he hasn’t been eating well.’

Well, having grown up in the splendid capital, perhaps the food in Hezekia didn’t suit his tastes.

Viscount Elsworth might not have held a high title, but he was a wealthy merchant who had amassed a great fortune. It was only natural that his only son, Ruellin, would find the humble life in Hezekia unsatisfactory. Tristan couldn’t help the bitter taste in his mouth.

“This is a little embarrassing, though. People are watching, and I do have a certain level of social standing and dignity…”

“……”

Even then, Ruellin kept murmuring to himself. Tristan silently ignored him, thinking he certainly talked a lot for someone who wasn’t asking for anything specific.

However, Ruellin’s muttering didn’t last long.

“Your Grace, Your Grace!”

Old butler Wilhelm came running, pale as a sheet. It happened just as they were nearing the Grand Consort’s quarters.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is not well! H-he’s having another seizure!”

Tristan’s expression hardened.

❖ ❖ ❖

Honestly, I was at the point of giving up.

The System that used to constantly issue warnings had stopped working. With the reins loosened, my mouth moved on its own, and before I knew it, I had thoroughly talked back to the mighty Grand Duke.

‘I’m doomed.’

By the time I realized my mistake, it was too late. Then Tristan did something completely unexpected. He offered me something like an apology. I pretended to stay calm, but inside, I was utterly shocked.

What is this? A last supper before execution? Usually, they’d at least prepare a grand meal first, wouldn’t they?

True to his reputation as the lord of a remote territory, it seemed he planned to settle it with words instead.

And now, saying he’d let me go, I suspected he meant to take me to the Grand Consort’s quarters only to hand me a death sentence. At that point, I had nothing to lose.

So, I decided to do whatever I wanted. My legs were killing me anyway.

Then, for some inexplicable reason, Tristan decided to carry me in his arms like a princess. Did he think he was in some kind of romance novel? But as far as I remembered, the main character of this story was Constantine, not Tristan or me. I was seriously confused.

“Hey, System. Are you awake yet? Still rebooting?”

Carried in Tristan’s arms, I desperately called out to the System. Finally, it sputtered back to life.

[System update completed!]
Would you like to check the update details?
Y/N

“……?”

I had literally watched it crash, and now it was pretending it had just been quiet because of an update. Dumbfounded, I glared at the air and answered internally.

‘Fine. Yes.’

[System ver2.012.1]
Character Affection and Event Progress Accuracy Improved
We apologize for the inconvenience. A compensation reward will be provided.

The System made an exaggerated “bling” sound effect. I asked flatly,

‘What’s the reward?’

Reward Details: Access to original novel Chronicles of the Sword (up to 500 characters)

Condition: Once, upon event completion

‘Huh?’

I widened my eyes at the surprisingly generous reward. I had read the novel, but I couldn’t recall the detailed plot, so being able to view the original text was an incredible perk. It meant I could literally foresee the future.

But the “condition” part bothered me.

‘What’s the current event?’

The System kindly answered.

Checking available events.
☆ Bad Ending: Instant Death! ☆
☆ Win the Grand Duke’s Heart! ☆

You’ve got to be kidding me…

If the “Instant Death” event concluded, I’d be reading the original from beyond the grave. The second one wasn’t even worth mentioning.

‘What kind of Grand Duke personally carries someone all the way to the Consort’s quarters just to serve them poison?’

My situation was so pitiful, I could only sigh.

Since things had come this far, I might as well check one last thing.

‘System, what’s the Grand Duke’s affection level?’

Since the last time I checked, here’s what I had done to Tristan: insulted him, punched him, cursed at him, and forced him into labor (currently ongoing).