QT: I hijacked a harem system and now I'm ruining every plot(GL)-Chapter 247: Good riddance

Chapter 247

Poppy

The year is coming to an end, and when it began... this is not how I thought it would go.

I thought I would still be with his highness. That my place at his side was certain, inevitable. But I’m glad I was wrong.

Being with Isaac is...different. Calmer. He doesn’t dazzle the world with grand gestures or golden words. He doesn’t need to. Being the sole target of his affection feels... safe. Solid. Like the ground beneath my feet is finally mine and not borrowed from someone else.

Even with his highness—we’re cordial now. A month ago, he even apologized. I almost didn’t know how to respond. What a surprise that was.

Felaris Academy still spins around him. His name, his image, his shadow—it’s all anyone talks about. Rumors flow like wine: how kind, how charming, how talented he is. Every week another tale, another spectacle. He’s doing well, I suppose. Happy, even. And I find that I’m happy for him, too.

At least when the whispers find me, they’re softer now. Sometimes sympathetic glances instead of daggers to the back. A pitying tilt of the head, as if to say, Poor Poppy, she had him once. It’s better than the hostility I received when I was with him.

But the newest, juiciest rumor doesn’t belong to Felix at all.

It belongs to the bunny who put a leash on a panther.

Literally.

And as fate would have it, said bunny is walking my way right now.

Nima.

She approaches with that bookish determination in her step, and behind her—like a shadow given form—the Duchess. Daphne Nyxclaw. The predator every whispered tale warns you never to meet the eyes of.

And yet Nima walks in front of her, casual as if she’s leading a friend through the halls. No leash, no chain, nothing but the invisible thread of her. And somehow, impossibly, the Duchess follows.

How does she do it?

How does she not tremble, not falter, not collapse beneath that gaze that even I can’t stand to hold for more than a heartbeat?

"Poppy," Nima greets once she’s near, her voice light, her ears twitching faintly.

"Here’s the book you wanted," I say quickly, handing over the textbook I’d promised her. She’s been relieved of library duties, honestly good for her.

"Thank you." She accepts it with a small smile, then without hesitation turns and hands the book straight to Duchess.

And she takes it. Just takes it. No word, no glance, no protest.

Seriously?

Who in their right mind would treat one of the most terrifying predators in the kingdom like an attendant? And more importantly—what kind of predator allows themselves to be treated that way?

Yet here they are, right in front of me. The bunny and her panther.

And I think, not for the first time, that maybe the rumors aren’t exaggerated at all.

Maybe they don’t go far enough.

***

Lani

These extra classes have had me away from my sister. What an odd feeling.

I’ve always been next to Lira—her shadow, her echo, her leech. It was anxiety-inducing at first, being without her constant presence. But not anymore.

The more time I spend apart from her, the more I realize something uncomfortable: the subtle dislike I’ve always felt is no longer subtle. It’s growing.

"Seriously, sister, that old hag has her claws in his highness." Lira paces my room like a caged fox, tail twitching in agitation.

I stifle a yawn.

The "old hag" she refers to is Miss Edith Veyron, the new teaching assistant.

Unlike my sister, I don’t share the sentiment. Edith isn’t some diabolical witch scheming to destroy us all—at least not in the classroom. She’s clever, poised, and... nice. She’s helped me for months now—study tips, extra credit, quiet lunches when I was drowning in coursework. She’s the kind of woman people naturally gravitate toward.

It’s no surprise his highness has.

If I’m honest with myself... I would too.

Unlike Lumiya, Edith doesn’t need to flaunt her power. She simply is. Perfect. And to call her an "old hag" when she’s barely twenty-five? Ridiculous.

I hide my frown.

"What difference does it make?" I ask finally, genuinely puzzled by Lira’s dramatics.

"You don’t understand. We all have our roles in his highness’ life—you, me, that snake, even Lumiya." Lira’s eyes flash. "At first, I thought the hag was just filling the gap the Longear left. But she’s not. She’s stepping into our roles."

Her voice trembles with panic.

"And what do you suggest we do about it?" I ask, my tone calm, detached. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Lira stops pacing, glaring at me like I’ve just betrayed her.

"I’m genuinely asking," I say, rising to my feet.

"You don’t seem to care."

And she’s right. I don’t. But I won’t admit that aloud.

"Excuse me, his highness is waiting for me."

I move toward the door.

Lira straightens sharply. "Let me accompany you."

"Lira..." I glance back at her, keeping my voice soft, almost apologetic. "I also need some personal time with his highness sometimes."

She freezes.

"Oh. Right."

The silence between us is taut, fragile, threatening to split.

I step past her, out into the hall, breathing easier once the door closes behind me.

Finally.

*

I slip off the bed and start dressing.

Being in bed with his highness... it’s fine. Not life-changing. Not the dizzying, world-altering experience Lira always gushes about. Just... natural. A predictable step in the script we’ve all been handed.

"I’m sorry I haven’t been spending time with you."

I pause, fix my expression into something warm, and turn toward him.

"It’s okay, your highness." I lean down, press a soft kiss to his cheek—carefully avoiding his lips. "You’re busy. And honestly... I’m a little busy too."

He gives me a smile. "I heard from Miss Edith."

The name alone draws a genuine smile to my lips before I can stop it.

"Yeah. She’s been a great help to me," I admit, a little too quickly.

"I’m glad you’re getting along. I wish I could say the same for the others." He exhales, rubbing at his temple.

I bend to pick up my shoes, and when I straighten I can’t avoid the sight of him—his body, his member, the physical reminder of what we just did. Heat rushes to my face and I look away, pretending to fuss with my sleeve.

"Maybe you should give them more attention," I say lightly, fastening the last button. "They’re probably just... jealous."

He chuckles, leaning back against the pillows. "She says the same thing."

"Because it’s true." I smooth my skirt, voice calm, practiced. "They only want to feel secure, your highness. That’s all."

He smiles again, but I’m already reaching for the door.

I murmur some excuse about schoolwork, something to justify leaving quickly. With this, I won’t see him again for another couple of weeks at least.

Good riddance.