Reincarnated in a Eroge Game With a SSS-Rank Taming System-Chapter 18: Step - Arriving at the Elowen Estate

Things had progressed strangely quickly.

Morgana had called Nickolas and he had immediately replied that they were ready to meet with us. However, he also added that he would have a "strange" request to ask me once we would be getting there.

I had tried to ask Morgana about it. But she simply said that he had not said anything about it, keeping it a secret above everything else, which was definitely strange.

Nevertheless, we were now on the way to their Estate and I was getting nervous.

Not because of the request from Nickolas. But because I would be meeting with a Heroine from the game, Throne of Lust.

Romie Elowen.

She was definitely easier to deal with than Princess Lysia. But just like the other Heroines, she had some strange tendencies that I would have to deal with if I wanted to make a good first impression, which was crucial for my future inside the Royal Academy.

If I were able to make connection before enrolling inside of the Royal Academy, then my stay there will go be a lot easier in general. There was no doubt about it.

It took around three hours to reach their Estate, which was in a neighboring kingdom, luckily.

The carriage wheels rolled to a slow stop atop a circular stone driveway, polished to the point of reflecting the overcast sky. As I pulled the curtain aside, I found myself staring at the towering gates of the Elowen Estate.

It was massive.

The Vera estate, for all its refinement, looked modest compared to this. The mansion before us spanned like a small fortress—white marble walls, columns lined with climbing roses, and silver-accented glass windows that glimmered with wealth. Guards in navy and steel uniforms lined the perimeter, alert, hands resting lightly on their hilts.

Even before the door opened, I could feel it.

Power.

The kind that didn't need to be flaunted—it simply existed.

The footman stepped forward and opened the carriage door with a bow. Morgana exited first, calm and elegant as always. I followed her lead, adjusting my collar and brushing off the faint dust from travel.

The doors to the estate swung open just as our feet touched the first step.

Nickolas Elowen emerged, his stride unhurried, hands clasped behind his back. His dark coat trimmed in silver shimmered subtly in the daylight, and his graying hair was tied neatly at the nape of his neck. His smile was warm—but measured.

"Lady Morgana," he said, bowing his head. "And Zale. A pleasure to see you again. Welcome to Elowen Hall. It seems that the two have gotten closer over the course of the trip."

With a glance, he seemed to have realized that Lady Morgana and I had gotten closer, which was definitely very impressive of him. Though, he had probably meant it in a platonic way.

Morgana returned the gesture with a polite smile with a slight blush, not even mentioning his last comment. "Thank you for hosting us on such short notice."

Nickolas turned toward me, his gaze lingering for a few extra seconds. Not aggressive, but definitely assessing.

"We've prepared rooms for both of you," he said. "You're free to explore the estate. My staff will ensure you're comfortable during your stay."

"I appreciate the hospitality," I said with a slight bow.

With a wave of his hand, Nickolas led us inside.

The entrance hall was cathedral-like—arched ceilings with gold inlays, stained-glass skylights, and portraits of long-dead Elowens gazing down at us with timeless pride. Morgana and Nickolas chatted quietly, exchanging formalities and small talk, but I found my eyes drifting toward the massive windows along the eastern corridor.

Something felt... off.

A chill brushed the back of my neck, not from fear—but from being watched.

I turned slightly.

And that's when I saw her.

High above, standing on a thick branch of an ancient tree that overlooked the estate's central courtyard, was a girl. A book lay open in her hands, but her eyes were fixed squarely on me.

She didn't flinch.

Didn't blink.

Her long silver-blonde hair danced in the breeze, cascading down her shoulders like moonlight through silk. A pale blue ribbon was tied loosely around her neck, complementing the fitted dark vest and high-waisted skirt that hugged her athletic yet graceful frame. She wasn't dressed like a noble—more like a scholar who preferred freedom over tradition.

Even at a distance, her presence felt... sharp. Calculated.

Romie Elowen.

Her legs balanced effortlessly along the branch, and yet, her expression was anything but childish or playful. She stared down at me with a quiet, unreadable intensity. Curious, perhaps. Or disapproving. Maybe both.

'She looks even better than she did in the game,' I thought, pulse quickening. 'Her features are more refined. Her body... her posture... even her eyes. However, she still looks as mysterious as in the game. It'll take a lot of effort to even have a single conversation with her, knowing her, she will just watch from far away, curious.'

The only to deal with her was simple. You'd have to force her to have a conversation with you. However, it was different than with Princess Lysia.

She didn't hate commoners.

She didn't care about the background of someone.

The only thing she required from them was for them to be smart.

Then, as suddenly as it began, she looked back at her book.

Vanishing into the leaves like a ghost who never meant to be seen.

Nickolas must've noticed my distraction. "Ah. I see you've spotted my daughter."

I turned back toward him. "She seems... focused."

He chuckled softly. "That's one word for it." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

We continued the walk, passing through courtyards, hallways, and balconies with views that stretched over the bordering mountains. Every corner of the estate exuded the kind of wealth and legacy that came from centuries of strategic marriage, war, and clever political maneuvering.

Finally, Nickolas stopped beneath an archway that led to the guest wing.

"As promised," he said, "we'll hold your Awakening Ceremony two days from now. We've prepared one of our private chambers for the ritual—our house mage will handle everything."

Morgana nodded. "Thank you again for making this possible."

"Until then," Nickolas added, his gaze flicking back to me, "you're free to enjoy the estate."

Romie Elowen had already noticed me.

And I had two days to ensure she remembered more than just a passing glance.