QT: I hijacked a harem system and now I'm ruining every plot(GL)-Chapter 258: What really matters

Chapter 258

Velesia

It was... breathtaking, really. Watching His Highness this vacation felt like standing before a sunrise—warm, blinding, inevitable. He has grown into his role so seamlessly, commanding attention without ever needing to demand it. Every gesture, every word, carried the weight of a crown he hasn’t even officially worn yet. And I, like always stood in the background, my presence quiet, my loyalty absolute.

It’s bittersweet, watching him this way. The brighter he shines, the smaller my place beside him feels. He’s the sun now, and I am only a shadow that exists because of him.

I remember the conversation with my family, etched into my bones.

"End it," my father had said. "Whatever... inappropriate attachment you hold for him—it must end. You’re a protector, not a lover. Not a dreamer."

They weren’t wrong.

I know my place. I’ve always known. But knowing doesn’t stop my heart from reaching out every time he smiles at me without realizing how much it means.

A little longer, I tell myself. Just a little longer. Let me stand close enough to feel the warmth, even if I can never hold it. Let me be greedy just this once, before duty swallows every last piece of me.

Because once the crown settles fully on his head, whatever fragile thread still ties us together will burn away under its weight. And when that day comes, I will bow, smile, and pretend it never meant anything.

But for now... just a little longer.

***

Lani

Unfortunately, because Lira was with His Highness yesterday, it’s unavoidable that I spend time with him today.

I don’t remember laying with him ever feeling this... taxing before. But tonight, every brush of his fingers reminds me—so vividly—that he’s a man. A man who touches, who wants, who claims. And gods, I hate it.

My body reacts the way it should, like it’s been trained to do. My breathing shifts, my skin prickles beneath his hands, my back arches the way I’ve learned it should.

But beneath it all is a quiet, choking disgust. He’s too large. Too close. Too hard. He’s not what I wish for nor desire.

To survive the moment, I do what I’ve done in whispers before—I leave my body. In my head, I retreat to last night with Marie. The softness of her hands. The steady, warm weight of her body. Her laugh against my neck. I close my eyes and pretend it’s her, not him, and that’s the only way I can keep breathing through it.

But when it ends and His Highness lies beside me, chest rising and falling steadily, my heart is anything but steady. My entire future flashes before my eyes like a cruel joke.

This is what it will be like forever.

I sit up in bed, my chest tightening until I can barely breathe.

"Lani, are you okay?" His voice is soft, surprisingly gentle. He reaches out to hold me, but I flinch back and snap his hand away without thinking.

"I’m sorry, Your Highness... I just need space," I manage to say, my voice shaking.

"Understood," he replies, quiet. "Water?"

I nod.

He gets out of bed, his movements calm, almost cautious. The floorboards creak softly beneath his bare feet as he crosses the room to the pitcher. And in that silence, Marie’s words echo in my mind.

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

But I’m not brave.

I’m a coward.

Because in this moment, something inside me cracks open like a dam breaking, I don’t want to live the rest of my life like this. I don’t want to keep pretending this is enough for me. I don’t want to keep pretending that his touch doesn’t make me feel like I’m drowning in someone else’s life.

For so long, I’ve lived in Lira’s shadow. I’ve hated her, envied her, chased after a version of myself that didn’t exist just to prove I could outshine her. But I never once asked what I wanted.

And now I know.

It isn’t this.

I hate Marie and Lady Edith for seeing through me, for dragging the truth out of me without ever saying it out loud. If they hadn’t, I would have lived blissfully unaware, pretending this was all there was. Pretending this was enough.

But it isn’t.

"Let’s end this, Your Highness," I whisper.

His head snaps up. "Lani?" He pauses by the bedside, a glass of water in his hand.

The lamplight catches on the edge of the cup, glinting gold. We’re both naked. Vulnerable in different ways.

"We need to talk," I say, sliding off the bed and reaching for my undergarments. My fingers tremble as I dress.

He doesn’t speak. Neither do I. The silence feels endless.

We sit side by side on the bed now, fully clothed but worlds apart.

"Let’s end this, Your Highness," I repeat.

He turns his head slightly, studying me. His expression isn’t angry—just... tired. Confused.

"What do you mean?" he asks slowly. "Did I do something wrong, or—?"

"We are not compatible, Your Highness. You’re aware of this, are you not?" My voice is soft but steady now.

He says nothing. His fingers tighten around the glass. I know he’s known this for a while.

***

Felix

I want to argue. I want to ask her if she’s certain, if she’s thought it through. But the truth is—she’s right. Deep down, I know she’s right.

Being with Lani has always felt like work.

She lies still, quiet, almost absent. Even when she smiles, it feels as though her mind is somewhere else. I’ve tried to pretend I don’t see it. I’ve tried to fill in the gaps with my own effort, my own wants, but desire doesn’t grow in forced soil. It just... withers.

No matter what I do, it’s as if there’s a wall between us, something I can’t climb or break through. When we’re together, she doesn’t hold me. She doesn’t look at me like I’m hers. Half the time we end up speaking of Lira, like a ghost sitting between us, watching. It’s maddening.

If I’m honest with myself, the beginning was nothing but a performance. I enjoyed the whispers, the envy, the way people looked at me for having both sisters.

I liked the power in that image. But after the thrill faded, all that was left was silence and an uncomfortable truth—I don’t love her. She doesn’t love me.

I mean I’ve tried for Lira’s sake, but heavens she has these walls, at some point I stopped trying.

"Are you sure?" I ask, my voice quieter than I intend. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Yes," she says. There’s no hesitation in her voice, only a quiet certainty. "I do not... feel that way about your highness, no matter how hard I try."

"Understood," I reply, and to no surprise, there’s a flicker of relief in my chest.

She stands, smooth and composed, bows with that same quiet grace she’s always had. "Regardless, it’s been a pleasure, your highness."

"Likewise, my lady."

And just like that, it’s over. No shouting. No drama. The lack of emotions is sad, and eye opening. With Poppy is wasn’t a clean break up like this.

Perhaps it’s better this way.

***

Daphne

I’m fingers deep inside my little bunny when the notification pings in my head like an obnoxious alarm.

[HAREM BREAKDOWN 43.5% COMPLETE]

I blink.

The world stills. Everything freezes mid-motion—the rise and fall of her chest, the soft gasp half-formed on her lips, the tiny shiver in her thighs. The farmiliar monochrome black and white color fills the world and the purple orb shows up.

I sigh. "System," I say flatly, "we need some ground rules."

The shimmering purple orb merely spinning lazily in the air like a smug little cock blocking bastard.

"Firstly, if you see me busy with my lover, don’t interrupt me." I enunciate every word, because apparently common sense doesn’t come programmed in.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

"Good." I flick my damp fingers in annoyance and lean back slightly, I look at my fingers and bring them to my lips. I swear I see a judgemental look on the system’s face at that action.

"Now, how did this happen?"

The orb projects a holographic screen before me, displaying a crisp playback.

"Oh? Wow." A low laugh escapes me, breathless but delighted. I genuinely didn’t expect that—not this soon, anyway. I mean I knew it would happen, since I suspected the other fox twin of having some rainbow qualities.

"What triggered it?" I ask, more out of curiosity than concern.

[There was a fluctuation of emotions, after she experienced coitus with the male lead.]

I actually flinch a little. "Yeah... makes sense."

"Honestly, she’s kind of impressive," I murmur, lips curling into a grin.

"Being gay and still going through with it? That’s commitment."

"Well, this is great news for me," I purr. "As for the rest..." I wave a hand dismissively.

"Edith will deal with them. This is like playing a game on auto-play."

The orb flickers out.

And I? I return to what truly matters—sliding my fingers deeper, watching my bunny arch against frozen time.

The world hums, unpauses, and she cries out my name like nothing else exists. Perfect.