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

Chapter 257: Chapter closed
Chapter 257
Lani
Finally, school is open again.
It was suffocating being at home.
Lira has already left,probably straight to His Highness. Being home meant she had to act respectable, couldn’t be too farmiliar with him as an unmarried woman.
For me, home 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 me. It’s lively tonight—music, murmurs, a low hum of pleasure and secrecy, probably like me ther are glad to have left their homes 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 someone drops beside me. 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. "Home 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 women’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 agreement," she explains. "We’ll marry, but live freely to our own... proclivities, until the time comes 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 immediately, too fast.
Marie studies me 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 come to my room, for some 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 compliment 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 moment of peace at the royal palace—mediating, dodging, pretending I didn’t understand their hints.
They both want the same thing.
And Grandfather, being extremely unhelpful, only laughed and said,
"The decision is yours."
I wish someone else would make it for me.
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 me before the title meant anything.
I’m in my fourth year now. One more to go before I graduate.
There’s still time to decide.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
"Your Highness!"
Someone crashes into me 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 me, 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 someone.
"My apologies, Your Highness."
A familiar voice.
Ah. Poppy.
I actually
forgot
about her.
"Poppy," I say.
She straightens, eyes meeting mine briefly. My heart doesn’t skip. No ache, no sting—just quiet, distant fondness.
Time 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 engagement," I say.
"Ah right, I forgot—congratulations," Lira echoes.
"Thank you, Your Highness, my lady." Poppy’s smile is genuine this time, not the careful one she had one, a moment ago.
"If you’ll excuse me." She bows once more and walks past us, head high.
Unable to help myself, I turn to watch her go. One last time.
And that’s it. No bitterness.
It’s bittersweet though—like watching a version of myself fade away with her. She laughs softly at something 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 meant to diverge.
I should have understood this fact ages ago. It was just hard to let go of that part of me, but I think I’m ready now.
I place my hand on Lira’s, and she beams at me. Yeah I am.