[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-qt-i-hijacked-a-harem-system-and-now-i-m-ruining":3,"chapter-qt-i-hijacked-a-harem-system-and-now-i-m-ruining-qt-i-hijacked-a-harem-system-and-now-i-m-ruining-chapter-259":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","QT: I hijacked a harem system and now I'm ruining every plot(GL)",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1854598,2462,"Chapter 259: Choose","qt-i-hijacked-a-harem-system-and-now-i-m-ruining-chapter-259",259,"\u003Cp>Chapter 259\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lani\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m in my room when the door slams open so hard the hinges rattle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira storms in, her face flushed, hair slightly mussed, and her night robe thrown on hastily. She looks like someone who didn’t even finish thinking before acting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is what His Highness is saying true?\" she demands, gripping my shoulders like she can squeeze the truth out of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a long breath and take a step back, gently prying her hands off me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" I say simply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips part. \"That can’t be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I guide her toward the bed and sit her down, taking her hands in mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lira,\" I begin softly, trying to ease the sting of what’s to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m sorry I didn’t tell you first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looks at me with confusion and hurt. \"I thought... you were doing well with him. That everything was fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lira...\" I trail off, searching for a way to say it that won’t break her more than it has to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, I rip the bandage off. \"I don’t like His Highness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes widen. \"But you do—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" I cut in firmly. \"No, I don’t, Lira.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence that follows is sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never have,\" I admit, my voice low but steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her confusion is written all over her face. She’s never seen me like this , never heard me say something that could shatter everything we’ve always just assumed between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I liked him becauseyouliked him,\" I continue. \"Because you’ve always liked him. And I thought... if we both liked him, then we’d be together forever. That it would make sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lani...\" she whispers, as if saying my name might rewind time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I know now that’s wrong,\" I say. \"Don’t I deserve the chance to find someone who makes me happy? The way he makes you happy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her throat bobs as she swallows, struggling to find words. \"I’m sorry. I didn’t know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know. I didn’t tell you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why didn’t you, Lani?\" she asks softly, almost like she’s asking why I betrayed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know. Maybe I was scared. Maybe I didn’t want to disappoint you. Or maybe... I didn’t want to lose you,\" I whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s eyes glisten. She looks like a storm that isn’t sure if it wants to rage or rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see,\" she says finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that, silence fills the room—not the comfortable kind, but the heavy, fragile kind that can break with the wrong breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Felix\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t understand why Lira is sulking over my breakup with her twin when neither of us—theactual people involved—seem to care that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shake my head. Love is strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My steps carry me toward Miss Edith’s accommodations almost automatically. It’s been a while since I last saw her. I push open the door without knocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s pouring water into a glass. And she’s not alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duchess Nyxclaw is seated in the room like a cat in a sunbeam—small, dangerous, and entirely in control of the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two sets of eyes turn to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, if it isn’t the little lion,\" the duchess purrs, raising her glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady Nyxclaw,\" I answer stiffly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She arches a brow, amused. \"Wow. I can’t remember the last time anyone called melady.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She finishes her drink, then hands the empty glass to Edith. And Edith—my proud, fiery Edith—takes it like a servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My jaw tightens. I’ve never seen her like that before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well,\" the duchess says, rising smoothly, \"since you have company, I’ll take my leave. Remember what we talked about, little panther.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, Your Grace,\" Edith replies with a bow that’s too deep for comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The duchess glides past me like smoke, small but carrying an aura that makes the room feel too small for her presence. She doesn’t even spare me a second glance as she slips out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door clicks shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness,\" Edith greets, smiling faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walk in, sit where the duchess was seated, and she promptly climbs into my lap. Our tails tangle like they always do,effortlessly, familiarly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was a surprise seeing her here,\" I say, hands settling around her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She chuckles softly. \"Did you forget? Veryron is a vassal state to Nyxclaw.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right. Ididforget that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve also never seen you so... respectful,\" I tease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tilts her head, lips curling. \"It’s only natural to show respect to the woman who ripped my ex-fiancé’s heart out of his chest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes widen. \"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry,\" she says easily, \"I’m not bothered by it. It’s tradition in Nyxclaw.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ripping out hearts?\" I ask incredulously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughs. \"No. Ensuring the heir is the strongest panther. The weak die. It’s just how it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finally understand why Grandfather always saysNyxclaw must be left alone.Seeing as to how they are still practicing such barbaric traditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see,\" I murmur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leans in. \"It’s just different. But it’s our way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shift slightly. \"Why was she here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She wanted me to pass on a message to my father,\" she answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speaking of fathers,\" I say casually, \"he and Duke Snowfrost were something else during the vacation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She giggles lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I apologize. My father can be a bit... enthusiastic,\" she says.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right. He was acting like his daughter is already crown princess,\" I say offhandedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The change is instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edith freezes, then slips off my lap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong?\" I ask, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should leave,\" she says sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? No. Talk to me.\" I reach for her, but she steps away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t like the tone you used,\" she says, folding her arms. \"Is it so unbelievable thatIcould be crown princess?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know that’s not what I meant,\" I start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what did you mean?\" she demands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I meant... you’re not crown princess yet, so your father’s behavior seemed—odd,\" I explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughs—a short, cold sound. \"Leave,\" she repeats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Edith,\" I say, catching her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rips it away, and that stings more than I expect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve come to understand something,\" she says.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understand what?\" I demand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That you’re not serious about us, are you?\" she whispers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stomach twists. \"What? That’s not—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The duchess was right. I shouldn’t have—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong with you?\" I snap, grabbing her shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She scoffs bitterly. \"What’s wrong with me is that you don’t takeusseriously. You mock my father, my efforts. And I’ve been investing everything into this relationship because I thought it was going somewhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marriage?\" I repeat, startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, marriage!\" she fires back. \"I’m twenty-six, Felix. I don’t have time for childish games. I already wasted years on a man who ended up dead. These past months I’ve given you everything—my loyalty, my time, my support—and you...\" Her voice cracks. \"...you’ve never even considered me as a real future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stare at her, stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you ever,\" she whispers, \"seriously thought about us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have,\" I say, and for the first time I realize I’m not sure how convincing that sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She exhales shakily. \"I can’t do this, Your Highness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart lurches. \"No. No, Edith, let’s think about this. Don’t make any rash decisions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She crosses her arms, steadying herself. \"I suppose... Iwasbeing sensitive. With everything the duchess said. Let’s revisit this later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did she say?\" I ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looks away. \"I’ve received a marriage proposal from a foreign prince.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words hang heavy between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She told me to consider it. Because you’re not serious. And your tone just now... proved her right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" I say quickly, stepping forward. But she steps back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll see you later, Your Highness,\" she says, eyes downcast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edith’s steps are sharp against the wooden floor after I leave. She doesn’t slam the door — she never does. But the quiet click behind me is somehow louder than a shout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I storm down the corridor, heat burning behind my ribs, my jaw tight.It wasn’t a fight. It was worse. A line being drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thinks I’m not serious about us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rake a hand through my hair, the weight of it all pressing down. I’ve been careless. Playing at love like it’s a game because I’m the prince, and people always stay. They orbit me because they have to. Because of who I am.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Edith isn’t like the others. She’s never needed me. If anything, I’ve needed her more than I realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clench my fists. No. If I go back now, I’ll only make it worse. She’s not like the girls who melt when I ask them to stay. She’ll tell me to leave again. And this time, it will hurt worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turn at the sound of a voice. A maid, startled, carrying a tray of folded letters. She bows so quickly I almost don’t catch the movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall I deliver your correspondence in the morning?\" she asks timidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" I mutter. But then something on the tray catches my eye. An envelope—heavy parchment, sealed with wax. Nyxclaw’s crest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Give me that one,\" I say. She hands it over with trembling fingers and scurries away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seal cracks too easily beneath my thumb. Inside is a single sheet. A message from the duchess herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little lion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A throne is not built on soft promises and half-measures. Choose wisely before someone else chooses for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Nyxclaw\u003C\u002Fp>",1540,"2026-06-09T07:29:29.584Z",1,"novelbin.me","2c60cb3eac166189808199233007b73cccd26d01d9ef267b82db136bb79f4670","qt-i-hijacked-a-harem-system-and-now-i-m-ruining-chapter-260","qt-i-hijacked-a-harem-system-and-now-i-m-ruining-chapter-258",399,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fqt-i-hijacked-a-harem-system-and-now-i-m-ruining-cover.jpg"]