Chapter 160
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 160
I stared blankly at Benjamin for a moment before asking coyly, “Do I know you?”
It was likely a question he hadn’t expected. It was also the kind of line that usually only appeared in the most cliché of pulp novels.
As proof, Ramus Jeremiah, who was standing beside us, hurriedly turned away and covered his mouth. He was clearly stifling a burst of laughter.
Benjamin didn't laugh. In fact, from the moment I first saw him, he had maintained a consistent, gentle smile.
“Yes. I know you.”
“I see. Well, I know you too.”
For a split second, Benjamin’s eyes sparkled. It was strange to see the flicker of surprise in his gaze transform so quickly into distinct joy.
Was he really that surprised that I remembered him?
‘Well, I suppose it is surprising.’
He had grown up so magnificently that there wasn't a trace left of that scrawny little brat from our childhood.
I barely managed to stop my gaze from drifting down his body and forced a smile.
“But what exactly are you offering to help with?”
Benjamin’s eyes crinkled slightly. That sudden, charming eye-smile made me catch my breath involuntarily.
“You already know, don't you?”
‘Wow.’
That was it! That signature slyness!
Unlike the other male leads, he was the one with the "pure playboy" concept—someone who acted flirtatious and loose but, in reality, had never even held another woman's hand!
‘Wait, did he seduce the King with that attitude? No, no. "The Milk Bread" isn't that kind of game.’
I looked up. Today, Kim Ddong-byul was shining beautifully.
[System] Would you like to check ‘Benjamin Fluers’s’ favorability?
[System] Character Importance of ‘Benjamin Fluers’: ☆☆☆☆☆
As soon as I gave a mental ‘YES,’ a gauge bar appeared above Benjamin’s head. A brilliant blue color sparkled over his golden hair.
‘...His favorability is already that high?’
Did Trini let something slip?
My confusion lasted only a moment. I decided to look into that later; seeing that favorability level made me open my heart halfway to Benjamin immediately. With favorability like that, there was no way he would betray me.
‘To be honest, Benjamin can increase the success rate of my plan much more than Ramus Jeremiah can.’
Ramus Jeremiah was handsome enough, but he couldn't hold a candle to the sheer destructive power of this golden man, Benjamin.
After all, he was one of the male leads!
“I don’t think ‘help’ is the right word for it.”
Still, I didn't want to seem too easy by jumping at the offer immediately upon our first meeting (well, technically not the first).
“This matter is extremely important to me.”
Actually, I was worried that those precious favorability points might drop, so I spoke up, trying to sound sharp and far from a fool.
“So, shall we make it a deal? Isn't it better when there's a mutual give-and-take?”
Benjamin blinked. I felt a bit flustered again. My heart fluttered slightly as those golden eyes were hidden and then revealed by his lashes.
‘Good grief.’
Is this guy’s honey trap just second nature to him? He’s dangerous.
Benjamin, who couldn't possibly know what I was thinking, smiled softly.
“A deal.”
A sensual smile paired with a refined voice. It was a subtle harmony.
“Let’s do that, My Lady.”
* * *
Duchess Magran Hitman.
Today, as always, she stood with bleak eyes, staring at her husband’s back.
That was the kind of man he was. Only when she watched him personally with her own two eyes did he lose ‘less’ money.
She knew he was doing it on purpose. It was his favorite method for breaking her spirit. He would even wrap his arm around the waist of some young, beautiful woman and grope her right in front of his wife, as if to show off.
For a moment, a wave of disgust and filth washed over her, and Duchess Magran turned her head away. Yet, she remained steadfast, turning back to check the amount of chips her husband was exchanging.
In the meantime, Duke Hitman glanced back at her. Seeing her pale face, a smirk spread across his features.
Why on earth was that man born that way? And why did she have to marry a man like him? Since when had her heart been forced to wither away like this?
There was no one in high society who didn't know the state of the Hitman couple. Consequently, there were plenty of men who approached her, the Duchess.
However, not a single one of them was sincere. They were all just opportunists looking to taste the sweetness of the Hitman family’s influence.
That didn't mean Magran wanted to fool around with reasonably handsome young men the way her husband did. She simply wanted a stable home, a couple who were faithful and respectful to one another.
That was all she had ever wanted...
Even now, many men tried to approach her and strike up a conversation, but Magran was too busy calculating the value of her husband’s chips. A small, sad smile touched her lips.
Was she someone’s wife, or just a dog guarding the family fortune? She found herself no longer knowing the answer.
Even within the social circles of the Brillant Empire, half the gazes directed at Duchess Magran Hitman were pitying, while the other half were filled with mocking contempt.
‘I’m exhausted... Should I just have a glass of water...?’
If she so much as sat down comfortably in a chair, he would ruthlessly place an even larger bet, yanking on her leash. She hadn't been able to take a single sip of water since entering this gambling den.
Just as she was staggering from a bout of dizziness—
“...?”
A man’s arm suddenly reached out and firmly supported Magran’s thin frame.
“My Lady, may I help you?”
It was the voice of a young man.
‘Which opportunist is it this time?’
Magran looked up with a hint of revulsion, only to find her mouth hanging open in a daze.
“Ah...?”
A man so handsome he made her heart skip a beat—a face she had never seen before—was holding her.
* * *
“What’s this? Who’s this gigolo-looking brat?!”
“...”
“Huh? He’s holding my wife’s hand and smiling? What?!”
“...”
“Wait, is he unbuttoning his shirt now? Huh? And Magran, that woman can’t take her eyes off him? What? This is infuriating!”
“...”
I growled in a low, raspy voice, perfectly mimicking Duke Hitman, then turned to Ramus Jeremiah.
“How was it? My skill in deducing the Duke’s current inner thoughts and delivering a fluent vocal impression?”
“Yes. It was magnificent, My Lady.”
Ramus Jeremiah gave me a soulless round of applause.
But I felt sufficiently proud. Duke Hitman’s face was turning a vivid shade of red for everyone to see. On the other hand, it was quite hilarious.
‘Talk about a double standard.’
It wasn't as if the Duchess was groping Benjamin’s waist, yet the Duke was glaring at his wife as if he were about to lose his temper.
‘Well, then again.’
Benjamin really is devastatingly handsome.
“He really did grow up well.”
At my murmur, Ramus Jeremiah’s gaze shifted toward me. He had been watching Benjamin the whole time.
“Is this the first time you’ve seen him since then as well, My Lady?”
“Yeah. I assume you already know his identity?”
“Of course.”
I guess one doesn't become the head of an information guild for nothing.
“However, there is one thing I don’t know. Did you call that Prince to this gambling den in advance?”
“No? I only received a brief report that he was coming to the Empire.”
“Is that so...”
Ramus Jeremiah didn't bother hiding his suspicion. He stared at Benjamin, though he didn't particularly stand out. In fact, almost every noble nearby was busy glancing and whispering about Benjamin.
Well, it was like the sun had appeared at a festival of stars; how could he not draw attention? I understand, I understand.
“I should look into that Prince’s movements and intentions as soon as we return. It seems clear he approached you on purpose earlier.”
“Why would he approach me? Because I’m pretty?”
“According to the information I’ve gathered, there are quite a few beauties in the Sorsen Kingdom who are lovesick because of that Prince...”
“...So you’re telling me to snap out of my hopeless delusions of grandeur?”
“How could I say such a thing to my master? I am simply informing you that such information exists.”
I started to glare at the cheeky Ramus Jeremiah but ended up just shrugging my shoulders.
“Good grief.”
What would you know?
Tulia is set up to be the greatest trash in this world, but also the greatest beauty.
“Fine, do that then, Ramus.”
“And what about you, My Lady?”
“Me? I, of course...”
I let out a sweet voice as I began to pull on the jet-black gloves I had brought, which looked like raven feathers.
“In the name of justice, I have to go punish that bastard... no, no. I mean, that evil spirit.”
An industrial spy trying to touch Tulia’s money?
They won't be getting a peaceful death.
My eyes gleamed with villainous intent.