Chapter 212
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 212
“Was my gift really that…?”
Benjamin’s voice was submerged, like the depths of a dark ocean.
“Was it truly that… vulgar?”
I clenched my fists, hiding them beneath my long, flowing sleeves.
Forget the quest and everything else. I just want to give up.
Sure, the rewards were good.
They were amazing, actually.
But if I completed this quest, would there be any chance of repairing my relationship with Benjamin?
Klaus and Benjamin were different.
Even after being deeply wounded, Klaus had eventually resolved to propose to me anew.
Back then, though it pained me, I could at least look him straight in the eye.
And in a way, I had trusted him.
Hadn’t Klaus always spoken with such overflowing pride?
That he was royalty of Lupinus, born of the great Wolf King’s lineage.
I trusted the pride of that Hidden Male Lead, and I believed in his unyielding will. I think I trusted it deeply.
Even though I failed to follow the Guide in the end—unable to steel my heart and hurl the truly cruel words at him, resulting in a penalty…
“…”
But now…
I didn’t even dare to look deep into Benjamin’s eyes.
If I finish this Inevitable Quest, will I be able to succeed in the Main Quest?
What if I just gave up on the Inevitable Quest right here?
I had a sickening, infuriating premonition that Corico—who was starting to feel more and more like a villain—would strangle the life out of me.
But if I pushed through with the Inevitable Quest?
Benjamin, who was beyond disappointed and deeply wounded…
It felt like he might actually die.
Trapped in this dilemma, I secretly rubbed my hands, which had grown as cold as ice.
It was then. Something struck me like a bolt of lightning.
[System] Benefit ‘Super Lotto’: Whenever the cooldown is ready, you can absorb the luck of everyone within a 50-meter radius all at once!
Super Lotto!
Right! I had this!
There were many people in the White Tulip Salon today.
In fact, there were always many people here. Though foot traffic had decreased slightly due to recent incidents, my subordinates were clever.
They had successfully drawn customers back by hosting various delightful and elegant events to sway the hearts of the noblewomen.
I immediately activated the Benefit.
I scraped up every bit of luck available, hoping that it would at least form a small shield against these contradictory quests.
[System] A special protective effect has been generated due to the Benefit ‘Super Lotto’!
[System] The conflict between the Inevitable Quest and the Main Quest is being corrected!
Corrected?
The notification, which sounded like it was referring to a bug, momentarily puzzled me.
[System] New Sudden Quests are being generated to allow you to make amends for the emotional harm inflicted!
[System] Generating quests…
[System] Estimated time: 25 hours, 49 minutes, 32 seconds.
…?
What?
I thought these were perfectly scripted scenarios and quests, so why was a conflict suddenly being corrected and new quests being ‘generated’?
This System is turning more and more into a horror game.
Regardless, one thing was certain: I realized I had to complete the Inevitable Quest now.
I had even used a Benefit I’d been saving for a dire emergency; there was no turning back.
“Lady Tulia.”
Benjamin called my name again, his voice slow.
My mind was made up. I opened my mouth first.
“Yes. It is vulgar.”
“…”
Unlike before, the words came out blunt and direct. I was startled for a moment, but a bitter smile followed a beat later.
For a second, I thought the penalty had vanished thanks to the Benefit, but I quickly realized that wasn't the case.
It feels just like when I used to scream and yell at my mother.
Right. I just had to think of it that way.
I guess even Han Ina had her uses back then.
“It was so vulgar it almost made me laugh. Did you offer me flowers? Did you express your feelings?”
I brushed aside my stray thoughts and continued with cold, harsh words.
“It shows you haven’t changed at all from the young, groveling prince you used to be. It’s as if you’re trying to buy a proposal with nothing but a pile of money. I fail to see how you’re any different from a common upstart who’s stumbled into wealth…”
“…My Lady.”
“I truly cannot tell the difference.”
“Lady Tulia!”
“Shall I be even more honest, Your Royal Highness?”
Desperately suppressing the anxiety of the ‘Complete’ notification not appearing, I spoke coldly, feeling as if a bug were crawling on my tongue.
“Sending my knight to save you when you were a child was nothing more than pity, Benjamin.”
The voice I forced out was as cold as the freezing point, even to my own ears.
“Did you actually think I secretly helped you because I harbored some sort of affection for your lowly, pathetic self?”
“…”
“Who feels love for a beggar while they’re handing out charity, Prince Benjamin?”
“…”
Benjamin didn’t say a word.
I wondered if stabbing him with a knife would have been a more merciful act.
I couldn’t bring myself to look directly into his eyes, which were wavering like deep ripples.
I, who had always listened to Sir Trini’s reports, knew better than anyone how miserable Benjamin’s childhood had been.
I knew better than anyone how ruthlessly he had whipped himself to claim the throne.
He was that same young, pitiful child. Though he had grown larger than me in stature, the abuse he suffered hadn't simply vanished…
What pained me even more was that even after hearing such things, the word ‘Complete’ still hadn't appeared.
Was he so used to this level of hurt?
Or did he truly like me that much?
Enough to endure such verbal abuse?
Or was he one of the male leads who wasn't sincere toward me?
After all, words can’t pierce the heart of someone who is being insincere…
Right. I’d rather it be that.
“Lady Tulia.”
I couldn't tell what emotion was flowing through Benjamin’s voice as he spoke.
“I have never dared to mistake the charity you showed my younger self for love.”
“…”
“I may have been in a lowly position, but I wasn't so stupid that I didn't know my place.”
The sun was beginning to dip toward the west. Shadows were slowly creeping over the man who had been shining as brightly as a sun descended to earth.
His golden eyes darkened in an instant.
“I may be vulgar, but my money is not.”
“…”
“Or was it that the money wasn't enough?”
I took a step back, feeling a strange chill. It was the first time I had seen Benjamin look at me with such dark eyes.
But for every step I retreated, Benjamin moved closer.
He stopped at a distance so close he could have slapped my cheek or plunged a hidden knife into my stomach at any moment.
Benjamin was going to be angry. He was going to denounce me explicitly.
His golden eyes, now as murky as a moon shrouded in mist, were cold enough to make me feel that fear.
And yet.
“So, please tell me…”
In Benjamin’s voice…
“Exactly what kind of man does a worthless wretch like me have to be…”
There was a trace of moisture I had never imagined…
“To dare to propose to you? Please, tell me…”
“…”
They say that when the moon is misty, it will surely rain the next day.
The mist in Benjamin’s eyes was like a cloud heavy with a downpour.
“I… I never intended for us to be a couple on equal footing. I’ve never harbored such presumptuous thoughts.”
“…”
“It’s not that. I just…”
“…”
“I just… I don’t know how to sell my body to you, who bought me when I was a child.”
“…”
“That’s why I proposed in such a vulgar way. Yes, so…”
Benjamin’s rough hands grabbed mine.
“I’ll become even more miserable.”
“…”
“In front of you, I’ll remain even more lowly than I was back then. I’ll even prostrate myself and swear an oath.”
His body temperature had dropped colder than ice. I began to tremble.
“Please… don’t abandon me.”