Chapter 214
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 214
For a man who had just proposed to me, his answer was remarkably bold. I let out a hollow laugh.
Then again, if he actually loved me, Ferdinand wouldn't be acting like this.
In The Milk Bread, the version of him that fell in love was far more aggressive and obsessive; he cherished Corico as much as the divine power that swirled within his own body.
"Then, Your Highness," I asked, feeling strangely refreshed. "Do you happen to know someone named Corico?"
Surprisingly, the answer didn't come immediately. Just as I began to shrink back, worried by the silence—
"Never heard of her. Who is she?"
"…You really don't know?"
One of Ferdinand’s eyebrows arched.
"I don't."
His answer was as firm as could be.
He really doesn't know.
Having brushed away the last of my suspicion, I tried to change the subject. However, a peculiar look had already settled between Ferdinand’s brows.
"My Lady."
"Yes?"
"That sounds like a woman's name. Do you think I'm hiding a lover somewhere while proposing to you?"
"No?"
My voice pitched up in surprise, but at the same time, I gained absolute certainty from his reaction.
Ferdinand really hadn't met Corico yet.
"Are you disappointed that I said I don't love you?"
"Of course not. I don't love Your Highness either."
As I spoke, I felt an odd sense of liberation.
I had never been able to say such things comfortably to Klaus or Benjamin. Both of them loved me in their own different ways.
Paradoxically, I felt more at ease with the Crown Prince, who was the first to state that he didn't love me.
"Are you that happy to hear me say I don't love you?"
Ferdinand was still staring at me intently.
"Hardly. I'm just glad to hear the truth from Your Highness."
"Even if it's a truth that isn't pleasant to hear?"
"Of course. I despise deception. Don't you feel the same, Your Highness?"
Ferdinand, who looked as if he were scrutinizing every corner of my eyes, gave a brief nod of agreement.
"Anyone would."
Perhaps because I had been crying all day, I found his blunt attitude very welcome.
In this mood, I hoped the Guide would give me something light to do.
Since the Crown Prince didn't love me anyway, even if I hurt him deeply, wouldn't I just face some physical retaliation at worst?
So…
[SYSTEM] You have completed the quest <Inflict a Deep Wound on Male Lead ‘Ferdinand’>!
Huh?
[SYSTEM] Quest completed without a Guide!
[SYSTEM] A special reward is granted!
[SYSTEM] Limited Penalty: The ‘Han Ina’ state from before encountering 『Why Did That Lady Give the Handsome Man Milk Bread?』 has ended!
Wait, what?
* * *
"My Lady? My Lady? My Lady!"
"Uh, yeah. What is it?"
"Are you very tired? Did you not sleep well?"
"A little…?"
"The weather is starting to get chilly, so we should change the bedding. We’ll get a thicker mattress and blankets that are cozy and warm…"
I let the maids' discussion about bedding drift through one ear while I stood there blankly as they tended to me.
To others, I probably looked like I’d lost my mind, but in reality, I was staring intently at the text floating in the air.
[SYSTEM] Inevitable Quest <3 Nights> completed!
[SYSTEM] Rewards are being granted.
- Favorability can now be checked numerically.
- All current curses are dispelled.
- You have acquired the Benefit ‘Secret Key.’
- Deferred and temporary stats are now acquired permanently.
- You will encounter ‘Corico.’
I had completed that godforsaken quest.
And in exchange, I’d had to trade countless wounds with the male leads, and above all…
…I broke Mom’s keepsake.
I slowly shifted my gaze to the table.
In the center of the mahogany table, two white silk handkerchiefs were laid out overlapping each other. On top of them lay a cross-shaped gemstone ornament, snapped in two.
“…….”
It was Lisian’s treasure. He said it was the only keepsake their mother had personally given him when he was a child.
“…….”
And I broke it. Last night.
I only went there to progress the quest.
I really didn't want to hurt Lisian.
My mental state was already quite frayed, to the point where I had the radical thought that if the Guide ordered me to say something cruel—no matter the penalty—I would smash Kim Ddong-byul to pieces and jump out the window.
But this time, the Guide wasn't 'words.'
It was a bright red crosshair.
Wasn't that a one-time marker for saving Klaus?
My shock was short-lived.
The crosshair was aimed right at the center of Lisian’s forehead.
I hurriedly covered Lisian’s forehead with my hand, just like I had done before, but the crosshair moved toward his heart.
“Tu… Tulia?”
The red dot vanished, only to reappear in an unexpected place. It was on the cross-shaped gem sitting on Lisian’s desk.
Naturally, I reached for it, and at that moment—
Crash…
The quest was completed just like that, but my guilt refused to fade.
I want to die…
However, the text that followed made my heart feel incredibly conflicted.
[SYSTEM] You have acquired a Limited Special Benefit!
[SYSTEM] ‘Corico’s’ status is downgraded from Female Lead to the Villainess of all Villainesses.
You call that a downgrade?
Is that really a downgrade?!
These filthy bastards. They’re really making me furious.
At the very least, they could have downgraded her to a fly-like villainess like Tulia.
That morning, before going down for breakfast, I punched Kim Ddong-byul about two hundred more times.
As I threw the final punch, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
Wait… when did this guy get so big?
My wonder was brief. After tossing the shooting star back into the air, I headed down to the first-floor dining room, where I heard something unexpected.
“A guest from the Grand Temple will be visiting. They’ll be here shortly, so let’s eat together and then greet them in the drawing room.”
“A guest?”
As I blinked, Grandfather nodded. Leon asked, “Isn’t it a bit early? Is something wrong?”
Instead of Grandfather, Father answered in his characteristically blunt voice.
“No. They said the Grand Temple wishes to introduce a bride candidate to your brother.”