Chapter 230
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 230
Benjamin continued signing several documents before shifting his gaze to the table.
Inside a wooden box adorned with pearls, diamonds, and various precious gems sat two small glass vials. A transparent liquid sloshed gently within them.
“These two bottles are a pair.”
Colorless and odorless. Leaving no trace behind. But if they were to be consumed together…
Skritch—!
In an instant, the tip of his quill scratched across the paper, letting out a sharp, grating sound. The pointed nib had veered off, gouging into the back of his other hand; blood welled up and began to drip.
Benjamin carefully wrapped the wound and stood up. He pulled the bell cord, and a moment later, one of his subordinates entered and bowed his head.
“Is it time?”
“Yes, Your Highness. You may depart immediately.”
* * *
“I had no idea this massive jewelry street belonged to Crown Prince Benjamin!”
“How could the Crown Prince of Sorsen own such a large building in the very heart of the Brillant Empire’s capital? He’s a foreigner, after all.”
“Oh, you clearly don’t know. Even if it’s under an alias, there are plenty of cases like this. Surely you didn’t think every luxury shop in the capital belonged to our own citizens?”
“Ahaha! How naive!”
“If I were a wealthy merchant from another kingdom, I’d have my eye on the capital too. Isn’t this social circle the trendsetter for the entire continent?”
The noblewoman’s voice was brimming with pride as she spoke.
* * *
‘What is Benjamin thinking all of a sudden?’
Eavesdropping on the nobles' conversation, I tilted my head in confusion.
Why did he reveal that this street was his? And not just a single shop, but the entire jewelry street.
About ten blocks of this tree-lined avenue were lined with famous designer jewelry brands, and the nobility loved this beautiful, glittering street dearly. They had even given it the nickname ‘Jewelry Street.’
Very few people knew that this street was owned by Benjamin Fluers, a foreigner.
‘I only know because I played <The Milk Bread>.’
Benjamin always wore a gentle smile, but behind the scenes, he used every method imaginable to rake in money. However, he kept this fact a strict secret. Only someone like Corico—specifically, a Corico who pursued Benjamin’s route—would know that he was actually a shadow tycoon with all sorts of assets under various aliases.
‘But still…’
No matter how much I chose Benjamin as the male lead, his wealth was never fully disclosed to the public. That was the case in all the numerous endings I’d seen.
And yet, now…
‘Whatever. It’s probably Corico’s fault.’
I decided to stop blaming Kim Ddong-byul for everything.
“Have you arrived, Grand Princess Frezier?”
As I gestured, the subordinate who had been trailing behind me (actually the manager of the White Tulip Salon) stepped forward.
“Speak with me instead.”
I was a person of high status now; I didn't just talk to anyone! Immersed to the bone in the ideology of Tulia’s superiority, I was thoroughly enjoying the privileges of being a Grand Princess.
“Ask him where we need to go.”
“Her Highness asks that you inform her of our destination.”
Of course, since I wasn't a noble down to my soul, the execution was a bit awkward.
“I shall escort you to the VIP room on the second floor. My master is waiting for you there.”
“Master…”
“Tell him I’m coming.”
“Her Highness says she shall grace him with her presence.”
Amusingly enough, the place I was currently entering was the most luxurious jewelry shop located at the very center of Benjamin’s Jewelry Street. In other words, the ‘master’ this guide was referring to was…
“Benjamin.”
As Benjamin lifted his head, a faint smile brushed his lips before vanishing. It had been quite a while since we last met, not since that day.
“Congratulations on your ennoblement, Lady Tulia. Or rather, Grand Princess.”
“Thank you. I received the gifts, but they were far too many…”
“They have already been sent, so do with them as you wish—whether you keep them or throw them away is up to you, Grand Princess.”
‘Wait?’
My eyes narrowed for a split second. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but Benjamin seemed different.
“Benjamin.”
“Please, have a seat first. We can’t keep talking while you’re standing.”
“…”
Benjamin’s voice was soft, but I felt his gaze was different than usual.
‘I mean, it’s bound to be different, but it feels… sharper than usual.’
Reflexively, I scanned the air with my eyes, but no special system window appeared. Once I sat at the table, Benjamin personally poured the tea.
‘…He didn’t poison the tea, did he?’
Better safe than sorry. Our relationship wasn't exactly on solid ground right now. It was more unpredictable than a small boat tossing about in a violent storm.
He was a character who always sought revenge. He was the kind of man who would wait over ten years to ensure retribution against anyone who had wronged him.
‘Am I on that list now?’
Steeling my resolve, I checked Benjamin’s Favorability.
‘…Huh?’
I nearly let out an audible groan.
“Is something the matter?”
“No, no. I was just thinking about how nice the weather is.”
“It looks like it’s about to rain.”
“I was thinking about how it was nice.”
“I see,” Benjamin replied with a gentle smile.
“Even after becoming a Grand Princess, you’re still as eccentric as ever. Then again, I expected as much from you.”
“…”
I felt a sudden thirst, but I couldn't bring myself to reach for the teacup.
‘What is that?’
Benjamin’s Favorability. I had expected the gauge to be rock bottom, but it boasted a surprisingly solid number.
[System] Benjamin Fluers’s Favorability: 99X
An inexplicable, blood-red ‘X’ was attached to the end of his Favorability score.
‘Does this mean Benjamin has finally… undergone Blackening?’
Really? If not for that, I couldn't make sense of that ominous red X.
‘I expected it to some extent, but…’
Benjamin was a character famous for his Blackening in The Milk Bread.
‘I don’t even know if this is a game anymore or if these people are actually game characters, but anyway!’
The countless schemes Benjamin had employed to possess Corico flashed through my mind. He had even gone as far as pretending to have consumed a mild aphrodisiac just to have her.
‘I used to love playing through that…’
What a provocative Blackening it had been. If you broke Benjamin’s heart after winning it, you could see him fully succumb to the darkness, and I had enjoyed that route quite a bit.
But now, I just felt uneasy. Because it meant the wound Benjamin had suffered was deep enough to turn him like this.
I stared down at my teacup with a complicated heart. It was then that Benjamin let out a low chuckle.
“It seems you don’t want to drink the tea.”
I looked up. Benjamin’s eyes were definitely different from the ones I was used to. They were sunken and dark, harboring a shadow of gloom.
‘I really hate this kind of awkwardness.’
Quests aside, looks aside—Benjamin had always been a soft spot for me.
I scratched my chin lightly and forced a smile.
“I drank a lot in the carriage, so I’m not very thirsty.”
“Then may I offer you something else?”
“No need to go that far… I’m really fine, Benjamin.”
Benjamin burst into laughter. Paradoxically, however, there wasn't a hint of mirth in the eyes that watched me. They were so cold that I flinched instinctively.
“You truly don’t trust me anymore.”
“Benjamin.”
“It’s fine. I suppose that’s why you rejected me.”
The current Benjamin was definitely not his usual self. Just as I knitted my brows, he suddenly pulled a piece of paper from his coat.