Chapter 48
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48
Judging by the timing, it seemed it would take a week to check one person’s favorability and then another’s.
On top of that, checking it immediately required coins.
If it were just one coin, I might consider it.
‘100 coins? In your dreams.’
Naturally, I had absolutely no intention of spending that many coins on Leon Frezier.
More importantly, I didn't even have any coins on hand because I’d tucked every single one I owned into the ‘Bank’ benefit.
‘I can wait a week. Whatever.’
I decided to take it easy.
Lisian and Leon Frezier were scheduled to stay at the main castle for two months anyway.
* * *
It was after I had finished breakfast—feeling unusually full and content—and was heading out.
“Hey.”
A familiar voice caught me as I was heading up the stairs.
Turning around, I saw Leon Frezier following me with a slouching posture and a cocky expression.
Looking at him like that, he really was a stunningly handsome man with a different kind of charm than Lisian.
“I guess you’re really desperate not to be a Wall Crystal at this banquet, huh?”
“……What?”
“Otherwise, why were you constantly glancing at me during breakfast? It ruined my appetite and my mood.”
It was such a shame that a face like that was paired with a personality that exploded like a firework.
Back when I was reading The Milk Bread, I could tolerate him, but as Tulia, this was a path of true suffering.
Leon Frezier stopped two steps below me.
Thanks to that, for the first time, I could look down slightly at the top of his head.
‘I’d love to spend the rest of my life looking down on this guy.’
While I swallowed that small, humble wish, Leon leaned his face closer to mine and spoke coldly.
“No matter how much you act like this, I’m never going to dance with you, not even once, until the day I die.”
I mean, who even asked you to dance?
I was dumbfounded, but I managed to open my mouth.
“I wasn't looking at you.”
“You weren't?”
“Yeah. I was just looking around. You must have misunderstood.”
“Are you questioning my eyesight now? You think I can’t tell the difference between looking around a dining room and stealing glances at me?”
“Look, I’m really sorry, but...”
I asked, my face contorted in a grimace.
“Do you have some kind of narcissism disorder?”
“What? What kind of disorder?”
“I mean, honestly, this is a bit much.”
“Huh?”
“Do you think every woman is staring only at you?”
Instantly, Leon Frezier’s eyebrows shot up.
“Wow. Brother should have seen you talking just now. Why are you being so vulgar? Between family, what?”
Leon stared into my eyes and spat back the words.
“Woman? Give me a break.”
“I’m not wrong, am I?”
I stared straight back at Leon Frezier and retorted.
“You said I wasn't family.”
In an instant, Leon’s crooked mouth clamped shut.
“I know very well that you hate me, but I’d appreciate it if you’d stop picking fights with me.”
Leon’s response came a beat late.
“Why? Are you pissed?”
“Yeah. I’m pissed.”
If this scene were an illustration in the game, we would probably be depicted as the official villainess and Male Lead 1 in a standoff.
I looked into Leon Frezier’s blue-tinted eyes and spoke clearly.
“And I’d like to stop getting hurt now.”
* * *
“Master Leon.”
When he returned to his room, the chief physician he had brought from the Academy was waiting.
“I really must treat the wound on your cheek further. It might get infected if we’re not careful.”
“Forget it.”
“If it gets infected, it might leave a scar on your face.”
“Let it.”
“Master!”
Leon Frezier slumped into a chair with his hands shoved in his pockets.
“Brother hit me, so I should just take it. Whatever.”
Leon furrowed his brow slightly.
“It’s not like I did anything good to deserve such devoted treatment.”
“Well, if someone like Master Lisian raised a hand, then surely you must have been in the wrong, Master Leon.”
“……Whose side are you on, anyway?”
He glared briefly at the physician, but only for a moment.
Leon turned his head away with a click of his tongue.
He didn't argue with the physician’s words.
The scuffle was brief.
The physician managed to apply ointment to Leon’s cheek one more time, but that was it.
Leon kicked the physician out and locked the door.
He threw himself onto the sofa, only to stand up again immediately.
It wasn't that he was leaving the bedroom, though.
Leon just paced around the terrace like a restless dog that needed to go.
The main castle was too vast, and he didn't even know which room Tulia Frezier had been reassigned to.
He simply cast meaningless glances at the hundreds of windows.
No matter how much he thought about it, it was absurd.
“After living your life having everything you ever wanted.”
Growing up kicking things away because she had so much.
And now, what?
“And I’d like to stop getting hurt now.”
“Ah, damn it.”
Leon Frezier ruffled his hair messily.
“This is seriously annoying.”
Was it because of his swollen cheek?
Everything felt like it was throbbing in a discordant rhythm.
As if a few words from her actually mattered.
* * *
‘Wait. Does that bastard Leon Frezier have superpowers?’
Like precognition?
Morning.
After the brief confrontation with Leon, I had returned to my bedroom and was feeling quite flustered.
The reason was simple.
It was because of the technicolor text spread out before my eyes.
[System] Sub Quest Manifested!
It was the first time a new quest had appeared since the Main Quest manifested.
Startled, I hurriedly read through the text.
But the more I read, the more my expression crumpled as if I’d chewed on something bitter.
Sub Quest Content: Ruler of the Banquet
You are trash!
You have no money, bad luck, and everyone hates you!
(Except for one person) No one loves you!
Sub-Objective: Dance with ‘Lisian Frezier’ and ‘Leon Frezier’ at the ‘Banquet.’
On Success: ???
On Failure: Coins –10,000
‘Wh-what?’
Lisian would obviously dance with me if I asked, but I have to dance with Leon Frezier too?
No matter what?
I scanned the quest again, searching for a loophole, and fell into despair.
The quest objectives weren't even separated.
It was clear that the quest would only be considered a success if I danced with both Lisian and Leon.
And for such a difficult sub quest...
If I fail... I lose 10,000 coins?
“Aaaargh!”
You crazy status window!
“Seriously, give me a break! Just once!”
I finally couldn't take it anymore and started pummeling my pillow.
Harmless feathers flew all over the bed.
* * *
“Hmm, Lady Tulia’s fever has completely subsided, but...”
At the physician’s words, the assistant butler took on a serious expression.
“That is a relief, but...”
“Though her fever was severe during her last cold, there are no signs of brain damage or anything of the sort.”
“Is that so?”
Then why on earth did she scream to herself every so often?
The assistant butler simply couldn't understand.
The physician spoke cautiously.
“It could be that the Lady has a buildup of Hwabyeong.”
“Ah...”
The assistant butler nodded.
“Provide her with cold desserts frequently and encourage her to take walks often.”
“Yes. I understand. I must have ice cream brought up immediately. I should probably serve it with every meal.”
Cold desserts were rare.
Sherbet mixed with fruit juice was precious, but ice cream, which required plenty of milk, cream, sugar, and spices, was several times more expensive.
However, there was an order from Luc Kelposher to provide anything Tulia wanted or needed, as well as anything requested by Tulia’s head maid, Adel, without hesitation.
‘Though Head Maid Adel hasn't been seen lately.’
There was also an order from Luc Kelposher not to question her whereabouts.
As a former secret aide to the Grand Duke, the assistant butler knew how to obey orders absolutely.
He headed to the main castle kitchen to procure ice cream for Tulia.
* * *
“Mother!”
“Oh, Tedric! My son...!”
Aubrey embraced Tedric with tearful eyes.
“Look how thin you’ve become. Dear, hurry and take him inside.”
“Mother. That warehouse is so cold at night. The drafts are terrible... Even a lowly commoner couldn't live in a place like that!”
Tedric entered the main castle, nearly in tears.
A grand feast had already been prepared.
“Now, hurry and eat, Tedric. I’ve specially prepared only the things my son likes.”
Tedric, who had shoved a mouthful of turkey dripping with hot juices into his mouth, finally let out a breath.
“To think you haven't been able to eat properly...”
“He didn't exactly starve, so stop making a scene.”
When Lilius couldn't take it anymore and spoke up, Aubrey cried out with glistening eyes.
“But dear! Look. Our son’s wrists have truly become so thin!”
“……It is true he hasn't eaten properly. Eat plenty, Tedric.”
Tedric nodded, his eyes darting around the feast he hadn't seen in a long time.
Grand Duke Asis Frezier had ordered Tedric’s confinement at the same time he moved his quarters.
If it weren't for that damned confinement order, she would have brought him good meals every day.
The Frezier Grand Ducal House was strict with its family laws.
There were even designated meals for those sentenced to confinement.
“Every day, it was cold, hard bread, thin soup with a few scraps of meat, withered greens, and low-quality butter.”
Aubrey felt as if her heart were breaking at Tedric’s words.
She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief embroidered with a beautiful rose pattern and pushed the plates toward Tedric, telling him to eat more.
High-quality butter with an exceptional aroma and fresh cream were greedily spread onto snowy-white rolls.
“Eat more, my son. You must protect your mother with a sturdy and dashing appearance, just like before. Right?”
Lilius furrowed his brow ever so slightly.