Chapter 91
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 91
Spin.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Spin.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
“Yoo rilly thuck at danthing…… (You really suck at dancing……)”
Leon spoke through gritted teeth.
I felt a bit flustered. I had just realized something.
“Brother Lisian was actually really good at dancing.”
“Why are you bringing him up now?”
“Well, when I spun with Brother Lisian, I only stepped on him once per turn.”
“……”
“But with you, I’m stomping on you three times per turn.”
“Normally, a lady who’s good at dancing shouldn't step on her partner’s feet even once……”
Crunch.
“……”
A brief silence fell between us, filled only by the lively melody of the orchestra.
I was the first to speak.
“It’s not on purpose.”
“……”
“I really don’t mean to do it……”
I cleared my throat awkwardly, but even to me, it felt incredibly intentional. It really was a mistake, not on purpose, though.
The timing was just too perfect.
Did my Skill Stat…… manifest as the timing for foot-stomping instead of actual dancing?
“D-does it hurt a lot?”
“I think the top of my foot is broken.”
“What? Really?”
Startled, I looked down at his feet. Since he was already a patient whose shoulder had been shattered by a bow, I felt like his foot might actually be broken too.
But suddenly, a strong force yanked my upper body upward. I gasped in surprise.
“Hey, I’m joking. I’m not so fragile that my foot would break just from you stepping on it.”
For once, I was grateful for his usual sarcastic tone.
I guess it’s not actually broken.
“I was worried you wouldn't be able to walk.”
“What?”
Leon let out a hollow laugh as if he were dumbfounded. However, being the massive-scale game it was, The Milk Bread did actually have endings like that……
Instead of saying what I couldn't say, I just brushed it off with a vague smile.
Whatever he was thinking, Leon—who was now dodging my heels with even more dazzling footwork than before—tossed out a suggestion.
“Hey. You really are terrible at dancing, though.”
“I know that, okay?”
“I’ll be your practice partner.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“What? Why?”
I blinked and replied.
“Brother Lisian said he’d do it.”
“Oh, for real?! Are you planning to demolish his feet too?!”
“Excuse me?!”
Just as I glared at him, we spun into a turn. We both messed up the timing of releasing our tension at the same moment.
Crunch.
“……!”
Leon Frezier kept his mouth shut, but I definitely heard an internal scream. If this hadn't been the Grand Banquet Hall crowded with people, he surely would have screamed at the top of his lungs.
Even so, Leon Frezier’s expression didn't change. If anything, I was the one who turned pale as I asked.
“Hey.”
“……”
“Hey.”
“……”
“Leon. Hey. Brother?”
“……What.”
“Your…… your shoulder popped out, didn't it……?”
My voice trembled slightly. Leon didn't answer.
“Leon.”
“……”
“Leon!”
“……I think it’s a bit messed up.”
“No!”
“I won’t die from this……”
“I told you we shouldn't have danced!”
“……Are you a demon or a human?”
A small commotion ensued.
Fortunately, the dance was nearing its end, and within ten seconds, the orchestral melody faded away.
Clap, clap, clap!
The nobles broke into thunderous applause. Even in his state, Leon Frezier gave me a perfect bow. I, too, managed a flawless curtsy.
And then……
“Goo too thuh phythithian. Lean on mee. (Go to the physician. Lean on me.)”
I whispered through gritted teeth, and Leon obediently leaned his weight on me. It seemed his comment about his shoulder being messed up wasn't a lie. Acting like the most affectionate siblings possible, we hurried out of the hall.
“Physician! Physician! Where are you?!”
As soon as we were out, I shouted, and Leon’s chief physician came running.
“Oh my, Young Master?! Wh-what happened to your shoulder?!”
“Grans! Carry him! On your back!”
“Yes, My Lady!”
There was a minor stir as my assistant butler quickly hoisted Leon onto his back and ran toward his room.
Regardless, the birthday banquet ended perfectly.
That night.
Ding.
Dazzlingly beautiful text unfurled before my eyes.
[Sub-Quest: Ruler of the Banquet]
You are trash!
You have no money, bad luck, and everyone hates you!
No one loves you (except for one person)!
Sub-Objective: Dance with ‘Lisian Frezier’ and ‘Leon Frezier’ at the ‘Banquet’.
[System] Success: Danced with Lisian Frezier!
[System] Success: Danced with Leon Frezier!
“Whoa……”
It felt like stars were falling in front of me.
[System] You have completed the Sub-Quest <Ruler of the Banquet>!
[System] Success rewards are being issued.
My heart pounded wildly. What could the reward be, which had been hidden behind question marks?
1,000 Coins?
Or maybe a bold 100,000?
[System] You have received 2,000 Coins as a success reward!
“Yes!”
I shouted with joy. Honestly, I would have been grateful for even a thousand, so I hadn't expected to get double that.
But that wasn't the end. The system window flashed brilliantly once more.
Then.
[System] You have received the Benefit ‘Master of Life’!
What?
“Master of what……?”
[System] ‘Master of Life’ Benefit: You can save one deceased Male Lead (One-time use).
“……Huh?”
* * *
The next day.
I stared into the mirror, blinking blankly.
Surely a situation where someone actually dies isn't going to happen, right?
It couldn't be Lisian or Leon. Of course, it couldn't be the other Male Leads either. Naturally, for the sake of my A-Rank.
Do I have to worry about the Male Leads’ lives now too?
Honestly, it was absurd. While there were events where Male Leads could die in The Milk Bread, it wasn't a game where they died frequently. It wasn't that kind of dark, tragic game to begin with.
The Milk Bread was supposed to be a bright, lovely, romantic comedy dating simulation reverse harem game!
I had joked about them not dying, but receiving a benefit like this made me feel uneasy.
For now…… well.
A Male Lead I haven't even met yet probably won't die.
Ferdinand…… his setting makes it so he doesn't die easily, even with his Divine Power Hyperaffliction.
He was the type who would survive the battlefield no matter what. The twins should be fine too. Probably. If the game intended to kill the twins, wouldn't it have happened already?
Then……
There was only one Male Lead I hadn't met yet.
Benjamin Fluers.
The youngest prince of the Sorsen Kingdom and the son of a lowly, low-ranking concubine.
The important thing is that he pretends to have no ambition, but in reality, he covets the throne more than anyone.
Setting aside all the details, Prince Benjamin was the character who tried to use Corico but ended up falling in love with her instead.
It’ll take some time before I meet him, though.
Surely he won't just drop dead the moment we meet?
I worried as I thought of each Male Lead, then shook my head.
If you’re going to die, just die. No, stay alive, everyone.
Because I don't want to die.
“My Lady. We’re all finished.”
“Thank you, Adel.”
Meanwhile, my hair was done. After checking my appearance in the mirror, I headed out.
* * *
“Your Grace. Lady Sophia has arrived.”
“Let her in.”
Luc Kelposher opened the door immediately.
Sophia, beautifully dressed in a new gown, entered with a nervous expression.
Grand Duke Asis Frezier, who had been the protagonist of the birthday banquet just yesterday, was already busy with work the very next day. Even now, a mountain of documents to be processed was piled high on his desk.
He could have just given me the engagement gift through an aide!
Why make things so scary when he’s so busy!
Sophia barely managed to steady her trembling heart and bowed her head in greeting.
“Grandfather. I hope you had a peaceful night.”
Only then did Grand Duke Asis look up from his papers. Of course, meeting his gaze only made Sophia feel more like she was dying.
How on earth did Tulia manage to get sovereignty over internal affairs from Grandfather?
Just looking into his eyes is terrifying!
She wanted to look away immediately, but hearing that Tulia was in the Grand Duke’s favor, she couldn't let herself do that. Just as she was squeezing out a smile as best she could.
“Yes, Sophia. Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Hah……! Thank you……!”
Sophia let out a sharp breath and thanked him before she could stop herself. Realizing her behavior and etiquette were a mess, her face flushed red.
However, the Grand Duke didn't seem inclined to scold her. He simply asked with his usual expressionless face.
“I said I would give you an engagement gift, as is the Frezier tradition and a gesture of celebration.”
Finally……!
Grand Duke Asis flipped through some papers and asked in a nonchalant voice.
“If there is something you want, speak freely.”
Gulp.
Sophia swallowed hard. This was it.
“I, I would like……”