Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 127
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 127
Chapter 13
“Master, may I say something?”
It was after I had taken off my black dress for the first time in a while and dressed up elegantly, then sent the maids away and was adjusting my outfit.
Terry, who had been helping me fix the ornaments in my hair, casually spoke up.
I met Terry’s eyes through the mirror in front of me.
A small scar remained on her face that had been so smooth you’d never believe she was an assassin.
It was particularly noticeable since it crossed her right eyebrow and eyelid.
Since only a day had passed since the wound was made, even the Spring of All Things couldn’t heal it, leaving the scar behind.
I deliberately looked away from Terry’s scar and nodded slightly.
“Go ahead.”
“Ahem. I don’t usually say flattering things, but I feel like I must say this. Today you look very beauti…”
“You look like a queen!”
Just then, Leo, who had been hovering around me with sparkling eyes, suddenly exclaimed.
Leo himself looked so adorable I wanted to bite him, so I suppressed my violent affection and pinched the child’s cheeks.
“My little chestnut also looks soft and delicious today.”
“…!”
Leo pouted with a shocked expression at my words, but didn’t avoid my touch.
Aww, so cute. This is why I can’t stop teasing Leo.
I gently soothed the child’s mood so Leo wouldn’t sulk, then asked Terry back.
“What were you saying just now?”
Terry sighed briefly, then shrugged her shoulders as she answered.
“I was going to tell you that my scar is a badge of honor that anyone from the slums would have at least one of, so I’m actually satisfied with it. I’ve been so strong all this time that I couldn’t even get a single scar.”
It seemed like she was going to say something else, but I quietly let it pass.
It seemed like she had noticed that I was secretly concerned about her scar…
“You come back all beaten up and still run your mouth. Just lead the way.”
If you know that, then it’s okay to lose, so don’t come back injured.
I felt inexplicably irritated and replied coldly as I got up from my seat.
I naturally let Lord Penandel, who was waiting for me outside the door, escort me as I asked.
“How do I look, my lord?”
Though it wasn’t quite as much as the day I attended the royal ball, today was a very special day for me, so I had put some effort into my appearance.
I wondered if this might draw some reaction from the usually stoic Lord Penandel.
“You…”
Fortunately, I could see Lord Penandel’s jaw tense up stiffly.
“Beautiful and…”
Oh, what’s gotten into him to say such nice things.
“And?”
“Beautiful as well as…”
“…And?”
“Beautiful.”
Right… What was I expecting from Lord Penandel? I momentarily forgot he’s a tin can that can’t produce anything beyond his input values.
“I understand your appreciation well, my lord, but next time when a woman asks like this, answer in detail about what is beautiful, how it’s beautiful, and to what extent.”
“Yes.”
He always gives good answers, at least.
I shook my head and looked out the window. I could see several carriages crossing the main gate heading toward the main building.
Now I felt a pleasant excitement rather than nervousness or fear as I took my steps.
* * *
Right after Schubel’s execution, the atmosphere at Blanche Manor was chaotic.
The employees didn’t know what to do and stared blankly at the butler and maid supervisor like children sucking their fingers.
But they didn’t have any other solutions either.
Though they played the central role of managing all employees and keeping the manor running, broadly speaking, they too were just employees following given orders.
In short, they also needed a master to give them commands.
That’s when Belinda Blanche appeared.
Entering the main mansion with three Dobermans as before, she began handling the family’s backlogged affairs one by one, as if she had been preparing for this day for a very long time.
Of course, the first thing she did was gather all the employees and expel the servants who had given testimony unfavorable to her at the Sacred Tribunal.
She kicked them out without giving them severance pay or even a letter of recommendation, but the parties involved left Blanche Manor with resigned faces, packing their belongings.
The backlash occurred when she fired all the employees who had given testimony unfavorable to Schubel at the royal trial.
For those who had been expecting generous rewards from Belinda, it was literally a bolt from the blue.
However, Belinda dismissed the people’s backlash with a single statement.
“Those people could have refused the witness summons. Yet they responded to the summons and gave testimony unfavorable to their master. Are you telling me to keep by my side someone who blabs about their master’s faults in front of everyone?”
She didn’t need loyalty to the point of sacrificing one’s life.
According to Belinda’s intention to at least distinguish between those with loose tongues and those with tight lips, many people lost their jobs.
“Butler, from now on, report important matters to me or my aide.”
“By aide, do you mean Lady Terry?”
“You have quite useful intuition.”
After Belinda uncharacteristically praised the butler, she continued.
“I know it will be busy for a while with so many vacant positions. Nevertheless, all remaining events will proceed without a hitch.”
“Ex-excuse me, Miss, no, Acting Head of Family…”
The butler looked very troubled about how to address Belinda, but still managed to call her by an appropriate title before continuing.
“Surely you don’t mean the first monthly meeting held in spring?”
“You remembered. I’ll send invitations to Rachel, Dukoff, and Silvio, as well as to the cadet branch trash. It will be an occasion to let the scheming hyenas know that I’m still standing strong, so there must be no mistakes.”
The butler swallowed dryly and nodded.
She was very skilled at controlling the inside of the manor and keeping external forces in check.
Only then did the butler recall that Belinda had once received successor training.
Realizing that the Blanche family had quickly found a new master, he prepared the monthly meeting without any delays.
And so, on the day of the monthly meeting.
Those invited realized that the new master of the Blanche family would be decided at this gathering today.
Not only had Acting Head Schubel been executed without leaving any will, but it had also been revealed that he wasn’t a legitimate successor to begin with.
Perhaps this time they might finally sit on the throne that would give them access to Blanche’s gold mine.
The cadet branch members harbored such thoughts.
‘I hear Belinda Blanche has awakened her abilities, so it would be difficult to claim the successor position.’
But they could probably coax and manipulate that arrogant young thing into being a puppet.
The faces of the cadet branch members who entered the Blanche estate with their own purposes subtly contorted after discovering Belinda sitting naturally in the highest seat.
“Belinda, it hasn’t even been a week since Schubel’s execution yet. Out of consideration for him, how about leaving that seat empty for a while?”
Belinda stared up at the person who spoke to her, then let out an “Ah” of admiration.
“You’re the husband of grandfather’s third daughter.”
“…If you put it that way, our relationship seems too distant. Just call me uncle-in-law comfortably.”
“Well. Since associating closely with those who defend criminals might cause trouble to splash on me, I’d like to maintain a distant relationship going forward. Your grandfather’s third daughter’s husband should sit at that far end seat.”
The man who had misspoken and been assigned to the seat farthest from the head table bit his lips, but couldn’t say a word.
Eventually, the agenda to decide the new master of the Blanche family was brought to the table.
It was the moment when the cadet branches were about to open their mouths to recommend the second son of the previous generation as they had promised in advance.
Head of the Family Rachelle, who had been smiling leisurely, opened her mouth first.
“Our Rachelle’s victory songs will always promise to sing only of Lady Belinda Blanche’s glory.”
“…!”
Has that Rachelle gone mad!
The cadet branches couldn’t hide their agitation.
From the time Schubel was referred to the royal court, they had harbored some hope and sent all kinds of bribes to the heads of Rachelle, Silvio, and Dukoff.
Among them, only Dukoff returned the bribes.
Mocking her as a young girl who knew nothing of politics, they had been relieved thinking they had successfully won over Rachelle and Silvio.
But to think that Rachelle would just pocket the bribes and then betray them!
‘No, it’s still just Rachelle. If we can turn the hearts of Silvio and Dukoff….’
As if sensing those inner thoughts, Dukoff, who had maintained an uncomfortable expression and silence throughout, raised his hand.
“Dukoff will also choose Lady Belinda Blanche as the person with the heaviest value on the golden scales at any time.”
“What!”
One of the cadet branch members couldn’t contain himself and shot up from his seat.
Belinda, who had been leisurely watching the situation from the head seat, nodded at him.
“Your grandfather’s brother’s second son, do you have something to say?”
“I, I cannot accept this!”
“Yes, I understand your opinion well. But, so what?”
“…What?”
“This gathering is not meant to hear the opinions of the cadet branches. So all of you need only listen quietly to what conclusion today’s meeting reaches.”
“What rudeness is this, Belinda! We are your relatives!”
As the excited cadet branch member reddened his face as if about to rush at Belinda, another man who had been just rolling his eyes cleared his throat and smoothly intervened.
“There seems to be no need to get so heated.”
Though he had a gentle impression like a polar bear, he was quite large in build, so the cadet branch member flinched and lowered his posture.
“Who are you?”
“I am the eldest son of Head of the Family Silvio, and today I’m participating in this meeting in place of my father who is unwell.”
At those words, everyone’s attention focused on him.
The man cleared his throat several times as if the people’s attention was burdensome, then opened his mouth.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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