Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 130

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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 130

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Most butlers of high-ranking noble families serve only one or two masters in their lifetime before reaching old age.

In comparison, the head butler of the Blanche Estate was merely a 15-year veteran novice butler (age 65), but during those 15 years, he had weathered the turbulence of serving three different masters.

To such a butler, Belinda Blanche was, surprisingly, quite a capable master.

Though she wasn’t as kind to the employees as Jonas Blanche had been, her mere presence in the manor brought discipline, and while she didn’t handle every matter personally with the thoroughness of Schubel Blanche, her keen eye for people’s talents allowed her to place excellent personnel in the right positions.

That wasn’t all.

‘How wonderfully she fits in.’

The butler couldn’t help but admire Belinda as she processed documents in the study for hours without losing her upright posture.

It had only been five days since she entered the main building’s study.

She wasn’t overwhelmed by the study’s dignified atmosphere and blended in naturally, as if she had been there for a long time.

It was a sight unimaginable from her past when she swept through high society causing all sorts of trouble.

Hoping he could retire peacefully without having to serve a fourth master, the butler spoke up.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has sent you a letter, my lady.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince?”

Belinda, who had been busily moving her pen, picked up the letter from the silver tray and was just about to open it with a paper knife.

Suddenly, she stopped her hand and stared intently at something.

The butler also looked in the direction of Belinda’s gaze, but she was only staring at empty space.

Then suddenly…

“I’m tired.”

With those words, she handed the Crown Prince’s letter to her aide and stood up abruptly.

“There’s a succession ceremony at the Royal Palace tomorrow, so I should return to the annex and rest.”

It was a rather sudden declaration of rest, but it was a reasonable excuse.

After being seen off by the main building’s employees and leaving the main building with straight, elegant steps, Belinda began running as soon as the employees were out of sight, grabbing her skirt.

Terry followed leisurely behind and asked.

“Master, are you running at full speed right now?”

“Do I look like I’m crawling to you?”

“Yes. If you’re in a hurry, shall I carry you and run?”

“…Never mind.”

Glaring at the annoyingly chattering Terry, Belinda ran to the annex and didn’t stop there, heading straight to the second floor.

The Cerberus dogs, who had been huddled together by the fireplace unaware that spring had come, excitedly followed Belinda up the stairs without knowing why.

Soon arriving in front of Leo’s study room, Belinda knocked and then flung the door open.

“Jui-bam-tol!”

Woof, bark, yap!

The Cerberus dogs’ trio followed her exclamation.

Leo, who had been reading and was startled by Belinda’s sudden intrusion, widened his eyes.

“Oh? Did your work finish early today?”

Belinda immediately approached Leo, hugged the child tightly, and whispered.

“I’ve been too busy to properly help you with your studies. You worked so hard all by yourself. You’re amazing.”

Her gaze, while patting Leo’s back, turned to the system window she hadn’t managed to close.

The Hero’s Star’s intelligence has broken through its limit. The total amount of intelligence is improved.

Belinda didn’t know it, but this was an achievement Leo had made thanks to his dedication to studying as he threw himself into the battle with himself.

She tried to lift Leo up and give him an airplane ride, but failed due to lack of stamina.

Belinda let out an embarrassed cough and asked.

“Shall we secretly go out and play, just the two of us today?”

“Just the two of us?”

“Yes, without anyone knowing. Sometimes this kind of deviation is necessary.”

Leo, who had been blushing up to his neck and only rolling his eyes, smiled brightly with deep dimples at those words.

“I love it! Oh, of course I don’t mean I love deviation too much… just moderately!”

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Even while I was busy dealing with Schubel, Leo hadn’t neglected his studies.

I couldn’t hide my proud smile after checking Leo’s stat window.

[Name: Jui-bam-tol]

[Age: 9 years old]

[Intelligence: 100/299]

[Stamina: 110/299]

[Divine Power: 76/99]

[Magic Power: 103/299]

Though his divine power was lacking, Leo’s abilities had become impressive as I had initially hoped.

Raising stats from here would be very difficult, but for now I decided to focus on celebrating this achievement.

Leo and I chose the most plain and undecorated clothes we had and secretly slipped out through the back door used by employees.

Of course, I didn’t forget to ask Lord Penandel to secretly follow and guard us without Leo knowing.

Leo and I rented a hired carriage and went to the Royal Capital’s market.

Though I spoke grandly, Leo and my deviation was modest.

We stopped by the most famous bakery in the capital to buy large bread and ate it while walking the streets, went to the area where nomadic people stayed to get fortune telling that would shock priests, and struggled for a long time to choose just one fairy tale book at a small bookstore used by the middle class.

Since we didn’t bring the family carriage, we walked countless times.

Even though we only spent such simple time, the day passed too quickly. When I came to my senses, the evening glow was already settling.

Leo and I sat on a bench in the square where the clock tower was visible to rest our legs that had worked hard all day. To be honest, Leo was fine.

While wiping Leo’s hands, which had become sticky from eating candy canes bought at the market, with a damp handkerchief, I asked casually.

“Did you enjoy today?”

“Yes!”

Leo’s answer was very energetic.

The child chattered on like writing a diary about how fragrant the smell from the bakery was, how mysterious the crystal ball shown by the nomadic people was, and what the footsteps of people using the bookstore sounded like.

Leo, who chirped like a lark without rest, smelled sweetly of sugar.

I responded to Leo’s words intermittently and then brought up what I had prepared to say.

“Jui-bam-tol, I have so many things.”

It might sound like I’m bragging, but it’s the truth.

After an awkward cough, I continued leisurely.

“But you are so precious that I wouldn’t regret giving you everything I have. If you wanted the Blanche Estate, I could give it to you.”

Leo, who had been listening quietly to my words, suddenly looked up at me intently.

As the sunset reflected in his clear blue eyes, those pupils glistened like cherry stones, just as Lord Cheri’s had once done.

Feeling somewhat choked up, I avoided Leo’s gaze and looked at the giant Rozel tree occupying one corner of the square.

“I will support whatever you want to become or do, Jui-bam-tol. So you don’t necessarily have to become my servant.”

“…”

“When we first met, becoming my servant was the only path available. But you saw today, didn’t you? How many paths and choices exist in this world.”

If Leo wanted, the child could become the owner of the most famous bakery in the capital, a fortune teller who predicts others’ fates with mysterious powers, or a very famous bestselling author who fills one wall of a bookstore with his own books.

He simply doesn’t know his own possibilities.

I stubbornly refused to turn my head toward Leo, only staring at the distant Rozel tree.

Pink buds had sprouted on the Rozel tree that announces spring first.

When those buds bloom into pink flowers like clouds dyed in the evening glow, Ophelia will come to the Royal Capital.

A real guardian with the ability to give sunlight and fertilizer to Leo’s infinite possibilities and future, who could raise the child happier than anyone.

“So if there’s something you want to become, tell me anytime. There’s someone I want to introduce to you. That person is family essential for your growth into an adult…”

“But… Lady Belinda told me that the Blanche Estate was my home.”

At Leo’s sudden words, I had no choice but to turn my head toward the child again.

Leo had been looking at me the whole time, still gazing up at me with the same expression as before as he asked.

“Can’t I stay by Lady Belinda’s side?”

“Jui-bam-tol, I’m not the kind of person who can raise someone. I’m…”

To be honest, I lacked confidence.

Did I really have the qualifications to raise this child?

Could I raise him well?

I had never received familial love…

How could I give something I had never received, or teach something I had never learned?

How could I be certain that my methods of raising him would be right?

This was reality, not a game. There was no reset button anywhere, and mistakes couldn’t be undone.

My decisions and thoughts would forever affect this child’s future… and if I were to make some terrible mistake…

My endless stream of thoughts was cut short by the child’s dejected voice.

“When I’m with Lady Belinda…”

Leo held his breath once as if holding back tears, then opened his mouth.

“Like this, the hole in my chest feels completely filled. So, Lady Belinda. When you’re with me, does your chest feel full too? Were you happy?”

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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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