Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 10
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 10
Even families of considerable renown found themselves kneeling before them—one of the Empire’s few count families—and retreating into seclusion within their own territories as a matter of course.
If there was a family they could not touch, it would be Rosena, who currently kept their doors closed and offered no response whatsoever.
A father of utmost devotion who, after losing his wife to plague, would do anything to indulge his reckless only daughter, and that daughter Elian—healthy and willfully raised to match his expectations.
Once Hailey realized that all of this began with Elian’s secret Reading Circle, she resolved to infiltrate it herself.
“Oh, Lady Genevra! You’re most welcome!”
Elian, making no effort to hide her smirk as though she’d expected this, seated Hailey beside her and proceeded to read several romance novels while spouting shameless remarks about wanting to marry quickly herself.
She had even demonstrated to countless others through her words how they too could be manipulated in such a manner.
Until Minabell became Elian’s first variable—slipping through every trap with a gentle smile—Hailey’s resolve was gradually worn away.
‘What could I possibly accomplish by dragging this out? If both of them miss their marriageable years and can do nothing about it anyway… Perhaps it would be better for Jade to become Faneshula’s son-in-law after all.’
Yet Minabell, who had outwitted Elian with her elegant words, would grasp Hailey’s hand each time she returned home and offer her encouragement.
“I promise I’ll bring a character who can deliver that satisfying moment for you!”
“That satisfying moment…?”
How much longer did such an absurd promise continue? Then appeared someone she never expected to show up.
Flotie Rosena.
The one from the Rosena Family who was said to be sickly, always accompanied, and veiled in mystery.
The moment she lowered the fan that had been concealing her face, Hailey felt for the first time that every standard of beauty she had ever conceived was crumbling.
Whether by design or accident, she wore a dress light and modest for a duke’s daughter, yet it was the kind that could effortlessly overshadow even the elaborately adorned Elian.
Even the formidable Elian seemed cautious in her approach, as though hesitant to provoke the Rosena Family.
“What do you think, my lady…?”
“I find myself in admiration of your lady’s insight.”
“You flatter me.”
Yet Flotie Rosena displayed not the slightest hint of that oppressive, domineering manner toward her opponent.
“Oh, oh, I apologize, Lady Rosena! I made a mistake!”
Even as her eyes betrayed that she knew it was intentional, she simply smiled gently and let it pass.
“You look beautiful in any dress, my lady. No matter how much I adorn myself, I cannot achieve such grace.”
When Elian offered praise tinged with jealousy while criticizing the dress itself, Flotie received it with an unmoved expression.
“It’s only because my health is poor. Being in poor health brings many inconveniences in various ways.”
She rarely smiled, spoke little, and yet it was precisely for this reason that she seemed all the more mysterious.
Hailey found herself barely able to restrain her gaze from continually drifting toward Flotie.
‘It was worth enduring the discomfort to come here.’
Since it happened to be the second day, the pain was severe enough that she’d considered using it as an excuse to rest, but she had visited the Reading Circle as though guided by some revelation—and now she was witnessing something truly precious.
The moment the provoked Elian turned her attack toward the youngest present, Flotie spoke with firm resolve for the first time.
“Lady Faneshula, you seem quite interested in the Magic Tower.”
“Pardon? But April was the one who asked the question, so why are you asking me…?”
As Elian’s eyes widened, Flotie continued with a gentle smile.
“Today there were seven questions about the Magic Tower, and you posed six of them, Lady Faneshula. I interpreted this book as a tale of the romance of one who stubbornly clings to the Magic Tower in a world where magical science has been perfected, but it seems you view it differently.”
Flotie lightly traced the book’s cover and turned her head toward April.
“In contrast, Lady Lensi, you described it as the Magic Tower where the heroine lives, didn’t you? But if I recall correctly, didn’t the protagonist use teleportation magic each time to reach the Magic Tower? If you’ve been telling me a different story than the others, I find that rather disappointing.”
“L-Lady Rosena! That’s not the important part… The question I asked Lady Violet…!”
“Ah, so the Reading Circle deems questions beyond the books themselves as important. I’m impressed by such novel insight. Yes, you mean the sun rising incorrectly, correct?”
Flotie repeated those exact words and turned to regard the Maid standing neatly beside her.
“Elian, did you hear? Are the words I just spoke identical to what Miss Lilian said?”
“Yes, Miss. They are.”
“Miss Violet is still young, so even young ladies of insight like Miss Lilian and Miss Faneshula may not fully comprehend the meaning of words they don’t understand… but fortunately, I believe I grasp its meaning. So would you kindly reveal the true source of these rumors to me? If it were I, I suspect I could find answers where the sun rises.”
Flotie’s voice was soft and gentle, yet everyone present recognized its razor-sharp edge.
Rosena had held the position of the strong without concealing her power, and even in silence, she had never erased her presence.
And now Flotie’s words proved that strength remained undiminished.
Finding answers where the sun rises.
Watching the color drain from Lilian and April’s faces, the meaning contained within became unmistakably clear.
It meant she would verify directly with the Imperial Palace, so they should produce evidence of how they learned such rumors circulated in the Magic Tower.
“I, Miss Rosena.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll wait as long as it takes for your letter to arrive. Ah, since I’m also quite interested in the Magic Tower, would it be acceptable for me to write to Miss Violet as well?”
Before she could even express displeasure at being interrupted, color returned to the young girl’s face. Seeing her affirmative expression, Flotie rose gracefully with a gentle smile.
“I apologize for the rudeness, but as I’m feeling somewhat unwell, I shall take my leave first.”
Those who witnessed her rising before them without objection could only offer respectful farewells.
Lilian, who had seemed endlessly imposing, now appeared absurdly small.
Hailey, suddenly feeling with her entire being that the person before her belonged to the Rosena Duchy Family, trembled slightly.
Flotie, supported by the Maid and Minabell, suddenly turned her head as if remembering something.
“Miss Hailey, if it’s not too much trouble, would you accompany me to the carriage? There’s something about your family I’d like to discuss briefly.”
Her heart raced rapidly.
Why was she suddenly being sought out? Was she being interrogated for wrongdoing? For all the negligence she’d committed until now?
Well, she had nothing to say in her defense. In the end, was she being lumped together with Lilian and viewed unfavorably?
‘Have I ruined everything? Both Delphoi and Hailey?’
Hailey forced herself to nod and moved forward. She couldn’t even remember what thoughts occupied her as she boarded that luxurious carriage.
Yet the first thing Flotie did was press a small pouch into Hailey’s hand.
“This, this is…”
‘Could it be money? Hush money?’
“It’s a pain reliever I take regularly. It’s also quite effective for menstrual discomfort, so try dissolving it in warm water and drinking it. It’s safe to take even on an empty stomach.”
“Yes…?”
“Tiae, this is incredibly expensive!”
Ignoring Minabell’s voice as if she might faint, Flotie continued calmly.
“I noticed earlier that you seemed unwell due to your menstrual cycle, and I realized that if I didn’t insist on bringing you out, it would be difficult for you to escape that place.”
“Ah, I, I didn’t realize. I’m terribly sorry for causing you such concern.”
“Why apologize for a pain that, as women, we naturally understand and empathize with? That’s why I took a firmer approach. Rumors may spread that there were secret exchanges between Rosena and Hailey, but if I invite you to the Mansion, such gossip will soon fade. Don’t worry.”
The world spun dizzily before her eyes.
She had only occasionally wrapped her lower abdomen or adjusted her posture, yet even those minute movements had been noticed.
And an invitation to Rosena? Flotie smiled gently at Hailey, who looked ready to faint at any moment, and spoke calmly.
“I’ve heard the general outline. There’s a matter concerning your betrothed entangled in this, I understand.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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