Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 16

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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 16
I thought he might finally close his mouth, but instead he demonstrated a remarkable ability to instantly chill the warming atmosphere.
“Ah….”
Jade Delpoi lost his words momentarily, his shoulders sagging as he lowered his head.
His pride was wounded, yet he couldn’t deny the truth written across his face.
“Sir Lucian.”
If you won’t help, at least stay quiet!
I called to him with the silent plea that he seal his lips, and Lucian Advein responded with an almost innocent gaze.
As if asking, ‘What did I just say?’
“My apologies, Young Lady. As a fellow knight, I’m afraid I became overly invested in the matter.”
Lucian Advein answered with a smile, his expression making it clear he was thoroughly enjoying this situation.
I rescind everything I’d thought about him being genteel and reasonably well-mannered. Haeston was right.
Displeasure flashed across Hailey Genevre’s face in an instant.
“He’s doing his best. It’s House Faneshula that keeps contacting him despite his repeated rejections of their marriage proposal. Lately, they’ve even resorted to false threats, claiming they’ll expose House Delpoi’s secrets.”
“False threats, you say.”
Lucian Advein turned to look at me with wide eyes, as if hearing this for the first time.
His acting was truly masterful.
“I’ve heard that House Faneshula excels at fabricating stories. It seems they intend to drag House Delpoi’s honor through the mud once again.”
As I recited the prepared narrative without emotion, Jade Delpoi’s shoulders drooped further and further.
Though I’m merely reciting a rehearsed account, watching the dejected expressions of both men and women leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth.
I gave Minabell a subtle signal, and her eyes widened with understanding.
“Then, what sort of rumors could prove most devastating to House Delpoi?”
Jade Delpoi turned to look at Minabell for the first time.
“Oh, I’m Minabell Cherita. Ah, I apologize for the late introduction.”
“As I mentioned before, Miss Cherita is quite renowned in society.”
It sounds like she’s whispering in Jade Delpoi’s ear, but it’s far too audible. Minabell’s face flushed with embarrassment.
I understand now how desperately she’s been working to survive.
“Ah, I apologize for the delayed greeting. I’m truly sorry.”
“Not at all. I know how much you must be suffering right now. Since it was I who brought Tiae to the Reading Circle, I wanted to share responsibility. That’s why I was bold enough to request a seat at this gathering.”
Minabell—I never realized until now, watching her fumble and reveal secrets before me, that her acting is equally masterful. Why does everyone become so careless only in front of me?
The moment my name was mentioned, Jade Delpoi seemed to lower his guard, and he began answering readily.
“The most devastating scandal for our house would be… a crack in the pride of serving our lord with unwavering loyalty.”
“Pride?”
Lucian Advein rested his chin on his hand with interest, his tone now distinctly condescending.
I wonder if he’s even aware that he’s currently masquerading as a knight.
It seems Jade Delpoi hasn’t noticed, which is fortunate. But Hailey Genevre’s expression is growing increasingly angry.
“Our house has been a family of knights for generations, sworn to dedicate our very lives to our lord. But if House Delpoi were to lose its loyalty to our sovereign and commit betrayal….”
When he faltered, unable to continue, Lucian Advein calmly completed the sentence.
“In other words, if you don’t marry House Faneshula, they’ll spread rumors that House Delpoi, which originally supported and pledged loyalty to the Crown Prince, has committed betrayal?”
“….”
“And the reason for this change of heart is likely because their affections have shifted toward the prince supported by House Genevre. Well, that’s the plan we’re working with. Originally, House Delpoi was supposed to be betrothed to House Faneshula, but if we simply alter the timeline to suggest that House Delpoi rejected the proposal, that should suffice.”
The contents of letters exchanged between them make it not difficult to manipulate the dates.
Since confidential communications deliberately leave no dates, and besides, the rejected marriage proposals have already been burned.
Lucian Advein chuckled softly and continued.
“So which prince would House Genevre claim to support? Certainly not the Second Prince, who vanished suddenly with his fate unknown. It must be the Third Prince Lucian Advein—a worthless fool confined to the Cold Palace, drowning himself in drink and causing trouble, possessing neither ability nor usefulness.”
Wait.
Hearing all this, it seems Your Highness is being rather excessive about yourself.
“Your Highness, that language toward the prince is quite severe.”
Flustered, I had inadvertently embarrassed him.
But if I don’t object even now, I fear what I might say to myself.
Even if it’s directed at myself, isn’t it rather harsh?
“But isn’t this already a known fact? The insults that prince hears are far more vulgar and filthy than the mockery the Young Lady currently endures throughout the entire Empire.”
Lucian Advein regarded Hailey Genevre and Jade Delpoi with an expression that was neither sarcastic nor particularly emotional.
“Your Highness, as a knight, I must ask that you cease insulting the lady.”
“Or perhaps you intend to challenge me to a duel?”
“How could one be called a knight if they cannot even protect their own woman, as you suggest?”
He was prepared to accept a duel if necessary. At least Jade’s feelings for Hailey Genevre appear to be genuine—that’s a relief.
Honestly, I had been worried about what to do if he were some trash swayed by House Faneshula’s prestige and wavering in his commitment.
“Very well. I apologize, Young Lady. Then from now on, let me speak only of the Third Prince. He is said to be perpetually drunk, day and night, constantly causing mischief, and even the servants can no longer bear it and have fled.”
“….”
“Moreover, given his violent and disagreeable nature, the Crown Prince has forbidden anyone from even visiting the prince without permission to protect others’ safety—surely this speaks volumes about his character.”
There are even rumors that the Third Prince’s Palace is drenched daily in the blood of new servants, and that the white lilies have grown purple from feeding on such filthy black blood.
After such a chilling tale, a terrible silence descended.
“Have I told too frightening a story? Now that I think of it, it may be unsuitable for teatime.”
At this point, wouldn’t one be justified in reporting this as slander against the Imperial Family?
Agreeing seems odd, and ignoring it seems equally odd.
My position as his nominal partner and the host of this gathering has become even more precarious.
Of course, Lucian Advein can make such remarks in jest since he’s the subject himself, but as long as I haven’t revealed my identity, I’ve apparently staked Rosena’s fate on my response.
“Exactly right!”
But at that very moment, an absurd statement burst forth that went even further.
Doubting my ears, I looked to see who had spoken, and there was Haeston, his expression agitated, seemingly fuming for some reason.
Shouldn’t this be the moment to say “What are you talking about, Your Highness?” rather than “Exactly right!”?
“What do you mean by ‘exactly right’?”
He was one of those who had served Lucian Advein for a long time, so I believed he would exercise some restraint.
But that was a blunder born from my thinking of Lucian Advein and Haeston’s relationship too conventionally.
“The Third Prince, sir. It’s said he doesn’t even stay at the Prince’s Palace and goes out drinking every time.”
“Oh my.”
Hailey Genevre let out a startled exclamation, having momentarily forgotten her displeasure at Lucian Advein’s attitude.
Even for a worthless prince, she surely hadn’t expected to hear such raw talk.
Haeston continued rambling for quite some time before finally concluding with a single sentence.
“Of course, it’s merely hearsay.”
Ah.
Only then could I discern Haeston’s intention.
All of this was nothing more than rumor.
I needed to understand precisely what we were being swayed by.
“Indeed, it’s only hearsay, yet I cannot fathom why people believe it. Perhaps what House Faneshula truly believes in is that very power.”
“….”
Jade Delpoi’s body trembled slightly.
They feared House Faneshula would spread false rumors about them, yet they tacitly believed the malicious gossip about the Third Prince.
He had never once displayed such behavior himself, nor had he ever stepped forward to refute the claims.
Perhaps his silence had been the wrong choice. Because he chose not to speak, the rumors had grown with each passing day until they became large enough for others to tear apart a man’s honor and very existence.
“Correcting falsehoods is always a matter of timing.”
Lucian Advein naturally dipped a silver spoon into his teacup.
The tea I had brewed contained no poison, yet it seemed his habit had already rubbed off on me.
He took a sip without bothering with etiquette and glanced around the room.
“But once House Faneshula makes their move, it’s already too late. They have already fabricated countless narratives, and most of them have become established fact. The words of those who know the truth carry no weight, and some actively align themselves with the lies even while knowing them to be false. Why do you think that is?”

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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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