Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 26

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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 26
And the situation itself was justified.
A young lady unable to bear watching a lady close to her suffer humiliation, lashing out in anger. Moreover, that young lady was none other than the precious youngest of the formidable Rosena Duchy—a family one dared not touch.
The fact that House Faneshula, the very subject of the rumors, had indeed spread numerous conspiracies and cast many into ruin further legitimized my actions.
However, separate from that, I could not allow Rosena to become fixed in the image of a family that would destroy another house with merely a single word from its youngest member.
Otherwise, we would appear on the same level as House Faneshula. Even if one excels at ten things, a single mistake solidifies one’s image.
Before that happened, I needed to prove that the Duke’s Residence was being run by the strength of my father and my sister, the Deputy Duke.
That was precisely what Lucian Advein was worried about.
‘If anyone judges that the Deputy Duke lacks real authority, it would be troublesome. Since you possess the strongest voice within the Duke’s Residence and won’t inherit the ducal title, imagine how many marriage proposals would come targeting that.’
Lucian Advein’s expression had looked so uncomfortable at that moment. I couldn’t help but ask.
‘Is it such a significant problem that I receive many marriage proposals—enough for you to summon me to the Palace and hint at it?’
‘The Deputy Duke’s attention would be entirely consumed by that matter.’
‘Ah.’
It was so reasonable that I found myself convinced.
My sister was the sort of person who could throw marriage proposals into the fireplace without even reading them, and she possessed the ability to distinguish between what was necessary and what wasn’t.
Certainly, even if she became the center of attention, she would handle it better than I would.
I could simply remain a step behind, watching for any strange schemes people might attempt, and exercise caution. Besides, that suited my temperament better.
The moment I expressed my fear—almost dramatically—that I might become too much the center of attention, my sister immediately agreed to participate in those social gatherings she had been so reluctant about.
That much was fine, but was it because I had asked her to find a place where she could truly shine?
Minabell appeared with an invitation to an extraordinarily grand event.
“A ball! That’s a place where people dance!”
“What, do you plan to have a sword fight at the ball instead of dancing?”
I haven’t been to such places since I fainted while dancing at my debutante ball!
Of course, I acknowledge that my sister can shine at the ball and interact with many people! I also understand it will be helpful since Aubrey from the Violet Family is apparently attending this time!
But!
I don’t have to go!
Why must my health be in such excellent condition today of all days!
Normally, I would cough like mad and have a throbbing headache, using that as an excuse to lie in bed, but this morning Elian had announced with such an excited face that my condition was good.
Moreover, having completed my preparations with all my might, I now had nowhere to escape.
“Fine. Let’s go…”
Elian covered her mouth and laughed.
“I shall attend you.”
Just as I was about to move forward glumly, one step at a time, like a cat being forcibly dragged to the bath, a voice came from right behind us.
“Ball. Ball. Me too. Me too.”
Anyone listening would recognize the voice of a child not yet five years old. Our heads reflexively turned backward.
A very small boy was toddling precariously down the stairs.
Elian’s face, which had been smiling brightly just moments before, instantly turned pale.
“Oh, little one!”
“Ball!”
Without even realizing the child had been discovered, maternal instinct took priority as Elian tossed that small body into the air.
She tumbled to the floor, cradling the child who had nearly rolled down the stairs, shielding him with her body.
“Elian!”
Though the child bore no injuries, he cried out in fright, while Elian—bruised and limping in various places—remained too dazed to do anything but check on him.
“I am terribly sorry, Miss. I was certain I had closed the door properly. Oh, truly. I am so very sorry. So very sorry….”
“Flotie, is this the maid’s child?”
Hailey Genevre, unaware of the full circumstances, approached with a worried expression.
To her eyes, it must have appeared that the child had nearly tumbled down the stairs and Elian had thrown herself forward to save him.
“I was certain I had put him to sleep before we left. When did he wake up and open the door to follow me…? I am so very sorry, Miss. I have never told him to come along anywhere, so why today of all days.”
Elian was now trembling like an aspen leaf, as though everything had already come to an end despite nothing yet being revealed.
Hailey Genevre’s expression grew even more concerned.
“Was the child injured? Or did you strike yourself somewhere when he rolled?”
“Oh, no. I apologize. I shall hurry and——”
Elian, seeming to regain some composure, rose hastily and limped toward the stairs with the child in tow.
“Elian, rest here at the Mansion today.”
“Miss…!”
“Your ankle is clearly swollen badly. It would be best for you to calm the child and rest. I have Serpina Rosena with me, and Minabell and Hailey as well, so I shall be fine.”
Those beside me nodded in agreement, as if to say there was nothing to worry about.
The child finally ceased his crying and stared at me intently.
When he was first born, I could not tell, but now it was undeniable—he bore a striking resemblance to Vincent.
If I were to have a portrait painted of this child now and display it in the street claiming it was the Vincent Crown Prince as a boy, no one would doubt it.
“Still, if anything should happen, I shall rush to the Ball Hall at once.”
“Yes, you know how much I trust you.”
I set out toward the Ball Hall, seeing Elian off.
How much longer could I keep this hidden? Perhaps one day, just as I had seen in my dreams, I would have to make Elian flee beyond the borders of The Empire with the child.
Otherwise, she would be killed.
The moment I realized that I must send away this loyal maid before Vincent took his Crown Princess—at the very least—my mood suddenly grew melancholy.
But today’s sorrows were far from over.
“Say, Tiae.”
“Yes?”
“I may still be ignorant of the etiquette and customs of this world, which is why I might not have known until now, but does the Vincent Crown Prince typically attend balls of this scale?”
“…I myself haven’t attended a ball since my debutante ball, but if my knowledge hasn’t changed, I would say no.”
Minabell let out a hollow laugh and whispered once more.
“In our world, we call such timing ‘going on the day the market opens.'”
“Going on the day the market opens, I see.”
“Precisely.”
The reason the Vincent Crown Prince came was obvious enough. Those around him must have pressed him so insistently to finally take his Crown Princess that he was pushed into attending.
Balls served such purposes often enough. Where else could one meet so many young ladies of noble birth all at once?
Men and women dance together in harmony, share pleasant conversation, and sometimes fall in love.
They assess each other’s houses and worth to some degree, confirm their standing, and through appropriate proceedings, arrive at marriage. In essence, it is a small society and a place of meetings.
“I had intended to make your sister the center of attention here, but if things proceed like this, it will become difficult.”
Minabell was clicking her tongue repeatedly, more frustrated about this than anything else.
Since no noble family held higher status than the Rosena Duchy Family, naturally all eyes would turn toward them once their daughters appeared, and it seemed she had intended to make Serpina Rosena shine in that moment.
Indeed, for the sake of making an impression, Serpina Rosena had spent considerable time adorning herself today in a way that made it impossible for anyone to look away.
Bewitching black hair and eyes as transparent blue as water droplets.
And with an expression of indifference toward everything, as though nothing held her interest, her very presence seemed to overwhelm those around her.
“Still, it looks like there are quite a few people lingering nearby, wanting to strike up a conversation with Serpina Rosena.”
“Quite a few isn’t enough. I was expecting a sight where everyone here would be focused on Lepina, desperate to talk to her and not knowing what to do with themselves. Damn it, I should have invested more in luck.”
Minabell let out a sigh as though she couldn’t bear the injustice.
“But right now, it seems the problem is more with Serpina Rosena’s attitude than with the Crown Prince.”
Both men and women kept glancing at her while holding their glasses, yet she was making it abundantly clear that she had no desire to engage with anyone.
With no choice, Minabell and I headed toward Serpina Rosena.
“Serpina Rosena, what are you doing standing alone here? Wouldn’t it be better to go dance or at least talk with other people?”
“Dancing doesn’t help much in gathering information or building connections. All I’d do is listen to men boasting about themselves—why would I bother?”
Besides, those who had the first dance with her would undoubtedly go around bragging about how they had claimed Serpina Rosena’s first dance, and that prospect seemed irritating.
“Most of all, I’m currently restraining the urge to leave right now because of that person over there.”
It was obvious who she meant by “that person over there.” Vincent Advein, of course.

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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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