Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 28

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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 28
Who in the world designed this reality to have such calamities unfold in succession?
Even if this were the novel Minabell had read, I couldn’t comprehend it. And they said this was a second playthrough that didn’t even appear in the original story.
In truth, unexpected situations could happen at any moment.
But to encounter the Vincent Crown Prince outside the Palace and have my first dance stolen right before everyone’s eyes.
It was providence that I hadn’t brought Elian here, and that I wasn’t wearing the sacred Empress’s necklace.
Just when I thought the conversation would end, now he wanted to skip a song and spend time with me.
You should have seen the expressions on the ladies’ faces who were waiting for the next dance.
But even for the great Rosena Duchy, I couldn’t think of a way to refuse the Empire’s Crown Prince.
“Very well, then.”
In the end, like a prisoner being led away, I left the Ball Hall and headed toward a secluded area.
To a room that only distinguished guests attending the Ball Hall could enter.
“There are too many gossips outside, so this place would be better for us to have a comfortable conversation, Lady Tiae.”
There was no choice. I had to make a bold move.
“By the way, why didn’t your close friend visit today?”
I asked the question outright to show that we weren’t on such intimate terms, and to express that I wasn’t particularly perceptive.
Vincent blinked. An expression of surprise and bewilderment flickered across his face.
“Do you not know the nature of my relationship with Lucian Advein?”
“How could a mere friend presume to inquire about such matters?”
Vincent suddenly seemed to understand something and let out a soft laugh.
“Beneath the guise of a young lady, you are remarkably astute.”
What was his intention?
Since things had come to this, all I could do was wear an expression that said, “I have no idea what Your Highness is talking about.”
“Tiae, you didn’t come back, so I came to get you myself.”
While I desperately feigned ignorance, the person I most wanted to see appeared.
It was Serpina Rosena, who had waited and, unable to bear listening to our conversation any longer, came to rescue her sister herself.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I bow before you.”
“Lady Serpina Rosena, it seems I have inadvertently monopolized too much of Lady Tiae’s time.”
“My sister’s constitution is delicate, and if she stays out for too long, she will certainly fall ill the next day. We must take our leave. Besides, since she danced the first dance with you, surely no gentleman would dare request a dance with my sister now.”
Serpina Rosena made no attempt to hide the sharpness in her voice.
“It seems the young lady is quite displeased.”
Vincent responded calmly, as if he already understood Serpina Rosena’s temperament well.
In truth, I was the one being overly cautious. Rosena had such standing that even when speaking so bluntly with head held high, one could rarely find fault—
Unless she became a traitor and lost her head.
Ah, that dream wouldn’t leave my mind.
“You called out an unmarried daughter of the Duke’s Residence in secret to a private room at the Ball Hall. Had I not intervened, I cannot fathom what scandal might have attached itself to my sister.”
Serpina Rosena was right. It was fortunate that my face rarely smiled naturally; had I possessed a gentler disposition, I might have been saddled with unfounded accusations.
“On that point, I was careless. I apologize, Lady Flotie. I had no intention of tarnishing your honor.”
“Not at all. Who would dare sully my name and reputation where the young lady’s eyes and ears reach? Your Highness need not worry yourself.”
“Indeed, I also momentarily forgot how formidable Rosena truly is. I can see that Lucian Advein has made a truly remarkable friend.”
Vincent brought up Lucian’s name with such casual ease.
This informal manner, as if he naturally called him by that title all the time, only deepened my suspicion.
There’s something between these two that we don’t know about. And while Lucian might be unaware, Vincent seems determined to let us catch a glimpse of it.
“Young Lady, I came here because I was pressured into accepting a Crown Princess, but I have absolutely no intention of actually taking anyone as my bride, so you can set your mind at ease on that matter.”
“Yet there are so many accomplished ladies here in the Ball Hall.”
That was certainly true.
There were many who were gentle, beautiful, and would genuinely be helpful if they became Empress.
The ladies beside Hailey Genevre were the same, as were those Minabell had tried to introduce to Serpina Rosena.
“What does the Young Duke think marriage is?”
“It is the union of one house with another, and respect and reverence between two people. Sometimes it’s a contract, perhaps love, and for some it’s a matter of interests.”
Serpina Rosena answered without hesitation, as if she understood marriage all too well.
Of course, if such a person were to become betrothed to the Crown Prince, it would be troublesome for us, but his firm declaration that he had no intention of seeking a Crown Princess was equally difficult to comprehend.
If we were to name suitable noble ladies outside this hall, the candidates would shrink to an extreme degree.
Vincent’s expression grew distant as if he were recalling something, then he shook his head.
“But I wish to have no one by my side except the one I love.”
For a murmur, it was remarkably loud.
Surprisingly, Serpina Rosena seemed not to have heard that loud murmur—precisely because Minabell happened to contact her by magic at that very moment.
Yes, once again the world reveals to me alone what it hides from everyone else.
“I hope we might meet Lucian Advein once more if the opportunity arises. There is much we couldn’t discuss here.”
Vincent took his leave with a light farewell.
I understand.
I understand perfectly that you have someone you love.
It’s truly remarkable.
All these situations arranged so obviously for everyone to hear, yet somehow only I am listening.
If it were just once or twice, I could laugh it off, but now it feels as though it whispers in my ear: “Only you know this.”
However, from years of experience, I chose to find solutions quickly rather than suffer alone with what I knew.
Today would be no different—I intended to share everything I knew and seek advice.
“While you were dancing with the Crown Prince, Hailey and I introduced your sister around the hall.”
“Really? Wasn’t my sister tired?”
“Well, they were all familiar faces anyway.”
Though Serpina Rosena spoke in a lukewarm tone, Minabell chattered excitedly.
How eloquent my sister was and how charmingly she drew people in. Everyone, regardless of gender or age, showed interest in Rosena.
“I simply drew upon old memories.”
“But the fact that you remember all of it is truly amazing!”
When Minabell showed genuine sincerity without a trace of exaggeration, Serpina Rosena blushed for the first time. How adorable.
After hearing of Hailey Genevre’s, Minabell’s, and my sister’s accomplishments during my absence, I broached the subject of the Crown Prince.
“So it seems the Crown Prince has no intention of marrying?”
After the Ball Hall ended and I saw Hailey Genevre home, I honestly shared my impressions with Minabell and Serpina Rosena.
I omitted the part about how I could almost guess who Vincent actually loves.
“Not accepting a Crown Princess is quite a serious problem.”
“So what, you have some principle like you won’t marry someone you don’t love? I understand, but you should think about the feelings of the person who loves you too. That’s what marriage is about.”
Minabell grumbled in a tone that suggested she simply couldn’t comprehend it.
I knew her remark was nothing more than a casual jest made without much thought, yet I found myself momentarily taken aback by what I heard.
A soul from another world could indeed think in such a way.
“Where in the aristocratic world does marriage exist built solely on love?”
But Serpina Rosena, who was born and raised as a noblewoman in this Empire just as I was, seemed to think entirely differently.
To be precise, our thoughts were flowing in exactly the same direction.
“Is it truly impossible to marry someone you love? No matter what happens?”
“It’s not entirely impossible. If Tiae were to find someone she loves so deeply that she insists on marrying him no matter what, I would move heaven and earth to place that man by her side. I would even purchase a title for him if necessary.”
“Gasp.”
Her tone made it abundantly clear that she was certain the man I would come to like would inevitably be someone of lower standing than the Rosena Duchy Family.
Minabell was already wearing an expression of complete absorption, as though she were contemplating my hypothetical romantic interest or future marriage partner. The conversation about Vincent had vanished entirely.

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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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