Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 30

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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 30
Even though I understood perfectly, my friend seemed genuinely sorry about it.
“You don’t need to worry about it. If anything, I’m the one who should apologize for getting you scolded because of me.”
“But that’s just it—all I can offer you is a vow to be your eternal friend! It’s so frustrating. I wish I were smarter and stronger! Can’t I upgrade my status window?! Ugh, wait. The shop! The shop!”
A vow to be my eternal friend?
Those words rang through my chest like a bell, dong, dong. This swelling sensation must be emotion.
I grasped both of Minabell’s hands firmly as she cursed at the empty air, speaking seriously.
“Bell, if you ever fall in love with a man and face issues with status, tell me. I’ll buy you a position.”
“Huh?”
“If you wish it, I’ll provide a Mansion for that man, servants, and adequate wealth. Of course, lands as well. I’m so ashamed that as your friend, I can only offer such material promises.”
I wanted to make a beautiful promise too—something about eternal friendship and such. But all I could offer were these crass material guarantees.
“I’m truly sorry for being a friend who can only offer something so materialistic.”
“No, Tiae. I’m really grateful.”
“Don’t say empty words. I’m the one who should thank you, Bell.”
“I really mean it. Truly. I’m grateful that you were born, grateful that something called a reincarnation truck exists in this world so I could fall into it, grateful beyond words. My gratitude is so immense I can only say thank you. Really, thank you.”
* * *
“You’ve arrived. It’s unfortunate that the sudden rain has prevented us from having tea time outdoors today.”
“I share your sentiment.”
A sudden downpour had erupted during our carriage ride to the Palace. Elian had suggested we turn back, calling it an ill omen, but how could I possibly do that?
This was an appointment with the Crown Prince, after all. It was unthinkable.
Though I suppose Elian’s anxiety must have been considerable for her to suggest such a thing.
“I heard you nearly suffered a serious injury. I apologize for not checking on you and the child during my preoccupation.”
Elian’s eyes widened, apparently unaware that Lucian Advein knew about her and the child’s situation.
“No, I have no injuries. Thank you for your concern.”
It was a lie. I’d heard that Elian had been quite ill that day. The near-accident involving the child must have been quite a shock.
Yet despite that, she insisted on following me unconditionally afterward, so I brought her along today as well, though I could only hope this unease wouldn’t lead to something unfortunate.
“I hear you danced with my brother at the ball.”
“Yes, I once told you how I danced three times at my debutante ball and fainted immediately after? I nearly broke that record this time.”
I subtly implied that it was absolutely not of my own volition and entirely the Crown Prince’s doing, which made Lucian Advein burst into laughter.
“I was worried you might have abandoned me for the position of Crown Princess. And now he’s bringing Crown Princess candidates, no less.”
“He did bring candidates, it’s true.”
“As long as you’re among them, I don’t particularly care to see the rest.”
Lucian Advein waved his hand in a playful manner.
Yet strangely, even though it was merely a jest, my heart felt oddly relieved the moment I heard it.
“Minabell and Cherita went to great lengths to gather them.”
“Let that be your way of thanking them. Setting aside whether a betrothal would bring me immediate benefits, I must consider what advantages these noble ladies’ families would gain from marrying into the Crown Prince’s line.”
Truthfully, I had worried about this while gathering the candidates.
The position of Crown Princess certainly offered clear advantages, but the Crown Prince’s consort?
The benefits of marrying the Third Prince, who has shown no political activity whatsoever until now, are practically nonexistent.
Realistically speaking, marrying me would be the most mutually beneficial arrangement.
As I sat alone, lost in serious thought, Lucian studied my expression for a long time.
“What are you thinking so deeply about? Did you really come today to discuss my marriage so earnestly?”
Was it just my imagination, or did I detect a subtle anxiety creeping into Lucian’s voice?
“Ah, actually, I had another question about the necklace you gifted me.”
“I almost jumped in surprise, thinking that was truly your purpose.”
What was there to be surprised about? He wore that relieved expression so plainly.
“Additionally, I wanted to inform you that Rosena is now prepared to make a proper declaration of support.”
“So Rosena has decided it’s worth taking the loss.”
And just as I was about to open my mouth, the outside suddenly erupted into commotion. Please, what could be the problem this time?
Lately, disruptions to my plans had become far too frequent. Unable to fully conceal my displeasure, I spoke up.
“Is there another guest invited to tea time today?”
Lucian, equally displeased, asked in a cool voice what the matter was, and soon came the flustered response of a servant.
“Y-Your Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
I looked at Lucian as if asking what he meant, and he quickly shook his head side to side. It was his first time hearing this as well.
“Wait here for a moment. I’ll go hear what my brother’s business is first.”
“Please, if possible, arrange it so we don’t encounter each other.”
“Of course.”
Wait. Now that I think about it, the Maid I brought here was…
“Elian, Elian?”
“…”
Damn it!
Look at that face drained of all color.
I should have told her not to come on a rainy day!
My Maid, who ordinarily carried out even unasked tasks with loyalty, froze as if time itself had stopped the moment Vincent Crown Prince’s arrival was mentioned.
“Elian, are you alright? I should have told you to go home today after hearing what you said.”
“No, Miss. This is a matter concerning only me, and there’s no reason your schedule should change because of it.”
She trembled as though she might collapse at any moment, yet spoke such words so convincingly.
Whether to call it strength or sheer stubbornness—her resilience was almost pitiable to witness.
A woman who bore the Crown Prince’s child, hid it, and now raises it alone.
“Elian, he wouldn’t be so rude as to show up without an appointment or prior arrangement with me. Wait here for now.”
And I am the mistress who knows everything, yet employed her as a Maid while concealing the truth.
“If I had insisted on accompanying you to that ball, Miss would surely have faced considerable hardship,” Elian said, her head bowing deeply as if she could speak of that day’s events freely now that Lucian had left.
The Crown Prince declared after that ball ended that he would postpone indefinitely the selection of a Crown Princess. It was remarkable how firmly he maintained that resolve even amid countless objections.
Was love truly the one thing that could never be relinquished in any circumstance?
Yet the object of that love now stood on the other side of a single door, wondering if there was any way to escape without being seen.
How could I help this pitiful woman, who insisted Vincent would never remember a mere country girl like her, yet whose eyes darted frantically searching for a place to hide?
She who had never blinked an eye through countless emergencies. Honestly, if I could, I would erase Vincent from Elian’s memory entirely.
“Don’t worry. Even if it’s discovered that I’ve hidden you, nothing will happen to me.”
Elian looked up in surprise.
Elian lifted her head in surprise.
“When I took you in back then, it was a decision I made alone in a time when I had no one to rely on. But now, I too have people I can turn to for help.”
Technically, they could pin any number of charges on me as well, but the reason I’m not particularly worried about that right now is probably because of this—because I’m not alone anymore.
Even now, Lucian Advein has gone out to buy us time.
As if suddenly regaining her senses, Elian’s lips trembled.
“…I will hide myself away for a while, Miss. I apologize. I should be staying by your side, but I cannot trust myself to maintain composure in front of him.”
It was Elian’s honest truth—unexaggerated and unforced.

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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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