Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 34

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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 34
“May I ask your reason?”
“There are more than a few nobles in this realm who commit sins without even realizing it, running amok. To oppress innocent commoners while ignoring them—that’s the work of a tyrant.”
“I confess, Your Highness, that my limited understanding struggles to grasp how that differs from your first reason.”
I cannot fathom what distinguishes the desire to examine each person individually from the vigilance against tyranny.
He made a small sound of acknowledgment and gave a light shrug.
“The former is simply Lucian Advein’s personal conviction. Even if I never become Crown Prince or Emperor and live out my days as I am now, I would make all my choices that way. The latter, if you will, is me subtly showing you what kind of Emperor I would become if you were to stand beside me.”
“Subtly showing?”
“In other words, I’m asking you to think well of me. And to take good care of yourself.”
Ha.
What am I to do? I fear I’m crossing beyond strategic alliance into genuine hope for The Empire’s future if this man becomes Emperor.
Is this what they call ‘loyalty’—that word I’ve only heard spoken?
“Is there something on my face? Why are you staring so intently…?”
“Ah, I’ve suddenly found myself swearing loyalty without quite meaning to.”
Even I recognize how absurd my own words sound. Indeed, Lucian Advein tilted his head in confusion at my abrupt confession.
“Hmm?”
“Rather than as an ally, I’ve begun to genuinely wish to serve Your Highness with all my heart. I was merely collecting myself.”
“…Is that something you need to collect yourself over? It seems my request to think well of me has already taken root.”
I am still ignorant of the world and young. I’ve only just begun to venture outside—what if my excessive loyalty causes me to overstep and create a situation I cannot easily remedy?
“If my heart races ahead and I try too hard, I might actually bungle things instead.”
Lucian Advein wore an expression of bewilderment before breaking into a quiet laugh.
“You bring me a list of Crown Princess candidates to expand my forces, yet you speak like that. You’re a peculiar woman, truly. Though I’m grateful for it. And if you seem likely to make a mistake, there are plenty of people around you to catch you. Why not simply devote yourself to loyalty without worry?”
He’s been saying such impressive things all evening.
At this point, I have no choice but to surrender. I yielded helplessly to the tide of loyalty washing over me.
“Besides, you already know the Crown Princess matter was merely a pretense.”
“True as that may be, the world holds the phrase ‘just in case.’ Had you deliberated various methods and insisted that expanding my forces through marriage was the best option, I would have at least heard you out—separate from whether I’d refuse, of course.”
Lucian Advein drove home his point, stating he had no intention of broadening his power through marriage.
“It’s not just about me, but also about considering the life of the woman who would become my wife. Coldly speaking, what would she gain from marrying Lucian Advein right now?”
“As I’ve mentioned before, Your Highness judges yourself far too harshly.”
Hearing such a frank assessment brought strange relief, yet curiosity stirred within me simultaneously.
“What does marriage mean to you, Your Highness?”
“Are you asking this because I said I won’t consider marriage alliances?”
“I wished to know whether you believe love must necessarily accompany marriage. I’ve noticed some among the nobility think similarly.”
After hearing Vincent’s murmur, a conversation I’d had with Minabell came to mind.
At the time, I’d assumed Minabell thought that way because she came from another world, but perhaps that wasn’t the case.
Lucian Advein met my eyes with a subtle expression, clearly unable to comprehend why I would ask such a question.
Well, it is rather sudden. I myself don’t quite understand why I’m curious about this from Lucian Advein of all people.
Strange. Unlike usual, reading emotions feels terribly difficult.
“That varies from person to person, I suppose. Some may believe love must accompany it, while others won’t. How one defines love itself differs for each person as well.”
“It’s curious how so few things in this world have a single, universal definition.”
He let out a small laugh at my grumbling retort.
I was equally at fault for seeking answers from an unmarried prince.
“I know better than anyone that wanting to marry someone I love, despite being born a prince, is a selfish desire. But surely anyone is allowed to dream, aren’t they?”
Hearing those words, it felt as though Lucian Advein himself was someone who dreamed of love.
Lucian Advein gestured naturally toward Haeston.
“Well then, shall we set aside this discussion about marriage views and address what we need to discuss before my brother barges in again?”
“I thought you were treating me like some piece of furniture.”
“Worse than furniture, I assure you. At least I don’t pretend it doesn’t exist.”
As if moved by the fact that he hadn’t forgotten about him entirely, Haeston pulled out documents he’d been holding and thrust them abruptly before me.
“I was worried I’d be the only one talking today, but I’m relieved that’s not the case.”
“With you here, how could I keep silent? If my brother hadn’t shown up, we would have continued this conversation and moved on to other matters. But circumstances don’t allow it, and I’m quite displeased about that. I haven’t even had much tea today.”
Most of the documents he presented were in the Empire’s language, but scattered throughout were words that appeared to be excerpted from foreign documents.
“Some of these are in the Holy Kingdom’s language.”
“My lady, can you read the Holy Kingdom’s tongue?”
Haeston looked at me with surprise. As I rifled through the documents, I smiled ambiguously and nodded.
“When you’re confined to bed, there’s little else to do besides read. That’s why I’ve picked up quite a few languages.”
“If only you were in better health, I would have taken you to the Holy Kingdom myself. What a pity. Sometimes I think you possess qualities that surpass even some handsome and capable young nobleman.”
“Ha, so if you’re describing someone as handsome and capable, it seems that’s not you, Haeston. I nearly had an innocent man executed, thinking you were insulting me.”
“Ha. My, I should procure some vision-enhancing medicine for Your Majesty.”
Only when Lucian Advein gave him a quiet, menacing glare did Haeston stop his rambling and hastily escape.
Leaving that commotion behind, I found myself suddenly recalling the various books Serpina Rosena had brought me.
Now that I think about it, she must have obtained them using absurd means based on memories from her past life.
I truly have no desire to know the depths of what Serpina Rosena is capable of.
“Jade Delpoi arrived at the Holy Kingdom faster than expected. I thought it would take longer, given that he’s at the Sword Expert level.”
“Your Majesty tends to underestimate the Expert level. Not everyone reaches the Master realm at that age. Unless they’ve experienced regression, that is.”
“It’s not that Jade Delpoi’s abilities are insufficient. I’m simply curious why he hasn’t reached Master level with such capability. From what I sense, he’s come remarkably close.”
From the conversation between these two who seemed ignorant of worldly matters, I picked out only the information that seemed necessary.
Serpina Rosena had taken up the sword in this life as well, and in her previous life had mastered the pinnacle of magic, so she might be able to offer assistance regarding Jade Delpoi’s situation, caught as he was between the Expert and Master levels.
“Then these are documents sent by Lord Delpoi?”
“Indeed. First, the request to acquire a new sword in the Holy Kingdom is genuine. I’ve instructed him to obtain something truly excellent—something usable even at the Master level.”
“It seems Your Majesty believes Lord Delpoi will achieve Master level very soon.”
“Just one more step. I hope that going to the Holy Kingdom might provide him with a clue to overcome that hurdle. Often, answers that don’t exist in the Empire can be found through divine power or magic. Or sometimes, new experiences grant enlightenment.”
So sending Jade Delpoi wasn’t merely because he found it bothersome to go himself.
“Of course, I have no certainty that he’ll find the answer on his own. But with so much to attend to, I can hardly accompany him there myself.”
“Your Majesty, if this Haeston may speak from outside the door, what exactly do you have to do?”
“Be quiet.”
So it was laziness after all.

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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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