Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 40

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 40
A soft, deep voice that seemed to caress the ears echoed through the Tea House.
“And when introducing someone, you use their full name, not a nickname. Not ‘Obi’ but a proper introduction.”
A woman with lustrous hair braided and pinned up, her eyes a deep violet so dark their depths seemed unfathomable, emerged with deliberate slowness.
For a moment, my attention was captivated by the bewitching aura that seemed to dominate the space with merely a glance, but her unhurried gait and the cane crafted to support her frame told another story.
Her pallid, bloodless complexion was unmistakable evidence of her poor health.
“I should have come to greet you first. My apologies. I am Aubrey Violet of the Violet Family. It is truly an honor to meet you, Miss Rosena.”
“I should thank you for inviting me to such a charming Tea House. Ah, these are my attendants—I hope it’s acceptable for them to join us?”
“Of course.”
She had closed the Tea House entirely for our meeting today, which made me realize she likely had something quite important to discuss. I felt a flutter of nervousness.
“This is a gift for you. I hope you like it.”
I presented the gift I had prepared for Violet.
I’d heard it was a bracelet that had become fashionable among young ladies lately, but what if she already had ten of them?
“Th-thank you so much!”
But seeing her delight like that, even if she did have duplicates, it seemed my choice wasn’t a mistake.
I exhaled quietly in relief and followed Aubrey’s guidance toward the inner seating area.
“Violet, you go enjoy some cake over there.”
“Okay!”
I had worried she might feel disappointed about not being able to talk with me, but Violet appeared to be a well-behaved younger sister who listened well.
She nodded obediently at her sister’s words and scurried over to what seemed to be her nursemaid.
Watching her proudly show off the bracelet I’d given her while chattering away, I couldn’t help but smile.
After observing Violet for a moment, I collected myself and looked ahead. Aubrey had been waiting patiently for me to redirect my attention.
“I apologize for my rudeness.”
“Not at all. I’m actually pleased to see you regard my sister so fondly. I wanted to personally thank you for what happened at the Reading Circle.”
I’d heard she was around my age, yet Aubrey carried herself with remarkable maturity.
Simply from the fact that she had come as the family representative to express gratitude in this situation, I could infer her standing within the household.
“It was merely something I did on a whim. I’ve already received sufficient thanks.”
“Actually, the reason I invited you today is because I have something I’d like to ask you.”
Even so, jumping straight to business like this? I swallowed a wry smile and adjusted my posture.
This person wouldn’t be easy to deal with either.
She was diving into the main topic before tea had even arrived. Was this intentional, or was it simply her nature to be somewhat impatient?
Things were moving at an astonishing pace.
If that were the case, why had she said I could bring multiple attendants? If other young ladies had been present, she wouldn’t have been able to jump straight to business.
Perhaps she would have simply greeted me, offered tea, and sent me on my way. This might actually be a test to gauge my character.
The more I thought about it, the more fascinating a person she seemed to be.
“I’ll answer whatever I can, but might this question put either me or Rosena in a difficult position?”
“Oh, no. Since I’m awake for such short periods, jumping straight to the point has become a habit of mine. I apologize.”
Aubrey’s expression turned embarrassed as she realized she had been hasty. Yet her expression remained natural.
A short waking period was one of the typical symptoms of those suffering from illness.
It seemed the rumors that Aubrey Violet was afflicted with a serious condition were no exaggeration.
Before long, two signature teas arrived before us, accompanied by light tea pastries.
“These tea leaves come from a very distant place. They have a distinctive quality—you can sense a fragrance quite different from what the Empire produces. Moreover, they’re mysterious leaves that steep easily even in cold water.”
She, who had been so bold when she said she had something to ask me, was now launching into an explanation about tea.
At this rate, I’m genuinely worried she’ll collapse before we even get to the main topic.
By now, I can’t help but recognize that I’ve fallen into Aubrey Violet’s pace. I play along—pretending to be appropriately flustered, clumsy, ignorant.
Yet I haven’t completely surrendered. I know this type of person.
Manipulating situations like this, probing to see if I’ll rush you when you want—isn’t that precisely what I do best?
When I first encountered someone of my own kind, my initial thought was: “Ah, so this is how exhausting it must be for others when they deal with me.”
In moments like this, I need to think in reverse. Who was the most difficult opponent for me to handle? The one who confused me most?
If I had to name someone who eventually became my friend despite all that—
‘Minabell!’
Yes, Minabell.
I have no intention of engaging in a battle of wits with Aubrey Violet or becoming adversaries.
Besides, my friend with that overwhelming weapon called a status window told me that the Violet Family wants to become close with me.
Right now, she simply doesn’t know me well enough, so she’s carefully gauging my level to make a proper assessment.
To remove that mask, the best approach is to fluster her—by acting like my oblivious friend.
Minabell, you truly are my greatest ally in every way.
“Really? Then what’s the distinctive fragrance of tea made from Empire tea leaves? I do enjoy tea, but I find it difficult to distinguish fragrances. I’ve heard that Empire teas are something only people who truly know their scent can appreciate.”
I wonder what it would be like if there existed a noblewoman in this world who knew nothing about Empire tea.
Yet that person’s hobby was precisely drinking tea.
“Ah….”
Aubrey Violet seemed at a loss for how to handle my sudden barrage of words, momentarily falling silent with only her eyes blinking.
I gazed at my teacup before suddenly widening my eyes as if startled.
“But are there other countries beyond the Empire? I didn’t even know that. What countries are there? Are the countries beyond the Empire also called empires?”
As I spoke, I felt myself increasingly drawn into the absurdity of my own words.
Of course, Minabell hadn’t gone this far.
While she had said she didn’t understand well even after hearing the differences between kingdoms and empires, that was still dozens of times better than what I was currently pretending.
Aubrey Violet stared at my face for a long moment with her words caught, before finally bursting into uncontrollable laughter.
Watching her shoulders shake with tears streaming down her face, I felt somewhat embarrassed at having deliberately spouted such nonsense.
“I apologize, Young Lady. I know my sin runs deep for daring to test you, but will you forgive me now?”
“Pardon?”
“I thought that if I acted a bit dim-witted, you might try to use me. How convenient and wonderful it would be to have someone slightly weak, who knows nothing, and easily gets sidetracked mid-conversation. But you truly are a step ahead of me.”
I can certainly tell that Aubrey Violet deliberately went off-topic to test me.
But she seems to have rated me far too highly.
Even if something is revealed later, I’ll let her remain under this misunderstanding for now. Right now, I need to become friends with her.
Her sudden burst of laughter drew the attention of Violet, Elian, and Haeston, but Aubrey Violet paid them no mind.
“If the Young Lady had brought others with her, only Violet would have been here today. Had I been unable to come due to my collapse, you would have left after merely receiving tea.”
“Hmm….”
“Beyond that, I wanted to know exactly what intention the Young Lady had in helping the Violet Family, so I deliberately acted in a way that might seem dismissive. I usually don’t get caught doing this sort of thing, but it wasn’t easy this time. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Uncertain whether even this appeal for agreement might be part of the test, I hesitate to affirm or deny anything hastily.
Her attitude, as if addressing a kindred spirit, left me somewhat flustered.
I smiled ambiguously and took a sip of tea. Well, since she’d at least made her intentions somewhat clear, I supposed I owed her a response in kind.
“If we’re talking about places that cultivate tea leaves outside The Empire, it would be either the Kingdom across the sea, or one of the smaller Duchies that require passing through the Magic Tower and the Holy Kingdom to reach. Since the Violet Family deals in magical artifacts, crossing the sea shouldn’t prove particularly difficult for them.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————