Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 41

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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 41
Aubrey Violet continued to regard me with that unwavering smile.
“I’ve procured and sampled tea leaves from the Duchy myself. They’re characterized by a subtle chocolate fragrance. Yet this tea carries a berry note that follows—so these leaves clearly didn’t originate from the Duchy.”
“Your observation is precise. To this day, no house possesses the technology to transport overseas tea leaves to The Empire in pristine condition—save for House Violet. Though Rosena may acquire such capability soon, perhaps.”
I knew this topic would surface. This was a subtle allusion to the Magic Tower contract.
I’d discussed this with Serpina Rosena beforehand for precisely this reason.
“We harbor no interest in magical artifact development technology. Rosena has remained so withdrawn that some have begun to underestimate her strength—we merely stretched our limbs a little. It was simply because we possess the Mana Stone Mine.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It means we wish to maintain favorable relations with House Violet. Between Rosena and Violet as well. Between myself, Lady Phebe, and Lady Aubrey too.”
When I deliberately named each person, Aubrey’s eyes widened.
“Does this answer satisfy what you were curious about? If this wasn’t the main point, feel free to ask further questions.”
As I waited readily for more, Aubrey let out a soft, leaking laugh.
“Typically in negotiations, both parties state their demands… Is it truly the case that you’re here merely to declare that Rosena will withdraw, cleanly and simply?”
“I didn’t come here to negotiate. As you wrote in your letter, I thought perhaps you wished to become my friend.”
There was also what Minabell said. I genuinely believed that was the case.
So contractual relationships were also marked as friendship? I truly thought we were friends!
While I trembled inwardly with a sense of betrayal, Aubrey interpreted my meaning somehow and exhaled a sigh as though she’d finally surrendered—the expression of one who’d raised both hands and feet in defeat.
“I should have prepared when I received the warning beforehand. I’ve greatly underestimated you.”
“A warning?”
“You likely already know, but I’ll mention it regardless.”
What could I possibly know? Before I could ask, her beautiful lips moved.
“House Violet operates under the orders of Prince Aden.”
I had no idea whatsoever. Now people don’t even bother to conceal such things.
If I openly admitted ignorance here, wouldn’t I appear foolish? As I always say, sometimes being misunderstood proves more advantageous. Let’s consider it that way.
For the first time, I was grateful that my expression rarely betrayed my thoughts, regardless of what I felt.
Since she’d revealed such a significant card, I needed to offer something in return to lower her remaining guard.
“This is a place with many listening ears. And how could you trust me enough to speak such words?”
“So you did know. Your previous demeanor was an act as well.”
“If my conduct was discourteous, I apologize.”
“No. The discourtesy was mine first.”
Aubrey’s expression turned embarrassed, as though she’d been testing someone unnecessarily.
The misunderstanding seemed to deepen, but there was no benefit in clarifying it, so I simply curved my lips into a slight smile.
“It would be difficult to trust me immediately, so I understand.”
“His Highness assured me that you are certainly trustworthy, yet I harbored suspicion instead, causing delay. However, my poor health is truthful—please believe at least that much.”
“I too have been someone unable to rise from my seat for an extended period, so I know better than anyone that your ailment is no falsehood. Should this meeting prove taxing, we can arrange another time.”
I’d been deliberating which of my many assets to reveal when an opportunity to postpone presented itself—for that, I was grateful.
Yet Aubrey shook her head as though she’d read my thoughts.
“No. I currently possess the sacred relic His Highness granted me, so I have sufficient strength to converse with you.”
“You mean that staff?”
“…You knew that as well?”
It’s been bothering me since earlier.
Normally, during a conversation like this, one would entrust their cane to a servant or leave it elsewhere, but Aubrey Violet held onto it the entire time.
It must be something she couldn’t bear to be separated from.
Considering that Aubrey Violet suffers from an illness and that she currently shares a deep connection with the sacred relic, it’s entirely reasonable to deduce this.
“It seems like an item the young lady wouldn’t typically carry with her. I’ve never heard that her condition is the sort that would impede her mobility.”
Aubrey Violet’s letter had been written with such meticulous detail regarding the path to the Tea House, as if she were worried I might lose my way.
And she’d been thorough enough to even include an escape route in the unlikely event that I was ambushed by House Faneshula’s forces during my carriage ride here.
There was no way someone so considerate would fail to apologize in advance for the inconvenience of needing to use a cane.
“Most importantly, when the young lady first welcomed me, I witnessed her walking with the cane floating slightly in the air rather than leaning upon it.”
“Oh my….”
“It was only for a moment. Since my concentration tends to waver and I was looking about here and there, I happened to catch sight of it. Please forgive me for that.”
Aubrey Violet was truly meticulous.
The way her body’s balance was supported by the cane, the manner in which she walked while sustaining it—it was clearly the result of extensive practice.
So that fleeting moment when she lifted it slightly and crossed the threshold lightly only caught my eye because of the peculiar nature inherent to Flotie Rosena.
Aubrey Violet now wore an expression of near astonishment.
“Then why didn’t you press me about it at that time? If it were me, my trust would have immediately wavered.”
“Everyone has secrets they wish to keep. And if the young lady needs a cane even without experiencing actual pain, she’s free to use one. What reason would I have to doubt and interrogate every such detail?”
I was aware that my response might sound somewhat naive.
It was certainly possible that Aubrey Violet was actually a master of dark magic in hiding, or an accomplished swordmaster with intentions to take my life.
But I am here with Haeston. While not quite at the level of Lucian, the Sword Master, he had shared certain knowledge with me previously.
‘While my presence isn’t quite as reassuring as traveling together, Haeston will also protect you well.’
‘Your Highness, you’ve never once given me a compliment, have you?’
‘Because when I sparred with the knights, you were the one who lasted longest against me. Ah, including the assassins as well.’
‘The way you say it makes it sound as though I were trying to kill Your Highness.’
‘Quite the opposite. I think about wanting to kill you every single day.’
The memory, while not particularly pleasant in retrospect, reassured me nonetheless. With a skilled warrior whom Lucian himself had acknowledged at my side, protective magic woven by my sister, and Minabell monitoring my condition in real-time through the status window—everyone was watching over my safety.
Come to think of it, I have no way to protect myself. Perhaps I should learn something, even now.
Lost in thought, I heard the voice of my increasingly cautious companion.
“Now that Prince Aden’s name has been mentioned, do I have reason to suspect and interrogate you? It seems my coming here was a mistake. Someone more thorough should have been in my place.”
Aubrey Violet let out a sigh, as if reflecting on her own arrogance.
No, Miss Aubrey Violet. You were thorough enough. You truly are a meticulous and perceptive lady.
If it had been anyone other than me who came here, nothing would have been caught. I cannot explain the reasoning in detail, but I am certain of it.
As my silence stretched on, Aubrey Violet, apparently feeling self-conscious, added another remark.
“Truly, I cannot keep any secrets from you, young lady. It’s as if I’ve been placed under a spell.”
“To prevent any misunderstanding, I should mention that I have absolutely no talent for magic whatsoever.”

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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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