Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 45
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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 45
I have never once sworn to heaven that I know everything about this world—such arrogance has never crossed my mind.
I am merely on the cusp of adulthood, and by some fortune, I’ve simply been blessed with a position that allows me to see the world more broadly than most.
Of course, if someone offered me the chance to cure my illness in exchange for surrendering my intellect, I would choose healing without hesitation. But such an opportunity seems impossibly distant.
All I can do is maximize what this body can accomplish and what my mind can conceive while both remain capable of functioning.
‘Aubrey, what do you believe is the Violet Family’s advantage within this Empire?’
Her father had asked her this. The Violet Family’s advantage within the Empire?
‘Does such a thing even exist for this house?’
It was a thought too difficult to voice before the family head.
In truth, the Violet Family was cloaked in the word “adequacy,” yet occupied an ambiguous position. They possessed no powerful backing, nor were they in a position to serve as backing for others.
Though intimate with the Magic Tower, in an Empire where magic itself was not particularly favored, that connection could hardly be considered an advantage.
If anything, one should have cultivated strong alliances, yet the current Empire offered few worth pursuing.
‘Might it be that we can choose to go anywhere?’
‘Your answer is correct. None of your sisters could answer this question. Perhaps they were watching my expression.’
The ability to go anywhere was, in essence, a sign that one was not truly indispensable to anyone.
When her parents discovered that Aubrey, acting under Aden’s orders, had secretly established and operated a merchant guild in the Holy Kingdom, accumulating vast wealth, they had expected an outburst—yet instead, they merely questioned her calmly.
As if the sheer magnitude of her scheme had robbed them of the will to be angry.
‘Then you intend to bring sacred relics into the Empire?’
‘No, the only sacred relic I’ve brought into the Empire is this staff I carry. Recently, Mother’s health has seemed poor, so I was thinking of bringing one sacred relic for her use as well.’
She then showed him the staff she carried with her.
Since receiving the direct blessing that Aden had bestowed upon it, her body had improved noticeably.
Because sacred power had been grafted onto the magical artifact, there was no obvious trace of having received divine healing, making her transformation appear miraculous to others’ eyes.
‘You said you would accept any choice I made, so long as I recovered. I have chosen my path. Please respect that. This is the only way I can continue to live.’
Thus, Aubrey, backed by vast wealth, positioned herself between the Magic Tower and the Holy Kingdom in support of Aden.
― Justification, indeed. She truly is her sister’s sibling—remarkably clever.
Aden, who had been turning over Aubrey’s words in his mind, finally spoke.
Though the meaning behind “clever” remained unclear, I could sense that Aden viewed the two young ladies of Rosena favorably.
Especially that young duchess, Serpina Rosena.
The way he spoke her affectionate nickname without hesitation proved that the bond between them was far from ordinary.
‘I wish to know what manner of woman she truly is.’
Though he desired to see her, whenever Aubrey asked about Serpina Rosena, Aden would become extraordinarily reticent.
But Aubrey, reading the situation, closed her lips and waited for his command.
― How shall we manage this? Would it be better for the Holy Kingdom to send an official invitation? I don’t wish to impose further upon the Violet Family.
“Pardon?”
Shocked by such an unexpected statement, Aubrey momentarily forgot her words and lifted her head sharply. Realizing her mistake immediately after, she quickly bowed again.
Aden let out a soft laugh.
― Of course, I don’t mean to send it to Rosena. Rest assured.
* * *
“Tiae, shouldn’t you be getting to bed soon? If you don’t sleep properly, your body will fall back into ruin just when it’s finally improving.”
The way my sister spoke—as if asking, ‘Do you want me to see you confined and obsessed over again in that broken state?’
The hand holding the quill began to tremble uncontrollably.
Considering I was perfectly fine before Serpina Rosena arrived, wasn’t this entirely her fault? Was it time for bed? But I sleep late and wake late accordingly, don’t I?
“And what have you been doing all this time without sleeping, sister?”
“Ah, recently there’s been some matter concerning Vincent that Father and I needed to discuss.”
“I see.”
When it comes to Vincent’s recent affairs, it’s predictable enough. Noticing my face crumple somewhat, Serpina Rosena began preparing to console me.
“It’s fine, sister. Strange orders coming down from above isn’t something that happens once or twice. There’s always a reason for it all… no, actually, it’s not fine.”
“I know you’re upset. Still, I wish you’d trust me a little more, Tiae. I believe you’ll handle whatever comes your way.”
“Of course I trust you, sister. What I can’t trust is the capricious hearts of those people up there.”
Word that Aubrey Violet and I had taken tea together spread naturally throughout the entire Empire.
More than the Tea House—arguably the finest establishment in the Empire—closing for a single day just for me, the fact that I personally visited the Violet Family became the greater topic of conversation.
In truth, aside from the fact that whatever business they touched seemed to prosper quite well, the Violet Family had no particularly noteworthy achievements to boast of.
For such a household to have a private audience with Rosena’s daughter was certainly curious. Moreover, word had leaked that Phoebe Violet was part of the Reading Circle.
[While there are many matters requiring attention, thanks to your kind consideration, wedding preparations are proceeding smoothly. I do hope you might grace this occasion with your presence.
This is merely a separate matter, but would it be presumptuous to ask what sort of relationship you intend to cultivate with Miss Aubrey Violet?]
Hailey Genevre seemed worried that by drawing close to Aubrey Violet, I might distance myself from her, and so she posed questions in this subtle manner.
Minabell, known publicly to be close to me, received an enormous number of questions about the Violet Family and myself whenever she attended social gatherings.
But fearing that involving Minabell further would become a threat to House Cherita, I began speaking less, and it seemed she too ran out of answers to give.
‘I never imagined so many people would take interest simply because you were making friends.’
‘Well, it’s Rosena. Does it seem like I’m boasting about my family?’
‘Not at all. I knew the Rosena Duchy was impressive, but experiencing it is another matter entirely. But Tiae, the way you’re being so guarded makes me wonder—you’re not planning something dangerous, are you?’
Contacting Aden Prince could certainly be considered dangerous, but keeping it secret from Minabell was something Serpina Rosena and I had agreed upon.
After all, this was a matter that inevitably delved into my sister’s personal feelings.
‘No. If it were dangerous, I would have asked for your help instead. You know better than anyone how much I trust you.’
Only after I spoke with certainty did Minabell’s expression relax somewhat.
‘I’m not trying to extract some promise now about how we’re closest to each other. I’m not that young anymore.’
‘Seventeen.’
‘No, that’s… ah, right. That was the setting.’
How many years have I been hiding? I shouldn’t bother trying to figure it out.
Just as subtle premonitions of chaos were drifting through in such a manner, Vincent Crown Prince suddenly dropped a bombshell declaration.
[Due to His Majesty the Emperor’s recent grave illness, most state affairs have been entrusted to me. However, with my limited wisdom, it is difficult to resolve all these matters alone. Thus, I wish to hear the counsel of wise individuals, including Duke Rosena. I earnestly beseech you not to ignore my sincere request and to grace this occasion with your presence.]
A handwritten letter bearing Vincent Crown Prince’s official seal was ‘formally’ delivered to several households.
While it was customary for important nobles to gather and share opinions whenever the Empire faced critical decisions, the fact that Vincent Crown Prince came forward citing the Emperor’s illness as reason made his intentions clear.
Either the Emperor was in truly critical condition approaching death, or Vincent Crown Prince had made some kind of declaration.
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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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