Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 46

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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 46
‘If you don’t come forward, I’ll interpret it as support for someone other than me.’
This was a far cry from the passive stance taken until now—a deliberate attempt to draw a clear line between those who stood with him and those who didn’t.
This meant that even if I had tried to deal with Vincent first from the beginning, it would have been impossible.
Even if I had arranged a meeting with Elian back then, the response might have been to first solidify Rosena’s position.
Serpina Rosena was struggling to figure out how to handle the situation, consulting endlessly with Father to respect my wish to support Lucian Advein.
“I’m sorry, Serpina.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. You haven’t been sleeping either because you’ve been agonizing over how to solve this, haven’t you?”
“Thinking about it alone won’t solve anything, but…”
To be precise, I had been exchanging letters with Lucian Advein because it seemed I couldn’t manage this on my own.
The moment Vincent’s letter arrived, I informed Lucian Advein of the fact, and he immediately took action.
[Don’t take the reports of His Majesty the Emperor’s worsening condition at face value. I can’t write the details, but his condition couldn’t possibly deteriorate further from here.
However, I understand this means your brother is determined to draw a clear line. It seems an envoy arrived secretly from somewhere not long ago, and this seems related to that. I’ll investigate and send someone, so refrain from contacting me until then and preserve yourself.
Don’t forget what you’ve always said—that your safety and peace must be the foremost priority. Our plan must be viewed over a very long timeline, and if we rush or delay anything for personal reasons, we’ll only ruin what could have succeeded.
Wishing for your peace, Lucian Advein.
P.S. Next time, I’d appreciate an invitation to the Tea House as well. Even if Lucian Advein can’t move, Lord Luxe can travel freely whenever he wishes—I never expected you wouldn’t suggest it.]
He concluded the letter by repeatedly emphasizing my safety. I simply ignored the postscript attached at the end.
It was a letter I’d received a few days ago, but I had been earnestly deliberating over how to reply.
He prioritized my personal safety over a response and told me to wait for contact, but I had come to realize that simply waiting like this didn’t suit my nature.
Sitting here restless and worried without knowing anything about the situation wouldn’t resolve anything.
So I thought about writing a reply asking what was happening, but once I actually prepared the quill and parchment, the problem was that not a single word would come out.
“It seems something isn’t working out.”
“I thought about asking Lucian Advein about something, but I don’t know where to start. Serpina, have you heard anything about the envoy?”
I hadn’t shown her the detailed letter, only mentioning that a mysterious envoy had arrived, but she shook her head as if she still hadn’t found out anything.
“Not yet. And based on my conversation with Father, he won’t go himself.”
Had he decided to simply ignore the Crown Prince’s letter? There had been cases of non-response before, but not many.
“Then Rosena’s position seems almost certain.”
“I’m thinking of going instead.”
“What?”
My voice shot up before I could help it.
Though I hadn’t lived long, I had never heard such an absurd thing in my life.
Serpina Rosena shrugged her shoulders lightly as if it were nothing, then explained to me in a rather gentle voice as if the decision were already final.
“Father said that among those who received the letter, most except Rosena are on the Crown Prince’s side. If that’s the case, then we’re the only ones who need to decide our position. Wouldn’t it be better for me to go—someone with no connections to them and who even has a notorious reputation—rather than those who have acquaintances among them? I’m more confident in this than in social gatherings anyway.”
“What exactly is this notorious reputation of yours?”
Even when I protested timidly, Serpina Rosena simply smiled gently.
“And Tiae, don’t worry. It only means they have no acquaintance with me. It doesn’t mean I don’t know them at all.”
“Huh?”
“Instead, I’d like you to enter the Palace with me that day. You can go straight to the Third Prince’s residence that day.”
What on earth was she planning to do?
* * *
The day I entered the Palace.
The Palace servants bustled about us with unusual attentiveness, as if acutely aware that distinguished nobles from across the Empire were gathering.
Even ordinarily, when the Rosena Family was mentioned, they would regard us with eyes of admiration or envy.
Or sometimes with the gaze one might direct at curious creatures.
I found it somewhat unjust that we were occasionally treated as wielding even greater power than the Imperial Household itself.
From what I could recall, our family had never participated in any such tyranny throughout history.
Our counsel was simply accepted because it was grounded in solid evidence. Besides, being a meritorious family meant we had genuinely distinguished ourselves—it wasn’t as though we’d obtained our position through charity.
Yet as our proposals were accepted one after another, that acceptance itself had somehow transformed into a form of influence.
When subjected to such scrutiny, I sometimes thought: if they’re going to resent us anyway, why not actually deserve their resentment?
“I informed His Majesty in writing beforehand that the Duke’s health is not optimal, so I shall attend in his stead.”
Serpina Rosena spoke with an upright posture, utterly unintimidated.
Her bearing was so composed and assured that even the servants found themselves instinctively overwhelmed.
I felt proud of her. Such presence couldn’t be cultivated simply through the passage of years.
Would I be capable of such composure as I aged like her? Hardly likely.
“Understood. Someone else will guide you to the Main Hall.”
“I have a separate appointment with Lucian Advein, so I’ll be heading elsewhere. There’s no need to guide me to the Main Hall.”
I hastily added this to prevent the misfortune of being dragged along with the nobility.
“Yes.”
I was aware that mentioning a meeting with Lucian Advein would spark curiosity and rumors, but this too was something Serpina Rosena, Lucian Advein, and I had all agreed upon.
After all, which side the Rosena Family would support today was essentially already decided.
Just then, someone approached slowly from the distance—the man known to serve Vincent most closely.
In terms of Lucian Advein’s hierarchy, he held a position equivalent to Haeston’s: Lye Rohaim.
Originally the Emperor’s closest confidant, he had begun serving the Crown Prince after the Emperor fell ill, or so I’d heard.
He regarded Serpina Rosena and me with an openly appraising gaze. That look—as though pricing merchandise—sparked an immediate surge of displeasure within me.
How dare he direct such a look toward us? Did he truly believe Vincent’s position warranted such presumption?
Those who serve those seated at the highest stations often fall into this delusion—mistaking their master’s power for their own, or believing they possess some force or method to manipulate others.
Regardless, I despised such types.
“Lord Rohaim, may peace always attend you.”
I offered only a perfunctory bow before turning my gaze away. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have been so openly irritable, but I simply couldn’t help myself.
Yet Lye Rohaim seemed entirely unbothered by my attitude.
It was clear he looked down upon us.
Whether he believed his position justified such conduct, or whether he was simply an inherently arrogant man, remained to be seen.
He turned his attention from me toward Serpina Rosena.
“I am honored to meet you, Lady Rosena. Allow me to guide you to where the other guests are gathered.”
Yet Serpina Rosena’s response differed from mine.
“I have come today in the capacity of the Duke Rosena’s representative, not as a lady. It would be more appropriate to afford me the Duke’s courtesy rather than that of a lady. To insist on calling me a lady suggests you wish to distinguish between my will and his.”
Her voice was measured and composed, delivered without the slightest change in expression, and utterly devoid of rancor.
She spoke as though merely correcting an ignorant party.
Lye Rohaim fell silent for a moment, studying her face—though as a man of experience, he betrayed no sign of surprise or discomposure.
“My apologies. I shall escort you to the Main Hall, Deputy Duke Rosena.”

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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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