Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 59

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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 59
“Please don’t tease me about it. I’m truly embarrassed whenever I recall that moment. So much has happened that I haven’t even properly asked about the circumstances surrounding the carriage incident.”
“Don’t worry. Whoever orchestrated putting you in danger—I will find them and deal with them accordingly.”
For a moment, Lucian Advein’s voice carried an unmistakable edge of menace.
A voice that left no doubt he would show no mercy if he found the culprit.
“What if I asked you to forgive them?”
“What reason would there be to forgive?”
“I’ll tell you if one comes up.”
In truth, even if Lucian didn’t intervene, Serpina Rosena would handle it herself, but since he seemed so eager, I decided to let him be for now.
“More importantly, could you tell me what you meant when you said you passed something earlier? Is it perhaps a trial you cannot speak of?”
“It’s not that I cannot speak of it. It’s less a trial and more a matter of mental preparation.”
“If I knew about it, it might help me next time.”
“Should I be pleased that this too is another way you care for and look after me?”
Today, Lucian seemed to be cycling rapidly between good moods and bad ones.
More than anything, he appeared to be reading meaning into my every action and word. It seemed to have started from the moment I didn’t explicitly deny Melissa’s question about whether we were to be married.
I suspect this condition won’t be cured for a long time.
Then again, perhaps it doesn’t need to be cured. I was unconsciously thinking about how Serpina Rosena would faint if she heard this, when Lucian’s voice came through, noticeably gentler.
“I was warned before coming here. The King of this place has the ability to discern truth from falsehood in what people say.”
See? My suspicion was exactly right.
It wasn’t quite the level of ability to read minds completely as I’d imagined, but he was certainly exercising a similar power.
His clear display of attitude likely stemmed partly from being conscious of that ability.
Yet the fact that he maintained his composure throughout the conversation was truly remarkable.
“So you have to pass some kind of standard to see the Crystal Palace, is that it?”
“I’m not entirely sure about that, but he said not to lie. So I spoke only truth within what I could answer. I didn’t expect the Empress to come up, though.”
“The Empress…”
Lucian Advein still referred to his own mother as though she were a stranger.
Since he likely couldn’t recall her face or voice, she was essentially a stranger to him…
“I don’t know the details of their deaths. But I can suspect that the Emperor was involved in all of them.”
“…Ah, yes.”
I felt as though I’d just heard something truly momentous.
Was it really acceptable to speak so casually about how the Empress and other most noble women of the Empire might have been murdered by the Emperor?
Without thinking, I blinked rapidly and stared at him.
“After all, you swore you would make me Emperor, didn’t you? Then shouldn’t I also show you my sincerity as much as I possibly can?”
“What if I suddenly betray you?”
“Because you seem like the type who would actually become engaged or even marry me rather than betray me.”
“I may have thought that was possible, but what does that have to do with this?”
He wasn’t even considering the fact that the Empress and Emperor had been husband and wife.
What would he do if I suddenly betrayed him and struck him from behind?
Of course, I wouldn’t, but still!
“Your Highness, going forward, even if trust develops toward someone, please don’t share your true feelings or inner thoughts so easily. I fear you’ll be caught out somewhere.”
“Then perhaps you could provide me with a list of people I’m permitted to discuss this with.”
Lucian Advein spoke with a relaxed expression, his tone dripping with amusement.
He seemed ready to hand me an actual roster of those I could and couldn’t converse with.
Today, that handsome face of his was particularly infuriating, setting my blood to boil.
“…It would be best if you hurried along. Your pace is remarkably swift. Perhaps you possess considerable skill in martial arts as well?”
“It seems you wish to conceal your expression.”
From Lucian Advein’s reaction just now, I understood that she had deliberately displayed such an emotional response.
I recognized that Lucian Advein himself understood all of this and engaged in conversation accordingly, yet even accounting for that, he appeared thoroughly exhausted.
“Your Highness, would you permit me to offer you my arm? Your complexion appears quite poor at the moment….”
“You would support me?”
Lucian Advein, who had barely managed to rise while pressing his forehead, stared at me as though he had never heard such words in his entire life.
Surely, even so, there was no need to regard me with such peculiar scrutiny.
Of course it would fail, but I could still attempt it….
“And I have no desire to treat someone who has only just regained consciousness after fainting from the heat in such a manner. I too wish to make a favorable impression upon my prospective betrothed.”
“Should you proceed with an actual betrothal to me, you must first obtain permission and secure the support of Rosena, among other necessary procedures, before doing so.”
Since Lucian Advein seemed to be moving far too hastily, I attempted to calm him by reminding him of what must not be forgotten.
“….”
He then naturally drew me along the Palace corridors while regarding me with unmistakable bewilderment.
“…Why do you stare at me so intently? Is there some problem with what I just said?”
“There was indeed a considerable problem with what you just said.”
“….”
Was there? Even for the Third Prince, perhaps my words about obtaining permission for marriage to a noblewoman were presumptuous.
I had allowed myself to be swept up in the moment and taken my jest far too far. This was no different from treating Lucian Advein as my inferior.
I reflexively lowered my head to acknowledge my grave mistake, but he continued speaking as though it were only natural.
“Above all else, shouldn’t my obtaining your permission be the foremost priority?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I possess certain aspects that are decidedly unbecoming of the Imperial Family. A betrothal conducted merely as a contract holds little appeal for me.”
Upon hearing his words, I found myself momentarily speechless. This transcended mere talk of being unbecoming of royalty, did it not?
I had heard similar sentiments from Vincent before.
Vincent, who still harbors feelings for Elian and has even made something akin to a declaration of celibacy; Aden, who surely bestowed considerable affection upon Serpina Rosena; and now Lucian Advein, who refuses to conduct a betrothal based solely on contract.
Through their perspectives on love alone, one could prove they are family.
“…I must concede that you are decidedly unbecoming of the Imperial Family.”
“Then, the only aspect of myself that could be considered befitting of royalty is these eyes. And even that, I cannot openly reveal.”
“What would you do if someone heard you speaking so brazenly!”
Without thinking, my complexion drained of color as I frantically glanced about. Yet Lucian Advein gently pulled my hand, as though bidding me not to worry.
It seemed rather like a signal for me to focus my attention upon him instead.
“There is no one within earshot of my voice in this vicinity. I assure you of that.”
“Ah….”
“And now I am asking you, albeit indirectly, to give me a private answer regarding the betrothal, since I harbor favorable feelings toward you. Yet seeing you insist upon procedures first—is this perhaps an indirect refusal?”
Only then did I realize that Lucian Advein’s hand clasping mine had grown slightly cold.
It wasn’t merely the result of cooling magic.
From my experience, this was undoubtedly a symptom born of tension—my hands grew similarly cold just before dancing.
He was waiting for my answer while anxiously taut with nervousness, fearful that I might reject our betrothal.
The unfortunate Third Prince, born with the qualities of an Emperor and possessing legitimate claim, yet threatened by assassination amid endless conspiracies.
Even now, lacking proper forces, he was forced to conceal not only his rightful position but even that legendary Sword Master’s realm—an existence bound by necessity to hide.
Yet beneath those grandiose titles, the bare face of someone not yet twenty occasionally emerged. The thought struck me that I had never seen him wear such an expression before.
Is this the face one makes when gazing upon someone they hold dear…?

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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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