Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 6

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

Chapter 6
“Does it appear that I’ve come to harm Your Highness?”
“You’ve discovered my identity, so you must want something in return.”
There had to be something worth taking. What could I possibly extract from him? I swallowed the words that had risen to my throat.
At this rate, we would likely end this meeting without accomplishing anything.
As I exhaled a sigh and turned to look at Serpina Rosena, her gaze met mine.
Her eyes screamed, ‘I don’t know what you’re planning, but don’t. Just don’t.’
Yet dragging this out further would only deepen his suspicions.
When I sent another urgent signal, a long sigh followed.
“…Very well. However, Your Highness must swear that you will not harm our young lady.”
Serpina Rosena chose to present the proposal directly to Lucian instead of letting me speak.
“You’re hardly in a position to make demands right now.”
“I could never hope to surpass Your Highness with a blade. However, I am not entirely unskilled in combat, and I have no desire to recreate how I wielded power over you in my previous life.”
Her tone was gentle, but the content was unmistakably a threat.
Please, don’t let this turn into a battle of wills.
Lucian’s crimson eyes fixed upon Serpina Rosena.
After a moment of deliberation, he spoke.
“I swear by my own name.”
“That is acceptable.”
Only after hearing such a supreme oath did Serpina Rosena place her hand upon my shoulder.
In an instant, my rose-tinted hair transformed back into silver.
Flotie Rosena—whose face remained cold as ice, no matter what tempestuous emotions churned within.
It was fortunate, given the difficult adversary before me now.
“Flotie Rosena of the Rosena Duchy offers her respects to the Star of The Empire. I humbly beg your forgiveness for the discourtesy of deceiving Your Highness’s eyes.”
“…”
Lucian seemed momentarily at a loss for words.
Good. I had to act quickly while I still had the chance to speak.
“What I desire is my own safety and the prosperity of The Empire. Knowing what divine punishment awaits those who defy the oracle, I cannot stand idle.”
My own safety—that truly is all I want. As for prosperity, I honestly don’t care.
I simply wish to live quietly. If I could have that, I would do anything.
“So you were the young lady of the Rosena Duchy.”
“Your Highness, I must make a correction. This is not the will of the Rosena Duchy Family, but my will alone, Flotie. The title of Junior Duke was long ago inherited by the eldest daughter of Rosena.”
I bowed deeply as I continued.
“However, should Your Highness ascend to the highest throne…”
“Should I ascend?”
He stared at my face in a daze for a long moment before slowly repeating my words.
“You would receive the patronage and support of the Rosena Family—not merely as Flotie Rosena, but as the founding merit subject and the gold of The Empire.”
Of course, this was something I had already discussed with Serpina Rosena beforehand.
My dependable sister had promised that she would support me completely in whatever path I chose to walk.
Even as I now proposed the conditions of a lifetime, Lucian simply continued to stare at my face instead of answering.
I cleared my throat briefly, and only then did he seem to regain his composure and open his mouth.
“As you’re aware, my older brother also has red eyes.”
Of course I’d anticipated this revelation. Two members of the Imperial Family born with crimson eyes in a single generation—it was unprecedented.
If such a situation existed, there was a high probability that one of them was disguising their eye color.
Throughout history, countless individuals had believed that merely sitting upon the throne was all that mattered.
However, if I delved into this matter first, Lucian would never willingly answer our proposal.
“Though it is an exceptional circumstance, should the two of you ever find yourselves competing for a single position, I will absolutely ensure victory for Your Highness.”
Upon hearing my confident response, he extended his hand for a handshake.
“To be honest, I can’t immediately accept an invitation to pursue that seat. You understand that your proposal is quite bewildering to me, and that I cannot completely trust your identity.”
“I understand.”
If he had concealed his existence all this time despite possessing red eyes, there must be a compelling reason.
A stranger like me telling him to fulfill his duty simply because he was born with red eyes might not sound convincing at all.
Anyone would feel hesitant if someone suddenly appeared and demanded they ascend to the imperial throne merely because they happened to have red eyes.
“And because I’m selfish, if I decide this matter threatens me, I’ll withdraw immediately.”
“That sentiment is mutual.”
“Where did that confidence about bringing me victory go?”
His tone had grown somewhat playful, and I found myself smiling in return.
“For me, victory is simply surviving alongside those I love.”
As I grasped the hand he extended, I felt the solid calluses embedded in his palm.
These were not the hands of someone dissolute and perpetually chasing wine.
With so many clues present, weren’t those who failed to discern the truth simply fools?
“Two calculating, selfish individuals joining hands—I believe the outcome will be favorable.”
He gazed at my face for quite some time.
With his attention touching each of my features, I felt an inexplicable tingling sensation.
“Yes, I’m someone who values results over process.”
“I will remember that.”
I thought I’d answered quite reassuringly, yet he continued to grip my hand firmly.
As I carefully stepped back half a pace, he finally released a short sigh.
“My apologies.”
“Not at all.”
After releasing my hand, he drew the veil back over his face.
“I’ll leave first. I’m someone who can move about alone without raising suspicion.”
As Lucian prepared to depart, his eyes shifted back to blue.
“Your Highness appears quite practiced at magic that alters eye color.”
“Why? Do I seem talented at magic? There are many methods to maintain it without me actively casting—I don’t need to continuously channel it.”
“I’ve heard that careless use could potentially damage one’s vision.”
“If I lose my eyes, you won’t bring me the throne?”
His words carried a somewhat roguish tone, and I found myself laughing despite myself.
The fact that he’d learned this since childhood suggested someone had instructed him to conceal his eye color from youth.
Perhaps there existed someone else besides us who had sought to preserve Lucian’s life.
It was no simple feat for a boy to survive alone within the Imperial Palace, surrounded by those who sought his death.
“Then, take care of yourself.”
“I hope we shall meet again in the not-too-distant future.”
“Ah, but before I go.”
He had been about to step through the doorway when he paused, as if something had suddenly occurred to him, and turned back to speak.
“Young Lady, are you perhaps already married? Or do you have a betrothed?”
“…Neither. I am not.”
Did my marital status truly bear any influence on ascending to the throne of The Empire?
If a marriage were necessary to place Lucian on the throne, I could certainly find a suitable candidate and arrange a contract marriage.
Once Lucian ascended, we could simply divorce.
“I see.”
Yet the moment I answered that I was not married, relief visibly washed across Lucian’s face.
Why would relief appear there of all places?
Bewildered, I glanced sideways at Serpina Rosena and Minabell.
Serpina Rosena seemed equally caught off guard by the question, clearing her throat repeatedly.
Only Minabell observed us both with an appraising gaze, as if she were some sort of expert examining a curiosity, her eyes darting between Lucian and me.
Yet he, seemingly oblivious to her scrutiny, departed the Mansion with light, unhurried steps, following the Ghost Maid.
Once the three of us were alone, Serpina Rosena reproached me with an aggrieved tone.
“Tiae, why did you act so recklessly?”
“I wanted to prevent the terrible future you saw.”
“I’ve already prevented my terrible future—by having you alive like this. Tiae, what worries me more is how you’re wasting away like this.”
Her cold expression vanished entirely as she pulled me into a tight embrace, as though she might weep at any moment.
I was simply exhausted, yet she made such a fuss. Serpina Rosena truly was the worrying type.
“If you do your best to protect us, then we shall do the same. That is what love is, after all.”
Of course, I wished not only to protect my family but also to prevent The Empire’s destruction.
It was less a matter of grand patriotism than a simple desire to live quietly and peacefully.
The joyful life of a youngest noble daughter, indulging in all her heart’s desires without restraint.
How could anyone abandon such a thing without even attempting to achieve it?

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