Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 75

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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 75
“Good heavens!”
“Good heavens?”
“This can’t be happening!”
“This can’t be happening?”
Minabell was making such a fuss that all I could do was foolishly echo her words.
“A formal meeting between families—what an event!”
Naturally, it was Hailey, who had experience with engagements, and my friend Minabell who first learned of this news.
After returning from the Holy Kingdom, thanks to Serpina Rosena’s desperate protection, Minabell escaped expulsion from the Cherita Family and avoided punishment, settling instead for a generous week-long house confinement.
However, even with Serpina Rosena’s strong recommendation, her enrollment at the Magic Tower to study had not yet been finalized.
The House Cherita believed that the greatest virtue was to live each day quietly without drawing attention.
Afterward, the bored Minabell even used the word “event” in her excitement, while Hailey ignored everything Minabell said and wore an expression of grim determination, as if to say “at last, it has come.”
I had practically kidnapped my future husband to the Holy Kingdom on a whim, yet she harbored no anger—only this resolute expression.
“There is an enormous difference between two people who care for each other and becoming official fiancés. If there is anything I can help with, I am more than willing. Jade and I proceeded with our engagement when we were young, so we did not hold a grand formal ceremony.”
“Hailey, you don’t seem particularly surprised?”
“While it is sudden that all of this is progressing immediately after your return from the Holy Kingdom, I would not call it surprising. Everyone anticipated that the two of you would reach this point eventually.”
“Everyone?”
“Any noble who knows the rumors spreading through the Imperial Capital would surely have guessed as much.”
“That’s right, Tiae. There’s no parent who can resist their child’s wishes. It’s universal across all nations.”
“Anyone listening would think I staged a protest demanding to be betrothed. It went through more smoothly than expected, though Father did object. In reality, Mother holds the practical decision-making power.”
And that was indeed the case.
Duke Rosena governed the Duke Rosena’s Residence, but it was Mother who held Father in her hands and shook him.
Before the woman he loved, Father became utterly powerless, and whenever Mother so much as frowned, he would spend the entire day treading carefully.
Though in truth, Mother had only frowned because dust had gotten in her eye.
In such circumstances, Mother had nearly approved my engagement outright, so it was fair to interpret it as having been successfully arranged.
“I think Father’s objection stems not from displeasure with His Highness’s situation, but rather from believing I am too young to be betrothed. In my opinion, his reasoning is rather unreasonable.”
I made a comment bordering on criticism of Father, and no one contradicted me.
Hailey, whose marriage had been arranged since she was very young, seemed to sympathize with my words.
She simply remained silent, unable to openly disparage Duke Rosena in my presence.
“In any case, Mother wishes to meet His Highness, but I thought it would be inadvisable to hold the meeting at the Third Prince’s Palace, no matter what.”
“Indeed. If the Third Prince’s Palace were somewhat more luxurious or symbolically significant, I might have insisted on it regardless… but as things stand now, inviting Lucian Advein to the Rosena Residence would be considered the more formal arrangement.”
The Third Prince’s Palace and its master were treated so poorly that hosting Lucian Advein at the Rosena Residence was now regarded as the more prestigious option.
Thanks to Melissa having showered him with gifts upon his return from the Holy Kingdom, there were now those who began to probe cautiously, wondering if the Third Prince might actually be a hidden talent.
Rumors had begun to circulate that the Third Prince, who had shown no external activity until now, might in fact possess concealed abilities.
“Why not hold the meeting in the Capital instead? If the nobility won’t lend their support, we’ll win over the common people first.”
Minabell, who had been bouncing excitedly with joy, offered her opinion as though struck by inspiration.
Hailey nodded as if she had been about to suggest the same thing, her gaze turning toward me.
“Public sentiment toward His Highness Lucian Advein has improved considerably of late. If you were to make an appearance at such a time, it would have an even more positive effect.”
“Could it be because of that day when I returned from the Holy Kingdom?”
“Yes, most likely.”
Most of the gifts Melissa had given were sacred relics, and Lucian distributed them generously not only to ailing nobles but to the common people as well.
As a result, people’s perception and favorability toward Lucian rose sharply. The consensus was that it contrasted starkly with Vincent’s indifferent and detached demeanor.
‘Well, the Crown Prince is too much like the Emperor these days.’
‘The Third Prince is the better candidate. I heard he distributed the sacred relics not based on wealth or status, but on the severity of illness. He even promised to move faster for the sake of other patients.’
‘I’d much rather have someone who at least claims they’ll act for us, even if it’s just empty words.’
Hailey nodded quietly, as though recalling that day.
“But even if the results were good, I don’t want to experience it again.”
As if to say that even now, thinking back on that day brought no laughter.
I found myself in complete agreement with that sentiment.
* * *
The journey back by carriage took about four days, and during that time, I found myself newly amazed at Aden’s holy power—I hadn’t experienced a single moment of nausea.
“Tiae, I’ll have a carriage called for you, so it would be best if you returned to the Mansion first. I’ll return to the Palace with His Highness….”
“Welcome back. Your Highness, Young Duke.”
We had deliberately chosen the night hours to avoid large crowds of well-wishers, yet there was someone who remembered and waited for us at precisely that time.
Lai, Vincent’s closest aide—someone who should rightfully be at his side even now—stood before us.
He swept his gaze over the pile of gifts with a displeased expression.
“All these things….”
“These are gifts bestowed upon my nephew by His Majesty, the King of the Holy Kingdom. Most were given to the Third Prince’s Palace, but I intend to distribute most of mine. As you know, the Prince’s Palace lacks personnel, so there’s little benefit in my keeping so much.”
But Lai, barely listening to my explanation, began to presumptuously examine the gifts more closely.
In that instant, his fingertips flinched as though struck by lightning, and he withdrew his hand.
Was it merely my imagination? Or was it something only I could perceive once again?
“These have been blessed with holy power, haven’t they? How profane.”
Profane?
That word grated on me considerably. Though the Empire forbids holy power, it doesn’t express such prohibition in terms of profanity.
Especially not someone in the Palace, whose every word carries significant influence.
When people describe something, they unconsciously reveal the emotions they’ve hidden within themselves.
I clearly saw a momentary flash of contempt and revulsion cross Lai’s face as he spoke those words.
“These are indeed blessed sacred relics, but they didn’t come with priests or saints, and since they can facilitate renewed exchange between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire, it’s only right to treasure them.”
“But that cannot be permitted.”
“Since when have you held a position to command me with ‘can’ and ‘cannot’?”
Lucian asked with a smile, and Lai’s hand stilled. His expression suggested he found the rebuttal unfamiliar.
Perhaps only now had the realization come—that the prince who once lived quietly in the shadows had grown into a monster.
“Report this matter to the Crown Prince as it stands. If he wishes to hold someone accountable for this, he must hold it against me, Lucian Advein, not the Holy Kingdom or the recipient of these gifts. And you will face punishment for daring to command me and for touching without permission what was bestowed upon me by the Holy Kingdom. Until then, you will remain in confinement and await judgment.”
At the end of his natural, commanding tone, a subtle aura emanated from Lucian’s body.
Just enough to avoid revealing himself as a Sword Master, yet sufficient to dominate the situation and adequately pressure his opponent.
Lai seemed to falter for the first time before this unfamiliar presence. Our eyes met briefly as I studied his face, but he paid me little attention.
As the atmosphere shifted strangely, Lai’s gaze turned toward Serpina Rosena, who stood beside Lucian.
It was understandable that he wouldn’t spare me a glance, yet today even that fact felt unusually offensive.
There was nothing I could do about it. Hah, but it’s getting irritating. This bastard. Did he forget that I was the Young Duke before my sister inherited the title?

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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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