Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 87

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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 87
I’d rather not dwell on the countless tribulations that arose while preparing for the betrothal ceremony.
How many dresses I changed into, or how flamboyantly Minabell and Hailey Genevre quarreled over the placement of a single flower.
Moreover, when Serpina Rosena’s three men gathered together, something both astonishing and utterly dreadful befell me alone.
‘Aden sent catalogs of accessories that are trending in the Holy Kingdom, saying he thought they’d look pretty on you. He seems to want to send them as betrothal gifts once we choose. The ones checked appear to be Aden’s taste.’
‘Ah, Aden really does prefer such pure styles. Liti, you need something with a strong point that captures Seri’s essence. From that perspective, I think this one is good. Aden doesn’t know trends.’
‘This one is heavy. This one.’
‘Just because the gemstones are small doesn’t mean everything is light.’
It felt like I’d suddenly acquired three older brothers.
I simply sat in the back sipping tea while they opened a communication channel connected to Aden, and the four of them exchanged opinions relentlessly.
Since they couldn’t overwork my neck, they debated while holding various pieces against a torso form, resembling nobles conducting state affairs rather than lovers.
‘I object! In betrothals, it’s customary for couples to share the same color, but if we only choose purple, it won’t match Lucian Advein’s coloring!’
‘No, Rudi. Listen. Our Lu has an appearance that transcends color. Seri, doesn’t this purple really resemble the young lady’s eye color?’
‘It does resemble it, but….’
‘Kut! Cal! Say something!’
‘What.’
‘Never mind, just forget it.’
I did nothing and merely observed the chaos they created.
Except for the occasional times I strolled with Lucian Advein, exchanging various conversations.
Typically, couples approaching a betrothal ceremony would refrain from meeting to heighten their anticipation, but since we were also partners in cooperation beyond being prospective betrothed, we couldn’t avoid seeing each other entirely.
In truth, this was an excuse—I wanted to see him. When I observe him welcoming my visits, it seems his heart isn’t so different from mine.
Though perhaps that’s merely what I wish to believe.
“What if it rains on the betrothal day? The moon being overcast today doesn’t sit well with me.”
“The betrothal ceremony is a week away—can you really divine the weather a week hence based on today’s clouds?”
“Haven’t you heard that if it’s cloudy today, there’s a high chance of rain a week later? It’s something my tutor taught me.”
“…Really? I only had a tutor when I was very young, so I’ve never heard such a thing….”
“I was lying.”
I clenched my fist without thinking.
Punching a Sword Master with my fist would only result in my own destruction. Seeing my stubborn little hand, Lucian Advein tilted his head back and laughed.
Come to think of it, not just Serpina Rosena but myself as well, and Lucian Advein too—we all seemed to express raw emotions more frequently now.
In the past, I was told I resembled a well-crafted ceramic doll.
Even when I tried to express myself, there was no one to understand it, so what more could be said.
But now, no matter how hard I try to conceal it, my emotions lay bare before him.
Or perhaps I’ve simply stopped trying to hide them altogether. I unconsciously furrowed my brow, then smoothed it.
“Please don’t tease me so much. I fall for such pranks far too easily.”
“You fall for them so easily that I keep teasing you.”
He had begun to address me more casually now, sometimes using “you” or “your” instead of the more formal “you,” shifting to more comfortable terms.
It felt like evidence that he was treating me with increasing familiarity, and I didn’t find the feeling entirely unpleasant.
Having no particular objection, I laughed softly with him and nodded. Yes, if I can feel good about such things, there’s nothing to be done about it.
Someday I’ll repay him threefold. I smiled outwardly while secretly sharpening the blade of revenge within.
“The maid will attend the betrothal ceremony as well, won’t she?”
“Yes, once the Crown Prince arrives.”
I was toying with the idea of arranging a secret meeting between Elian and Vincent away from Lai’s sight, though I wasn’t sure if it would work out as planned.
‘Can you beat that dark mage?’
‘Seri, you’ve just wounded my pride. Just wait.’
Cruide had boasted that he would create an opening by drawing Lai’s attention by any means necessary.
And this time, he promised to be careful so that no one would fall under a curse.
“I heard the Young Duke sent an invitation to the Tower Master as well.”
“Yes, wouldn’t it be better to simply restore the Tower Master’s memories? Serpina Rosena can be so stubborn sometimes.”
“But you’re not confident it will work, are you? You’re questioning whether it’s right to change what the Tower Master decided to forget on her own.”
Lucian Advein shrugged as if to say he understood, then bowed toward me.
It hadn’t been long, yet he seemed to have grown taller again. Without thinking, I lifted my gaze to look at him.
“So, how does it feel to be betrothed? I’m a little disappointed that we keep talking about these things.”
“I’m excited, so I keep saying different things. Would you mind matching my rhythm a bit?”
He, who usually played it smooth, suddenly wore a flustered expression.
I didn’t avert my gaze and stared at him intently before continuing.
“That was a lie.”
I had gotten even. Fortunately, he didn’t clench his fist.
He seemed to know that doing so alone could knock me unconscious. He lifted his head and gazed at the still-cloudy sky.
Between the gray clouds, a white moon occasionally peeked through—a moon that resembled Lucian Advein’s hair color.
“I’m not afraid of the curse. If everything unfolds according to reason, it will naturally disappear on its own. And everyone is working hard to find a way to break it.”
“You have no fear at all. I worry endlessly about what might happen to you.”
He draped his cloak around my shoulders, saying the night breeze was cold, and let out a sigh.
I understood his heart as well.
A man who had never possessed anything and was surrounded only by those who preyed upon him—now that he had gained allies and expanded his sphere of influence, how could he not feel greedy?
Yet the moment he gained these things, those around him seemed to suddenly act as though they had been waiting to strip away everything he possessed.
It was natural that his heart grew anxious and fear consumed him.
I could understand him all the more because Serpina Rosena had been exactly like this in the early days of the regression.
She had struggled to accept that this peaceful daily life was hers, and trembled with worry about when and how it might slip away like sand, sometimes weeping.
I leaned against him lightly and murmured quietly.
“Don’t worry. Nothing could happen to me. So many people care about Flotie Rosena.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
I had only leaned against him, yet I felt him stiffen. Was there reason to be so tense?
Come to think of it, until now he had barely had any physical contact with anyone but me, and I had never initiated such closeness with him before.
Unlike me, who would embrace my family or receive kisses whenever the opportunity arose, he was different. I would need to be more careful going forward.
Since I couldn’t suddenly pull away from where we were already touching, I continued speaking as we were.
“And just as many people care equally for Lucian Advein, so Your Highness should be a little kinder to yourself.”
“I’m already generous enough with myself.”
“I wish you would be even more so. It’s my role to hold Your Highness accountable. So please don’t take away my duty. Traditionally, a crown princess is the one who keeps the crown prince in line, but if Your Highness does everything alone now, what am I supposed to do?”
I deliberately threw out the jest, and he finally burst into laughter. I laughed along and gently took his hand.
“Even when Your Highness comes of age, I’ll still be eighteen. And so will Serpina Rosena.”
“I must see you come of age. I wondered why the Young Duke was so obsessed with it, but now I understand the reason.”
“I want to see myself as an adult too.”
It was something I couldn’t find in any memory, so I had no choice but to create it in this timeline.
Still, having lived this long already means I’ve surpassed my lifespan from my previous life. I should try a little harder.
What in this world could be more terrifying than changing into hundreds of dresses and trying on thousands of accessories?
“Ah, that’s right. There was something I wanted to ask you today. I’d like to hear your opinion.”
“Please, I’m happy to offer whatever wisdom I can.”
He laughed at my exaggerated words before asking his question.
“For our engagement, I’d like to give you a commemorative gift worthy of the occasion. Is there anything you’d like to receive? I’d prefer something only I can give you. You can answer after the engagement ceremony.”
I’m terrified.
Something terrifying just happened!

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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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