Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 9

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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 9
I received brief information about the young lady who had recently suffered harm, along with details about the Reading Circle.
“The regular members are Lillian Faneshula, who hosts it, Hailey Genevre, April Rensi, and myself. Depending on the three of us, two or three additional members are added each time.”
“The fixed membership seems incredibly small. How did you manage to get in?”
“I happen to know how to win over younger girls.”
Minabell spoke in a weary voice, as if she were far older than our peers, but her expression quickly shifted.
It seemed the topic of age was a sensitive matter for her.
“You’re the daughter of Rosena, after all. When I asked if I could bring you since they sent an invitation, everyone was shocked and desperately wanted me to bring you.”
“I’m hardly in a position to be ‘brought along’…”
“What are you talking about? Did you forget that to build connections, you need to put yourself at the center of people’s attention?”
Minabell had spent the entire night explaining to me the relationships between each house, the tendencies of the ladies, the nature of each family—until the veins in her eyes looked ready to burst.
‘I don’t know why the Emperor must have red eyes in this world. I still don’t quite understand why you’re so fixated on it, or the hearts of the nobility. But I do know that Faneshula is jealous of what she doesn’t have. The Rosena Family has all sorts of elements that provoke Faneshula in that regard.’
‘Oh, I see.’
‘So once you get what you need, you can end the Reading Circle there. Tiae, what does the Crown Prince need most right now?’
My answer at that moment had determined our target.
“The person you should target today is Hailey Genevre. First, her family owns the largest mana stone mines, so she has connections with the Magic Tower. She’s also experienced in military procurement, having arranged successive betrothals with knight families. And Lillian Faneshula… well, she’s skilled, so be careful.”
The ambiguous expression on her face as she used the word “skilled” told me I could understand her nature without further explanation.
Was this event truly the right choice? I felt a twinge of fear, but there was no turning back now.
I had to trust Minabell!
“Don’t worry. Tiae, people will create their own stories just from your expressionless face!”
“Hmm… what do you mean?”
“It’s fine, not knowing will actually help you more! Yes, that expression right there. If all else fails, just make that face. The way you express displeasure with such dignity.”
“I was just making a confused expression because I didn’t understand what you said. Minabell.”
* * *
“Lady Rosena, thank you so much for visiting. I worry that our family’s hospitality might be lacking.”
Lillian Faneshula was, at first glance, a truly beautiful girl.
It was hard to believe that the countless rumors and gossip born from those lips had brought down so many prominent families.
But I knew better than anyone, through Serpina’s lived experience and sorrow, that people are not what they appear to be.
“If our Faneshula’s hospitality should prove insufficient, I humbly beg your forgiveness. Ah, Lady Cherita! Thank you so much for bringing Lady Rosena!”
Lillian was excessively attentive to me, deliberately displaying her attitude to those around us.
Or perhaps she was creating the impression that I had cornered her.
‘You have a tendency to look aloof and cold when you’re quiet.’
It was a criticism I’d heard since childhood.
I softened my expression as much as I could.
“I heard it was a difficult place to participate in, so I’m truly grateful you made room for me. Since it’s been so long since I’ve been out, I hope I won’t be a burden.”
“A burden? Your visit alone is a great honor! There are so many who wish to see you but haven’t even received a reply!”
Ah, so that was it.
She wanted to paint me as a cold woman who dismisses everyone, while still nervously watching for reactions.
The truth was simply that my wrist had grown weak, and I’d collapsed after writing my fifth response letter.
Of course, a lady of a count’s house shouldn’t treat the daughter of a duke’s house carelessly, but there was no reason for her to be so deferential either.
“May glory shine upon Faneshula. It is not much, but I have prepared a small gift as thanks for the invitation.”
The fact that the gathering’s host had come to greet me alone felt suspicious, but I chose not to show it and followed her inside.
“Everyone, this is Flotie, the young lady of the Rosena Duchy Family. She has graciously made the journey to join us.”
“How wonderful. I’m honored to be part of such a fine gathering. It’s all thanks to Cherita here.”
Lillian showed no sign of properly introducing Minabell’s ‘accomplishment,’ so I directly pointed her out myself.
“I wouldn’t have dared come without Minabell.”
In other words, don’t you dare dismiss my friend.
Ignoring Minabell’s touched gaze, I took my seat, and the Reading Circle began with light refreshments.
At first, the conversation was no different from any other reading circle—merely discussing the book.
I had prepared by reading the book in advance to guard against any territorial hostility or bombardment of questions, but they seemed hesitant to ask me anything and merely offered the simplest acknowledgments before moving on.
I didn’t even need to use the signal Minabell had taught me, which made things easier.
“Ah, since we’re on the subject of the Magic Tower where this heroine lived, I heard there’s a Magic Tower near Violet’s territory? So I’ve heard you visit frequently.”
“Yes? Oh, yes.”
Yes, if only it weren’t for schemes like this.
With April’s remark, the topic began to shift subtly.
The young lady who had been glancing at me from the corner looked up in surprise. Her voice in response seemed both delighted and trembling at being called upon.
She looked terribly young. Barely thirteen, if that.
Why had they dragged a child who hadn’t even had her debutante ball to sit here?
Now that I think about it, like me, she hadn’t been given much say either.
Even if they dared not question me, it bothers me that they don’t even give this child a chance to respond.
“Yes, yes, relatively speaking, there are many magical artifacts and naturally….”
“I’ve heard that recently there are those in the Magic Tower claiming the sun has risen incorrectly. But my knowledge is so limited that I couldn’t understand what that means at all.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“The sun has risen incorrectly?”
April’s theatrical surprise and Lillian’s agreement as if she knew nothing. And the young Violet.
And Hailey, wearing an uncomfortable expression among them. It was like a third-rate play with no entertainment value.
The sun refers to the imperial family—in this case, the Vincent Crown Prince.
Words that deny the current Vincent Crown Prince; words that anyone of sufficient age would understand. But the young lady seemed not to grasp the exact meaning.
While I didn’t need to look after her, there was no reason to leave the young lady in a difficult position.
“You seem quite interested in the Magic Tower, young lady of Faneshula.”
The Magic Tower is currently one of the factions that does not support the Vincent Crown Prince, so it would be troublesome to get entangled with nobles and be falsely accused.
Besides, it’s where Serpina Rosena belonged in my past life, so somehow it feels close to me.
* * *
Hailey Genevre is the third daughter of House Genevre.
She received abundant love, was remarkably independent, matured quite gracefully, and was the object of admiration from young men her age almost daily.
Most attributed it to her family’s connections, but many were drawn to her wisdom and excellent character.
To be frank, until that point, Hailey had no intention whatsoever of participating in such a lowbrow reading circle.
But everything began to unravel when a marriage proposal from Faneshula arrived for her childhood friend and fiancé, to whom she had promised her hand since childhood.
‘I’ve already completed the betrothal ceremony and refused directly to the young lady, saying it cannot be undone, yet threatening letters keep arriving as if Jade Delpoi knows the House Genevre’s secret.’
‘A secret, you say?’
‘I don’t know what it is either. Father can’t seem to grasp it at all. If nothing exists, perhaps they intend to fabricate the secret themselves.’
Her fiancé, Jade Delpoi, reassured her not to worry too much, saying he would find a way to resolve it somehow.
Delpoi, descended from a lineage of steadfast knights, would never crumble under such coercion.
But Hailey knew all too well how many had been destroyed by Faneshula’s machinations.

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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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