Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 90

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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 90
When I came to my senses, the Engagement Banquet Hall was in full swing.
Asteron and Lucian Advein had vanished, and Vincent Crown Prince was being escorted away wrapped in cloth.
[To my fiancée, you cannot imagine how startled I was when you suddenly lost consciousness. But now that I understand the situation, it is certainly warranted.
I shall handle this matter myself, so please do not worry too much and enjoy the banquet. If both principals of the betrothal ceremony fail to make an appearance, the entire affair may fall into disarray. Forgive me for burdening you with such a heavy responsibility.
Haeston shall accompany me, but Jade Delpoi, the Young Duke, and those escorting the Young Duke will all remain in the Engagement Banquet Hall to protect you.
It is deeply humiliating that I cannot protect you directly as your betrothed, but this situation is beyond my control. I suppose there are moments in life when one must overcome such crises.
Flotie, why do the young face so many trials? I know full well it is an unfitting question to ask of one merely seventeen years old. Forgive me for my childish complaints. I have decided of my own accord that we are now the sort of couple who may indulge in such things.
Then I shall take my leave. — Lucian Advein.]
Whether it was affection or petulance, or perhaps both, reading that letter wrapped me in a sense of duty to see the banquet through without incident.
So I changed into the dress I had prepared for the banquet and made ready to depart.
Of course, I had to separate Elian, who was determined to follow me.
“Pardon? You lost consciousness, miss. How can you suggest I not accompany you? Such a thing is impossible.”
“Such things do happen in life. You are old enough now to understand that we cannot always be together. Go to where Lucian Advein is. I would like you to meet Vincent Crown Prince there.”
“What?”
Elian looked at me with a face caught between “Why?” and “Am I truly permitted to do so?” before hesitantly moving away.
But then she came running back to consult me about what to do with the child.
“Would it not be better if the child did not meet him? I cannot be certain myself. I shall entrust the child to you.”
“…Yes!”
This betrothal ceremony seems to involve far too many covert operations. I feel particularly exhausted today.
Or perhaps it is simply because there are so many people at the banquet…
As I looked around uncertainly, someone called out to me.
A smile bloomed unbidden on my face. It was Hailey Genevre.
“Flotie! You look absolutely beautiful!”
“Hailey, thank you so much for coming despite being busy with your own wedding preparations. I truly did not wish to interfere with your schedule.”
Hailey Genevre was particularly lovely today.
Jade Delpoi, dressed in formal attire that matched her color, seemed to proclaim to all who saw them, “We shall soon be husband and wife.”
The way they naturally linked arms in this chaotic space showed just how affectionate a couple they were.
“If my lord has matters to attend to, then naturally my schedule takes second priority. Even if it were my own wedding.”
“…”
“…I just remembered someone else I should greet. Please excuse me.”
Hailey Genevre’s lovely expression froze instantly.
No matter how loyal one is, such words should never be spoken.
Jade Delpoi seemed quite flustered seeing Hailey Genevre’s distorted expression. But there was nothing I could do about that either.
Hang in there, Jade Delpoi. I’m still on Hailey’s side. Read the room.
I quickly escaped that spot and glanced around to explore elsewhere.
Minabell, who had long dominated society, was exchanging various conversations among the other ladies.
“So the outfits worn by the two young ladies shall now lead the trends.”
“Lady Serpina Rosena wore trousers, did she not? Do you think young lady Cherita believes trousers will become fashionable?”
“My, but I wore trousers as well, did I not?”
As I naturally took my seat among them, the young ladies startled and broke into delighted smiles.
They quickly made room for me to sit, their expressions brimming with curiosity. Well, anyone could see that what I was wearing was a dress.
Minabell grinned as though I’d arrived at the perfect moment, lifting her index finger with a flourish.
“This is a pants dress that I’ve just developed.”
“A pants dress?”
“I created it for ladies who find wearing trousers as uncomfortable as Lady Serpina Rosena does. The inside is constructed as pants, but the exterior is designed to appear as a skirt. Quite innovative, isn’t it?”
“My goodness!”
“It’s remarkably comfortable. Since the dress is divided into separate top and bottom pieces, one can dress oneself without assistance. That’s why we call it a skirt-pants hybrid, to be precise.”
“Without a maid’s help?”
“Yes, and undressing as well.”
Though I couldn’t very well lift the skirt to demonstrate.
This was part of the “point accumulation” that Minabell had requested.
Whenever the daughters of Rosena wore something new, it became fashionable, and creating such trends apparently accumulated an enormous number of points.
If that allowed me to unlock Lai’s profile, I should cooperate. Besides, this skirt-pants dress was genuinely remarkably convenient.
And as though drawn by fate, my sister approached from a distance, having spotted me. Even among the throng of people, she radiated a brilliance that dazzled the eye.
Not only was she beautiful, but she was simultaneously being escorted by two men whose striking appearances commanded attention.
One was a man of an intensely dark complexion, the other a man with sky-blue eyes approaching white.
And between them, my sister reigned with regal composure. It was a sight one wouldn’t easily witness anywhere.
I opened my mouth with a gentle smile.
“Sister, this betrothal banquet is splendid.”
“I’m relieved it pleases you, Tiae. I could afford to relax a hand or two. Don’t you think?”
My sister was smiling, but irritation was plainly evident in her demeanor.
She must have heard about the suspected mage who had infiltrated. Cruide, as though he couldn’t hear her words at all, laughed and made a fuss with exaggerated gestures.
“Riti, you look like the true protagonist today. Especially that white dress—I think it was a masterstroke. Though the betrothal banquet dress is lovely too.”
“It’s not a dress, it’s a skirt-pants.”
“To be precise, calling it a two-piece is more accurate, or so Miss Cherita said.”
My sister looked at Minabell as though seeking confirmation.
In that moment, the young ladies stirred with excitement. One of them gathered her courage and addressed my sister.
“Um, could we obtain one of these two-pieces at a salon?”
“Ah, once this betrothal banquet concludes, I shall gift one to each young lady present.”
Minabell’s face bloomed with joy. I had no doubt those points were being tallied in real time.
“What a pity that His Highness missed the opportunity to witness the beauty of the sisters.”
“Mm.”
At Cruide’s sympathetic remark about Lucian Advein in that composed tone, I cast him a reproachful glance.
Did he not understand the reason? Because he was so entranced by my sister’s beauty that he’d neglected his duties, Lucian Advein was now rushing about frantically.
Yet there was nothing I could say here.
Sister, this elf being a dark mage seems like a lie…. He’s just a pretty-faced simpleton.
Without thinking, I suppressed the words threatening to escape my lips and instead fiddled with my betrothal ring.
Had a gust of wind strong enough to send everything in the betrothal banquet hall flying not blown through at that very moment, I might have opened my mouth without realizing it.
“Goodness, he’s really done it now.”
Cruide alone remained unflustered in this chaos.
I hastily bent low while the ladies pressed down their skirts, and the gentlemen eyed the path where the wind had struck.
It seemed only I witnessed a certain marquis’s wig fly away in the tumult.
…Let’s keep that secret.
“It wasn’t the wind that stripped the noble’s robe—it was the sun.”
Cruide murmured as if recalling a very ancient fairy tale, then snapped his fingers once.
At that same moment, something impossible occurred. The tree that no one had approached until now….
began to sweat.
No, to be precise, the sweat dripped from the empty space hovering slightly above the tree.
Someone was concealed pressed close against the tree. Yet the flustered crowd seemed to mistake the tree itself for the source of perspiration.
“What is that?”
“A cursed tree? Wait a moment…. Isn’t that the tree House Faneshula shamelessly sent while begging forgiveness! It’s cursed, absolutely cursed!”
The moment everyone erupted in commotion, Serpina Rosena stepped forward.
“Evacuate into the Mansion. I shall handle that sinister thing.”
“My lady, it’s far too dangerous. That is…. Surely dark magic!”
Serpina Rosena forcibly ushered the worried protestors inside, then advanced toward the tree.
“Kalik, give me your sword.”
Kalik offered his blade in its sheath without the slightest hesitation.
Serpina Rosena drew the sword and aimed it at the empty space.
“Will you reveal yourself? Or shall I draw you out?”

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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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