Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 324

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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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I was about to say that Cecilia had lost her mind if she thought I’d make her Empress Consort, but then I hesitated, remembering Cecilia’s personality. Come to think of it, she might actually find it amusing and decide to make Reina Letem Empress Consort just for laughs.
“I can use Legendary skills, I’m tall, and I have a pretty face!”
“Sigh….”
“Sister, you have to admit the facts.”
There was no way to refute her, which infuriated me. From the Imperial Court’s perspective, the Letem family’s unique flame magic was a coveted skill, and the fact that Reina Letem was tall and beautiful was simply stating the obvious. I’d had countless opportunities to cut ties with her over the years, but every time, her face made my anger melt away.
“….”
Now that I thought about it, imagining a child born between Cecilia and Reina Letem actually excited me. If she inherited Cecilia’s looks, she’d be a mysterious beauty; if she took after Reina Letem, she’d be more of a spirited beauty. A mysterious yet spirited beauty—that was a rare attribute. Could I convince Reina Letem to make that sacrifice with her eyes closed?
“Listen carefully, Reina Letem. There exists in this world something called a mysterious yet spirited beauty. Between you and Cecilia,”
“Legendary off!”
“Stop it, you brat! I’ll mediate for you!”
This girl really did have an impossibly quick temper. I told her I’d accompany her to the ceremony and sent her on her way, then chased Reina Letem out. I’d bill the restoration costs for the damaged garden to Count Letem. Reina Letem would get a proper scolding the moment she arrived home. I happily scribbled down an exorbitant amount.

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The Letem Beauty Team was excellent, but when it came to the pursuit of beauty, none could rival House Neftis. I decided to repay an old debt from when I’d crossdressed with the help of the Letem Beauty Team to attend a ball, so I mobilized all of House Neftis’s talent to polish Reina Letem until she gleamed.
To show off the thoroughly refined Reina Letem, I called in Eugene and Kanna, who had returned to their family home for the holidays. We sat behind the curtain, crunching popcorn as we waited for Reina Letem to emerge from her transformation.
“The Neftis Beauty Team is famous. I’m curious to see how Reina Letem has changed.”
“B-but, even so, Reina Letem is, well, still Reina Letem, isn’t she?”
Kanna’s assessment of Reina Letem remained as harsh as ever. But when it came to beauty, one had to maintain objectivity. Reina Letem had excellent raw material, and my household’s beauty team was masterful. The results would surely be extraordinary.
“Beauty is a given, but the real question is what concept my household’s servants will pursue.”
“Probably something cheerful, right? That’s Reina Letem’s only real strength anyway.”
Eugene, you’re being subtly harsh about Reina Letem too. She’s really quite beautiful—why is everyone so negative about her? Is it because of her personality? But with a face like Reina Letem’s, wouldn’t a flawed personality be forgivable?
“H-here it comes. I think it’s done.”
“Ooh!”
I jumped to my feet to admire the Neftis Family’s masterpiece. As the curtain parted, a dazzling red light burst forth like an illusion, and once my eyes adjusted to the brightness, I beheld a breathtaking sight.
“R-Reina Letem! My Reina Letem is alive!”
“Evan. Reina Letem was always alive.”
That’s not what I meant! I meant that lifeless, hollow expression Reina Letem usually wore was gone! There was a subtle melancholy to her now, with a hidden resilience shining through—she looked exactly like the elder sister Reina Letem I’d seen in “Yeomyung’s Repentance”!
“Kyaaah! Sister! Reina Letem, sister!”
“Even if you call me sister, there’s nothing I can do for you….”
“Please stay looking like that for the rest of your life!”
“You want to die….”
Reina Letem’s hair, which had always been frizzy and unkempt, resembling a lion’s mane, was now remarkably subdued. How on earth had they managed it? Had they straightened it with an iron? The tangled mess that had once waved like a dog’s fur wasn’t simply straightened—it now gleamed as if dusted with pearl powder, full of nourishment and vitality.
With no ornamental accessories, just nourishment and a clean straightening, the person looked completely different. The beauty team had nailed the concept. Since her body and face were already striking, they’d balanced it by keeping the hairstyle simple and neat.
If this were a harem drama, Reina Letem would have been given the title of Imperial Concubine. Her rank would be something like Empress of the Harem. As the heir to House Letem, she deserved at least that much to save face.
“That’s it! The Empress of the Harem title is ours!”
“So that’s your source of entertainment? If I had something to root for like that, it might feel worthwhile, Evan.”
“Come on, hang in there, Reina Letem. Empress Consort, that’s—that’s impressive. Pfft.”
“Legendary of….”
I took a deep breath, Reina Letem. You’ve gone to such trouble with your appearance—it would be a shame to let it fall apart now.
I positioned myself between Kanna and Reina Letem as mediator, declaring that today I would do my utmost to take Reina Letem’s side. No matter how stubborn Cecilia could be, if I stepped in to persuade her, she’d at least pretend to listen.
“Hey, you’re really the only one I’m counting on? I’m going through with this meeting relying only on you?”
“Don’t worry, Empress Consort. Handling Cecilia is my specialty.”
“Don’t call me Empress Consort!”
I’d already arranged for my friends to attend as observers beforehand, so now we just had to watch. I excitedly bundled my friends into the carriage, called out for departure, and waited for Cecilia at the Emperor’s guest reception palace.
Cecilia arrived precisely on time, accompanied by the Bachelor and Little Seian Mark 2-3, each carrying what looked like gift boxes.
“Oh my, how fortunate that everyone arrived safely.”
The greeting itself was ordinary, but the use of words like “fortunate” and “everyone”—that made me uneasy. Reina Letem was the guest of honor today, so why was she offering the same welcoming words to everyone else? Wasn’t Reina Letem about to become Empress Consort?
“Countess’s Daughter. Thank you for making time for this.”
“Oh, no! My time isn’t precious or anything!”
Please, Reina Letem, act like a Countess’s Daughter.
The sight of someone who looked like she’d become an Imperial Harem consort scratching her head frantically was genuinely hilarious. Would she be the first to fall victim if harem intrigue broke out? No, actually, she had a surprisingly cunning side to her, so she might adapt well.
“This is a gift from me to you, Evan.”
“Please accept it with gratitude.”
Huh? There’s something for me too? I’m not the type of demon lord to refuse gifts, so I quickly untied the ribbon and opened the box. I let the Bachelor’s usual nagging about savoring the gift with appreciation go in one ear and out the other.
“A key?”
Was it crafted with magic? Golden circuits like those commonly seen in biochips spread across the golden key like a pattern.
“It must be inconvenient to stay in the guest room indefinitely.”
“His Majesty has had a new palace built for you and your family. He grants you residential rights and naming rights to that place.”
Eeeek, I have to name something again? More than that, there are already plenty of palaces—why build another structure? Are you trying to get yourself overthrown by the people? Like Imperial Russia?
“I thought it would be meaningful for you to give it a name.”
“Hmm…. Then I’ll take time later to visit and look around before deciding.”
“Take your time.”
Cecilia chuckled softly, saying she’d need to make time again. No, it’s just going to see a building—you don’t need to come. Besides, Gerth commutes to the Imperial Palace on weekdays anyway, so we can manage just the two of us.
“Next, the Countess’s Daughter.”
“Yes, yes! The Countess’s Daughter is here!”
Settle down, please, Reina Letem—act like a Countess’s Daughter.
As Reina Letem stepped forward with stiff movements, raising her hand, the Bachelor blocked her path and thrust the gift box toward her. Reina Letem, with equally rigid motions, untied the ribbon and drew out a key.
Huh? Another key?
“For the Countess’s Daughter, I thought the Lake Palace would be most fitting.”
“It is His Majesty’s arrangement—that you cultivate your spirit while gazing upon the gentle waters.”
Whoa! The Lake Palace—you mean that extravagant palace in the middle of the artificial lake?! With everything from transportation to dehumidification systems requiring magical stones, the annual maintenance costs alone are said to be in the hundreds of millions!
“Wow, Reina Letem really is favored, isn’t she?”
“The, the Empress Consort.”
“Yes, the Empress Consort.”
As we clapped softly in reverence for the Empress Consort, Reina Letem scowled and waved her fists frantically. Seeing this, the Bachelor cleared his throat and, surprisingly, showed a respectful attitude even toward someone like Reina Letem, speaking with formal deference.
“Are you not the one destined to govern the Imperial Harem? It would be best to refrain from such vulgar behavior.”
At this, Reina Letem’s mouth fell open even more ungracefully.
“Pardon? The Imperial Harem? Me?”
“Yes. While the number of concubines is unlimited, those who would become Empress Consort or Princess are few and far between.”

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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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