I Put all my Stats into Charm - Chapter 11
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Put All My Stats Into Charm Episode 011
“That’s impossible….”
I was confused.
I understood why Vivian cursed me. In her eyes, I would be a thorn in her side interfering with her relationship with Jerome.
But Jerome was different. Jerome was the man Vivian loved.
Cursing the person you love?
My head was full of question marks.
“Why did Vivian curse His Grace? I heard they’ve known each other since childhood….”
“Because she loves him.”
“Pardon?”
Did I hear that wrong?
I looked at Rowell with an expression that showed I didn’t understand.
“If Duke Winston suffers from a curse, Lady Angus would have justification to deliver purifying incense. Even if it meant doing that, the Lady wanted to see the Duke.”
“That’s not love, that’s obsession.”
To my question, Rowell asked in a calm voice.
“What do you think is the difference between obsession and love, Lady?”
I don’t know such things.
Isn’t it unfair to ask someone who’s been single their whole life what love is?
“The deeper love becomes, the more intelligent species want to break down boundaries with their partner. The more intense the affection becomes, the more they stop recognizing the other as a separate being.”
Rowell continued speaking with a calm expression.
“This is an instinctive phenomenon. The desire to get closer to someone you love is no different from the desire to assimilate them as part of yourself.”
There was no wavering in his voice.
“When love deepens, it’s natural to feel anxiety when you’re not with that person. The actions taken to resolve that anxiety are simply called obsession.”
Rowell’s explanation made me feel uncomfortable.
But I couldn’t tell where this unresolved discomfort was coming from.
“If you love someone, isn’t it natural to want to possess them?”
His eyes were darker than usual.
“Then obsession could be seen as an intensified form of love.”
I still couldn’t agree with his words.
What was certain was that when someone who likes taxidermy said such things, it sounded dangerous.
I argued against Rowell’s words.
“But can you say Lady Angus’s methods were right?”
“Of course, I can’t say there are no ethical problems with Lady Angus’s methods. But I mean I can understand the essence of wanting to keep the person you love by your side somehow.”
What? That’s scary.
Why does he understand such things?
Even though it seemed plausible on the surface, it was nothing but sophistry.
Unable to find grounds to refute due to my lack of eloquence, I decided to diffuse the atmosphere with an awkward laugh.
“It’s difficult. I don’t really know since I’ve never been in love.”
At my answer, Rowell smiled brightly.
“Let’s return to the main topic. Since she used poison and even black magic, Lady Angus will find it difficult to avoid severe punishment.”
I didn’t know Vivian had even cast a curse, but I knew well that she was a vicious person.
But since she wouldn’t interfere with my path ahead, I thought that alone was sufficient.
“Did Master dispel the curse?”
“That’s right. Are there no aftereffects?”
“No. If anything, I feel better than before.”
“I cast blessing magic on you.”
Blessing magic would be magic that uses divine power. To think that he, who isn’t even a priest, could use sacred magic.
Is it because he’s the Empire’s greatest mage?
“I didn’t know Master could use sacred magic too.”
“I was once affiliated with the Temple.”
“Master, you were a priest?”
This was information I’d never heard before.
At my gaze full of curiosity, Rowell smiled gently.
“After leaving the Temple, my divine power decreased, so I can’t use sacred magic as well as before. But I can still use simple magic.”
He changed the subject.
“By the way, the investigation is being delayed because Lady Angus won’t open her mouth.”
Vivian, that girl. Does she plan to make excuses until the end?
The evidence that she tried to poison me was clear. So there was no way for her to escape.
Rowell continued speaking.
“If the Lady doesn’t speak, she’ll receive the maximum sentence. Since delaying time would only be to the Lady’s disadvantage, won’t she speak up soon?”
“I hope so.”
Whether she speaks or not, she’ll pay the price for her crimes.
I already felt refreshed.
Vivian’s problem was solved.
Now all that’s left is conquering Jerome!
When I let out a sigh of relief, Rowell asked a question.
“How did you know there was poison in the teacup?”
“Pardon?”
When I looked up at the sudden question, my eyes met Rowell’s.
“As I explained earlier, the poison Lady Angus was going to use is a colorless, odorless deadly poison. Moreover, it’s a drug not even known to the public.”
He stared at me as if trying to see through me with his deep purple eyes and continued speaking.
“If you hadn’t drunk it directly, you wouldn’t have been able to notice. How did you know it was poisoned and use the fairy’s skull?”
I rolled my eyes.
‘Does he suspect me?’
To think he’d pursue this matter like this. I guess I was being complacent.
In the game, no matter what actions I took, everyone would accept and move on, but now that it became reality, it felt like things weren’t going as I wanted.
I couldn’t say I knew there would be poison because I’d experienced it before.
I racked my brain as much as possible.
How can I avoid suspicion?
“I was full so I wasn’t drinking tea, but Lady Vivian kept recommending the tea. Even when I declined, she insisted, so I thought something was suspicious.”
At my answer, Rowell just looked at me silently.
Doesn’t he believe me?
When I gulped down dry saliva, Rowell opened his mouth.
“How curious. Just like last time at the Duke’s Palace. Could it be that Lady has the ability to detect bad energy?”
Did my earnest feelings reach him? The suspicion that had been in Rowell’s eyes seemed to gradually fade away.
“Perhaps Lady has developed special senses. This kind of alertness will be helpful in many ways, so it’s a good thing.”
Phew, thank goodness. My excuse worked.
When I let out a sigh of relief, I heard a knock.
Soon after, Rowell’s attendant entered and reported to him.
“Duke Winston has come to visit.”
“Duke Winston? We don’t have any scheduled appointment?”
“He said he came to see Miss Ambervia.”
I jumped up from my seat.
Jerome must have come after hearing the news that I collapsed!
To come on his own feet, what a precious fellow.
Thanks to that, I was saved the trouble of going to find him.
I took out a mirror to check my condition. Thanks to Rowell’s blessing, I could see a lively face.
‘How does this look like the face of a sick person?’
I brought cosmetics and applied white powder to my face. I drained the color from my lips and painted under my eyes bluish.
Since I came to visit a patient, it seemed like I should look somewhat sick rather than perfectly fine to win Jerome’s favor.
In other words, the strategy to stimulate protective instincts.
After finishing my preparations, I asked Rowell.
“Master, how do I look?”
“You look like a complete mess.”
Perfect!
Confident from Rowell’s confirmation, I hurriedly left the room.
When I arrived at the reception room, I saw Jerome sitting properly on the sofa.
“It’s nice to see you again, Your Grace.”
Jerome’s eyes wavered as he faced me. His brow also furrowed slightly.
After a moment, Jerome, who had returned to his usual calm demeanor, slowly rose from his seat.
“…Your condition is worse than I thought.”
For some reason, Jerome’s expression had darkened.
Is he worried about me?
“But thanks to Your Grace visiting me, I feel much better.”
I said with a bright smile.
Jerome also sat down and spoke.
“I’ve sent medicine and ingredients that will help with your recovery to the Tower of the Moon. They should arrive tomorrow.”
Oh my, how thoughtful of him.
All that effort raising his favorability was worth it.
“You didn’t have to do that. Thank you for taking care of me. I’ll eat well.”
Then, Jerome heavily parted his lips.
“…I apologize for the matter with Vivian Angus.”
Huh?
I tilted my head at his sudden apology.
“Vivian Angus was the one who did wrong, wasn’t she? It’s not something Your Grace needs to apologize for.”
“Didn’t you get involved with someone you shouldn’t have had to deal with because of me?”
Ah, so he feels sorry about that?
I thought he was an indifferent person. It was surprising how thoughtfully he paid attention to such details.
Jerome politely bowed his head and continued speaking.
“Since you experienced this incident because of my acquaintance, I formally apologize.”
Well, it was something that happened because of Jerome’s existence. But how could that be Jerome’s fault?
Anyway, I had easily dealt with Vivian through this incident, so there was no problem.
I spoke with a gentle expression and voice.
“It’s fine. How could that be Your Grace’s fault?”
Now all that’s left for me is to raise Jerome’s favorability and return to reality!
I pulled out my ultimate move to go back home.
[Activating ‘Charm’ skill.]
Then, instead of Jerome’s favorability, a different system window appeared.
[Skill activation failed.]
Huh?
Did I see that wrong?
While I was rubbing my eyes, Jerome dropped a bombshell.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to keep my promise about showing you around the North.”
“Pardon?”
I looked at Jerome with a flustered expression and barely managed to part my lips.
“Ah, you said His Highness the Crown Prince has been looking for you lately. If you’re busy because of that, you don’t need to worry. We can take our time with the North tour…”
“No. That won’t happen. There will be no reason for Miss Aisha and me to be involved with each other in the future.”
Jerome slowly rose from his seat. Then, with perfectly composed movements, he politely bowed his head.
“Then, I wish you a speedy recovery.”
With that farewell as his last words, Jerome left the reception room.
I stared at Jerome’s retreating figure with a dazed expression.
What?
What is this?
What the hell just happened?!
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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