Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 55

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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 55
In truth, asking Elysion back then whether he liked me had been an impulsive question.
Because of that, I had never imagined what it would have been like if he had simply admitted to liking me.
But now that I knew he actually did like me….
Even though I had already abandoned that timeline, an overwhelming sense of regret had taken root.
Of course, in this new timeline, there was still every possibility of growing close to young Elysion again.
But the Elysion I would become close to again would be different from the one I knew.
He would have no memories of what we had built together before.
Aiden could only be restored to a point in time when he had never met me.
Yet Elysion was still alive in the timeline I had abandoned, and that knowledge gnawed at my heart.
“…In the first place, would young Elysion ever come to like me again?”
He certainly seemed to have some affection for me, but whether that would last until he grew into an adult was uncertain.
I washed my face with cold water and let out a heavy sigh.
“…I suppose I’ll have to start as friends again?”
The future stretched before me, bleak and uncertain.

✦ ✦ ✦
After composing myself, I sifted through information related to Duke Papiope’s household and searched for details about Lucian.
“Hmm, so he really was defrauded quite severely when he was eleven?”
I confirmed that my hazy recollection had been accurate, then examined the documents carefully.
“They collected investment funds under Lucian’s name and then disappeared with it….”
The swindlers had apparently told Lucian they would give him several hundred gold just for lending them his name.
He had accepted and affixed his seal.
It was an obviously absurd fraud to anyone with sense, but Lucian had been far too young to see through it.
He was only eleven, after all.
Yet the price young Lucian paid for carelessly lending his name was steep.
When the Duchess learned of this later and tried to intervene, she could not prevent the substantial losses.
That incident became the greatest stain on Lucian’s life.
There was one thing that puzzled me, though….
“What could young Lucian possibly have needed money for?”
The children of Duke Papiope’s household received a monthly allowance called maintenance funds for their dignity.
Though called an allowance, it was distributed by the wealthy Duke Papiope’s household and was by no means a small sum.
It was an amount far more than a child his age would have needed to spend.
I furrowed my brow and searched for any other relevant information.
Then one piece of information caught my eye.
The existence of a biological father.
That’s right. Unlike me, Lucian’s biological father was still alive.
When he was adopted into Duke Papiope’s household, all parental rights transferred to the Duchess, so they were not his legal parents.
But in recognition of his birth and upbringing, he received a modest sum each month.
Just as the Duchess had proposed support for Aiden.
What’s interesting is that Lucian’s biological father disappeared not long after this incident.
Either he fled, or the Duchess caught him and he met his end.
“This side of things seems rather suspicious.”
Not all parents are people who act in their children’s best interests.
Rather, because the bond is so difficult to sever, parents occupy a position where they can easily become the greatest perpetrators.
Of course, it’s possible that one of the Duchess’s servants or someone else was the culprit, but for now, he was undoubtedly the most suspicious suspect.
“Well, asking him directly should give me the answer.”
I tossed the documents I’d been holding carelessly onto the desk and drew upon my ability to return to my original timeline.
There was no need to remain at this point any longer.
[Loading Checkpoint 2.]
My vision flipped in an instant, and the surroundings changed.
Based on my memory, the last place I’d been was the Bedroom, so I naturally expected to wake up there—but….
“Ah, damn it.”
The moment the Duke’s Mansion Corridor came into view, I realized something had gone wrong and cursed aloud.
In my hand was a bag of cookies I’d eaten as a snack after lunch.
I anxiously checked the last checkpoint I’d saved.
▶Checkpoint 2
Imperial Calendar Year 274, June 13th.
14:02:32 (Age 7)
They say bad premonitions are never wrong.
I should have saved the checkpoint before going to Checkpoint 3.
Perhaps my tension had eased as I lay in bed, and I’d jumped to a future checkpoint without saving.
Checkpoint 2 that’s currently saved was one I’d saved because the cookies from the Chef were so delicious.
I’d finished them, rewound time, and eaten them again….
It was a method I used often since I could eat delicious things without limit.
Even after becoming an adult, I’d used it for weight management—eating a lot and then rewinding time.
Stuck having to go through the entire day’s schedule again, I ran my hands through my hair in frustration.
“You stupid idiot!”
Making a mistake that even a beginner wouldn’t make.
“Miss, what’s the matter?”
“Tania…?”
Lena, who had been standing beside me, looked startled and helped support me.
Aiden, who had become my escort knight as of today, also seemed flustered.
They both heard me curse, didn’t they?
My image was precious, after all….
I met their eyes with a composed expression and murmured softly.
“Let’s make saving a habit….”
[Loading Checkpoint 2.]
This time, after reloading the checkpoint, I walked through the Corridor naturally without panicking.
The bag of cookies was held carefully in my hand.
Since things had come to this point, I decided to go straight to Lucian and spill everything.
“Miss, you’re only having one of those delicious cookies before leaving? Where are you off to?”
“I’m going to see Lucian.”
“Oh my, are you going to share the cookies with him? The young master will be so delighted!”
…I hadn’t actually intended to share the cookies with Lucian in the first place.
Lena’s face lit up as though she’d just witnessed an angel descending from the heavens.
Since a convenient excuse had presented itself, I simply nodded without correcting her misunderstanding.
“Yes. Good things should be shared.”
“What a wonderful idea!”
“Will Lucian be in his room?”
Lena pulled a pocket watch from her apron pocket to check the time.
“Young Master Lucian has just finished his etiquette lessons, so he should be taking a break right now.”
“Lucky timing then. Let’s hurry before his break ends.”
“Yes!”

✦ ✦ ✦
“Tania, what’s the matter?”
I burst into Lucian’s room unannounced and waved the cookie bag I was holding.
“The cookies are delicious, so I came to share them with you.”
“Cookies…?”
“Do siblings really need a reason to visit each other?”
“Well, I suppose not….”
I grabbed Lucian’s arm as he awkwardly scratched his cheek, pulling him toward the sofa positioned in one corner of the room.
Then I crossed to the opposite side and took a seat myself.
[Overlaying the current viewpoint onto viewpoint 1.]
“Lena, could you brew some tea to have with the cookies? Something simple is fine.”
“Of course, I’ll be right back.”
As Lena scurried out to fetch the tea, I casually surveyed Lucian’s room.
His room was neat and unadorned—so sparse, in fact, that I found myself worrying it was too empty.
Aiden was waiting outside the door, and Lena had left, so this was my only chance.
“Brother, there’s something I want to ask you.”
“Sure. What is it?”
“Do you need money?”
“Wh-what?”
Lucian’s pupils trembled in shock. He forced his expression into one of indifference as he spoke.
“M-money, well, more is always better. But why are you suddenly asking about money?”
“That’s what I want to know. What could you possibly need money for?”
“Th-there is something!”
I grabbed both of Lucian’s hands as he tried to jump up in panic, gently pressing him back down to calm him.
“Brother, if you tell me the reason, I’ll make sure to find the money for you.”
“Yes, but how would you manage that?”
“I can secure as much money as needed. You know what my ability is, don’t you?”
“Tania, what are you thinking? Gambling is absolutely out of the question!”
While Lucian’s eyes widened to the size of lanterns, I narrowed mine to slits.
“Why jump straight to gambling? There are endless ways to earn money using my foresight ability.”
“Ah…?”
Lucian’s face flushed crimson as he quickly reflected on his narrow-minded assumption.
“I’m… I’m sorry. That was just the first thing that came to mind.”
“It’s fine. These things happen.”
I nodded understandingly and rested my chin and hand on his shoulder.
“But Lucian, just so you know—gambling is the best way to make quick money, and betting at the Horse Racing Track is perfectly legal.”
“…Hey!”

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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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