Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health - Chapter 151

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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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Episode 151

“Hup.”
I braced my legs and pushed myself upright with effort.
“Oh!”
The Childcare Unit, who had been watching me toddle about with bated breath, erupted in thunderous applause.
“Our young lady!”
“A swift recovery!”
“Congratulations!”
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!
Fifteen days already—confined to bed because of Father’s fussing and pestering.
Only after a fortnight had I finally received clearance to walk again.
“Young lady, are you all right?”
“Yes. No dizziness.”
For having collapsed so spectacularly, my body felt remarkably well. I’d need to check my Status Window properly later, but by feel, I seemed healthier than ever.
Is this the effect of exercise?
“No, get out of my head! Fitness fanatic universe!”
I barely escaped the grip of workout gaslighting and took careful stock of my body.
“Hmm, I should be fine walking around.”
After so long, even the garden stroll I’d once despised felt refreshingly pleasant.
Health really is precious.

* * *

Another peaceful morning at Halbern Manor.
Breakfast in the dining hall for the first time in ages.
“Ah, I’d forgotten about this dreadful diet.”
My good mood evaporated the moment I saw the meal Fession had prepared.
“Dreadful? This is a healthy diet!”
“The head chef puts such care into every dish!”
Uni and Emma sprang to the chef’s defense, but staring down at what looked like a high-protein, low-carb menu designed to make me healthier just by sight, I felt the joy drain from life itself.
I never wanted to think this way, but meals at Rock Castle had been better.
I missed the Emperor’s confinement—that strange liberty—for about ten seconds before opening my eyes again.
There, gathered at the table for the first time since word of my appearance, were faces I recognized.
“Not busy? You’ve left your post, and nobody’s sent for you. Is the Southern Empire running that smoothly these days?”
Father—Valere—the sort of man you’d be embarrassed to show anyone.
“If the country fell apart over a few days’ absence, it would’ve collapsed long ago. Does Halbern really crumble the moment you’re gone?”
The Regent Duke, Ludwig—a man who won’t back down from Father, no matter what.
“Are you insulting my Mehren?”
“…Please, I beg you both—spare me from this conversation? Yes?”
Mother—Mehren—the poor woman who wanted to resign every single day.
‘This really is a mess.’
Running into them one by one in their rooms, I hadn’t felt it so acutely, but seeing them all together like this—there was no family more chaotic than ours.
Is our house just scattered beans?
Would taste good as a cold noodle soup.
“I want some of that. Cold noodle soup.”
The moment the words left my mouth, three heads turned toward me.
“Arelin, what did you want to eat?”
“Shall Father fetch it for you?”
“I’ll get it at once.”
Startled by the sudden shift of attention, I could only blink.
What was all that fuss about…?
“Why would you get my daughter’s food?”
“Interfering in your ward’s meals? Poor Arelin.”
“Don’t slyly use her nickname like that.”
Valere’s handsome face twisted as he spoke with a sharp edge.
The way they immediately faced off again and began growling at each other showed me we had a long road ahead.
When I sighed heavily, the two men’s argument flared up anew.
“You’re the reason my daughter’s mood is off. Leave at once.”
“Is it me? Or is it someone acting childishly and immature?”
“Yes. You.”
“This is ridiculous. I can’t even have a proper conversation.”
“Yes. That’s also you.”
The two glared at each other again, growling.
How much longer would I have to watch this pitiful, petty exchange?
As I mentally tsked, my eyes suddenly locked with Mehren’s.
‘Without words, I understand~.’
Heart to heart, understanding without speech, a smile beyond words.
In perfect unison, we exhaled a deep sigh.
Meanwhile, those two had dug in their heels even deeper.
“You shouldn’t be sitting here idly. Don’t you know what that puppet Emperor of yours is up to?”
“Ha. So it was you who goaded Franz into it. I always thought that coward was acting out of character.”
“It wasn’t goading—sound advice. Now, wouldn’t you leave my house?”
“Ha. Not a chance.”
The Regent Duke looked at me.
“Only Arelin can throw me out.”
A crack appeared in Valere’s smile.
Father turned to me with a petulant expression.
“Heard that, my daughter? Tell him to leave right now.”
Did this man have no shame, becoming a father and acting like this?
I gave him a brief look of contempt, but I wasn’t disappointed—this was simply who he was.
“Are you two fighting again?”
The disdain in my question made the Regent Duke’s expression harden quickly.
“We’re not fighting.”
“Father wants to fight.”
The Regent Duke denying it, while Father wore an expression declaring he’d welcome combat at any opportunity—what a hopeless pair.
Before I could say anything, they clashed again.
“You’re quite skilled at flattery. Why don’t you try it on your sister?”
“I did.”
“Oh, really?”
“It just didn’t work.”
Ludwig replied with an expression of wounded pride. Valere burst into a genuine laugh.
“Ah yes, our sister is rather strong-willed in that regard.”
And so the sparring continued.
Father usually struck first, but this time, for some reason, the Regent Duke made the opening move.
“You’ve been so beloved—it must be nice. She worried about nothing but you until death, yet apparently you were still so untrustworthy that she felt compelled to act as she did.”
Valere’s playful expression turned cold in an instant.
“Interesting. Do go on.”
“She left you something. She left me nothing.”
As if the memory alone made his throat tighten, the Regent Duke stared at Valere with jealousy gleaming in his eyes.
Valere met that gaze head-on, his smile suddenly radiant.
“That’s why she never loved you—because you’re petty.”
“Petty?”
“Yes. Petty.”
“Want to try me?”
“I’d love nothing more.”
It was tense enough that blades might well have been drawn.
Clang!
The sound of a plate crashing shattered the mounting tension.
The Regent Duke and Father’s eyes snapped toward me.
“I’m done eating.”
A sudden, heavy silence fell.
“……”
“……”
Both men wore expressions of belated realization—they’d forgotten I was there.
In that uncomfortable quiet, only Mehren quietly gave me a thumbs-up.
Thumbs-up!

* * *

After breakfast.
Watching Father hover around me like a dog desperate for the bathroom, I tilted my head.
“My daughter.”
If he was going to watch my expression so carefully, why had he made such a scene?
“Are you angry with me?”
“Why would I be angry with you?”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
Did he really need me to spell it out?
“Because you’re pathetic?”
“……”
Watching Father at a loss for words, I let out a soft sigh.
“How long are you going to pout?”
“I’m not pouting.”
As always, Father made a clumsy attempt to smooth things over with that handsome face of his, and I grabbed it, kneading his cheeks.
How does a face stay this beautiful even when mangled like this?
Long eyelashes, a beautiful nose bridge, sharp lines—even his eye shape was gorgeous. And how was his skin so flawless?
“I can’t forgive you.”
“Then don’t.”
His long lashes fluttered. His eyes, wide with surprise, looked at me.
It was almost funny. Who was I to demand his forgiveness?
“You can hate me for the rest of your life.”
Honestly, I preferred it when Father still hated the Regent Duke.
“Someone has to take Sione’s side completely. Don’t you think?”
When I pressed my forehead against his with a small smile, Father blinked, unsure what to say, before letting out a soft laugh.
“I can’t win against you, my daughter.”
“Were you trying to?”
“No.”
Father pulled me close with one arm and drew my hand to his cheek with the other.
“It’s warm.”
As he breathed steadily, as if this warmth alone kept him alive, I felt something stir within me as well.
“Stop tormenting Mother.”
“But Mehren betrayed me first.”
“Don’t you feel sorry for Mother? Keep it up and I’ll go with her.”
At my threat, Father’s handsome brow furrowed.
“My daughter, are you leaving Father?”
“That’s why you need to try harder.”
Father’s expression showed he still didn’t like it, but he nodded.
“If that is your wish, I shall make the effort.”

* * *

Mehren’s study.
A moment barely made possible.
A three-way confrontation: Valere versus Ludwig.
Mehren silently marveled at Arelin for making this miracle happen.
“All right, let’s settle this once and for all today. Please.”

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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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