Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health - Chapter 159

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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 159

A barren expanse now, but the sort of land that would surely flourish into a major city once developed.
“This is the land your father refused to sell, even when Simon asked him to.”
“Oh, well…….”
“I’ll build a city here for you, my dear.”
“A city?”
“Yes, a city bearing your name.”
Father chuckled warmly.
“…….”
I’d expected jewels at most, perhaps some rare treasure.
A city as a birthday gift?
I couldn’t fathom what to say in response to this unforeseen generosity.
Not that I hadn’t been asked before what I wanted for my birthday—I’d answered thoughtlessly then.

“A house and land.”

But that was…….
Just a reply rooted in the most mundane, universal desires—I’d never imagined it would actually come to pass.
“I’ve drawn up the city plan myself, given that our lord has no particular expertise in such matters. I’m hoping to develop it as a commercial hub in partnership with Sperom. Would that suit your preferences?”
“Ah, yes…….”
“The scenery here is quite pleasant, so we’re planning a large residential district, and I intend to construct Arelin’s manor here.”
“My manor?”
“Yes, there’s someone who wishes to give you a home.”
Mehren gestured toward Ludwig. Our eyes met, and he spoke in his characteristically blunt manner.
“I’ll have the finest manor built for you.”
“Oh.”
“If it were Phytale, I could offer more…….”
No, this is already far too much.
What is the scale these men operate on? It terrifies me.
Regardless of my alarm, Mehren continued his explanation.
“Branch offices and banks belonging to Sperom merchants will be established on this avenue. The automobile headquarters will relocate here as well, and we plan to construct large warehousing facilities over there.”
Mehren rattled on about development strategy, key industries to attract, budget allocation, and countless other details I barely comprehended, pausing only to stroke my head.
“We’ve named the city ‘Lelin’—does it please you?”
The name was hardly subtle. Anyone could see it was my city.
Caught between reluctance and genuine pleasure, I found myself unexpectedly laughing at the sight of the three men awaiting my response.
“Can I change the city’s name?”
“The city’s name?”
Father’s brow twitched, but my resolve was firm.
“I want to name it myself.”
“It’s my gift to you—do as you wish.”
I took the map Father had drawn and wrote the name I’d conceived upon that empty land.
El Sionel.
A simple phrase in the Ancient Divine Language, once widely used during the Age of Faith but now obsolete, meaning “in honor of Sione.”
“…….”
Both Father’s and Mehren’s expressions changed instantly.
“Arelin, this…….”
“I wanted to remember her.”
As I smiled, Mehren traced the letters and laughed.
“Mother, are you not hurt?”
“No. Do not worry.”
His eyes shone with pride, and I found myself giggling.
“But I’m curious—what exactly did you give as a gift, Mehren?”
“My labor, miss.”
“……?”
He’s paid with his own hands?
I blinked in surprise, and Mehren burst into hearty laughter.
“Happy birthday, Arelin.”
“You’re teasing me!”
“Forgive me, miss. You were simply too endearing.”
What Mehren presented was a fountain pen—an expensive model with my name, Arelin, engraved upon it.
“Wow.”
As I turned it over admiringly in my hands, Father pouted.
“Why do you seem to like Mehren’s gift more than mine?”
Just a matter of perception, Father.

* * *

By coincidence, my birthday and Fession’s fell exactly three days apart.
“Happy birthday, Your Highness!”
“Congratulations!”
Fession’s birthday celebration.
Though he claimed to have invited only those close to him in a “modest” affair, it was worlds apart from my birthday party.
“This is what the imperial family considers ‘modest’?”
Once again, I’d been deceived.
“Your Highness is quite popular, isn’t he~!”
“Nice, right?”
The Demon Twins were the first to offer congratulations and gifts, then planted themselves firmly at my side.
“But why is Harun here?”
“Shouldn’t he be near His Highness?”
“…….”
Harun wore an aggrieved expression.
Ah, that look!
“That’s the face of someone too intimidated by the crowd to approach!”
Nod.
“Grrr!”
I’d guessed correctly.
“Hey, Arelin—you can really read Harun’s expressions?”
“How’d you do that?”
“Hehe. Behold, youngsters. This is my true power!”
“……?”
The Demon Twins urged Harun to show me more expressions.
“That’s the face of ‘Why are you making me do this?'”
“Harun is too much!”
“That’s not—”
After guessing a few more correctly, I suddenly locked eyes with Fession, who had been watching us.
“…….”
His gaze was clouded with unmistakable displeasure.
“……?”
Why did he look so irritated?
“It looks like His Highness wants to play with us.”
“But he can’t come over here, can he?”
“Today’s star is His Highness, after all!”
Even as we gazed helplessly in his direction, there was little we could do.
It would’ve been different if Fession were alone, but with Empress Azeni, Lord Sirua, Prince Terion, and indeed every member of the Imperial Family save Emperor Edward present—
The atmosphere was entirely different from my birthday celebration, where we’d played together in intimate joy.
“Oh?”
In that throng, I spotted the one familiar face I was delighted to see.
“Sir!”
“Ah, Arelin!”
A voice firm and distinct from the rest called out to me. A handsome man who seemed as if he’d stepped out of the news turned toward me with a radiant smile.
“My bluebird!”
“……?”
Me? Surely you’ve mistaken something?
Duke Idikelus grasped me with both hands, continuing to express his gratitude.
“Thank you, truly. None of this would’ve happened without you!”
Once the Regent Duke visited our household, the open conflict with Halbern officially ceased.
As a result, the Southern Kingdom—that powder keg of magical instability—had returned to neutral status, and Idikelus’s mission had concluded.
“My congratulations.”
“I truly am grateful!”
Idikelus’s affection for his wife and child—whom he hadn’t seen in so long—was evident, and it was painful to witness.
“So you’re taking a vacation now, sir?”
“Indeed. For some time, I won’t answer even if His Majesty calls.”
Idikelus laughed freely, his face rounder and shinier than when I’d last seen him at Rock Castle.
“Shall we check your favorability with me again, to celebrate this reunion?”
I obliged his request with a smile, unable to forget the chill of that initial –50 rating.
I wondered what the number would be this time.
[♡ 5 Warmth]
“Ohhhhh…….”
Idikelus trembled with delight.
This was absurd.
“Are you truly that pleased, sir?”
“Of course! The thrill of being distrusted becoming trusted, the elation of being disliked becoming cherished—Idikelus is destined to pursue this joy his entire life. Always fresh! Always exhilarating!”
This man is strange.
“Next time we meet, I’ll make you like me even more.”
“That statement carries some potential for misunderstanding, sir.”
Right on cue, Father—dragged here by Mehren against his will—appeared, emanating a murderous aura.
“Terrence, what are you proposing to do?”
“……It’s a misunderstanding, Valere.”
After a minor commotion was resolved, Idikelus completed his explanation to Father. As though anticipating this very encounter, he produced an item from his pocket.
“It’s the item I promised you.”
“Why do you speak as though we’re conducting an illegal transaction?”
Observing my reluctance, Idikelus—now free from the Southern Kingdom and practically vibrating with energy—shrugged with relish.
“Isn’t it more thrilling this way?”
The “promised item” he handed over immediately captivated my curiosity.
“A Favorability Scanner!”
The collaboration between the desires of countless seekers of Idikelus’s ability and the research of the Magic Tower had borne fruit.
“Unfortunately, it has a margin of error and a limited number of uses, but it’s quite a useful tool.”
Only about ten units were produced annually, and one was now in my hands.
“The ownership registration is complete. You should be able to use it approximately a hundred times without trouble.”
“Wow, that’s a lot!”
Though it could only scan my favorability toward a subject and theirs toward me, this alone was invaluable.
“May I scan you, sir?”
“Of course!”
Whirrrrrr—
The scanner glowed as it began its read on Idikelus.
Within moments, the result appeared.
[♥ 49 Intense Affection]
“Oh…….”
I suddenly felt like absolute trash for my initial –50 rating.

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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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