Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health - Chapter 85

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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 85

High society was alight with the Foundation Festival.
The social circles were always stirred at this time of year, but this season burned hotter than ever.
“Do you think the Grand Duke Halber will attend the Foundation Festival Masquerade?”
“The Imperial family is hosting it, so surely he’ll make an appearance?”
“Will he dance, do you suppose?”
“Ha ha. How fortunate for the young ladies.”
It was a fever of popularity befitting the marriage market’s greatest asset, crowned “Most Eligible Bachelor Number One” by Albrecht Times.
The Marchioness of Belpart, who above all others had been longing for Halber’s ruin, found this atmosphere most unwelcome—yet even her considerable influence as high society’s guiding hand could not stem the tide.
Moreover, the rumors about Arelin that had spread like poison, unseen and unspoken, began one by one to vanish.
“I thought, given that you’d entrusted your daughter to Duke Mehren and left her to her own devices, that you had no interest in her whatsoever. It seems I was mistaken.”
“Precisely. They say the Grand Duke emptied out the entire jewelry district and haute couture boutiques for his daughter. The rumors are quite remarkable.”
“I heard he has connections with Sperom, and through them he purchased every rare jewel in Halber, leaving nothing for this year’s Domel auctions.”
“My goodness, my goodness. His love for his daughter is truly extraordinary.”
All of it was the impulse buying of a Mehren driven to the height of despair, but the truth, as ever, was buried.
“Ha ha, I actually saw the Grand Duke himself at a tea party this season…”
“My word, truly? And in the flesh? Was he as handsome as the rumors suggested?”
The lady who had seen him in person laughed shyly. That alone was answer enough.
“Oh, how I wish I could see him myself!”
“Even just for one night as his lover.”
Halber here, Halber there—his name dominated every corner of this social circle, and the Marchioness of Belpart had nowhere to stand.
“Halber this, Halber that…!”
Now they spoke openly of him, heedless of her presence, as if she were invisible.
The Marchioness shredded her handkerchief and rose first to leave.
She was just summoning the will to depart, her indignation refusing to settle, when—
“Madam.”
An unusual voice drew near to the Marchioness of Belpart.
“Do you also dislike the Grand Duke Halber?”
“How dare you—”
The Marchioness hastily concealed her true feelings and made to retreat, but—
“I have a favorable proposal. Would you care to hear it?”
“…!”

* * *

The Foundation Festival.
It commemorated the declaration of the first founding king’s proclamation of the “Great Human” kingdom from the ruins of the fallen ancient god, an occasion celebrating “the eternal glory of humankind.”
‘Essentially, it’s an event where they boast that humanity reigns supreme, that humans are deathless, that humans are great.’
For that reason, the Shugra Empire and the Uyeo Alliance—nations of non-human races—sent no delegations.
“Today is the first day of the Foundation Festival, so many will arrive.”
The Foundation Festival Masquerade was one of the main imperial events, spanning five days under direct royal patronage.
Emperor Edward and Empress Azeni would make their appearance only on the first and final days, and the nobility summoned to the capital were obliged to attend if only to pay their respects.
“The Crown Prince will likely make a brief appearance as well.”
Mehren, dressed with unusual care and radiance, spoke these words.
“Stay here with Arelin for now, and when His Highness moves to another room, the two of you should go together.”
“All right!”
After all, she’d come primarily to see Fession. She was more than content with this arrangement.
“Daughter, I’m here too.”
Valere, impeccably dressed in formal attire and striking to an almost painful degree, drooped his eyes as if wounded.
It was just a glance—and yet cries of distress echoed from somewhere in the hall.
‘…His beauty truly is a strain upon the heart.’
She’d heard that in his younger days he’d boasted a romantic history rivaling even that of Emperor Edward—now she understood.
With a face like that, it would be strange if women didn’t cling to him.
“So you’re ignoring me now, is that it?”
“Do not trouble Arelin, sir.”
“Darling, our daughter’s ignoring me.”
“She ignores you because you deserve it. And didn’t I tell you not to call me that?”
The attendants gasped, startled by the word “darling,” while the servants maintained their composure with professional grace.
“The Grand Duke Halber and his daughter, the Count of Leborough, make their entrance.”
My face burned as I entered the ballroom.
‘This man truly has no shame.’
“Why do you look at me like that? Am I really so handsome?”
“…”
He was handsome, admittedly—but the way he presented himself made me loath to admit it.
His smug grin was infuriatingly attractive. I was beginning to understand Mehren’s frustration.
“Sir.”
“You should call me father.”
“That’s absurd.”
“…”
Valere glanced at Mehren.
“Mehren, the way your daughter speaks sounds just like you.”
“She is my daughter, after all.”
“…”
When the two of us looked at each other and smiled, Valere, standing alone, offered a subtle smile of his own.
“I feel rather left out…”
Regardless, I kept my hand firmly clasped with Mehren’s, staying close by her side.
“Let me in. This is too much. Are you really going to exclude me?”
“Master, perhaps you should reflect upon your habitual conduct.”
“Karma, then.”
At my remark, bright eyes turned toward me.
“Our daughter knows of karma? How clever. Did you inherit that from your mother?”
‘There’s nothing to inherit from her.’
“Mehren isn’t my biological mother anyway.”
At my blunt retort, he laughed.
“No, I was speaking of your real mother.”
“…What?”
I froze without meaning to, my eyes blinking stupidly, and a tender hand caressed my head.
“Beautiful, kind, clever. You’re truly the spitting image of her, my daughter.”
Moved by the melancholy in his gaze, I reached out without thought.
‘My biological mother had been a forbidden subject, hadn’t it?’
It wasn’t that I had no interest—that would be a lie—but it never seemed right to ask, so I had buried it. Yet now he was speaking of it. Was that… allowed?
My biological father, infinitely fragile and bearing the scars of sorrow, gently took my hand and pressed it against his cheek.
As if indulging in a childish whim.
“I wish you could always be like this.”
His voice and gaze were infinitely tender.
“I’ll do my best for you, Father.”
“…”
Unable to find words, I simply blinked, frozen in place, until Mehren shooed him away.
“Now go pay your respects.”
“Ah, my wife nags at me so.”
Mehren quietly hefted the decorative cane. He laughed and hurried off.
“Honestly.”
Our eyes met.
“Aren’t you curious?”
I sensed her tension. Mehren knew who my biological mother was.
Through our joined hands, I felt her anxiety.
I shook my head slowly.
If it mattered, I would learn in time. But if there was no pressing need, I didn’t want to know.
“You’re my only mother, Mehren.”
The answer, whispered softly, seemed to please her—a beautiful smile graced her lips.
“Right now is not the time. I’ll tell you later.”
“You’ll tell me?”
“It’s important for you, Arelin.”
I couldn’t help myself.
I wrapped my arms around Mehren tightly.
“I love you so much, Mehren.”
“I feel the same.”
Her matter-of-fact affection was unbearably precious.
“Enough of such talk. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
“All right!”

* * *

The imperial masquerade proved far more entertaining to observe than I’d anticipated.
‘Everyone’s wearing such stunning dresses.’
It was art at the highest level—genuinely magnificent.
The men were no different. I found myself studying the elegant dress uniforms and the gleaming cufflinks and tie pins, wondering endlessly how much each must cost.
To see something so beautiful and yet think of its price… Have I become so corrupted by commerce?
“O god of capitalism, please release me.”
True to the four great social showdowns, watching beautiful ladies and handsome gentlemen dance together was delightfully entertaining.
And then, at last, the imperial family entered.
‘Fession—!’
Fession, dressed in immaculate white formal attire embroidered with golden thread, radiated like a living embodiment of what a crown prince ought to be.
“Wow.”
Beautiful. So, so beautiful. Truly, impossibly beautiful, radiant, handsome, commanding such presence—he was everything all at once. The Crown Prince had absolutely ravished the imperial hall.
Even when I felt nothing, his beauty alone struck awe into my heart. Now, seeing such an undeniable presence shining from across the room, I couldn’t help but let out a helpless sound.
A weak whimper escaped me.
“Arelin?”
My defenseless heart thundered so violently that I found it impossible to ignore what I was feeling.
‘Mother, I was wrong. You go on first.’
Could my heart really beat this hard and still keep me alive? Or was I on my way out?
I buried my face in my arm and hunched over. Heat rose to my cheeks.
“His Highness appears to be moving to another room. Shall I escort you?”
I hesitated, my face twisted in distress.
If I were to face Fession up close now…
“No, I’d like to stay with Mother a bit longer.”
Mehren patted my back with a contemplative expression.
And after a moment—
Somewhat calmer now, I took Mehren’s hand and came downstairs when—
“Huh?”
Why is he here?

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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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