Not A Regressor - Chapter 247

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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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I Am Not a Regressor Chapter 247
Celebration Party (3)
A party to commemorate becoming one of the Seven Stars.
“Fine then. Should we just order delivery for dinner?”
I hadn’t given it much thought, to be honest.
Either way, I’d been planning to treat Isabella to a nice dinner to celebrate our reunion after several weeks apart.
Adding a party in name only wouldn’t make much difference.
“…What are you saying right now, Kwon O-jin?”
“Huh? Why? Oh, didn’t you say before that you didn’t like delivery food?”
I recalled Isabella’s stern expression as she’d scolded me about junk food.
“That’s not the issue at all!”
Isabella shot to her feet, placing her hands firmly on her hips.
“First of all, I’ve already arranged for a five-star hotel on Jeju Island. We’d rent the entire place for a day and invite renowned chefs….”
“Hold on, hold on.”
As the party’s scale threatened to spiral into madness, I shook my head with a grimace.
Rent out an entire five-star hotel for a party?
“Come on. Kwon O-jin hates that kind of grandiose stuff.”
Ha-eun shook her head with a disapproving click of her tongue.
Isabella’s eyes narrowed at the implication that she should have known better.
“Isn’t that simply because he’s never experienced it before?”
She was well aware that I’d lived an extremely impoverished life in the past.
From what Ha-eun had told me, there was a time when I’d worn clothes from donation bins and survived on cheap, calorie-dense meals.
“I want to give Kwon O-jin the gift of experiences he’s never had.”
It had been quite some time since I’d escaped poverty.
No, beyond escaping it—I now possessed enough wealth to be considered part of the affluent class.
Yet the habits formed over those years lingered, and despite having substantial means, my spending remained only slightly more generous than it had been before.
Born as the daughter of a noble family and accustomed to every luxury imaginable, Isabella found my frugality somewhat pitiful.
“Mm.”
I offered an awkward smile as I watched Isabella burn with enthusiasm, ready to give me her heart and soul.
“I appreciate the thought, but like my sister said, that kind of extravagance just doesn’t suit me.”
“But….”
“Let’s just have the party at our place, something simple.”
Regardless of what suited me or not, there was also the matter of public perception.
With all of South Korea in chaos after Tamrang Star’s death, would it look good for the newly appointed Seven Stars to rent out an entire five-star hotel for a celebration?
‘The reaction would be predictable.’
Negative views toward displays of wealth hadn’t changed, then or now.
No matter how legitimately the money was earned, people would frown upon such ostentatious displays.
It wasn’t for nothing that politicians visited markets during election season to eat street food or took the subway they normally ignored.
Even transparent schemes like these ultimately influenced human perception, which was shaped by visible actions.
“I… understand.”
Isabella’s shoulders drooped with disappointment.
Watching her, Ha-eun shrugged with a slight smirk.
Isabella bit her lip indignantly, but this time Ha-eun was right.
“Then would it be alright if I prepared the meal at least?”
“I’d appreciate that, but are you sure you’re up for it right now? Aren’t you exhausted?”
“I’m fine.”
Isabella rolled up her sleeves with determined resolve.
Though fatigue had accumulated from weeks of relentless work, the thought of preparing food for Kwon O-jin invigorated me with renewed energy.
“Then I’ll help too….”
“You helping is you staying put.”
“That’s not fair!”
Ha-eun let out a pitiful cry of protest.
But Kwon O-jin had no desire to serve charred meat stew or twisted underworld squid tempura at his own party.
“How many guests are we expecting?”
“Let me think.”
Vega and Riak were definite.
“Let’s invite the gorilla too.”
“Han Manager?”
“Yeah. He went through a lot guiding us this time.”
“True.”
I owed Han Manager quite a bit.
‘As for Lee Woo-hyuk….’
Because of Lee Shin-hyuk’s memories from not long ago, I found myself reluctant toward Lee Woo-hyuk as well.
‘Still, I should invite him.’
Setting aside personal feelings, maintaining appropriate relations with Lee Woo-hyuk was necessary.
Besides, it wasn’t collective punishment—just because Lee Shin-hyuk was despicable didn’t mean I should hold Lee Woo-hyuk accountable for it.
“Should we invite Allen and that arrogant brat too?”
“An arrogant brat?”
“Rebecca.”
“Rebecca… you don’t mean the Green Star Awakener, do you?”
“Yeah.”
….
Isabella found herself at a loss for words, watching Ha-eun casually refer to the Green Star Awakener as a brat.
“Let’s try inviting them for now.”
“Understood. Should I prepare nine servings then?”
“We’ll need more than that.”
Considering Riak’s and Han Manager’s appetites, nine servings wouldn’t be enough.
“Then I’ll go send out the invitations.”
Kwon O-jin picked up his smartphone and headed toward his room.
* * *
-I apologize. I have a prior appointment with Deneb today, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend.
“Ah, I see.”
-I’ll make sure to visit you separately next time. Congratulations on receiving the name of the Phagun Star.
“Yes. Then I’ll see you next time.”
After reaching out to everyone, I learned that Allen would be unable to attend due to prior commitments.
‘He must be quite busy right now.’
Still, aside from Allen, everyone else readily agreed to come.
“Should we head to the market first?”
“Oh, that’s not necessary. I’ve already contacted Roberto to prepare the ingredients.”
Ding dong.
As if on cue, the doorbell chimed.
At the entrance stood Roberto and Melissa, carrying boxes brimming with ingredients.
“I’ve procured the finest quality materials.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Roberto.”
“Is this the Phagun Star?”
Melissa set down a large box in the living room, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
When Kwon O-jin tilted his head at the unfamiliar face, Isabella stepped forward.
“She’s Melissa, employed by our family.”
“It’s an honor to meet you! I’m Melissa, Isabella’s personal maid!”
Melissa bowed deeply and greeted him with spirited enthusiasm.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Hehe. Please, speak freely!”
“Ah. Um… understood.”
Kwon O-jin nodded at Melissa’s cheerful smile.
She must be around high school age by now.
A girl who radiated freshness like a dandelion in spring.
“I’ll help with the preparations too, Isabella!”
“Oh, would you really?”
Isabella and Melissa headed to the kitchen, carrying the boxes of ingredients.
Roberto watched Isabella’s radiant smile and turned back with a gentle expression on his face.
After observing Isabella’s retreating figure for a moment, he turned toward Kwon O-jin.
“I am Roberto, head butler of the Colgrand Family.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve heard much about you.”
“This is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of a formal introduction.”
Roberto bowed respectfully.
“Ah! Aren’t you the grandfather who sent those Cuban cigars?”
“Haha. That’s correct.”
Fine lines appeared on Roberto’s weathered forehead.
“I once sent you a collection I had been gathering for many years.”
“…Oh.”
Ha-eun’s shoulders trembled as the gloomy aura radiating from the elderly man washed over her.
“D-don’t worry! I haven’t had them long! I’ll return them to you, Grandfather!”
“It’s quite alright. I can always rebuild my collection later.”
Roberto shook his head, his expression serene as that of a sage detached from worldly concerns.
“Rather…”
The old man’s gaze turned toward Kwon O-jin.
“…Thank you.”
He bowed deeply to Kwon O-jin once more.
It was Kwon O-jin who found himself flustered by such meticulous courtesy.
“I haven’t done anything worthy of thanks…”
“In all the years I’ve served Isabella, I never once saw her smile with genuine joy.”
Roberto continued, a bittersweet smile playing at his lips.
“Not until I met you, Kwon O-jin.”
“…”
“It’s thanks to you that the young lady can smile so happily.”
“I’ve received considerable help from Isabella as well.”
“Haha. I’m relieved to hear you say that.”
Roberto gazed at Isabella’s silhouette in the kitchen organizing ingredients, his eyes warm and tender as those of a grandfather watching his granddaughter.
“Please, I ask that you continue to care for her in the days to come.”
“Of course.”
“Ah, and one more thing.”
Roberto stepped closer and whispered in a low voice.
“Our young lady… has been ‘growing’ quite recently.”
“…”
What do you mean.
“Hehehehe! I’ll need to order new clothes for the young lady soon!”
Roberto stroked his mustache with a satisfied expression.
“Oh, and did you know?”
“…What now.”
“Among Italian nobility, it’s still quite common for a man to have two or more wives.”
Roberto patted Kwon O-jin’s shoulder and winked playfully.
“…”
Kwon O-jin pressed his forehead with his hand, as if his head ached from the shattered image of the dignified elderly gentleman.
About thirty minutes had passed.
Melissa and Isabella, having finished all the preparations, returned to the living room.
“Well then, we should be heading back.”
“What? Don’t go—eat with us.”
Ha-eun, who had spent the last thirty minutes chatting with Roberto about cigarettes and various other things, tilted her head curiously.
“Hehe. This isn’t really a place for us to intrude.”
“Still…”
“Well then, why don’t you have a cup of coffee before you leave?”
“Sure, that sounds fine.”
Roberto and Melissa nodded and took their seats.
Kwon O-jin retrieved a Maxim coffee stick from the cabinet.
‘I’m not sure if this will suit the palates of people working in a noble family.’
I poured hot water and stirred the coffee with the empty stick packet.
Five cups of coffee completed in the blink of an eye.
“Oh? This is delicious!”
Melissa’s eyes sparkled as she tasted the sweet coffee.
“It’s one of South Korea’s greatest inventions.”
“Wow. I can’t believe coffee can be made so easily….”
“I’ll give you a few boxes as a gift, so take them with you.”
“Really?”
Melissa broke into a bright smile.
Kwon O-jin nodded and gifted her the stacks of Maxim coffee from the cabinet.
“Hehe. You’re quite kind, Pargun Star.”
“It’s nothing much.”
Kwon O-jin chuckled softly and took a seat.
“Um… there’s something I’d like to ask, if that’s okay?”
Melissa fidgeted with her fingers and spoke cautiously.
“What is it?”
“How did the two of you start dating?”
“Hm?”
Our gazes met—Kwon O-jin’s and mine.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
“Well, O-jin and I have known each other for a while….”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
Melissa tilted her head, looking at me with confusion.
Her expression was as if to say: why are you answering?
“…Gasp.”
Isabella’s eyes widened as a forgotten memory suddenly surfaced.
“Me, Melissa!”
I tried to stop her urgently.
“Isn’t Kwon O-jin dating Isabella?”
Melissa’s innocent expression brightened with curiosity.
“I’m curious how you two started dating!”
“…Huh?”
“….”
Silence descended upon the living room.
Both Kwon O-jin’s and my gaze turned toward Isabella.
“I, I mean! That’s what I’m saying!”
Isabella stammered, her expression flustered.
Fidgeting and glancing around nervously, she squeezed her eyes shut and pointed at Kwon O-jin.
“Kwon O-jin! Kwon O-jin confessed first!”
“…Pardon?”
Me?

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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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