The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 30

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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 30
No matter what happens, one must uphold the dignity of nobility, and conduct oneself even more nobly than the nobles themselves.
There was also one final rule that applied only to Heinrich.
“Heinrich, no matter what happens this time, absolutely no cursing. Not a single word!”
“…I got it already.”
Heinrich scowled irritably and abruptly turned his gaze out the carriage window.
‘So he did curse last time, then.’
Imagining how scandalized the nobles must have been by the temperamental chihuahua’s outburst, I covered my mouth with one hand and stifled a quiet giggle.
Today, Julius appeared even more rigorous and impeccable than usual.
Since we members of the Forest undergoing socialization training were treated as ‘fully-formed members,’ he explained that for this occasion, he would address us with formal respect as a mark of esteem.
‘This doesn’t feel so bad.’
Being treated with such courtesy while heading to a noble’s party.
After finishing his explanation of the rules, Julius transferred to another carriage.
Now only Sisrain, Heinrich, and I remained in our carriage.
Then Sisrain quietly opened his mouth.
“Anette, do you want to be adopted?”
“Of course! I can’t wait to go!”
If only I could.
Getting good parents is a dream, after all.
Of course, I’d be happy living alone running a bakery, becoming a brave little bakery owner like that.
“…I see.”
But for some reason, Sisrain lowered his head at my answer.
“Why? Don’t you want to be adopted, Sisrain?”
In truth, it shouldn’t matter to Sisrain whether he was adopted or not.
He carried the blood of the Imperial family, and according to the original story, the Imperial Court would inevitably come searching for him later.
A guaranteed golden umbilical cord, so to speak.
For now, Sisrain’s birth and very existence remained unknown to the Imperial Court.
“…If I get adopted, I’d have to be separated from you.”
Oh no, I was the only one thoughtlessly eager to be adopted!
‘I never thought about it that way.’
I had naturally assumed I would eventually exit the original story and cheer them on from afar. That’s why I had been accepting the separation so naturally.
But in any case, that was a matter for the distant future.
I answered with a bright smile.
“But we can still see each other often even after I’m adopted!”
At my cheerful and resolute answer, Sisrain finally nodded his head.
“…Yeah.”
Though his expression remained sorrowful.
Just then, the temperamental chihuahua suddenly interjected with a sullen tone.
“Hey, just get adopted quickly and get away from your sister as fast as you can.”
“…”
“I’ll be spending more quality time with my sister in the Forest, you see.”
Heinrich lifted his beautiful, arrogant face as he added this.
“I have a reputation for having a terrible personality, so my adoption is scheduled to be quite delayed, after all.”
Sisrain, who had been listening quietly, murmured.
“…That doesn’t sound like something to boast about at all.”
“What?!”
Heinrich’s cheek puffed out from the blunt truth that struck him.
Sisrain added calmly.
“If an adoption request comes in for me, I’ll ask them to adopt Anette as well.”
“Pfft, isn’t that completely foolish?”
Heinrich pointed at Sisrain with his index finger, then came over to lean against me, sitting across from him.
“Sister, look at that fool. He said he’d ask them to adopt her together. ‘Adopted siblings’ can never marry, right?”
He’s an idiot, he’s an idiot.
Beside Heinrich as he teased, I thought quietly to myself.
‘Why do all of your futures always include marriage to me, you children.’
As I was shaking my head, Sisrain’s crimson eyes gleamed as he added.
“I’ll ask them to adopt Anette as a daughter-in-law of the household.”
“…!!!”
As if he hadn’t thought that far ahead, Heinrich’s expression went blank like he’d been struck from behind.
Then his face turned bright red.
“You beast! Just try it. I’ll ask them to adopt me as a daughter-in-law too!”
“You’re just copying me.”
“Take it back! Take back what you said about being adopted as a daughter-in-law together!”
I listened to the boys quarreling while gazing calmly out the window with weary eyes.
‘…It seems leaving quietly won’t be possible.’
* * *
The two boys’ quarrel only subsided once their paths diverged.
Sisrain said that the nobles holding a quiet Salon gathering had requested his presence. And Anette and Heinrich were right here.
Specifically, they had been invited to the Imperial Banquet.
“Wow….”
Anette gazed around in a daze, her jade-green eyes shimmering like a dream.
The Banquet Hall glittered entirely with white marble and gold, while elegant symphonic music flowed gently in harmony with that radiance.
A procession of nobles dressed in various, splendid, and refined attire. And from the Fountain, surrounded by sculptures related to the founding mythology of Eldorado, cool streams of water cascaded down.
‘…So this is the Imperial Court.’
This was the world of the nobility.
Anette’s heart felt like it might burst as she blinked several times and gazed around in a daze.
Just then, a Noblewoman holding a peacock feather fan with her hair pinned high spoke to her.
“My goodness, little miss. It seems you’re a child from the Forest, aren’t you?”
“…Yes, madam. How do you do?”
Anette snapped back to attention, her jade-green eyes gleaming as she smiled. It was an endearing smile.
“I sent you a golden rose.”
The Noblewoman struck her husband’s arm, which was linked with hers, and seemed flustered.
“Seeing you in person, you’re both so adorable and charming! My goodness, dear. These two look like dolls.”
Heinrich placed one hand over his chest and bowed respectfully.
“Thank you, madam.”
It was flawless aristocratic etiquette. Only then did Anette collect herself, lifting her skirt slightly as she curtsied.
“Thank you!”
“Then we’ll see you inside.”
With a soft laugh, the Noblewoman linked her arm through her husband’s and entered the Banquet Hall.
“Phew…”
Anette felt inexplicably tense and exhaled quietly.
‘Could she be my patron?’
Curious, I glanced back at the Noblewoman’s retreating figure, but felt nothing definitive.
Though she had sent the golden rose, that seemed merely a gesture of goodwill—I sensed no deeper favor or particular interest beyond that.
I believed I would meet my true patron at this gathering today.
Would I truly recognize them when we met?
My mind grew tangled with such thoughts, so I placed a small hand over my chest.
Thump-thump. My heart raced without pause.
This was my first time attending a noble gathering, and my debut was none other than an Imperial Banquet—even the stoutest heart would be unable to resist nervousness in such circumstances.
Soon I exhaled a long breath.
“Phew.”
Then Heinrich, with mature composure, placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke.
“Don’t be nervous, sister.”
“But I can’t help it. This is my first time at something like this.”
With violet eyes gleaming, Heinrich whispered tenderly.
“The moment you step into the Banquet Hall, everyone will have no choice but to fall for you. You have a special radiance about you.”
“…”
“That’s why I fell for you too.”
At the sincere yet thoughtful gaze of the boy, my cheeks flushed slightly.
“So don’t worry and just be yourself, my lady.”
Mimicking a rather mature man, Heinrich gracefully brought his lips to the back of my hand. A soft kiss.
“Heinrich.”
I called the boy’s name and curved my lovely lips into a smile.
Just then, Julius, having finished his conversation with the nobles, approached us. He scrutinized both children’s attire meticulously.
Until he deemed it perfect.
“Anette, Heinrich. Today, there must be no mistakes whatsoever. Remember and strictly observe the ‘rules.'”
He spoke with his stern glasses gleaming.
“The eyes of nobles are sharp and their tastes exacting—they catch flaws faster than anyone else.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Call me by my name. I am here not as a teacher, but as the secretary of the Tree.”
“…Yes, Julius.”
As Anette responded, Julius finally turned his body with a composed expression.
“It would be best to enter before it gets too late.”
“Let’s go, sister.”
Heinrich’s violet eyes gleamed as he gallantly escorted the girl like a practiced gentleman.
Anette’s small heart raced as she set foot in the Imperial Court for the first time.
* * *
The moment I stepped inside, countless nobles bombarded me with questions.
It felt far more taxing than taking a level test in the Forest.
They all seemed desperate to understand this unfamiliar child they’d never seen before.
‘Ugh, I miss Heinrich.’
Heinrich was surrounded by other nobles vying for his attention.
He must be struggling too…
I’d need to keep my temperamental chihuahua nature in check.
Sigh.
Just as I was internally sighing with worry, a young noblewoman in an elegant champagne-colored dress spoke up.
“Then Anette, would it be alright if I asked the next question?”
“…Of course, Countess Asepir. Any question is fine.”
I was seated in a plush red velvet chair, surrounded by nobles standing and looking down at me with uncomfortable smiles.
‘It seems they liked my answers so far.’
But I knew the truth.
One wrong answer and I’d plummet into the abyss.
“Let’s say Anette was walking through the Garden and found a very beautiful and lovely bird collapsed from exhaustion.”
“Yes!”
I focused intently.
“The bird was very dirty, having wandered alone for so long. What would Anette do in this situation?”
Normally, the correct answer would be to diligently treat and release it.
But…
‘It’s a trap.’
They described it as very beautiful and lovely to pique my interest, but then said it was ‘dirty.’
The nobles of this country would never allow anything filthy into their homes.
They seemed curious whether I would, like a ‘simple and virtuous commoner,’ care for the pitiful bird with my own hands and release it.
‘But simply ignoring it isn’t the right answer either.’
That wouldn’t make me seem pure.
No matter how I answered, I’d lose some points—it was that kind of question from the start.
They wanted to see my true nature.
After a moment of thought, I smiled gently and answered.

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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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