TCBUP 25

Chapter 25. Unwanted Favor

‘So it’s because the favorability increased against the male lead’s will?’

Such a strangely meticulous condition.

But I’m not in any position to be picky right now.

If maintaining the level is difficult, then I’ll just have to work harder to win over Nox.

Let’s raise it first and worry later.

I quickly pressed “YES” again.

<SYSTEM>

Damian Ortiz’s favorability has increased by 10% as a reward.

……What?

I opened and closed my mouth like a dazed goldfish.

Why? How? For what reason is Damian’s favorability going up?

[Damian Ortiz’s favorability 33% ⟶ 43%]

“What the hell is this!”

Was it already 33%?

How can it be higher than Nox’s, whom I’m actively trying to win over?

“We’re broken off. You said you didn’t want to be involved. So why was your favorability already that high?”

Damian had disliked “Siena” from the start.

He was cold to her the entire time, never did anything that could’ve raised his favorability—so why?

They say people’s hearts are unknowable for a reason.

I clutched my head and messed up my hair in frustration.

But no matter how much I thought, I couldn’t come up with a reasonable explanation.

* * *

The next morning.

The sunlight was so bright I squinted as I forced my creaking body to sit up.

My whole body ached like I’d been beaten head to toe, and I let out a few short groans without realizing it.

“At this rate, I’m going to fall apart.”

Frowning hard, I practically rolled out of bed.

If I were still at the Count’s estate, Mary would’ve taken care of everything, but now I had to do it all myself, no matter how exhausted I was.

I had to wash up, make breakfast, put hot packs on my neck and wrists, and water the tomatoes, onions, and potatoes I’d planted in the garden.

And today, I had an important errand.

Dragging myself sluggishly into the bathroom, the first thing I did was look in the mirror.

“Sigh. Looks like I’ll be relying on scarves for a while.”

Yesterday it was bright red, but now my neck was completely bruised black.

It was painfully clear I’d been through something serious, and the sight made me hang my head in despair.

After a quick wash and a change of clothes, I carefully wrapped a scarf around my neck and stepped out of the house.

Today, I planned to visit the Empire’s largest library, the Imperial Library.

* * *

The Imperial Library, located in the heart of the capital, housed not only countless books and documents but also preserved old newspapers.

My goal in coming was to look through past newspapers.

“Cough, cough. Dust.”

I heaved a stack of old newspapers onto the table, and dust flew everywhere.

The musty smell of aged paper filled my nose.

“It would’ve been easier not knowing anything at all…”

Even while chasing money, I had remained indifferent to political affairs, and I regretted it.

Especially after getting caught up in something messy and nearly choked to death.

In an imperial society, all power revolves around the emperor and the royal family, so I focused on related articles.

“Emperor Leopold has two sons.”

Emperor Leopold and Empress Elizabeth had a harmonious relationship, but for a while after their marriage, they were childless.

During that time, the emperor had a son named Withro through his officially recognized consort, Caroline.

“What kind of nonsense is an officially recognized mistress?”

Grumbling, I kept scanning the documents with quick hands and eyes.

Illegitimate children are normally excluded from succession in the Empire, but exceptions exist within the royal family.

A child of an officially approved consort can be granted royal status and succession rights if the empress bears no heir.

“So basically, like a concubine. And that’s why she’s called a royal consort.”

There were even records that the emperor rushed official approval from the palace the moment the consort became pregnant, since the empress hadn’t conceived for years.

The problem is that two years later, the empress finally got pregnant—and gave birth safely.

To a son, no less.

Though young, Prince Aiden, son of the empress, is the official heir to the throne, while Withro, son of the consort, holds no real succession rights.

“Of course the royal consort and Withro would be ambitious.”

To make matters worse, Prince Aiden is frail and has been confined to the palace, never appearing in public.

The empress died in an accident over ten years ago, and Prince Aiden, who was with her, was seriously injured.

Though the extent of his injuries is unclear, the fact that he hasn’t shown himself since suggests severe disability, which is the common belief.

“The accident is suspicious too.”

Several newspapers at the time questioned whether it was truly accidental.

No solid evidence ever surfaced, so the incident was eventually buried.

“Whether Aiden is being confined or hiding by choice… who knows.”

Resting my chin on my hand, I flipped through the newspaper half-heartedly.

The heart of power is never calm, but when the imperial throne is at stake, it’s no surprise if storms blow through it.

And now, Emperor Leopold is ill.

Though he still makes final decisions on state affairs, it’s been a long time since he appeared in public.

Which means the current imperial palace is effectively under the control of the royal consort and Withro.

“Come to think of it, I didn’t see the emperor or Prince Aiden at the royal banquet.”

I think I caught a glimpse of the consort.

If I remember right, she looked like an extravagant peacock.

A graceful, mature beauty with a massive teardrop-shaped diamond necklace.

As for Withro… hmm. I don’t remember.

Maybe I saw him, maybe not. I was too busy chasing after Damian to look at any other men.

“This is bad.”

I closed the newspapers and folded my arms in concern.

A dull headache started to build.

An ominous feeling crept in—had I brushed up against something far beyond what I could handle?

* * *

“Siena.”

I was waiting for a hired carriage outside the library when a familiar voice called out.

Turning my head slowly, I saw Lily standing with a few other young ladies, looking at me.

“Why pretend we’re close? It’s not like we had any good connection.”

“But I couldn’t just ignore you when we met.”

Lily smiled sweetly, but I felt the same way as the others.

Why bother acknowledging me at all?

We didn’t exactly share fond memories.

Still, Lily, her golden hair glowing in the sunset, walked toward me gracefully.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“…What?”

What kind of question is that? It sounded like she knew my entire schedule.

I looked at her suspiciously, and she awkwardly avoided my gaze before finally meeting it with a burst of courage.

“Siena. Have you not given up on the Duke yet?”

Ah. Here we go again.

I stared at Lily, dumbfounded.

“I actually saw you yesterday at the salon. With the Duke.”

Ah. My head hurts.

So she’s misunderstanding things between me and Damian.

That tentative look on her face confirms it.

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“A… misunderstanding?”

“There were unavoidable circumstances, and we just entered together—we didn’t spend any time together inside.”

“Oh… I see.”

Lily clasped her hands and lowered her eyes.

She hesitated for a long while.

So things in front of me were quiet—but behind me, it was noisy.

“Look at her. So shabby. I guess it’s true she got kicked out of the count’s family.”

“She deserved it. Poor Lord Ortiz and Lily must’ve suffered so much.”

“Yet she still treats her kindly. Lily’s got such a generous heart.”

I can hear everything.

Whispers just barely within earshot—clearly meant for me—made me laugh bitterly.

Unless it’s said outright to your face, noble ‘grace’ dictates you must pretend you didn’t hear a thing.

“Lily. I need to go now. I’m sure you can tell—I’m a bit tired.”

“I… actually have something to say. I hope you won’t be offended.”

“Say it.”

Let’s get this over with quickly so I can leave.

Luckily, the hired carriage I had called ahead pulled up.

“Please don’t bother the Duke.”

“…What?”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Lily flinched and stepped back half a pace.

Her lips trembled like she was scared.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I just… You and the Duke keep running into each other…”

“Haa, Lily.”

I sighed deeply and grabbed my head as the headache worsened.

It wasn’t unreasonable for her to worry—we kept bumping into each other even after the engagement was broken off. We even attended the salon together.

But considering how I’d once interrogated her about what was going on between her and Damian, this reversal of roles was almost comical.