CH 123

“Should I bet? If you win, I’ll make some of the situations you want.”

“Let’s try to win well with that ability to see the future.”

I’ve got goosebumps all over my body. 

The voice that penetrated my head out of nowhere was so loud that it felt like my stomach was twisted. 

‘What is that?’

At first glance, it seemed as if it was talking to herself, and it seemed as if she heard a voice from the future that she would one day hear.

Along with, 

‘It strangely stinging…’

She felt like she had heard part of someone’s conversation a long time ago.

‘What do you mean a bet? What kind of bet—?’

She indirectly asked a question in her head just in case, but there was no answer.

Instead, Serdel looked at the status window in front of her.

[You became the heir of a family, and your status has increased. You have attracted the attention and interest of many powerful people.

Convert the causal ratios so far by adding them into points. 

▷ 15,000 points will be added.

▷ Total Points: 48,000

→Congratulations! Your total points surpassed 35,000.]

[You can upgrade the interior view of the mansion using points.]

It was the first time the point had risen since the Elbash Forest expedition. 

But the only thing she can do with that point is to upgrade the interior view of the mansion. 

It was significant in many ways.

It was as if the Count’s mansion was hiding something that couldn’t be confirmed without this system.

It feels uncomfortable. 

Furthermore, her thoughts were complicated by the fact that an upgrade window appeared as if the point had been waiting as soon as it crossed the system’s threshold.

‘It feels like I’m a dice inside a huge board that someone’s made.’

“Lord Serdel.”

A group of people approached her while she was thinking with a hard face. They were the successors of each family. 

“It’s been a while.”

One of them is pretending to know her. 

Gorgeous golden hair as if sprinkled with gold powder, mean eyes underneath, and an annoying smile.

Quite similar to the 1st Prince, he was the heir to the Marquis of Caloas, and was none other than the Empress’s nephew.

“I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you like this since your debutante, won’t you give me a chance to be polite to Lady?”

He asked her to reach out so he could kiss her hand. His tone was polite, but his behavior was arrogant. 

She wants to give him one punch to the chin. 

Then, instead of giving him her hand, Serdel greeted him gracefully. 

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. However, since I’m not a Young Lady but an heir of my family, I think it’s enough to show respect for each other. Sir Robinson.” 

There’s no reason to look good to you as a lady, and the other successors who saw her say that, turn around. 

“Haha— Well, that’s it. Oh, since the Lord has become the heir, shouldn’t you come to our meeting soon? I sent you an invitation the other day.”

There were several groups within the institutional aristocracy, and the successor group was the largest. 

Addis never attended the meeting once a week under the pretext of discussing politics and building friendships regardless of faction. 

It was because she was so busy as an imperial knight.

“It hasn’t been long since I became a successor, so I’m busy. I’ll try to make time to participate in one soon.” 

“Oh, then I’m thinking of holding a meeting around the end of this month. Can you join us?”

“I can’t give you a definite answer.”

“Well, I’ll send someone two days before the meeting. Please let me know whether you will participate or not through him. Oh, and—”

He held out a small badge.

“Wear this when you come.”

“I will.”

Serdel turned around with a nod. 

Damon came closer just in time as if he had finished greeting the other nobles. 

Seeing the badge in Serdel’s hand, he hardened his eyebrows. 

“I recommend you not to participate if possible.”

“Why?”

“It’s not a meeting with good intentions like I thought it would be. Drinking, fighting, I’d say it’s a mess.”

“I see.”

She glanced away and saw the heirs of other families standing behind Robinson like a folding screen.

Some eyes were filled with dissatisfaction.

‘I’ll have to go once.’

Perhaps it is Robinson and his followers who lead the promiscuity.

Bad rumors didn’t spread much as they joined up, but it was clear how much he stirred up and led the group while carrying the title of the Empress’s nephew on his back.

There must have been quite a few people who didn’t like him. 

“I know what the Lord is thinking. However, it is recommended not to venture out in an aristocratic society.”

Damon pointed his hand at his head.

“Everyone is quick to calculate as much as they have ascended to the succession. There are many who fought fiercely among them to gain the position they are today. The Empress will not be able to reject someone with a strong backbone.”

“Thank you for the advice. However, Marquis. I didn’t come to this position comfortably either.”

“…I made a mistake. I’d like to apologize if you were offended.”

“No, I wasn’t offended at all. But more than that, shouldn’t you go instead?”

Serdel pointed to the Young Ladies who were watching this side with their eyes. 

“Everyone seems to be waiting for the Marquis to talk to them.” 

“I don’t have to go.”

Damon would have dealt with the Young Ladies coming toward him without really stopping them if it had been before. 

Also, he didn’t respond to Lora’s glance like he used to.

“Lord… Do you believe in love?”

“No, I don’t believe it.”

She has been betrayed several times already.

Furthermore, she wasn’t free enough to risk her life for love anymore. 

“Then you won’t be tied to love.”

With a bitter smile, he beckoned to the servant, who was busily passing between the nobles and handed him a glass of wine.

“Would you like a glass of wine?”

She had to meet the Emperor soon, so she couldn’t smell alcohol. She was about to say no, but Chamberlain stood in front of Serdel. 

“His Majesty is looking for you.”

“Then, please excuse me, Marquis.”

Damon nodded his head and stepped back.

Following Chamberlain, Serdel moved away. Following it with his eyes, Damon slowly tilted the glass of wine in his hand. 

“You still don’t want anything from me even though it’s aged wine.”

The first time they ate together at a restaurant was because of something related to the Elbash Forest. She said she’ll tell him if she needed aged wine. 

“I’m ready to help you at any time.”

Or is he still not as mature as she thinks he is? 

So that’s why she doesn’t need anything from him? 

He doesn’t know why, but Serdel, who he hasn’t seen in a long time, seems impatient.

She pretended to be okay, but it was almost as if she had climbed on a single rope at a critical moment.

That’s why he wanted to give her a bottle of wine and told her to let him know if she needed help.

Damon wiped his lips with his hand, sipping the rest of the wine at once. 

*****

After following the Chamberlain, she arrived at the Emperor’s office. 

He sat at his desk and closed his eyes. He must have felt the presence of Serdel with the sound of the door opening, but he didn’t open his eyes for a while. 

Suddenly, Serdel stopped in front of him, but she waited patiently. 

“Go out, Chamberlain. I don’t need tea.”

At the command given, Chamberlain moved quietly. 

It’s a quiet space with only two left.

Five minutes, ten minutes, twenty minutes. How meaningless was her precious time wasted? 

The Emperor finally opened his eyes and looked straight at Serdel.

“Bring the empty gift box I gave you earlier here.”

The Emperor lifted the cover from the box he had received, placed what had been taken from the drawer, and returned it as is.

Inside was a brooch with the emperor’s personal seal imprinted on it. 

“If you’re in trouble, use it anytime.”

This was no different from giving away some of the Emperor’s power.

It was a considerably big present.

However, it was also an item that couldn’t be used carelessly.

“I can’t believe you gave me such a precious thing—”

“Enough with the greetings. After much deliberation, I decided to trust the Lord. And so I did it.”

There was a lot of meaning in the words. Closing the cover of the box, Serdel swallowed dry saliva. 

“Do you believe in me?”

This is a test.

“I don’t believe it, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, I thought the Lord would answer that.”

If she had said she believed him, the Emperor would have sent her back.

Then he would have been more likely to be wary of her. Moreover, with the invitation he sent, she had already seen a glimpse of the future. So Serdel could easily guess what he was going to say from now. 

The Emperor’s mouth, which had been heavily closed, opened again.

“Lord Serdel, do you know about my death?”