Translator: Nox

Chapter 39

The image of a young Ferdinand reeling from the Empress’s strike, blood staining his features, refused to leave my mind. It was a jarring departure from anything I had witnessed during my time playing the game, and the shock of it left me reeling.

Retrospective regret gnawed at me. I began to think that perhaps keeping my distance entirely would have been the wiser path. The memory of handing him that simple cotton handkerchief made my skin crawl with self-consciousness. It was a utilitarian scrap, the sort of thing a commoner might carry.

In truth, I had been left with no other options. Aubrey and Lilius had maintained their campaign of petty cruelty even after my relocation to the primary estate. My wardrobe remained stagnant, and basic daily essentials were nearly impossible to secure. While Ruk Kelfosher had intervened to ensure I had a roof over my head and maintained the outward appearance of a noblewoman, he was a political strategist, not a lady’s maid.

Ruk simply lacked the foresight to manage the minutiae of a young woman’s life. He might possess the sense to commission elegant satin footwear, but the necessity of matching lace hosiery would never cross his mind. Consequently, my collection of handkerchiefs consisted of the same ragged, aging linens I had salvaged from my days in the warehouse.

I lamented not having the foresight to purchase even a single quality item before my departure. The only saving grace was that Adel had scrubbed the cloth until it was spotless. Still, given Ferdinand’s notoriously prickly temperament when he wasn’t under the spell of romance, he likely viewed the gift as a piece of trash and disposed of it immediately.

With a focused gaze, I activated the shimmering star that hovered in my peripheral vision. The interface materialized instantly.

[System: Status Window]
Tulia Frazier (15 years old)

• Coins Held: 1,000
• Character: 1
• Beauty: 8
• Ability: 5
• Wealth: 0
• Luck: -10
  Overall Grade: D-

The pathetic ‘0’ next to my wealth statistic was the sole reason I couldn’t afford a decent handkerchief. Although Tulia’s financial standing had theoretically been restored, the reality was far bleaker.

I was drowning in debt.

The previous Tulia had been reckless, borrowing from more than just Lilius. Debt collectors were hounding me with monthly notices, and every spare cent went toward satisfying those creditors. In such a state, the typical luxuries of the aristocracy were nothing more than a fantasy.

I found myself critiquing her past choices; she should have invested in gold rather than tasteless, oversized jewelry. It wasn’t that she lacked an eye for beauty, a fact I felt deeply now that I occupied her body. Rather, Lilius and Aubrey had manipulated her, whispering that massive, low-quality stones were the only things flashy enough to complement her striking features. Because of their “advice,” her jewelry box was a collection of gaudy, worthless rocks that screamed “new money” and would fetch almost nothing at a pawn shop.

I couldn’t endure this hand-to-mouth existence forever. Reaching an ‘A’ rank required my wealth stat to hit a perfect ten—a feat that seemed impossible unless I somehow seized the title of Grand Duke Frazier myself.

Yet, a path forward existed. Between the need to accumulate actual currency and the drive to gather system coins, my schedule was becoming incredibly crowded. On the bright side, I had managed to secure another thousand coins. Having seen how quickly they could vanish or how the system could twist a situation, I chose to view that balance as having the modest value of a few pocket bills.

Then I noticed a rhythmic pulsing at the bottom of the screen. I had earned a reward during the chaos of the cold weather and hadn’t yet scrutinized it. I selected the notification with a thought.

[System] Reward Unlocked!
[System] You have surpassed a 90% favorability rating with ‘Assis Grand Duke Frazier,’ triggering a unique bonus!
[System] Assis Grand Duke Frazier’s Narrative Weight: ☆☆☆☆
[System] You have received the reward: ‘Lead Bank’!

The name confused me. Was it a reference to the heavy metal? It was a perk I had never encountered during my playthroughs. I sat up, propping myself against the pillows as the text continued to unfold.

[System] Reward ‘Lead Bank’ Active!
[System] Perk Details: Deposit your coins for a duration of seven days to accrue 10% interest.

The realization hit me like a physical bolt, and I bolted upright in bed.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I yelled.

---

The following morning arrived with the scent of medicinal tea.

“The physician confirmed there’s no lasting damage to your head, My Lady,” Adel reported, her voice thick with genuine relief.

“Right. Good,” I replied distractedly.

Adel’s anxiety was understandable. My outburst the previous night had sent her into a panic, and she had summoned the doctor at dawn. His diagnosis—that my fever hadn’t reached the point of delirium—seemed to be the only thing keeping her calm.

“But My Lady,” she ventured, “isn’t the temperature in here a bit excessive?”

“Not at all,” I insisted, “I need this heat to drive out the illness.”

“You are drenched in sweat,” she noted skeptically. “I’m worried for you.”

I couldn’t blame her for doubting my sanity. I was currently buried under a mountain of three heavy quilts, clutching a steaming water bottle to my chest. My motivation was purely financial: the system rewarded rapid recovery with coins.

[System: Status Window]
Tulia Frazier (15 years old)

• Coins Held: 2 (Coins in Deposit: 1,000)
• Character: 1
• Beauty: 8
• Skill: 5
• Wealth: 0
• Luck: -10
  Overall Grade: D-

Last night’s discovery had been a revelation. Apparently, prioritizing my physical health was a valid way to farm currency. It made sense in a meta-context; keeping the protagonist alive was a core mechanic of the original game.

“Shall I refresh the water bottle, My Lady? It’s lost its edge,” Adel offered.

“Please do. Thank you, Adel.”

Even though she clearly thought I had lost my mind, she remained a dedicated pillar of support. Having someone as loyal as Adel was a rare stroke of luck for the original Tulia.

Just as Adel began to empty the cooling water, a sharp rap sounded at the door.

“Lady Tulia,” a voice called out.

The man who entered with a perfunctory bow was the primary estate’s butler—a man firmly in Viscount Lilius’s pocket. It was no surprise, given how long my uncle and Aubrey had controlled the household’s inner workings. He looked at me with a mask of professional coldness.

“What is it?” I asked, remaining cocooned in my blankets.

“Viscount Lilius requests your presence,” the butler stated.

“To what end?”

“He requires you to welcome arriving visitors.”

My brow furrowed. Before I could respond, Adel stepped in. “I’m afraid the Lady is indisposed. The physician has ordered total bed rest.”

The butler spared Adel a brief, dismissive glance before turning his attention back to me. “I shall convey that message and take my leave, then.”

“Hold on,” I barked as he began to retreat.

Something felt off. He was giving up far too easily for one of Lilius’s lackeys. I sat up further, shedding some of the heavy bedding. “Who exactly am I supposed to be greeting, Butler?”

For a split second, his composure cracked. He quickly recovered, but the hesitation was telling.

“Young Master Lisian Frazier and Young Master Leon Frazier,” he answered.

My heart skipped a beat. The primary love interest and that insufferable brother of mine were at the estate already? This was far ahead of schedule.