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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: An Unwanted Invitation
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“Are we going straight back to the Imperial Palace?”
“Why, do you have something to do?”
“Not really, but… since we’re already out…”
As Lellia trailed off, Romeo thought for a moment before speaking.
“Well, let’s at least grab some lunch before we go back.”
“Sounds good.”
Lellia breathed an inward sigh of relief. She pulled down the brim of the gentleman’s hat Romeo had handed her on their way out.
If they returned to the palace now, Romeo would just go back to his room.
She had no excuse to follow him to his room and stick by his side, so it was better to stay out a little longer.
*The best day...*
Lellia was preoccupied because of the quest.
She had to give the temperamental Romeo the best day of his life.
She followed Romeo into the carriage, which departed shortly after. It was headed toward a nearby district with a cluster of restaurants.
But Lellia’s worries persisted even after their meal, as they strolled around the plaza.
She couldn’t think of a good way to put Romeo in a good mood.
Just then, Romeo suddenly stopped walking.
Lellia, who had been following him, stared at his back in confusion.
“So that was it.”
Romeo let out a dry laugh, as if he’d just realized something. Then, he abruptly entered a shop beside them.
“Wh-what’s wrong?”
“Wait here.”
Lellia blankly identified the shop Romeo had entered. It was a small art supply store.
A painting was hanging inside the display window. The moment Lellia saw it, her brow furrowed.
Meanwhile, inside the store, Romeo asked the owner a question.
“Hey, is that painting out front for sale?”
“My goodness, a customer the moment I put it up! Yes, yes! It’s for sale. Shall I get it for you?”
Art shops in busy districts often sold paintings on consignment for aspiring artists.
“How much do paintings like that usually sell for?”
When Romeo asked, the clerk answered confidently.
“The handsome man’s portrait, you mean? They start at a minimum of five million shillings.”
“A handsome man’s portrait… Quite expensive for the skill level. Is it by a famous artist?”
“No, it’s by an aspiring artist. If you think it’s too expensive, you can just leave! A painting’s worth what someone’s willing to pay, after all.”
“Are paintings like that selling well these days?”
“You have no idea! We can’t keep them in stock.”
“Hah.”
Romeo let out a disbelieving chuckle and went back outside.
He found Lellia standing there, staring at the painting with a scowl, and sidled up to her with a mischievous grin.
“Well, well. Aren’t you pleased?”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“I hear paintings like this are so popular in the capital they can’t keep them in stock.”
“...”
“Look, it resembles you.”
Lellia couldn’t deny it.
The painting was a portrait of a man with very delicate lines, but no matter how she looked at it, it didn’t feel masculine.
There was no beard or Adam’s apple, but the hairstyle and clothes were clearly a man’s.
“M-maybe it’s a painting of a woman disguised as a man?”
“Nah. They probably painted it because a man like this doesn’t exist in reality. I mean, plenty of men don’t have a prominent Adam’s apple.”
“...”
“This is why people have been staring at you.”
Lellia’s eyes widened as she looked at Romeo, as if asking, *Really?*
She had been so focused on Romeo’s quest that she hadn’t noticed the stares from those around them.
*...Have people figured me out?*
Lellia swallowed nervously. But Romeo seemed to think differently.
“This is actually a good thing. If this style of painting is in fashion, no one will suspect you.”
“Why not?”
“No one thinks this painting is of a woman. They just think it’s an imaginary man, someone too beautiful to exist in reality.”
“...”
If that was the case, it was a relief. Lellia sighed and observed Romeo.
Romeo grumbled as he stared at the painting, “Why on earth would anyone like a face like that?”
To be honest, in Lellia’s eyes, Romeo was far more beautiful and handsome than the man in the painting.
As she had that thought, Lellia let out a small “Ah!”
Why hadn’t she thought of this before? She felt foolish for having overcomplicated things.
Romeo was incredibly simple. He loved it when people praised or complimented him.
He’d been the same way when they were children.
Giving Romeo the best day of his life might actually be a very simple task.
All she had to do was stick with him all day and praise him.
Filled with conviction, Lellia spoke.
“I don’t understand why a man like that is popular. In my eyes, you are far more handsome than that painting, Lord Romeo.”
Just as she expected, the corners of Romeo’s mouth turned up. Lellia whispered softly.
“Look at him. Is a man really attractive if he’s as flimsy as the one in that painting? He’s not even a woman in disguise like me.”
“My thoughts exactly, right?”
“Yes. Unlike that painting, you have a fine physique and a sharp jawline, Lord Romeo. Just like a god from a mythological painting.”
Even as her compliments became more and more over the top, Romeo accepted them without batting an eye. Lellia decided not to stop.
“The man in that painting is probably very short. Not tall like you, Lord Romeo. I believe a true handsome man must be tall and broad-shouldered, just like you.”
“You’re quite insightful, aren’t you?”
By the time they were in the carriage heading back to the Imperial Palace.
[Quest Complete! ✧*.◟(ˊᗨˋ)◞.*✧ Claiming rewards!]
∙ 1 Favorability Check Ticket
∙ 1 Special Recipe Puzzle Piece
∙ 1 Lv. 1 Random Gift Box [?]
∙ 1 Alchemy Lottery Ticket
Lellia had completed the quest with surprising ease.
Romeo hummed a tune as he gazed out the carriage window, the satisfied expression of someone who had just had the best day ever.
Then, the next quest window appeared.
[Raise Special Target 's favorability by <10> more points!]
※ Quest Story Progress: 10%
The quest progression seemed to follow the same pattern.
In any case, she was thrilled to have succeeded. It was a little absurd, but…
Lellia accepted the quest and moved to her item inventory.
She saved the ticket for later, just like before, and opened the random gift box.
Last time she got a useless material. What would it be this time?
She opened it with anticipation, only for another ‘1 Special Recipe Puzzle Piece’ to appear.
*Well, at least this will be useful later, so that's a relief...*
Lellia sighed in relief and followed Romeo’s gaze out the window.
The Imperial Palace was already drawing near.
*Now, the important thing is the sub-quest.*
Lute’s Holy Relic, and the Special Shop.
Once the Special Shop opened, she could scratch lottery tickets like in the old days.
Scratching tickets was like a gacha game, where she could aim for a huge jackpot.
She could get a very rare item, or an enormous amount of crystals or gold.
*Or I might get the materials for that special recipe.*
Lellia made various guesses based on her long experience with the game.
In the meantime, the carriage arrived at the Imperial Palace.
Romeo, still in high spirits, invited Lellia to have tea and even dinner with him.
After stopping by her room, she headed to Romeo’s quarters, where Calix had already arrived.
Thankfully, he was wearing clothes this time.
Romeo was sitting on a sofa in the drawing-room drinking tea, while Calix was sprawled out on the long sofa opposite him.
His large frame was too big for it, his shoulders and legs hanging off the edges, but he didn’t seem to mind.
Calix had his eyes closed, his brow furrowed.
*He doesn’t seem to be sleeping.*
Lellia, sitting diagonally from him, stared at Calix quietly.
*Could it be that his eyes are hurting?*
That had been weighing on her mind.
Before long, Calix would lose his sight completely.
Whenever she had a spare moment, Lellia wondered if there was anything she could do for Calix.
She had hopefully searched through the in-game recipes, but there was nothing that could help his vision.
However, it wasn’t a completely hopeless situation.
*The Holy Relics, or the Philosopher's Stone.*
With one of those, she would be able to heal Calix’s eyes.
The two Holy Relics each granted the wish of their possessor, and Lellia and Lute had already used one wish each.
But if the two relics were combined, they could grant one more, greater wish.
Lellia’s goal was to break the binding spell and confess to her friends, but healing Calix’s eyes felt more important.
That was why Lellia decided to aim for the other option as well: the Philosopher’s Stone.
It would require a lot of work and take a long time… but it wasn’t impossible.
Lellia looked at Calix with a pitying gaze.
As she did, she was suddenly reminded of their childhood.
Calix hadn’t been small back then either, but she never imagined he’d grow to be this huge. The same went for Romeo.
Lellia wasn’t short herself, but the difference was stark.
*I can’t even dream of giving Calix a piggyback ride like when we were little.*
Forget a piggyback ride; it seemed like it would be difficult to even help him stand.
Just as she was thinking that, Calix’s eyes snapped open.
“You’re here?”
Calix greeted Lellia and sat up, disheveled.
Oh, right. Something occurred to Lellia, and after a moment of hesitation, she asked.
“By the way, Calix… Orabeo—”
“Hold on… Hey, don’t call me that while you’re dressed as a man. It’s a little creepy.”
As Calix deadpanned, Romeo clutched his stomach and laughed.
*...He’s the one who told me to call him that. Does he think I want to?*
As their former leader, Lellia’s pride was deeply wounded, but she suppressed it and spoke.
“Should I call you ‘Hyeongnim’ then?”
“...’Hyeongnim’?”
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.
She remembered Calix saying that looking at her reminded him of the “Leo” from their childhood.
A person who looked just like the one he used to call “Captain” was now calling him “big brother”? That was too much of a loss for Lellia.
“Fine, call me ‘Hyeongnim’.”
But before she could take it back, Calix agreed.
Lellia pressed her lips together, trembling for a moment, before she managed to speak.
“Anyway, about yesterday. May I ask… why you went for a walk with Princess Yuriana?”
“What? You went for a walk with a woman? And a princess, at that?”
Romeo reacted instantly to those words. His eyes were filled with a mischievous urge to tease.
“Ah.”
Calix’s brow furrowed. As if he had a lot to say on the matter, he started talking quickly.
“Ah, yesterday, that woman was a real… She just suddenly started following me and talking, asking to go for a walk. I said no, but she kept following me. It was so damn annoying. And I couldn’t even curse at her because she’s a princess.”
“...”
Hearing this, Lellia pondered.
*What on earth was Yuriana thinking, asking Calix to go for a walk?*
I just don’t get it.
The whole reason Lellia had asked Calix this question was for the sub-quest.
She had to help Lute with his love confession, one way or another.
Lellia let out a deep sigh.
*There isn’t much time.*
It seemed best to find Lute after dinner.
But there was no need. After dinner, Lute came to Lellia’s quarters first.
“I apologize for showing up so suddenly. But I couldn’t help it.”
Lute’s face was slightly flushed.
*Yesterday, the last time I saw him, he was glaring daggers at me.*
Now he was facing her with a smile again.
Lellia felt awkward but forced a smile. A smile for the quest.
The two decided to talk while taking a short walk around Lellia’s quarters. After a little while, they came to a small path beyond a corridor.
They sat on a bench in front of a small fountain. Lute, who had been beating around the bush, got straight to the point as soon as they sat down.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“…Is this an extension of the favor you mentioned yesterday?”
“It is.”
It was a relief that Lute brought it up first. Lellia readily agreed to help him.
“If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do it.”
“Really? I see now… you’re quite a man of loyalty.”
Lute wore a moved expression, wiping his mouth with his hand in excitement.
“What is the favor?”
Lellia asked.
*Does he want me to listen to how he plans to confess?*
“Actually, Princess Yuriana came to see me a little while ago.”
“She did?”
“Yes. She abruptly asked me if I was close with you.”
“...”
I have a bad feeling about this.
“So… I apologize to you, Sir, but I said that we were close.”
“And she believed that? We only just met yesterday…”
“Ah, yes. I said that although we had just met, we hit it off so well that we formed a deep friendship… That’s what I told her.”
“...”
Lellia looked at Lute with a strange expression.
*What a ridiculous guy...*
Then again, it was understandable. Lute was a character who was so smitten with Yuriana that he lost all reason in other matters.
As if pricked by Lellia’s gaze, Lute confessed something else.
“Actually, I said we were so close we decided to become sworn brothers. I’m sorry.”
“…?”
“A-anyway. After hearing that, Princess Yuriana said something. That her handmaidens have taken a liking to you, Sir.”
“To me.”
“Yes. Just as I said, men of your type are apparently popular among the young noble ladies these days.”
“...”
*Ah, so that’s it.*
Lellia recalled the painting she had seen with Romeo earlier that day and nodded.
She felt anxious. What was she supposed to do?
Romeo had said it was a relief since she wouldn’t get caught, but Lellia felt differently.
Her heart was pounding.
“So I told her I would bring you to her tea party. This is my favor.”
“...”
*He wants me to go to a tea party with him?*
Lellia furrowed her brow. Princess Yuriana’s tea party… A tea party that would undoubtedly be filled with those handmaidens from yesterday.
*What if I get caught?*
Lellia bit her lip anxiously. Lute waited for her answer with an impatient look on his face.
“When is the tea party?”
“It’s in two days.”
“…I understand.”
“Really?!”
At Lellia’s agreement, Lute seemed overjoyed, standing up and pacing back and forth in front of her.
Then he turned to Lellia and said.
“Just as I told Princess Yuriana, I truly want to become a close friend to you, Sir, like a sworn brother. There can be no man in this world more loyal than you.”
“...”
Lellia watched the excitedly chattering Lute and forced a smile.
*I have no choice.*
I have to help Lute with his love confession to get the Holy Relic and the system.
*Only then can I heal Calix and confess the truth to my friends.*
Lellia convinced herself by explaining why she had to do this. Otherwise, she felt the word “no” would escape her lips at any moment.
*Sworn brothers.*
She had no intention of becoming friends, let alone sworn brothers, with Lute, who had dared to use the word “cripple” to describe her friend.
Besides, she was a woman, so being brothers was impossible in the first place.
Lute may have been the male lead in the original story, but being the protagonist didn’t mean he was a good person through and through.
To Lellia, Lute already felt like a villain.
*Just you wait until this quest is over.*
Just then, Lute’s expression suddenly turned serious as he asked.
“Before that, there’s something I must ask you, man to man.”
“…What is it?”
Lellia tensed at his words. The phrase “man to man” pricked her conscience sharply.
“You don’t truly have feelings for Princess Yuriana, do you?”
“...”
“Princess Yuriana is a beautiful and charming woman by anyone’s standards. I do not wish to have you as a rival in love, Sir.”
Lellia let out a deep sigh.
“You have no need to worry about that.”
At her words, Lute’s expression brightened again.
After Lute left, Lellia rushed to find Romeo and Calix.
She wanted to ask if they would accompany her to Yuriana’s tea party in two days.
But Romeo just cackled, “You’re going to a tea party?” and clutched his stomach, laughing.
“Why don’t you go and enjoy a day in the life of a ‘popular man’?”
he added, teasing her. Romeo seemed to find the whole situation hilarious. Her request for him to come along was, of course, rejected.
Calix was even worse.
“Um, Hyeongnim. Could you possibly accompany me to a tea party in two days…”
“A tea what?”
“A tea party.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s where Princess Yuriana invites guests and serves tea. The young nobles of high society…”
“Get out.”
Calix waved his hand dismissively without even hearing the full explanation. His face had soured the moment he heard the words “Princess Yuriana.”
When Lellia hesitated instead of leaving, Calix glanced around as if looking for something to throw.
Lellia fled back to her quarters, afraid a pillow might come flying her way.
