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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Goddess of Luck's Blessing
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Many harbored hostility toward the Variesa Royal Family due to the war.
Naturally, Cynthia was also a target of contempt.
Behind her back, they treated her as "Masera's spoils of war," a war orphan who had risen to the pinnacle.
"Turn around and cover your eyes, then draw a simple picture. I'll guess what it is."
Cynthia set down her champagne glass, approached the assemblyman, and handed him a pen and paper.
The assemblyman burst into hearty laughter as he took them.
"Haha, come on... isn't this just a kids' game?"
"Wasn't it you who first asked to see the royal family's special ability?"
Cynthia continued in a wistful tone, enunciating each word carefully.
"I hesitate to just read minds because of privacy issues. I've gotten into trouble before by revealing someone's secrets—like affairs or crimes they're hiding."
The assemblyman's face stiffened slightly.
Observing his expression, Cynthia's lips curved into a relaxed smile.
There was no politician who was squeaky clean without any corruption. Especially someone who had climbed this high was likely an opportunist.
Without giving him a chance to speak, she began spinning her tale.
"I have no memory of my childhood. Maybe it's trauma from witnessing my family's deaths during the royal family's dissolution. Because of that, at some point, I developed a keen intuition. I can tell what people are thinking from their expressions, speech, and actions."
Sympathetic sighs rose from the audience. Some deliberately avoided her eyes.
Cynthia turned around and covered her eyes with both hands.
"But now, I don't even need to observe. It's like I just know, even without them saying. Isn't it amazing?"
She was like a born storyteller.
The audience was completely immersed in her calmly narrated story.
"Now, draw it."
All eyes turned from Cynthia to the assemblyman.
The assemblyman set down his champagne glass and began drawing on the paper, conscious of the gathered gazes.
"Are you done?"
The politician blinked at Cynthia's voice right as he lifted the pen.
Still facing away, Cynthia said,
"A snowman. Right? I thought it was a standing caterpillar at first, but you drew a carrot nose."
A stir rippled through the crowd.
At the end of the murmuring gazes was the paper with the snowman.
"Yes, that's right."
Cold sweat beaded on the assemblyman's forehead instantly. Goosebumps rose on his neck.
"How did you do it? It's not a trick... mind reading, or..."
Cynthia smiled at the bewildered assemblyman's voice. In her palm was a small round hand mirror.
'The story I told was all a fabricated lie to gain trust.'
It was a common trick she'd seen on a magic show in her previous life—pretending to cover her eyes while peeking at his drawing through the mirror in her hand.
She recalled the long-standing scams the Variesa Royal Family had pulled.
Deification and brainwashing no different from a cult.
This was the "royal family's special ability."
The politician dabbed his sweat with a handkerchief, his gaze wandering aimlessly. He deliberately avoided Cynthia's eyes.
"Amazing. It's like a superpower."
The politician raised his champagne glass, winking as if trying to act casual.
"It's not that great. Everyone has some specially developed ability, right? This is just one of them. And another one... I..."
Cynthia grinned.
"...am pretty lucky."
"Ah, the Frost Queen, the legend of the Variesa Royal Family, was also called the 'Goddess of Luck.'"
The politician chuckled awkwardly and gulped down the champagne.
Seeing that, Cynthia's eyes widened.
"But that's my glass..."
Then—
Crash—!
"Ugh, urk!"
The assemblyman who dropped the glass clutched his throat and let out agonized groans.
His bloodshot eyes glared at Cynthia.
"You damned wench, how the hell did you know to switch the glasses?"
"Huh? Didn't you, you damned old man, grab that glass? Are you saying I was supposed to drink it?"
Since he spoke rudely first, she matched his tone.
Poison? As Cynthia looked baffled, he mustered his last strength and shouted,
"You filthy Variesa royal, a disgrace to the world! You think we don't know your plot to revive the monarchy! Kkh, urk!"
Spitting blood, he collapsed amid screams.
Meanwhile, a brown-haired man in the crowd narrowed his eyes at the fallen assemblyman.
'Assassination is absolutely forbidden! Not content with poisoning, he drinks it himself?'
He looked at Cynthia, who stood there with an innocent expression.
'Damn. What is that woman? It's like she knew our entire plan!'
They were members of the Liberty Assembly, aiming to prevent the monarchy's revival, and their target this time was none other than Cynthia.
They planned to kidnap Cynthia, hold her hostage, and demand concessions from the Queensguard family and Masera.
Since the official residence was always heavily guarded, the engagement party with many outsiders was their best chance to carry out their cause.
Cynthia had no idea, but throughout the banquet, they had tried every trick to kidnap her.
They tried spilling a drink on her dress to lure her outside, but suddenly she twisted away, splashing an innocent bystander instead.
The plan to trip her pretending it was an accident and carry her away failed when she suddenly turned, tripping the would-be tripper instead.
They eventually changed tactics.
They crawled into the ceiling passage to drop the chandelier, but she dodged it by mere steps.
In the end, the assemblyman's solo poisoning attempt also failed.
"Seal the exits and search everyone."
Masera raised one hand, and the soldiers in the banquet hall moved in perfect unison.
Soon, all exits were secured.
At that moment, a young man stepped forward and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"The royals must vanish from the world! We will fight to the end!"
He was a Liberty Assembly member who panicked in the sudden crisis and acted rashly.
'What the hell is that idiot doing! Does he want us all captured and tortured to death? No unity at all!'
The brown-haired man hid in the crowd with a bewildered expression.
Their opponent was Brigadier General Vicente.
If caught by him, three generations would surely be wiped out.
Bang—!
Then, the young man fired a concealed pistol at Cynthia.
Screams erupted everywhere.
Cynthia instinctively squeezed her eyes shut and ducked. At the same time, she felt someone embrace her.
Ting!
"Argh!"
The sound of the bullet ricocheting off something sharp was followed by a man's scream from somewhere.
The brown-haired man groaned, clutching his side.
In an astonishing coincidence, the bullet that missed Cynthia hit the brown-haired man hiding in the crowd.
Trembling, Cynthia finally opened her eyes and met the gaze of Masera, who had her in his arms.
"Why..."
'Don't you hate me? Sure, my death would be inconvenient, but not enough to trade your life for mine.'
Then, Masera, with one arm still around Cynthia, aimed his gun somewhere.
"What... is that woman... really a demon? How did she even dodge a bullet?"
The young man at the end of Masera's gun muttered in astonishment.
Bang!
The young man crumpled to the floor.
"The Goddess of Luck who sided with the Variesa dynasty... It must be her blessing."
Someone murmured in a daze.
It was an unbelievable scene where all misfortunes seemed to swerve away from her.
Journalists hiding under tables began scribbling furiously.
This was the first incident in which Cynthia deceived the entire world, and the moment her unprecedented grand swindle began.
