TPTM 38

“Cough, cough.”

As I coughed, Adel quickly patted my back.

“How do you feel, miss, having the romance of running in the rain returned to you as a cold?”

I hadn’t told Adel that I had met the Crown Prince.

I had simply given a vague excuse.

That I had slipped away alone because I wanted to look at the imperial family’s faces, but got lost.

Fortunately, Adel seemed to believe me without suspicion.

“I guess I’ve learned that every romance comes with a price….”

I replied between coughs, and Adel let out a small laugh.

“You should eat stew for the time being. If you have some hot stew, your cold will go away quickly.”

“Mm, mm.”

Even though I was coughing several times, I felt like I was floating with happiness.

‘90%.’

Hah.

Just hearing that number made me feel secure.

Archduke Asis Fresier’s favor toward me was a full 90%!

If I could, I’d brag about it everywhere, but I held myself back—otherwise I’d be treated like a madwoman.

‘And Rek also brought some really good news.’

—

“Tulia, starting this month, your maintenance allowance will be doubled.”

“Doubled? Why?!”

“You received the Glory of Fresier necklace. According to the laws, the scale of the budget allocated to you has doubled.”

—

If you were someone who used to receive a monthly salary of 2,000,000 won, and it suddenly became 4,000,000 won—wouldn’t you feel amazing?

Because of that, even though I had a cold, I couldn’t stop smiling all day. Adel eventually started worrying about me.

“When will grandfather return?”

“His Grace the Archduke will likely return before the banquet. About a month, I believe.”

“Mm.”

Right now, Archduke Asis Fresier—no.

‘He’s a grandfather who likes me 90%. I shouldn’t keep calling him so stiffly.’

I changed the way I addressed him in my mind.

Grandfather.

Grandfather, grandfather.

“Grandfather….”

“Pardon? Miss? What did you say?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

I shook my head lightly at Adel and leaned back onto the pillow.

Grandfather.

I had always called him that to make a good impression on the surface, but now that my mindset had changed, it felt oddly warm and soft inside. Like having a feather lightly touching my palm.

Anyway, Grandfather had left the estate a few days ago.

‘He isn’t the kind of person who stays in his territory all day.’

The archduchy covered nearly one-third of the empire.

So even a single inspection tour of the territory took at least a month.

It might be troublesome, but—

Grandfather always conducted an inspection every year unless there was something major.

Perhaps that’s why talented individuals like Rek Kelposher and skilled knights respected and followed him as their lord.

‘He does have a surprisingly kind side.’

Grandfather did not return to the estate, but instead left directly for his territorial inspection.

When our paths diverged, I saw him off and said:

“Thank you for taking me to the White Tower. I will study hard once my new pneuma arrives. Grandfather.”

At that moment, right after hearing from Rek about the “double maintenance allowance,” my cheeks must have been stretched into a grin.

So I added my words with even more sincerity.

But Grandfather glared back at me unexpectedly.

“You’re coughing, and you talk about studying? Take care of your health!”

Because of that, the day my new pneuma would arrive was delayed a little, and I was now enjoying a lawful rest in the archduchy, where Grandfather’s words were practically law.

“I’m really glad His Grace assigned a personal butler to you before leaving, miss.”

Adel said while carrying a tray filled with silverware.

“Thanks to that, there are no cooks messing with your ingredients anymore.”

Her words were gentle, but they were clearly aimed at Lilius and Aubrey, who had subtly mistreated me until now.

Indeed, not long ago, my personal kitchen had been filled with bruised apples—

Vegetables that were about to rot, and meat that smelled off.

For a noble lady, having a kitchen filled with such things was rather pitiful—but not anymore.

“Since Rek personally selected them, the cooks can’t say anything at all.”

That was simply the truth.

And…

It was also true that I had brought up Rek’s name on purpose, just to see Adel’s reaction.

For a brief moment, the always-kind expression on Adel’s face darkened slightly.

But only for a moment.

Soon, she returned to her usual gentle smile.

“It’s good that the chief aide takes such good care of you. Thanks to the deputy butler, we have no shortage of medicine or ingredients.”

Since Aubrey had been stripped of her authority over household affairs, the Fresier main estate had become a bit chaotic.

Without a lady to give final approval, the butlers and servants must have been quite confused.

‘And most of them are probably Lilius’ people…’

Grandfather likely knew that, which is why he had Rek Kelposher assign me a deputy butler with influence.

‘Well, it’s not easy to just cut off your own son.’

Half of the household authority of an archducal family.

And within that half, another portion involved managing food, daily goods, and luxury purchases for the family.

‘This is usually the responsibility of the household lady.’

That authority had belonged to Aubrey.

But now it had been taken away.

However, Lilius still retained part of the remaining half.

His authority covered matters like repairing the castle walls, managing warhorses, and distributing stipends to vassals—

In other words, more “external” responsibilities.

Still, in this state, Lilius’ position would be significantly weakened.

If he reflected and stayed quiet at this point, he could still maintain his current wealth and authority.

If he “reflected” and “stayed quiet.”

But…

‘Would Lilius really be that kind of person?’

When playing Corico and the Bread before, the Fresier family members were all easy.

Even those who were initially cold toward Corico would quickly melt and become allies after a few choices.

But perhaps because I was Tulia, everything just tried to burn me instead.

From what I had seen so far, Lilius did not seem like someone who would stay quiet.

‘Hopefully I’ll be fully recovered before he does anything.’

I wish I had infinite stamina like the male leads in that game.

Unfortunately, Tulia only had decent eyesight and a twisted personality—her body was just that of an ordinary lady, and her stamina wasn’t great.

‘It might also be weaker because of those years trembling in that damn warehouse at Randelr Castle.’

Well, now Tedrick would be the one trembling there.

“Miss, would you like to eat in bed?”

“Yes.”

Adel smiled and brought the tray to me.

When she lifted the silver lid, steam rose up immediately. The rich creamy aroma made my hunger return.

As I watched me scoop up a large spoonful of stew, Adel asked with a smile:

“How does it taste?”

“It’s really delicious.”

“I’m glad you haven’t lost your appetite.”

Adel said as she tidied the lid.

“A while ago, they only gave you stew made entirely of chicken legs. This time, since I went in with the deputy butler, they immediately prepared proper chicken breast stew.”

“I like chicken legs, though.”

As I mumbled while chewing, Adel laughed.

“Is that because I’m from a border region?”

“No, really. I prefer legs or wings over breast meat.”

“Really? Nobles shouldn’t think that way….”

Adel looked a bit surprised.

That made sense.

The nobles here—more precisely, the nobles in Corico and the Bread—did not eat chicken legs or wings.

The breast was considered the best part.

In fact, this belief was also common among commoners.

Legs and wings were considered food for lower-class people from border regions—that was the setting of Corico and the Bread.

‘Well, that might change later in the game because of a certain royal…’

But that wasn’t going to happen yet.

After finishing every last bit of the stew, I took my medicine and lay down.

Looking at the ceiling above my bed, I thought it was quite luxurious.

As I gazed at the ornate decorations, a memory suddenly came to mind.