TPTM 39

Chapter 39

A young Ferdinand being slapped by the Empress and bleeding from his cheek.

It was a scene I had never even experienced in the game, so I was quite taken aback myself.

“Maybe it would’ve been better if I hadn’t given him anything at all.”

I recalled the handkerchief I had handed to Ferdinand and felt a wave of embarrassment.

A cheap handkerchief… the kind commoners would probably use.

“But I had no choice.”

Even after I came to my true self, Aubrey and Lilius had been extremely difficult.

Because of that, I could barely buy a new dress, and I couldn’t get decent daily necessities either.

“At least Luck looked after my life enough that I could maintain this level of lady-like appearance.”

But Luck Kelposher was literally just an aide.

He hadn’t thought to provide even the minor daily necessities for a noble lady.

For example, he could order beautiful satin shoes, but he didn’t realize he also needed to order the lace stockings to wear with them as a set.

So all the handkerchiefs I had were just the old, shabby ones from the storage.

“I probably should’ve bought at least one proper handkerchief.”

At least Adele had washed the handkerchiefs cleanly, so that was fortunate.

“He probably threw it away thinking it was just a rag.”

I knew best how bad Ferdinand’s personality could be when he wasn’t in love, since I had played The Secret Bread.

I still clicked the star floating next to me with my eyes.

The status window appeared right before me.

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

• Coins: 1,000
• Personality: 1
• Beauty: 8
• Skill: 5
• Wealth: 0
• Luck: -10

Overall Rating: D-

The reason I couldn’t buy a pretty handkerchief was because my wealth was still ‘0’.

After all the hardships, Tulia’s budget had been normalized, but still…

“I still have debts!”

Crazy Tulia.

It wasn’t just money borrowed from Lilius; notices of debt collection were arriving from everywhere.

Because I was paying them off diligently, small luxuries as a noble? Dreaming about them was impossible.

“I might as well have bought gold. Even if I had no eye for gems, I just bought the big ones…”

Tulia did have an eye for jewels.

Now that I was in her body, I could see it even more clearly.

But Aubrey and Lilius had always told her that even if the quality was lower, bigger stones would look better with Tulia’s glamorous face.

Because of that, Tulia’s jewelry box was full of big stones that weren’t worth much.

It was the jewelry box of a nouveau riche.

Even if sold, they wouldn’t bring much money.

Of course, Tulia couldn’t keep living like this forever.

If I didn’t raise my wealth, if I didn’t reach a full ‘10’, I could never achieve an overall rating of A.

For reference, wealth 10 required owning an enormous amount of money.

Unless I suddenly inherited the Frezier Grand Duke’s position, it was impossible.

“But it’s not like there’s no way.”

Thinking of what I had to do from now on, I realized how busy my situation was.

I had to earn money in reality, and I had to earn coins too.

“At least I got another thousand coins.”

I had already experienced how coins could disappear and how the status window could hit me in the back unexpectedly.

It was easier to just think of 1,000 coins as roughly ten thousand won in value.

“Oh, right.”

I noticed the bottom of the status window blinking.

I had gained a benefit, but because of the cold and everything else, I hadn’t checked it yet.

I decided it was time to check and clicked it with my eyes.

[System] Benefit Acquired!
[System] Achieve over 90% affection with ‘Assis Frezier’ to receive a special benefit!
[System] Assis Frezier importance: ☆☆☆☆

[System] Benefit ‘Lead Bank’ acquired!

“Bank?”

Bank? What kind of bank?

Lead? As in the metal?

It was a benefit I had never heard of.

As I curiously sat up against the pillow, sparkling letters continued to appear.

[System] Benefit ‘Lead Bank’ acquired!
[System] Effect: Deposit coins for 7 days to receive 10% interest.

I suddenly leapt out of bed without realizing it.

“What!”

The next morning.

“Miss, fortunately, there’s no problem with your head.”

“Uh… uh-huh.”

“Phew.”

Adele sighed with relief. She truly looked glad.

‘Understandably.’

Last night, I had shouted in surprise at the benefit in the middle of the night.

She had rushed in at the sound of my voice and called the doctor immediately. The doctor confirmed I didn’t have a severe fever.

Meaning my brain hadn’t melted from the heat.

In other words, I wasn’t insane, so I could rest easy.

“By the way, Miss… aren’t you too hot?”

“Not at all. Not at all. I need this to recover quickly.”

“You’re sweating like it’s pouring rain. Are you really okay…?”

I understood Adele’s worry that I might be crazy.

I was sweating through three blankets while hugging a wash basin.

There was one reason.

Taking care of my body to recover faster also earned me coins!

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

• Coins: 2 (Deposited Coins: 1,000)
• Personality: 1
• Beauty: 8
• Skill: 5
• Wealth: 0
• Luck: -10

Overall Rating: D-

I only realized last night that the faster I took care of myself, the more coins I could earn.

It was funny, but thinking back to when I played the game, managing Corico’s health so he wouldn’t die had also been important.

That must have been the origin of this coin-earning method.

“Miss, should I change the water in the wash basin again? It seems to have become lukewarm.”

“Yes, thank you, Adele.”

“No problem at all.”

Despite her confused expression, Adele carefully looked after me.

‘Having a housekeeper like Adele is probably one of the few blessings Tulia has.’

As Adele opened the lid of the wash basin, poured out the cold water, and replaced it with hot water, there was a knock at the door.

Soon after.

“Miss Tulia.”

It was none other than the butler of my true self’s estate.

‘He works for Lilius.’

Aubrey and Lilius had long managed the household, so it wasn’t surprising that their man was here.

The butler had a stern expression as he looked at me.

I still curled up like a caterpillar under the blankets and asked,

“What is it?”

“Miss, Viscount Lilius requests your presence.”

“Why does he want me?”

“To receive a guest.”

“…Guest?”

“Yes, Miss.”

While I frowned, Adele stepped forward.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but you are unwell. The doctor prescribed absolute rest.”

The butler glanced at Adele.

But he quickly returned his attention to me and bowed again.

“Very well. I will take my leave. Miss.”

“Wait.”

I called out to stop the butler just as he turned to leave.

“Butler.”

I crawled slowly out of the thick blankets and continued.

His stiff face and the fact that he was Lilius’s man made his willingness to leave so easily suspicious.

“Which guests did Young Uncle tell me to receive?”

As expected, the butler’s face registered a moment of panic.

But as a butler who had managed the estate for a long time, he quickly regained his composure and replied.

“Lysiane Frezier and Leon Frezier, Young Masters.”

“Huh?”

Eek.

I unconsciously inhaled sharply.

The real male lead and the bastard of Corico came to the estate this early?!