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Chapter 5
Even though every memory of living as Tulia was still vivid in my mind, I somehow started thinking of Tulia and myself as separate.
Marquis Prezier was not my father—he was Tulia’s father. The infamous reputation he had built in the past belonged to the villain of the story, not me.
It was a good choice for my own mental sanity.
“Lord Tedric.”
The Marquis Prezier’s personal aide had a seasoned, cold presence.
“Pay your respects to His Grace, the Duke.”
Tedric jumped up immediately.
“G-Grandfather… I… hope you are always… healthy…”
His voice trembled weakly, like the bleat of a goat.
I couldn’t help but sigh at the thought that Tulia had to endure torment from someone like this all the time.
“Tulia… Tulia?”
The voice of Viscount Lilius, sitting beside me, was low and cautious.
“You only need to greet your grandfather like your cousin does, alright? Say anything extra, and His Grace will scold you severely.”
I nodded slightly. Lilius’s tense expression softened.
‘Every year, I used to shake with fear. I couldn’t even speak properly, worse than Tedric.’
Well, most nobles were the same.
“Tulia, please pay your respects to His Grace, the Duke.”
When my name was finally called, I stood.
All eyes turned to me at once. And in the seat of honor, Duke Assis Prezier himself was watching.
His gaze had no warmth. It was icy and intimidating.
The sheer pressure radiating from him made the air itself feel suffocating. Even the most influential nobles would falter under it.
Grandchildren of noble blood would stammer out hollow greetings and flee, their respect only skin-deep.
“Tulia?”
When I just stood there silently, the Duke’s aide’s voice showed a hint of confusion. I swallowed nervously and opened my mouth.
“Grandfather.”
I was about to beg Duke Assis Prezier. My personal budget was far too small. Even though I had been ordered into indefinite house arrest, my life was worse than a prisoner’s.
If I kept wasting away, it would tarnish the Prezier family’s reputation. For the sake of the family name, I had to lift my house arrest and restore my budget…
I had rehearsed this in my head a thousand times. Yet, the moment I opened my mouth…
“Everyone can just live well on their own—ugh!”
The quiet room went completely still, like someone had thrown ice water over it. A few people even gasped for air.
But the one who wanted to faint the most… was me.
‘What… what did I just say?’
Why had my mouth moved without my control? Was I dreaming while standing?
The words I had reflexively blurted out left my mouth buzzing and numb.
‘Why? Why? Why?!’
I hadn’t spoken according to my will. My own mouth had produced words completely different from what I intended. Words that were the worst possible choice.
At the same time, the status window I hadn’t yet figured out how to hide blinked and displayed new text.
(!Warning: Due to personality penalty, you can only speak in a way that maximizes others’ hostility.)
‘What?’
(!Warning: Reputation has dropped to dangerous levels.)
Reputation?
A gauge appeared above Duke Assis Prezier’s head. My eyes went wide.
The gauge was turning bright red. If it filled completely, it felt like death itself.
I had to fix my personality stat immediately.
‘How do I even raise my personality stat right now?’
[System] You can use your coins to raise stats.
A word of salvation appeared in my mind.
‘Coins?’
I remembered instantly, having stared at the status window so many times.
[System: Status Window]
Tulia Prezier (15)
-
Coins: 1,000
I’d never even seen something like coins while playing Grim Bread, but 1,000 was more than enough. I could use them to raise my personality stat…
(!Warning: Cannot cancel after confirmation)
(☆Tip: Think carefully, more than when vouching for a boyfriend)
‘What?’
Who wouldn’t pause at that? Vouching for a boyfriend was apparently less serious than this.
“Even families don’t vouch for each other.”
I remembered the words countless celebrities had said with a smile.
My head spun wildly.
‘Maybe I should just pretend to faint?’
If I poured all my coins into wealth stats instead of personality, I could become absurdly rich. Then I could escape tonight…
But hope faded quickly.
“Tulia Prezier.”
Duke Assis Prezier’s voice cut through the room like a blade.
“You said… that everyone can just live well on their own?”
His turquoise eyes darkened, sharp as a northern blizzard.
“Are you speaking to me?”
How dare I?
“…!”
Personality… I had to raise it. All-in.
[System] 1 coin used.
[System] Personality +9 achieved!
One coin did that much. After maxing personality, I could spend on wealth stats too.
I could see Duke Assis Prezier’s patience slipping by the second.
I had heard that the family ring on his finger contained poison capable of killing an elephant. Prezier could tear a person apart with bare hands…
[System] 5 coins used. Personality +8 achieved!
[System] 50 coins used. Personality +7 achieved!
[System] 150 coins used. Personality +6 achieved!
…
[System] Personality +1 achieved!
[System] Coins remaining: 0
[System] Personality penalty removed.
Clinking coins rang as the text glowed.
“Grandfather!”
I immediately knelt and pressed my head to the floor.
Bang!
“While some young nobles may think only of themselves, I do not!”
My knees hit the marble floor painfully, but it was better than dying right there.
Finally, I could speak my mind freely.
“The budget I’ve been given is so small that even my castle staff are starving and shivering!”
They’re all just waiting for a chance to escape to their own homes! I’m turning a blind eye!
“I will not marry, so if you give me my portion of the dowry now, I can first repay the debt I owe to Uncle Lilius—eep!”
“T-Tulia!”
At that moment, Lilius dashed over and tried to cover my mouth.
“What are you doing in front of His Grace?!”
Lilius forced a smile and apologized to Duke Assis Prezier.
“Father, please understand. Tulia has been unruly like a foal for some time now…”
“Let go.”
“B-But…”
“Can you not hear me, Lilius?”
“N-No!”
Lilius hurriedly released me. I gasped for breath and met the Duke’s gaze.
His eyes were still ice-cold.
