TPTM 19

Chapter 19

Of course, I remembered it.

The day I couldn’t even speak my mind in front of Archduke Asis Frezier because of that damn personality penalty—less than a day after I had possessed Tulia Frezier.

That was the day I saw it.

The gauge that had flashed threateningly in red above the Archduke’s head.

It wasn’t hard to guess what it was.

A kind of “favorability bar.”

The gauge that appeared again now shimmered in a pale sky-blue. Anyone could tell it was a far more reassuring color.

It was also almost the exact shade of the marble floor in this ridiculously luxurious bedroom.

…

My gaze drifted toward the huge window.

Beyond the towering glass—the direction Archduke Asis Frezier had been looking at just moments ago—an unexpected view spread out before me.

A field that felt strangely familiar.

Well… familiar in a sense.

Though in <The Secret Wheat Bread> it appears much more desolate.

It was the Statis Plain.

Before that disastrous demon-beast ranching project ruined it, the Statis Plain had once been quiet and beautiful, like a flower field from a fairy tale.

How good is the location of this bedroom exactly?

The plain was quite far from the main castle building, yet it was visible at a single glance from here.

“Grandfather.”

I asked cautiously.

“Was this one of Grandmother’s bedrooms?”

“It was her favorite one.”

“I see.”

That explained it…

After a moment of silence, Archduke Asis Frezier reached out and pulled the thick curtain.

Shadows fell across the room as the heavy curtains embroidered with golden threads covered the huge window.

Without the slightest hesitation, the Archduke turned and walked away.

I hurried after him, tilting my head slightly.

Just a moment ago—very briefly—

his eyes had sunk into something that looked… bitter.

And that confused me.

According to the story I knew, Archduke Asis Frezier wasn’t supposed to have even the tiniest shred of affection for his wife.

Their marriage was portrayed as the worst kind of political marriage.

Besides, I overheard the old retainers whispering a few things during the vote earlier.

Apparently the Archduchess had even lived separately from the Archduke in her later years.

So their relationship had been purely formal—no, even hateful.

Then why had the Archduke looked so… wistful?

Tilting my head, I stared up at his massive back.

If I had been his real granddaughter instead of standing here as an impostor, that broad back would probably have felt nothing but reassuring.

Well…

It’s not like I’ll ever learn the real story behind the Archduke and his wife anyway.

* * *

That evening.

I froze mid-bite with my spoon in hand.

Brilliant letters sparkled in front of my eyes with an absurdly flashy effect.

[System] Benefit Acquired!
[System] You have achieved over 50% favorability with ‘Asis Frezier’. A special benefit has been granted!
[System] Character Importance: ☆☆☆☆

W-what did I even do to get 50%?!

Was it really this easy just because I was his blood-related granddaughter?

The rainbow-colored letters nearly knocked my mind out.

[System] Replaying benefit ‘Lost Ring’!

Replaying?

Not acquiring?

That odd wording barely had time to register before—

Everything suddenly went pitch black.

Like I had walked into a movie theater.

I didn’t even have time to scream in surprise.

In the next instant, a vivid full-color scene was forcefully slammed straight into my brain.

It showed a young Archduke Asis Frezier—someone I had never seen in The Secret Wheat Bread—furiously arguing with a woman.

It felt like I had watched for over thirty minutes.

But when the mysterious scene ended, not even thirty seconds had passed.

Steam was still rising warmly from the onion cream stew I had been eating for dinner.

Realizing a moment late what the unexpected benefit actually was, I let out a hollow laugh.

The woman arguing with the young Archduke was none other than the late Archduchess.

Tulia’s grandmother.

The original owner of the Statis Plain.

It was a face—and a hidden story—that had never appeared even once during all the time I played The Secret Wheat Bread.

I shoved a smoked-salmon and chicory sandwich into my mouth, wearing an incredulous expression.

Meanwhile, the salmon practically melted on my tongue.

“Wait… so the Archduke and his wife actually had a tragic love story?”

And all that talk about them hating each other was just complete nonsense?

I slammed the table.

“Fine, I get that the characters in the game are supposed to be fooled—but tricking the players too?! What kind of manners is that?!”

What kind of game deceives its players for over two whole years?!

So give me more!

Tell me more details!

About their hidden love-hate romance!

Even while shouting like that, my hand cheerfully grabbed an ice-cream spoon.

The benefit I had just watched—“Lost Ring”—was honestly incredibly interesting.

To summarize briefly, it was a classic enemies-to-lovers romance.

The late Archduchess’s name was Lisiyan.

Lisiyan was a royal from a neighboring continent. She never wanted a political marriage. Rather than becoming the Archduchess of another country, she wanted to become the queen of her own nation.

They fought over it many times.

But at the time, Asis Frezier needed Lisiyan’s status to secure his position as the head of the family.

So he ultimately forced the political marriage through.

Even after their wedding, the two fought hundreds—no, thousands—of times.

And when Asis Frezier failed to keep one important promise he had made to Lisiyan, their relationship finally collapsed.

However, unlike what the world believed…

Archduke Asis and Archduchess Lisiyan secretly loved each other all along, even while outwardly despising and hating one another.

…That was the core story revealed by the benefit “Lost Ring.”

The fact that Archduke Asis Frezier—that terrifying old man—was actually a hopeless romantic was particularly amusing.

It almost made me want to snicker mischievously.

Of course, if I did that, the Archduke would probably slice me in half.

I was in a great mood while eating dessert when—

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Lady Tulia.”

I preferred eating without attendants, so I had intentionally sent Adele and all the maids away earlier.

But Adele hurried in now with unexpected news.

“The Archduke’s chief aide has come to see you.”

“Rurk? Why?”

“I’m not sure…”

I quickly wiped my mouth and brushed my teeth before heading out with Adele to meet him.

It occurred to me that Rurk and Adele rarely crossed paths like this.

I glanced at Adele, but she simply kept her head slightly lowered, her expression hidden.

However, when Rurk Kelposher glanced at Adele, unmistakable pity flashed in his eyes.

It was brief.

But intense.

What kind of story do you two have?

Why do you keep making me curious about things that weren’t even in the game?

Seriously, this game is going to drive me crazy…

“Lady Tulia. Were you having dinner?”

“No. I just finished.”

“Good.”

“So what’s the matter?”

“His Grace the Archduke is looking for you. He would like to have evening tea with you.”

Behind me, the maids sharply sucked in their breath.

Ever since Asis Frezier became Archduke, he had never once called a specific grandchild to share tea with him.

Not even once.

Except after Corico, the future daughter-in-law, had built up considerable favor.

As a seasoned chief aide, Rurk clearly understood the significance of this invitation.

He knew exactly how much it would elevate the status of a young mistress who was currently being ignored by the servants.

Rurk Kelposher smiled gently as he delivered the final blow.

“His Grace also said he intends to personally grant you a gift.”