# 5 - 5
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Chapter Five
Even though all the memories of Tullia's life were in my mind, I somehow found myself able to distinguish Tullia from me.
Marquis Fraser was not my father, but Tullia's father. The shame that accumulated in the past was due to the evils of the game's opponent.
At least it was a good option for my mental health.
“Young Master Tedric.”
The Grand Duke Fraser's direct advisor also had a cold and experienced impression.
“Please pay your respects to His Highness the Grand Duke.”
Tedric immediately jumped to his feet.
“If my grandfather would always remain healthy…”
His voice trembled weakly like the bleating of a goat.
Thinking that Tullia was always being bullied by such a man made me sigh.
“Tulia. Tulia?”
Viscount Lilius, who was sitting next to me, whispered in a low voice.
Ask about your grandfather's health as your cousin would. do you understand? If you say anything unnecessary, His Highness the Grand Duke will be extremely worried.
I nodded slightly. Lilius's expression relaxed noticeably.
She shivered every year. She couldn't speak any worse than Tedrick.
Well, the same was true for the other nobles as well.
Miss Tulia, please extend your condolences to His Highness the Grand Duke.
When my name was finally called, I stood up from my seat.
It was a place that attracted everyone's attention at once. Moreover, Grand Duke Fraser was sitting right at the president's table, looking at me.
Grand Duke Fraser's eyes, examining me, were not warm at all. They were cold and controlling.
An overwhelming presence flowed from his gaze, making people breathless.
An atmosphere that even prominent nobles could not help but feel intimidated by.
This place was a place where even blood-related descendants stuttered, leaving only hollow greetings before hastily fleeing.
“Miss Tulia?”
As I stood, I heard the puzzled voice of the Grand Duke's advisor. I swallowed dry saliva and opened my mouth.
“Grandpa.”
I was going to beg Grand Duke Fraser's assistant from now on.
The budget received from the main castle was insufficient. No matter how much I was ordered to indefinite house arrest, I was living a life worse than that of a prisoner.
If you keep wasting like this, it will damage the reputation of House of Fraser.
For Fraser's sake, couldn't he lift my house arrest and get my budget back now... and so on.
The moment I opened my mouth to say the words I had recounted thousands of times in my mind.
“Living well and eating well alone is everything- Mmm!”
The already quiet place fell silent, as if cold water had been poured over them. Some of them even made choking sounds, as if they couldn't breathe.
But the truth is that the one who wanted to faint more than anyone else was me.
'What did you just say?'
Why did my mouth move on its own? Was I dreaming while standing?
But my mouth, which I held involuntarily a moment ago, was nothing but numb.
Why? Why? Why is this happening? Why?!
The words didn't come out the way I wanted. Even though the words came out of my mouth clearly, I spoke completely different words, as if I were a robot spewing out pre-determined dialogue.
Those words were in the worst possible direction for me.
At the same time, the status window that I didn't know how to turn off yet, and which I had pressed to my chest, was glowing and showing new text.
(Warning: Due to the character penalty, you will only say words that increase the opponent's hostility.)
'What?'
(Warning: reputation will drop to dangerous levels.)
Reputation?
At the same time, a measuring window appeared above the head of Grand Duke Fraser's assistant. My eyes widened immediately.
The indicator above Grand Duke Assis's head was turning bright red.
I wasn't sure for sure, but I had a strong feeling that I would die if the meter turned completely red.
I needed to raise my character's penalty, and to do that, I had to raise my character's stat immediately!
How do I develop my personality? Now, how…
[System] You can raise statistics using the currencies you own.
Suddenly a phrase appeared that sounded like salvation.
'Do you have coins?'
My eyes lit up.
Since I carefully examined the status window, I was able to remember immediately.
[System: status window]
Tulia Fraser (15 years old)
– Coins owned: 1000
These coins were something I had never seen even while playing.
But a thousand coins – that was generous and enough for the time being. I was going to immediately use these coins to level up my character…
(Warning: Your reservation cannot be canceled at all after confirmation)
(☆Tip: Think carefully before you decide to join your friend)
'What?'
It was a phrase that would make anyone hesitate. Do you want to do it more carefully than when you want to sign with your lover?
“Do not co-sign even with your family members.”
A phrase of truth said by countless celebrities with a smile came to my mind.
Suddenly my head started spinning like crazy.
Should I pretend to faint now?
Instead of leveling up the character, if I poured all my coins into the wealth stat, wouldn't I become extremely rich?
Can't I escape from this place tonight?
This optimistic thought lasted only a short time.
“Tulia Fraser.”
Grand Duke Fraser, who was looking at me with eyes that looked ready to cut someone up, opened his mouth.
“Living well and eating well alone is enough.”
His blue-green eyes sank frighteningly.
If the Bitter North Wind became human eyes, it would fully feel this.
“Are you telling me that?”
How dare you?
“…!”
The character, I had to improve it. I felt like moving forward!
[System] One coin has been consumed.
[System] Character -9 achieved!
If I can collect this much with just one coin, it's like I can use it for wealth after leveling up my character as much as possible.
At the same time, I can see Grand Duke Fraser's patience wearing thin with every passing minute.
I heard that the Grand Duke's family head ring on his finger contains a poisonous needle that could drop an elephant.
Grand Duke Fraser could tear people apart with his bare hands...
[System] 5 coins have been consumed.
[System] Character -8 achieved!
[System] 50 coins have been consumed.
[System] Character -7 achieved!
[System] 150 coins have been consumed.
[System] Character -6 achieved!
.
.
.
[System] Character +1 achieved!
[System] Remaining coins: 0
[System] Character penalty removed.
Klang! The text lit up with the sound of rolling coins.
"grandfather!"
I immediately got down on my knees and pressed my head to the ground.
jingle!
“They say that young nobles' thinking these days is just to eat well and live well on their own, but I don't think that way!”
My knees hit the marble floor hard enough to bring tears to my eyes, but anything was better than death now.
Most important of all, the words finally came out the way I wanted them to.
“Since the budget given to me is so small, all the staff in my castle are hungry and cold!”
So, they're all waiting for a chance to escape to the main castle! And I pretend I didn't notice!
“Since I won’t get married, if you give me the dowry that will be my share in advance, I will use it to pay off the debt I owe to Uncle Relius first… Hmm!”
“Tu, Tulia!”
At that moment, Relius urgently rushed over and covered my mouth.
“What kind of insolent behavior towards His Highness the Grand Duke!”
Relius forced himself to smile and apologized to Grand Duke Fraser.
Dad, please understand. Tulia's behavior like a wild pony is not just for a day or two...
“Let her go.”
“Which…”
Don't you hear me now? Relius.
“No, no sir!”
Relius hastily left me. I caught my breath, then made eye contact with Grand Duke Fraser.
His eyes remained cold.
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