Chapter 46: Let's Get Wasted (3)
TANIA
'It isn't her ghost, is it? There's no ghost in reality, it's not real, it's just my imagination, definitel-'
[…Who I am. Doesn't matter. Be good. And protect them.]
"Milady, are you feeling unwell? You're pale and sweating, we need to get you a doctor!" Butler Robert becomes panicked and calls for a maid to get the doctor.
"…I-I'm fine, Robert… I just need to take a rest." I excused myself and headed to the second floor
I stop walking when I remember Keaton. He was unconscious when I left him with them… I have to take a look at his condition.
- Oh, finally, human. I bounced back to the bottle, what happened? Are you alright?
- So you didn't hear it…
- Hear what? The sermon?
- No…haa… nevermind.
I open the door of Keaton's room, surprisingly, it is tidy. Keaton is lying still on his bed unconscious. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a hole in his stomach back there. If I was late any longer, Keaton must've died.
- Admit it, you really do love your brother, don't you?
- Love my ass, I simply care for them. They're still my family.
- Tsk. You're boring, I remember that archer back in the dungeon entrance, I saw him cry while hugging his sister. You're not emotional even after witnessing your brother almost die back there.
- Because he's alive. What use of me crying over someone who ended up living? He won't die… l won't let anyone die, I'll die first before that happens.
- Hmm… Now, you're being funny. You know you can't die because of me, right? Remember, you have to take responsibility for kidnapping me, human.
- …tsk.
I pull out a bottle of Class SSS healing potion and help Keaton drink it, he needs to get back to normal. It seems only this type of potion can completely heal him, who barely lives after that fatal wound. Good for him.
"Milady, please return to your room now, your probation starts now, as per my Lord's order. Please, understand a worried father, he just wants to keep you safe and see you reflect on your mistakes, please do not hold a grudge either." The butler, Robert said. He's old and I could see the sincerity in his eyes, he was never mentioned in the book but naturally, he is a background character.
*dingg*
♤Character Status♤
Name Robert Antlers
Age 89
Gender Male
Title
Job
Family Antlers Family (Affiliated to the Cavelier House as the Family's Elder Butler)
Race Human
Status
Level 234
Next Lvl. 36.97%
⌸• Stats •⌸
Health 350/350 Magic
634 Intelligence 145
Stamina 515/515 Power
221 Wisdom 169
Strength 332 Mentality
536 Senses 758
Agility 456 Speed
457 Stealth 735
Control 749 Luck 90 Short description:
[Lack of Authority]
--
He has been a Butler for a generation already. He came from the Cavelier Territory and originally belonged to Einsterius Lois Cavelier, the Grand Lord of the Cavelier Family. He chose to assist Marquess Trastius at the command of the Grand Lord and to look after his Grandchildren, while he went out on an adventure.
--
[Lack of Authority]
After looking at his stats, my face literally left its sensation. The person whom I thought was just an extra, no… a background character, turns out to be more powerful than the current Protagonists. Seriously?
And what, Grand Lord? I thought the Cavelier elders were already dead…
"What is it, milady? Do you want to ask something?" Robert, who obviously felt my gaze, asked.
"How is… how is grandfather?" I mumbled, I wanted to know because I'm curious. All this time the people I thought were nonexistent, actually exist!
Robert's eyes are ever so slightly widen but immediately reverts back to his usual expression.
"…Are you perhaps missing your grandpa? Well, Grand lord, was a wise man and a kind grandpa, I hope he's doing well with the gods." He smiles with his eyes. I would have believe him if I didn't read the short description, thanks to his acting but it was not an obvious lie.
I smile back. And follow him to my room, but before he go, I mumbles, "Yep… I hope he's doing well on his adventure."
*click*
The door closed, but I know he heard me. I want to go on an adventure too and then visit every tourist attraction all over the world. I guess, if there's really no way out of here, maybe I'll set that as my goal to live peacefully.
HAH… I'll tell Vega to talk to Marquess for me to get his permission to go out during Vega's birthday party. But really, is he really not that bad being a father to Tania and Vega? It's so surprising that he told me what feels and his struggles. I need to re-read the book.
That night…
That voice… I can't figure out whose it is but clearly, that voice cares for this Family very much.
It didn't answer my last question so I have no way of knowing who owns it. I want to at least retrieve Tania's memory, because for sure there will be valuable information in it based on her perspective, especially the true status of her family's relationship.
-*-
I open my eyes with blank expression and look around me. Wow… what an interesting dream. So that's what it is…
"Haha… stupid 'lil brother."
- Why? Why? What's up?
"None of your business."
- Tch. How rude.
For two days, I had no one to talk to but Dearby, thankfully, Vega and I are exchanging letters through the cracks under the door, she's not allowed to talk even outside the door because of the guards outside. We are preparing the designs and structures we plan to add for the party. This is her 13th birthday, but the first time she'll prepare such a grand party.
I promised her to cook my specialties (mom's specialties) for my plan of opening a restaurant. I'll grab this chance to let the guests taste them, I could hear the money coming my way already hehehe!
- You have plenty of money.
- Sorry kid, but I'm a greedy human. I love money. I'll marry money if I could.
- Your fiancé must have a lot of money, why would you break the engagement?
- None of business, brat. His money isn't his to begin with, it's from the people of this kingdom.
- Haa… aren't you tired of staying here for weeks? It's too boring!
- Coming from someone who lived his whole life inside his dungeon.
- Here and there are different, I want to see the outside, let's just go outside.
- No. I have a deal with Vega. I will stay put here while she tries to convince the Marquess, with that the probation period could possibly lessen, don't you want that?
"Character Profile"
It's been a while since I last check my Stats. I'm not expecting it to improve so much but I become quite curious because it was updated last time.
*dingg!*
♤Character Status♤ Name Tania Roa Cavelier Age 17
Gender Female Title
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
Next Lvl. 17.03% ⌸• Stats •⌸ Health 75/75 <+0> Magic -875
<+0> Stamina 185/185 <+0> Power 84
<+0> Strength 50 <+0> Mentality 55
<+0> Agility 103 <+0> Speed 50
<+0> Intelligence 150 <+0> Wisdom 85
<+0> Senses 55 <+0> Stealth 50
<+0> Control 50 <+0> Luck 105
<+0> Authority gauge 67% / 100% <+0> History Synchronization 20.23% / 100% <+0> Fame Points 285 <+0> Gem Points 142 <+0>
Money
(BANK)
250,000,009,228 Gold Coins
9864 Silver Coins
996 Copper Coins
250,000,000 Gold Bars
'…Holy cow.'
I really did change. It's quite surprising but aren't these stats considered high for level 35? Or not? Well… compared to Robert's stats, given that he's level 234, mine's progressing really fast. It must be because of the system's generosity, but I still need to be careful.
Should I need to distribute my gem points? 142 gems…
- I suggest you invest 30 for Control, I noticed your lack of control almost killed you from your last fight. You need to improve it.
- I guess so… 30 was it.
- And invest some for the Mentality if you don't want to experience that memory rush again back in the dungeon.
- I think so too. I'll put 30 in it.
- How about health?
- For some reason, I couldn't increase my Health, it looks like it's restricted.
- Too bad. Then try improving the Stealth and Speed. If you can't increase your health, then we'll just secure your survival by any means.
- Fine. Then I'll put 30 in each.
[Current Gem Points: 22]
"Skill Lists"
*dingg!*
♤Skill List♤
Natural Skills:
Trash talker - MAX (passive)
Dominator - MAX (passive)
Schemer - MAX (passive)
Special Skills:
Reader - MAX (passive)
Record - Lvl. 3 (passive)
Lie detector - Lvl. 2 (active)
Other Skills:
Cooking - Lvl. 3 (passive)
Mental Barrier - Lvl. 1 (passive)
Sense Enhancement - Lvl. 1 (active)
Regeneration - Lvl. 1 (active)
Transference - Lvl. 1 (active)
Alcohol Tolerance - Lvl. 2 (passive)
Locked🔒
Locked🔒
…
- ……Tch.
- What?
- I just remember how foolish I was to believe you back there in dungeon.
- Haha. It's one of my natural skills, why would I fool anyone? It's up to you, how you interpret it.
- Fraud.
- Whatever.
*Knock knock*
*slips*
A letter slips from under the door, it is a green stationery paper, with Vega's handwritten.
'I have followed your instructions to pick the Lastoniana (lavender) flowers at the garden and crushed it. It's really amazing that we could create a perfume with just that. I have read the alchemy books we had but I couldn't find anything about Lastonianas. I have asked Fristo who has a sensitive nose and he gladly said it smells fantastic.
Sis! I want to do business too with perfumes, but unfortunately, all I could do was merely imitations, please teach me! I want to have a signature perfume that could be known in the kingdom. Also Nathalie said she wants to collaborate with me as business partners now that she got her allowance. Please teach us, please please please pretty please…!'
- That sister of yours is also ambitious, it must've run in the blood.
- And you are pretty enthusiastic to go out, despite being stuck with me, aren't you ambitious too?
- How is that being ambitious?! I just want to go sightseeing!
- See? You can't do that yourself but persistently saying you want to sightsee? How is that not being ambitious?
- What?!…! I-It isn't! Che!
-----
I have long finished the book again, and there's no change in that, still the same as when I first read it. And just like I keep on saying, some events that happen here aren't included in the book, such as Robert's identity, Marquess' personality, Dearby's existence, and the vampires.
I may be a variable but I can't guarantee that I am the only one. How can it change so much? Butterfly effect won't be that much just because I only change some minor events. Breaking the engagement, killing a vampire, joining a dungeon raid… was it because I saved Nathalie who was about to get sacrificed?
Now that I think about it, spring is just around the corner. Nathalie, who was possessed by a demon, was supposed to attack by then and Sapphire, who just arrived at the capital, would defeat her and earn the title of 3rd Cartania's Wandering Hero. That is the original events, however, now that Nathalie is safe, what will happen in spring?
UNKNOWN.
Yes, the book can't help me anymore regarding that. I have to devise a plan to make sure nothing bad will happen on that day. It's because of me that everything has now changed, but I don't regret saving Nathalie.
*knocking*
Right, I'll think about that for later, Vega’s birthday is at noon. The Marquess gave me a two day pardon to help Vega, but any more than that won't be excused.
"My lady, are you well?" Lora greeted me, I didn't forget that Lora is a double agent of me and the Marquess, but I can't blame her for doing that because she is a person of the Cavelier House and not just mine.
"I'm feeling good, how was the things I asked you to prepare?" I made a list and passed it through Vega to Lora
"Everything is ready, My lady."
*smirks*
‘This will be exciting!’
- Why? What are you planning?
- What else? Of course, I’ll make dishes that are out of this world... (Literally).
- I wanna have a bite!
- You'll taste it one day just be patient. For now, just drool over it.
-*-
Kitchen
The kitchen is full of ingredients that I asked for and the kitchen tools I needed. I can't erase my smile when I touch the kitchen knives, I remember mom and Bruce when they're competing with each other and the rest of us were the judges, obviously Mom always wins but Bruce never falls short either. Both of them are the best chefs I've ever known. Now, it's my turn to cook… how I wished I joined them back there too, now there's no one to judge my work, I had no one to compete with.
'Records of Memoria open'
*dingg!*
♤Records♤
Memoria:
3. Venice Randall Mel'v (Gained)
Folders under Venice Randall Mel'v:
Technologies
Advanced Sciences
Modern Knowledge
Business Knowledge
General Knowledge
Tea Brewing
Proper Etiquette
Judo Martial Arts
Basic Fencing
Imitation of Dad's Strategy
Imitation of Mom's Recipes
Imitation of Bruce's Recipes
Imitation of Alice's Artistry
…
2. (???) (Unknown Seal) - 53%
1. (???) (Locked)
0. (???) (Locked)
'Memoria: Imitation of Mom's Recipes and Imitation of Bruce's Recipes apply'
*dingg!*
♤Notice!♤
Imitation of Mom's Recipes and Imitation of Bruce's Recipes are applied as temporary skills from Venice Randall Mel'v's folder.
Time limit: 01h:00m:00s
Nice, I got an hour to memorize everything. Well, I've been doing this for two days while in my room, aside from rereading the novel, I have memorized some recipes for now but it's not enough.
Let's get this done with. Hehehe I'll make sure that what I'll cook will be better than the food served to the royal families… Better than the cuisine made by Fredrick.
Spiced lamb chops with mint mango sauce, beef barbacoa, kimbap, burrito, jollibee style spaghetti, roasted pork loin with sherry jus, Bruce's special omurice, lechon pork belly roll, etc etc…
It'll be too much for me if I'm the only one to cook all of these, luckily, this mansion's kitchen staff has two chefs, the head chef and the assistant chef, the rest are workers and servants to prepare ingredients. But because none of them know how to cook these dishes, I was the one to guide them every step needed. The proper measurements, temperature, and such just to make everything perfect.
"My Lady, what dish are you doing?" Asked Greg, the assistant chef.
I'm focusing on making the chocolate muffins with thick vanilla ice cream that I didn't bother looking at him before I answer, "Hmm? This is a dessert, after I'm done here, I will instruct you to recreate this, remember this design, got that?"
"…But My Lady, do you mind if I ask again about something?" Based on his voice he sounded awkward and curious about something.
"Yeah? What is it?" I asked while raising a brow
"Err… h-how did you… umm… How did you learn these recipes? Is it really true that you only theorize everything in your head then create it?"
My face distorted upon hearing it and raised a brow at him. Theory?
"Heh. I'm not a genius, bruh… you're praising me too much. These recipes are from the people who are very close to me. If someone's a genius, then it's them, not me." I'm just a hard working person, I bet me being called a genius will definitely make Sunny burst out laughing if she heard it herself.
"You're so humble, My Lady, but aren't you a genius too? Though it's been years since you've called as one. For us, you're always a genius! Anyway won't that dish melt? We still have 12 hours before we serve it." He pointed at the vanilla ice cream I'm scooping.
It's true that we still have a lot of time before we serve the dishes but, it's better to be prepared, in fact, these deserts won't be a problem, because I have a storage spatial bag that has no time flowing inside, everything will be preserved and the design won't be ruined too.
"It's fine. Are you done with the gravy? You better make sure there's no chunks forming, stir it properly." I put down the last muffin and made Lora put it inside the storage bag.
5 hours later… It's already 10 in the morning, I wipe my forehead and scan the food we cooked, everything is ready except for the Lechon pork belly roll, three-layer cake grande, and…
"Do we have the drinks ready?" I asked the head chef Chad, he's designing the cake when his eyes widened.
"Ohh! The drinks… I totally forgot about it, for now the drinks for children are fruit juices and tea, while the adult prefers wine, but I have yet to ask anyone to get it from the cellar."
"Lora, please call for Fristo, ask him to get the barrel of wine from the cellar and make sure to get the oldest one."
"Got it, my lady, ah… also make sure to get back to your room after this, we need to dress you up, you know you can't be absent at the young lady's party."
Lora moves out in a hurry after that. I guess I need to prepare myself too. I remember Theo and his sister will be attending later, the knights will welcome them if it's not me… I wonder what excuse I'll give when he learns Randall isn't here. Haist.
I hurry over to the hall to see the progress over that side. Elder butler Ronald, Head maid Myrna, Mara and Vega were the ones taking care of it, but I want to make sure everything is fine.
"Sis! How was it? The color combination suits me, especially the Lastonianas in the background." Vega exclaimed, smiling ear to ear. I look around and tries to look for any flaws but I see none. Everything is fine.
Dearby's amazed voice came after Vega.
- Whoa~ I somewhat like this design too, it sits well with me! Is that the Lastonianas? Though I prefer rose more but that's also fine.
- Lastonianas have similar appearance as rose, they only differ in fragrance and variation of color.
- I see.
"Not bad." I praised
Vega's smile faded, and I saw a slight hint of disappointment across her face. Eh?
Did I do something wrong?
- You're hopeless.
- What? What did I do?
- ……
With my confused face, I gesture over Ronald, asking what I should do. I feel like Vega's mood has changed.
'Praise the little lady, my lady, because you said it dryly.' Ronald mouthed with a smile.
…uh, is that so?
"Don't be sad, you look pretty. Totally."
Vega pouted in return. While Ronald shook his head.
'Is it not enough?'
- Really hopeless.