Chapter 8

If I just ate and left, the complaints that had started to surface would surely escalate beyond control.

While it was absurd that the seats were in an uproar when I, the main party involved, was unfazed, it was an inevitable situation.

Annoying as it was, I had to do something.

As I sliced the thick piece of meat, I casually said,

"Father, I need some pocket money because there’s something I want to buy."

Raoul’s eyebrow twitched.

He revealed a reluctance to be angry on such a good day and said,

"Talk about it later."

His tone was a clear warning not to further upset him.

But Tereza wouldn’t hold back just because of that.

"Then when should I bring it up? It would be nice to do so before the semester starts."

Raoul’s anger at his daughter, who showed no signs of maturing, was evident.

"Your brother has just come back. And here you are, talking about wanting to buy something and asking for pocket money...!"

"It’s my birthday today."

I said as politely as possible, pointing to my empty soup bowl to signal a servant to refill it.

As if my birthday was nothing special.

'...Damn.'

But my mouth felt dry, and the lump of meat wouldn’t go down.

Ironically, I had stirred up trouble myself.

Actually, I didn’t want to say that it was my birthday.

"Now, is your birthday important? This is a celebration for your brother who is going to the competition tomorrow. If you want cake, there’s some here, so please don’t make things difficult for your mother."

It was just a confirmation that it wasn’t an important day.

'I feel like I’m going to throw up.'

I couldn’t even swallow the soup.

I wiped my lips with a napkin, feeling the atmosphere grow quiet, and looked up.

Raoul’s anger had subsided somewhat, but he still looked a bit uncomfortable as he spoke.

"Even so, couldn’t you have come to me separately?"

Separately? That wouldn’t have worked.

<God’s Play> was a script that incorporated my desires and experiences.

Tereza’s unhappiness was a reflection of my own experiences.

Five years since Rivi disappeared.

Three years since Giuseppe was born.

For various reasons, Tereza’s birthday had passed like any other day.

It meant that Tereza’s deep resentment and anger towards her new family didn’t just appear out of nowhere.

'Being an unloved eldest daughter.'

It was too much like my own story, a setting I couldn’t avoid.

Now, I deeply regretted making that choice.

If I had known I would be possessed by Tereza, I would never have done it.

Damn it.

I bit the inside of my cheek, barely managing to compose myself.

I wanted to act as if it was no big deal, as if nothing was wrong.

"Since you didn’t even know it was my birthday, it would have been a bother to you if I had brought it up. I only mentioned it because I needed something."

Raoul hesitated.

His expression suddenly became complicated.

"How old are you to blame your father for your birthday?"

From Raoul’s reaction, it seemed I had tried to act as if it was no big deal, but I had failed to do so properly.

It seemed he had taken it as me blaming him.

"About my birthday..."

I closed my lips weakly.

I understood. I understood his words and his feelings.

Raoul wasn’t a bad person.

He was kind and considerate to Rivi, even if he seemed strict.

Tereza was just a wild child, so he treated her harshly.

Moreover, she was a child born out of duty due to a political marriage, and she wasn’t particularly lovable, so I understood.

'Who could I blame? We set it up that way, my team and I.'

So I didn’t really blame anyone.

I was just a bit tired.

"I guess I brought up something unnecessary. Oh, can I leave the table first? I’d like to consider this permission as my birthday gift."

If there had been any sarcasm in my tone, Raoul would have noticed and scolded me immediately.

But he seemed to realize that I was unusually calm and composed.

Raoul was silent for a moment.

'Is he angry?'

It was hard to gauge his mood from his heavy gaze.

I couldn’t just push Tereza away without a clear reason, but it would be better to stop further damaging my relationship with him.

'Sigh. I’ll just pretend to eat quietly.'

If he found me repulsive, he would send me away.

I could get the money for the dimensional key by selling some of Tereza’s trinkets.

Just as I was about to conclude and lower my gaze,

"I have no intention of giving you something like that as a gift."

His voice was tinged with anger.

But it didn’t seem to be directed at me.

When I looked up, our eyes met.

"If you’re tired, go to your room first. I’ll send Donavan a blank check, so you can use that to pay for what you need."

A blank check? What was he thinking, offering it to Tereza so casually?

It was an excessively generous gift, almost uncomfortable.

"No, a blank check is-"

"Are you a squire’s daughter? Do you think a blank check is too much for a birthday gift?"

Of course, it was too much. A check from the Squire family could buy a mine.

But I didn’t say it was too much, knowing better.

"Thank you, Father."

I had achieved my goal and didn’t want to remain as an uncomfortable presence in this harmonious family.

"I’ll leave the table first. Please enjoy your time with the family."

Before leaving, I looked at Rivi.

Today was a very significant day for Rivi, and I felt a bit guilty for ruining the atmosphere.

"Congratulations, Rivi."

So I offered the belated congratulations I hadn’t managed to give earlier.

"Ah, yes! Thank you, sister."

Then, I gave a light bow to Rozan, who was looking at me with a peculiar expression, and left the dining room, feeling a bit weak.

The window shattered at that moment.

Ding!

[Throne ‘SodaPass’ has donated 100 coins.]

[Delicious... Give me more...]

Ding!

[Throne ‘MadMania’ has donated 100 coins.]

[Please level up the channel. Bronze can only send 100 coins at a time, which is so frustrating.]

Ding!

[Throne ‘RomancePass’ has donated 100 coins.]

[Even without the main character, I’m still watching this stream. I’m a legend.]

Ding!

[Throne ‘Let’sGame’ has donated 100 coins.]

[What are you going to do with the atmosphere? ...I’m lying down here.]

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

...

There were also many who sent coins without comments.

The constant notification sounds felt like thunderous applause from an audience satisfied with a performance.

It was a festival that excluded me completely.

I stood still, staring blankly at the new system notifications.

[Shortest time to reach 10,000 coins in donations!]

[New thrones have entered.]

[New thrones have entered.]

[New thrones have entered.]

[Channel level Bronze▶Silver promotion]

It was natural for a person to fear someone’s hatred and to feel hurt by indifference.

Even though it was natural, I was excessively afraid, hurt, and scared.

I had barely managed to escape.

I was just starting to get used to being alone.

This world had pushed me to an extreme, to a cliff with no place to run.

Try to be loved. Crave affection. Otherwise, you have no value.

'My stomach feels queasy...'

My complexion turned pale.

As I was being overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness, dragging me into a deep swamp,

a chilling voice came from behind, like a snake.

"Indeed, you live up to the expectations I had for you, BJ. Miss Shin Jiwoo."

"…!"

Instinctively sensing a threat, I flinched and stumbled.

I didn’t fall, but Oswald still wrapped his arm around my waist and gently steadied me.

So affectionately that anyone would think we were more than just acquaintances.

"Be careful not to get hurt."

But the emotion in his voice, which had dropped to my ear, was merely concern for a valuable porcelain vase that might break.

I quickly stepped back.

My heart was pounding and contracting repeatedly.

"Why are you here?"

I tried to keep my voice steady, but I could feel my own tension.

Oswald smiled thinly and answered very politely.

"Popular streams naturally attract ads."

A popular stream? That was a ridiculous claim for a stream that hadn’t even made the rankings.

As I looked at him with trembling eyes, Oswald gave me a sympathetic look.

"You look pale. We should move somewhere else. How about your bedroom? Or the library?"

Then, he extended his arm as if offering an escort.

I stared at his red suit, as clear as fresh blood.

I was appalled.

That he thought I would readily take his arm. His arrogance.

"It’s just a bit of a reaction."

I tried to move, clearly showing my refusal.

"Hah. You’re really troublesome."

Then, Oswald sighed and swung his cane.

"Ugh?!"

My body, against my will, clung to Oswald’s arm, leaning on him completely.

I felt his warmth through his cold hand.

I had expected his blood to be cold, but he was warm like a human.

That made it even more unsettling.