Chapter 7

Other bishops seemed satisfied with my attitude just now, and a few sponsorships followed in succession.

'An earl can't easily have bad intentions if he thinks someone is stronger than himself.'

If I acted clumsily, someone might think Teresa was an easy target and hire an assassin.

After that, the banquet proceeded peacefully.

At that moment, Miranda, the housekeeper, who had been observing the situation, approached me with a peculiar smile and cleared away my empty wine glass.

"I didn't expect you to remember the name of a mere maid."

'Huh? Oh, she's talking about Penny?'

Of course I remember. Penny isn't just any extra.

To achieve the perfect appearance of the heroine, a great technician is required.

Penny, a character I set as a master of personal grooming, was skilled enough to be assigned the task of dressing up Revi despite being a maid.

"Ah, yes. She does a great job, so I remembered her."

Miranda's eyes sparkled.

"If you noticed her, she must indeed be good at her job."

The conversation ended there.

Miranda left, and I finished my meal, remaining quietly in the noisy setting.

Or, was I not really that quiet?

"Miss, is the food not to your liking? Would you like something else?"

"No, I'm full."

"Then I'll bring dessert."

"Sure."

"Miss, shall I change your dishes?"

"Sure."

"Miss, would you like more wine? The master has a rare 1973 Black Cork..."

"What? No, that's fine."

I frowned and tilted my head in confusion.

'This is strange.'

Ever since Miranda left, I've felt like more servants are trying to please me.

'Didn't they usually avoid me?'

And now, they should be trying their best to impress Revi.

It wasn't the time to pay attention to Teresa, an acknowledged child.

'Not that it's my place to say, but my social skills are really lacking.'

Feeling a bit sorry for the servants who couldn't even manage to serve me properly, I told them to rest.

The servants, who I thought would be happy, looked very disappointed as they retreated.

No, why are they acting like this?

At that moment, I heard the maids whispering.

"Why are everyone suddenly trying to impress Miss Teresa? It seems more servants are attached to her than to Miss Revi."

Hmm, I'm curious about that too.

I perked up my ears while fiddling with the pudding that came as dessert.

"Are you new here?"

"Yes, I've been here for a year."

"That's why you don't know. Listen carefully. Miss Teresa doesn't remember people well. She might not even recognize someone she's seen for ten years."

I felt a bit embarrassed.

'...Did I make Teresa too stupid?'

Feeling a bit self-deprecating.

"But occasionally, she remembers certain servants well. Among them are Mr. Donovan and Ms. Miranda."

"Well, they are the butler and the housekeeper..."

"After catching her eye, both of them were promoted."

"Oh!"

That was the point.

If Teresa remembered a servant, they were guaranteed a rapid promotion.

Indeed, the servants Teresa recognized were exceptionally skilled.

To Teresa, who was accustomed to the best, they were considered the best in the empire.

"That's what innate discernment means."

'Ugh, I shouldn't have listened. I feel embarrassed.'

I pretended not to hear and focused on my dessert.

But the sound of sponsorships kept ringing, making me feel a bit awkward.

Ding!

[A Bishop named 'Conspirator' has sponsored 100 coins.]

[Wow, big picture ㄷㄷ Did you plan to take control like this?]

"That's not possible..."

I raised my water glass to soothe my burning throat and met Revi's eyes.

Revi, who didn't expect to make eye contact, looked flustered.

"..."

"..."

In the noisy atmosphere where even the duke and duchess were laughing and drinking, we silently looked at each other.

It was a strange feeling to face the protagonist of the game I created.

People often compare their creations to children, but I felt no such sentimental attachment.

It's just a creation.

But...

"You're beautiful."

She was truly beautiful.

The lovely Revi, created with all my aspirations.

Had I drunk too much champagne, just two glasses?

'I shouldn't get sentimental like this.'

I chuckled and turned my head to the crowd gathered around, eager to speak with Teresa.

Ignoring the stubborn green gaze that followed me.

* * *

The banquet lasted only one day.

The grand celebration to announce the second princess's return was merely to establish Revi's authority.

Afterward, the duke and duchess wanted to spend time with their family.

They showed Revi around the ducal mansion, confirming that her roots were here.

Giuseppe also visited his older sister every day, running around the mansion.

If Teresa didn't cause any trouble, it would be a perfect time.

I was willing to ensure their happy moments by studying in the library, claiming I needed to catch up on my studies before the semester started.

The library was a small detached building.

Following a path through the garden, I reached a quiet place where an old building with white walls and climbing vines appeared.

Inside was a different world.

Despite the lack of printing technology, the library was filled with numerous magic books, befitting a ducal family.

Rustle, rustle.

"This is amazing every time I see it."

Ding!

[A Bishop named 'Explain-a-holic' has sponsored 100 coins.]

[This is the 100th time you've said it's amazing.]

"Maybe not that much."

[The Bishops shake their heads.]

Do they disagree with me?

I awkwardly brushed the cover with my hand.

But it is amazing.

"In 'God's Play,' we didn't create a logical magic discipline. It's a concept that doesn't exist on Earth."

It feels like a real dimension, which is strange.

Ding!

[A Bishop named 'Explain-a-holic' has sponsored 100 coins.]

[Of course, because this is a real dimension.]

That's exactly what's amazing.

'With ranked channels up to 100th place, does that mean there are at least 100 such planets?'

The channel and bishop system is also quite interesting.

"When creating a broadcast of a creation, do you use an existing planet, or is a new celestial body created? And do the characters' memories learn and adapt to maintain consistency?"

I'm also curious about the extent of the channel manager's authority that makes this possible.

Ding!

[A Bishop named 'Sorry' has sponsored 100 coins.]

[What is this, X-otaku?]

I muttered, "Amazing, amazing," as I flipped through the magic books.

Ding!

[A Bishop named 'Pro Trainer' has sponsored 100 coins.]

[Please tidy up the books.]

Dozens of magic books I had read over a few days were scattered on the table.

"But they're all on the table, not on the floor..."

Isn't this neat enough?

Ding!

[A Bishop named 'MBTI is Science' has sponsored 100 coins.]

[P]

"..."

* * *

Lately, my routine has been to wake up, have a quick breakfast, rush to the library, and stay there until the next meal.

And after lunch, back to the library.

After dinner, to the library.

Even at bedtime, I bring magic books, turn on the lamp, and read until I fall asleep.

Is magic similar to math, as expected?

No, it's a completely different discipline.

A truly unheard-of, incredibly mysterious field.

'Fascinating.'

To me, studying was just a means to gain my new father's recognition.

That's why this is the first time I've been so purely engrossed in a subject, aside from game-related studies.

Moreover, as I gradually understood the concepts of magic theory, I could read and comprehend new magic books much faster.

It was a truly encouraging achievement.

[Some Bishops yawn.]

It seems not for the Bishops.

Knock, knock.

Just as I was about to wrap up today's study, a servant came.

"Miss, the meal is ready. Please come to the dining room on the first floor."

Lately, I've often missed meals and eaten alone in the library, but last night, Raoul suggested we all have lunch together as a family.

It was more of a command than a suggestion.

I was curious why Raoul suggested a family lunch today.

'Does he remember?'

That today is February 20th, Teresa's birthday.

Although I didn't think it was likely, the timing seemed quite coincidental, and I wondered if something had changed.

'After all, I did tweak the original story a bit.'

If Raoul remembered Teresa's birthday and called us, it would be much easier to ask for pocket money.

Click.

But the moment I entered the dining room, I intuitively knew it wasn't that.

Everyone looked excited.

"Is something good happening?"

I asked Raoul as I sat down.

Raoul looked at me with a caring smile I had never seen before.

"The paternity test results came in today."

The result would obviously confirm the parent-child relationship.

"Congratulations—"

"But Revi, are you really going to Valhalla next semester?! Can't you go next year?"

I closed my mouth.

I had started to give a congratulatory message, but it was cut off by Giuseppe's interruption.

[A Bishop named 'Mad Fan' is disappointed.]

[A Bishop named 'Soda Pass' is momentarily absent due to boredom.]

[A Bishop named 'Romance Pass' asks when the male lead will appear.]

Notifications kept coming, as if all the pent-up complaints were suddenly released.

Suddenly, I had a thought.

A happy family without me, the usual neglect and exclusion, a forgotten birthday.

Something everyone hates.

'This is the sweet potato section.'