Bad Born Blood - Chapter 92



Only Noblemtl

092

The night of the fake birthday deepens.

I tapped the glass repeatedly with my fingers.

Gilda’s singing skills were excellent. Her clear voice rose refreshingly. Perhaps because of the soft melody, the gang members also drank much more quietly.

Giselle asked if Grace was her lover.

I was worried about the answer. Of course, I wasn’t worried because Grace was my real lover.

But I thought that telling Grace that she was my lover… … would help me keep my distance from Giselle.

“Grace is my… … .”

I stared at Giselle as I spoke. She was running her fingertips along the rim of her glass. Her fingers looked strangely sad.

“… … One of my partners.”

For a split second, I changed my mind. It was a lie that would be discovered immediately if Giselle asked her about it. It could have made things worse for nothing.

“Isn’t that pretty special for something like that?”

“That’s because he was a cadet in the Royal Guard, so our way of thinking is similar. He doesn’t annoy you like you do. He doesn’t interrogate you either.”

Giselle frowned at my words. She drank the wine and emptied her glass. Then, as if forcing it, she poured a drink into my glass.

I didn’t touch the glass.

“Here’s the birthday drink I’m giving you, so drink it. Or do you not want to drink the drink I’m giving you?”

Giselle looked as if she would cry if I didn’t drink. I had a fleeting thought of seeing her broken down, but I tried to keep that dark desire inside.

I tilted my glass and emptied it.

“Is it my turn now? Why did you suddenly throw a fake birthday party? Is there a reason to lie like this?”

“I wanted to see you in trouble. But it wasn’t as fun as I thought. You’re surprisingly sociable.”

“It’s half a success. It was quite difficult at first. Is that all? You called me out and lied just for that reason?”

I complained. Then Giselle got angry and grabbed me by the collar hard.

“You always lie to me too! Shouldn’t I lie to you? Let’s say you used me as bait. But then you didn’t even explain the situation to me properly. It felt like… … you were using me as a tool.”

Giselle bowed her head, still holding me. Her shoulders shook.

‘We let Barbara go.’

Barbara is the source of Giselle’s anxiety. The witch’s obsession with Giselle was so creepy that even I found it creepy.

But we must set Barbara free, for the sake of the Empire.

I couldn’t tell Giselle all this, so she wouldn’t understand why I let Barbara go.

“We are all someone’s tools anyway. You and I are the same. If you feel wronged for being used… … then you should develop the strength to retaliate. You should be the one using others, not the one being used. That’s what I intend to do.”

“That’s not what I meant just now.”

“It’s not that different.”

I grabbed Giselle’s hand and pulled her away from my collar.

“There must be another reason why you let Barbara go, right? It’s not for me to know.”

“I explained the reason back then. The deal was the best. If we push Barbara, we could be in danger too. If everything goes wrong, she might blow herself up.”

I said it as if I was holding on to it until the end. This was the best thing to do for Giselle’s safety.

“Yeah, that’s really good, really.”

“It’s not like I’m bad. By the way, what were you talking about with Gilda for so long? It’s our first time meeting.”

I tried to change the subject. It was something I was curious about.

Giselle also turned her gaze and looked at Gilda. Gilda, feeling our gaze while singing, winked lightly.

“As we talked, we got along well. Gil-da has a great understanding of machines and prosthetics. He even has knowledge of design. His skills are so good that I wonder why he’s in the lower level.”

I also knew that Gilda’s skills were good.

“You’re here because you were born in the lower class. There are many maintenance technicians of the same level as Gilda in the upper class. You can’t move up the class just by being a little good. You have to be exceptionally outstanding.”

I said it as if I was pouring cold water on it, but it is a clear fact.

“Anyway, I’m going to collaborate with Gilda.”

This time I squinted my eyes.

“Collaboration? You, a noble, with someone from the lower classes?”

“In order to start a business officially in the upper zone, you have to graduate from the academy and become an adult. But in the lower zone, complicated procedures don’t matter. If there’s something that requires legal permission, I’ll put Gilda on the table as my agent… … .”

Giselle calmly unraveled the plan she was preparing. Listening to her, it was like me and Gabriel. When I think about it, it was a condensed version of the relationship between the upper and lower classes.

“No matter what you do, the lower areas are dangerous. I can’t always protect you.”

I warned you.

“I never asked you to protect me.”

It’s annoying. Whether Giselle asks or not, I have to protect her. After all, we’re family.

“What are you planning? Are you trying to annoy me?”

Even if I had said it, it would have been very harsh words.

“You said it. It’s an excuse to not be able to do anything until you’re an adult. So, like you said, I looked for something I could do right away.”

Giselle responded logically. Come to think of it, I think I’ve said something like that to her before.

I searched my memory.

‘You have to become an adult to be able to do anything. That way you can get a job and start a business.’

‘That sounds like just an excuse to me, Giselle.’

Sure, we’ve had those conversations.

“I want to go back in time and sew my mouth shut.”

I brought the glass to my lips and drank. When my glass was empty, Giselle immediately filled it. It seemed like she wanted to make me drink a lot.

“I was looking for a business partner. Even if I hadn’t met Gilda, I would have chosen someone suitable.”

“What are you going to do in the lower areas?”

“I will apply the theories and technologies I have in mind to the bodies of the people here.”

“Are you trying to do some human experiments?”

“I’ll equip the body with high-performance parts and modules that you can’t find in the lower areas. I’ll take full responsibility for any credit losses. Problems I didn’t even think about will probably pop up here and there. I’ll accumulate that data here in advance.”

“It’s a human experiment.”

I licked my lips and grumbled.

“I think it’s a fair trade. After all, everyone here carries bombs big and small and operates a body. Or did you think I’d volunteer?”

Giselle listened in.

I had nothing to say. I was the one who said, “Don’t be used, be the one who uses it.” I was the one who said, “It’s an excuse not to start a business until you become an adult.”

This is the seed I sowed. I had to take care of it.

“Okay. If you need anything, just let Gabriel know. He can probably help with small errands or security. He may look like that, but he’s pretty capable in this business.”

I heard more about Giselle’s business idea. Most of it was difficult and far-fetched. I just nodded and pretended to listen.

“… … By the way, Luca, when is your real birthday? I’m going to give you a proper present later.”

Giselle spoke with a flushed face, perhaps from the alcohol. I scratched my chin and shook my head.

“I don’t really have a birthday. I don’t even know exactly when I was born. Today is the first time I’ve ever received a birthday wish.”

“Is this your first time?”

Giselle opened her eyes wide.

“Nothing to be surprised about. It’s a common occurrence here.”

I didn’t feel anything special. My birthday didn’t mean anything to me. In a world where we have to worry about survival tomorrow, what does the day of birth matter? Celebrations should be given time to relax.

Giselle seemed to be thinking about something. After a pause, she opened her mouth.

“Then, how about making today your birthday?”

“That’s not bad either.”

I said calmly, and Giselle laughed.

The party was already ending. Gabriel and the gang were lying around drunk. Gilda cleaned up the area and went up to the second floor. It seemed like she was going to sleep there. It was a wise decision, considering the late hour.

Gilda has always been good at protecting herself. Well, there’s no one among the lower class who isn’t like that.

“You should go back too. It’s late.”

I said, grabbing Giselle’s arm. She was staggering, probably quite drunk.

“I know. Just take me to the nearest airport.”

Giselle leaned against me, hugging my arm. It seemed like she had a hard time walking on her own.

I headed to the nearest public airfield. The Custoria family’s air vehicle I had summoned would have taken off from the mansion by now.

‘I’m tired.’

But rather than feeling irritated, I felt a pleasant fatigue. I thought I would be able to sleep comfortably if I went back today. I could forget about the worries that had surrounded me for a while.

To be honest, I had a great time tonight. It was unexpected, but I had a great time.

Whatever the intention, I was also grateful to Giselle for providing me with the space.

Thud, thud.

The street was quiet. Giselle and I walked in silence. I could feel her body heat against my arm.

The lights of the public airfield were visible. There were people coming and going. Most of them were wealthy people who had come to the lower floors for entertainment.

“Giselle, they’re all here.”

I watched the Custoria family’s air vehicle land.

“… … Are you going back to the guard quarters? Are you going to sleep at your parents’ house today?”

Giselle said with a slurred speech.

It wasn’t a bad suggestion. But if I go to my parents’ house, I’ll have to be alone with Giselle in the air vehicle. That’s difficult.

“I have guard duty tomorrow too.”

I spoke in a businesslike manner.

“Ugh, I called a busy person, sorry.”

“No, I had fun too.”

I pushed away Giselle who was holding my arm. Giselle flinched and fell to the side.

“I’m glad you felt that way.”

The Custoria family’s air vehicle landed on the public airfield. The door opened upwards to await Giselle.

I stared at Giselle as she walked toward the air vehicle. Her steps were a little unsteady, but I didn’t bother to help her. I just stood there and waited for her to go on her own.

Towering.

Giselle stood in front of the air vehicle and looked back at me.

“That’s all for today, Luca.”

“It’s the end.”

He answered briefly.

“Okay then, I’ll go.”

I nodded without answering. Giselle looked at me and entered the air vehicle. There was a sound of the door closing.

Woohoo.

The airborne vehicle rose and disappeared across the city.

“ha.”

I let out the breath I had been holding.

I’ve already had enough problems. I didn’t want to make any more of them. I’m not stupid.

But today I almost made a fool of myself.

Today, I had a great time with Giselle, Gilda, Gabriel, and others. But that is not the world I belong in.

Remember how you got here, Luca.

Sharpen your mind and body and make them sharp like a blade. If they become dull, you will die.

I closed my eyes as I walked down the airport stairs, then opened them. Even the alcohol had gone away.

… … The short vacation is over.