Chapter 14: The Etiquette Lesson

“Wuwuwu!!”

Song Ze really didn’t want to come out of the closet in such a public way. Even though his actions in the camp had already made him seem pretty gay, he firmly believed that in the eyes of others, he was still straight.

Seeing his resistance, Aliel’s jealousy flared up even more. He had long suspected that there was something between that Idis and Song Ze. They had been exchanging glances ever since they met! Who knew what had happened between them before?

The knocking on the door sounded again.

Then, probably realizing that what was happening inside might require some privacy, a servant’s voice rang out.

“Young Master Song Ze, please come down for dinner later.”

With that, the sound of footsteps faded away.

Song Ze: “…” His reputation!

Aliel finally ended the kiss. Although he wanted to teach Song Ze a lesson, he couldn’t bear to do anything harsh. In the end, he merely bit Song Ze’s lip symbolically after the kiss.

Song Ze covered his mouth in pain. There was no blood, but it was definitely swollen! If he used healing magic, Aliel would surely overthink things. Was he doomed to come out of the closet today?

Moreover, once favorability in this game went up, it was harder to bring down than climbing to the sky. Especially for a route character like Aliel. If he didn’t go along with him, some dark plot might trigger!

What else could Song Ze do?

Just then, Aliel suddenly frowned. He took off the necklace hanging around his neck and closed his eyes. A wave of natural force spread from him.

Then he opened his eyes, his expression somewhat grave, and said to Song Ze, “There’s trouble in the elven clan. Demonic energy has appeared in the sacred grounds. I have to go back and deal with it.”

Song Ze recalled that this was a sign of the upcoming inheritance in the elven holy land. He immediately nodded, took Aliel’s hands, and looked at him very sincerely to prevent Aliel from suspecting anything odd about his intentions. “Aliel, go ahead. I can handle things here on my own.”

Aliel frowned, then took out the ring from his bosom and directly slipped it onto Song Ze’s finger. “Don’t take it off this time.”

If it weren’t for the danger involved, he would have taken Song Ze with him. But as things stood, Song Ze might be safer staying behind.

“Mm!” Song Ze nodded. Of course, he was planning to take it off as soon as Aliel left—

[Item bound. Host’s current level cannot remove it.]

Song Ze: “???” What?! It was just a spatial ring! Since when did it come with such an oppressive clause?

Aliel gave Song Ze many more warnings. “There’s a strange feeling in this manor. Something might be wrong. Be careful.”

“Mm!” Song Ze acted obediently, nodding quickly.

“And another thing.” Aliel’s tone suddenly turned cold. “While I’m away, you absolutely must not be alone with that Idis!”

“Yes, yes!” Song Ze’s words were completely sincere this time.

Idis was a man now! Even if he were beaten to death, nothing would happen between them!

….

Aliel left in a hurry. The butler didn’t ask many questions, instead looking somewhat relieved.

That evening, Song Ze dined alone in the dining room. It was said that Idis was busy with some matters and couldn’t join him.

Learning this, Song Ze breathed a sigh of relief. He really didn’t know how to face the other person!

If Idis were still the icy queen from the game, even if she was cold-faced, he would understand the tenderness in her heart… But now that she had turned into an icy handsome man… Forget it.

He felt a sense of facing an elder, a different kind of fear from dealing with the yandere Andreya.

When Song Ze went back to rest that night, the system’s voice suddenly appeared.

[Main quest updated: Investigate the manor and the true cause of the old duke’s death.]

[Side quest: Display a level of etiquette at the funeral that earns praise from those around you.]

Song Ze: “WTF?!”

The side quest was understandable, but the main quest? Why was it turning into a mystery plot?

In the game’s storyline at this point, the protagonist was just fooling around in the manor, watching the female duke and the elven princess vie for his affection… Of course, the intensity of that rivalry had nearly caused several deaths.

But here he was, not only facing two men but also investigating the truth behind the old duke’s death. The difference was too great!

“By the way, system, didn’t you say there would be rewards after completing the side quest?”

[Yes. The reward is the ability to unlock two new functions.]

Song Ze perked up, curious about what kind of functions they would be.

[New function 1: Ability to skip during ‘the deed’.]

Song Ze: “…” He had to admit, it was a useful function. Too damn useful!!

If he had known on the day he transmigrated that this would happen, he never would have imagined it.

… He cried.

[New function 2: CG replay function. The host can experience past thrilling and touching romance scenes in full immersion!]

Song Ze: “Damn!!”

All the CGs were intimate pictures with Aliel or the Demon Prince! This function was completely useless!

——–

The next morning.

Song Ze was woken early by the servants. He suddenly realized he was in the duke’s manor.

Idis was extremely particular about etiquette and would never allow him to slack off.

Suppressing his drowsiness, Song Ze got up and changed into a new set of clothes with the servants’ help. He looked completely refreshed, no longer like someone who had been roughing it in the camp.

The servants showed admiration.

Although Young Master Song Ze was rumored to be a talentless good-for-nothing and even a bit of a playboy, he was extremely handsome. Just by his looks, hardly any noble lady would refuse to marry him.

It was a waste that the old duke had sent him to become a monk. With such looks, he could easily marry into a noble family.

Feeling somewhat nervous, Song Ze went downstairs.

At that moment, Idis was already seated at the long table. He wore a black dress that accentuated his incredibly delicate and handsome features. His light blond hair was tied back. Even sitting silently, he looked like a work of art.

When he saw Song Ze, he merely gave a slight nod.

Song Ze sat down nervously across from him.

“Idis,” Song Ze began.

The other’s face instantly turned cold.

Song Ze: “…Brother.”

It felt somewhat embarrassing and very gay! But if he didn’t address him that way, Idis would clearly get angry. After all, they had grown up together, and that was how they had always addressed each other.

Damn. Calling him ‘sister’ used to be so much more interesting!

“How exactly did the Duke…” Song Ze quickly asked what he wanted to know.

The surrounding servants immediately changed expressions, as if he had said something shocking. Then they all lowered their heads.

Seeing this, Song Ze grew more convinced that something had happened.

“Why do you ask?” Idis said coldly.

Song Ze said, “After all, the Duke was a sixth-tier martial artist. How could he have died so early…” According to this world’s settings, such a martial artist could easily live two hundred years. This definitely seemed suspicious.

“It was just an accident,” Idis said briefly.

“Huh?” Song Ze said. “Can you tell me more…”

“It’s mealtime now.”

“Yes, yes.”

Idis swept a cold glance at him, and Song Ze dared not say anything more. It seemed to be a instinctive reaction of this body…

Could it be that… the duke’s problem was something Idis did? No way, that would be too terrifying.

Full of worries, Song Ze picked up his fork to bring food to his mouth, but the inheritance mark on his back heated up again, causing his hand to shake. The fork clattered onto the plate with a crisp sound.

In the silent space, the sound was especially loud. Song Ze felt terrible, looking at Idis fearfully.

“Have you forgotten basic etiquette after going to the Paladin Academy?” Idis said flatly, his light-colored eyes devoid of any warmth.

He was extremely dissatisfied with his father sending Song Ze to the Paladin Academy, and this remark was mainly aimed at that.

“Brother Idis, I was wrong…” Regardless of anything else, Song Ze directly admitted fault. In truth, he knew nothing about the etiquette of this other world… And besides Idis, no one else cared about it anyway!

Ah, the system quest also required him to meet etiquette standards, but that was just a side quest. Who cared that much?

“Good.” Seeing Song Ze’s good attitude, Idis’s tone softened a bit. “It seems your etiquette needs retraining. You absolutely cannot appear in such a manner at the funeral in a few days.”

“Okay, okay.” Song Ze quickly nodded.

Then, to his astonishment, Idis stood up, walked unhurriedly behind him, leaned down slightly, and reached out to hold Song Ze’s hand.

Their distance was so close that Song Ze’s body stiffened.

“We’ll start right now.”

A slightly cold breath brushed against Song Ze’s ear.

Song Ze: “?!?!”

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