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Join the ServerSu Mu’s expression was a study in complexity as he stared at the option panel.
Three words perfectly encapsulated his current state: old man, subway, phone. He was utterly exasperated.
Su Mu found himself in a profound dilemma. He detested all three available choices. In dating sims, he always adhered to a strict principle: only pursue characters he genuinely liked. But now, a pressing issue arose: what was he to do if he disliked all the current romanceable options?
Bai Ji and Pera, the little fox, were undeniably beautiful. Yet, they had both killed him, and not just once, but with a sadistic pleasure that still lingered in his memory. This inherent antagonism left Su Mu with absolutely no desire to pursue them.
As for Saintess Laura, Su Mu simply found her too flat, too boisterous. Her mischievous, prank-loving nature naturally made him recoil.
Physical attributes aside, he preferred a girl who was a little gentler, a touch more amiable.
Su Mu was troubled. He couldn’t help but wish there was an option to increase the Queen’s favorability. He would choose the Queen’s option without a moment’s hesitation.
It wasn’t that he intended to romance his original body’s mother; he simply wanted to improve Furei’s favorability. He assured himself there were absolutely no other intentions.
‘No, absolutely none.’
As he wavered, Su Mu suddenly felt Furei’s gaze fixed intently upon him. That piercing look, as if it could see right through him, instantly sparked a flicker of nervousness in his heart.
He quickly averted his eyes from the screen, forcing a composed demeanor as he asked, “Mother, is something the matter?”
Furei smiled, saying, “You look quite conflicted. Is this question troubling you, little Mu Mu?”
“No, not at all. It’s just so sudden. I didn’t even realize my birthday was approaching, so I’m a bit at a loss as to what gift to choose,” Su Mu replied, feigning embarrassment.
“Oh, I see…”
Suddenly, Furei clapped her hands together delightedly. “Well, then, little Mu Mu, you don’t need to think about it anymore. Watch as Mama prepares a surprise for you!”
“Eh?”
Su Mu was taken aback, not expecting such a turn of events. If that were the case, what about the options?
As he pondered this, the system’s voice echoed in his ear once more:
“Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have triggered a hidden option: Allow Furei to decide, and await Mother’s surprise.
Achievement unlocked: [The Lucky Dog]”
Su Mu’s eyebrow twitched, and a vein throbbed on his forehead, barely suppressed.
‘Damn it, you idiotic system, are you secretly insulting me again? What ‘Lucky Dog’? How vicious!’
“Little Mu Mu, are you unwilling?” Furei asked cautiously, observing Su Mu’s expression.
“Ah, no, not at all! I’m incredibly happy. This is the first time I’ve received a birthday gift in my memory. I’m so thrilled! I’m sure Mother must have given me gifts before, and I’m just angry at myself for forgetting all those beautiful, important memories,” Su Mu quickly explained, adopting a crestfallen posture.
Furei embraced his head, gently comforting him. “Don’t worry, little Mu Mu. There will be many more beautiful memories in the future.”
“Mm.”
As long as he didn’t die, he considered everything beautiful.
****
Pera, the little fox, drooped her head listlessly, limp and sprawled across Su Mu’s shoulder.
Until their parting moments, Furei hadn’t spared her a single glance.
Pera felt as though the world had lost its color from that moment on. Could Furei truly despise her now?
The thought alone made her whine and whimper incessantly.
Su Mu casually tugged at the little fox’s leg. “What’s wrong with you now? You’re so noisy. Behave yourself.”
“Your Highness, Sister’s beloved Mu Mu, please let me go back! Without Lady Furei, I’ll die!” This was Pera’s plea for what felt like the hundredth time.
“I’ve told you already, it’s not like I want to keep you by my side. Mother insisted on giving you to me. What can I do?” Su Mu said exasperatedly, thoroughly annoyed. “Besides, do you really think if I let you go back, Mother would forgive you and accept you again as if nothing happened? Use your fox brain and think about it properly. It’s utterly impossible, isn’t it?”
The little fox once again fell into a deathly silence.
Su Mu felt not an ounce of sympathy for the seemingly pathetic Pera. Instead, he twisted the knife. “Who told you to be so cheap and come mess with me? You deserve this karma, don’t you?”
Pera whined aggrievedly, “Your Highness, you must believe me! You’re a child I watched grow up. How could I possibly want to harm you?”
“Heh heh.” Su Mu sneered a few times, his expression clearly saying, ‘Guess if I believe you.’
“I’m telling the truth, Your Highness! Our fox-girl tribe values honesty above all else! And I even comforted your lonely little mouth just this afternoon. You can’t forget my kindness!”
Listening to Pera’s rambling nonsense, Su Mu couldn’t take it anymore. He and Bai Ji simultaneously snapped, “Shut up!”
Su Mu turned to Bai Ji, who spoke in a chilling tone, “Your Highness, I hear fox fur is quite popular among the nobility these days. For your birthday next month, would you like a fox fur coat?”
“Screech!” The little fox shrieked in terror, leaping onto Su Mu’s head and clinging desperately to his hair, her eyes wide with fear as she stared at Bai Ji. That woman actually wanted to skin her alive! Was she a devil?
Bai Ji’s expression was serious, devoid of any pretense.
Su Mu quickly appeased Bai Ji, finally dissuading her from the idea. Under Bai Ji’s threat, the little fox finally quieted down for a while.
The group walked silently on their way back. Su Mu felt as though something was missing from his surroundings, yet he couldn’t quite place it.
Until a voice broke the silence:
“Your Highness, Laura shall take her leave here.”
Su Mu paused, looking at the pink-haired girl who had been silent throughout the journey. He finally realized what had been missing.
The usually lively Laura had become quiet, and the cheerful atmosphere around her had diminished.
“Mm.” Su Mu nodded slightly.
Laura performed a perfect curtsy, then turned and departed. Her retreating figure seemed somewhat forlorn, as if burdened by sorrowful thoughts.
“What’s wrong with her?” Su Mu asked casually.
He waited for a long time, but no one beside him answered. It was understandable; she was just a Saintess. The little fox and Bai Ji, one cared only for Furei, the other only for his original body. Who else would care?
“Heh…” Su Mu let out a mirthless chuckle. Standing at the fork in the stone path, he took the other route, diverging from Laura’s direction.
****
“Father.”
Sasaki stood ramrod straight before the King’s desk, his face etched with apprehension.
King Louis gripped his quill, reviewing the documents on his desk. His expression was stern, exuding an aura of authority that commanded respect without needing anger.
Silence stretched for a long time.
Only after he had finished reviewing the document in his hand did he set down his pen and look up, his hawk-like gaze fixed intently on his eldest son, whom he had always been so proud of.
“Sasaki, was it your doing?”
Sasaki knew exactly what his father’s half-spoken words implied. He quickly shook his head. “Father, it wasn’t me.”
“The truth,” Louis said, his voice eerily calm.
Sasaki grew afraid. He knew this demeanor of his father’s was the calm before a storm.
“It truly wasn’t me, Father! I would never harm my own brother!”
“Bang!” Louis slammed his palm onto the desk. The stack of documents beside his hand teetered precariously, a few sliding off and falling to the floor.
“Then why, when the Spiritualist communicated with that assassin named Jessica, did they discover she only had memories of contact with you?! I told you, the throne will be yours eventually! Why, why would you still do such a thing? Is there no room for Susumu Miston in your heart?!” Louis roared in fury.
Sasaki bit his lip, glaring defiantly at Louis, meeting his father’s gaze without fear. He spoke each word distinctly, “Why would you think that of me? That’s my own brother! How could I possibly do such a thing?”
Louis scoffed, looking at him with derision. “Your own brother? Heh, Susumu Miston has been a bit mischievous these past few years, but I’ve seen your attitude towards him with my own eyes.”
Sasaki clenched his fists, remaining silent.
After a period of quiet.
“Listen, Sasaki, I called you here to hear your explanation, not your weak and futile denials,” Louis said, suddenly shedding all emotion and speaking calmly.
“Jessica is my subordinate. She is a Sword King, but I was unaware of the assassination attempt. I placed her by Susumu Miston’s side solely to protect his safety,” Sasaki explained, his voice laced with helplessness.
“Heh, who would believe that story?”
“Then what do you think I did it for?” Feeling his father’s distrust, Sasaki ceased his defense and posed a different question.
Louis remained silent.
He quietly met Sasaki’s gaze.
Suddenly, Louis smiled. “Next month is Susumu Miston’s coming-of-age ceremony. Think carefully about it yourself. You may leave.”
Sasaki bowed, picked up the fallen documents, placed them back on the desk, and then departed.
Watching Sasaki’s retreating back, Louis’s lips curved into a strange, unsettling smile.
On the documents beside his hand was a decree for the enfeoffment of Prince Susumu Miston’s territory upon his coming of age. At the end of the document, a few large characters, personally penned by Louis, read:
“No enfeoffment to be granted.”
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Itd be interesting if Sasaki is telling the truth, and the reason he tries to poach Laura and Bai Ji is just to get those psychos away from his little brother, lol.