Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy Chapter 12

༺ I’m the Only One in a Different Genre (1) ༻

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you again, My Duchess.”

  “Fufu-. I’m flattered you think so. Shall we all take a seat?”

  As Lumia took her seat at the head, the others followed suit.

  I had a rough idea as to why she had singled me out with this greeting.

  It was an attempt to give me hope.

  Perhaps, she thought that by doing so, my desire for victory would be reignited.

  All things considered, it wasn’t a bad strategy if her target still harbored some ambition for this contest, unfortunately, she was sorely mistaken about my intentions.

  Deron smiled at me and said.

  “Haha-. To think that you were acquaintanced with the Grand Duchess herself, Lord Elden! You should have informed us about this, shouldn’t you?”

  A tone filled with reproach.

  And words dripping with poison.

  Just as I was about to say something, Lumia opened her mouth.

  “I had a brief talk with Lord Elden, merely out of curiosity for his declaration of withdrawal, I hope this won’t be a problem?”

  “Haha-. Of course not, My Lady. We were merely surprised.”

  Blund was quick to interject and flatter Lumia.

  Until now, most of his attempts to curry favor had been directed at Deron, but now they had completely shifted towards Lumia.

  Because from now on, the real contest would begin.

  Of course, I had no interest in it.

  “Before we start, I would like to announce something. During the final parts of the Betrothal Contest, the evaluators who have been monitoring each one of you won’t be present.”

  That was something I knew already.

  Thankfully, my declaration of withdrawal didn’t change this fact, since in the novel, Lumia also announced this change.

  Her reasons were rather simple. By removing the shackles known as ‘evaluators’, free encounters among the candidates would go unpunished, giving them more chances to self-destruct.

  The upcoming events would serve as fine fodder for the petty disputes of the Regretful Trio.

  “I don’t wish for all of you to feel oppressed by the evaluators. I wish to see you like you are all in your natural habitat, being your ‘true selves’.”

  [ True Selves ]

  Lumia emphasized those words.

  Of course, only those aware of her motives would recognize the emphasis, while the Regretful Trio simply exchanged some glances nodding their heads.

  This was a welcome development for them.

  Now they could form alliances and concoct plans.

  “We shall follow the Grand Duchess’s desires. After all, true companionship can only be built with honesty.”

  Kyle bowed his head towards Lumia as he uttered those words.

  Blund and Deron also nodded in agreement.

  I was the only one who didn’t seem to fit in this ‘harmonious’ atmosphere.

  Well, it was to be expected.

  Since I was someone who wished to be far away from her but was not allowed to.

  Lumia herself denied my withdrawal.

  However, I have no obligation to be swept away in her schemes, so instead of being a participant, it would be more wise to remain as an observer.

  I wouldn’t let myself suffer from Lumia’s schemes for something I had no part in.

  “……”

  Even if a resentful glint shone in her eyes, there was nothing I could do about it.

  Despite the clear ‘favoritism’ that should be considered forbidden in this competition, Lumia glared at me, noticing my lack of reaction to her announcement.

  …That glare of hers is something else.

  Zap.

**

  “Haha-. It’s an honor to have come this far, Your Grace.”

  “This humble man is overjoyed by being chosen, Your Grace.”

  “Ah, I believe I am enjoying something far beyond my station just by seeing you, Your Grace.”

  “……”

  Who knows what kind of face she was making behind that fox mask? What kind of scars does that pure white dress hide?

  Regardless of my musings, the Regretful Trio continued to exert every effort to win.

  Of course, I had no intention of criticizing these efforts born out of ignorance.

  It is, however, a bit uncomfortable to watch the hypocrisy of those three trying to curry favor with the very same woman they had almost tormented to death in the Academy.

  While I was thinking about this,

  Someone directed an uncomfortable gaze at me.

  “……Is Lord Elden always so taciturn? What could make someone known for their boisterous attitude behave so quietly?”

  Blund quickly chimed in at Lumia’s question.

  “Seeing his lack of words even after being graced by your presence, Your Grace, makes one think he is either ill or simply tired.”

  “Indeed, indeed! Perhaps he needs the assistance of wine?”

  “Hahahaha-. Or maybe he’s just shy.”

  All of a sudden, I became the public enemy.

  These hyenas all pounced at the bait thrown by Lumia, but sadly, they were doing 0 damage with their attacks.

  Perhaps they had forgotten a crucial fact.

  That Elden Raphelion is a ‘forfeiter’.

  Well since three people had already answered for me, I saw no need to break my silence…

  But then, the previous warm atmosphere was shattered in an instant.

  “……Could you all be quiet for a moment? My question was directed at Lord Elden.”

  Lumia’s voice, filled with anger, tore through the facade.

  The once warm mood chilled down in an instant.

  Fury flashed through her eyes.

  She was clearly frustrated with this turn of events, but that wouldn’t change a thing.

  Well, if anyone should be frustrated then it would be me.

  I, the guy who was suddenly transmigrated and thrust into this mess. How could I not feel wronged?

  While I wasn’t going to complain about the end result, I had no intention of dancing to Lumia’s tunes.

  “I simply found no room to interject, so I remained silent. Please, there’s no need to be angered on my behalf.”

  Lumia sighed softly behind her mask.

  “……Sigh-. I apologize. I’ve been dealing with some unresolved issues lately and it’s turned into a tiring affair.”

  Knowing what those unresolved issues were, I gracefully accepted her apologies.

  “It’s alright.”

  “Come to think of it, it’s time for our meal. It would be rude of me to neglect our distinguished guests’ needs.”

  This entire episode had been a mere taste.

  In the novel, Lumia’s revenge would only begin with their first meeting.

  This ambiguous atmosphere was merely a snippet of what was to come. With the start of this meal, the mood was destined to become drier than a desert.

  “I’ve personally overseen the preparation of this meal. Each dish is tailored to your individual tastes.”

  “Oho-. Something that the Duchess herself was involved in?”

  “Haha-. What an honor, it almost seems like a shame to eat it.”

  “My mouth is already watering.”

  I couldn’t see it,

  But I just knew she was smiling behind that white fox mask.

  The upcoming meal was her way of paying back some of the torment she endured at the Royal Academy.

  “Fufufu-. You are all free to look forward to it.”

  Moments later, several dishes were placed in front of each guest, covered with metal lids.

  The revengeful feast had commenced.

**

  “My, I am finding myself eager to lift this lid, Your Grace.”

  “The anticipation is already making my mouth water.”

  “Heavens! Please allow us to open it. I certainly didn’t expect such a tease.”

  The Regretful Trio continued to praise the dishes without even knowing what lay inside.

  In response to this, Lumia simply laughed with a pleasant ‘Fufu-’.

  “I see then, let us introduce the dishes, shall we? Lord Deron, do you wish to be the first?”

  “Haha-. It will be an honor.”

  Deron eagerly grabbed the handle of the lid.

  All eyes were drawn to it in anticipation.

  Even Lumia’s own.

  “Then, allow me to unveil it.”

  Deron, visibly pleased by being the first, lifted the lid with a broad smile.

  However, that smile quickly vanished.

  “……!”

  His dish was the ‘Picnic Roast of Cotvos’. 

  Lumia specifically chose this dish for him due to his hate of frogs.

  The dish was made from the shoulder arm picnic of the giant frog-like ‘monster’ Cotvos, roasted without any sort of fanfare.

  As mentioned previously, monsters weren’t considered edible for the majority of nobility.

  Furthermore, since the prepared dish still retained the monsters’ original shape, this was enough to evoke Deron’s deep-rooted disgust.

  “Fufu~. I tried this myself once and found it delicious. Oh my! Is there something wrong, Lord Deron? Does this dish not please you?”

  “Ah……Haha-. Of course not, Your Grace. I am simply in awe of such a beautifully prepared dish.”

  “I see, I am glad you like it then. Now, shall we have Lord Blund open his lid?”

  “Ah, yes, yes.”

  Blund, petrified by the shocking dish, fumbled over his words as he took hold of the lid’s handle.

  Moments later, upon opening his lid, Blund sported an expression quite similar to that of Deron’s.

  For he abhorred disgusting insects…

  “The dish I’ve prepared for Lord Blund is ‘Half Worm Stir-Fry’. The texture pops delightfully in your mouth with each bite. It’s delicious, isn’t it?”

  “Ah… I, indeed, it must be……”

  The monster known as ‘Half Worm’ was as thick as a thumb and bore a red and black coloration that didn’t look edible in the slightest.

  Blund’s face paled as he started to tremble.

  Next, Kyle, who had a fear of birds, was met with ‘Black Bat Roasted Wings’.

  “Ah, the famous roasted wings of a Black Bat. They are very tasty, although there’s not much meat in them, the crunch more than makes up for it.”

  Only Lumia’s voice echoed around the Grand Hall.

  The trio was completely shocked by the dishes before them.

  Those were foods that could be called grotesque.

  As the faces of Deron, Blund, and Kyle turned ghostly white, Lumia moved towards the last act of her torture.

  “I hope you all partake in their meal…After all, there’s nothing better than a man who can eat anything.”

  With these words, she tightened the noose around their necks, making sure they wouldn’t escape.

  It was a sort of implicit threat – ‘If you want to curry my favor, then eat everything on your plate.’

  Then, her ominous gaze landed on me.

  “Lastly… Shall Lord Elden, open the lid?”

  Her eyes, filled with malice yet anticipation, cast a noose my way.

  Of course, no noose could constrict me, so I comfortably grabbed the lid.

  I knew what lay beneath.

  And I knew well that it would evoke extreme disgust in the character known as Elden Raphelion.

  So, I opened it without hesitation.

  “How is it, Lord Elden?”

  “…….”

  My dish was the leg of a pig-like monster, the Red Longuer.

  A whole roasted leg, complete, with a hoof.

  But not just any kind of roasted leg, but one that’s been smoked with care.

  Looking down at the thick, roasted leg, I couldn’t help but remember all the times I wanted to order those expensive pig’s feet but couldn’t because I lacked money……

  Just remembering the chewy texture and rich juiciness already made my mouth water.

  Gulp-.

  It looks delicious.

  Lumia wished to pay back all the suffering she endured by turning us.

  Unfortunately for her, Lee Jun-Woo was someone who loved pig’s feet. So for me, this wasn’t a form of torture, but a gastronomic delight.

  Of course, this was a roasted leg, not boiled, but it was already enough to stimulate my hunger.

  “It looks truly appetizing.”

  Lumia’s eyes shook in confusion at Elden’s response.

  “……Yes?”

  And then.

  When I covered the food again with the iron lid, that confusion began to intensify.

  I addressed her politely.

  “However, as someone who declared his withdrawal, I cannot eat this dish in good conscience.”

  “…Yes?”

  “But I am thankful for the Duchess’ intent.”

  Even if there was a vast gap between a Grand Duke and a Count, the gap wasn’t so brutal nor harsh that created irrefutable circumstances.

  If the justification was sound, there should be no problem in politely refusing it.

  Especially since I was someone who ‘gave up’ this competition.

  From the moment I declared my withdrawal, it was inevitable for Lumia to be the one left wanting.

  “……Won’t you take even a single bite then? Even if I assure you that no misunderstandings will arise?”

  Hmm-.

  If she said as much it wouldn’t hurt to take a bite.

  “Ugh.”

  “Urk.”

  “Gah.”

  Meanwhile, the Regretful Trio had managed to push the food down their throats.

  It wouldn’t hurt to go with their flow just this once.

  Pig’s feet.

  No, roasted Red Longuers leg…

  I took a bite out of it.

  My brows furrowed.

  My breath came short.

  My eyes narrowed and moistened.

  Ah, I could clearly see the Red Longuer flocking under the clear sky, ah look, he is looking at me now…

  He raised his hoof to me as if giving a ‘thumbs up’.

  Crazy…How is it so good?

  While the meat was a bit past the point, the rich flavor was so hearty that it made my mouth explode with saliva, and the savory juices that spread as I chewed were exquisite without even a hint of gaminess.

  At that moment, my most sincere wish was to simply demolish this dish until nothing remained, but I restrained myself as I placed the leg back on my plate.

  “How was it……Lord Elden?”

  This was not something done by the hands of their chefs, but something Lumia prepared herself.

  For the sake of her effort, I planned on acting disgusted like the Regretful Trio, but as mentioned before, it was time for Plan B to be put into action.

  Therefore, I….

  “It was excellent. Your culinary skills are impressive, Your Grace.”

  I delivered a [ Truthful ] answer as she wanted.

  So, it wasn’t my fault a storm brewed inside those blue eyes.

  I simply did as she asked and showed her my honest reaction.

  Because it was a delicious dish, I praised it.

  But now that I think about it, the novel never stated her culinary talents were this good.

  It was my understanding that cooking a monster’s meat was no easy feat.

  “Ugh.”

  “Hurk.”

  “Gulk.”

  Hmmmmm……

  Whether it was those Cotvos Picnic Roast, that Half Worm Stir-Fry, or even those Blackbat Wings……They all looked delicious to me.

  Perhaps… I was the weird one?

  I wasn’t sure.

  Gurgle-.

  But what was certain was that I was very hungry right now.