A week had passed since I became a home buddy. I have been a home buddy all my life — no reasons to go out since all eyes were on me. People have a short attention span; I waited for them to erase my existence in their minds.

Game Progress: 20%
Unlocked Hidden Gems: 1 out of 5
Hidden Quests: 0 out of 3
Relationship Meter:
Duke Frederick Wren Ivrea : 30%

During the past few weeks, there was no time that I haven’t checked if I received a notification about new tasks. A part of my brain wanted to make a move, but the other told me not to take any step. I would make everything worse if I did.

I only tried to change my action a little for the sake of achieving my plans yet, I received attention, the character’s actions diverted from the original storyline, and what’s worst was one of my targets suffered.

There was a new place in this mansion, I discovered. It was none other than our library that led to the attic! It has various selections of books with different topics such as politics, history, and even novels. When I asked the butler, he said there were more than a thousand books in a two-story facility.

My hand shuffled the books on one shelf at the left corner of the room and only stopped with a purple light glimmered to a part that evoked my eyes. Since they placed it on the 1st tier of the 10 feet bookshelf, a ladder for someone like me was a must.

I grinned when the purple leather book with a gold gilded frame on its sides landed on my hands. They decorated the center with the Daria Empire’s Griffin logo carved from amber, plus the golden clasp added to its vintage aesthetic.

The musky smell wafted in my nose as a mood changer.

I laid this hefty item on the table and returned to the ladder behind the staircase.

I let out a quick bark of laughter as I shook my head. This is the magical game world where books opened on their own, huh?

“My Lady, are you there? A messenger came to see you!” Nora said, knocking.

I slammed the heavy book and placed it to one tier of the nearest bookshelf before I open the door for her. I didn’t know if I would raise her salary or scold this woman who knew her master well.

The messenger informed and handed a letter about Duchess Le Merck’s invitation. I instructed the maids what to say if Mother ever asked me where am I.

“Thank you for coming on a brief notice.” the Duchess said as we walked towards Ella’s room.

“This is a small thing compared to what you’ve done to our family, don’t worry Aunt.”

When we were about to reach her room, the Duchess hugged and expressed how lucky she was because god gifted her amazing daughters.

Task: Cheer Miuerella up and distract her from her heartbreak.
Rewards:
XP Points: +200
Dynastic Points: +300

At last! I received a task.

I knocked three times, no response. On the fourth time, it needed an introduction like this:
“Ella, it’s me!”

A grin formed on the Duchess’s face when the door creaked.

She pushed me inside and slammed the door. My sight focused on a camel’s hump covered in blankets and a bedsheet. Why did she open the door if she was not ready to face her friend?

“Ella? Where are you?”

The scattered papers decorated the floor, so I picked it all up and put it on the small wooden coffee table a few meters away, facing her bed. Next to the pile of papers was a stack of pancakes paired with freshly pressed orange juice.

“Ella, where are you? Why was your room looked like a monster’s den?”

To let the sunlight enter this depressing room, I pulled the curtains to the side and opened the windows.

My footsteps produced a tapping sound when I walked towards her bed. I put my finger on my chin and hummed.

“What was this suspicious roll? Should I also throw this away?”

“This was me!”

Her tangled hair, red swollen eyes as if they were bitten by a bug, baggy sleepwear with brown stains on it proved how this room was as pigsty as its owner.

I slapped my handkerchief on her puffy cheeks and murmured made-up words like a shaman.

“Let go of this body, you evil spirit!”

She grabbed my handkerchief and tossed it away.

“This is me, Beth!”

My hands were on my waist. This bitch needed words of wisdom!

“Since when did I have an ugly, incompetent, and dramatic friend?!”

Her cries intensified my irritation. I did not understand why women in novels and telenovelas acted like it is the end of the world when their men left?

“I’m sorry... you were disappointed... what can I do? I love him until now.”

“Girl, did Reyner carry the oxygen that you breathe? Is he the only man in this world? Wake up from this stupidity!”

“Yes, I am stupid... and selfish.”

Hearing those statements made me weak. But I should accomplish a task, no matter what.

My eyes sparkled when my hands touch the whistle on her bedside table. Miuerella covered her ears because of the shrill sound.

“Attention! We have a new operation!”

You know what? At first, she scratched her head, glanced sideways. I wanted to laugh at how puzzled she was.

“Why did you look like a tree stump! Stood up!”

She straightened her body and stood up.

Wow! Before, I used this method with my twins, but now, I even used the military technique to cheer her up.

My eyes widened when she imitated my handkerchief slap technique.

“Stay away from my friend’s body! Shoo! Shoo!”

“What the hell are you doing?”

“It’s because you look scary today.”

“Listening to your drama turned me into a monster.”

“But that was my feelings.”

“Those fleeting feelings were crap and rubbish.”

Nothing significant happened. A weird voice in my head told me we’re back to square because of her watery eyes and sniffs.

What did I say wrong? That was the truth. She had to hear it.

I showed her how to act and solve her problems instead of hiding under the sheets, flooding her bed with tears day and night.
She boobed her head so, I cannot pinpoint if she listened or imagining things again.

“Tell me the steps for Operation Miuerella.”

At last! The fiery flame I saw in her iris showed how serious she was.

Operation Miuerella:
1. Learn how to be a proper and strong lady
2. Accumulate wealth
3. Pray to Saintess Beatrice

These things were attainable, and they would also uplift her spirits!

“Before we start Operation Miuerella, I wanted to do one last thing for the Crown Prince.”

Notification:
Good Job! Now, help her make a lucky charm for Prince Reyner. Don’t forget Duke Frederick!

Rewards:
XP Points: +1000
Dynastic Points: +1000
+ 15% to the Relationship Meter.

“Let me guess... you wanted to make a lucky charm for Prince Reyner.”

She clapped her hands.

I was enjoying it when tasks overflowed. However, why do I have to make a charm for a conceited man?