Chapter 07

Rosalind's POV

Silas stopped in the dining room doorway, still in his uniform, and stared at the table.

"What's this?" He pointed at the creamy dish in the middle. "I've never eaten this before."

"This is black truffle risotto." I pulled out the chair beside me. "It keeps you full for hours, and you won't get hungry again so fast."

He sat down slowly and picked up a spoon. One bite. Then he went quiet.

"You've never had anything like this before?" I asked.

"No." He took another bite, a bigger one this time. "It's really delicious."

Danny leaned across the table, his cheeks stuffed. "Bro, you have to try the beef too. It's even better than you think."

Silas tried it. His eyes closed for a second. "It's really good."

[Fortune points +20. Three free lucky draws granted.]

I hid my smile behind my glass.

They really did care about me. This family bond thing was way too easy.

Mom set down her fork and reached for my hand.

"Sweetheart, in ten days, Mommy is going to throw you a grand homecoming banquet." Her eyes sparkled. "I want to announce to everyone that you are a Montgomery. The rightful heir."

I shook my head quickly. "Mom, my mental power is only E-rank. I'd embarrass you." I nodded toward Silas. "Silas is so outstanding. He should be the heir."

"Mom," Silas said, "she's only eighteen. She should focus on her studies."

Mom paused. "Eighteen?" She turned back to me, frowning. "Rosalind, you haven't been matched yet, have you?"

I put my spoon down.

"I got the notification this afternoon. Five matches." I shrugged. "But they don't seem happy about it. They're sending their assistants tomorrow to sign agreements. Three-month trial, then annulment."

The whole table went silent.

"What?" Mom's chair scraped back. "They dare to propose annulment? Tell me who these idiots are. I'll deal with each and every one of them."

"Mom, it's fine." I squeezed her hand. "I haven't even met them. Honestly, I'm happy about this. I'd rather stay home with all of you."

Silas set his spoon down carefully. "I think annulment is a good idea." His voice was low. "I want to keep you around for a few more years."

He didn't know. He had no idea his own name sat at the top of that list.

"I'll go with you tomorrow morning," he added. "I'm free after ten."

"Okay." I nodded. "Let's schedule them for ten."

Dad suddenly sat up straight. "Wait. Let me check my berserk value."

He tapped his wrist. A small red number floated in the air. Then his mouth fell open.

"Fifty-six percent?" Dad looked around the table. "It was sixty-one yesterday. After a full day of work and no soothing at all, it dropped five points?" Slowly, he turned and looked at me. "Could it be Rosalind's cooking?"

"Let's all test ourselves," Silas said.

Danny went first. "Forty-six percent! It was fifty-one yesterday!" He jumped up and threw his arms around my neck. "Rosalind, you're my lucky star!"

Silas checked last. The number above his wrist was much higher than theirs.

"Seventy-nine." He stared at it. "Dropped five points."

He looked at me for a long moment.

"Thank you."

Dad was already on his feet, pacing. "This is incredible! If we can extract whatever factor is causing this..."

"Dad." Silas's voice cut through the room. "This must stay confidential. A treasure invites trouble."

Danny had his comm halfway up, his thumb already on the camera. "I'm just going to post one picture of the food on my..."

"Danny." Mom's voice went cold. "You are not to mention Rosalind's name to anyone. Ever."

Danny lowered his arm at once. His face turned red.

"I'm sorry, Rosalind. I wasn't thinking." He looked right at me. "I'll keep it secret. I promise."

[Fortune points +40.]

[Fortune points +50.]

[Fortune points +60.]

[Total fortune points: 10,300. One grand lucky draw and three small lucky draws granted.]

I almost choked on my water.

Later that night, I sat cross-legged in the middle of my bed and opened the draw screen.

A golden wheel spun. Then another. Then another.

[Beauty pill.]

[Body sculpting pill.]

[Level-four ability upgrade pill.]

[Level-four healing pill.]

[Ability awakening pill.]

[Level-four hover car.]

Six little treasures glowed on the screen.

"This is amazing!"

[Host, your current ability is only level four. The lucky draw rewards match your current level. The higher your level, the better the rewards.]

My smile dropped. "Why didn't you say that earlier?"

[You didn't ask.]

I rolled my eyes. Fine. I would be at level five soon anyway. I'd save the other three draws for later.

"Upgrade," I said. "Now."

[Ten thousand fortune points will take you to level five. Confirm?]

"Confirm."

My balance dropped to three hundred. Warm power rushed through my body and settled deep in my chest.

[Keep going, host!]

I picked up the beauty pill and the body sculpting pill. They were small and smooth, shining like pearls. I swallowed them both.

A soft heat spread across my skin. My bones tingled. Something shifted under my fingertips.

I ran to the mirror and touched my face.

Smooth. Bright. Flawless.

My breath caught.

"It's real!"