By Zephyria 
Everyone has heard of the cursed diamond at least once. Many people treat it as a simple ghost story or nonsense, but at least within this world, it was not just a story that would make your spine tingle.
The vineyard that Allen had inherited until now, and that I was determined to hold onto and never give up from this Iteration onward, included not only the vineyard and winery but also the vast expanse of land around it. It was almost a small territory, even though it was called a farm.
And on a secluded hill located precariously on the outermost edge of that area, there was a huge diamond mine that had been forgotten by everyone.
The cursed diamond in question was a lump of blue diamond ore the size of an adult’s fist at the entrance of the mine.
After an unlucky rain fairy was sealed inside the ore by a bad-tempered magician hundreds of years ago, whenever someone tried to approach the mine, the fairy inside the jewel would invariably get annoyed, causing all sorts of rumors to circulate that the mine itself was cursed and that the workers who went in would die, and eventually no one dared to develop it, and it faded from people’s memories until this day.
Ironically, the reason why Allen was able to avoid the fairy’s curse so lightly was also because of this. The fairy, who had come to hate humans like the magician who had trapped her in a narrow jewel, had finally given up after hundreds of years of isolation. The fairy unconditionally welcomed Allen, who had accidentally discovered and entered the entrance of the mine while looking around the inherited land, and Allen knew a magician who was more skilled and had a worse temper than the person who had sealed the fairy, as if everything fit together perfectly. Yes, Lennox.
There was no way Lennox would refuse Allen’s request. Lennox immediately released the fairy from the seal, and the fairy promised to make it rain once when Allen wanted it as a reward. It was a dry spring at the time. People did not know the details and were just busy praising Allen for bringing rain and being blessed and loved by God. And that… became an event that shook the foundation of my position, which had a slight advantage as a Dominant Omega compared to Allen. This was because the high social recognition of Dominant Omegas was based on the symbolism of being loved by God.
“Just prepare for the trip without any setbacks. It’s a rare trip that the whole family is going on together.”
“Yes, yes. Leave it to me!”
It felt good. My father asked if we should all take a short trip to Bartolo to avoid the late cold snap before Allen’s birthday party, and I nodded brightly. It wouldn’t be bad to willingly snatch the fertile farm and the sparkling fairy’s Blessing sleeping inside it from Allen in front of his eyes.
“…Young Master Noah.”
“Yes, what is it?”
Ummm. Even though I urged him to tell me what he wanted, the noble gentleman sitting across from me only made a low humming sound and couldn’t give a proper answer. I thought our eyes were about to meet, but he quickly avoided my gaze and frowned even more.
…It does sting a little in my heart. Even though I know that it’s not his pure heart but Allen’s wicked deeds that are influencing him, it’s never easy to face someone who hates me.
Especially since he, unlike the other Love interests… had never tried to harm me or shown clear animosity in any Iteration… All the more so if it was Carlisle Graham, whose upright affection I had finally claimed as my own this time and felt relieved.
“Grand Duke Graham. Didn’t you come to see me because you had something to say?
“Th-That’s right. I’m sorry.”
Carlisle let out a light sigh and apologized. He was still frowning. It didn’t seem to be this bad when Allen first mistook me for myself, so what on earth is Allen saying? As the days went by, Carlisle couldn’t hide his discomfort in dealing with me at all. Saying he was uncomfortable was a mild expression, and to be honest, it just… looked like he openly hated me. It was so blatant that Nicole came to me and poked me in the side, asking if I had made any mistakes in the north.
‘How about… leaving Hamilton and working at Graham? I’ll give you a generous salary. I’ll give you exactly twice, no, three times what you’re getting now. If it’s difficult to talk to Young Master Hamilton, I can deliver the message myself.’
The image of the little gentleman who had made a very serious proposal to me while hiding his identity kept overlapping with his current handsome appearance. If I had known this would happen… I would have found a way to circumvent the unwritten rule that the Graham family did not officially interact with other nobles before they grew up. I would have found it and become closer to him with my original identity…
How could I not be upset and sad? Why wouldn’t I be sad? It had been a long time since I had opened my heart to the young master, who was particularly awkward at dealing with people, thinking that it was just about farming the Love interest’s favorability.
But I built even higher walls against the deep depths and futility that seemed to sweep me away the moment I let my guard down even a little. I had more than one or two things to do and worry about in the future. It was not the time to ruin a big thing by dwelling on the loss of one thing. I could just wrap up my throbbing heart and suffer alone.
Favorability: 89% -> 0%
I’d rather it be 0% than have the original favorability floating next to it. But I guess it’s a relief that it’s not negative.
The System shudders at the frustrating development. (⑅∫°ਊ°)∫
The System strongly recommends revealing the truth immediately!
⁽⁽(੭ꐦ •̀Д•́ )੭*⁾⁾
There were plenty of material grounds to reveal the truth. There was the obsidian brooch that he had thrown at me when we met in the capital before I even went to the north, and I could ask the Archduke, who had already noticed my identity, for help, and…
“I heard that you are going on a trip to the Bartolo area in the south.”
“Ah, yes.”
I, who had been lost in thought for a moment, straightened my posture, which had been scattered, at Carlisle’s voice, which had finally broken the ice, and focused on the current situation.
“I heard that it’s a rare harmonious family trip… but if it’s not too much of a burden, I was wondering if I could accompany you.”
“You, Grand Duke? But, why are you asking me that…”
“I had already asked the Count first, but the Count insisted that it was natural to ask permission from the owner of Bartolo.”
“Ah, I see.”
There must be another reason why my father entrusted the decision of whether or not to accompany Carlisle to me. Perhaps it was to coordinate so that the Crown Prince and Little Duke Graham would not meet, just in case the Crown Prince might look for me.
Then, should I make a decision on this matter after meeting the Crown Prince?
“I’m sorry, but the schedule hasn’t been confirmed yet. Would it be okay if I told you again after the schedule is confirmed?”
“I understand. Do as you please.”
“Yes, then I will contact you again later.”
“……”
“……”
Even though all the business was over, Carlisle did not get up in front of me. I wondered if he was going to continue the conversation, but his frowning expression was fierce. Anyone could see that he was so angry that it was a wonder he wasn’t running out right away.
“…Grand Duke?”
Eventually, I called him first in an awkward voice. Carlisle raised his head, which had been facing down as if nailed, and met my gaze, then frowned as much as he could and jumped up from his seat.
“Uh, did something happen all of a sudden…?”
“Excuse me.”
Then, without giving me a chance to grab him or even exchange greetings, he strode away, slamming the door shut behind him.
“Wow, being highborn really is like being a gangster, huh? Even if you’re a noble too, how could he do that in front of our young master…?”
Nicole, who had been standing a step behind, muttered in a dumbfounded voice. I could clearly feel the frustration in his voice, wanting to say something but unable to because the other person’s status was too high.
“Bear with it, Nicole. Once I become the Crown Princess, I’ll be higher. I’ll pay him back then.”
“Really? You have to, you really have to!”
Nicole was serious, but I kept chuckling. It wasn’t a genuine, joyful laugh. Allen could only manipulate one person at a time, and having realized that, I chose to maintain the status quo instead of breaking Carlisle’s brainwashing.
Because losing Andrew or the Crown Prince now… it was more advantageous to give up on Carlisle alone.
So, who could I blame? It was just my choice. I didn’t even have the right to feel heartbroken.