The Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health Chapter 302

“Is His Grace the Duke of Mubisk unable to attend again this year?”

“He’s stationed at the Northern Fortress, so it can’t be helped.”

“True. Monsters don’t exactly adjust their schedules.”

The Albert Empire’s ‘social season’ usually began after the autumn harvest festival.

It was a tradition formed when regional lords, having finished the year’s largest event, gathered in the capital while delivering their annual taxes.

And the event that marked the start of this social season was the debutante ball.

Originally, it was a place where young ladies and young lords from regional families—who rarely appeared in the capital—were formally introduced. But now, it had become a major event that nearly every noble child had to go through before entering society.

‘But not all debutante balls are the same.’

Among them, the most prestigious—and an honor to attend—was the Imperial Debutante Ball.

This was a rare chance to greet Empress Ageni, the empire’s unshakable second-most powerful figure. For every young noble who had come of age, it was practically a dream.

“Who’s debuting this year?”

“The lineup is impressive. Aren’t there two from Gremwat?”

“Ah, the duke’s grandchildren? With how chaotic that family is, that’s at least some good news.”

“I heard the Chancellor of Belfart’s son is debuting too.”

“But no matter what anyone says, the person everyone’s most curious about is that one, right?”

“Of course. She’s the young lady of Halbern, after all.”

Rumors about Arellin were endless.

The only daughter who looked exactly like the Duke of Halbern.

The girl whose countless impostors over the last fifteen years had constantly stirred gossip in high society— and the Crown Prince’s first love.

The girl who inspired the Spherom twins, and the only female friend of Prince Harun!

With a debut like that, it would have been stranger if society wasn’t buzzing.

Noble ladies chatted excitedly.

“So we’ll finally see the young lady Halbern kept hidden away.”

“They say both Lord Mehen and the Duke of Halbern are completely devoted to her.”

“And that’s not all! I heard Regent Duke Ludwig from the Southern Empire is staying in Halbern because of her, calling himself her godfather!”

“They say His Highness the Crown Prince has been chasing after her without any dignity.”

“Even Empress Ageni favors her—does that mean the next Crown Princess is already decided?”

When the position of Crown Princess started looking impossible, noble ladies quickly adjusted their unmarried children’s marriage plans.

“It would be wonderful if my daughter could become friends with Lady Arellin……”

Some young ladies who had once been connected through the Crown Prince’s childhood circle tried reaching out, but Mehen stopped it all.

Interest in Arellin’s debut wasn’t limited to noble ladies. Heads of noble families seated in the council showed interest as well.

“Did you hear? They say she’s the real owner of El Shionel.”

“What? That entire massive city? She must be unimaginably rich.”

“And she owns shares in the automobile business too……”

“Didn’t the Spherom twins gather a fortune for her? Something about building a huge memorial.”

“I heard even those rare magitech engineers adore her. I’d love an introduction.”

As family heads, they were mostly interested in Arellin’s achievements and wealth.

Because her status as the Crown Prince’s first love was so famous, other rumors were often buried— like her being the true owner of automobiles, or the eternal benefactor of magitech engineers.

In fact, the magitech engineers were overjoyed at her return.

“She’s back!”

“No way!”

They had made massive profits from automobiles, separated from the Mage Tower, built their own workshops, and even founded a guild just for magitech engineers.

Inside the guild hall stood a statue of a very cute girl holding a mana engine— a piece modeled after Arellin.

They even sent multiple invitations begging her to visit as soon as they heard she’d returned, but Valer burned them all together with the marriage proposals.

There were also rumors that the “tragic genius mourned by academy scholars” had returned alive, that scholars were rushing in from everywhere, that the novel and theater world—having lost a major patron—was lively again, and that the music world had finally found the god of music it had sought for over a decade.

So many rumors spread at once that no one knew what was true.

“This year’s Imperial Debutante Ball is going to be incredible!”

 

 

***

 

 

Imperial balls were traditionally hosted by the reigning empress.

But this year’s debutante ball was special.

Empress Ageni showed unusual interest, personally choosing everything—from the guest list and seating to decorations and food.

“Arellin likes bread. Let’s use this supplier.”

“Oh? Isn’t that the bakery her maid opened?”

“Oh my, Your Majesty, you even know that?”

“Hmph. That’s nothing.”

Even the monarch Sirua—who usually stepped in to stop things from going too far—joined in this time.

“This is a bit too much……”

“…It’s starting to feel like a party for just one person.”

“Is this really okay?”

The palace maids flinched at how openly everything was tailored for one individual.

The hall was decorated entirely in white tones, with rose quartz ornaments—because it matched Arellin’s eye color.

It was an unprecedented sight from Empress Ageni, who was famous for fairness.

But the biggest problem remained.

“Who will escort Arellin?”

 

 

****

 

 

“No, absolutely not! You’re not going today!”

Father’s tantrum started before we even left, but Mehen shut it down easily.

“I don’t want anyone seeing you……! How can I show this to anyone? My daughter is too good for this world!”

Even inside the car, Dad clung to me, insisting, “It’s not too late!” and “Let’s cancel it!”

“Stop it, you embarrassing father.”

“My dear, our daughter—!”

“I’m not your dear!”

Mehen ended up punching Dad, but Dad was sturdy enough to be completely fine.

Seriously, what do I do with this disaster of a father?

As I looked at him helplessly, my eyes met Regent Duke Ludwig’s.

“…You’re beautiful.”

“…? Thank you.”

Judging by his softened expression, he seemed to be thinking of my real mother.

‘But when is this guy planning to use his “dad-calling” right?’

I still owed him three times.

‘It’d be nice if he just forgot naturally.’

But someone that meticulous never would.

“Only now do I realize how much the imperial family accommodated Arellin.”

“So?”

Dad looked like it was only natural, and Mehen sighed before continuing.

“At debutante balls, it’s customary for a young man of similar age to escort the lady.”

Dad and Ludwig’s expressions changed instantly.

“Her Majesty told us to choose who it would be.”

“Obviously me. I’m Arellin’s father.”

Valer suddenly smiled brightly, looking like a proper young man instead of a mess.

Mehen swallowed his urge to commit treason. As Mehen went quiet, Ludwig snapped.

“What nonsense is that? You’re only her uncle. As her godfather, I am far more appropriate.”

“I’m legally her father.”

“I’m a father too. A godfather. Right, Arellin?”

Ludwig pointed at me.

Ah. A dad-calling chance.

“Yes, Dad.”

“……!!!”

Dad stared at me like a betrayed lover.

Why are you looking at me like I cheated on you?

“Y-you! What did you do to my daughter? Did you brainwash her?!”

“Do you really think I’d do something so uncultured?”

“Yes!”

Once again, Dad (uncle) and pseudo-Dad fought like children.

Honestly, these people.

“Please stop this. Why not let Arellin choose?”

Thanks to Mehen’s Solomon-level judgment, the two finally quieted down.

The problem was—

Both of them were staring at me with burning eyes.

Dad vs. Godfather.

This is bad.

Who do I pick?