I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 355

Chapter 355: Choice (1)

Heron had said she had a visitor.

He had even emphasized that it was someone she absolutely had to see.

‘But… this man, a visitor?'

Marquis Magnuel.

He wasn't someone who should be here.

He wasn't someone Claire should be welcoming as a guest.

He wasn't someone who should be visiting her.

In fact, she should be keeping my distance.

He might be one of the vassals supporting the Bagrand Duchy, but that didn't mean she should be friendly with him.

Even the vassals, despite pledging their loyalty to the family, were ultimately driven by self-interest and a thirst for power.

Marquis Magnuel had aligned himself with Arina to gain influence, and he was currently the most powerful among the vassals.

The proper course of action would be to dismiss him immediately, but…

She had a feeling I shouldn’t be so hasty.

‘…Heron said he was an important guest.’

A guest. A guest she had to see.

She had to consider the weight of Heron’s words.

‘Right. I shouldn’t be asking why he’s here.’

She needed to rephrase her question. She sat down and took a sip of tea.

Then, she asked, her voice calm,

“I doubt Arina sent you. So, why are you here, Marquis Magnuel?”

“…”

Her adjusted question surprised him. His eyes widened slightly.

It was understandable.

Her relationship with Marquis Magnuel wasn't exactly friendly.

He was a Bagrand vassal, but he had aligned himself with Arina, so Claire wasn't pleased to see him.

Especially not in this situation, where the line of succession was likely to shift in Arina’s favor.

‘I thought she would dismiss me outright.’

He had observed Claire for many years, in his capacity as a vassal.

She was competent and resourceful, possessing the skills and acumen to excel, but her impulsive and short-tempered nature often held her back.

That was why he had chosen to support Arina, but…

She hadn’t dismissed him, despite him being practically an enemy.

In fact, she was willing to engage in conversation.

She wasn't acting impulsively. She was thinking carefully, focusing on the reason behind his visit.

‘…She’s changed.’

The carefully prepared arguments he had crafted to sway her were no longer necessary.

“Speak freely. I’m not expecting formalities.”

“…Very well.”

Sensing the shift in the conversation, the Marquis seized the opportunity.

“It has been nearly fifteen years since I became a vassal of the Bagrand Duchy. Do you recall, Lady Claire, how the Magnuel family came to serve the Bagrands?”

“…Officially, it was for construction. But there were two specific projects. The construction of the walls to protect against monster intrusions, and the construction of my father’s tomb.”

“You have a good memory. You were quite young at the time.”

“I wasn’t that young. And I looked it up later, anyway.”

Claire grumbled, admitting she had only learned the details three years ago.

But despite her complaints, she knew the facts.

She knew that certain items, required for those two projects, were the key.

The Marquis smiled, pleased.

“Then there’s no need for further explanation. You seem to have figured it out.”

“…”

She didn’t deny it.

He was right.

He had become a Bagrand vassal by providing financial support.

She had already uncovered that fact through her own investigations, but there were several things that didn’t add up.

“I knew a substantial amount of funding was required for those two projects. An absurd amount, in fact. The Marquisate provided all of it, and while the source of the funds was disclosed…”

She hesitated, sensing the sensitive nature of the topic. The Marquis nodded, encouraging her to continue.

“Despite the seemingly legitimate source, I suspected it was ill-gotten. I run a boutique myself, and I’m involved in various businesses, but there’s no way to acquire that kind of money legitimately.”

The Marquis smiled wryly at her confident assertion.

“You are correct, My Lady. As you suspected, the funds were not entirely clean. The citizens were struggling due to the devastating famine that year, and their desperation for work provided me with a… cost-effective labor force.”

“…Don’t tell me… you exploited them…!”

“Indeed. There were no laws against it, and as long as they remained silent, no one would know. It was a risky venture, easily causing unrest and raising suspicions, but the timing was perfect for obscuring the source of the funds.”

He had seized the opportunity, manipulating the value of labor without hesitation, amassing the funds he needed.

That was how he had secured his position.

“I had to do whatever it took to become a Bagrand vassal. That was my belief, the path I chose to climb the ladder of power. And I continued down that path after becoming a vassal. I believed, without a doubt, that this was the right way. That is why I supported Lady Arina as the successor to the Duchy. She was a… compatible candidate.”

Claire had suspected Marquis Magnuel’s underhanded dealings.

But that wasn’t what confused her.

“…Why are you telling me this?”

He didn’t need to reveal this to her.

In fact, it could be detrimental to him.

The Marquis took a sip of tea and opened his eyes.

“…I believe my beliefs were… misguided.”

“What?”

“For the sake of the Bagrand Duchy’s future, I must act. The Duchy is in turmoil. There are connections to the West, and suspicions of treason. There’s even evidence to support these claims.”

Claire finally understood what he was saying.

“If I continue to support Lady Arina, I will undoubtedly rise in power. My career will flourish. I will gain the trust of the future Duchess. It would be the culmination of my ambitions. However…”

The Marquis closed his eyes, his voice strained.

“I… after meeting Young Master Carsein, I realized… he isn’t that kind of person.”

“…”

She agreed.

Carsein wasn’t driven by ambition.

He hadn't even considered the Dukedom. All he wanted was to leave the Duchy.

“This is wrong. Issuing a warrant for his arrest, branding him a fugitive, even authorizing his execution… it was a mistake. That’s not the path the Bagrands should take. I know this, because I climbed to this position using the dirtiest of methods.”

It was jealousy.

“Whenever Lady Arina looked at Young Master Carsein, her eyes… they changed. And it wasn’t a coincidence. Her feelings towards him grew stronger with each passing day.”

She never acknowledged or celebrated Carsein’s achievements.

She was quick to scold and berate him for his mistakes.

She never bothered to ask for his side of the story.

It was as if she had already decided that he was wrong and she was right.

“This is not the right path. It’s not the path the Bagrand Duchy should take. It’s not the path a future leader should follow.”

The Marquis spoke with a heavy heart, renouncing his support for Arina.

-Slide.

“Lady Claire, shouldn’t we correct this mistake?”

“Marquis, what are you…?”

“You, too, are a successor to the Duchy. A legitimate heir to the Bagrand name. That means… you, too, are a potential candidate for my support.”

“Are… are you suggesting I challenge Arina for the Dukedom?”

“Yes.”

The Marquis didn’t deny it. He confirmed her suspicions.

‘Impossible. I… I can’t challenge Arina…’

She was stunned. She had never considered such a thing.

Arina was the eldest daughter, and she was the second. The eldest child traditionally inherited the family title.

Besides, she wasn’t ready. She hadn’t focused on the skills and knowledge required to lead the Duchy. She had chosen a supporting role, focusing on magic and her boutique business, rather than mastering both martial arts and academics.

She had never aspired to the Dukedom, unlike Arina.

‘But… if I do this…’

She finally understood what Camilla had meant.

-I don’t know how to find the Young Master, but… there is a key to resolving this dangerous situation caused by the warrant.

-…What? What is it?

-You already hold the key, My Lady.

Arina wasn’t the only legitimate successor.

Claire, too, was a Bagrand. She had the right to challenge for the Dukedom.

And now, in her moment of helplessness, Marquis Magnuel had offered her a stepping stone.

A way to save Carsein.

The key… was her resolve.

‘If that’s the case…’

She had to do it.

She had no choice.

***

They discussed complex and difficult matters.

Topics far removed from the usual concerns of running a boutique and designing new outfits.

After Marquis Magnuel left…

Claire sat alone, replaying their conversation in her mind.

…

…

…

The conversation had progressed smoothly.

She had ended up joining forces with Arina’s former supporter, but… their goals were aligned.

However, the path ahead wouldn't be easy.

“Young Master Carsein will also need to… lend his support.”

Claire’s expression hardened at the mention of Carsein.

“…Why?”

“We need to sway public opinion among the vassals. Without his support, it will be difficult for you to challenge Lady Arina’s authority.”

“…”

She understood. It would be impossible to challenge Arina alone.

“Young Master Carsein is quite popular among the vassals. His skills in both martial arts and administration are exceptional. If the two of you join forces, you stand a good chance of challenging Lady Arina.”

Claire had distanced herself from the Duchy’s affairs.

She hadn't shown any interest in leading the family.

While influence within the Bagrand family was a crucial factor, she had always deferred to her older sister, focusing on her own business ventures rather than the family’s.

She might be more skilled in magic than Arina, but she hadn’t used her powers to achieve any significant accomplishments for the family. She had only provided financial support when the Duchy faced hardship, while Arina, acting as Isabella’s representative, had handled most of the administrative duties.

Martial prowess, a reflection of the family head’s strength.

Business acumen, a demonstration of the family head’s competence and strategic thinking.

These two crucial aspects, often considered tests of a future leader's capabilities, favored Arina.

Family prestige, honor, support…

Claire couldn’t compete with Arina in any of these areas.

And now, with Isabella’s absence, Arina held absolute power. Challenging her for the Dukedom after such a long period of inactivity was a daunting task.

The vassals wouldn't support her unconditionally.

But with Carsein on her side, things would be different.

If he supported her claim, public opinion among the vassals could shift.

Even Arina, despite her power, didn't have the unanimous support of the vassals.

Many of them were likely keeping an eye on the rising star, Carsein.

That’s why she needed his help.

But how?

It was impossible.

It shouldn't even be considered.

Knowing this, Claire refused to back down. She couldn’t back down.

“Carsein has endured so much already. He has swallowed enough to fill an entire mansion. He was broken and shattered in this house, and now you’re asking me to bring him back and ask for his help?”

-Crash!

The documents on the table scattered across the floor.

“I’d rather find another way, than burden him again!”

The neatly arranged papers were now a chaotic mess.

But Claire didn’t bother picking them up.

No matter what…

She couldn't ask Carsein for help again.

But what could she do?

How could she possibly challenge Arina, when she couldn't even compete with her in any aspect?

Claire rubbed her forehead in frustration.

“If only… if only there were others who opposed Arina…!”

…Wait.

“Those who oppose Arina…”

They already existed. They had existed for a long time.

Why hadn’t she realized this sooner?

-Click.

She rushed out of the room, only to be stopped by the knights.

-Remember, My Lady, you, too, are a legitimate candidate for the Dukedom.

‘Right. This is the first step.’

An equal footing.

She hadn't forgotten the Marquis’s advice.

“I apologize, but we have strict orders from Lady Arina not to let you leave…”

“Orders from the acting Duchess?”

“…Pardon?”

“Not the Duchess, the acting Duchess. Arina isn’t the only candidate for the Dukedom. Are you saying my orders don’t matter?”

“That…”

“Move.”

She pushed past the bewildered knights and strode out of the manor.

***

The money I received from selling Claire’s gifts was more than enough.

It was enough to hide anywhere, do anything.

Thanks to that, Harnie and I were able to find a safe place to hide.

The waiting period was over.

The status window informed me that it was time to search for the fifth treasure.

-Ding!

▶ Episode XLIV, The Five Treasures, is in progress. ◀

▶ Proceed to the designated location to find the final treasure. ◀

It was almost over.

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