I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 335

Chapter 335: Family (5)

She had used every card she had.

Only a Bagrand could stop another Bagrand.

And that meant Flora was her only hope.

She was still young, inexperienced, but… Arsienne had no choice but to trust her. She prayed that Flora could convince Arina.

“Sister, don’t you think it’s strange? That rumor about Brother Carsein… it doesn’t make sense.”

“…What?”

“A strange rumor started spreading right after he disappeared. It’s too convenient. And there’s not enough time.”

Flora clenched her fists and continued,

“You remember, don’t you? Brother Carsein was always busy with his territories before he disappeared. But he still attended all the Duchy events, and even then, he barely had enough time to earn the money he needed. Do you really think someone like that would plot a rebellion against the Empire?”

Even if her sisters helped him,

Even if their mother helped him,

It would still take all his time and effort just to accumulate that much money, Flora argued.

“Perhaps… perhaps he’s been framed. That’s why we can’t let them search Shatrain. This was Brother Carsein’s territory. They’ll erase any evidence.”

So, to prove Carsein’s innocence, they couldn’t allow the pursuers to enter Shatrain.

Lusmire had already been breached, all traces of Carsein erased. Shatrain was the only place left where they could find clues about his intentions, about his reasons for leaving.

If someone was behind this, if they were trying to frame him and erase the evidence, then they wouldn’t be able to prove his innocence. So,

“I don’t believe Brother Carsein is a criminal, or a traitor, or that he’s plotting a rebellion… I don’t believe he left the Duchy for any of those reasons. I’m searching for proof here, in Shatrain. Just give me some time. And those people… they threatened the villagers with their swords! We can’t let them in!”

To uncover his reasons for leaving, they had to protect Shatrain.

That was Flora’s argument.

‘…Impressive.’

Arsienne, slightly surprised by her well-reasoned argument, couldn’t help but smile.

I’m going to find him, too!

I can’t just sit here and do nothing!

Brother Carsein is gone! I can’t just wait!

If Flora had simply thrown a tantrum, Arina would have coldly dismissed her and opened the gates.

But her argument was sound.

She had pointed out the suspicious timing of the rumors, and the contradiction between Carsein’s supposed plan and his lack of time.

Carsein had barely had enough time to earn the money he needed, and with the added burden of the Duchy’s schedule, he would have been stretched thin, even if he worked tirelessly.

She had even argued that he might have been framed, and that the clues to his true intentions might be hidden within Shatrain.

If that was the case, then preventing outsiders from entering the territory was essential for preserving the evidence.

She had used the pursuers’ aggression, their willingness to use violence against the villagers, as further justification for her refusal.

It was a brilliant argument.

Arsienne, impressed by the young girl’s unexpected wisdom, chuckled.

‘A Bagrand, indeed.’

Perhaps this, too, was a consequence of Carsein’s influence.

In any case,

She didn’t have to worry anymore.

She could put her anxieties aside.

She had been preparing to intervene, to support Flora’s argument, but there was no need. In fact, her intervention might even hinder Flora’s efforts. Arsienne simply had to observe Arina’s reaction.

But…

Arina’s reaction was strange.

“Just like him. So he really did pass through here.”

Instead of being angry, or refuting Flora’s claims, Arina simply sighed and massaged her temples.

“Closing the territory and investigating the rumors… that’s what you’re suggesting, Flora.”

“Sister…?”

“You seem to have forgotten what Carsein is like. He’s cunning. He could easily manipulate someone as naive as you.”

“That’s not true! I wasn’t manipulated…!”

“Take Flora back to the Duchy. No, to the Shiren villa. And as acting head of the Bagrand family, I order you to open the gates to Shatrain. Immediately.”

“Sister!”

Flora, sensing the danger in Arina’s words, tried to protest. But Arina didn’t give her a chance.

“He deceived us, manipulated us, despite all the kindness we showed him. From this moment on, Carsein Bagrand is no longer a member of this family. He is a wanted criminal.”

“Sister!”

“My Lady!”

Flora and Arsienne’s hearts sank.

It wasn't just an ordinary arrest warrant.

It was a manhunt.

They would use any means necessary to capture him, regardless of the consequences.

It was an excessive measure,

A cruel and unusual punishment, not something a family would inflict on one of their own.

“Sister, why… why are you doing this?!”

“This is my responsibility. And if we open the gates, they’ll find him faster. We have to let them pass.”

“No! That’s not true!”

“Lady Flora, it’s time to go.”

“We’ll escort you back to the villa.”

“…L-let go of me!”

Flora struggled against the knights who were trying to restrain her, her voice filled with anguish.

“He might be innocent! We have to investigate! Those rumors, about him plotting treason, about him joining forces with the Westerners, they could be false! He might have left the Duchy because he was framed!”

“Framed? That’s the same excuse Carsein always uses. He never takes responsibility for his own actions.”

Flora, unable to hold back any longer, burst into tears.

“I’m the one who framed him! I was jealous! I wanted to drive him away because I thought he would take our family from us!”

“…This is getting out of hand. She’s been completely deceived. Take her away. Now.”

“I… I was just being mean to him! I didn’t know any better! He… he even saved me from Theo and Emma…!”

“Ignore her. She’s too naive. And keep her under strict surveillance until he’s captured.”

Flora’s voice faded as she was dragged away.

She sobbed and protested, but her pleas were met with cold indifference.

“I hate you, Sister! I hate you so much! I’ll never forgive you! If you open that gate, I’m not your sister anymore! I won’t even call you Sister!”

Her anguished cries made Arina flinch.

“You’re still going to open the gate, even after hearing that?”

Arsienne, blocking Arina’s path, asked one last time.

This was her last chance. A chance to save her family.

But Arina’s reply was immediate, her voice cold and resolute.

“Yes. He’s betrayed the Bagrand Duchy. He’s destroyed our family.”

“…Hah…”

Arsienne was taken aback by her sister’s unwavering resolve, her complete lack of hesitation.

While she couldn’t stop her, she had to say this.

“You will regret this, Lady Arina.”

“I won’t.”

“We’ll see. I believe you will.”

“Why?”

“You’ve just thrown away your last chance.”

It truly was her last chance.

Arsienne stepped aside.

“Do as you wish. I’m an outsider, I won’t interfere in the Duchy’s affairs.”

“Thank you for your cooperation. Once he’s captured, I’ll make him apologize for the trouble he’s caused you, Your Highness. I’ll even make him kneel before you.”

The gates of Shatrain opened.

The villagers, unable to defy the acting head of the family, had no choice but to obey.

While the path to Shatrain was now open,

Another path had been closed.

“I understand now. Why Brother Albert said those words.”

-Lady Arina, that’s… an inferiority complex. A dangerous emotion, especially towards one’s own family.

At the time, she hadn’t understood.

Arina, the heir to the Bagrand Duchy.

Arina, whose influence was growing within the family.

Arina, who had everything.

Why would she feel inferior to Carsein, who desired nothing?

But now, she understood.

When Flora had presented her argument, when even their mother had agreed that Carsein wouldn't have had the time to plan a rebellion, even with the Duchy’s resources…

A fire had burned in Arina’s blue eyes, a sharp, cold fury.

It had been jealousy, plain and simple.

A dangerous emotion, directed towards her own family.

And now, there was no turning back.

Her relationship with Carsein was over.

“But you’ve overlooked one thing.”

Carsein was surprisingly resilient.

He had weathered countless storms, both within the Duchy and outside, turning unfavorable situations to his advantage. He was strong, both physically and mentally.

“If you were in his position, could you have survived?”

She doubted it. She would have crumbled.

Either way.

This year’s Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament.

The highly anticipated final match.

Arsienne had seen the look in Carsein’s eyes.

It had been the look of someone who didn't even consider his opponent worth fighting.

***

The next day,

Claire received devastating news.

“What? You’re confining me to the Duchy?!”

“I’m sorry, My Lady. It’s Lady Arina’s order.”

“Sister… why?! Finding Carsein is our priority!”

“…Please, just read this.”

She couldn’t ask for an explanation.

It might be seen as interference.

Claire had no choice but to return to the Duchy.

And upon her arrival, a letter was waiting for her.

『It’s bad, Claire. They’ve issued a wanted poster for Brother Carsein…』

“…Damn it! Why… why are they doing this?!”

Claire’s hand trembled.

She had been searching for Carsein, and now…

“A wanted poster…? Sister, are you insane?”

How could they treat him like a criminal, like a dangerous fugitive, when he was family?

Unlike a normal arrest warrant, a wanted poster meant they didn't care about his safety.

And the target was Carsein.

He had countless enemies. Claire knew that better than anyone. He was surrounded by those who wished him harm, far outnumbering his allies.

And their reasons didn't matter.

Whether it was because of his commoner origins, or because they wanted to damage the Duchy's reputation, or simply because they hated Carsein.

With a wanted poster out, he wouldn’t survive. Not like this. In the worst-case scenario…

He would be returned to them, a cold, lifeless corpse.

The thought made Claire’s blood boil.

She wanted to confront Arina, to grab her by the collar and demand she withdraw the warrant.

But she couldn’t.

『Be careful, Claire. Sister… she’s not herself. I’ve been confined to the Shiren villa. If you try to help Brother Carsein, they’ll do the same to you…』

With their mother incapacitated, Arina held all the power in the Bagrand Duchy.

If she defied Arina, she would be crushed. She had no power, no influence.

“…Am I… helpless again?”

She was powerless.

Just like she had been in the past. Unable to do anything but watch.

She had been saved by Carsein, and now, she was going to abandon him again?

“No, I can’t.”

-Clench.

Not again. Not twice.

She wouldn’t fail him again. Not as his older sister.

She had to remember.

That Carsein had allies.

Just like Camilla and Tasha in Lusmire, there had to be those in Shatrain, and elsewhere, who would help him.

Who could she turn to?

Who had enough influence to make a difference?

Or perhaps… a place Carsein frequented…

“…A place he frequented?”

Come to think of it,

Carsein had often visited the First Knight Squadron’s training grounds.

He had claimed it was for training, but…

There was more to it than that.

A childhood memory.

A false accusation at the training grounds.

The connection led to the two knights who had been assigned to his protection.

-We’ll be Lady Claire’s escort.

-Considering the circumstances, it was deemed necessary to reassign your security detail.

And strangely, those two knights had defied Arina, refusing to be reassigned.

There had to be a reason.

“Right. There are those who would help Carsein.”

Claire immediately summoned them.

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