I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 315

Chapter 315: Chapter 4 (3)

-Thud.

Arina placed the finished documents to the side.

An important task completed.

But she couldn’t put down her pen yet.

“…”

A mountain of paperwork still awaited her.

The rustling sound of paper had long since ceased.

The individual sheets, piled high, had formed a thick stack, their weight a testament to the sheer volume of work.

She sighed, reaching for the next document, when…

Someone burst into the room.

“Lady Arina, I apologize for the intrusion, but it’s urgent.”

It was Shaiden, the family physician, who had opened the door without even knocking.

A bad omen.

Arina’s grip on the document tightened.

The physician’s hurried arrival couldn’t be good news.

She had a feeling she knew what it was.

“My Lady… the Duchess…!”

“I’ll be right there. Lead the way.”

She didn’t need to hear any more.

Something had happened to her mother.

They hurried towards Isabella’s room.

The Duchess was struggling against the maids who were trying to restrain her.

“Let go of me! Let me go!”

“My Lady! Please calm down!”

“You mustn’t move! You need to rest…!”

“I said I don’t need to rest!!”

The sight made Arina’s heart sink.

Her mother’s eyes were unfocused, lifeless.

She didn’t even seem to see Shaiden, or Arina.

‘Damn it.’

There was no need for Shaiden to explain.

It was the Madness. The same illness Isabella had suffered from in the past, after losing Karn, consumed by grief.

She was searching for someone who was no longer there, refusing to accept his death.

Lost in a delusional fantasy, she had wandered aimlessly, searching for Karn.

Her appearance haggard,

Her body emaciated, as if she hadn’t eaten in days,

Her desperate attempts to escape, to go somewhere…

It was exactly like that time.

So Arina knew what to do.

“Shaiden, the sedative?”

“Here. It’s ready.”

“…Give it to me.”

The sedative, in a small patch, just like the one they had used before.

Arina had to use it again.

“I have to go… find my son… Carsein…”

Isabella’s struggles gradually ceased.

Her eyes closed, her body went limp, and she collapsed.

Once again, her mother had to be carried to her room, unconscious.

***

The situation was under control.

Isabella, sedated, was sleeping peacefully.

But Arina was met with more bad news.

“What do you mean, her condition has worsened?”

“…I didn’t have time to explain earlier, but… it’s different this time. The usual dosage isn’t as effective. We’ve had to increase it gradually.”

The dosage had doubled compared to before.

Which meant Isabella’s mental state was even more unstable.

The news intensified Arina’s headache.

“Hah… Alright. Assign more maids to attend to her.”

She gave instructions to Shaiden, then paused at the doorway, her jaw clenching.

‘Because of him…!’

Just a while ago, she had been so full of life, so excited about planning Carsein’s coming-of-age ceremony.

She had even sacrificed sleep, working late into the night.

For him.

For Carsein, who would be celebrating his 19th birthday, his coming-of-age ceremony.

She had poured her heart and soul into it, dedicating her time, her energy, her everything, to showering him with a mother’s love.

And it wasn't just her.

Claire and Flora had also helped, sacrificing their free time.

They had all worked tirelessly, hoping to give Carsein the most wonderful coming-of-age ceremony.

And yet, he had betrayed them.

Flora, who had promised to send a message, had returned to the Duchy without contacting them, then fallen ill with a severe cold.

Claire, who had arrived even earlier, was still out searching for him, with the Duchy’s knights, her body and mind exhausted.

The entire Duchy was in disarray. Their carefully planned celebration, their expression of love and affection for Carsein, had turned into a disaster.

Because of that fool, that ungrateful wretch, who had left a pile of money in his room and disappeared without a trace.

Her blood boiled.

She wanted to find him, drag him back, and teach him a lesson he would never forget. To show him what it meant to be homeless, to be alone in the world.

But she couldn’t.

“Lady Arina, it’s time for the regular meeting.”

“…Right.”

She had too many responsibilities, too many burdens to shoulder, now that her mother was incapacitated.

***

The regular meeting with the vassals began.

A chance for them to discuss various business matters, seeking the Duchy’s approval.

But the atmosphere was different today.

Some were tense.

Some seemed uneasy.

And some looked resolute.

Marquis Magnuel, observing the vassals, sighed softly.

‘They’re going to ask about it today.’

They had avoided the topic until now, but today, it was inevitable.

-Click.

The vassals, who had been waiting for the meeting to begin, turned their heads towards the door.

The eldest daughter, her red hair tied in a ponytail, entered the room.

Arina Bagrand. Alone.

‘Don’t tell me…’

‘Are the rumors true?’

‘This is bad. Very bad…’

The vassals murmured amongst themselves.

Where was the Duchess? And why wasn’t Claire here? And Flora, who usually attended these meetings, where was she?

Marquis Magnuel, too, was curious.

A strange rumor was circulating among the vassals.

And that rumor, if true, could be a devastating blow to the Bagrand Duchy.

“Mother is unwell, so I will be presiding over the meeting today.”

Arina, taking Isabella’s place, announced the start of the meeting.

The meeting proceeded as usual.

Arina’s leadership and judgment were commendable.

As the next head of the family, she possessed the necessary skills and experience. She could easily fill Isabella’s shoes.

The meeting was nearing its end, when…

“Lady Arina, I have a question.”

One of the vassals raised his hand.

It had finally come.

“What is your question?”

“Where is Young Master Carsein?”

“…I already told you. He’s suffering from a cold.”

It was a plausible excuse. If he was ill, then it was understandable that he wouldn't be present.

But it was a terrible lie, as far as the vassals were concerned.

“My Lady, why are you hiding this from us?”

“What are you talking about, Viscount Norton?”

“Young Master Carsein has disappeared, hasn’t he?”

“…!”

Arina’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘How do they know?’

They had taken every precaution to prevent news of Carsein’s disappearance from spreading beyond the Duchy.

Even the maids who knew the truth had been instructed to remain silent. No one outside the family should know that he had left.

And yet, the vassals seemed certain.

“He’s been regularly attending these meetings for the past few months, and now he’s suddenly disappeared? Does that make any sense?”

“And we all know that Young Master Carsein isn’t that frail!”

“Has he gone missing? Or has he been kidnapped? You need to tell us the truth!”

The other vassals murmured their agreement.

And then,

They heard it. The words that confirmed their suspicions.

“A few days ago, no, it’s been over half a month now… A strange rumor has been spreading throughout the Empire. Everyone’s talking about it.”

The rumor,

Was a devastating blow to Arina.

“They say that Carsein, having left the Bagrand Duchy, is plotting a rebellion against the Pesselus Empire, together with the Westerners!”

-Ding!

▶ This episode will overlap with other main episodes. ◀

▶ Episode IV: The Traitor has begun. ◀

▶ Enemy units have appeared! If discovered, pursuit will be initiated! ◀

[Those with low affinity are more likely to be hostile.]

▶ Use any means necessary to survive. ◀

***

A spacious living room.

A high-rise apartment, in an expensive neighborhood.

This living room was where the family usually gathered for meals.

They would sit around the table, sharing stories, their faces illuminated by the warm glow of the chandelier.

But as evening approached,

An empty seat appeared at the table.

“Sister? When is he coming back?”

“…”

“Hah, just thinking about it makes me angry. That ungrateful brat. He should just come crawling back.”

Eunji, the youngest, asked, her voice filled with concern.

Eunseo, the eldest, openly criticized Min-hyeok, who still hadn't returned.

But one of them felt differently.

“Sister, aren’t you being a bit harsh?”

“Eunhye?”

“Even if you don’t get along, shouldn't you be worried? He’s family.”

Eunseo scoffed.

“Worried? Why should I worry about him? He’ll learn his lesson soon enough. Living on the streets isn’t easy.”

“Eunseo!”

“You’re too soft, Eunhye. Just like Mother. He has no idea how good he has it. He needs to be taught a lesson.”

-Slam!

“What if… what if he really left? What are you going to do then?!”

“What?”

“There’s such a thing as a worst-case scenario! What if something happens to him? What if he’s scammed, or taken advantage of?!”

“That’s his fault, not mine! He’s the idiot who ran away!”

“S-sister… Eunseo…”

Eunji, caught between her two older sisters, watched as sparks flew.

A chair scraped against the floor.

Another empty seat appeared at the table.

“Do you even consider him family? I don’t know anymore.”

-Slam!

The front door closed.

The sound of the lock clicking echoed in the sudden silence.

“Hmph. Who would worry about an idiot like him?”

Eunseo scoffed, but…

‘D-did he really leave…? Then… then…’

Eunji was worried.

Eunhye, stepping out of the elevator, tried calling him again.

-The subscriber you have dialed cannot be reached…

The same message, over and over. It frustrated her.

Just then, her neighbor’s younger sister, who happened to be in the elevator with her, spoke.

“He’s blocked you, you know.”

“What?”

“The ringing tone is too short. That usually means you’ve been blocked.”

“…Blocked?”

“Not necessarily, but… have you been able to contact him recently? If you have, then maybe he’s just busy. But if not…”

No.

Not once.

She hadn’t been able to reach him for a week.

“Did your boyfriend dump you? To be blocked by someone with your looks… I can’t even imagine.”

Her words made Eunhye’s heart sink.

She rushed out of the elevator and tried calling him again.

-The subscriber you have dialed…

It was short.

Just like she had said, the ringing tone was too short.

She tried again and again, but the result was the same.

And then, she remembered.

The envelope Min-hyeok had tossed at her a week ago, when he had returned. The envelope that had landed with a thud, as if he had thrown a rock at her.

“No… It can’t be… That’s impossible…”

Eunhye, denying the thought, her mind racing, headed towards the trash disposal area.

-I’m done here. You can throw the rest away.

She had believed he would return. That he was just upset about something, and would come back eventually.

But he hadn’t.

Not even after a week.

She had been worried, especially since she hadn’t been able to reach him by phone. The calls wouldn't even connect.

She retrieved the envelope.

It smelled faintly of garbage, but she didn't care.

“…It can’t be… No…”

She tore open the envelope.

And inside…

“What… is this…?”

It was filled with cash. A substantial amount.

Her heart sank.

She gasped, struggling to breathe, then scrambled to her feet and called her sister.

“Sister, we have to find him! We have to call the police!”

-What are you talking about? He’ll come crawling back when he’s hungry. He doesn’t know how to make money, he has no job, no social skills… It would be a problem if he ended up homeless, but don’t go looking for him. He needs to learn his lesson—

“He’s not just playing hooky, he’s actually gone! He left home!”

Eunhye, for the first time, cursed at Eunseo.

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