I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 310

Chapter 310: As If It Never Happened (7)

The distance from here to the Duchy wasn't far.

By carriage, it would take only a few hours, even less if they hurried.

And they could go faster.

The Bagrand carriage wasn't some cheap, rickety thing that would fall apart on rough roads.

They could even take shortcuts, if necessary.

They could endure the bumpy ride to reach their destination sooner.

And with an experienced coachman, who knew the roads like the back of his hand, having driven the family all over the Empire, they could reach the Duchy in less than an hour.

But not today.

“My Lady, it would be best to stay the night and depart for the Duchy tomorrow.”

“What? Why?”

“It seems there’s been an incident at the Chas River Bridge. It’s currently under inspection. Count Ptoah is in charge of the repairs, but it will likely take some time.”

“Then we can just take a detour. Why should we wait a whole day?”

“Well, My Lady, that’s the thing…”

Just like Claire,

Flora, too, faced the same obstacle.

The rain, which had been a light drizzle, was now coming down harder.

While the inside of the carriage was quiet, the sound of the rain grew louder.

And finally, the river overflowed its banks, not only delaying the bridge repairs but also blocking the surrounding roads, effectively cutting off the path to the Duchy.

That was the coachman’s explanation.

“…”

Flora stared out the window.

The heavy rain,

Pelting the ground, had transformed into a torrential downpour.

“My Lady, the roads are too muddy. We’ll have to take a longer route, on firmer ground. But there’s no need to rush. The rain should stop by tomorrow. Why don’t we stay the night?”

“…”

“Lady Claire also stayed at an inn nearby. It would be best for you to stay there as well. What do you think?”

Of course, she didn’t want to travel in the rain.

The coachman had said that the roads would be muddy and dangerous.

They would have to take a detour, a longer, bumpier route.

She didn’t like that.

But…

“…I’ll go.”

“My Lady?”

“I don’t care if it’s bumpy. I’ll go.”

Her discomfort was irrelevant.

***

The carriage, driven by Flora’s determination, set off again.

The coachman and the accompanying guards tried to dissuade her, arguing that there was no need to endure such an uncomfortable journey, but they couldn’t change her mind.

-Jolt!

With each bump in the road, her small body was jostled, the carriage shaking violently.

It was uncomfortable.

And if she rode outside, she would be drenched in the rain.

It wasn’t a pleasant journey.

But Flora didn’t complain.

No, she couldn’t. Her mind was elsewhere.

“The rain… that’s it. It’s because of the rain… That’s why I can’t reach her…”

It was pouring.

Perhaps Claire had decided to wait for the rain to stop.

“She didn’t take the communication orb… and it would be difficult to send a letter in this weather. And sending a messenger would be dangerous. And even carrier pigeons wouldn't be able to fly in this weather. So it makes sense that I can’t reach her…”

There weren't many ways to communicate.

Perhaps she was simply delayed, or hadn’t been able to send a message.

If that was the case, then it wasn't surprising that she couldn’t reach Carsein.

“And Claire hates uncomfortable journeys… so she’s probably waiting for the bridge to be repaired…”

No, what if she hadn't even reached the Duchy yet?

What if she hadn't been able to contact Carsein?

“Ah! And Carsein is so stubborn! It must have taken a while to convince him!”

How could she bring him back without even talking to him?

If that was the case, then it made sense that she hadn't contacted them yet.

“So… there was no need for me to rush.”

Flora smiled faintly.

Her older sister was so capable, so efficient.

She had always admired Claire’s ability to handle everything.

She was proud to have such a wonderful sister.

Right. Claire had her reasons.

She must have met with Carsein, subtly hinting at the family event and asking him to free up some time in his schedule.

She must have cleverly deceived him, excited about surprising him at his coming-of-age ceremony.

“I should have waited. I shouldn’t have been so impatient. But now that I’m here… I should go with her.”

She could already imagine Claire’s exasperated sigh.

-It’s because of the rain! Why did you come all this way? Honestly…

That’s what she would say, wouldn’t she?

And then, she would tell Claire,

That she had been too impatient.

That she had jumped to conclusions.

She would hug her older sister, seeking comfort and reassurance.

…But,

“I hope she’s there…”

Flora was smiling, but her eyes were filled with a quiet anxiety.

***

The arduous journey was nearing its end.

Flora, having endured the bumpy ride, the rain, and the flooded roads, was almost at the Bagrand Duchy.

The coachman cautiously opened the door and asked,

“My Lady, are you alri—”

-Jump!

Flora jumped out of the carriage.

“M-My Lady! That’s dangerous! You could have been injured…”

“I’m fine.”

Ignoring the coachman and the guards’ concerned voices,

Flora looked around, a sense of unease washing over her.

“…Why is it so quiet?”

“What?”

The coachman, puzzled, tilted his head, then gasped.

“My Lady! Your nails! What happened?!”

“…Oh, this.”

“They’re bleeding…! Did… did I drive too recklessly? Did I injure you, My Lady?!”

“N-no! It’s not your fault! Don’t apologize!”

She hid her hands behind her back.

This wasn’t the coachman’s fault.

But it was a familiar scenario.

Someone being blamed for her actions.

And that scene…

It reminded her of someone.

Someone who had become cold and distant.

And that made her even more anxious.

“…It’s… it’s not your fault… I… I just… scratched myself…”

She dismissed the coachman’s concern and hurried towards the manor.

“Welcome back, My Lady!” The guards greeted her, but her gaze was fixed elsewhere.

A familiar, unsettling coldness gripped her heart.

It was too quiet.

Unnaturally so.

Had the Duchy always been this silent?

She looked around, but there were no servants in sight. Were they all gathered somewhere?

‘…No, it’s late. They must be resting.’

The Duchy’s servants needed their rest as well.

She had heard it countless times from her mother and sisters, that they shouldn’t overwork the servants.

‘There must be a reason why they’re not here.’

As she climbed the stairs to the main hall, Flora tripped and fell.

A sharp pain shot through her leg, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She could handle this herself, but…

The silence was unnerving.

Someone should have heard her fall.

There should have been at least one servant nearby. Someone should have come running, startled by the noise.

Perhaps a couple, caught in a secret rendezvous, would have discovered her.

But it was eerily silent.

Why was the Duchy so quiet, even with two mistresses present?

“…”

Flora, her leg throbbing, pushed herself to her feet.

Her eyes, wide with a growing sense of dread, darted around nervously.

“N-no, they’re just… busy… that’s all…”

There were two mistresses present.

Perhaps they had given the servants some tasks. That's why it was so quiet.

She continued walking, biting her already ragged nails.

-Whoosh.

“Achoo!”

The cold air made her sneeze.

Surely, someone would have heard her sneeze.

…Why hadn't she encountered a single servant yet?

“No, it’s cold… they must be gathering firewood… for the heating…”

She reached the hallway,

A place that was usually bustling with activity. The silence should be broken here.

And it was, but…

-Clatter.

It wasn’t a voice, but the sound of a cup falling.

“…”

A food cart, abandoned in the hallway, a cup lying on the floor beside it. The maids used these carts to deliver food and drinks.

She had seen them countless times, bringing snacks and refreshments.

But why was it here, unattended?

Her pupils dilated, her eyes wide with fear.

“Perhaps… something urgent came up…”

The staff was short-handed.

Perhaps the maids who had been using the cart had been called away to deal with something.

Yes, that must be it…

“…”

-Crack.

Her fingernails, already bitten raw, began to bend and break as she clenched her fists.

Flora continued walking, her pace quickening.

She reached a darkened hallway.

-Tap. Tap.

-Tap, tap, tap, tap.

-Taptaptaptap.

-Tap. Taptap.

-Taptaptaptap!

Her footsteps grew faster and faster.

From a slow walk, to a brisk pace,

And then, she was running.

Her legs ached, her frail body protesting,

And her footsteps,

Were accompanied by the faint sound of dripping water.

With each stride, droplets of water, clinging to her dress, fell to the floor.

A trail of water droplets, marking her path through the darkened hallway.

Her breath coming in ragged gasps,

Her legs burning with pain,

Her fingernails bleeding, forgotten in her panic,

Flora ran.

But this room, at least, wouldn’t be silent.

It was a living space, someone's room. He would be there, reading a book, or perhaps responding to her with his usual indifferent tone.

She opened the door.

But she was met with…

Silence.

“What… is this?”

The room was filled with documents and money. It was a strange sight.

Who would play such a prank?

No, there was no one in the Duchy who would do such a thing.

But even though she knew that, Flora forced herself to be angry.

“Hmph! Who did this?! Who messed up Carsein’s room?!”

-Clatter.

She kicked a money pouch in frustration, and the metallic clang made her flinch, stepping back.

Her injured leg buckled, and she lost her balance, grabbing the handle of a drawer to steady herself.

But the drawer, dislodged by her weight, came loose, its contents spilling onto the floor.

-Crash!

-Clatter.

“…”

Her bright blue eyes, once filled with anger, now widened in horror, her pupils dilating.

“Gasp…”

Why hadn't she noticed?

Carsein had never shown her his healed wounds.

He had always appeared with his injuries untreated. He had never applied medicine in front of her, even when she had insisted.

…Yes, it was denial.

She had been avoiding reality.

Just like she had in the past.

“Sob…”

He couldn’t be reached because of the rain?

He was late because of the downpour and the flooded roads, and hadn’t had a chance to contact them?

It had taken time to convince Carsein because he was so stubborn?

…She had been making excuses, deluding herself, just like a child.

And the evidence before her,

Was a harsh, undeniable reality.

“Brother…”

He wasn’t her brother anymore.

No.

He couldn’t be.

He was gone.

As if he had never existed.

-Roll. Thud.

A small, round container of ointment rolled across the floor, stopping at Flora’s swollen leg.

-Ding!

▶ Key Memorial: Ointments in the Drawer activated. ◀

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