I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 302

Chapter 302: Before He Leaves (3)

After returning to the Duchy,

I visited the three sisters, as dictated by the episode’s progression.

Ordinary conversations ensued.

The dialogue, their reactions, everything unfolded as I remembered it from the game.

And then,

“So, we’re leaving everything to you. It’s a surprise party for Mother.”

With that line, the episode officially began.

“Then I’ll get started with the preparations.”

“Let us know if you need help!”

“I can help, too!”

…Right.

Like I would ever ask for their help.

As the door closed behind them,

A status window appeared.

-Ding!

▶ Episode X: Isabella’s Birthday is in progress. ◀

▶ You are solely responsible for all preparations for Isabella’s birthday party. ◀

▶ For this episode, the Satisfaction UI will be displayed instead of the Affinity UI. ◀

※ Satisfaction System

[This represents the Duchess’s satisfaction with her birthday party.]

[It measures how satisfied each character is with the events of the day. The rate of increase varies depending on the character.]

[Previous affinity levels have no effect.]

▶ Achieve a satisfaction level of at least 50% with each of the three sisters to clear the episode. ◀

In short,

While the Founding Festival had involved specific tasks, this episode placed the entire burden of the preparations on the player.

Greeting guests, preparing food, arranging the lighting and tables, organizing the guest book… countless tasks had to be handled personally.

Thorough preparations and a well-organized event would increase the three sisters’ satisfaction levels. And if their satisfaction levels were above 50% by midnight, the episode would be cleared. It was relatively straightforward.

‘Well, there is one catch.’

While the stated requirement was 50%, to avoid penalties, I had to reach 80%.

In other words, I had to increase their satisfaction by an additional 30%.

The sheer volume of tasks might seem overwhelming, but…

This was actually one of the easiest episodes, as long as I catered to the three sisters’ preferences. My previous affinity levels had no effect.

‘And this is familiar. I’ve done this before.’

Whether it was a coincidence or not, my adoptive mother’s birthday in my past life had also been today.

November 1st. The day I had been tasked with preparing my mother’s birthday party, alone, just two weeks before the college entrance exams.

Yes,

I had already done this in real life.

While the thought of having to repeat the same tedious tasks might have been unpleasant,

I didn't feel anything anymore.

This would be the last time.

***

Preparing for the birthday party wasn't difficult.

While I knew nothing about noble customs or social etiquette, I had a capable assistant, so I was well-versed in the essentials.

Thanks to that, I was able to avoid most of the traps.

And my family was satisfied as well.

There were no complaints.

Flora, who usually found fault with my time management, was happy with the ample playtime provided. Claire meticulously inspected the decorations, the outfits, and the venue layout, giving her seal of approval.

And Arina, who I had expected to be the most critical,

Remained silent, seemingly satisfied.

I had fulfilled all their requests,

Accommodated their preferences,

And carefully adjusted every detail to their liking. Their satisfaction levels were well above 80%.

While it had cost me a considerable amount of my own money, I had successfully navigated all the dangerous traps.

…But,

It seemed I had inadvertently created a different kind of problem.

“Harnie.”

“Yes?”

“You don’t have to feed me. I can eat by myself…”

She pouted slightly.

“No. We agreed that you would do as I say today.”

“…Well, yes, but…”

“Then just eat. All of it.”

…I couldn’t argue with that.

Harnie had requested this in exchange for helping me with the preparations.

And it was a valid request.

She had helped me navigate the danger zones with the three sisters and provided valuable information.

But…

The other guests were staring.

“That bastard…”

“He’s supposed to be preparing for the party, and he’s flirting with his fiancée! Tsk!”

“Did we come here to celebrate the Duchess’s birthday, or to watch them show off their affection?”

…Seriously?

‘That wasn’t my intention!’

I had simply wanted some help with the preparations and someone to keep an eye on me during my breaks!

I hadn’t meant to provoke them!

-Munch.

…But I understood why they were reacting this way.

It was because of Harnie.

‘Well, it’s hard not to stare when she’s dressed like that.’

Harnie was always beautiful, but today, she was even more stunning.

She had already been labeled as a seductress by the other noblewomen, simply for being attractive.

And now, dressed to the nines… it was no wonder they were talking.

““Lucky bastard…!””

…I could practically hear them seething with envy.

Harnie remained by my side, her arm linked through mine, her touch more intimate than usual.

Not just her arm, but the soft curves of her body pressed against mine, making me flinch occasionally.

It was the same during the party.

Instead of the light, elegant dances she usually preferred, she chose more passionate, intimate dances, her body close to mine.

She clung to my arm as we greeted the guests, her head resting on my shoulder.

She didn’t seem to care who was watching.

While I didn’t understand why she was being so openly affectionate, perhaps she had her reasons. I simply played along.

“Hah… I’m tired.”

“You should have rested.”

“Why should I rest? You’re the one who’s been working hard.”

She poked my cheek playfully.

But her touch was light, her hand trembling slightly.

It was understandable.

She had been running around all day, socializing, managing the event.

“I’ve had Camilla prepare a resting area for you. Why don’t you go and take a nap?”

“…”

“It’s fine, really.”

She seemed hesitant, as if she didn’t want to leave me alone, but…

She sighed and nodded.

“I’ll just rest for 20 minutes.”

“Okay.”

“And if you run into any of your family members…”

“Don’t worry.”

I would handle them.

This was the last hurdle, anyway.

“Alright. Just… try to relax, okay?”

She smiled sweetly, kissed me lightly on the cheek, and walked towards the lounge.

“…She’s doing that again.”

I touched my cheek, the spot where her lips had lingered.

It was strange.

I needed to get back to the party.

Isabella’s birthday celebration wasn’t over yet.

I had to maintain their satisfaction levels, so I couldn’t afford to be careless.

“The northeastern nobles are… hmm?”

Just as I was about to turn around, remembering Harnie’s instructions,

I noticed a servant.

He was clearing empty glasses, but…

‘Was he even here before?’

I didn’t remember seeing him.

I had been meticulous in selecting the staff for the party.

‘And his route… wouldn’t it be faster to go the other way?’

I had planned the servants’ routes as well, to minimize their workload and prevent any accidents.

Why would he take such a long detour?

Something felt off.

Especially since this path led to the lounge where Harnie was resting.

I infused my shoes with mana, silencing my footsteps.

Minimizing any sound, erasing the friction with each step.

I followed him, my suspicions growing.

***

“Hah…”

She sank into the plush cushions of the sofa, a wave of exhaustion washing over me.

After hours of standing and socializing, the soft comfort of the sofa felt like heaven.

Harnie sighed contentedly.

“I shouldn’t be tired already.”

She had known that the Duchess’s birthday party would be tiring.

It was a Bagrand event, after all. There would be countless guests.

But she hadn’t expected to be this exhausted so quickly.

“…I should have trained more.”

Then she wouldn’t have needed to rest.

She could have stayed by Carsein’s side, energetic and attentive.

Without any breaks.

Even this short respite felt like a waste of precious time.

She wanted to be with Carsein, but her exhaustion was forcing her to take a break.

She bit her lip, suppressing her frustration.

“I’ll just rest for a bit and then go back.”

Just then, a visitor approached.

“Excuse me, Lady Harnie. I have something to deliver to you.”

“To me?”

“Young Master Carsein sent this for you, while you were resting.”

He presented her with a small, neatly wrapped box. Inside, was a vial of medicine.

“He said it’s a tonic, effective for fatigue. He must be worried about you.”

“…”

A gift from Carsein. It made her happy.

A gift sent because he was worried about her. It made her even happier.

But…

There was a lingering unease.

‘Carsein sent a tonic?’

While there were several known tonics with proven efficacy, Carsein wasn't fond of them.

They contradicted his beliefs.

Helketa I and Helketa II were prime examples.

While some tonics claimed to be effective against those diseases, there weren't many documented cases.

On the other hand, the medicines Carsein had developed using Shatrain strawberries and grapes, based on meticulous research and analysis, were being distributed throughout the Empire.

His methods, grounded in rigorous scientific principles, complex formulas, and statistical data, viewed tonics as little more than placebos.

‘…Which means…’

Why had he sent this?

What was his intention?

Harnie had a feeling she knew the answer.

“Could you give it to me? I’ll drink it now.”

“Here you are, my lady.”

-Pop.

Harnie opened the vial, pretending to drink it.

And as the servant smirked,

-Splash!

The liquid, not a single drop having entered her mouth, splashed into his eyes.

He had been careless. Harnie quickly prepared to cast a spell.

But the servant, sensing the danger, swallowed something.

“Don’t tell me…!”

His body began to swell rapidly.

It was a self-destruction spell.

Harnie reached for her Protection Amulet.

But there was no need.

—!

“Wh-what…? The runes… Ugh!”

“Are you alright, Harnie?”

“C-Carsein…”

Carsein’s sword had shattered the self-destruction runes.

But his timely arrival,

Was a disaster.

***

Some time later,

Having investigated the servant, I went to see Harnie.

“As I suspected, he wasn’t one of the Duchy’s servants.”

“…”

“So I have to ask, Harnie, why were you targeted?”

This had clearly been an assassination attempt.

He had even tried to self-destruct. There was no doubt that Harnie had been the target.

Harnie hesitated, then spoke, her voice barely above a whisper,

“It’s… probably because I changed my plans.”

“Changed your plans?”

“I was originally planning to leave the Theresia Marquisate… but not anymore.”

She had chosen to stay and fight, to take over the Marquisate, instead of escaping.

“But it’s not a big deal. The Marquis is already imprisoned, and there aren't many of his supporters left. I could have handled that myself.”

“…Harnie.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. Really.”

She explained the current state of the Theresia Marquisate. While Belian, the Marquis's son, remained, he was a fool with little support.

“If that’s the case, then there shouldn’t be any problems, but…”

“I’ve recovered, so I’ll be going now. It wouldn't be good if word of this incident got out.”

“…Alright.”

I was still concerned. Harnie had been targeted before.

I had a feeling this wasn’t over.

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