I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 285

Chapter 285: The Prophet of Wederos (4)

“My lady, the official candidacy contract has arrived from the Marquisate.”

“Just leave it there.”

Harnie’s days were always busy, but now, they were even more hectic.

If she were simply leaving the Marquisate, it wouldn't be this demanding.

Her plans to escape her family’s scrutiny had already been finalized.

She had disrupted the Marquisate's operations, ensuring that any connection to the Plesia Trading Company would be untraceable.

The escape routes, the selection of individuals who could provide alibis, even measures to evade pursuit from both the Marquisate and the wider noble society,

Everything had been meticulously planned.

But she had chosen to stay and fight, not to escape.

Instead of abandoning the Marquisate, she had decided to take it over.

And that single, risky decision had rendered all her previous preparations useless.

It meant she would become a candidate for the head of the Theresia family.

With that dangerous declaration, she had inherited the Marquis’s burdens, stepping into the spotlight.

“My lady, what about the payment due to the territory?”

“You’re talking about the southern territory of the Marquisate?”

“Yes. The Marquis exploited and oppressed them, so their dissatisfaction is quite high…”

“Let’s deal with that first.”

“…Are you sure?”

“I knew what I was getting into.”

Yes.

Even though it was a risky, perhaps even foolish, decision.

Even though it would be much easier to simply leave the Marquisate and focus on the Plesia Trading Company.

She had chosen this thorny path.

Because of the man she held in her heart.

Having returned to the family affairs she had once so desperately tried to escape, she worked tirelessly.

Hours passed, blurring into a continuous cycle of work.

As she massaged her stiff shoulder, Mina smiled slyly.

“If the young master were here, he would be massaging your shoulders for you, wouldn’t he?”

Indeed. It was easy to imagine.

Those tense muscles, strained from supporting her ample bosom and from endless hours of work.

Carsein would undoubtedly notice and offer to massage her shoulders.

She would blush,

And as he gently kneaded her muscles, she would melt into his touch, her mind blissfully empty.

And…

Even now, just imagining it made her feel happy and…

‘…Wait.’

She wasn’t blushing, wasn't flustered. Harnie, who usually wore her heart on her sleeve, was unusually quiet.

She simply stared blankly into space, a worried expression on her face.

Had Mina said something wrong?

But it didn't seem like there was any tension between them. Harnie’s gaze was fixed on the Wederos Kingdom ring she and Carsein both wore.

Noticing Mina’s gaze, Harnie smiled faintly.

“Mina, could you bring me some sorbet? I have a craving for something sweet.”

“…Yes, my lady.”

Mina left to fulfill her request.

Harnie, left alone, sighed and shook her head.

“Focus, Harnie. Focus! This is the most important part.”

She tapped her cheeks and picked up her pen again.

The prophecy, the future, those didn't matter right now.

She had made her decision, and there was no turning back.

She would take over the Marquisate.

Fortunately, Belian wasn't particularly intelligent.

He lacked significant achievements.

And he had countless weaknesses.

Harnie, exploiting those weaknesses, began to pave her path to becoming the next head of the Theresia family.

“…”

And someone was watching her, secretly, from outside the window.

“There are no unusual presences nearby.”

Just in case.

In case something similar happened again.

Carsein had come looking for her, worried that someone might be targeting her.

Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be anyone lurking nearby.

Just as he was about to leave…

He saw Harnie massaging her shoulders.

“…I’ll give you a proper massage later.”

***

▶ The grace period has ended. ◀

▶ Resuming the episode. ◀

One of the key features of Chapter 3 was the ability to avoid interruptions, both scheduled events and episodes, by spending money.

But there was a limit.

▶ Would you like to extend the grace period by paying an additional fee? ◀

[Cost: 20,000,000 Pesel]

“This would put me in the red.”

The initial cost of extending the grace period was low, making it a convenient option.

Considering the potential earnings, it was a worthwhile investment.

But the cost increased exponentially with each extension, and at this point, it would be a net loss. I had to stop.

‘Three more days should be enough.’

I had already extended the grace period five times, buying myself three days.

I had earned enough money during that time. It was time to return to the Duchy.

“Are you leaving, Young Master?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll escort you.”

-Ding!

▶ You have declined to extend the grace period. Episode VI: The Price of Reaching the Summit will resume. ◀

▶ Return to the Duchy and fulfill your obligations. ◀

As instructed by the status window,

I put aside my territorial duties and boarded the carriage back to the Duchy.

‘From here on out, the scheduled events will be determined by my affinity levels.’

They weren’t called “interruptions” for nothing.

According to the backstory I had uncovered in a sub-episode, a specific line of dialogue would trigger a script.

-Young Master Carsein is a member of the Bagrand family, after all. It’s only natural for him to inherit some of the family’s responsibilities, My Lady.

One of the vassals would suggest that Carsein should be taught the ropes of the Duchy’s operations.

It was the perfect way to disrupt both the episode’s progress and the Another Plan.

I was already busy trying to make money, and now I would have to waste time pretending to learn about the Duchy’s affairs?

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘This is just like my past life.’

My older sister had said the same thing.

My second sister had nagged me about learning the family business.

And the little brat, well, she was always looking for ways to torment me. And the one who had the final say…

-I, too, would like you to learn something, Min-hyeok.

That’s what she had said.

-Slap!

“Y-Young Master?”

“Ah, don’t mind me, Camilla. I was just… lost in thought.”

I was such an idiot.

Why did I keep remembering those things?

I needed to focus on the game.

‘Anyway, once I return to the Duchy…’

Right. I remembered.

Upon returning to the Duchy, the affinity levels of the four family members would be displayed, their colors indicating their current disposition towards Carsein.

If all four were red, meaning their relationship was at its worst, I would be forced to participate in a family business venture, assisting with the operations of a newly built factory.

I would be constantly berated by the workers, and if I made any mistakes, especially with Arina and Claire present, their affinity would decrease further, prolonging my stay.

If there were fewer than three red lights, it wouldn’t be the worst-case scenario. But it would still be bad, with at least two yellow lights.

In that case, I would be assigned tasks similar to training exercises, wasting time. While the choices weren't particularly difficult, I would still have to be careful with affinity management.

And if, by some miracle, I saw even a single green light, it meant my affinity management had been exceptional. In that case, I would simply be given a tour of the facility.

I would receive detailed explanations, and even if I participated in the work, there would be no chance of failure. This would significantly reduce the time wasted and improve affinity.

‘Well, there’s no chance of that happening.’

I had already offended them by paying the Duchy’s taxes, so there was no way their affinity would be high.

And it wasn't just that one incident. I had done it four more times.

I hadn’t been expecting much.

It would be a miracle if even one of them had a yellow light.

▶ You have arrived at the Duchy. ◀

▶ Late Arrival event triggered. ◀

See? Just as I thought.

The Late Arrival event, which had reappeared in Chapter 3, was a bad sign.

I scoffed and entered the main hall.

…But then.

‘What?’

There it was. A green light.

“Carsein!”

“You… Never mind.”

“Why are you so late?!”

Not just one, but three green lights.

***

I blinked, looking around the main hall, then checked my status window again.

This didn’t make sense, but…

The lights weren’t changing. And the affinity values were frozen.

‘Well, I’m not complaining. This is actually a good thing.’

It would save time, and significantly reduce the chance of failure. I could finish this quickly, as long as I didn’t make any major mistakes.

However,

“How dare you show your face here, Carsein.”

I still had to be careful with this one, whose light remained stubbornly red.

Let’s see…

The choices…

-Ding!

▶ Choices deactivated. ◀

“Sister, he was working. He was taking care of his territories. Do you really have to be so harsh?”

“Claire, but he’s being so irresponsible—”

“I agree with Claire, Arina.”

“Mother?”

Arina’s face fell as she realized Isabella had interrupted her.

“He was busy managing his territories. And he even sent a substantial sum of money to cover the costs of the event he couldn't attend. He hasn’t disgraced the family name or violated any noble customs.”

“…”

“I understand your dedication to your duties, Arina, but that’s enough. It’s not a good look.”

“…As you wish.”

Arina reluctantly backed down.

This was unbelievable.

-Ding!

▶ Isabella has intervened. Choices related to Arina’s actions have been deactivated. ◀

▶ Claire has intervened. Choices related to Arina’s actions have been deactivated. ◀

I had expected to be thoroughly scolded, with my single red light, but I had gotten away scot-free?

And with the help of my other family members?

‘Well, this isn’t a bad situation.’

The lights were normal.

And since my affinity levels hadn’t decreased, there wouldn’t be any trouble.

No increased chance of failure.

No additional time wasted.

No extra episodes.

That was all that mattered.

I could fulfill my obligations without any penalties. It would be foolish to refuse this opportunity.

And knowing Arina’s true nature, having her subdued like this was a relief.

I quietly accepted the situation.

The next choice involved changing clothes and getting ready.

I chose the quickest option,

Instructing the maids to expedite the process.

I had to avoid any decrease in affinity.

As I emerged from my room, having barely changed my clothes, Flora was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, fidgeting impatiently.

I had been planning to just ignore her, but…

-Tap, tap.

“Um…”

▶ Conversation with Flora has begun. ◀

▶ Please make a choice. ◀

She had initiated the conversation.

I couldn't ignore her now. The choices had appeared, so I had to respond.

“What?”

Her reaction wasn’t what I expected.

She remained silent, even after I had spoken.

‘Normally, she would be complaining and asking for something.’

I wondered if I should say something first, if that was the correct approach.

“Why… why didn’t you apply it? I sent it to your territory…”

She finally spoke.

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