I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 280

Chapter 280: The After-Party (8)

“I hope I’m not too late.”

While she had successfully reported the Theresia Marquis’s crimes to the Imperial Family, it had taken longer than expected.

The Marquis had covered his tracks well, and the investigation had been more time-consuming than anticipated.

Because of this, she had missed most of the after-party events.

The formal greetings between the families were likely over, and there was a chance she might not even see Carsein.

This was a rare opportunity.

A chance to spend time alone with him.

She even had good news for him.

She couldn't miss this.

Harnie hurried along, clutching her skirt.

“I should have studied the building’s layout…”

She wandered through the hallways, lost.

Unlike last year, the after-party venue had been remodeled, its layout completely changed. She had no idea where to go.

While a part of her regretted her haste, her desire to find Carsein spurred her on.

Just then,

A hand reached out from the shadows, grabbing her arm and pulling her into a darkened alcove.

“Who are you—?”

As Harnie turned, startled, trying to resist, she was pushed against the wall.

A large, rough hand.

Much larger and heavier than hers.

It was a man’s hand.

Harnie’s mind raced.

‘I made a mistake…!’

She had forgotten that her safety was dependent on Carsein’s presence.

The rumors, the schemes, the attempts to sabotage her, they had all been deflected by the simple fact that she was engaged to Carsein.

She had been protected.

Carsein had been her shield.

And now, she had exposed her greatest weakness.

Without Carsein, she was alone.

A vulnerable noblewoman, easy prey for anyone with malicious intent.

Whether it was someone from the social circles, or from her own family…

It wouldn’t be surprising if those who resented her engagement to Carsein had sent someone to harm her.

‘I have to get away…!’

She had come this far.

She couldn’t lose everything now, not when she was so close to her goal.

She had to escape, no matter what.

For herself, and for Carsein, the man she loved.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw his face.

His hair, no longer the familiar shade of blue, but a deep, almost black, blue.

His eyes, the same dark color.

He raised a finger to his lips, silencing her.

“Shh. Don’t make a sound, Harnie.”

It was Carsein.

Relief.

That’s what she should have felt.

The one who had grabbed her, the one who had cornered her, wasn’t some stranger, but Carsein.

But… why?

A different thought crossed her mind.

‘Could this be…?’

Cornered against a wall.

Trapped by his arm.

His face, so close to hers.

Wasn’t this the scenario Mina had described?

-Kabedon?

-Yes. It’s when a man pins a woman against a wall!

According to Mina,

It was a display of affection, a way to show interest in a woman.

A demonstration of masculinity, often followed by…

-It usually leads to a kiss, you know?

-Wh-what?!

-Well, that’s the typical scenario, isn’t it? The woman is trapped, unable to move, and the man’s face is so close… It’s the perfect distance for a kiss!

She had heard that it often led to that.

She hadn’t believed it at first, but…

This situation was eerily similar to Mina’s description.

Their faces were so close she could feel his breath against her skin.

He had leaned in, his warm breath caressing her cheek.

They were so close, their bodies almost touching.

-And when that happens, if the woman wants to reciprocate, all she has to do is close her eyes! The rest… well, you and the young master can figure that out, can’t you? Heh heh.

-What are you talking about?! Carsein and I would never…!

-Ow! My lady, please don’t hit me! And… you absolutely cannot open your eyes until he pulls away! Understood?!

-I don’t know! Just go away!

Her heart began to race.

A warmth spread through her body.

She fidgeted, her body betraying her nervousness.

Her cheeks flushed, her heart pounding with a mixture of embarrassment and anticipation.

She couldn't deny the excitement, the anticipation of what might come next.

She closed her eyes.

Her heart trembling.

“…”

But…

Nothing happened.

Was time moving slowly?

Why wasn’t he doing anything?

Just as she started to wonder…

Carsein whispered,

“You don’t have to close your eyes.”

“…What?”

“I told you not to make a sound, not to close your eyes.”

…What was he talking about?

“Why… why are you so scared? It’s not like I’m going to hurt you.”

His absurd response made Harnie open her eyes.

“Th-then what… what were you doing?”

“This?”

Carsein tilted his head, feigning innocence.

“Um nothing, really. It was just for show…”

“Huh.”

Hearing his answer, seeing his expression, she realized.

Carsein had no idea.

He didn’t understand the meaning of his actions.

‘So… it was just me?’

Had she been the only one with those expectations?

The excitement, the anticipation, was instantly replaced by a wave of embarrassment and shame.

She could feel a vein throbbing in her forehead.

While he couldn't hear it, she could have sworn she heard something snap.

Carsein, sensing her displeasure, gulped and asked,

“Um… Harnie?”

“…”

“H-Harnie?”

She began to approach him, her steps measured and deliberate.

Carsein knew what was coming.

Another hand-shaped bruise on his back.

“Ow!”

***

‘Ugh… I need to figure out what I did wrong…’

I had simply heard two sets of footsteps.

I had pulled Harnie into the alcove, pretending to be a couple, because I had sensed danger.

Had I done something wrong again?

Harnie, still fuming, walked briskly down the hallway, not saying a word.

But she seemed to be lost, wandering aimlessly.

Worried that she might trigger a trap, I spoke up.

“…That’s not the right way.”

-Glare.

Her sharp gaze made me flinch. I could feel a bead of sweat trickling down my back.

The lingering warmth of her hand on my back from earlier made me shudder.

Still, I had to say something. I cleared my throat and said,

“We need to get going. If you keep wandering around like this, the after-party will be over before we even get there.”

“…”

“Come on. We should at least dance one song, so people don’t get the wrong idea.”

Unlike before, when I had cornered her against the wall, I gently took her hand and guided her, and she followed without resistance.

“Just this once.”

“Yes.”

We walked side-by-side, my senses heightened, and soon reached the lobby.

‘…I should ask her later.’

The timing wasn’t right.

“It seems this is the last song.”

“Really?”

“Let’s hurry. We don’t want to miss it.”

We quickly made our way to the dance floor, and the music began.

We danced, our movements surprisingly synchronized, and I felt comfortable.

I hadn’t been able to ask her earlier, but now, during the dance, with no one else to overhear our conversation, seemed like the perfect opportunity.

“Harnie, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“If you’re going to bring that up again…!”

-Stomp.

“…!”

“You should be prepared for the consequences.”

She was going to stomp on my foot? With that much force?

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

I quickly shook my head.

“N-no! That’s not it! I swear!”

“Then what is it?”

I changed the subject and calmly asked,

“Why were you being followed?”

“Followed?”

“There was someone following you in the hallway earlier. They left when I appeared, but judging from their footsteps, they were definitely following you.”

“Following… me?”

She thought for a moment, then smiled and replied,

“It’s nothing. There are always people who try to target me. It was my mistake. I shouldn’t have gone down that dark hallway, I was in too much of a hurry.”

“…”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful. You don’t have to worry about it.”

…That’s what she said, but…

Her expression seemed like she was hiding something.

I had to ask.

“Harnie, why don’t you just tell—”

But just then,

-Crash!

A loud noise echoed through the hall, interrupting me.

—Kyaaa!

People screamed in panic.

The reason was simple.

-Shatter!

A chandelier was falling from the ceiling.

The building itself was shaking, strange vines erupting from the walls.

And…

It was the same here.

“Harnie!”

“Kyaa!”

-Thud!

“Harnie, are you alright?”

“Y-yes, I’m fine. But…”

I knew.

I looked around and understood why this was happening.

‘Damn it, I thought… I hoped…’

I suddenly remembered.

This after-party route usually ended after clearing the small events.

But there was one event, a rare occurrence, that could disrupt everything.

-Growl…

“Wh-what’s that?!”

“A monster! It’s a monster!”

“Why is there a monster here?!”

-Ding!

▶ Episode V: The After-Party is in progress. ◀

▶ Participate in the event. ◀

[Current Events Completed: (3/4)]

▶ The final event has been designated. ◀

▶ Mandatory Event: Monster Attack! ◀

▶ Eliminate all monsters in the venue. ◀

[Number of Monsters: 50]

A monster attack.

But something felt off about this event.

Normally, I would consider this bad luck, but…

‘This is strange.’

This event wasn’t time-sensitive. And the optimal timing for it to occur was much earlier.

Why was it happening now?

Right after I had met Harnie and entered the lobby?

And the chandelier had fallen directly above Harnie.

Not only that, but the other falling debris had also seemed to target her.

This was too blatant.

‘Could it be…’

Was there something special about Harnie?

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