I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 278

Chapter 278: The After-Party (6)

The Theresia Marquisate had achieved its current status in a remarkably short time, but their roots were far from virtuous.

They were rotten.

They profited from illicit goods.

They used underground connections to distribute their products, their hands stained with the dealings of the underworld.

And they laundered their ill-gotten gains through multi-level marketing schemes.

Their practices were corrupt, inviting imprisonment if ever exposed to the Empire’s scrutiny.

But it all ended today.

Thanks to the accusation of one of their own.

“Confirmed. As you stated, the artifact was found among the Marquis’s belongings.”

“The details will require further analysis, but it appears your testimony is accurate. His actions are all connected. It seems your accusations are true.”

“I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“Yes. The Imperial Family will conduct a thorough investigation.”

The testimony, the evidence.

Everything was in place.

The Marquis glared at Harnie and shouted,

“You! You betrayed me! You, of all people!”

“…”

“Do you think you can get away with this?!”

Harnie glanced at the enraged Marquis.

She had once seen him as a father figure.

She had poured her heart and soul into her work, hoping to earn his praise.

She had once trembled before him, fearing his wrath.

But now, she felt nothing.

“I should have left you to die, you bastard! Just you wait! Once my lawyers prove my innocence, once I’m released, I’ll…”

“You won’t be proven innocent.”

“What?”

“Do you think I only investigated your above-board dealings?”

“…!”

The Marquis’s eyes widened in shock.

“Illegal manufacturing, underground dealings, money laundering… those would only result in a fine. But you’re hiding something else, aren't you? That fake mana stone farm.”

“You…!”

It wasn't a publicly known business.

It was the Marquisate’s biggest secret, their hidden source of income.

And she knew about it.

“I know everything. Everything you’ve been hiding.”

“You snake! Ugh…!”

-Clink!

The mana shackles tightened around his wrists, restraining him.

Harnie, her demeanor more confident than ever, addressed the Marquis, his face contorted in rage.

“I’ll visit you in prison. Though I doubt we’ll ever meet again outside those walls.”

He would be charged with treason and imprisoned in the Imperial dungeons.

Under torture, those involved in his schemes would confess, and he would lose everything: his wealth, his status, even his family name.

The only thing that remained for the Marquis was the sound of retreating footsteps.

His ambition, his carefully constructed empire, had crumbled.

“Phew.”

Harnie took a deep breath of fresh air and closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, the bright blue sky had been replaced by the dusky hues of twilight.

“Revealing the farm so early was a costly mistake.”

The farm wasn’t supposed to be exposed yet.

She had planned to slowly tighten the noose around the Theresia family, taking her time, meticulously dismantling their empire.

But revealing the farm’s existence prematurely had jeopardized her most powerful weapon: her financial resources.

And since she had chosen to distance herself from the Marquisate instead of taking it over, the amount she needed had increased severalfold.

It would take time to recover from the losses and regain momentum. And there was still one more obstacle.

‘Belian.’

Even with the Marquis imprisoned, his son remained.

The vassals and factions who had supported the Marquis still supported Belian.

While she had overcome a major hurdle, it wouldn’t mean anything if she couldn’t overcome the next.

And even if she did manage to seize control of the Marquisate, her schedule was tight. With the family’s wrongdoings exposed, she would have to rebuild their reputation, charting a different course.

She would have to establish new businesses, manage the territory, and handle countless other responsibilities.

And as an illegitimate child, with no allies within the family, the competition for the successor position would be even more challenging.

The thought of the time and resources she would require made her head spin.

It was a costly mistake, a significant setback.

But it was fine.

“If I can just deal with Belian… If I can take control of the Marquisate…”

She would gain an entire house, one beyond the reach of the Bagrand Duchy.

And then, there would be no reason to be separated from Carsein.

She would have a place for him, a safe haven.

She could be with the man she loved.

She could finally repay the debt she owed him, the man who had saved her life countless times.

That was enough.

“Mina, the carriage.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Harnie, a smile playing on her lips, boarded the carriage.

She wanted to tell Carsein.

As soon as possible.

***

“Is… is that true?!”

“Yes. You’ll be able to harvest it regularly.”

“Regularly…”

Intrigued, he took the bait.

He stroked his beard and asked again,

“You’re saying that… with this beekeeping business, we can regularly harvest honey?”

“Of course. Don’t you believe me?”

“N-no! It’s not that I don’t believe you, but… well… honey is difficult to harvest in large quantities.”

Well, it wasn’t surprising.

Sweeteners were a precious commodity in this era. Honey, in particular, was highly sought after.

It was natural for him to be skeptical.

So, I laid out the details.

“It might be hard to believe, but this business is based on sound theory.”

“Theory?”

“Yes. Angiosperms bloom, then pollination occurs, allowing them to reproduce.”

The transfer of pollen.

That’s what I was talking about.

Shatrain, whose primary source of income was agriculture, might seem unrelated to beekeeping.

But the crops there grew much faster than ordinary plants.

Which meant…

The transfer of pollen would also be accelerated.

And that meant that beekeeping, especially in Shatrain’s temperate climate, had the potential to be a highly profitable business.

“Honey… I see… That makes sense.”

“So, do you still find it hard to believe?”

He stared at me for a moment, then, swallowing hard, grabbed my hand.

“Alright. I accept your proposal.”

“Excellent. Shall we draw up the contract?”

“Let’s do it!”

The beekeeping business, based on sound theory, was a success.

I had already conducted thorough analyses and taste tests to confirm its viability.

All I had to do was sell the honey being harvested in Shatrain.

-Ding!

▶ Transaction successful! ◀

▶ The transaction amount has been added to your current funds, and you will receive regular income from this new source. ◀

▶ Your current funds have surpassed 1,000,000 Pesel. ◀

‘So that’s Stage 3 cleared.’

While it wasn't the end, I was one step closer to escaping.

From now on, my wealth would accumulate rapidly. Larger investments meant bigger business opportunities.

“…But it would be risky to continue here.”

▶ The vassals of the Bagrand Duchy are observing your actions. ◀

I hadn't noticed, but the vassals were watching me.

While it was difficult to pinpoint their gazes in such a crowded venue, they were undoubtedly observing me, gathering information.

From my perspective, I was simply trying to make money. But to them, it might seem like I was expanding my influence, vying for the successor position.

While Marquis Magnuel wouldn't be a problem, since we had already spoken, the other vassals were a different matter. It was natural for them to be wary of me.

‘I should probably stop here for today.’

I was getting tired, anyway.

I walked over to a nearby terrace and leaned back against a sofa.

“Meeting people is exhausting.”

Socializing was always a chore.

‘…If I continue like this, I’ll be constantly running into Arina.’

Just like my older sister, Arina’s gaze had become increasingly sharp.

It had been the same back in my world, whenever I had been involved in company matters…

I couldn't just avoid the nobles by staying with Claire and Flora.

I needed a plan.

What should I do?

Just as I closed my eyes, a status window appeared.

-Ding!

▶ A specific character is looking for you. ◀

I frowned.

I forced myself to sit up, and a middle-aged woman, who had been approaching, stopped hesitantly.

“Do you have a moment, Carsein?”

Isabella, at a time like this?

My luck was truly terrible.

***

Isabella hadn’t felt at peace since her visit to the infirmary.

I’ve inconvenienced you.

I’ve wasted your time.

Those words had pierced her heart.

Like a crashing wave, they had washed over her, leaving a cold, stinging ache.

And the guilt wouldn't go away.

But before she could dwell on her self-reproach, she received shocking news.

“Carsein… said that?”

“Yes.”

“But why…?”

“We were just as surprised. And we explained everything to him! But…”

I don’t need anything.

That was his response.

“Why…?”

“Mother, he…”

Flora hesitated, then tugged on Claire’s sleeve and revealed the reason,

“He said he had caused the Duchy so much trouble… that he didn’t deserve a gift…”

Her words made Isabella’s heart sink.

It was just money. A trivial amount.

And yet, he didn't even want a gift, a reward he deserved?

‘That’s not right.’

She remembered Heron’s words, the loyal butler’s warning about her neglect.

She finally understood how differently she had treated Carsein compared to her other children. Simply because he wasn't related by blood.

It was wrong.

She had to fix it.

She had to treat him properly, as a mother should.

She couldn’t repeat her past mistakes.

That’s why she had to see him, despite the guilt that gnawed at her heart.

Seeing him now, her throat tightened, but she forced herself to speak.

“Claire and Flora told me. That you didn’t want a gift for the tournament. Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“And that you said you didn’t deserve it because of your past actions?”

“That’s correct.”

She had hoped he would deny it.

His confirmation was a bitter pill to swallow.

But…

She couldn’t stop here.

“Don’t worry about that trivial amount. Everyone makes mistakes, Carsein.”

What did a little financial loss matter to the Duchy?

“Your sisters have made mistakes as well. And the Duchy has had to compensate for their actions, but it wasn’t a significant amount. It’s the same for you.”

She added that such a small amount wouldn't even make a dent in the Duchy's finances, so he shouldn't worry about it.

Having addressed the matter of his supposed wrongdoings, Isabella revealed her true intentions.

“I’ve been thinking about what happened during my visit to the infirmary… I was… inconsiderate. I haven’t been a proper mother to you, not like I have been to your sisters. I’m truly sorry.”

The invisible wall Heron had spoken of.

She had to tear it down.

She had always treated Carsein differently, simply because he wasn't related by blood.

It was wrong.

It was a barrier that shouldn't exist.

It was time to mend their relationship.

“So, this time, I want to do it right. You’re my son, too. A member of the Bagrand family, no matter what anyone says.”

She wanted to give him the same affection she had given her daughters.

She wanted to make up for her past neglect.

So, she wanted him to tell her what he truly desired.

“If you’ve done something praiseworthy, you deserve a reward. You can ask for anything. You’ve earned it.”

His second-place victory in the martial arts tournament was a remarkable achievement.

And his performance during the symposium had been outstanding.

“Tell me what you want. If you want to travel, like Claire, I’ll send you anywhere you wish. If you want rare treasures or luxurious clothes, like Flora, I’ll gladly purchase them for you. And if you want to redecorate your room, like Arina, that’s fine, too. You’ve been using the same furniture for a while now, haven’t you?”

Isabella held Carsein’s hand, waiting for his answer.

She was determined to care for her son, this time, properly.

But…

“I don’t need anything.”

Carsein had already erected another wall.

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