I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 276

Chapter 276: The After-Party (4)

Flora skipped down the hallway, her footsteps light and airy.

She hummed a cheerful tune, and Claire, watching her, couldn't help but smile.

“Are you that happy?”

“Yes!”

Flora replied brightly.

‘Well, she has every right to be.’

Claire felt the same way.

Carsein was safe.

He was awake and recovering, and would be discharged soon.

And thanks to their mother, they would even be able to give him a proper gift.

It was no wonder they were excited.

They reached Carsein’s room, Flora’s hand still clasped in Claire’s.

After a light knock, Claire opened the door. The sound of rustling pages greeted them, and Carsein asked, without looking up,

“What do you want?”

“Seriously?”

Claire, taken aback, strode over and snatched the book from his hands.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

“What are you doing? You know why we’re here.”

“I asked what you wanted.”

“Honestly! You can’t even look up from your book and greet us properly?”

-Thwack.

“Ow! Why did you hit me?!”

“Your older sister and younger sister came to visit you in the hospital, and you can’t even greet us properly?!”

Well, that wasn’t the real reason.

She had expected a warmer welcome, and his indifferent attitude had annoyed her.

Claire, feeling a bit petulant, opened the book she had snatched from him.

“What are you even reading… Wait. Are you seriously trying to manage your territories while you’re in the hospital?”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“You’re unbelievable. You just woke up, and you’re already working?”

“I’m fine. And if I don’t work, the people of my territories will suffer. Now give that back.”

“Honestly, there’s no other lord in the entire Empire who works as relentlessly as you do.”

She hadn’t intended to nag him, but she couldn’t help herself.

Claire sighed, realizing what she was doing.

‘This isn’t why I came here. I need to focus.’

Even so, she didn’t want to return the book just yet. He hadn't even looked at them, hadn't greeted them properly.

-Thud.

She sat down on the book, as if it were a cushion.

“So? What do you want?”

“We came to see if you were okay, of course. You don’t have a problem with your sisters visiting you in the hospital, do you?”

“O-of course not! You’re family!” Flora chimed in.

“Ah, is that so? How touching.”

While she was annoyed by his indifferent response, Claire simply bit her lip and let it slide.

“Anyway, since you seem to be fine, let’s get down to business. Is there anything you want?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t you remember? Mother always gave us presents when we did something well, or when she was proud of us. That’s what we’re talking about.”

“Carsein, you placed second in the tournament! Mother said she would get you anything you want, so just tell us!”

Flora added, and the topic shifted.

“When my tutor praised me, I received a one-day pass to a tourist attraction. And I received an allowance, and rare flowers from other countries. Anyway, you placed second in the martial arts tournament, so you can ask for anything. An artifact, a magic tool, even a new sword.”

“Perhaps Carsein would like a health potion?”

“Ah, that’s right! He needs to recover. What a good idea, Flora.”

“Hee hee.”

Claire patted Flora’s head.

“So, anything. Is there anything you want?”

“If it’s a trip, we can all go together!”

While it was a question about a gift, it was also a good opportunity for Claire to learn more about Carsein’s interests and hobbies. If she could create an outfit or choose a gift that suited his tastes, it would be perfect.

Flora, too, had something in mind. Shaiden had said that Carsein was more susceptible to illnesses than other people in the Empire. She had been planning to use her newly acquired potion-making skills to create some health supplements or medicines for him.

They both waited for his answer, their hearts filled with anticipation.

But Carsein’s response was disappointing.

“I don’t need anything.”

Their eyes widened in surprise.

“Are you serious? This is a rare opportunity!”

“You won’t be able to get what you want unless Mother offers it to you like this.”

“I don’t need anything.”

Carsein repeated his statement firmly, then added,

“If I want to go on a trip, I’ll use my own money. I don’t need an allowance, I’m earning my own money. And those rare flowers? I am curious about them. I’ll buy them myself and grow them.”

“Why would you use your own money…?”

“Why not? It’s my money.”

Carsein shrugged.

“Besides, I don’t deserve a reward. I’ve caused the Duchy so much trouble. I shouldn’t be asking for anything.”

“…”

“…”

He had a point.

Carsein’s actions had caused the Duchy considerable financial losses.

They had to compensate the nobles he had beaten up.

They had to pay the workers involved in the festivals he had ruined.

And if they calculated the cost of the lost time, the damaged property, the total amount would be staggering.

But was this the right approach?

To refuse a gift and repay the damages instead?

A strange sense of unease washed over the two sisters.

Meanwhile, Carsein suddenly stood up and started getting dressed.

He was still injured, and a fresh stain of blood appeared on his bandages as he moved.

“Wh-what are you doing?! You’ll reopen your wounds! There’s blood!”

“Are you crazy?! Why are you suddenly getting dressed?!”

“It’s just a small scratch. Don’t overreact.”

“No! You need to rest—”

-Rustle.

Flora’s words were cut short as Carsein buttoned his shirt.

“The after-party. We have to go.”

“After-party…?”

“Yes, the one they always have after the tournament. It’s customary. It wouldn’t look good if we didn’t attend, especially since we’re family.”

-Knock, knock.

“Young Master, the carriage is ready.”

Claire’s eyes widened in surprise.

The carriage was ready? That meant he had been planning to attend the after-party all along.

‘Well… he would have to leave now to be on time…’

But in his condition?

Right after leaving the infirmary?

Was he really okay?

“Aren’t you two going?”

“What? Well, no, but…”

“Of course we’re going! It would be embarrassing not to!”

“If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late. What are you waiting for?”

“Oh! You’re right! Come on, Claire!”

“Uh… right. Let’s go, Flora.”

Claire couldn’t shake off her unease.

No, it was more than unease, it was a sense of foreboding.

‘Something’s… not right.’

The way he had said he didn’t deserve a gift because he had caused the Duchy so much trouble.

The way he was insisting on attending the after-party, despite his injuries.

It was as if he was prioritizing others over himself.

What was going on?

-Ding!

▶ Claire’s Hidden Episode: <Recurring Discomfort II> cleared. ◀

▶ Synchronizing… ◀

▶ An event will be triggered when the target discovers the Key Memorial. ◀

[Key Memorial: Broken Picture Frame]

***

While I had been annoyed by Claire and Flora’s visit, once we got down to business, it felt strangely familiar.

A reward for placing second in the tournament?

Asking for anything I wanted?

I almost laughed out loud.

-Mom said she would get you anything you want. So… is there anywhere you’d like to travel to?

They were so predictable, it was almost comforting.

So I could simply replicate my actions from my past life.

A reward? A gift?

I didn’t need anything.

‘I won’t accept anything from you.’

It wasn’t mine, anyway.

“Ladies, Young Master! We’ve arrived!”

-Ding!

▶ Episode V: The After-Party has begun. ◀

▶ You are attending the after-party. Please avoid any incidents! ◀

‘So this is it.’

I had expected this.

The episode branch point had appeared after Isabella left the infirmary.

The choice was simple:

Whether or not to attend the after-party.

That was all.

While I knew that clearing the hidden episode had made it possible to attend, I hadn’t realized it was a main episode branch point.

‘It’s usually best to avoid the after-party.’

Since Carsein had proven his abilities in the symposium and the martial arts tournament, the obstacles in this part of the story were more subtle and difficult to deal with.

And they were ridiculous.

If I went to the restroom, a half-naked woman would emerge from the next stall, screaming,

-“Kyaa! Stop it!”

drawing unwanted attention.

If I went to the lounge to rest after dancing, I would be affected by sleeping incense, and then,

-“He… he suddenly tried to take my clothes off… I-I couldn’t stop him…”

a naked woman, covered only by a blanket, would appear, accusing me of attempted rape.

If I bumped into someone while turning a corner,

-“Help! He’s assaulting me!”

I would somehow end up groping a woman’s breasts, earning me the title of pervert and causing my reputation to plummet.

It was ridiculous.

The triggers were absurd.

And I had a fiancée.

One wrong move could ruin everything.

But…

▶ You have chosen <Territory> as your method of acquiring funds for <Another Plan>. ◀

▶ Stage 3 objective: Acquire 1,000,000 Pesel. ◀

The Stage 3 requirement, after clearing Stage 2, was incredibly demanding.

I couldn’t reach the final stage at this rate.

So, I had to take a risk.

Considering the increased freedom in Chapter 3, attending the after-party and pursuing business expansion was a viable option, despite the risks.

“Carsein? What are you doing?”

“You two go ahead. I have someone to meet.”

“Someone to meet…? Ah.”

Flora’s expression suddenly turned sour.

What? Why?

“Hmph. You’re a Bagrand… why… why are you…!”

“F-Flora!”

“After doing so well in the tournament… You’re not staying with us again…!”

“C-Carsein! You said you had someone to meet, right? Go ahead! Haha!”

…I didn’t understand that little brat.

Whatever. I shouldn’t waste my time trying to figure her out.

I needed to focus on avoiding choices and traps, relying on my memories of the game.

‘If I turn this corner… Count Ptoah should be here, right?’

But when I turned the corner, I saw…

“…Brother.”

It wasn’t Count Ptoah.

Just a disappointed young boy.

-Ding!

▶ You have broken your promise to Willard Stephan. ◀

▶ Meet with him at the venue and explain your forfeit in the finals. ◀

Judging by the notification, he was quite upset.

An unexpected variable, beyond the scope of my knowledge.

This event had been triggered by Willard.

I had a feeling…

This was a death flag.

“Can you explain why you forfeited in the finals?”

-Ding!

▶ Choices have appeared! ◀

Countless lines of text appeared in the status window.

But somehow, I knew the right answer.

…It was similar to that time.

-Can you explain why you forfeited against that instructor?

The junior who had supported me had been clearly disappointed when I forfeited against my older sister, who had been a special guest instructor.

So, I had no choice but to choose this.

[ 13. Because Arina isn’t worth fighting. ]

“Because Arina isn’t worth fighting.”

-Ding!

▶ Willard’s affinity has increased. ◀

[38% → 45%]

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