I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 273

Chapter 273: The After-Party (1)

Albert Schuhenian Pesselus.

In other words, the Crown Prince of the Pesselus Empire.

While he could be simply seen as the next in line to the throne, he wasn't just any prince.

He was the heir apparent.

A figure who held an unchallenged position in the line of succession.

A war hero, victorious in every battle since the Great Unification War.

Even the in-game descriptions highlighted his overwhelming presence.

Because of that, I had established one rule while playing this game:

Never make an enemy of him.

‘And he’s visiting me in the infirmary…?’

I had to be careful.

I had never encountered this scenario before, never met him in the infirmary.

If any choices appeared, I would have to choose my answers carefully.

I cautiously asked,

“May I ask what brings you to this humble place, Your Highness?”

My etiquette should be impeccable.

Given the circumstances, I had to show him the utmost respect.

Despite my efforts, Albert’s expression remained impassive.

He sighed briefly, then spoke.

“Young Master, as I said before, there’s no need for formalities. While there are those I would demand such courtesy from, you are not one of them.”

“But, Your Highness—”

“I don't want to be remembered as an incompetent Crown Prince, forcing someone who is injured, someone who risked their life to save another, to adhere to pointless etiquette.”

Albert tapped the air with his index finger, as if urging me to relax.

“If you don’t listen, I’ll wake up your fiancée and have her tell you the same thing.”

“…What?”

“Lady Harnie said she would be furious when you woke up.”

“…”

That would be troublesome, for a different reason.

I reluctantly obeyed.

“…As you wish.”

“Heh heh. Good. While I’m actually quite tempted to wake her up… It would be rather entertaining to see you being scolded by your fiancée.”

Seriously? Him?

I stared at him in disbelief, and he chuckled.

‘Well… this is unexpected.’

Knowing it was Crown Prince Albert, I had been on edge, expecting choices to appear.

But his reaction wasn't what I had anticipated.

There weren’t even any choices.

Honestly, it was surprising.

For someone known for his stern demeanor, his unwavering resolve as a war hero, his commanding presence as a member of the Imperial Family, to tell me not to bother with formalities…

While it was similar to what I had seen in the game, it was also very different.

It reminded me of someone.

‘…Just like me, the student council president and vice president also had older brothers.’

Capable, responsible, and socially adept.

He was just like them.

I had first met him during the sports festival.

And the second time, when I had been hospitalized after the accident…

…It was strangely similar.

“Well, enough small talk. Let’s get down to business, Young Master.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“What are your plans for the future?”

“My plans? Well, once I recover and leave the infirmary—”

“Are you planning to accumulate wealth again, just like before? To leave this place?”

My heart skipped a beat.

“Why would I leave the Bagrand Duchy?”

“Hmm. So you’re going to play coy.”

There were no choices.

And my affinity hadn’t decreased.

But his words were a clear indication that he knew.

“The economic impact of those two territories you revived is among the top ten in the Empire. And yet, your spending habits remain a mystery. Isn’t it safe to assume you’re saving up to leave?”

“…”

“The Bagrand Duchy is not a poor family. I’ve heard that you refused your allowance, and you’ve been preparing for independence, handling everything yourself. That’s enough evidence, isn’t it?”

Damn it. I had slipped up.

This era was different. I was a noble now.

I had intended to repay the Duchy and leave, just like I had in my past life. But my frugal spending habits, my refusal to use the money I earned from the territories, had backfired.

His unexpected deduction made me swallow hard.

“…What are you trying to say, Your Highness?”

“I have a proposition.”

“A proposition?”

“Yes. While I’m not as well-informed as Arsienne or Florence, I’ve heard enough to understand your family situation. So…”

Albert clasped his hands together and asked,

…But the question was strange.

“How about a marriage to Arsienne?”

***

I was so stunned that I just sat there, my mouth agape.

Marriage to the princess?

What was he talking about?

That wasn’t even a remote possibility.

But…

“Hmm. You’ve had enough time to think. What’s your answer?”

The Crown Prince wasn’t joking. His tone was serious.

I finally came to my senses and asked,

“Are… are you serious?”

“Of course. I can’t think of a better offer.”

Seriously?

My mind was reeling.

How had things gotten so twisted?

I had to start from the beginning.

“Why would you even suggest such a thing?”

“I don’t care about your money-making schemes. But unfortunately, your plans have caught my attention.”

“Caught your attention?”

“Yes. You’re a survivor of the Wederos Kingdom, after all.”

“…!”

He knew that as well?

…No, that wasn’t surprising.

It would be strange if he didn’t know.

“As expected, your mind works quickly. That’s right. I, who have walked the battlefields, would never mistake your origins. I was there, sword in hand, fighting alongside them when the monsters attacked. I know you’re a descendant of the Wederos Kingdom.”

Right. In the game, Albert was a seasoned warrior.

The Iron-Blooded War Hero wouldn’t have just stood by during a monster attack.

I see.

“So you’re saying that because I’m a survivor of the Wederos Kingdom, the nobles of the Empire might see me as a threat and try to eliminate me? And a marriage to Princess Arsienne would offer me the protection of the Imperial Family?”

“Oh ho. You’ve already deduced that much? Impressive. Even more so than I had heard.”

Albert stroked his chin, a sly smile on his face.

“But that’s not all.”

“There’s more?”

“Yes. There’s no safer place for you than the Imperial Palace. But there’s a more important reason.”

There was another reason?

I couldn’t think of anything else.

As I pondered this, Albert pointed at me.

“It’s you.”

“…?”

“A talented individual like yourself leaving for another country would be a great loss for the Empire.”

He lowered his hand and continued,

“You revived Lusmire and Shatrain, exposed the Waglu faction’s conspiracy, and even proved your martial prowess in the tournament. I doubt there’s any talent in the Empire who could surpass you. How could we possibly let you go?”

So…

He was proposing a marriage to his sister to keep me, a valuable asset, in the Empire?

“You’ve mistaken me for someone else, Your Highness. I’m not that capable.”

“You’re too modest.”

“You overestimate me, Your Highness.”

“Well, you certainly possess knowledge far beyond what is common in this era. The theories you presented while revitalizing Shatrain’s soil were… questionable. Even if all the nobles and mages combined their efforts, such advanced theories couldn’t have been developed in this era. I can say that with absolute certainty, as Crown Prince.”

…That was inevitable.

The knowledge of my world was far more advanced than that of this era.

“Let me put it this way. As Crown Prince, even if I gathered all the nobles and mages, could we have found a way to revive Lusmire and Shatrain?”

“…”

“It seems you don’t realize how valuable you are.”

-You don’t seem to realize how valuable you are, Min-hyeok.

His praise, no, his admiration, made me feel strangely awkward.

How could things be so similar?

“So, what do you think of my proposition? Do you need more time to think?”

-Ding!

▶ Crown Prince Albert has made a proposition. ◀

▶ Will you accept? ◀

[ 1. Yes ]

[ 2. No ]

Finally, a choice had appeared in my conversation with Albert.

There was only one reason for this.

It could affect the Another Plan.

But my answer was already decided.

“I refuse. It conflicts with my objective.”

My objective, as always,

Was to solve my own problems, to escape on my own.

To handle everything myself and leave this house with my head held high.

I didn’t want to rely on anyone else.

“Hmm. Arsienne is quite beautiful, you know.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.”

Well, there was no harm in using this.

“Harnie is more beautiful, in my eyes.”

“Oh ho. Insulting the Imperial Family’s appearance, are we?”

“What can I say? She’s beautiful to me.”

“So you’re saying my sister is inferior to another woman, right in front of me?”

“Yes. Harnie is more beautiful. You saw how I threw myself in harm’s way to save her. She’s the only one for me.”

It was true. I was more attracted to Harnie than Arsienne.

If Harnie ever decided to pursue me, well, I wasn't sure I could resist.

Albert clicked his tongue, feigning disappointment.

I knew he wasn’t serious.

“If that is your decision, then I won’t force the matter. But I must warn you. The nobles ostracize the Westerners because of their power. It’s not prejudice. It’s fear.”

“…”

“It would be wise to avoid any actions that might reveal your true nature. If they find out… I can’t guarantee your safety. Do you understand?”

“…Yes, Your Highness. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Just like Pollux and Talfon, Albert had given me the same warning.

The nobles’ fear. It was the fear of those with power.

They hadn’t ostracized the Westerners, including the Wederos Kingdom, out of prejudice, but out of fear.

If they found out about my origins,

If they discovered that I possessed the power of the Wederos Kingdom,

They would do everything in their power to eliminate me.

‘I don’t know if it’s a death trigger, but it’s best to be careful.’

In this world, the Wederos Kingdom was a threat.

I had seen countless articles about them, accusing them of plotting rebellion.

“Take care.”

He patted me on the shoulder and left the infirmary.

A blurry status window appeared.

[ Albert Schuhenian Pesselus ]

Then, the text cleared, and a white affinity box appeared.

…This was the same as before.

Just like Heron and Shaiden, his affinity hadn't been visible initially.

-Ding!

▶ Conditions met. Albert’s affinity has been activated. ◀

[ Albert Schuhenian Pesselus ]

[ Affinity: 90% ]

▶ Due to sufficient affinity, you will receive the Imperial Family’s protection under certain conditions. ◀

“…”

So this is how it turned out.

Seriously.

‘Hmm?’

The blanket had shifted.

I hadn’t moved. Which meant…

‘“Take care,” he said… Don’t tell me…’

That bastard. He was smiling as he left!

He knew she was awake!

‘…I’m screwed.’

I gulped and cautiously called out,

“H-Harnie?”

Harnie’s shoulders twitched.

So she was awake—

-Thud!

…What?

I was suddenly pushed back onto the bed, my vision obscured.

“Wh-what? Harnie?”

“D-don’t say anything.”

“Ow! That hurts!”

“I said don’t say anything!”

“…”

I didn’t know when she had woken up, but…

I had to stay quiet if I didn’t want to be beaten.

***

I didn’t know when I had fallen asleep, but I woke up to the sound of voices in the infirmary.

Carsein and the Crown Prince were talking.

I wanted to get up and greet him, but I couldn’t.

‘Don’t move.’

The Crown Prince’s order.

Harnie had no choice but to obey.

But she couldn’t help but fidget.

The comparison to Arsienne.

The talk of marriage. It made her feel uneasy.

“Harnie is more beautiful, in my eyes.”

Those words made her face flush.

“Oh ho. Insulting the Imperial Family’s appearance, are we?”

“What can I say? She’s beautiful to me.”

“So you’re saying my sister is inferior to another woman, right in front of me?”

“Yes. Harnie is more beautiful. You saw how I threw myself in harm’s way to save her. She’s the only one for me.”

His words, repeated over and over, made her heart race.

‘Ugh…!’

She had to pretend to be asleep to hide her blushing face.

But her charade didn't last long.

“H-Harnie?”

When Carsein realized she was awake…

-Thud!

“Wh-what? Harnie?”

“D-don’t say anything.”

“Ow! That hurts!”

“I said don’t say anything!”

She couldn’t let him see her blushing face, so she had covered his eyes.

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