I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 272

Chapter 272: The Sword that Cut Skin (5)

Arina’s eyes widened at Crown Prince Albert’s sharp rebuke.

She was taken aback by the sudden mention of last year’s incident.

“What… what are you talking about, Your Highness?”

“You were about to let Carsein die. I had to intervene.”

“Let him die?! Why would I… He’s my brother!”

“No. If you had stopped Lady Harnie, Carsein would be dead. Because of your ignorance.”

Just then, a cough echoed from Carsein’s direction.

“…!”

“It’s quite common on the battlefield. Sometimes, you have to cut open a wound to remove foreign objects. It might seem reckless, but without that procedure, complications like sepsis and necrosis can occur.”

Albert chuckled and continued,

“And your actions have repeatedly jeopardized Carsein’s plan.”

“Plan…?”

“Look at this.”

Albert pointed at a piece of debris.

“The debris that fell on this side is mostly aggregate, used to reinforce the structure of the building. It’s the strongest part, ideal for creating a makeshift ceiling and a protected space.”

-Tap.

“But the debris on the other side is different. Even though it’s made of the same material, it’s easily cut, especially with a mana-infused blade. This type of debris is far more dangerous. It can crush a person’s skull, or bury them alive.”

-Crumble.

Albert effortlessly crushed a piece of the decorative stonework with his mana.

“And yet, you, claiming to want to save Carsein, drew your sword and tried to break through… what, exactly?”

Arina fell silent.

She had been trying to break through the aggregate.

She clenched her fists and replied,

“It was my misjudgment. I lack knowledge about building construction. But isn’t it just… luck that Carsein survived?”

“Luck? Hahahaha!”

The Crown Prince laughed, clutching his forehead.

“You find the collapse of the building strange, but not the fact that Carsein survived under such dire circumstances?”

“…What?”

“The debris on the other side, where he was trapped, was cleanly sliced through, as if by a sharp blade. And because the weight was evenly distributed, a protected space was created, preventing him from being crushed. And you call that luck?”

Most people would attribute it to luck.

To have a protected space amidst the collapsing debris, the shifting ground, would be considered a miracle.

But Albert hadn’t missed the details.

“A glancing blow would result in minor injuries. A direct hit, serious injuries. And if he had been hit in a vital spot, like the head, he would have been killed instantly. And yet, amidst the falling debris, he managed to create a protected space, shifting the weight to the other side, using the aggregate to create a makeshift ceiling. Do you really think that was luck?”

-Crush.

He crushed another piece of debris with his foot and continued,

“It was a meticulously calculated plan. A plan devised in a split second, solely for the purpose of survival.”

At the Crown Prince’s words, Arina looked around again, her eyes wide with disbelief.

‘That… was a plan?’

She bit her lip, unable to accept it.

If that was true, then she had almost killed Carsein several times.

She hadn’t differentiated between the aggregate and the decorative stonework when trying to clear the debris.

And her reckless excavation, without considering the weight distribution and the stability of the surrounding area, could have crushed him.

And finally, she had even tried to stop Harnie from removing the debris embedded in his back.

Every single one of her actions could have resulted in his death.

‘…That’s impossible.’

That couldn’t be true.

“While it makes sense that his fiancée would try to remove the debris from his back, Your Highness, your interpretation is incorrect.”

“Oh? Why?”

“It’s Carsein, of all people. He doesn’t even know proper noble etiquette. There’s no way he could have devised such a plan.”

Yes, it was Carsein.

“We could use his past incidents as examples, but there’s no need to go that far. The incident at my birthday party alone is proof enough.”

The rumors of Carsein ruining Arina’s birthday party had spread far and wide.

“He didn’t even prepare a birthday present? I could understand that. I could even overlook the fact that he ripped my hair tie. But to bring back a cheap replacement and lie about it? That’s pathetic.”

She still remembered the atmosphere that day.

It had taken a considerable effort to smooth things over.

“So, you’re saying that someone with common sense wouldn’t do such a thing, therefore Carsein couldn’t have devised such a clever plan?”

“Yes.”

He couldn’t have planned it.

And it couldn’t have been his idea.

If anyone was responsible, it was his fiancée. Just like always.

At Arina’s curt reply, the Crown Prince’s expression hardened.

“I’ve always felt guilty towards Arsienne. I’ve been strict, even harsh, with her. But it was necessary. As a member of the Imperial Family, if I don’t protect her from those who would harm her, those who would see her as a rival to the throne…”

Albert stepped towards Arina.

“Yes, it’s a flimsy excuse, but I did it for her. At least, that’s what I believe. But…”

He grabbed her by the collar, his eyes blazing.

“Why don’t you even consider Carsein your brother?”

“…Your Highness, even if Carsein causes trouble—”

“You don’t think he acted the way he did at the birthday party to avoid being accused of trying to usurp the successor position?”

“Successor… position…?”

Arina tilted her head at the mention of the successor position, and Albert seized the opportunity.

“Why aren’t you questioning his actions? Don’t you find it strange that he didn’t even prepare a birthday present?”

“…”

“And the rumors are perfectly timed, aren’t they? Another coincidence?”

The symposium, and now the martial arts tournament.

Carsein’s exceptional performance had sparked rumors about his suitability as the successor.

And this, too, wasn't a coincidence?

“It seems you haven’t changed at all. Last year, and this year. You’re still trying to harm Carsein.”

“No…! I…!”

“Last year, I was able to stop you. You could have protected your brother by forfeiting, just like he did in this tournament. But you didn’t. And now I understand why.”

Albert turned his back to her.

“How disappointing. A sister who feels inferior to her own brother. The future of the Bagrand Duchy looks bleak.”

Having invoked the name of the family, Albert walked away.

Just then, Harnie finished removing the two pieces of debris embedded in Carsein’s back. Having already administered first aid, she quickly helped him onto Albert’s back, and they rushed towards the Imperial Physician.

Arina simply stood there, watching, her mind reeling.

She replayed his words in her mind, over and over.

“Inferior…?”

The accusation that she felt inferior to her own brother.

-Ding!

▶ Hidden Episode: The Sword that Cut Skin cleared. ◀

▶ Arina Bagrand’s feelings have changed. ◀

[ Arina Bagrand ]

[ Inferiority Complex → ??? ]

[ Current level: 80% ]

▶ Arina’s Hidden Episode has been unlocked. ◀

▶ Affinity settings will change upon fulfilling all conditions. ◀

▶ Current conditions met: 1! ◀

[ 1. Be reprimanded by Crown Prince Albert Schuhenian Pesselus regarding Carsein. ] ☑

***

-Ding!

I woke up to the familiar notification sound.

“Ugh!”

But the first thing I felt wasn’t relief, but a searing pain.

▶ Status ailments have not been fully recovered. ◀

▶ Sufficient rest is required for full recovery. ◀

The pain jolted me awake.

Right. I had thrown myself into a pile of collapsing debris. It would be strange if I wasn’t in pain.

Objects weighing twice as much as I did had fallen on me. It was a miracle I had survived.

Just like when I had saved Jieun.

‘…To think I would experience this twice…’

But I didn’t regret it.

I looked around. There was an empty bed next to mine, the sheets rumpled and messy.

Judging from the hair tangled in the sheets, someone had been lying there.

And then, I turned my head and saw the owner of that hair, sleeping uncomfortably, her head resting on the edge of the bed.

“I’m going to get an earful when she wakes up.”

Harnie’s nagging was as relentless as Jieun’s.

I pushed the thought aside and checked my status window.

▶ Status Ailment: Bleeding Level 5 removed. ◀

▶ Status Ailment: Necrosis Level 3 removed. ◀

▶ Status Ailment: Laceration Level 4 recovering. ◀

▶ Status Ailment: Fracture Level 4 recovering. ◀

…

…

A list of status ailments, either removed or recovering.

My stats were temporarily lowered due to the injuries, and there were several warning messages.

And at the end…

▶ Bad ending averted. ◀

I had survived. Somehow.

“…What’s this?”

▶ Hidden Episode Clear Reward. ◀

[ You may attend the after-party with the Bagrand family. ]

Attend the after-party?

“Seriously?”

I couldn’t help but scoff.

The after-party following the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament was a scheduled event, part of the main storyline.

But attending it offered no benefits. The after-party venue was full of traps and nobles who would try to provoke Carsein.

“And they’re calling that a reward?”

I couldn't understand why they would consider that a reward.

This game…

“Would it be okay if I went with Harnie?”

It had always been that way.

And our goals aligned…

“…”

I looked at the sleeping Harnie and thought,

“They’re so similar. Her and Jieun.”

Their sleeping posture, their closed eyes, their weight, their height, even the way certain assets were distributed.

“Their backgrounds are similar, too. Jieun said she had half-siblings…”

And she had been falsely accused of being a seductress in school.

And today’s incident felt…

-Click.

“You’re already awake? You recover quickly. Well, I suppose that’s to be expected, given your constitution.”

“…!”

Silver hair, golden eyes.

The common features of the Imperial Family.

But this person was different from the siblings I had met before.

“Ah, there’s no need for formalities. Don’t try to get up.”

The Crown Prince.

Albert Schuhenian Pesselus.

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