I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 264

Chapter 264: July 1st (4)

A heavy silence descended upon the room.

Just moments ago, the atmosphere had been warm and cheerful.

Gifts from family members, presented to the eldest daughter on her birthday.

But the broken hair tie had shattered the pleasantries.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“I don’t understand… What’s going on?”

“Good heavens… How should we interpret this…?”

The nobles murmured amongst themselves, their faces a mixture of confusion and disapproval.

And then,

Someone spoke up.

“That… as a birthday present? That’s preposterous!”

It was Marquis Magnuel, a vassal of the Bagrand Duchy.

***

The situation might seem strange.

Marquis Magnuel, a Bagrand vassal, was openly criticizing Carsein.

Was he betraying the Bagrand Duchy? No. He was a loyal vassal, devoted to the family.

However, even within a noble family, loyalties could be divided. And the Bagrand Duchy was no exception.

Marquis Magnuel smiled inwardly.

‘This is perfect. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to deal with him.’

During the symposium, he had thought Carsein would struggle with Shatrain, the territory he had been assigned.

But contrary to his expectations, Carsein had not only successfully revitalized the territory, but he had also exposed those responsible for its downfall. He had even achieved a score high enough to warrant a new ranking.

And now, during the martial arts tournament, rumors were spreading about him being the first to qualify for the arena battle.

Because of this, Arina’s position as the heir was starting to weaken.

Some were even claiming that Carsein possessed the qualities of a true successor.

This was troublesome.

The rumors about the successor position could solidify, creating a legitimate rival for Arina.

But this was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss.

“That hair tie is something the Lady frequently wears. It’s strange that he would bring that as a gift, don’t you think?”

“Indeed!”

“The Marquis is right!”

A few nobles voiced their agreement.

“It’s absurd to claim that something she already owns is a birthday present. There must be another reason… Perhaps…”

A sly smile spread across his face.

“…he didn’t prepare a gift at all.”

“…!”

Flora flinched.

‘As expected. He must have left in such a hurry because of the youngest lady’s gift.’

There was no other reason for their reaction.

Confident that he had planted the seed of doubt, Claire suddenly stood up, slamming her hand on the table.

-Thump!

“Marquis, you’re being presumptuous.”

“Lady Claire, even so, it’s a reasonable assumption. There’s precedent, is there not?”

“Precedent or not, it’s inappropriate to make such accusations at an event like this!”

Claire tried to change the subject, to steer the conversation away from the Marquis’s accusations.

But they wouldn’t back down.

“Then Young Master Carsein can simply present the real gift and resolve this misunderstanding.”

“You…!”

“And isn’t it strange that Young Master Carsein is in possession of Lady Arina’s personal belongings?”

“If he claims to have brought a similar item, it’s certainly grounds for suspicion.”

“Perhaps he stole it in a hurry and accidentally broke it.”

“Hah. Enough!”

Claire’s outburst prompted Marquis Magnuel to speak again.

“This is Lady Arina’s birthday party, the eldest daughter of the Bagrand Duchy. What does it mean if he didn’t even prepare a gift for such an important occasion?”

The Marquis continued, his voice filled with feigned concern,

“It means he’s not even qualified to be considered as a successor. Such behavior is unacceptable for a member of the Bagrand family.”

The Marquis’s words resonated with those who shared his sentiments, and they murmured their agreement.

“I, too, hope this is just a misunderstanding, Young Master Carsein. So, please, stop this charade and present the real birthday gift.”

Marquis Magnuel’s polite request ended, and all eyes turned to Carsein.

He had to respond.

‘Well, what will he say?’

Would he try to defend his qualifications as a successor and fail?

Or would he be framed for damaging or stealing the gift?

There were many possibilities.

They could easily destroy his carefully crafted image.

The Marquis waited for Carsein’s response, a smug smile on his face.

“You’re absolutely right. I did prepare a gift.”

Carsein pulled something out of his inner pocket.

It was the gift for Arina.

However, it was a rather underwhelming gift.

There was no wrapping.

And the hair tie wasn't even properly presented. It was simply dangling from his hand, when it should have been presented in a box for the recipient to open.

He had completely disregarded etiquette.

Of course, he could make excuses.

He could claim that he had personally added a mark or logo, demonstrating his sincerity.

But that wasn’t the case either. The hair tie in his hand was clearly store-bought, untouched since its purchase.

In short, it was a cheap, thoughtless gift.

It barely qualified as a present.

‘Hmph. Just as I thought.’

This would be enough to discredit him as a potential successor.

But his reaction was strange.

“Yes. Well… the position of successor is certainly not suited for someone like me. You’re absolutely right.”

Even though his carefully crafted image was crumbling before their eyes,

Carsein remained calm and composed.

He even…

“I apologize for disrupting the birthday party. I should probably excuse myself.”

…smiled.

***

I had been worried that there might be no consequences for ruining the birthday party.

‘But it seems I was wrong.’

Thanks to Marquis Magnuel and the other vassals who had pointed out my supposed transgressions, things had proceeded smoothly.

There was no reason for me to stay.

I was no longer a guest, but an unwelcome intruder.

“Wait, Carsein!”

“C-Carsein…”

Claire and Flora called out to me, but I ignored them and left the party.

A status window appeared.

-Ding!

▶ Episode III: Arina’s Birthday cleared. ◀

▶ Public attention is too high! ◀

▶ Due to excessive public attention, rewards have been nullified, and penalties will be applied. ◀

[ Family affinity will decrease in proportion to the level of attention received. ]

[ Reputation within the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament will decrease. ]

[ Affinity with certain nobles will decrease. ]

…

…

As expected.

I had cleared the episode, but instead of rewards, I was met with a barrage of penalties.

Of course, I hadn’t done anything to increase my affinity.

Nor had I followed the proper procedure for clearing the episode.

I had essentially ruined Arina’s birthday party, turning it into a disaster.

And the nobles…

Arina was a symbol of this generation, highly regarded among them.

My actions would undoubtedly decrease their affinity. I had ruined their celebration.

But amidst all the negative notifications, one message was conspicuously absent.

“As expected.”

The death flag.

The ultimate penalty for ruining the birthday party hadn’t appeared.

Despite having offended Arina, the birthday girl, and significantly lowering her affinity, the death flag hadn’t been triggered.

There was only one explanation.

“So she’s pleased that I’m no longer a threat to her position as successor.”

Arina was satisfied with this outcome.

Even if the other guests were displeased.

Even if they were disappointed by my behavior, which contradicted the image I had cultivated during the symposium and the tournament.

Even if my family couldn’t understand my actions.

She, at least, would be happy.

Because I had fallen from grace.

That’s why the death flag hadn’t appeared.

The key to this episode was appeasing Arina.

“Hah. For such a trivial reason… Hahahaha!”

It was laughable.

That she would harbor such resentment towards me.

That she would feel threatened by me, when she had everything.

A cold chill enveloped me.

My mind was finally clear.

As expected,

I had to escape this family as soon as possible.

“Young Master Carsein? Lady Arina’s birthday party is still in progress…”

“Let’s go.”

“Y-yes.”

I gave a curt reply to the puzzled coachman, and he wordlessly took the reins.

The consequences of ruining Arina Bagrand’s birthday party would be severe.

My Noblesse Points would likely plummet.

But I could handle it.

This was the most efficient way to clear Chapter 3.

“I’ll sink to the bottom, just as you wish.”

***

Heron sighed.

‘Young Master, what are you thinking?’

A broken hair tie? That wasn't a gift.

The new hair tie he had presented wasn't a proper gift either.

He had already prepared a gift. Heron himself had been entrusted with it.

And yet, he had acted so impulsively. Heron couldn't understand it.

“What in the world is going on…?”

“Did you two not hear anything?”

“…I don’t know. I don’t know anything.”

“How could…”

Shaiden looked at Flora pleadingly.

But Flora shook her head.

Claire, shocked by Carsein’s sudden outburst,

Claire, who had flinched when her own birthday party was mentioned,

Heron and Shaiden, who had followed them, bewildered…

They were all confused.

But amidst the confusion,

Someone stood up and ran.

-Tap, tap, tap!

“Lady Harnie?”

“My lady!”

She knew it was urgent.

Carsein had left for the birthday party alone and early. Something was bound to happen.

It had happened during the other family birthday celebrations as well.

He had deliberately avoided them, or intentionally caused trouble and left.

There was no guarantee that he wouldn't do the same thing this time. He might even act out, then respond with his usual indifferent expression, “Why should I care about such things?”

So, she had to prevent it.

She had to be there, to stop anything from happening.

She had to be by his side, to protect him as his fiancée.

But…

It was too late.

The incident had already occurred.

Carsein knew how important his eldest sister’s birthday was.

He was a meticulous planner.

He knew the potential consequences.

He could have used this opportunity to network with the nobles and gain their favor.

But his actions had contradicted his usual behavior.

That meant something had happened.

Something at the birthday party.

-It’s not that dangerous. And… this is better.

‘Could it be…’

His strange certainty bothered her.

That this was better? Did he plan this?

While he always had a strained relationship with his family, she felt unusually uneasy today.

‘Please, don’t let him be too far gone…!’

Harnie instinctively knew that she couldn’t leave Carsein alone, and she ran.

-Neigh!

“Carsein!”

The carriage was already far away.

Even if she followed him now, she wouldn't know where he was going once they reached a fork in the road.

“If I call for a carriage…”

No, that would take too long.

Just then,

She saw a lone horse.

If she rode that she could catch up!

-Whinny!

“Lady Harnie!”

“Knight Radiel?”

“Get on! Quickly!”

There was no time for explanations.

She took the knight’s hand and mounted the horse.

“Do you know where he went?”

“…No. He left alone…”

“We’ll have to search everywhere he might go.”

“Don’t worry. Even if it takes all night, I’ll find him.”

In this moment,

If she left Carsein alone, he would truly break.

‘I have to find him… before it’s too late!’

She couldn’t bear to see the man she loved fall apart.

***

Night had fallen.

The birthday party was likely winding down.

Meanwhile,

Carsein had finished thinking.

“I’m sorry, Willard.”

It seemed he wouldn’t be able to keep his promise.

-Ding!

▶ The special conditions for Episode III have been met. ◀

[ 1. Decrease Arina’s affinity at the birthday party. ]

[ 2. Decrease Arina’s affinity to the lowest possible level, regardless of the affinity of other characters. ]

[ 3. Leave the birthday party, giving Arina what she wants. ]

▶ Hidden Episode: Recurring July 1st cleared. ◀

▶ Perfect Clear achieved. ◀

▶ Arina’s feelings have been revealed. ◀

[ Arina Bagrand ]

[ Inferiority Complex: 80% ]

▶ Reward granted. ◀

■ Reward

[ All death flags related to Arina will be nullified whenever you lose your qualification as successor. ]

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