I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 261

Chapter 261: July 1st (1)

-Tap, tap.

Hours had passed since I had fallen into deep thought, my fingers drumming lightly on the table.

Hours since that message had appeared.

My original plans had been pushed aside, the day unfolding in an unexpected direction.

But it couldn’t be helped.

The message I had seen upon waking, the notification about Arina’s decreased affinity, had forced me to re-prioritize everything.

“Nothing happened yesterday. There were no signs, no indications of any trouble.”

Arina had completed the second day of the martial arts tournament without incident.

We hadn’t interacted, and I hadn’t triggered anything that would upset her.

And yet, a variable had appeared at the start of the third day…

Which meant the cause was likely me.

An immutable law of this game: if I followed the exact same route, made the exact same choices, the predetermined story would unfold.

But even the slightest deviation could trigger unforeseen consequences.

In other words, my actions had created a variable.

The outcome of events in the game had diverged, creating an opening for something unexpected to occur.

And that led me to a single conclusion.

“…The tournament results.”

My current performance and reputation were drastically different from what they had been in the game.

Chapter 3, due to the Another Plan, offered more freedom than previous chapters. While I had achieved my initial goal of increasing Noblesse Points,

From a different perspective, my deviation from the familiar storyline of the game had caused the story to diverge.

Focusing on this, I was able to pinpoint the likely cause.

-Because of your outstanding performance in the tournament, there are rumors that you might become the next head of the Bagrand Duchy.

“Harnie was right.”

The rumors that had begun circulating on the second day of the tournament.

Yes, that was the cause.

“Those rumors must have reached the Bagrand Duchy, and if that’s why Arina’s affinity decreased…”

It made sense.

While it might seem strange, the Bagrand Duchy was Arina’s birthright.

She had always fulfilled her duties as the eldest daughter.

She had been the pillar of the family, supporting them when Isabella had been incapacitated by her illness.

She had even taken on some of Isabella’s responsibilities, laying the foundation for the family while her younger siblings were still growing up. News articles from that time, which I had read in the game, had even touted Arina as the next head of the family.

“So what would happen if I suddenly became a contender for that position?”

It was obvious.

It would be as if a thief had stolen what rightfully belonged to her.

And she was being forced to compete with an outsider, a foundling picked up from the slums.

While I didn’t want to admit it, it was understandable why Arina would be upset.

“But the solution is simple.”

Finally, after hours of contemplation, I had found the answer.

It was because of the rumors, right?

“Camilla.”

“Yes, Young Master?”

“Prepare the carriage.”

I would make it clear that I wasn’t interested in becoming the successor.

And the episode provided the perfect opportunity.

***

“Young Master, the carriage is ready.”

“Good.”

I heard Camilla’s voice from outside and emerged from my room, dressed in simple but elegant attire.

I had to ask,

“And the investigation I requested?”

“I apologize. It seems that even Mother, let alone the other maids, is unaware of anything unusual…”

“Don’t apologize. I wasn’t expecting much, anyway.”

Just in case, I had asked Camilla to do something for me.

To find out if anything had upset Arina.

To see if there had been any unusual changes in her behavior.

I had hoped Camilla, with her extensive network of contacts among the maids, could gather some information about Arina, but it seemed to have been a dead end.

‘Well, this damn game wouldn’t be so easily broken.’

Chapter 3, centered around the Another Plan, was designed to create obstacles for the player. I had tried to manipulate the game mechanics, but such simple tricks wouldn’t work.

So, I only had one option left.

-Ding!

▶ Missing story segment detected. ◀

▶ Mandatory main episode initiated! ◀

▶ Modifying the currently active Episode III. ◀

▶ Episode III: Arina’s Birthday will begin. ◀

I had to face the known variable, Arina’s birthday, head-on. If I cleared the main episode and restored her affinity, I could overcome this crisis.

The location of Arina’s birthday party was as stated in the invitation.

Before boarding the carriage, I checked my appearance one last time.

My attire was simple, yet elegant.

It reflected my status as a noble, and the dignity of the Bagrand family, without being overly ostentatious.

It was the most appropriate attire for this occasion.

It might seem ridiculous, but in the game, this alone had slightly increased Arina’s affinity.

And if I remained calm and composed, that would be another plus.

I boarded the carriage.

Just then, Camilla cautiously asked,

“Young Master, wouldn’t it be better to bring Lady Harnie with you?”

“Harnie?”

“Yes. I’m… a little worried.”

Attending Arina’s birthday party with Harnie? I understood her reasoning.

‘If I show up alone at a gathering filled with nobles, there’s bound to be trouble. Having an ally, even just one, would make a huge difference.’

And that ally was my fiancée.

Even if I caused trouble, they wouldn’t dare to openly confront me in front of her.

In the best-case scenario, and in the worst-case scenario.

And it was perfectly normal for a fiancée to accompany her fiancé.

It was the natural thing to do.

In short, it was insurance.

Camilla’s advice was sound.

But…

“My fiancée is busy. I can’t ask her to waste her time on this.”

This was my problem.

I was the reason the rumors had started, and I was the one who hadn’t noticed them.

I couldn’t ask her to be my shield, after causing this mess myself.

It would be one thing if I intended to use her and discard her, but I didn’t want to do that to Harnie.

…How could I use someone who had shown me nothing but kindness as a shield?

‘Besides, I already have a plan.’

I didn’t need to bring Harnie. I could handle this myself.

“If there was another reason, something more pressing, then maybe. But did you receive any other messages?”

“…No, nothing else has arrived.”

“Then it’s fine.”

As I boarded the carriage, Camilla simply said,

“Be careful, Young Master.”

I nodded and closed the door.

-Ding!

▶ Episode III: Arina’s Birthday is in progress. ◀

▶ Traveling to Arina’s birthday party. ◀

▶ You will not be able to return to your lodgings. Will you proceed? ◀

[ 1. Proceed ]

[ 2. Make further preparations ]

There was nothing else to consider.

I had made all the necessary preparations, and I knew what the problem was.

I needed to make my stance clear about the successor position and restore Arina’s affinity as quickly as possible.

I selected [Proceed] and the carriage started moving.

“July 1st…”

What a coincidence.

Arina’s birthday was the same as my older sister’s.

A bitter taste filled my mouth.

That day…

“Tsk. Why am I thinking about this?”

I shook my head, pushing away the unwanted memories.

***

“What? He’s already left?”

Harnie, who had been choosing a dress, turned sharply at Mina’s words.

“Yes. I asked Camilla, just in case… and it seems he’s already on his way.”

Harnie’s face fell, and she nervously clutched the hem of her nightgown.

‘This isn’t good.’

Her lower lip jutted out in a pout.

She had anticipated that Carsein would have to attend an event.

Today was Arina Bagrand’s birthday, the eldest daughter of the Bagrand Duchy. While they weren’t close, she knew Carsein would attend, as he disliked being the subject of gossip.

But the event had started much earlier than expected.

She had heard that there were no scheduled events for him today, so she had planned to give him a custom-made outfit, but if he had already left, she wouldn't be able to give it to him.

Mina smiled slyly.

“What are you going to do? You had the perfect excuse to spend time with the young master.”

“Wh-what are you talking about…!”

“Isn’t it true? You wanted to show him the outfit you designed, dress him yourself, and have a nice, cozy date.”

“Ugh…!”

Harnie’s face flushed crimson.

It was true.

But that wasn’t the only reason.

“Mina, can you help me with my dress?”

“Now?”

“Yes. I need to go after him.”

She had to be there, by his side, in case something happened.

Carsein’s relationship with his family was as strained as her own.

She had heard that he had deliberately avoided Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony, and had even intentionally caused trouble during Flora’s birthday party.

That’s why she wanted to be there.

If something happened, she could intervene as his fiancée.

If he was falsely accused, she could act as a witness.

If he was scolded or blamed, she could create a distraction and help him escape.

And if he was hurt, physically or emotionally, she could be there to comfort him.

“Mina, can you hurry?”

“Just a moment, my lady. The lines need to be perfect… Ow!”

“Forget about that and just hurry!”

“But this accessory is essential!”

“There’s no time!”

She didn’t want to see the man she loved suffer, not even for a moment.

She had to get to him, as quickly as possible.

***

▶ Episode III: Arina’s Birthday is in progress. ◀

▶ Arriving at Arina’s birthday party. ◀

▶ Entering a restricted area. Please exercise caution. ◀

‘A restricted area.’

This was the third time I had attended a family birthday celebration.

First, Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony, then Flora’s birthday, and now Arina’s.

But today was different.

I wasn’t entering a high-risk situation with limited time and resources.

I had a clear plan, ample time, and I had prepared thoroughly to avoid any situations that might decrease my affinity.

“We’ve arrived, Young Master!”

The carriage stopped.

Affinity management was crucial at this stage. I gave the coachman a generous tip and headed towards the entrance.

‘This is it.’

Just as I was about to enter…

-Ding!

▶ Conflict with a noble has occurred. ◀

▶ Please make a choice. ◀

Right on cue.

This had happened during the other birthday events as well. Why would Arina’s be any different?

Wherever Carsein went, trouble followed.

And with the Another Plan active in Chapter 3, the obstacles were even more widespread and dangerous.

But as I mentioned earlier, I was prepared.

“Please wait a moment! My wheel has come off…!”

“What kind of beggar is riding in a carriage like that?! Who’s the owner?!”

A noble, disembarking from the carriage behind me, shouted as the dilapidated carriage with a broken wheel blocked the entrance.

“Riding in a carriage like that. Hmph. Probably some lowborn from the backwoods!”

How convenient.

That was the line I had been waiting for.

The choices weren’t ideal, so I would have to twist them a bit.

[ 1. I’m sorry, but that’s my carriage. ]

“My apologies for being a lowborn from the backwoods.”

“Wh-what…?”

First, let’s eliminate the possibility of a decrease in affinity for showing off wealth.

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