I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 250

Chapter 250: Sponsor Designation (3)

After changing into one outfit, she would change into another.

Just when it seemed she had finally found something suitable, she would change into yet another.

Harnie had been trying on countless dresses, as if she were a doll.

In the end, the attire and adornments prepared for this single day brilliantly illuminated her beauty.

The employees of the trading company were filled with excitement.

Those who had chosen the clothes carried themselves with pride, as if their shoulders had been padded.

Mina, who had orchestrated all of this, was especially enthusiastic.

Behind them, Harnie headed to the gathering.

Although she had experienced it before, it was still tiring.

She had woken up early to bathe, nearly scrubbing her skin raw, using all sorts of fragrant oils and bath products.

Then, for hours, she had sat like a doll, trying on different outfits and changing accessories. Even the carriage ride had been uncomfortable.

But in another part of her mind, she was filled with anticipation.

‘What will Carsein think when he sees me…?’

For this one person.

For the man who held her heart.

As the fiancée cheering on Carsein, who would be competing in the martial arts tournament…

She wondered what kind of reaction she would receive, all dressed up for him. A blush crept onto her cheeks.

The carriage arrived at the venue.

Harnie immediately began to search for Carsein.

But this was a mistake.

She had been so focused on her anticipation that she had forgotten about the numerous gazes that would be fixed upon her.

“Oh my, look at her, dressed up to the nines…!”

“She’s obviously trying to seduce the men, right?”

“Even though she has a fiancé… Well, I guess some things never change.”

“I wonder who she’s trying to bewitch this time.”

The voices of the noble ladies.

Whenever she dressed up, they were always there, watching with envy.

They would point fingers, and whisper about her supposed latest target.

It was a consequence of the nasty rumor that labeled her as the social circle’s seductress. By dressing up, she had given them fuel for their gossip.

Harnie finally came to her senses and maintained her poker face.

‘It’s fine. I’m used to this, right?’

It didn't matter if she heard the same things again.

…But.

“Hmph. She’s just a bastard. No matter how much she tries to act expensive, she’s still a lowborn from a fallen family who can’t even get proper treatment in her own house. She has no skills, no talent. She’s probably clinging to that commoner from the Bagrand Duchy, hoping to become his puppet wife. Just let her be. Heh heh.”

Even though she tried to ignore it, it didn't mean that it didn't hurt.

The deeply ingrained label of being a bastard, and the accusations that her only asset was her looks, inevitably made her feel dejected.

How hard have I worked.

They don't know anything!

Harnie held back her frustration.

But if she spoke up now, it would only make things worse.

In this place, she had no allies. Any outburst would be twisted and exaggerated, spreading as malicious rumors.

She knew from experience that it was better to swallow her pride and remain silent, no matter how unfair it was.

She had done it countless times before.

Just as she was about to turn away, her ears closed to their words…

-Thud!

A heavy thud echoed from somewhere.

Then, the sound of someone falling.

She had a general idea of where it was coming from.

The place she had just turned away from.

The place where the noble ladies had been gossiping about her.

And the place where the man who had just called her a puppet wife was standing.

-Thump-thump.

‘…Could it be?’

A sudden thought made her heart beat faster.

Cautiously.

Very cautiously, she turned her head.

A shock of black hair, visible at the edge of her vision, made her heart pound once more.

-Thump!

“Ugh, ugh…! What are you doing…!”

“If you had apologized properly from the start, I would have let it go. But not anymore, you bastard.”

-Thump! Thud! Thump!

“Guh, ugh, st-stop. Stop… Ugh…”

“You shouldn’t badmouth someone’s fiancée, right in front of them.”

Never before had anyone expressed their anger on Harnie’s behalf.

There were those who tried to take advantage of her.

Those who approached her with veiled intentions, offering comfort with a predatory glint in their eyes.

Those who schemed, hoping to use her for their own gain.

She had been surrounded by such people.

But he was different.

In this moment, Carsein was expressing pure, unadulterated anger.

For her.

He was acting on her behalf, even though he knew what the consequences might be.

He was standing up for her, in a place where everyone else would only offer whispers and averted gazes. He was making it clear that she had someone on her side.

-Thump!

For a man to act on her behalf…

It made her heart flutter.

However…

-Thwack! Thwack!

As the brutal sounds of beating continued, and the young lord’s head began to bleed,

Harnie came to her senses.

‘Right. I can’t just stand here.’

This commotion would have repercussions.

…No.

“S-stop, stop…!”

It had already started.

***

“S-stop, stop…!”

“Is he fighting at a sacred social gathering?”

“It hasn’t even been that long since he caused trouble at the tournament, and he’s at it again…!”

The commotion spread.

Like thick dye spreading through water, it diffused, expanding further and further.

Of course, there was room for rebuttal.

She had been slandered, and he was defending her. That fact could be used to justify his actions.

If he emphasized that hid fianceé had been insulted right in front of him, the mood could quickly shift in their favor.

However.

“Look at him. That young lord won’t even be able to participate in the tournament.”

“Is he trying to eliminate the competition because he’s not skilled enough?”

“How vulgar…! If that’s true, he should be disqualified as punishment!”

The situation was being twisted, the facts distorted.

The instigator’s words and actions were being ignored, and the blame was being shifted solely onto Carsein.

And there was no way to prove otherwise.

Even if she spoke up, their numbers were greater. They would simply hide behind their majority.

That was why he was smiling.

“Heh. Heh heh. You’ve done it now. You’re screwed, Carsein.”

“Are you going to say he was badmouthing your fiancée? I’m afraid most people here are on our side. What will your family think?”

“We were just having a perfectly normal conversation.”

They had reason to be confident.

How frustrating. It was as if they were all reading from the same script.

Well, I was used to this sort of experience in the real world, too. Having to go through it twice didn't change anything.

Shuffle.

"Carsein."

Meanwhile, Harnie approached and took my arm.

"I'm fine. This is enough... Let's withdraw, okay?"

She wanted to withdraw, as if this harassment didn't matter.

She suggested retreating, probably judging it wiser to ignore their taunts than to engage.

There was no need to ask if she was okay.

Her expression was all too familiar. It was the same face Jieun used to make, pretending she was fine even when she was being bullied.

…That's why I couldn't back down.

"I have a plan, Harnie. Can you trust me?"

Harnie hesitated for a moment at my question.

"I trust you."

She quickly nodded in agreement.

Okay. That's all I needed.

***

▶You have caused a disturbance at the social gathering!◀

▶ Someone from your family will arrive at the scene soon. ◀

▶ Failure to resolve the issue will result in penalties in subsequent sub-episodes. ◀

If I retaliated while everyone was pointing fingers, I would be framed.

And if I caused a scene, it would only escalate the situation, resulting in even greater penalties from my family.

But in my experience, there was a very good way to make them eat their words.

Not responding, not saying anything, just waiting. That was the main reason.

I was sure.

The method I had used back then would work here, too.

Whether it was due to the system mechanics or based on my personal experience, this was the answer.

So I waited.

Until I heard their voices.

"I'm offended. We were just having a conversation."

"Like fiancé, like fiancée."

"Trying to frame someone else like this."

"Isn't this going too far?"

They started pressuring me, now that I wasn't responding.

'It's about time.'

Enough time had passed for the commotion to reach someone's ears.

Just as I was wondering when someone from the Bagrand family would arrive.

Someone finally spoke up.

But it was different.

The voice wasn't the familiar reprimand directed at me.

"Stop spouting nonsense!"

"Wh-what?"

"I heard everything, you gossiping about Young Master Carsein's fiancée, Lady Harnie!"

-Ding!

▶ Helpers have appeared. ◀

▶ Helpers from Lusmire! ◀

[ Participants: Kiyan, Melic, Tony ]

"She's our lord's fiancée, how could we not hear what you were saying about her?"

"Guh, huh...!"

"How strange. Are you trying to protect your lord?"

"Like lord and like subject...! It's quite a sight!"

-Ding!

▶ Helpers have appeared. ◀

▶ Helpers from Shatrain! ◀

[ Participants: Dyke, Frikt]

"We have ears, too. Are you saying we're lying, then?"

"An insult to our lord's fiancée is an insult to our lord. Are you saying all our ears are deceiving us?"

"Th-these commoners are ganging up...!"

"Stop spouting nonsense! These commoner bastards are making worthless sophistry!"

"Do commoners' ears hear different voices or something?"

"Oh? Commoner ears, you say. Then our ears must not be wrong."

-Ding!

▶ Helpers have appeared. ◀

▶ Helpers from the West! ◀

[ Participants: Marquis Ipheros, Count Lilpet ]

"Wh-what? You barbarians dare to..."

"Strictly speaking, we hold Imperial titles. Unlike you brats, who are merely children of noble families."

"What did you just say about commoners' ears? That they only hear different voices? Are you implying that our ears, those of us who are recognized as nobles, are also wrong?"

▶ The appearance of helpers is causing a shift in public opinion! ◀

"Maybe they really did slander her?"

"That's right. They insulted his fiancée right in front of him. Looking at it that way, it doesn't seem like a complete lie."

"I think so too. I heard that Young Master Carsein is very fond of his fiancée."

"It's probably true. I heard that he never left her side during the school trip... They really must have slandered her."

…This was completely unexpected.

There were a few people defending me.

And because of their support, the solid public opinion was starting to crumble.

This was probably due to the nature of the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament.

Not only nobles but also commoners who wished to prove their skills participated in the tournament. That seemed to be the cause of this situation.

'But this could backfire if I'm not careful.'

Luckily, they showed up just in time.

"What's all the commotion?"

...But wasn't it supposed to be random?

Why did three people come?

▶ Your family has randomly appeared after hearing the commotion! ◀

[ Family Members Present: Arina, Claire, Flora ]

Well. Fine.

No matter how many came, I only had one course of action.

Arina was already furrowing her brow, but let her think what she wants.

I stepped forward, feeling the time was right.

Back then, and now too.

The other party had withdrawn, trying to frame me.

If that was the case, my course of action became even easier.

“Ah. I lost my temper and hit him. I’m sorry.”

“Wh-what?”

“I’m sorry. It was my fault.”

The guy looked bewildered.

“…He says he’s sorry. It seems he admits his fault and wants to apologize.”

Arina moved as I had hoped she would.

Only then did the guy seem to grasp the situation, his lips twitching.

He had tried to frame me while taking a beating, but my apology had rendered all his efforts useless.

All my family had seen was me apologizing after causing trouble.

No matter how much of a scene I made, it wouldn’t be considered strange since I was admitting my fault.

Even if they realized my apology was insincere, what could they do?

I had already apologized, so did they have proof that it wasn’t genuine?

Besides, if they refused to accept my apology, it would truly seem like they were trying to frame me.

In short, they were trapped.

By seemingly offering a superficial apology.

I was definitely going to be scolded. But they had been thoroughly beaten, and their attempt to frame me had failed miserably.

‘Now. What will you do?’

What could you possibly do?

Just quietly accept the apology and leave?

Now openly sneering, the guy gritted his teeth. But he didn't react.

“Fuck. I need to get this treated, move!”

He stormed off, unable to contain his anger, clearly showing who had won and who had lost.

“You and I have much to discuss, Carsein.”

Right. Well… I had caused a scene, so I needed to deal with the aftermath.

I would get an earful, but I could handle it. I had apologized, hadn't I?

As I was thinking that, Harnie grabbed my hand.

“Thank you. For getting angry on my behalf.”

-Thank you. For getting angry for me.

It was the same result as back then.

Then, I should give the same answer, too.

“If something like this happens again, tell me. Okay?”

Harnie hesitated for a moment before answering.

Very softly.

“Okay.”

She replied.

It didn't feel bad at all.

***

For Harnie, the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament was not a pleasant memory either.

She would hear whispers about how she was trying to seduce someone.

Even when she showed support for someone, that too was met with suspicion.

Because of this, she couldn't do anything. Unlike other noble ladies, she had to remain passive. She couldn't invest, couldn't gain anything. During this wonderful opportunity.

It wasn't fun at all.

The tournament, because of these bad memories, was often forgotten by her.

But today was different.

“…”

Though only a single door separated them.

When she recalled Carsein thoroughly beating the man who had slandered her, her face kept turning red. Along with her heart racing freely, seizing the moment.

This memory…

She wouldn’t be able to forget it.

-Ding!

▶ ??? has increased. ◀

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