I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 247

Chapter 247: I Need to Make Money (4)

▶ Sub-Episode: Isabella's Summons has been cleared. ◀

▶ Completion Rate: 82% ◀

The status window appeared as soon as I left Isabella's room.

The completion rating indicated that I had cleared the episode without any major issues.

However, I had clearly missed an opportunity.

The damage to Shatrain from the Waglu faction was substantial. The soil, which had been slowly recovering through neutralization, had been contaminated again by the fertilizer. We had also used smoke to deceive the Waglu faction, which had further damaged the land.

In any case, it would take money to restore the production of Shatrain's specialty crops. And I had just missed a chance to secure those funds.

Furthermore, Isabella was unaware that Arina had come to see me. If I had leveraged that, I might have been able to remove the unfavorable conditions and participate in the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament on my own terms.

I had thrown away that opportunity.

I had refused her offer.

Some might call it foolish, but it was my choice.

I didn't want to leave this house with the help of this family.

They would become strangers when I left.

People I would never see again.

So, I needed to be as clean as possible.

I couldn't give them any reason to hold me back.

I couldn't leave any loose ends.

And I could prepare for that in advance.

In that sense, this chapter, Chapter 3, was one I quite liked in the game.

However, after my transmigration, I had wondered if some unknown variable might arise.

"But it seems that nothing significant has changed, even after my arrival."

If that was the case, then I could be self-sufficient without a problem.

Just like when I started working part-time jobs and found other ways to make money.

Satisfied with the relatively unchanged situation, I walked down the hallway.

And then, I encountered a familiar face at just the right moment.

"..."

A red ponytail stopped.

Blue eyes stared at me, her brow slightly furrowed.

-Ding!

▶ Complete the conversation with Arina. ◀

Yes. It was Arina.

It was a strange situation.

The timing, the location, it all reminded me of that time.

'Well, shall I respond as I did during the morning greeting?'

I immediately looked at the choices.

But… none of them were appealing.

[ 1. (Remain silent and pass by.) ]

[ 2. Don't misunderstand. She summoned me because of the symposium gift. ]

[ 3. Do you need anything? ]

Option 2 made it seem like Carsein was making excuses.

Option 3… I could gain a piece of information, but I already had it from the game, and it hadn't been a major issue during my replays.

So, the correct answer was Option 1.

If I chose Option 1, Arina would misunderstand and stop me. Resolving that misunderstanding would increase her affinity and allow me to proceed without issue.

'But I don't like that.'

Looking at the unappealing choices, I decided to take the initiative and change the situation.

"If you think I went to see Mother because of a symposium gift, you're obviously misunderstanding, right? Arina."

"What are you suddenly talking about?"

Arina frowned and retorted.

And the choices refreshed, presenting a new option.

I smiled inwardly and chose it.

[ 2. (Sarcastically) You're thinking I went to curry favor with Mother, aren't you? ]

"You saw me coming out of her room and thought I went to curry favor with the Duchess, didn't you?"

Arina's expression hardened.

She seemed quite displeased.

I casually shrugged and responded.

"Don't worry. I told her I would participate in the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament, and I accepted the conditions. I also refused the allowance she offered as a symposium gift, saying it was inappropriate for someone of my status. In short, nothing you're imagining happened."

"You...!"

Arina's face contorted in anger.

"Don't exaggerate. I didn't ask, nor did I think you did such a thing!"

"Really? I thought you might react the same way you did during the morning greeting."

"Morning greeting...?"

At the mention of the morning greeting, Arina seemed to recall the incident, and her mouth slightly opened.

Her expression was quite interesting.

I left without a backward glance.

***

Inside a clothing boutique.

To ensure privacy, the shop had a "Closed" sign displayed, but inside, it was busier than ever.

Outfits, accessories, and various beauty products to enhance one's appearance were laid out.

The hired staff were working tirelessly, preparing for someone's special occasion.

In the dressing room.

Harnie emerged, having finished changing.

The staff gasped in admiration.

No, it was more than admiration.

"Oh my..."

"Ah. This is art. This is true beauty!"

"I knew this day would come."

They were deeply moved.

The flower that had always sought simplicity and hid its brilliance had finally bloomed.

The staff's reaction made Harnie feel self-conscious, and she asked,

"Is this really necessary...? I don't think I need to dress up this much..."

The staff members were aghast.

"Of course! Absolutely!"

"It's not 'this much,' it's 'at least this much'!"

"You haven't been able to dress up and have always had to be mindful of others, haven't you?"

"Every noble lady should have dressed like this from the start!"

They vehemently denied her doubts.

Harnie, overwhelmed by their united front, couldn't help but feel flustered.

Still, unconvinced, she asked again.

"But it's just a martial arts tournament. It's not like I'm going to a fashion show, so isn't this excessive...?"

""My Lady! You can't say that!""

The staff members were aghast, vehemently denying her words. They insisted that this was absolutely necessary.

Although there was no explanation of why it had to be from one to ten, Harnie automatically nodded, feeling intimidated.

"Mm-hmm. I think this is what you should wear on the day."

"Is there anything else we need? What else could there be?"

"Perfume! Scent can be quite stimulating."

"Right! Let's go choose one! We need to find one that suits you, my lady."

With enthusiastic chatter, the staff members left.

Now alone, Harnie could finally breathe.

"Phew. Are you alright?"

"Yes. It's just a bit much. I have to do this on the day of the tournament, too."

She let out another sigh.

From early morning, she had been subjected to a thorough cleansing, bordering on a ritual.

Bathing in all sorts of medicinal herbs, bath salts, and cleansers.

And being treated like a doll, constantly changing clothes and accessories, was exhausting.

"My lady, it's all relative. Other noble ladies go to much greater lengths when they dress up. They tighten their corsets and even go on diets."

"Ugh..."

Harnie shuddered at the thought.

But there was a reason for this rehearsal.

Mina smiled slyly and threw out the question she had been waiting to ask.

"But you want to look pretty for him, don't you? For Young Master Carsein."

"..."

No denial.

Just silence, and a blush that crept up her cheeks.

A subtle warmth radiated from her.

The desire to look beautiful for the man she loved.

The desire to ensure he wasn't stolen away by another woman.

This intense emotion, born from love, was a powerful motivator, enabling her to endure this difficult preparation.

"Does it... look strange?"

"Are you kidding? You look like the most beautiful woman in the world. Any man would be captivated. And—"

"Th-that's enough! Stop!"

Of course, she still needed time to adjust to this level of embarrassment.

Mina cleared her throat and emphasized,

"Ahem. I know you haven't forgotten, but this is important, so I'll say it again. At the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament, a fiancée's appearance is the greatest form of support for her fiancé."

"Y-yes. I know."

"Good. Now, let's create some 'real' support."

""Real" support...? Isn't this enough?"

"Heh. Did you really think this was all, my lady?"

"I-I mean... w-well...?"

Harnie fidgeted, her fingers interlacing.

Mina sighed and shook her head.

'Well, it's understandable. She was practically being sold off in an arranged marriage, without a proper proposal.'

She wouldn't know how to exchange tokens of affection or confirm their feelings for each other.

She had only learned what was written in the etiquette books.

There was still a long way to go.

Even though she had opened her eyes to love, there was still so much to teach her.

But there was one good thing.

-Thump!

"You don't want to lose Young Master Carsein to another woman, do you?"

"O-of course not!"

She was determined not to lose him.

Jealousy.

This emotion would be Harnie's greatest weapon.

"Then let's create your own special token."

***

-Scribble, scribble. Thud.

Elegant penmanship, followed by calculations, proofs, and results.

The formulas, the explanations that flowed effortlessly.

How could he come up with these answers in mere seconds?

Flora watched Carsein, marveling at his ability to solve the problems so quickly.

"I've shown you the solutions. Now, you need to review and practice them on your own."

Carsein stood up.

Flora hurriedly grabbed his arm.

"A-already? Stay a little longer!"

"I've shown you everything. Why should I stay?"

"I-I mean..."

Flora couldn't find the words.

She wanted him to teach her more, but he had already solved all the problems. She had no excuse.

"I'm leaving then."

Carsein showed no interest in staying and turned to leave.

"Wait...! Um, uh..."

-Click.

The door closed, and Flora pouted, no matter how much she huffed and puffed, or how much she pleaded with him to stay once he was gone.

Carsein simply turned his back and went about his business.

He walked back to his office, where a new schedule awaited him.

"Young Master."

Camilla handed him a letter.

It was an invitation to the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament.

But it wasn't the only one.

"This letter arrived from Viscount Ptoah. He asked Knight Radiel to deliver it to me."

"I see."

I mustn't forget.

The Another Plan was always active in Chapter 3.

Those within the family who were watching my movements.

In other words, the vassals of the Bagrand Duchy were a source of Noblesse Points, so I needed to pay attention to them.

And if I played my cards right…

It could be a source of income. I had already made preparations for that.

"Send this to Viscount Ptoah."

I needed to secure my escape fund.

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