I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 237

Chapter 237: Hospital Visit (3)

‘…Did I hear that right?’

Are you feeling alright?

That wasn’t the usual Flora.

While she had toned down her behavior somewhat since Chapter 1, Flora usually started yelling at this point.

So I should just placate her and send her on her way, but…

‘Her affinity has already increased?’

[Flora Bagrand]

[Affinity: 68%]

And there weren’t any other colors indicating a hidden event.

What was going on?

This was incredibly confusing.

I had to respond, regardless. I chose an option.

[3. You can just leave. You don’t want to be here anyway.]

“You don’t have to worry about me. Just go. You don’t have any reason to visit me, anyway.”

It was a bit harsh, but it didn’t matter.

This little brat didn’t want to be here, and she didn’t have any real reason to visit.

If there was some system-forced reason, I would just shut it down.

“And I don’t need a guardian.”

-Rustle.

“…?!”

“C-Carsein?”

“As you can see, my fiancée is taking good care of me.”

You don’t want to visit me anyway.

You have no reason to be here.

And my fiancée is already my guardian.

With that, the trifecta of rejection was complete.

This should be enough to send her on her way, fuming.

I turned away, dismissing her.

But… I had miscalculated.

“…I do.”

“What?”

“I have a reason!”

Something small flew towards me.

It wasn’t thrown with much force, so it was easy to catch.

…This was familiar.

◆ Kelbia Allergy Reliever

[A Kelbia allergy reliever created by Flora. Reduces the effects of Kelbia allergies.]

The item Flora had tried to give me when she first arrived.

She had explained the custom of gift-giving for the symposium winner, and told me to use it if someone tried to give me Kelbia fruit.

Flora stared at me, her expression daring me to refuse.

‘…Did she really come all this way just to give me this?’

But she was approaching me, one step at a time…

-Grab.

What was this?

Why was she grabbing my arm?

I stared at her, completely bewildered, but she ignored me, her attention focused elsewhere.

“Carsein is a Bagrand!” she declared.

“I… I beg your pardon?”

“He’s family!”

She glared at Harnie, her voice sharp and accusatory.

…What was she talking about?

This made absolutely no sense.

‘Did Harnie do something?’

I glanced at Harnie, but she just shook her head, equally confused.

-Ding!

▶ Flora’s affinity has increased. ◀

[Current level: 70%]

What the hell.

Why was she acting like this?

What was going on?

***

Flora continued to glare at Harnie, muttering under her breath.

She kept making nonsensical statements, clinging to my arm.

“If you have a problem, take it up with me, not my fiancée.”

Logically, if anyone had a reason to be upset, it should be me.

I didn't understand why she was directing her anger at Harnie, but it didn't seem right to scold someone who was innocent.

So I said something, but…

“You’re a Bagrand! You idiot!”

“What?”

“Ugh…! I hate you! I hate you so much—!”

Flora stormed out of the room, fuming.

She paused at the doorway, then glared at me, pointing at the vial in my hand.

“At least take your medicine, you idiot!”

“…”

-Slam!

“What the hell was that about? What does being a Bagrand have to do with anything?”

That little brat was impossible to understand.

I hadn’t wanted to listen to her nonsensical ramblings, but now that she had left… it was probably for the best.

▶ Condition met. ◀

[Conversation with Flora Bagrand 1/1]

The episode was progressing without issue.

◆ Kelbia Allergy Reliever

[A Kelbia allergy reliever created by Flora. Reduces the effects of Kelbia allergies.]

“…I’ll just put this in the drawer later.”

I needed to go find Harnie, who had been unceremoniously dismissed.

-Click.

“Hmm? Dyke?”

Ah, right. People from the territory could visit as well.

This visitor, at least, should be normal.

“Looks like you overheard that. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.”

“Yes. My apologies.”

Dyke scratched his cheek, glancing at the doorway where Flora had stormed out, then turned to me.

“That kind of childish behavior is quite endearing.”

“What?”

“I have a younger sister myself, so I understand.”

Did he really? Did having a younger sister give him some special insight?

I dismissed him with a wave of my hand.

‘Endearing?’

I glanced at the doorway where Flora had left, replaying the events in my mind.

And I immediately disagreed.

‘That’s ridiculous.’

Endearing?

That little brat?

Seriously? She had thrown a tantrum because she was upset. How was that endearing?

“Dyke, you’re giving Flora too much credit. That wasn’t endearing.”

“My lord, but…”

“You seem to have a good relationship with your sister, considering you came here looking for Shatrain strawberries to save her life. But my relationship with Flora is different.”

It was the worst.

I patted Dyke on the shoulder, telling him to wait, then went to retrieve Harnie.

“Hmm…”

Dyke scratched his head again.

He muttered to himself, 'No, that was definitely what it was.'

***

Soon, my room was filled with visitors.

Dyke, Frikt, and the other guards, along with representatives from Shatrain and Lusmire, arrived with gifts and well wishes. One side of the room was piled high with presents for the symposium winner.

Of course, my family was among the visitors.

“I was so worried… I’m so relieved you’re awake.”

The Duchess, Isabella, expressed her hope for a speedy recovery.

“I have something to discuss with you when you return to the manor. I’ll wait until you’re fully recovered.”

Arina said she had something to tell me.

The Family Visits episode primarily focused on conversations with family members, so this much was easy.

There wasn’t anything to be wary of here.

There were a few choices to navigate, to avoid upsetting them, but it was an episode that could be cleared in a single day.

And yet…

I still hadn’t cleared it.

▶ CHAPTER 3 - Episode I: Family Visits is in progress. ◀

▶ You must meet with all members of the Bagrand family. ◀

[Isabella Bagrand 1/1]

[Arina Bagrand 1/1]

[Claire Bagrand 0/1]

[Flora Bagrand 1/1]

A single person.

I was missing one person.

Claire was usually the easiest family member to meet during the Hospital Visit episode.

Just like always,

“Hey! Why do you always have to get yourself hurt?!”

She was usually the first to arrive, scolding Carsein the moment she saw him.

But Claire was nowhere to be seen.

From morning to noon, then through the afternoon and into the evening, Claire hadn't visited.

-Tap. Tap.

I tapped my finger impatiently on the table, and Harnie asked,

“You’re waiting for Lady Claire, aren’t you?”

How did she know?

Well, she was the only one left. Carsein’s social circle was as limited as my own.

I nodded in confirmation.

“She might be busy with work. Lady Claire’s boutique is quite popular. Perhaps it would be better to meet with her tomorrow?”

“Hmm…”

I glanced at the episode progress window.

There wasn’t a deadline or a timer for the Family Visits episode.

‘Which means I just have to clear it… I can postpone it without issue.’

Right. I was being too rigid.

There was no need to wait here indefinitely for Claire.

“Shall we have dinner?”

“Yes. I haven’t eaten much since…”

Harnie suddenly stopped and turned around.

Footsteps were approaching.

The distinct click of heels against the polished floor.

Not men’s shoes.

They were coming closer, which meant they were heading towards my room. And the fact that they belonged to a woman…

-Ding!

▶ Claire has arrived for a hospital visit. ◀

“It seems dinner will have to wait.”

Harnie said, a playful smile gracing her lips.

Yes. There was only one person it could be.

Claire.

I nodded, and Harnie, as my designated guardian, went to greet her at the door.

I heard a brief exchange of greetings, Harnie informing Claire that I was awake. She should be coming in soon.

“Um… Lady Harnie? One moment, please.”

“Yes? Oh?”

“Could you come with me…?”

Harnie disappeared from the doorway.

It looked like Claire was pulling her away.

Their voices faded, the distance making it impossible to hear their conversation.

I could have used mana to enhance my hearing, but…

‘Well, I’m in no condition to do that.’

I decided to wait. I wasn’t particularly interested in eavesdropping on their conversation anyway.

The footsteps returned.

“Carsein, Lady Claire says she needs to speak with you… alone.”

“…What?”

“I’ll… leave you two alone. Heh heh.”

She couldn’t just leave me alone with Claire, smiling like that—

-Click.

Ah. The door had closed.

“…”

Just me and Claire, alone in the room.

An awkward silence descended.

Claire kept her head down, avoiding eye contact.

‘Why isn’t she nagging me like usual?’

This unusual silence was making me nervous.

‘No. There weren’t any death flags for the Hospital Visit episode.’

Or rather, I had never encountered one at this point. And I wouldn’t make such a foolish mistake now.

“If you’re here to give me a present, just leave it and go. Don’t waste your time here.”

The symposium winner’s gift was customary for all family members, not just the nobles. I figured I could bring it up first and end the conversation quickly.

But things didn't go as planned.

▶ Choices have been deactivated. ◀

‘…What?’

Why were the choices gone?

As I pondered this…

Claire suddenly looked up, her expression unreadable.

-Thwack!

She strode towards me and flicked me hard on the forehead.

“Ow! What the hell was that for?!”

“What?! Just leave my present and go?! Waste my time?! You…!”

What was wrong with this woman?

She suddenly put me in a headlock.

“Don’t you know your sister is worried about you?!”

“Gah! Get off me, you crazy bitch!”

“Crazy bitch?! Crazy bitch?! You deserve another one!”

“Hey! Claire! I’m injured— Oof!”

As Claire continued to pummel me…

A system message appeared.

‘This… This is the clear condition?’

▶ CHAPTER 3 - Episode I: Family Visits cleared. ◀

▶ You have met with all members of the Bagrand family. ◀

[Isabella Bagrand 1/1]

[Arina Bagrand 1/1]

[Claire Bagrand 1/1]

[Flora Bagrand 1/1]

▶ Hidden Episode: A Small Commotion in the Infirmary cleared. ◀

▶ Distributing additional rewards. ◀

[???]

What the hell. First Flora, and now Claire. What was wrong with everyone today?

This made absolutely no sense.

But…

There was something different about Claire.

That much, I could tell.

***

Another day in the infirmary, filled with visitors, came to a close.

The next day began much the same as the previous one.

Shaiden, the family physician, arrived in the morning to examine Carsein.

Watching him, Harnie swallowed hard, remembering Mina’s words.

-“My lady, you should give your injured fiancé a wonderful present when he’s fully recovered! It’ll be much more impactful!”

Unsure of what to give Carsein, to whom she owed a considerable debt, Harnie had consulted Mina, who had seized the opportunity to emphasize the importance of repaying that debt.

Mina had insisted that ordinary gifts wouldn’t suffice. She had to give him a ‘real’ present to truly repay him.

Harnie had been horrified when she learned what Mina considered a ‘real’ present.

-“B-but… I can’t give him that…!”

-“Nonsense. You’re engaged! It’s perfectly normal! Just stay by his side during his recovery. That’s all you have to do.”

How could she possibly give him that?

Just thinking about it made her face flush.

Shaiden finished his examination and declared Carsein fit for normal activities.

“Hmm. You’re free to move about now.”

“A-already?” Harnie asked, surprised.

“Yes. The wounds are healing much faster than expected. Perhaps it’s due to the excellent physical condition the young master has maintained.”

“Well, you heard him. Happy now?”

While a part of her felt it was too soon, that she wasn’t ready, there was no turning back.

Harnie suppressed her embarrassment and addressed Carsein.

“Carsein.”

“Yes?”

“Read this.”

The time had come.

“I’ve already received my evaluation… Hmm? All symposium participants are required to attend?”

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