I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 196

Chapter 196: One Step Away (12)

Beneath the brightly shining chandelier, Flora, the star of the day, stepped into the elegantly decorated cafe, marking the official start of her birthday party.

The nobles cheered. The dress Claire had given her, a product of her renowned boutique, perfectly complemented Flora's youthful vibrancy, blending seamlessly with the spring atmosphere.

“Is that dress Lady Claire’s latest design?”

“Yes! My older sister made it. Isn't it pretty?”

“It suits you perfectly.”

“You should have a portrait painted in that dress.”

“I heard they’ve already hired a painter!”

Flora, the birthday girl, basked in the attention, enjoying her party after a brief greeting.

But…

One person was missing.

“Where’s that commoner?”

“I thought he’d be here, clinging to the Bagrands like a weed.”

“I wonder what happened. Did Lady Flora have something to do with this?”

“I doubt it… Heehee. But who cares? It’s better this way.”

“I suppose you’re right. He wouldn’t be much help anyway.”

“Exactly. It’s better if he’s not here. I was worried he wouldn't know his place, but it seems like he finally understands.”

“He would have ruined Lady Flora’s party, so it’s a relief he’s not here.”

Carsein.

He was nowhere to be seen.

And his absence had angered Arina and Claire.

He might be adopted, but he was still a member of the Bagrand Duchy. He should have been here, celebrating his sister's birthday. But Carsein was nowhere to be found.

“Where is that boy? Why isn’t he back yet?”

“This is driving me crazy! Can’t he go a single day without causing trouble?! Especially on such an important day…!”

They had been searching for him for the past thirty minutes, discreetly checking rooms under the pretense of using the restroom.

But there was no sign of Carsein.

Arina clicked her tongue, making a decision.

“Claire, this isn’t working. We’ll waste too much time checking each room individually. We have to find him, now.”

“What are you going to do, Sister? If we just wander around, the guests will notice.”

“We have to buy some time. We’ll create a distraction.”

“…Ah.”

“We’ll ask Mother to give a speech, and then we’ll search for him. And if we need more time, I’ll join Mother and create another distraction. You focus on finding Carsein.”

“Alright. He’s dead meat when I get my hands on him. I’ll make him pay for this after the party.”

They informed Isabella of the situation, and she readily agreed.

“Are you sure he’s still inside the Duchy?”

“Yes, Mother. The number of carriages and horses hasn’t changed.”

“And the guards haven't seen him leave.”

“Do as Arina suggested. I have some business to discuss, so I’ll make the speech as long as possible. You two focus on finding Carsein.”

Arina and Claire nodded.

They began searching in earnest, no longer discreetly checking rooms. They were determined to find him.

And they soon discovered his hiding place.

“Seriously?! He’s hiding in a place like this? Is he out of his mind?”

“Come on, Claire. Let’s go. I won’t forgive him for ruining Flora’s birthday.”

Arina warned Carsein that she would punish him severely later, but for now, they had to maintain their composure. The party was still in progress.

He wished he hadn't been found. Carsein had no choice but to follow them, his heart sinking.

He had seen it, he had heard it, he knew the truth.

He knew that he was nothing but a nuisance at this party, and yet, he had to go.

Time passed, and the gift-giving ceremony began.

Flora, showered with cheers and applause, received gifts from the nobles.

“Happy birthday, Flora.”

“You’re growing up so fast!”

Her family also gave her presents.

Everyone, except for one person, gave her a gift to celebrate her special day.

“What? You’re saying… you didn’t bring a gift, Carsein?”

“Am I hearing things?”

Carsein bit his lip and replied,

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t prepare anything.”

He didn't have a gift.

Mielle’s magic doll had been sold out, and the teddy bear he had intended to give her was now a mangled mess, hidden in his closet.

The atmosphere turned icy.

Everyone had given Flora a gift to celebrate her birthday, and yet, Carsein, her own brother, had come empty-handed. It was a glaring contradiction.

Under the weight of their gazes, Carsein felt like a cornered rat.

As soon as the party ended, Claire practically dragged him away.

“Damn it, I’ve been holding back all this time, so you better answer me honestly. Understood?”

“…”

“Tell me. You were hiding in some dark corner, avoiding everyone, and you didn’t even bring a gift for your sister’s birthday? Why?!”

Carsein couldn’t answer.

What could he possibly say?

He had prepared a gift, but it wasn’t a real gift.

Should he tell her that he had wanted to give her something else?

‘…It’s pointless.’

They would just accuse him of lying.

Carsein remained silent.

“You little shit! Why aren’t you answering me?! Answer me, damn it!”

“…”

“Ha, I guess I shouldn’t expect anything from you. Flora was actually defending you, saying you had your reasons. You’re lucky to have such a generous sister!”

…Defending him?

…A generous sister?

-Clench.

“How is she generous?”

Overwhelmed by a surge of resentment, Carsein blurted out his true feelings.

And then…

-Slap!

Claire, who had been holding back until now, slapped him across the face.

“You little piece of trash! Don’t you dare talk back to me! What did you just say?!”

“…”

“My Lady! Please calm down!”

“There are still guests present!”

Claire’s eyes blazed with fury.

Her anger seemed uncontrollable, but Heron and Shaiden rushed over, pulling her away from Carsein.

But he had only faced two of them.

“You truly are a selfish brat. You could have at least prepared something, even if it was small, to avoid becoming a laughingstock.”

After Claire, it was Arina’s turn.

“I don’t understand how much further you intend to disgrace the Bagrand Duchy. Seeing you cause trouble on such an important day… it’s suffocating.”

Arina said she would listen to his excuses, even though she assumed they were just lies.

Carsein, choking back tears, finally spoke.

“I… I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“What did you say?”

“I didn’t do anything wrong!”

-Whack!

“Ugh…!”

Arina, unable to contain her fury any longer, punched him in the face.

The force of the blow, amplified by mana, sent him sprawling, blood trickling from his split lip.

“You foolish child! You’re not even showing a hint of remorse! Should I teach you the meaning of shame? Do you really think you’re in the right?”

“…”

“Whatever. Beating you won’t make Flora feel any better. It’s Flora who’s truly suffering, having to call a troublemaker like you her brother, on her birthday.”

He had been hit again, in the same spot.

Carsein should have been feeling the pain, the throbbing in his cheek.

But he couldn't feel anything.

The true pain was elsewhere.

Family.

He was starting to question the meaning of that word.

Something inside him, something fragile and precious, was breaking, shattering, creating a hollow void.

If it had ended with Arina and Claire…

Perhaps the cracks in his heart could have healed, eventually.

But the final blow, the one that shattered his hopes completely…

“Did you call for me?”

“…You came.”

After being scolded by his sisters, the last person he saw was Isabella.

The birthday party was nearing its end.

Soon, it would be time for the bonfire and fireworks.

But before that, Carsein was summoned by Isabella for a private conversation.

Isabella looked at him, her eyes filled with disappointment, and sighed.

“Even though we’re not related by blood, I accepted you as my son. I even legally adopted you. But today… I’m very disappointed in you.”

Her first words.

A declaration of her disappointment.

“I thought you would at least bring a gift. Or ask the other servants to help you prepare something. Even if it was small, insignificant… But this… this is unacceptable.”

She paused, unable to finish her sentence.

But the meaning was clear.

She was reprimanding him for coming empty-handed.

“I don’t expect you to remember her birthday. But please, from now on, bring a gift. If you can’t manage it yourself, ask your sisters for help.”

She added one final request.

“Please don’t hurt your sister, Carsein.”

Isabella had always been kinder to him than Claire or Arina, but he hadn’t expected to hear such gentle words.

But Isabella’s plea, her soft, disappointed tone, broke him. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he couldn’t hold them back.

‘Hurt her? Me? Hurt Flora?’

He was the one who was hurt.

Hurt Flora?

She had seen his bruised cheek, the mark of Arina’s slap. She must have known that he had been hit by Claire as well.

And yet, she hadn't mentioned it. She hadn't even asked if he was okay.

That was the final blow, the one that shattered the remaining fragments of his heart.

-Clink.

“Yes, Madam.”

“…Heron, please escort him back to his room.”

Isabella, seeing his tears, decided to end the conversation. She couldn't bear to see him cry.

Carsein, his voice choked with emotion, cried out,

“I… I tried to get her a birthday present!”

“…Tried?”

“She wanted…”

I wanted to give her the best present! I wanted to surprise her!

But I couldn’t. I was beaten, robbed, humiliated! And now, I’m being scolded by my family, mocked by the nobles!

Carsein couldn't finish his sentence.

He ran out of the room before Heron could even react.

His heart, broken and shattered, was beyond repair. His tears, a testament to his unfulfilled desire to be a part of their family, washed away the last vestiges of hope.

And then, for ruining Flora’s birthday, Carsein was confined to his room.

From that day forward, Carsein’s emotions began to fade, as if he were a doll, his heart slowly turning to stone.

***

▶ The Trampled Teddy Bear Memorial has ended. ◀

▶ Timer started. ◀

“Ha… Hahaha…”

As the Memorial ended and the timer appeared, I returned to reality, a hollow laugh escaping my lips.

How could my predictions be so accurate?

I had known that the teddy bear had been trampled, discarded.

I had suspected it had been hidden in the closet.

But I had hoped…

-Slam!

“Damn it! Why does this have to be so similar?!”

Just like I had foolishly clung to the hope of being accepted by my family, Carsein had done the same.

And the outcome was identical.

A cold rage surged through me.

The icy fury coursed through my veins, sharpening my mind, dispelling the lingering drowsiness.

“Heh… So this was the turning point. The moment I decided to leave that house, for good. Maybe… maybe this was a blessing in disguise. It made me realize the truth.”

He had finally come to his senses.

It was better this way. Better to have a clear line drawn, than to cling to false hope.

▶ Timer ended. ◀

▶ Episode VII. Flora’s Birthday resumes. ◀

▶ Choices may appear in the hallway. ◀

“Flora’s birthday party. Perfect.”

It was time to reveal my true intentions. And his.

-Thump.

“This… This teddy bear isn’t a birthday present.”

-Rip. Rip.

I’ll give you the best birthday present. Ever.

Flora.

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