I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 194

Chapter 194: One Step Away (10)

I waited a bit longer, but the choices didn't appear.

That line from Isabella was supposed to be the trigger.

‘Well, whatever. It’s better this way.’

I’d rather not have the choices appear and have Isabella find out about the mess in Shatrain.

That would only increase the attention level.

“Flora is getting ready, so let’s sit down for a while. I have so much to talk about. I never expected you to get such high scores. For two weeks in a row! And you even received the Pesselus Privilege in the first week, bypassing the Defense Time.”

The conversation began naturally.

So, the news had already reached her. Isabella seemed to have been receiving regular updates on my progress in the symposium.

I glanced around, but…

‘It’s quiet.’

Claire was unusually quiet. She usually had a lot to say.

And it wasn't just Claire.

Arina, too, was silent, even though this was usually when she would trigger a choice.

…Did I accidentally deviate from the script?

I was starting to get worried when the guests began to arrive.

“Congratulations! You must be so proud to have three such accomplished daughters.”

“Congratulations on your youngest daughter’s debutante ball, Lady Isabella.”

“Ahem. This is a gift for the third young lady. I hope you like it.”

“I heard Lady Flora has a sweet tooth, so I brought some special chocolates from the South. I brought plenty, so please, everyone, help yourselves.”

“I brought a handcrafted dress! With this… ahem… I hope we can discuss some… business opportunities…”

Flattery.

Bribery disguised as gifts.

Subtle attempts to reopen previous negotiations under the guise of congratulations.

Their eyes gleamed like predators.

And their gazes kept returning to me.

Disdain. Disbelief. Discomfort. Disapproval.

They couldn’t hide their contempt.

That’s why this window appeared.

-Ding!

▶ There are those who are displeased with your presence at this party. ◀

▶ Attention Level increased. ◀

[ Current Attention Level: 53% ]

The attention level was steadily rising.

The nobles were displeased with a commoner like Carsein attending this event. Their mere presence increased the attention level.

It wasn't a good situation, but at least I knew I was still on the intended path.

‘I should probably excuse myself.’

I stood up.

“I’m going to get some fresh air.”

Claire immediately grabbed my arm. No, wait. It wasn't just Claire.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going? Just stay here.”

“It’s Flora’s birthday party. You just sat down. Why are you leaving already?”

-Ding!

▶ Claire and Arina have stopped you. How will you respond?

[ 1. (Releasing Claire’s hand) I’m tired. I came all this way, can’t I at least take a short break? ]

[ 2. (Looking at Arina) It’s not time for the main event yet. I’ll be back. ]

[ 3. (Casually) I’m going to the restroom. ]

[ 4. I have to get ready. I’ll be late. ]

There it is.

This was the kind of choice Carsein usually faced.

Choice 4 seemed like the right answer, but it wasn't.

If I said I was going to prepare Flora's gift, they would be suspicious.

“You prepared a gift for Flora?”

That would lead to a strange conversation, and the attention level would only increase.

So, the correct answer was Choice 3.

[ 3. (Casually) I’m going to the restroom. ] ☑

“I’m going to the restroom. What’s the big deal?”

“…Carsein, you just said you were going to get some fresh air.”

If they were asking this, it meant their suspicions had been allayed.

“I need to… prepare something as well.”

“Prepare?”

“I didn’t bring a gift. I don’t want to be nagged about it.”

Arina fell silent, and Claire released my arm.

“So you’re going to get Flora a gift?”

“Yes. This is the best time to avoid the nobles.”

“…I was worried, so I prepared another gift. It seems like I didn’t need to.”

“Ugh, seriously! Why didn’t you just say so?! You made me think…”

Made you think what? That I was leaving because I didn't care about Flora's birthday? They had stopped me because they didn't want me to embarrass them.

Whatever. I didn’t care. I needed to get that doll.

“Come back quickly.”

“Why? You think I’ll run away?”

“…Carsein.”

“You worry too much. I’m not going to run away.”

Arina’s brow twitched.

“Rewards and punishments must be clearly defined. I wanted to discuss this with you, to ask what you want as compensation. That’s why I asked.”

Ha. Compensation.

Just like my eldest sister.

-I’ll buy you anything you want. Don’t you have anything you want?

That's what she always said.

Trying to appease me with material possessions.

I didn’t need anything from them.

“Did something happen between you and Arina?”

“I just refused to sign the collaboration agreement. I didn’t want to tarnish the Duchy’s name.”

“What?”

“Carsein, you…”

Arina glared at me, her eyes narrowed.

I decided to add fuel to the fire.

“I’ll just admit I was wrong. Call me a stubborn fool for refusing such a generous offer.”

“You dare refuse our offer… after we went through all this trouble…!”

“Save the punishment for later. I don’t want to ruin the mood on Flora’s birthday.”

This should lower their affinity later.

I ignored the glares from the two angry women and stood up.

Claire followed me into the hallway and grabbed my hand.

“Hey, um…”

“What is it?”

“…You know…”

-Blink. Blink.

What? Why was she hesitating?

“Ugh!”

And why was she messing with her hair? Was she crazy? What was wrong with her today?

“Let’s talk later. Just the two of us. Okay?”

“Just tell me now.”

“N-Not now! Later. Just you and me.”

What was that about…?

-Ding!

▶ Choice made. ◀

▶ Proceed to the reception room. ◀

‘Right. I should leave this area.’

If I stayed here any longer, the attention level would only increase, and I would lose the free time I had earned.

I gave a noncommittal response and headed towards the reception room, leaving the Bagrand sisters behind.

“The packaging is intact. That means the contents haven't been tampered with.”

Sometimes, in the game, a message would appear indicating that the gift I had prepared had been altered.

If the packaging was different, I had to quickly replace the gift.

If I didn't, Flora would open the box and find it filled with insects.

Bugs, worms, insects… Flora hated them. And if she found out I had given her a box full of bugs… That would trigger a spectacular bad ending.

That’s why this choice was so important.

▶ You can check the condition of Flora’s birthday gift.

“Let’s see… The nobles haven't touched it… So, I just need to switch the boxes and place a new one in the original location.”

[ 2. Place a new box in the original location and move the real gift to a different location. ] ☑

There. Even if the nobles tried to tamper with the gift, it wouldn't be a problem. They would just think I had brought an empty box.

After this… I would have to navigate a series of choices, responding to the nobles’ provocations while managing the attention level.

I would have to deal with them eventually.

First, I needed to leave this room.

If I stayed here any longer, they might suspect I had tampered with the gift.

“Hmm?”

As I was about to leave, I noticed a faint glow emanating from beneath a table.

This was…

-Click.

“…A Memorial.”

Memorials could appear at this point in the game.

But they usually appeared in the hallway, offering hints for the upcoming choices.

This Memorial, hidden in the reception room, probably contained another piece of Carsein’s past.

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

The brightly glowing Memorial gave me a hunch.

“This kind of item shouldn't be hidden in a closet.”

It had been deliberately placed there.

Hidden. Discarded.

And then forgotten.

Just like always.

He probably didn't even know it was there.

“…This idiot.”

I reached for the Memorial.

▶ Acquired the Trampled Teddy Bear Memorial. ◀

-Whoosh!

***

It was after the Snowflake Festival and the spring outing.

Spring had arrived, just like any other year.

The warm sunlight bathed the cherry blossoms, their delicate petals dancing in the gentle breeze, painting the Empire in vibrant hues.

One day, he overheard a conversation between some nobles.

“Don’t forget about this week, okay?”

“Of course, I’m going with my parents.”

“Heehee. You wouldn’t forget Lady Flora’s birthday, would you?”

“Are you going that way? We could go together.”

“Sure.”

Flora’s birthday.

He remembered.

It was around this time last year that Flora had celebrated her birthday. And every year, he had watched from the sidelines, unable to participate in the festivities.

He had simply observed, his heart aching, as they celebrated, exchanged gifts, and enjoyed each other’s company.

Carsein had always felt a pang of helplessness during those moments.

He was a member of their family, and yet, he couldn’t even give them a gift.

So this year, he made a promise to himself.

‘I’ll get her a birthday present this time.’

Carsein returned to the Duchy.

He needed money to buy Flora a gift.

-Click.

“…”

He opened a drawer, revealing a few coins.

It was the money he had left over after buying gifts for Arina and Claire.

It wasn’t nearly enough.

Flora was a noble.

Her gift had to be something luxurious, something rare.

“There’s no other way.”

Carsein sighed, glancing towards the door.

If Emma or the other maids saw him, it would be a problem. He had to be careful, to move quietly.

-Slide.

He reached under the bed, pulling out a hidden box.

Carsein smiled, looking at the box.

Inside, just like the drawer, were coins. But the quantity was drastically different. The box was overflowing with coins, their clinking echoing through the room as he moved it.

This was the money Carsein had earned himself, not the allowance he received from the Duchy. He had earned it by selling items he had acquired outside the Duchy walls.

He had managed to keep it hidden from Emma and the maids, accumulating a substantial sum. This should be enough to buy a decent gift for a noble, he thought, carefully closing the box.

Now, what to buy for Flora…

He had heard something.

“Mielle’s magic doll, right?”

He had heard rumors of a special doll, created by a renowned craftsman named Mielle. It was infused with a magic stone that emitted a comforting warmth, helping its owner sleep soundly.

He had seen Flora’s eyes light up when another noble lady had boasted about her magic doll. It would be the perfect gift.

Carsein gathered all the coins from the box and slipped out of the Duchy.

The maids were busy preparing for Flora’s birthday, so it wasn't difficult to sneak out.

But there was a problem.

“I’m sorry, but this isn’t enough.”

Even though the box was filled with coins, they were still just coins.

It wasn't nearly enough to buy the expensive magic doll.

“…How much more do I need?”

“About 1500 Pesel.”

The shopkeeper looked down at him, adjusting his glasses with a condescending smirk.

That much? He had thought it would be expensive, but…

1500 Pesel.

He might be able to afford it.

He had another box hidden away, filled with items he could sell.

“I’ll be right back. I just need to…”

“I’m sorry, but that was the last one.”

“…What?”

“We only restock the magic dolls when they’re sold out. And they’re quite popular with young noble ladies, so someone else might buy it before you return.”

Carsein’s heart sank.

“If you want to buy it, you’ll have to come back quickly. We don’t take reservations.”

“…Alright!”

Carsein rushed back to the Duchy.

He went straight to his room and reached under his bed.

But…

The box was empty.

“Why… Why is it empty…?”

Carsein stared at the empty box, his face a mask of despair.

And someone, watching him through a crack in the door, smiled.

‘Heehee. Did you really think you could hide it there?’

Golden ringlets bounced.

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