Mod7 Translations

I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 193

Added 2024-11-24 15:52:36 +0000 UTC

Chapter 193: One Step Away (9)

“Young Master, may I have a word?”

Camilla quietly initiated a conversation as I sat in the carriage, chin resting on my hand, gazing out the window.

“What is it?”

“I don’t think you should attend this party, Young Master.”

“…Hmm.”

Camilla was usually quite perceptive.

Her advice was often helpful in these situations.

Still, I narrowed my eyes and asked,

“Why do you think that?”

“I believe there will be those who seek to slander you, Young Master. Especially after your high scores in the first two weeks of the symposium. Some may approach you with malicious intent.”

“But you know they can’t do anything, don’t you?”

“Even so, if you don’t attend at all, Madam and the young ladies will be upset. So, perhaps it would be best to simply offer your greetings and then excuse yourself.”

Not bad.

This was actually one of the routes I had taken in the game.

I smirked, piecing together her suggestion.

“You’re saying, I should use the symposium as an excuse, offer my greetings, and then leave. You think that will allow me to escape without any problems?”

“…”

Camilla blinked, surprised that I had accurately guessed her intentions.

“It’s not a bad idea. But if I do that, the nobles will be delighted.”

“Why? This is a Bagrand Duchy matter.”

“It would be even easier for them to fabricate rumors and spread gossip if I’m not present. For example, what if they claim that Carsein didn’t care enough about Flora’s birthday to even stay for the party?”

“…!”

“That would instantly tarnish my reputation. That’s the problem. Even if it’s not true, if rumors spread that I left because I didn’t want to attend the party, because of the symposium… it would be a disaster.”

Carsein might be a target because of his presence, but his absence would make him an even easier target.

Especially at a large gathering like this.

A gathering of nobles, eager to find fault, to spread gossip.

She hadn’t considered this loophole.

This was the path that had led to a bad ending in one of my playthroughs.

“…But you still intend to go to the party, don’t you?”

As expected of someone familiar with this route.

Camilla seemed anxious.

“I’m not going to the party.”

“What? But you said you would attend Flora’s birthday party…”

“I can’t just go there empty-handed.”

“What…?”

Camilla tilted her head, confused.

“…You’re saying you can’t go empty-handed… but this is Lusmire.”

“Yes. That’s why I came here.”

I couldn't go to a birthday party without a gift. I would be scolded.

▶ You have chosen to visit another location before proceeding to Flora’s party. ◀

▶ A second set of choices will be presented. ◀

The mandatory Week 3 event, Flora’s Birthday.

Since this episode was unavoidable, I had memorized the clear conditions like a manual.

They were as follows:

“You’re right. I’m not going directly to the party. But I need to prepare a gift that Flora will like, to avoid any rumors.”

“Ah, so that’s why you came to Lusmire…”

“Yes. This is a major trade hub. I should be able to find something Flora will like. If I give her a gift she likes, no one can accuse me of not caring about my sister’s birthday.”

“I see. As expected, my thinking was too narrow. I apologize for offering such flawed advice, Young Master.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Let’s go.”

It was just knowledge I had gained from the game, anyway.

So, the clear conditions were:

First, don’t go directly to the party.

Second, prepare a gift that Flora will like.

The reason was simple: to appease Flora.

If I didn’t bring a gift, her affinity would plummet, and dangerous choices would appear. But if I brought a gift she liked, I could avoid those situations altogether.

And bringing the wrong gift would also be a problem.

In other words, this was a mandatory step.

‘She’s so picky about gifts… Just like my youngest sister.’

I was grumbling inwardly when the carriage arrived.

“We have arrived, Young Master Carsein!”

“Alright, let’s get out, Camilla.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

I sighed, stepping out of the carriage.

“Here.”

“…”

“What are you waiting for? Take my hand.”

I offered my hand to help Camilla out of the carriage, but she just stood there, staring blankly.

And then, she sighed.

“Young Master, you’ll be punished if you keep doing that.”

“What?”

“Not just punished, you might even get hurt. Be careful around other people.”

“…?”

Camilla stepped out of the carriage, her hand gripping the hem of her dress.

‘What was that about?’

I had been receiving these cryptic warnings lately.

It hadn't happened before, but it was becoming more frequent.

Camilla’s words were usually worth considering, but I couldn't understand what she meant.

I would ask her later, when I had time.

“So, what are you planning to buy, Young Master?”

“Ah, right.”

It was obvious.

“A doll should be enough.”

Flora loved dolls.

Even at the Snowflake Festival, she had been obsessed with that giant teddy bear.

So, a doll she liked should be enough to appease her.

***

While Carsein was shopping in Lusmire, Harnie was sitting in her room, staring blankly into space.

She was under surveillance by the Theresia Marquisate and couldn't move freely.

She had to act like an incompetent lord, to maintain the facade.

She would sit there, observing the villagers, pretending to be interested in their reports. And when the Marquis’ spies appeared, she would feign clumsiness and ignorance, acting as if she didn't understand anything.

After repeating this charade several times, she would have to implement Carsein’s plan.

It was a tedious, monotonous task.

But Harnie’s mind was preoccupied with something else entirely.

The memory of that night.

She had tried to lull Carsein to sleep on her lap, but she had fallen asleep instead.

And he had carried her to the bed.

And when she had briefly woken up, she had been cuddling him, her head resting on his arm.

And then… she had felt a strange sense of longing…

“Aaaaaah! Why… Why did I do that?!”

Harnie covered her blushing face with her hands, mortified.

She understood feeling a sense of loss at the thought of removing the ring, of parting ways with such a capable man as Carsein. But why had she snuggled back into his arms?!

It was beyond embarrassing.

She was mortified.

It was fortunate that he hadn't woken up and seen her clinging to him. If Carsein had seen her like that…

“Aaaaaah!”

She couldn't help but scream.

“Ugh… Why can’t I forget about this?”

Time usually passed quickly.

And memories faded just as quickly. Even the horrific experiences at the Marquisate were now just a blur.

So why couldn’t she forget this? Why was this memory so vivid, so persistent?

“Sigh.”

Harnie sighed, knowing there was no point in dwelling on the past.

She covered her blushing face with her hands, wondering why she was even thinking about this.

It had started as a simple contract.

A purely transactional relationship, a means to an end.

Their connection had been superficial, almost nonexistent.

But now… she found herself thinking about Carsein. No… she had been thinking about him constantly.

Especially during these dull, monotonous moments.

Was he eating properly?

Was he overworking himself again?

Was he getting enough rest?

She wanted to check on him.

And…

She wondered what he was doing.

“I should check on him. Is there any way…?”

She was muttering to herself when Mina burst through the door.

“My Lady! Why are you screaming?!”

“M-Mina? You heard that?”

“Of course! You were screaming so loudly, I thought an assassin had appeared! I rushed here as fast as I could!”

“…”

“Tell me what’s wrong. There has to be a reason, My Lady.”

A cold sweat trickled down Harnie’s back.

How could she possibly explain this?

No, she couldn’t explain this!

“I-It’s nothing! Just…”

“Just?”

“I-I’m just restless! I feel useless, just sitting here, while he’s working so hard… And I can’t just… visit him…”

It was a lame excuse.

A nonsensical explanation. But Harnie didn't seem to realize how strange she sounded.

She thought this was enough.

That Mina wouldn't suspect anything.

She was trying to brush it off, to pretend nothing was wrong.

But her flustered reactions, her sudden changes in tone whenever Carsein’s name was mentioned… They were suspicious.

Mina sighed inwardly, watching her mistress.

‘My Lady… if it’s because of Young Master Carsein, you should just be honest with yourself. You don’t need to make excuses. Just admit that you want to see him.’

These days, it wasn't unusual for women to be more assertive, but…

‘Sigh… What can I do? It’s her first love.’

Mina decided to help her lovestruck mistress.

“I understand you’re restless, but… shouldn’t you at least check the invitation?”

“Invitation?”

“Yes, it’s from the Bagrand Duchy.”

Harnie, relieved that she hadn't been discovered, cleared her throat and took the invitation.

And then, her face lit up.

“Flora’s birthday… Then…”

Her mind raced.

If it was his youngest sister’s birthday, it would be a major event for the Bagrand Duchy.

Which meant…

“It’s his sister’s birthday… so Carsein will be there, won’t he?”

She asked, her fingers twirling a strand of her hair.

She wanted to see him.

‘She’s not even using his title anymore. She used to call him “Young Master” all the time.’

Mina smiled inwardly.

“Of course he will.”

A rare, genuine smile graced Harnie’s lips.

Mina had always thought her mistress was beautiful, but now, her face flushed, her eyes sparkling with uncontainable joy… she was even more radiant.

“You have to make sure he’s taking care of himself. Is he eating properly? Is he getting enough sleep? You have to check on him! Understood?”

“Of course.”

Another success.

Mina wiped the sweat from her brow, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

***

▶ You have arrived at Flora’s party! ◀

▶ Choices will now appear, and the nobles’ attention level will be displayed. ◀

▶ The higher the attention level, the greater the chance of causing a disturbance at the party. Be careful! If the attention level reaches 100%, unexpected choices may appear! ◀

[ Current Attention Level: 50% ]

It’s starting.

This episode used an “attention level” gauge to determine whether or not I caused a scene.

Carsein’s every action could affect the attention level, and with choices lurking around every corner, I had to be careful not to disrupt the party.

‘I know how to clear this, but…’

First, greetings. The gift could wait.

“Welcome, Carsein.”

Isabella greeted me with a warm smile.

Arina and Claire were also present, as expected of a birthday party.

“I just arrived.”

“You didn’t rush, did you?”

“No.”