I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 152

Chapter 152: A Significant Intersection (8)

The dance ended, and the party continued.

Radiel, stationed on the terrace as Carsein’s escort, sighed, a faint smile on her lips.

No, it was more like disbelief.

The events of the past hour were so absurd, so unexpected, that she couldn’t help but laugh.

‘At first, I didn’t understand why he had asked for the medicine.’

Carsein, a commoner, was an easy target for the nobles’ scorn and ridicule.

She had assumed he had requested an escort for protection.

But he hadn't asked for her presence during the dance.

It was a baffling decision.

And then, he had summoned her, claiming to have a new assignment.

-My fiancée is on the terrace. Take this medicine and the shoes Camilla prepared.

He had handed her a pair of shoes and a bottle of medicine, his instructions strange and unexpected.

Escorting his fiancée? Instead of him?

And the medicine and the shoes… She had tilted her head, confused.

Had he managed to smooth things over with those ladies?

She had entered the terrace, her curiosity piqued, and found her.

A stunningly beautiful woman with purple hair and deep violet eyes.

She was his fiancée, the one Radiel was tasked with protecting.

And then, everything made sense.

The injured ankle, the dance, the medicine, and the shoes… It was all for her.

As she explained the situation, the lady's expression softened, a gentle warmth replacing her initial apprehension. She was blooming, her beauty radiating, her heart clearly touched by Carsein’s gesture.

She didn’t seem aware of the shoes’ true purpose, the message they carried, the act of retaliation they represented.

But to send medicine and shoes to his fiancée who had endured a dance in ill-fitting shoes, to send an escort to protect her, and then, to confront the perpetrator and seek revenge…

It was a romantic gesture, one that would undoubtedly make any woman’s heart flutter.

‘Of course… he’s not thinking about any of that. Sigh.’

That was why she sighed.

Lady Harnie, most likely, had developed feelings for him.

And that was unfortunate.

Carsein, a man blessed with a sharp mind, a keen intellect, and an uncanny ability to analyze and strategize…

He was completely oblivious when it came to matters of the heart.

He was pushing her away, unintentionally, and that could easily lead to heartbreak.

It was a talent, in a way.

So Radiel, deciding not to interfere, left the terrace, leaving them alone.

‘You should have applied the medicine himself. You should have helped her put on those shoes, Young Master.’

His distrust of others, his inability to even feel his heart race in the presence of such beauty, was a result of the deep wounds inflicted by the Duchy, the scars that refused to heal.

But…

She couldn't help but wonder…

Maybe this was an opportunity.

Maybe his cold, guarded heart could be thawed by this blossoming love.

Maybe the wounds that even his family couldn’t heal, could be mended by this powerful connection, this unique and precious bond.

“It’s been about five minutes…”

She glanced at her watch, but neither of them had emerged from the terrace.

“Ahem…”

Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she crept towards the terrace door.

She knew she shouldn’t eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help herself. She channeled her mana, amplifying her hearing, and listened.

“So how… how did you get revenge on Lady Helly? What did you do?”

“Oh, we just… danced.”

…What?

Young Master, you… you danced with another woman?

While you have a fiancée?

That’s… That’s not right!

What about Lady Harnie?!

“…Danced?”

“Yes.”

“You left me here… and you danced… with Lady Helly?”

“Yes.”

Oh my God, her voice was filled with disappointment.

That was the wrong answer, Young Master!

‘What should I do? Should I intervene?’

Radiel, her heart pounding, debated her options.

And then…

“I pretended to dance with her, and then I stepped on her feet, bumped into her, disrupted her rhythm, and even made her trip and fall. I even told everyone that she was a worse dancer than you. And you know what? You’re a much better dancer than her. I realized that I was incredibly lucky to have you as my partner for the first dance.”

“W-What did you say?!”

“Well, it’s true, isn’t it? If my first dance partner was someone as amazing as you… Ugh!”

“S-Stop it! Be quiet!”

The atmosphere shifted, the tension dissipating.

Where had he learned those lines? She hoped Mark would learn a thing or two from him.

Well, there was no need to intervene now. She let out a sigh of relief.

Harnie, who had been clearly flustered, cleared her throat, her voice regaining its usual composure.

“I… I didn’t plan on giving you this, but… here.”

“What’s this?”

“It’s chocolate. It’s… a Valentine’s Day gift, but… well, it’s a bit late.”

Oh my.

A Valentine’s Day chocolate?

‘So I wasn’t needed after all?’

As expected, the Young Master was a natural.

That chocolate must be incredibly sweet.

And the lady's heart, melted into that chocolate, wouldn't be wasted.

‘I remember those days…’

Yes, those chocolates… they were incredibly sweet.

Her first love, the chocolate she had gifted him… it had been a sweet memory, for both of them.

Radiel, nodding along to their conversation, cleared her throat and refocused.

They must have talked for a while because the topic of chocolate had already passed.

But…

“Don’t lie! Can’t you see the Orb reacting?!”

Lady Harnie’s voice rose, laced with a mix of amusement and accusation.

What? Had the Young Master made a mistake?

“Harnie, that Orb is malfunctioning! I swear, I slept! This is so unfair!”

“With those dark circles under your eyes? Are you serious?”

“It’s just… the lighting. I’ve always had dark circles.”

“Ha, unbelievable. You’re lying, aren’t you?”

“…What? W-What are you…”

Their conversation, confusing and nonsensical, was followed by a thud.

“W-What’s going on? Why am I… Why am I on your lap?”

“Don’t move. It’s your punishment. Now close your eyes and go to sleep.”

“You’re… You’re telling me to sleep on your lap? I can sleep on the chair… Ugh!”

“Hmph, you should have taken care of yourself. You’re not allowed to move until I say so.”

“That’s… That’s not fair! And… and why are you covering my eyes…? I’m not even sleepy…”

“Just go to sleep.”

My goodness.

How sweet.

She was letting him use her lap as a pillow?

Even without seeing them, she could sense it. She was pushing past her own awkwardness, taking a leap of faith.

-Gulp.

‘What’s… What’s going to happen next?’

She was captivated, her heart pounding with anticipation.

She might have experienced love before, but… she couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next, what this stoic, emotionally stunted Young Master would do.

“Sir Radiel?”

“Gasp!”

Startled by the unexpected voice, Radiel instinctively released the mana she had been channeling.

“L-Lady Camilla?”

“You’re listening, aren’t you? To their conversation?”

It was Camilla, the Young Master’s ever-perceptive personal maid.

She would have to apologize later.

“I’m not here to scold you for eavesdropping. I simply wanted to know if Lady Harnie mentioned the Young Master’s… sleep deprivation. I warned her about it before she left.”

“Ah, about that…”

She had just heard it, hadn’t she?

And there was no point in hiding it from Carsein’s maid. They were allies, after all.

“Yes, she mentioned it. The Young Master insisted he had gotten enough sleep, but Lady Harnie didn’t believe him.”

Camilla sighed, relieved.

“Then, could you do me another favor?”

“I didn’t hear much else…”

“No, it’s not about that. Lady Arina is coming.”

“…!”

Radiel’s expression hardened, the playful banter forgotten.

“There was an incident at the ballroom, so she’s coming to check on the Young Master. Officially, it’s about a conflict with some nobles, but in reality, they were trying to frame him.”

“…I see. You want me to be a witness, to buy them some time.”

“Exactly. I just want to protect the Young Master from further harm…”

If that was the case…

She would gladly help.

“You don’t have to ask. I’ll be a witness as well.”

“Thank you! Then follow—”

“No, there’s no need to go looking for her.”

Radiel, sensing a presence, turned towards the door.

Camilla, understanding, turned as well, bowing her head respectfully.

A fiery red ponytail, swaying gently, came into view.

Lady Arina.

““Greetings, Lady Arina.””

“I heard Carsein caused trouble again. Is he here?”

Arina, ignoring their greeting, asked, her voice sharp, her gaze cold.

Camilla stepped forward.

“No, My Lady. He’s not.”

“What?”

“The reports you received, about him causing trouble with some nobles… they’re false. They were trying to frame him.”

Radiel, backing Camilla, added,

“It wasn’t a fight, My Lady. He was… avenging his fiancée’s honor.”

Arina frowned, her eyes narrowing.

“What are you talking about?”

They exchanged glances, a silent agreement, and then, one after another, they explained what had happened.

“I was tasked with collecting a list of the ladies who attended the party, and then, the Young Master asked me to find out Lady Harnie’s shoe size and bring her a new pair.”

“He ordered me to escort his fiancée, who was on the terrace, and to deliver medicine and a new pair of shoes.”

“You’re saying, both of you received those orders?”

Arina, her gaze flicking between them and the terrace door, turned away.

“Follow me. I need a detailed report.”

-Ding!

▶ Penalties nullified due to special conditions. ◀

▶ Arina’s Affinity will not decrease. ◀

▶ Penalty choices will not appear. ◀

***

“So you’re saying… we should… drive him out? Completely?”

Count Retelvik, his voice trembling, asked, his eyes pleading.

The man, his face hidden in the shadows, replied with a snort.

“What? You can’t do it? Are you as incompetent as that… half-breed?”

“N-No, sir! I can do it! I will!”

“Good. Make sure it’s done. Tsk, if only he wasn’t in this damn Empire… I would handle it myself.”

He had received his orders.

He was to ensure Carsein’s downfall, to crush him, to erase him from the Eastern Nobles' Conference.

It wouldn’t be easy.

But he had to succeed.

‘If I want to live, I have no choice…’

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