I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 151

Chapter 151: A Significant Intersection (7)

The moment Helly realized the truth, that this entire situation was a carefully orchestrated act of retaliation, her face hardened.

The ill-fitting shoes, identical to the ones she had sent Harnie.

The prolonged conversation, designed to amplify her discomfort, to build both physical and mental stress.

The subtle “accidental” touches, the steps on her feet, the bumps against her shoulders, the disruptions to her rhythm – all calculated to unnerve her.

And finally, the fall, the humiliating stumble on the dance floor, the culmination of his efforts.

He had recreated the scenario, the experience Harnie might have endured, with chilling accuracy.

But…

Would realizing the truth change anything?

No. It wouldn’t. Not at all.

“…My apologies. I must have been nervous. I didn’t mean to make a scene.”

She offered him her hand, her voice shaky, her smile strained.

‘Ooh, trying to play it off as a simple mistake? Not bad.’

It was her only option, after all. She couldn’t admit to her lack of skill, so blaming her nerves, her anxiety, was the only way to salvage the situation.

But I could see right through her act.

Her clenched jaw, the anger in her eyes…

I took her hand, ignoring her attempt to deflect the blame, and helped her to her feet.

The music stopped, the spotlight faded, and the audience, their curiosity satisfied, began to disperse.

As the crowd thinned, as the prying eyes and ears disappeared, a voice, laced with venom, hissed in my ear,

“You think you can get away with this?”

These petty, cruel women… they were all the same.

“Pfft, what are you going to do? You’re the one who tripped and fell on the dance floor.”

“You little…!”

“Careful, someone might overhear you. Wouldn't want the rumors to spread, would you? “Lady Helly, the foul-mouthed harpy.” How does that sound?”

“Shut up, you commoner! Get on your knees and apologize… No, grovel! And then do whatever I say! Or I’ll tell everyone what you did!”

She glared at me, her voice trembling with rage.

But I wasn't afraid. Not at all.

“I’m not scared of you.”

“What?!”

“Go ahead, tell them. I don’t care.”

I had nothing to lose.

I had expected this.

“Haa… Haa…! You’re… You’re insane! Do you have any idea what will happen if they find out?! I’m the key witness! The victim!”

She was practically spitting with rage.

“You deliberately brought those shoes, those ill-fitting shoes! You stepped on my feet, you bumped into me, you disrupted my rhythm! You even tripped me on purpose! I’ll tell them everything!”

And then…

Her voice faltered, her expression hardening.

‘Right, you can’t do that, can you?’

She couldn't accuse me of bringing her the wrong size shoes.

She couldn’t claim I had deliberately stepped on her feet, bumped into her, or disrupted her rhythm.

She couldn’t even reveal the truth about the fall.

Because it would all backfire.

If she questioned my actions, it would mean admitting she couldn't handle a simple dance, that she was a less skilled dancer than Harnie. And if she continued to deny it, the other nobles would question her abilities, her expertise.

And accusing me of deliberately disrupting her rhythm, of sabotaging her performance?

That wouldn't work either. I could simply claim that I was a novice, that my skills were lacking.

And if she revealed the truth about the shoes, the ones identical to the pair she had sent Harnie… Well, that would only raise more questions.

The nobles, with their unwritten rules and traditions, would demand an explanation. Why had she accepted a gift with such obvious malicious intent, especially from Carsein? It would be seen as a challenge, a provocation, and it would only bring more trouble.

She was trapped, her every accusation a potential weapon against her.

But there was one thing she could still use against me.

“If the Duchy finds out about this… you’ll be punished, won’t you?”

This news reaching the Bagrand family…

That was her only remaining weapon. The incident would be twisted, exaggerated, and I would be punished for defending myself.

But even that…

I wasn’t afraid.

“Go ahead, tell them. I’m not scared.”

“What…!”

“Surprised? I’m used to being punished for things I didn’t do. It doesn’t bother me anymore.”

And you think I would listen to you?

She glared at me, her face red with fury, and then, spitting out a final, empty threat, she stormed off, disappearing backstage.

-Ding!

▶ Successfully completed all scheduled events for the Eastern Nobles' Conference pre-symposium break. ◀

▶ Emergency Mission Completed! ◀

▶ Calculating results… ◀

“So it’s finally over, huh?”

The completion window had appeared, delayed by my actions, my decision to deviate from the script.

“The results are obvious.”

I had caused a scene, disrupted the peace, and I would be punished.

Arina would be the one to confront me.

She would create choices, force me into impossible situations.

And I would suffer the consequences, my affinity plummeting.

The nobles, gathered here for the party, would undoubtedly report my behavior, my “disgraceful” conduct, to the Duchy.

I had to accept the penalties, the drop in affinity.

It was the price I had to pay for allowing my emotions to control my actions.

“This is too similar to my past. This game is relentless.”

I scratched the back of my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.

-Why… Why did you defend me? You’ll be the one punished.

A memory, a faint echo from my past, surfaced.

I had done the same, back then.

Perhaps… I had reacted so strongly because Harnie reminded me of someone.

Jieun, my first and only friend.

She had been in a similar situation.

-Ding!

▶ Danger Zone level for the ballroom has been changed to Restricted. ◀

▶ Time limit: 5 minutes. ◀

“…Time to leave.”

Staying here any longer would only make things worse.

I decided to check on Harnie, to buy myself some time before Arina arrived.

-Clatter.

“…?”

As I turned to leave, my foot snagged on something.

I reached for it, and a status window popped up.

◆ Sky Blue Button

[ A button with a sky blue background and two horses. ]

“It has an item description, which means I can use it somehow…”

I wasn’t sure what it was for, but I decided to keep it.

***

The terrace was silent.

The music from the ballroom drifted faintly, a distant melody that did little to break the quiet stillness.

“…”

Harnie stared at the shoes, the ones Carsein had brought her.

They were a stark contrast to Lady Helly’s malicious gift.

The size was perfect, the heel a comfortable height, unlike the ones Helly had given her, which were designed to torture her with every step. The material was soft, the color a gentle shade of ivory.

And as she looked at them, her cheeks warmed, the memory of him lifting her into his arms, carrying her away from the dance floor, playing in her mind.

“W-Why… Why am I thinking about that? This is ridiculous…”

She fanned herself, trying to cool the heat rising in her cheeks.

But the flutter in her chest, the rapid beating of her heart…

She couldn’t control it.

“You… You helped me because of the contract, right?”

Yes, that was it.

He must have had a reason, a motive for his actions.

She could offer him a reward, a payment for his services.

…That should have been enough.

But…

-Thump. Thump.

Why did it feel like there was more to it?

Had he really done this… for her?

-Thump. Thump.

─♬

“Oh.”

The music from the ballroom had changed, a slow, romantic melody replacing the lively dance tunes.

She had been so lost in her thoughts that she had lost track of time.

“Well… I should at least apply the ointment.”

He had given her the medicine, and it would be rude to ignore his gesture.

But the dress…

The maid who had dressed her, the one appointed by the Marquis, had deliberately tightened the bodice, restricting her movements, just like Lady Helly’s shoes.

It wasn’t as painful, but it was still uncomfortable.

She could have taken a moment to adjust the dress, to apply the ointment herself, but there was no time.

And then, a thought occurred to her.

Should I ask him to help? When he comes back…?

“N-No! That’s ridiculous!”

She couldn’t possibly ask him!

Harnie shook her head, banishing the thought.

“I’ll… I’ll find someone else! I don’t need his help!”

She had to stop thinking about this. She needed to find someone else, someone more appropriate.

The knight he had assigned to her, Radiel, was stationed outside. She would be perfect.

-Click.

The terrace door opened, and she smiled, relieved.

“You came just in time, Sir Radiel. I need your help. My dress is a bit… uncomfortable, and I need to apply this ointment, but…”

But her relief was short-lived.

It wasn’t Radiel.

‘Oh no… Not now…!’

Why did he have to come back now?

“I was wondering why you weren’t applying the ointment… It’s because of the dress, isn’t it?”

He seemed to have guessed, and he walked towards her, his gaze fixed on her ankle.

“Here, let me help you.”

“N-No, I can do it myself!”

She pulled her foot away, flustered, her words a jumble of incoherent protests.

“You said it was uncomfortable. That you couldn’t apply the ointment because of the dress.”

“W-Well…”

“It’s fine, just let me help.”

“But…!”

He took the ointment from her hand, his movements gentle but firm.

She watched, speechless, her heart pounding, as he knelt before her.

“Ugh…”

“It seems to be quite painful.”

“No, it’s not…”

It wasn’t the pain.

It was his touch, his fingers gently applying the ointment to her ankle.

She couldn’t speak, couldn’t meet his gaze. She could only clutch her skirt, her body retreating into the corner of the sofa.

And then, as if frustrated by her awkwardness, he gently grasped her ankle, his touch surprisingly firm.

“Stay still. It will get infected if I don’t apply this properly.”

She was trapped, unable to escape his touch.

She closed her eyes, burying her face in her hands, waiting for him to finish.

And then, she felt something soft against her skin.

“W-What are you doing…?”

“I thought the size might be wrong. I have to make sure they fit before I can get you another pair.”

He was putting the shoes on her?

Did he even realize what he was doing?!

“Hmm, they seem to fit. I was worried they might be too small.”

“….”

She laughed, a shaky, humorless sound.

‘Right, he wouldn’t do that intentionally.’

The other nobles, those who saw her as a target, would have used this opportunity to mock her, to embarrass her, to exploit her vulnerability. But Carsein… he was different.

He wasn’t calculating, he wasn’t manipulative. He was simply clueless.

He hadn’t even realized the implications of his actions.

“Carsein.”

“Yes?”

“Could you… sit here for a moment?”

She patted the cushion beside her, her heart pounding.

She had so many questions, so many things she wanted to say.

But the words wouldn’t come.

“Thank you. For helping me.”

She could only manage a whisper, her gaze averted, her cheek resting against his shoulder.

“If this happens again, tell me. I’ll take care of it.”

His words, his simple, sincere offer of help, were enough.

Maybe she had known all along.

-Thump, thump.

A warmth, a gentle heat, spread through her, a comforting presence she couldn’t deny.

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