Mod7 Translations

I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 137

Added 2024-09-30 13:52:21 +0000 UTC

Chapter 137: Spring Outing (7)

Cherry blossoms in full bloom attracted crowds.

And where crowds gathered, conversations flourished.

It was no different for the nobles. They, too, congregated, their voices a blend of laughter and gossip as they discussed matters both trivial and important.

And so, a group of nobles had gathered here as well.

One would expect their conversation to be like any other, but…

Their words were laced with bitterness, their tone laced with resentment.

“That’s absurd! How can you blame me for the incident at the tea party?!”

Hemnon, his face flushed with anger, stood up, slamming his hand on the table.

One of the ladies, her fan fluttering gracefully, replied with a bored expression.

“But it’s true, isn’t it? You ruined everything. You spoiled Lady Phitea’s carefully planned event.”

“Nonsense! I did everything I could to provoke Carsein! It was those other ladies who failed to seize the opportunity and abandoned me!”

“The atmosphere was ruined because of you! You made a mockery of noble decorum! You behaved worse than a commoner!”

“N-No… That’s because his… his villagers deliberately delayed my carriage…”

“We managed to salvage the situation by steering the conversation towards the Eastern Nobles' Conference. And then you ruined it by revealing your inability to even control your own knights!”

“E-Even if that’s true…!”

Snap!

As Hemnon attempted to defend himself, one of the ladies snapped her fan shut, silencing him.

“You need to accept responsibility, Lord Hemnon. Your actions were the primary cause of this disaster. Are you going to deny it?”

“L-Lady Helly!”

“We’re all suffering because of you! Lady Claire is furious, and now we’re all caught in the crossfire!”

“That’s right!”

“And you were the one who assured us that Lusmire would collapse! You said there was nothing to worry about!”

The ladies, their voices a chorus of condemnation, backed Lady Helly, and Hemnon, trapped, found himself unable to defend his actions.

These were the nobles who had helped him cheat his way to victory at the previous Eastern Nobles’ Conference.

They knew his secrets, his vulnerabilities.

“So what do you want me to do?!”

Hemnon, sweat dripping from his brow, his voice trembling, pleaded with them.

“Are you seriously asking us that?”

“What’s done is done! Lady Claire knows the truth! And there’s nothing I can do! I can’t go up against the Bagrand Duchy alone!”

“Do something! Take responsibility for your actions! Fix this mess!”

“Lady Helly, that’s unreasonable! I won’t go down alone!”

“W-What?!”

“You all have secrets as well! It wasn't just Lady Phitea who planned to poison Carsein! And it was your fault she was caught!”

The room erupted in chaos as they turned on each other, their accusations flying back and forth.

Hemnon’s faction. Helly’s faction.

And then…

The door swung open.

Who would dare interrupt their meeting, their argument?

They turned towards the intruder, their faces a mixture of anger and annoyance.

Someone was about to be thrown out.

But their words died on their lips as they recognized the newcomer.

“Having fun? Mind if I join you?”

The man, who had entered without knocking, was met with a mix of reactions.

“Um, who is that?”

“I’ve never seen him before…”

“Who invited him? He’s… quite handsome, isn't he?”

“I don’t know who he is, but he’s tall…”

Some of the ladies blushed, their eyes widening as they took in his appearance.

Lady Helly, too, was curious, studying him with a critical eye. He was dressed like a noble, but she couldn’t place him.

“Are you all insane?!”

“Have you forgotten who that is?!”

“Get a grip!”

And then there were those who couldn’t believe they didn’t recognize him.

“That’s Carsein!”

“W-What?!”

Hemnon’s words snapped them out of their daze, and the ladies, their faces flushed, and the young lords, their lips curled into disdainful smirks, finally realized the truth.

He looked different, but it was him.

His black hair, streaked with a faint blue, was unmistakable.

And his eyes, a dull grey, so different from the vibrant blue of the Bagrand family, held a chilling coldness.

It was Carsein.

‘Why is he…?’

‘…Here? Now?’

They didn’t know.

No one did.

But this was an opportunity.

He was alone, unaccompanied. And they were a group of nobles, their power and influence far greater than his.

Hemnon, lowering his voice, tried to get Lady Helly’s attention.

He wanted to call a truce, to focus their attention on a common enemy.

“….”

But her gaze was fixed on Carsein, her expression unreadable.

She was staring at their enemy, the target of their shared hatred!

‘Hey, listen to me!’

He nudged her shoulder, and she finally blinked, a confused expression on her face.

‘This isn’t the time to fight amongst ourselves. Do you understand?’

‘…’

‘He’s the reason this is happening! We have to work together and deal with him first! You get it?’

They could manipulate public opinion.

They were nobles, after all.

Hemnon decided to take the lead, to steer the conversation in their favor.

“What brings you here, Carsein? I didn’t think you enjoyed these gatherings.”

“I’m here for the family portrait. The Duchy is having a new one made.”

“Ah, the portrait. Of course! It’s a beautiful day for it.”

Hemnon grinned, his eyes gleaming with malice, as he examined Carsein's outfit.

The family portrait…

That meant he couldn’t afford to ruin his clothes.

Sensing an opportunity, one of the ladies instructed a servant to bring them a fresh pot of tea.

And soon…

“Oops.”

-Crash!

A teacup slipped from her grasp, its contents spilling onto Carsein’s clothes.

A dark stain, a fragrant but unwelcome mark, spread across the fabric.

His outfit was ruined, no longer suitable for a portrait.

“Oh dear, I spilled my tea. I’m so sorry,” Hemnon said, his voice dripping with fake concern.

His apology was insincere, a performance Carsein saw through easily.

And then…

His gaze fell on a box, resting on a nearby table.

A perfect target.

It was probably a gift for his family, a peace offering.

Hemnon smirked, nudging the box with his elbow, sending it crashing to the floor.

-Crunch!

And then he stomped on it, crushing its contents.

“Oh my, another accident! My apologies.”

It wasn’t an accident. It was deliberate.

But he simply smiled, his eyes filled with malicious glee.

This was their territory.

Carsein, a mere commoner, was trapped.

He had no allies. Even his adoptive sisters and mother, as everyone here knew, shunned him.

They could do whatever they wanted.

They weren’t afraid of the Bagrand Duchy.

‘Hmm, he’s not reacting. Not yet.’

He had hoped Carsein would lash out, creating a scene that would justify further punishment.

He needed to provoke him, to push him over the edge.

‘How should I make him suffer?’

Hemnon pondered his options, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

“Pfft.”

And then, Carsein chuckled.

“What?”

“An accident, huh? Well, these things happen.”

He picked up the teapot and poured the remaining tea over Hemnon’s head.

-Splash.

“Gah! Ugh! Hot! Hot! Hot!!!”

Hemnon, caught completely off guard, jumped to his feet, sputtering and gasping.

He looked like a pig being boiled alive, his cries echoing through the room.

“How dare he!”

“Such vulgarity! Unbecoming of a noble!”

The other nobles gasped, their voices laced with disapproval, but Carsein simply smiled, his tone casual.

“Oops, my hand slipped.”

“What?! You did that on purpose!”

“Oh, so my actions are deliberate, but Hemnon’s were just accidents?”

“Enough!”

Hemnon, his hair dripping, his face red with anger, snapped.

“Haa… You… you dare…!”

His eyes were bloodshot, his jaw clenched.

“You’ll… You’ll regret this!”

He gritted his teeth, and the other nobles, sensing his rage, surrounded Carsein.

“You should have known better than to provoke us, you commoner.”

“Think you can act like you own the place just because you’re a Bagrand?”

“Let’s teach him a lesson!”

They were like wolves, circling their prey, ready to tear him apart.

Hemnon, his voice booming, declared,

“You will regret ever setting foot in this place!”

They lunged, their attacks relentless, and the ladies, their eyes gleaming with malice, watched with anticipation, eager to witness his downfall.

But…

“Ugh?!”

“Gah!”

“Oof!”

Carsein’s strength, unexpected and overwhelming, sent them sprawling to the ground, their moans filling the air.

The ladies, their smiles fading, watched in horror as their companions were defeated, one after another.

Carsein wasn't just different.

He was dangerous.

***

This day was turning into a disaster.

It had started with a fight with Arina, the mood souring before they even left the Duchy.

And then, Carsein had ridden off ahead, leaving her alone in the carriage.

She had hoped to talk to him, to apologize, but the opportunity had been postponed. And then, the four-person limit for the audience with the Second Prince had forced her to leave him behind.

It was frustrating.

But there was something else, a nagging feeling that had been bothering her since the spring outing had been planned.

‘…What is it? What am I missing?’

She couldn’t quite grasp it, but it was there, a sense of unease that was slowly driving her mad.

“Claire, Claire!”

“Hmm? Oh, Sister?”

“What’s wrong with you? You’re not paying attention!”

Arina’s sharp and impatient voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

‘Gasp!’

Oh, right! They were in the middle of an audience with the Second Prince!

“Hahaha, Lady Claire seems to be preoccupied today.”

“I-I apologize for my disrespect, Your Highness.”

“Don’t worry about it. I understand.”

“Your Highness.”

“Come on, Arina, don’t be so formal. Let’s be honest, it’s a beautiful day, and you’re stuck in a boring audience with the royal family. It’s natural to be distracted.”

The Second Prince chuckled, dismissing her apology.

“But it’s a shame… I hate these rigid protocols. Tsk.”

“What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“It’s frustrating, only being allowed to summon four people. It means I can’t give Carsein a gift. Those advisors can be so inflexible, can't they?”

What?

Claire froze, her shoulders stiffening.

“Your Highness, what did you just say…?”

“Hmm? I said my advisors can be inflexible.”

“Oh, n-no. I meant… before that…”

“Ah, I was planning on giving Carsein a gift. It’s been a while since we last met. A few years, I believe.”

“…”

A gift for Carsein?