I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 115

Chapter 115: The House of Ipheros (8)

Silence reigned within the carriage.

Only the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves against cobblestones, the gentle rumble of wheels, and a subtle vibration filled the air.

Harnie sat quietly, her gaze fixed on Carsein.

He looked up, sensing her stare.

“…Is there something on my face?”

“No.”

“Then, did something happen? Did Barak say something inappropriate?”

“Not at all.”

“Then why…”

“…It’s nothing.”

She averted her gaze, her cheeks warming slightly.

Carsein tilted his head, a puzzled expression on his face, and returned to the documents in his hands.

Unable to help herself, Harnie stole another glance at him.

He didn’t look particularly tired. His eyes were sharp and calculating as they scanned the documents, .

But they weren’t alive. They held no spark nor passion. He was simply… working.

Watching him, Harnie found herself reflecting on her own past and struggles.

She had met Carsein, stayed overnight in Lusmire, and then…

…witnessed him sleeping on a chair the following morning.

Back then, she could understand his situation, could empathize with his struggles.

Because she had been there.

She hadn’t been accepted by her family, not truly, not as a legitimate daughter.

No matter how much she contributed to the Marquisate, they only saw her as a tool, a means to an end.

And when she stopped playing their game, they resorted to a political marriage, attempting to sell her off to the highest bidder.

In a situation like that, escape was the only logical option. Carsein's actions weren't strange at all.

He was minimizing his sleep, dedicating every waking moment to work and study.

He was using his knowledge and skills to secure his independence, to create a life outside the Duchy.

He was meticulously planning his escape, ensuring they wouldn’t be able to control him any longer.

Their situations, their struggles…

…were similar, which is why she understood.

Logically, she should let him be, allow him to continue working.

But…

‘…Why am I remembering this now?’

-My Lady, you don’t have to push yourself so hard.

-Why don’t you rest for a while? Get some sleep?

-It pains us to see you like this, My Lady.

The voices of her maids echoed in her mind, their pleas for her to slow down, to take care of herself.

She had brushed them off, telling them she was fine.

She wasn’t skipping meals, she was getting enough rest. There was no need to worry.

But their concerned expressions hadn’t faded.

Some had even taken it upon themselves to lighten her workload.

She hadn't understood their actions back then.

But ironically, it was only now, as she watched Carsein work tirelessly, that she understood their concern.

‘I see. I must have looked… just like him.’

To those who prioritized work above all else, to those driven by a singular purpose, the lack of sleep, the endless hours spent toiling away, didn't matter.

They were focused on the goal.

But to those observing…

…it was a different story.

Their relentless dedication was concerning and alarming. Their refusal to slow down, to prioritize their health, was frustrating.

She understood why her maids had tried to stop her.

She understood why their concern had intensified when she insisted she was fine.

‘You were worried, weren’t you? You cared.’

A soft sigh escaped her lips as a faint smile graced her features.

What was the difference between her situation and his?

She understood both perspectives, and that understanding led her to a conclusion.

‘Yes, you’re pushing yourself too hard.’

She had sacrificed sleep for work before, but never to this extent.

And unlike him, she hadn’t resorted to sleeping on a chair.

She might have dozed off occasionally during their journey, but… it hadn't been detrimental to her health.

But Carsein…

-…As you’ve probably guessed, Young Master Carsein’s sleep schedule is not ideal. Two hours, maybe less. Sometimes only one. And even then, it’s just short naps.

That’s what Barak had said.

His workload had been concerning and excessive.

And it wasn’t just a one-time thing. He had been working like this for days.

And now… he was back at it, analyzing documents, making calculations, planning, and reading reports.

The cycle continued, day and night.

If this went on, it would destroy him.

No matter how busy he was…

No matter how driven he was…

No matter how much he insisted he was fine…

…he couldn’t continue like this.

She had to intervene, even if she understood his reasons.

-Whoosh.

“…?”

He looked up, startled, as she snatched the documents from his hands. His expression was a mixture of confusion and annoyance.

Harnie placed a hand on her hip, her voice firm.

“This is confiscated.”

“W-What…?”

He stared at her, bewildered.

“I talked to Barak. You barely slept last night, and now you’re working in the carriage?”

“I’m fine. I slept enough. As you can see, I’m full of energy.”

“You call two hours of napping “enough sleep”? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Some people function just fine on less sleep. And different sleep patterns work for different people.”

He insisted that his productivity wasn't affected by his lack of sleep, trying to dismiss her concerns.

‘Here we go again.’

He always said the same thing.

She was starting to feel bad for Mina.

That line, that insistence that he was fine, made it difficult to argue.

That’s why her maids hadn’t been able to stop her.

But unlike them, Harnie had a legitimate reason to intervene.

“Well, as your fiancée, I can’t just stand by and watch you destroy yourself.”

He stared at her, incredulous.

“We’re just business partners. Give it back.”

“Even if our engagement is just for show, I’m still your fiancée, aren’t I?”

Yes, it was a superficial arrangement, but it was still an engagement.

He couldn’t argue with that.

“Don’t worry. I’ll give it back when I’m convinced you’ve gotten enough rest. Besides, I might be able to help with some of this. Wouldn’t that be more efficient?”

“…Just give it back. This isn’t funny.”

“I’m not joking.”

She turned away, hiding the documents behind her back.

Carsein sighed, and then started walking towards her.

“D-Don’t tell me… You’re going to use force?”

“I’d rather not, but you’re leaving me no choice.”

“That’s so unfair! You’re not even considering my feelings!”

“Hey, someone might overhear you and misunderstand. We’re just business partners.”

“That depends on how you… No, that’s not the point… Stop coming closer! Carsein, don’t you dare use force!”

“Yes, I’m a terrible person.”

He smirked, cornering her against the carriage wall.

‘What do I do…? How do I…?’

His hand was reaching for the documents.

She was going to lose.

The carriage wasn’t big enough for her to escape.

And she wasn’t strong enough to overpower him.

She had to prevent him from reading those documents… somehow.

‘I know! I’ll distract him!’

As his arms reached for her, she lunged forward, throwing her arms around him.

“Whoa!”

Carsein stumbled back, caught off guard, as she collided with him, her arms wrapping around his waist.

“I told you I’d give them back when you get some rest! I wasn’t going to steal them!”

“You didn’t have to… do this…”

“You said we should help each other, right? Well, you need my permission to work. I’ll allow you to work hard, but I won’t let you destroy yourself.”

“Haa… That’s… absurd… Whoa!”

-Thud!

The carriage lurched violently, throwing them off balance. Harnie, her weight already leaning against him, didn’t resist the momentum.

But Carsein, caught off guard, couldn’t regain his footing.

Inertia carried them forward, and Harnie’s body collided with his, sending them crashing to the carriage floor.

-Thump!

The impact reverberated through the carriage.

They were both stunned, speechless.

And then…

The carriage door swung open.

“Carsein, welcome to the…!”

Pollux, his jaw slack, stared at them, his words catching in his throat.

He slowly closed the door.

“I… it seems I was… mistaken. I didn’t mean to… interrupt. My apologies.”

A wave of déjà vu washed over Harnie.

She realized how they must look, and scrambled away from Carsein, her face burning.

“W-Wait, Pollux! It’s not what you think! It’s not like that!”

-Click.

The door was already closed.

‘I’m going crazy! What have I done?!’

The implications of her actions hit her with full force.

She had hugged him.

They had fallen, tangled together, thanks to a sudden jolt.

And Pollux had seen it all.

Her face burned, the heat spreading through her entire body.

She was mortified, covering her face with her hands.

“Uh… What happened?”

Carsein, finally regaining his senses, sat up, rubbing his head.

His voice only intensified her embarrassment.

Hiding her face, she mumbled,

“…Just… just get out. Don’t say anything. Just leave.”

“What?”

“Don’t say anything. Just get out. Please.”

“….”

Carsein, still confused, scratched his cheek. He knew better than to question her now.

He glanced at her, a flicker of concern in his eyes, before stepping out of the carriage.

Harnie, even after arriving at the Ipheros Marquisate, remained hidden within the carriage, her face buried in her hands.