I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 114

Chapter 114: The House of Ipheros (7)

Chirp- Chirp-

“Hmm… huh?”

Harnie stirred from her sleep, the cheerful chirping of sparrows penetrating the warmth of the blankets.

She blinked sleepily, watching the sunlight stream through the window, and the realization hit her like a bucket of cold water.

‘I slept in!’

She had intended to wake up early.

But she had slept soundly, through the night, and now it was morning?

Shame flooded her, making it impossible to look him in the eye.

Burying her face in her hands, she let out a silent scream.

‘What do I do…?’

She replayed the events of the previous night in her mind.

Her plan to stay in Lusmire, to avoid her father’s wrath, had been solid. But Barak’s announcement, the lack of guest rooms…

Well, that was a problem she hadn't anticipated.

She had simply informed Carsein, hoping he would come up with a solution.

But his solution…

-Outside, of course.

How could he suggest such a thing? Offering to sleep outside while she, the guest, took the room?

She had stopped him, of course. Such an injustice couldn't be allowed.

-You can’t sleep outside! Not in this weather!

-…Then what? We can’t exactly share a bed.

And so, they had ended up sharing the room…

-Y-You sleep on the bed.

She had steeled herself, prepared to sleep on the floor.

And that’s when…

…the warmth, long dormant, began to stir within her.

-Let’s change the terms. If you’re staying in this room, I’ll sleep on the floor.

-Then I’ll sleep outside.

He might have seemed stubborn and unyielding, but, was that really the case?

Right now, they were allies, partners in this endeavor. But their engagement was a contract, a business arrangement.

They were destined to part ways eventually.

And yet, he had shown her such kindness.

A genuine, unconditional kindness she had never experienced before.

And so, she had asked, her voice barely above a whisper…

…a question laced with a hint of hope, a sliver of expectation.

-Why…?

He had hesitated, considering his response.

And then…

…the warmth had flared, consuming her.

The hope, the expectation, the foolish thought that maybe… maybe he felt the same…

…had returned with a vengeance.

-It would be distracting to see you sleeping on the floor while I’m trying to concentrate.

Carsein’s words had sent her scrambling for the safety of the covers.

She had claimed she wanted to sleep, but sleep wouldn’t come.

His words, their meaning, swirled in her mind, chasing away any possibility of rest.

The heat in her cheeks intensified with each passing moment, and she hid beneath the blankets, desperate to escape the turmoil within.

And so…

…hidden in the darkness, her eyelids finally fluttered closed.

And morning arrived.

Harnie cringed, a wave of embarrassment washing over her. Her cheeks, flushed with warmth, betrayed her inner turmoil.

‘This isn’t the time to dwell on what-ifs, Harnie!’

What was done was done.

She peeked between her fingers, her gaze falling on the spot where Carsein had been sleeping.

But he wasn’t there.

“He… He slept like that? Because of me?”

Harnie clutched the blanket, her voice filled with a strange mix of annoyance and concern.

She had slept well.

On the bed, comfortably and soundly.

But her restful sleep didn’t bring her peace.

He wasn’t on the floor, wrapped in blankets. He was sitting on a chair, arms crossed, his eyes closed.

“And the blankets…”

She noticed the extra layer.

She had one blanket, but there should have been another, for him.

Realization hit her, and she jumped out of bed, clutching the blanket she had been using.

She approached Carsein, her footsteps silent.

She wanted to cover him with her warm blanket, hoping it would ease the chill of the night.

But as she reached for him…

…he opened his eyes.

“If you’re trying to cover me with your blanket, it’s alright. I just woke up.”

“You… You’re awake…?”

“Yes.”

His casual response baffled her.

He had slept in that position, barely covered, and a quick glance at the papers on his desk told her he had been working until late.

She was the head of a trading company.

Judging by the amount of work he had completed, he couldn’t have gone to bed before four in the morning.

Which meant he had barely gotten three hours of sleep.

She couldn’t let this go.

Harnie grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the bed.

“Harnie?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, just lie down and sleep. You barely got any sleep last night.”

“I slept enough.”

“When did you sleep?”

“Hmm, around five, I think.”

Unbelievable.

Even if she generously assumed he had gone to bed at four, that was only three hours of sleep.

Five o’clock meant he had only slept for two hours.

She tightened her grip on his arm.

“Please, just lie down. I feel terrible for taking your bed and your blankets.”

“But I was planning on waking up around this time…”

“Don’t be absurd! How can you function on two hours of sleep?! Never mind, the villagers would probably drag you back to bed if they knew you only slept for two hours.”

“There’s no need for that.”

He was trying to escape her grasp.

She had a plan.

“I’m your fiancée, you know?”

It was a shameless tactic, but an effective one.

“Can I just stand by and watch while my fiancé overworks himself?”

“…”

He looked like he was about to argue, so she quickly called out,

“Everyone! Your lord wants to work after only two hours of sleep! What should we— Hmmmph!”

“Alright, alright. I’ll sleep.”

He knew the villagers wouldn’t hesitate to intervene.

He had no choice.

Carsein defeatedly climbed onto the bed.

Harnie smiled triumphantly, tucking him in with both blankets.

“…One hour. I’ll only sleep for one hour.”

“No way. You need at least two, no, three more hours of sleep. Sitting on a chair isn’t real sleep.”

He wanted to protest, to argue with his stubborn fiancée, but he knew he was destined for a nap.

“I can handle the rest. It’s just adjusting the toll rates for the rocks. But I have to make sure you actually sleep, so don't think you can fool me.”

“Haa…”

Carsein sighed, still bewildered by her behavior.

***

Meanwhile, at the Modric estate, a group of nobles had gathered.

They were the ones who had been planning to exploit Lusmire and divide the territory among themselves.

But their plan had been thwarted.

They had been waiting for Lusmire to crumble, to fall into their hands without a fight. The territory might have been worthless, but it was still valuable land.

And then, out of nowhere, someone had bought it, becoming their lord.

They had initially dismissed him as a fool.

Even though the land was cheap, there was no way to revitalize it. He would be forced to rely on neighboring territories for resources, essentially lining their pockets with his money.

But their attempts to manipulate the market and pressure Lusmire had failed.

It was as if he had anticipated their moves, stockpiling resources in advance. And now, he was even collecting tolls from them.

Frustrated and confused, they had come to the Modric estate, seeking answers.

Hemnon Modric, the one most likely involved in this unexpected turn of events, was their target.

“Count Modric, explain yourself. Why are we paying tolls to them?”

“What happened? Why are we, the established nobles, paying for access to that land?”

“And they stockpiled resources before we could even raise the prices! How do you explain that?”

“No, we shouldn’t be asking the Count. We need to ask Hemnon. Explain yourself, boy. How could you let this happen?”

Their words were sharp, their anger palpable.

Hemnon, unable to meet their accusing gazes, remained silent.

He wanted to defend himself, to offer an explanation, but he couldn’t.

“Are you just going to sit there and do nothing?!”

“C-Count Retelvik…”

“Explain yourself! We need a plan! If we want to prevent them from becoming self-sufficient, we need to understand what went wrong!”

Count Retelvik’s words, laced with a threat, forced Hemnon to relive that humiliating day.

He closed his eyes and confessed everything.

The nobles gasped, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief.

“So you’re telling us, not only did you fail to extort them, but you paid them everything? And then… you gave them even more money?”

“Y-Yes…”

“That’s absurd!”

Count Retelvik slammed his fist on the table, his anger erupting.

“Who is this Lord of Lusmire? Did the Imperial Family intervene?!”

“That’s impossible! The Imperial Family wouldn't get involved. We successfully devalued that land!”

“Then he must have made a deal with someone.”

“N-No! That’s not it! It’s just…”

“Just what?”

Hemnon swallowed nervously.

“He’s… difficult to deal with. He’s… a Bagrand.”

“…A Bagrand?”

The mention of the Bagrand Duchy made them flinch.

It was clear that a mere Count’s son like Hemnon wouldn’t stand a chance against them.

And it wasn’t just Hemnon.

Even if they all banded together, they couldn't challenge the Bagrands.

But…

There was a flaw in their logic.

“Why would the Bagrands buy that territory? It makes no sense.”

“They know that owning more land means higher taxes. Why would they waste their money on a worthless piece of land like Lusmire?”

“It’s not even a valuable territory. It’s just a bunch of rocks! Why would they bother?”

They couldn’t find a reason.

There was simply no logical explanation for the Bagrand Duchy to acquire Lusmire.

“Are you sure you’re telling the truth, Hemnon Modric?”

“I-It’s the truth! The Lord of that land has an official certificate from the Imperial Family!”

“Then tell us, who is this lord who’s demanding such exorbitant tolls?”

Hemnon, his lips trembling, finally revealed the truth.

“C-Carsein… Carsein Bagrand.”

“What?! Carsein Bagrand?”

“Not… Isabella or his sisters?”

“…Yes.”

His confirmation sent a wave of shock through the room.

And then… laughter.

“Carsein Bagrand? That’s nothing to worry about.”

“He might have been clever enough to stockpile resources, but how long can he last?”

“How much did you pay them, Hemnon?”

“Ten thousand Pesel… sir.”

“I thought I needed to know the exact figure, but it seems unnecessary.”

Count Retelvik chuckled, his disdain evident.

“That boy’s little tricks won’t last long. Ten thousand Pesel? Their resources will run out within a month. You all know what to do, right?”

““Yes.””

“Lock them out.”

Lock them out.

It was a code phrase, understood only by the nobles of the Waglu region, a declaration of economic warfare.

They would starve Lusmire, refusing to trade with them.

“And if monsters attack… well, they can handle it themselves. They’re the ones who demanded those outrageous tolls, aren't they?”

The nobles grinned, eager to enact their revenge.

They saw this as payback for Lusmire's audacity, a justified punishment delivered through their legal rights.

The meeting, fueled by their arrogance, ended abruptly.

The nobles, celebrating their perceived victory, dispersed, eager to return to their lavish lifestyles.

They were oblivious to the storm they had just unleashed.

***

Three days had passed.

Three days since they had arrived in Lusmire.

And during those three days, the villagers had accomplished something extraordinary.

“Young Master Carsein!”

Barak rushed towards me, his voice brimming with excitement.

He didn’t address me as Lord Carsein.

But it was understandable.

They had created a magnificent tunnel.

Still, there were things I needed to confirm.

“Is it safe? That’s the most important thing.”

“Of course, it’s safe! Who do you think we are?”

Barak puffed out his chest, a proud grin on his face.

“For a sculptor, structural integrity is paramount. This tunnel can withstand thousands of people, even an army marching through it!”

“Haha, really?”

“Absolutely!”

“And what about the magic stone lights? Did you install them as I requested?”

“Already done! We even added some decorative elements. It’s quite a sight.”

It seemed like their claims weren’t exaggerated.

Of course, there were still a few more tunnels to excavate, but from this day forward, Lusmire would be a crucial hub, a vital connection in this region.

But first, I needed to secure the funds to complete the remaining tunnels.

“But, Lord Carsein… are you alright?”

Barak asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Alright? What do you mean?”

“Well, you… Never mind.”

He started to say something, but then stopped himself.

“Harnie, when are you planning on returning?”

“…”

“Harnie?”

“Y-Yes? ”

She seemed startled, her thoughts elsewhere.

“What’s wrong?”

“O-Oh, nothing. I was just… thinking. What did you say?”

“I asked when you were planning on returning. I’m heading to the Ipheros Marquisate, and I thought I could escort you back on the way.”

“In that case… I’ll go to the Ipheros Marquisate as well.”

“You too?”

“Yes. I have no intention of returning to the Theresia Marquisate.”

She added that she had a purpose, something she needed to accomplish.

And after spending three days in Lusmire, she didn’t seem bothered by the simple living conditions.

Well, she had her reasons.

I boarded the carriage I had requested from the Duchy.

“What are you… What are you planning…?”

“What?”

“…Never mind. I’ll be back soon. We’ll leave then.”

Harnie’s voice was barely a whisper, and I turned to her, curious. But she didn’t elaborate.

“Barak, could you come with me for a moment? I need to talk to you.”

She beckoned Barak, who had been speaking with me earlier.

***

We walked far enough away to ensure Carsein wouldn’t overhear us.

The other villagers might not have noticed, but Barak seemed to understand what she was about to ask.

That’s why she had brought him here.

She turned to him, her expression serious.

“I’m the head of a trading company. I’m used to observing people. So let me ask you directly. How many hours of sleep is Carsein getting each day?”

Barak sighed, his shoulders slumping.

And then…

“…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.”

A shadow fell over Harnie’s face.