I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 112

Chapter 112: The House of Ipheros (5)

After our encounter with Marquis Ipheros, Harnie and I rode towards Lusmire. A status window popped up as we made our way through the bustling streets.

▶ Sub-Episode: Tavern Brawl Cleared!◀
▶ Reputation with the Yarican Tribe and the Ipheros Marquisate increased!◀
▶ Pollux Tutulum's Affinity increased!◀
[ Current Affinity: 12% ]

I hadn't even realized I was participating in a sub-episode.

Originally, Marquis Ipheros was just a character I was supposed to meet later, as part of the main episode. I hadn't anticipated this encounter, nor the boost in affinity.

And it wasn’t just a simple affinity increase.

The fact that it was linked to his real name, Pollux Tutulum, instead of his title, meant this encounter would have a significant impact on future events.

To revitalize Lusmire, I had to secure a trade agreement with Marquis Ipheros.

However, negotiations with them were notoriously difficult.

The Ipheros Marquisate was known for its isolationist policies, and to even initiate a trade agreement, one had to pass a certain test.

-We’ll decide whether to trade with you after crossing blades. Show us what you’re capable of.

As this line from the game indicated, the test involved a duel.

They believed that true character and intentions could only be revealed through combat.

But there was a catch.

The Marquis wouldn’t accept the trade agreement unless I met a certain standard, a specific threshold of strength and skill.

Failure to meet his expectations resulted in predictable responses.

-So you came here with ulterior motives. Throw him out!

-Hmph. With skills like that? Get lost before I cut you down.

-We don’t waste our time on weaklings!

The lines themselves weren’t important.

They simply reinforced their refusal to deal with anyone they deemed weak. A classic death flag in this game.

My stats weren’t high enough.

I had triggered this episode prematurely, and I needed time to train.

‘But now… I have a connection. With Pollux Tutulum, the Marquis of Ipheros.’

This unexpected encounter would undoubtedly make negotiations smoother.

And I had one person to thank for this opportunity.

“Thank you, Harnie.”

“W-What?! What are you talking about?!”

“It’s just… I’m grateful.”

You made this meeting with Marquis Ipheros possible.

She deserved his gratitude.

Harnie lightly punched my chest.

“W-What are you saying?! Focus on riding!”

She scolded me, her cheeks flushed, making it clear that this wasn’t the time for heartfelt confessions.

“…You don’t have to be so far away, you know.”

“Don’t talk to me.”

“Did I do something wrong…?”

“I said, don’t talk to me!”

She was usually easy to read, but not now.

I decided to keep my mouth shut, avoiding any further physical repercussions.

We continued our journey, and as we moved further away from the city, a minor mishap occurred.

Viscount Gelgenton’s villa was located in the noble district, which meant Lusmire was quite a distance away. And with Mount Waglu, the treacherous mountain path, standing between us, the sun began to set.

“Hmm…”

Harnie’s eyelids fluttered, her head bobbing as she fought off sleep.

-Thud.

Unable to resist her exhaustion any longer, her head fell against my shoulder.

Her purple hair tickled my skin. Her head, light against my chest, rose and fell with each breath, and I found myself… uncomfortable.

‘We’ve passed most of the dangerous areas, so it’s not a major issue…’

But waking her up now seemed cruel.

I slowed the horse's pace, allowing her to sleep more comfortably against me.

***

Warmth enveloped her, a comforting pressure against her cheek. She wasn't lying down, but a wave of drowsiness washed over her.

Harnie's eyes flew open, the realization hitting her like a bucket of cold water.

“Gasp!”

She lifted her head, and the first thing she saw was Carsein, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Good morning.”

-Blink. Blink.

She blinked rapidly, willing herself to wake up from this dream.

But it was no dream.

Carsein was real.

She had fallen asleep on the horse.

And she had used him as a pillow.

Harnie covered her face with her hands, mortified.

‘H-How could this happen… again?!’

Not once, but twice?

This was beyond embarrassing.

She rarely let her guard down, even in front of her servants, and yet she had done this twice in front of him.

Once was forgivable. But twice?

“We’re still a while away from Lusmire. You can go back to sleep.”

His words only intensified her embarrassment.

“J-Just forget about it!”

“What?”

“Forget it happened! Or… Do you need to be compensated for this… inconvenience?”

He looked at her, confused.

“Compensated? I was simply thinking, my fiancée must be exhausted from all the work she’s been doing. It’s not a big deal.”

He added that no one had seen them anyway, and even if they had, it wouldn’t be strange for a couple to show affection.

He was right. Logically, rationally, there was nothing wrong with this.

And yet, Harnie felt a strange sense of… acceptance.

“Unless, you still think I’m some kind of pervert who would take advantage of you?”

“W-What? No, of course not…”

“Then don’t worry about it. You’re not that heavy.”

The heat that had flooded her cheeks finally subsided, leaving behind a lingering warmth.

“…Was I… uncomfortable?”

“Not really. It’s actually safer for you to lean against me than to try and sit upright.”

“Really…?”

She hadn't realized that.

She felt a pang of guilt.

She was about to apologize when she noticed they had arrived.

“We’re here. Let’s dismount.”

He dismounted first and offered her his hand, a gesture she was familiar with. He helped her down gracefully, his movements smooth and practiced.

“Didn’t I teach you this?”

“I’ve had some practice.”

“…Practice…?”

“Yes.”

Practice meant he had helped other women mount and dismount horses.

It wasn’t wrong.

It was a noble custom, a skill he needed to master.

But something about it bothered her.

“Who did you practice with? Your sisters?”

“No way. I’m not crazy enough to do that.”

If it was family, she wouldn’t have minded.

He was the only male in the Bagrand household, so it wouldn’t be strange for him to escort his sisters.

But…

The thought of another woman…

“Then who? Who did you practice with?”

“Uh… a maid.”

“A maid? That Camilla girl?”

“Yes. Well… yes.”

Harnie’s eyes narrowed.

“Hmm, I suppose it’s practically the same as practicing with a noble lady. The Deols were a noble family once.”

“Well, that’s true, but she’s a maid now. Wait, why are you asking? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, I’m not upset. I’m actually impressed. You learned so quickly, even without my guidance.”

“R-Really? But, are you sure you’re not… upset?”

“Why would I be upset?”

“…”

Carsein avoided her gaze, unable to answer honestly.

He was definitely upset.

But he didn’t know why.

“I only rode with Camilla when we were running errands. You don’t have to worry about… our relationship.”

He added that he didn't see Camilla in a romantic light, and she only saw him as her master.

“I-I’m not worried about that! Why would you even say that?! You’re making it seem like I’m afraid you’ll cheat on me!”

“Uh, is that not what you’re thinking?”

“No! Have you already forgotten? We’re only engaged because of a contract! Why would I care?!”

Harnie pushed him towards the village entrance.

“Enough about this. Show me around your territory.”

“Yes, alright.”

“And I’m saying this again, forget about what happened earlier! And forget what Pollux said!”

“Uh… yes. Understood.”

Carsein, his head tilted in confusion, led the way into Lusmire.

Harnie, stealing glances at him, muttered to herself,

“…Why did I do that?”

She was acting strangely.

***

As they entered Lusmire, they were met with countless stares.

It was understandable for the villagers to be curious about their lord’s arrival.

But today, the attention was different.

“The villagers…”

“Yes, they’re all looking at you.”

She had anticipated this, to a certain extent.

Lusmire had been exploited and mistreated by neighboring territories, by the nobility.

They had even considered disrupting an entire party, which meant their resentment towards nobles ran deep.

Considering their reaction to Carsein’s arrival, their response to her wasn’t surprising.

“I’ll handle this. Just wait here for a moment—”

Carsein was about to reassure her when a young girl ran towards them, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Brother! Who’s this pretty lady? Is she your girlfriend?!”

“…What?”

“Huh…?”

Carsein and Harnie stared at her, speechless, as other children gathered around them.

“Lord Carsein is dating this lady?”

“No, you idiot! They’re going out!”

“Look, they’re wearing matching rings! It’s a couple’s set!”

“Ooh la la! They’re in love!”

Contrary to Carsein’s anxieties, the children were thrilled.

“Hey, kids!”

“Stop that! You can’t talk to Lord Carsein like that!”

The adults, mortified, rushed over and scolded their children.

The children, heads bowed, apologized as their parents dragged them away.

“It seems like you were worried for nothing.”

“What?”

Confused, he turned to her, just as Barak approached and bowed respectfully.

“My apologies, Lord Carsein. The children… didn’t mean any disrespect. Please, forgive them.”

“No, it’s fine… But why were they acting like that? I thought they disliked nobles.”

“It’s different if it’s someone you brought with you.”

Realization dawned.

‘So that’s why…’

Now that he looked closer, the villagers’ expressions weren’t hostile.

They weren’t wary of her, despite her being a noble and a stranger.

“A territory where the lord has earned the absolute trust of his people. A rare sight, indeed.”

“Haha, well, certain events led to this outcome.”

“Of course. He’s an amazing person, isn’t he? Young Master Carsein.”

“Hey.”

Carsein, sensing another cryptic conversation, cut them off.

They were talking about something he wasn’t privy to again.

Knowing they wouldn’t elaborate, he decided to focus on work.

“Anyway, Barak, how are things progressing? The task I assigned you…”

“Ah, yes. About that…”

Barak’s voice was laced with disappointment.

“We can do it. We can break through the mountain. But, our sculpting skills alone won’t be enough to finish the job on time.”

“Why?”

“It’s the cost. We know where and how to excavate, but the mountain is solid rock. We need specialized equipment.”

They needed money to acquire the necessary tools.

Most mountains, when surveyed, yielded valuable resources – minerals, gems, rare herbs. It was usually possible to secure funding through these discoveries.

But Lusmire was different.

Mount Waglu was barren, offering nothing but rock. And with their isolated location, their current supplies would run out in three weeks.

Even if they collected tolls, the neighboring territories had deliberately manipulated the market, making it difficult for Lusmire to profit.

Time was their enemy.

“Mount Waglu is empty. Nothing but trees and rocks. We even explored the caves, but all we found were a few monsters. But of course…”

Barak turned towards a pile of rocks, his voice regaining a sliver of hope.

“…As you instructed, we didn’t discard the rocks. We’re not sure what they’re good for, but we gathered them all in one place…”

Carsein chuckled.

“Those rocks are your reward. The most valuable treasure hidden within this mountain.”

“W-What…? But, we were told these rocks are worthless. They can’t be used for anything.”

“Exactly. And that’s what makes them so valuable.”

“Now that you mention it… I see.”

Harnie smiled, understanding dawning in her eyes.

“Of course, rocks are important. You can’t build anything with just wood and dirt. And right now… there’s a place that needs a lot of rocks.”

“Where? Who should we sell them to?!”

Harnie’s gaze met Carsein’s, a silent challenge in her eyes.

It was his turn to answer.

“You need strong building materials to construct sturdy walls, don’t you?”

Barak, his face lighting up like Archimedes after his Eureka moment, rushed back towards the villagers, eager to share the news.