I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 104

Chapter 104: The Remnants of Malice (5)

"You may now enter," Phitea Gelgenton announced, her voice prompting the occupants of the waiting room to file out.

Each person in the waiting room was a companion brought by an invited lady.

As Flora’s plus-one, I was to follow them, just as she had instructed.

Before stepping into that room, I ran through a final mental checklist.

I had everything I needed.

I had observed the looks directed at Carsein in the waiting room.

I had successfully avoided any potentially problematic choices.

The real challenge awaited me inside.

But one particular phrase caught my eye.

▶ This area is a Warning Zone!◀

As I approached the entrance, a warning sign appeared, indicating the potential danger within.

Below it, a message from the system, designed to restrict my actions, flashed before my eyes.

[ Additional choices may appear if conflict arises. Proceed with caution! ]

‘A Warning Zone with potential conflicts and additional choices… and I have to walk right into it.’

There wasn’t even an option to avoid this situation.

▶ Attempting to leave without justification will severely impact your reputation among the nobles and result in restrictions imposed by Arina.◀

[ Restrictions: 3 days of confinement and prohibited entry into Lusmire. ]

While a drop in Arina and Flora’s affinity would be manageable, confinement and being barred from entering Lusmire could easily lead to a bad ending.

But clearing the episode wouldn’t be easy either.

The conditions for completing the episode were incredibly demanding.

▶ You must find a way to survive the meal at Phitea Gelgenton’s tea party.◀

▶ Conflict with the nobles will significantly reduce your completion rate.◀

▶ Failure to achieve a certain completion rate will result in penalties for managing Lusmire.◀

There was no escaping this. I had no choice but to see this episode through to the end.

‘But… there’s no penalty for leaving with a legitimate excuse, right?’

There wasn’t.

There were penalties for failing the episode, but the only condition for clearing it was surviving the tea party.

‘This might be easier than I thought.’

A smirk spread across my face.

***

As time passed, guests began to arrive.

The room slowly filled, the air buzzing with anticipation as the young ladies chatted amongst themselves.

Everyone was here.

All the invitees and their companions, which meant more eyes were on me.

Tea parties were usually small, intimate gatherings. After all, they were simply meant for socializing over tea and pastries.

But this wasn’t just any tea party.

This was a spectacle, a unique event with a very specific agenda.

Once all the expected guests had arrived, the host, Phitea Gelgenton, rose from her seat.

“Shall we begin introducing our guests?”

““Yes!””

Finally.

At long last.

The young ladies, brimming with anticipation, responded with enthusiastic nods.

And among them…

“Yes!”

…was Flora, the girl who had brought me here.

“To ensure everyone has a chance to get to know each other, we’ll be introducing our guests one by one.”

A girl, clearly acting as Phitea’s accomplice, raised her hand.

“Why one by one?”

“Well, if everyone just barged in at once, it would be difficult to remember everyone, don't you think? To foster closer relationships, we need to know more than just who brought whom.”

Phitea explained that individual introductions would be more effective than a chaotic group entrance.

“We’ve given each companion a number, and they’ll be called out in order. It would be fun to guess who brought whom, wouldn’t it?”

“Oh, that’s a great idea! It’s like a game!”

“Not only that, but we’ll also be holding a vote to decide who made the most memorable impression. The winner will receive a special gift.”

“Really? This is so exciting!”

“I wonder who everyone brought?”

The young ladies giggled, their excitement palpable.

But behind their cheerful facades, knowing smiles lurked, hints of their true intentions carefully concealed.

Flora, oblivious to their thinly veiled malice, clapped along, eagerly anticipating the introductions.

“Alright, our first guest, please come forward.”

“Thank you for inviting me. I am—”

One by one, the introductions began.

As expected of companions brought by nobles, the lineup was impressive.

Most boasted impressive family names, while others were successful business owners – talented boutique owners, craftsmen, and appraisers.

But not a single commoner among them.

They were all at least minor nobles, landowners, or individuals with servants at their command – the upper echelon of the Empire.

One by one, they introduced themselves and took their seats.

Finally, only one spot remained empty.

The young ladies, eyes sparkling with anticipation, waited for the final number to be called.

“Number 30, please come forward.”

Phitea Gelgenton called out, a sly smile playing on her lips.

But no one appeared.

“Number 30? Number 30?”

The last guest, Carsein Bagrand, was nowhere to be seen.

Murmurs began to spread, and Flora, panic rising in her chest, was the first to react.

‘Don’t tell me, don’t tell me…!’

Had he left while she wasn’t looking? She bit her lip and rushed back to the waiting room.

To her disbelief…

Carsein was still there, leaning against the wall, reading a book as if he hadn't heard his number being called.

Relief washed over her, but it was quickly replaced by anger.

What was he doing? Why was he still here? She needed answers.

“What are you doing here?!”

“What does it look like? I’m reading.”

Flora glared at him as he casually turned the page, his nonchalance infuriating.

“That’s not what I meant! Your number is 30! Look, here’s your ticket! Why aren’t you going in?!”

He couldn't have missed his number being called, especially since everyone else had entered when their numbers were called. She had even explained where he was supposed to go.

His refusal to enter made no sense.

Thud.

Flora snatched the book from his hands, slamming it shut.

She grabbed his arm, determined to drag him out of the room.

“Get up! Get up!”

“What’s gotten into you?”

“You have to go in there!”

“I’d rather go back to the Duchy.”

“No!”

Finally, her patience snapped, and she raised her voice.

“If you leave now, I’ll tell Big Sister everything! I’ll tell her you didn’t look after me properly!”

He was only here because of Arina's request.

If she told her sister that he hadn’t taken care of her, he would lose his chance to attend the Eastern Nobles' Conference.

He had to make her happy. He had to do as she said.

Those were the thoughts swirling in Flora's mind.

Unaware that her words sounded like a threat.

To her surprise, Carsein untied his arms and stood up.

“Fine, fine. I’ll play along… for now.”

Flora’s frown instantly disappeared.

“Really? You’re not going back to the Duchy?”

“No.”

His sudden change in attitude, his uncharacteristic willingness to comply, was strange, but it didn’t matter. The way those nobles looked at him… That was about to change.

He was in for a quite the surprise.

The thought of his astonished reaction brought a smile to her face.

“Let’s go! I need to introduce you properly.”

Her cheerful demeanor restored, Flora led the way back to the tea party.

And…

Carsein, watching her retreating figure, let out a small chuckle.

“You really think you can control me, don’t you?”

He muttered under his breath, his expression unreadable.

His lips were curved into a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Fine. This will be a good lesson.”

Two figures, wearing contrasting smiles, made their way back to the tea party.

***

As they approached the tea party room, the noise level increased, indicating their presence hadn’t caused much disruption.

They seemed more amused than concerned that number 30 had taken his sweet time to appear.

Well, that was about to change.

-Click.

“So, I told that guy…”

“Hey, hey.”

“Huh? What’s wrong… Oh.”

The moment the door opened, all eyes turned towards them.

“Who is that?”

“Psst, hey, come closer.”

“…Ah!”

As expected, their reactions were delayed, just like the knights’.

Not many recognized Carsein, male or female.

Which meant he had kept a low profile, rarely venturing out after the last tea party.

‘Even Flora in that Memorial was quite young. It’s not that strange that they don't recognize me.’

It had probably been over a year since he last set foot in this place.

“I wonder what he’s like.”

“Me too.”

“Why is he dressed so plainly?”

But word traveled fast. Within seconds, everyone seemed to know who he was.

-Ding!

And with it, a choice appeared.

‘These are no good.’

A curfew would be disastrous.

I had to find a plausible excuse to leave, which meant avoiding confrontation.

But that was easier said than done.

▶ This area is a Warning Zone!◀

[ Additional choices may appear if conflict arises. Proceed with caution! ]

The system’s influence was strongest here.

“Guest number 30 has finally arrived. Please, introduce yourself. Oh, and remember, you can’t reveal who you came with.”

Phitea Gelgenton, the host of the tea party, gestured towards him, her tone light and playful.

As if anyone here actually didn’t know who he was. But they had to maintain the pretense of a game.

A choice popped up.

▶ Phitea Gelgenton has requested an introduction. How will you respond?

[ 1. (Sarcastically) Are you pretending to not know who I am? ]

[ 2. It’s pathetic how many of you are still clueless about the Bagrand Duchy. ]

[ 3. (Ignoring Phitea’s instructions) Carsein Bagrand. That is all. ]

…

…

‘These choices are bad, but so is their blatant hostility.’

He had a knack for sensing trouble, and this situation was practically screaming danger.

The expectant gazes directed at him… They reminded him of predators, savoring the anticipation of a hunt.

In this room full of high-ranking nobles, he was the only commoner, a perfect target for their ridicule.

Could he use the Bagrand name to intimidate them?

No, that wouldn’t work. This was a tea party, a social gathering where public opinion reigned supreme. They could easily turn the tables and bury him in their fabricated narratives.

Fourteen choices… and none of them felt right. This was a trap, plain and simple.

But he knew the drill.

The best approach in situations like this was to do the unexpected.

‘And I have the perfect excuse. This will do.’

He didn’t know which of the given choices was the “correct” one.

But he could manipulate the situation, bend it to his will.

Ignoring their burning stares, he walked over to the nearest wall.

[ 10. (Annoyed) Arina sent me here to babysit Flora. ]☑

“I am here as Flora Bagrand’s escort.”

The expressions on the nobles’ faces shifted, a mixture of confusion and amusement flitting across their features.

“…”

And Flora, clearly unhappy with his declaration, glared at him with wide, indignant eyes.