I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 84

Chapter 84: A Tiny Sprout (6)

"W-Why are you here...?"
"First, would you mind releasing me?"
"Release…?"

My gaze instinctively followed his words, traveling downwards.

My arms were wrapped tightly around him, holding him close.

What in the world…?

I had been drifting peacefully in my sleep, relishing the comforting warmth of something soft and comforting. I’d even imagined spending a few more blissful hours lost in slumber. And that warmth, that comforting presence… it was Carsein?

Heat crept up my cheeks, a crimson tide engulfing my porcelain skin, spreading like wildfire, leaving a burning trail in its wake.

"Eek! Eeeeek!!"
"Oof!"

I shoved him away, a startled cry escaping my lips.

"Y-You! Pretending to be innocent, and then you go and...!"
"Ugh... if I'd done anything like that, the Oath Orb would have activated!"
"T-Then... what happened? Why am I like this, in the carriage…?"
"Honestly, you’re asking me? You’re the one who fell asleep first.”

Carsein, dislodged from the seat, rubbed his back as he got up.

“I fell asleep? Me?”
“Don’t you remember? You told me to wait, promising to repay me properly once we were in the carriage.”
“...”

Fragments of memory surfaced.

Carsein had been teasing me relentlessly, and I, determined to get even, had hastily finished organizing the Shatrain Territory Report.

And then...

Nothing.

I must have fallen asleep.

But for how long? I glanced at my wrist, only to find Carsein holding out a pocket watch before my eyes.

‘T-Three hours? I slept for that long?!’

My drowsiness vanished, replaced by a wave of mortification.

I’d slept for three hours, using his shoulder as a pillow, and instead of expressing my gratitude, I’d accused him of being a pervert and shoved him onto the floor?!

This was beyond ungrateful.

My voice trembled as I spoke.

“Um... Carsein? Can I ask you a few questions?”
“Go ahead.”

His tone was laced with annoyance.

“Well… I was… leaning against you, wasn’t I…?”

Carsein sighed, running a hand through his hair before shaking his head.

“So… I… I was hugging you in my sleep…?”

I hoped not. I desperately wanted to believe otherwise. But deep down, I knew the truth.

He nodded.

My cheeks, already flushed, burned with renewed intensity, my gaze darting nervously as if mirroring the chaotic state of my mind. My violet eyes, wide with a mixture of embarrassment and confusion, searched his face, seeking some kind of explanation.

"W-Why… why did you think that? Surely, because of the contract, you wouldn't... and you probably don't even see me that way… I must have been delirious… No, that’s not what I meant! I…!"

My words tumbled out in a jumbled mess, but the message was clear.

"I-I'm sorry!"

I’d misjudged him, the man who’d caught me when I’d lost my balance, the man who’d offered his shoulder as a pillow, allowing me to rest peacefully.

I’d repaid his kindness with suspicion, shoving him aside without a second thought.

A vein pulsed in Carsein’s forehead, his expression a mixture of exasperation and amusement.

-Flick!

“Ow.”

A light flick landed on my forehead.

“Forget apologies. If you truly understand your mistake, then stop pushing yourself to the limit, sacrificing sleep just to help me.”
“Y-Yes… Wait, what?”

I rubbed my forehead, my head snapping up in confusion.

“Carsein, what did you just say?”

He chuckled softly.

“Thank you for the Shatrain Territory investigation report, Harnie.”

He already knew. There was no need for explanations.

His words, a silent acknowledgment of my intentions.

***

"I should be heading back now, Harnie."
"..."

Harnie’s gaze dropped to the ground, her cheeks, once pale as porcelain, now flushed a delicate pink.

Carsein, wondering if he’d perhaps teased her too much, offered an awkward smile and turned to climb into the waiting carriage.

As he reached for the door, Harnie’s head shot up, her voice a flustered whisper.

“S-Safe journey, Carsein! Thank you for today…"

Embarrassment aside, gratitude demanded expression.

“You too, Harnie.”

His voice, a gentle acknowledgment of her words, reached her as he paused briefly before stepping inside the carriage.

She watched as the carriage rolled away, her gaze lingering on his retreating figure until it disappeared from sight.

Once he was gone, Harnie, her cheeks still flushed, covered her face with her hands, attempting to cool the burning sensation. She even resorted to fanning herself, as if seeking refuge from an invisible heat source.

"Oh... my face still feels hot..."

She blamed her embarrassment, the mortifying memory of her behavior, for the persistent warmth that refused to subside.

And then, a thought struck her.

"...He never asked why I'd investigated the Shatrain territory."

He’d simply expressed his gratitude, never once questioning her motives.

Which meant he already had an inkling of her intentions.

“Why does that bother me so much?”

Harnie puffed out her cheeks, her frustration growing.

He hadn’t questioned her when he’d discovered her secret, her attempt to slip him the Shatrain Territory report.

It wasn't exactly difficult to notice a document falling from someone's hand while they were asleep.

Their exchange had been a fair trade, mutually beneficial. But for some reason, she felt a strange sense of dissatisfaction.

Was it the fact that her intentions had been so easily deciphered? Or was she annoyed that he hadn’t seemed surprised?

‘Or could it be…’

-If you truly understand your mistake, then stop pushing yourself to the limit, sacrificing sleep just to help me.

Carsein’s words echoed in her mind.

“Ugh…!”

Heat surged through her once more, intensified by the memory of his unwavering gaze.

He had seen through her facade, recognizing her exhaustion.

He’d noticed her yawning that morning. He remembered her mentioning a lack of sleep due to work obligations. And he’d observed her, engrossed in the report, during their carriage ride.

And…

-Did you sleep well?

His voice, a soft greeting upon waking.

The memory of his face, mere inches from hers, burned brightly in her mind.

"Uwaaaah!"

Harnie flailed her arms, as if attempting to swat away the intrusive thoughts that swirled like storm clouds in her mind. She tried to convince herself that her perception of Carsein hadn't shifted, that his actions hadn't affected her in some unexplainable way.

‘Yes, it’s just his kindness. The reason I feel like I’ve lost is because of his consideration!’

She’d received more than she’d given. She’d failed to properly repay him.

"Hmph. Next time, I won't lose.”

Frustrated, she misinterpreted the lingering warmth of his presence as a sign of her own defeat, clenching her fists with renewed determination.

Mina, her eyes twinkling with amusement, approached her mistress.

"Milady, honestly."
“Mina?”
“I told you from the doorway that your bathwater was getting cold. How long are you going to keep staring?”
"Has it been that long?"

Harnie tilted her head in confusion, as if Mina’s previous attempts to get her attention had gone unnoticed.

Of course, Mina had intentionally approached without announcing her presence.

Harnie’s gaze, fixated on the departing carriage, refused to waver.

And what could that possibly signify? As a woman, she couldn't help but draw her own conclusions.

"Young Master Carsein. He seems like quite a catch, wouldn't you say?”
“Hmm? Oh, yes, I suppose so… Considering his attentiveness, even to the smallest details…"

Gotcha!

Mina grinned, thoroughly enjoying her mistress's flustered reaction.

“Excuse me? I merely said he's reliable when it comes to business dealings. What do you mean by ‘attentive’?”
“W-What?! No, that’s not… T-There’s something…! “
“Something what? Did he give you something extra?”
“N-No! Nothing like that. You said the bathwater’s getting cold, right? I’ll be right there!”

Harnie might have thought she’d escaped detection, but Mina had seen it all.

The blush creeping up her cheeks. The tips of her ears tinged with pink. Her gaze, darting nervously.

And the way her hand instinctively brushed against her shoulder, the very spot where Carsein’s arm had rested.

A tiny sprout had taken root.

“Coming, Milady!”

Perhaps, just perhaps, this young man could bring a glimmer of happiness into her mistress’s life, a respite from the endless scheming and relentless pressure.

Lost in her hopeful musings, Mina followed Harnie into the house.

“Ah…”
“Is the water temperature to your liking, Milady?”
“Yes, perfect.”

Harnie, her weary body relaxing into the warm embrace of the bath, dismissed Mina’s offer of assistance and allowed herself a moment of quiet solitude.

As she closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of freedom, a wave of apprehension washed over her.

“The Eastern Nobles’ Conference... they seemed to be preparing for it, right?”

After the unification of the Pesselus Empire, the Imperial family, determined to eradicate the rampant corruption and hedonism plaguing the aristocracy, had implemented a series of stringent measures.

The true protectors of the Empire were not the pampered nobles, but the commoners who served as their shield, allowing them to live in peace and luxury.

And so, the Imperial decree:

Nobles, prove your worth. Demonstrate your right to privilege.

Every year, each noble family was required to present their accomplishments before the Imperial court, a detailed account of their contributions to the Empire.

And the Eastern Nobles’ Conference served as the proving ground.

“And he chose the Shatrain territory…”

Carsein’s chosen path: territorial management.

He intended to demonstrate his capabilities by revitalizing a struggling territory, implementing new policies, offering opportunities to its impoverished inhabitants, and addressing the rising crime rate, all while navigating the deep-seated resentment brewing within the hearts of its people.

Choosing a territory wasn’t a bad idea in itself. It was a common approach, often employed by nobles at the conference.

However, for Carsein, it was a risky gamble.

“Even based on my own investigation, the situation was far from ideal.”

The Shatrain territory.

It had once been a prosperous region, a jewel in the crown of House Bagrand, but those days were long gone.

A single decision, made by a single individual, had plunged it into decline. The residents, their livelihoods shattered, had directed their anger and resentment towards Carsein, the architect of their misfortune.

After Arina’s intervention, Carsein's disastrous policies had been reversed, and the people had attempted to rebuild their lives, but…

Prosperity had eluded them. Even now, the scars of the past remained.

Had she been in his shoes, tasked with revitalizing the Shatrain territory, even she wouldn’t know where to begin.

“…It won’t be easy. Restoring the Shatrain territory, once one of the most prosperous regions under House Bagrand…"

Before any progress could be made, he’d need to overcome the immense resistance from the residents.

The very man who had caused their suffering, returning to proclaim his intention to save them?

It would be a Herculean task, with no easy solutions in sight.

At least, that had been her conclusion based on her own investigation.

And that realization brought a smile to her lips.

"But you accepted the challenge, even after reading my report… which means you already have a plan in motion.”

He was the man who’d overturned a seemingly unwinnable trial, defying all expectations.

There’d been no fear, no doubt, in his voice as he’d expressed his gratitude for the report.

He’d likely anticipated this task, the burden of restoring the Shatrain territory, and had already formulated a plan, a solution to this seemingly insurmountable problem.

"I look forward to seeing how you surprise the world once again, Carsein."

***

“…I’m quite late.”

I returned to the ducal manor under a star-studded sky, the moon casting long shadows across the estate grounds.

Which meant…

-Ding!

▶Late Arrival Event Triggered!◀
▶You will encounter one of the ducal family members!◀

“As expected.”

Like clockwork.

The Late Arrival Event. A particularly annoying mechanic, woven into the fabric of the game, designed to limit player freedom.

The forced encounter with a family member.

I’d experienced this countless times, and it always resulted in additional choices, unnecessary complications, and a potential drop in affinity if repeated too often.

While I’d previously exploited this event to my advantage, that had only been possible in Chapter 1, with Emma lurking in the shadows, a convenient antagonist to manipulate.

Now, it was simply a nuisance.

“I should technically be aiming for an equal exchange, reaping some kind of reward from these encounters… but considering what I’ve gained, I don’t mind this time.”

■Inventory
[ Shatrain Territory Report ]

How could I possibly consider this a loss?

This was a victory, a strategic advantage over the system itself.

I stepped through the manor gates, bracing myself for the inevitable confrontation.

A figure, draped in a blanket, materialized before me. Someone had likely noticed my late arrival and taken it upon themselves to offer a shield against the night’s chill.

[ Affinity: 43% ]

'Hmm? Which family member has that affinity level?’

Isabella’s affinity had long surpassed that number.

And Arina, her affinity having dropped significantly after our previous encounter, couldn’t possibly have recovered so quickly.

As for Flora… well, I hadn’t seen her since the guilt-ridden incident. Her affinity, even after the increase, wouldn’t be that high.

‘Could it be Claire?’

While I couldn’t fathom the reason for her sudden surge in affinity, Claire seemed like the most likely candidate. Her last recorded affinity had been 37%.

I imagined stepping inside, only to be met with Claire's trademark nagging, her voice laced with annoyance at my late arrival.

I’d simply deflect her questions, boast about my supposed rendezvous with Harnie, and make my escape.

… Or so I thought, until I got a clearer look at the figure standing before me.

‘What’s she doing here?’

This wasn’t Claire. The figure was smaller, her hair a soft shade of blonde, a stark contrast to Claire’s fierce pink.

And instead of reprimanding me, her head bobbed gently, eyelids heavy with sleep.

It was Flora. Standing before me, struggling to stay awake.

[ Flora Bagrand ]
[ Affinity: 43% ]

These forced encounters, they usually involved Arina, Claire, or Isabella.

And even on the rare occasion that I’d encountered Flora, it had always been in the company of Emma, her partner in crime, her demeanor anything but sleepy.

Staring at Flora, her breathing soft and even, I couldn't understand why she was here, alone, at this late hour.

'Well, there's no helping it. I just need to clear this event. I'll either wake her up, indulge her in whatever she wants, or find a way to decrease her affinity during the conversation.’

In the past, I would have been annoyed by the prospect of decreasing Flora's affinity, but now, it barely registered.

And then, a notification appeared, accompanied by Arina's voice, cutting through the silence.

“You’re finally here. Your sister has been waiting for you, braving the cold until she finally fell asleep.”

Her tone, dripping with disdain, grated on my nerves.