I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Breakfast Together Again (1)

A day had passed.

My body still ached, a dull throb that was a constant reminder of the fight at the shack. While it was unreasonable to expect a speedy recovery, a restless energy buzzed beneath my skin.

Confined to my room, I had spent most of the day researching, analyzing, and planning. And I had made some significant discoveries.

First, I had figured out the current state of the game.

The completion of Chapter 1 triggered several events: increased affinity levels with my family and the downfall of those connected to Emma and Theo.

The Duchy’s enemies had been eliminated, removing any immediate threats to Carsein’s safety.

In essence, Chapter 1 focused on the events within the ducal manor.

It was about clearing Carsein’s name, establishing his position within the family, and navigating the treacherous social dynamics of noble society.

Since my conversation with Harnie over dinner, there had been no signs of the episode branching decision, easing my anxieties.

Taking my time, I had slowly pieced together the current situation: the game was only one episode ahead of schedule.

“Huff… Huff…!”

-Ding!

▶Continuous exercise has increased your maximum action points!◀

▶The threshold for Fatigue status has increased!◀

The second discovery was the easing of stat growth restrictions.

Although not as efficient as training in the training grounds, simple exercises like push-ups could now increase my stats, even within the confines of my room.

This meant that I could now train, to a certain extent, regardless of my location.

However, this newfound freedom came with a peculiar side effect.

■Carsein Bagrand■ - Age 18

Lv. 10

▶Strength: 3.96

▶Agility: 5.17

▶Stamina: 5.42

▶HP: 3.00

▶Immunity: 1.10

At first glance, it seemed like a straightforward improvement; the stats I had gained in the training grounds had simply been carried over.

But a closer look revealed a subtle change. The box next to my level, the one that displayed my available SP, was gone.

This game awarded SP upon level up. It wasn’t a significant amount—a mere 0.05 per level—but it allowed me to increase my stats manually, according to my needs.

But now… I could no longer access those points.

Not now, not ever.

▶Available SP will be automatically allocated to the ??? stat!◀

This message, accompanied by a strange icon, confirmed my suspicions.

Below it, the mysterious ??? stat, which I had clicked on out of curiosity, had increased to 0.50.

It seemed that clearing the previous chapter had triggered a permanent change in the game’s mechanics.

But what effect this change would have… I had no idea.

‘I’ve never seen this in the game before…’

Regardless…

By clearing the previous chapter, I had activated a hidden trigger, easing the restrictions on stat growth but removing my ability to allocate SP manually.

This was the second major change in the game’s mechanics.

‘Chapter 2… with these stats…’

It was a strange situation, but not necessarily a disadvantageous one.

I wouldn't need to revise my plans drastically.

“Young Master, Madam requests your presence for breakfast. She wishes to dine with the family.”

Breakfast with the family…

Considering the events of the past few days, that prospect filled me with apprehension.

But it was something I couldn’t avoid.

“Tell her I’ll be there shortly.”

Dressed and ready, I turned to find a woman bowing before me, her posture impeccable.

She looked up, a polite smile gracing her lips.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Carsein. I am Tasha Deol, the new Head Maid.”

I had assumed Camilla would be waiting for me, but Tasha Deol…

‘The new Head Maid…’

Right, she was supposed to arrive around this time.

With Emma’s dismissal, the Duchy was in dire need of a new Head Maid.

And Tasha Deol was the woman chosen for the role.

Her most notable characteristic in the game was her unwavering loyalty to Carsein, becoming a valuable ally early in Chapter 2…

‘Wait… There’s something… something’s not right…’

I felt a sense of unease, a nagging feeling that I was missing something.

“Have we… met before?”

“Excuse me?”

“Before I came to the Duchy, I mean. I was a street urchin, so… we might have crossed paths.”

“I apologize, Young Master, but this is our first encounter.”

“Is that so?”

Hmm… So she wasn’t someone Carsein already knew.

Perhaps I was being paranoid. I decided to let it go.

“However, I am indebted to you, Young Master.”

She added, her smile warm and genuine.

“Indebted?”

“Yes. Very much so.”

Was it my imagination?

Perhaps it was because of Emma’s constant disdain, her blatant disrespect, that Tasha’s sincerity felt… surprising.

But I had no idea what she was talking about.

“Let’s go, Young Master. Lady Harnie is waiting.”

“Oh, right. Of course.”

Had I recognized her knowledge of my engagement, I might have solved the mystery.

Moments later, Harnie emerged from the guest room, yawning.

Her hand flew to her mouth as she realized I had witnessed her ungraceful display. She cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to regain her composure.

“G-Good morning, Carsein.”

“Couldn’t sleep?”

“Not really. I had some work to do.”

So even here, she was still working.

The lengths she went to for the Marquisate… She was dedicated, to say the least.

“Let’s go.”

“Right.”

I, too, decided to play the part of the doting fiancé, to avoid raising suspicions.

I dismissed Tasha and the other maids who had followed her, granting Harnie and me some privacy.

“Are you sure it’s alright for me to attend breakfast with your family?” Harnie asked, her voice hesitant.

“It’s just a meal. The Duchy has hosted guests before.”

To be precise, it “probably” had hosted guests before.

I had no actual memories of such events.

“Carsein… This isn’t simply about hosting a guest. Do you… Do you even realize what this means?”

“…Is there a problem?”

“I can’t believe it…”

She rubbed her forehead, as if battling a sudden headache.

“Listen carefully, Carsein. Inviting your fiancée to stay the night… It’s practically an official declaration of your intent to visit her family. It means introducing her to both families.”

What?!

That’s what it meant?!

“You said you’d handle everything…”

“How was I supposed to know?! I barely know proper etiquette! “

“You should have just told me you didn’t know! Ugh, this is a disaster!”

I hadn’t realized that allowing her to stay the night carried such a significant meaning.

It was problematic, to say the least.

Harnie and I were engaged, yes, but it was a temporary arrangement, a contract set to expire in a year.

Formally introducing her to my family implied a desire to continue the relationship beyond the agreed-upon timeframe… It was no wonder she was burying her face in her hands.

“The Marquisate is already vehemently opposed to our engagement. They’re only holding back because of your family’s status. But once we separate… Once the contract expires… You’ll be putting me in danger!”

“Excuse me?”

Harnie glanced around, lowering her voice to a whisper.

“You’re planning to leave the Duchy, aren’t you? You’ll break off the engagement and disappear. And if that happens… The Marquis will blame me. He’ll think it was my fault, that I drove you away. And he’ll punish me.”

Well, she wasn’t wrong…

But the fact that she was worried about herself…

“Harnie, are you sure you won’t be affected by this?”

“Of course not. Why would I be affected?”

She tilted her head, her expression confused.

‘…I really don’t understand her.’

I thought she was worried about facing consequences, but it turned out she was more concerned about my well-being.

This… This type of concern… It was still foreign to me.

“It’s fine. There’s no need to worry. Just enjoy the meal.”

“Have you made… preparations?”

“Yes.”

In fact, it was the opposite.

What could the Theresia Marquisate possibly do to me after the engagement ended?

Even the Bagrand Duchy wouldn’t bat an eye.

If anything, those ambitious nobles would probably focus their efforts on undermining the Bagrand Duchy’s authority.

They might be furious that their plans to exploit Harnie had been thwarted, but they wouldn’t care about me.

“Speaking of preparations… You mentioned you had a favor to ask.”

“Oh, r-right! There’s… something I need your help with…”

“I see.”

She needed my help.

But why was she stammering?

“Just tell me what it is.”

“Well… You haven’t been seen in public lately, and… people are starting to wonder if our engagement is real…”

“Didn’t I handle that at the Snowflake Festival?”

“…Do you even remember how long it’s been since we last saw each other?”

Hmm… How long had it been?

Six days during Episode V at the training grounds…

Plus the time spent during the trial, Theo’s escape, Flora’s kidnapping, the aftermath, and my recovery…

“It’s been over ten days! You haven’t seen your fiancée in over ten days! Of course they’re suspicious!”

“Is that so?”

“It’s not ‘is that so?’… Ugh, this is hopeless! How do I even teach you these things?”

I decided to accept it, to acknowledge her concerns.

I didn’t know how strict the rules of engagement were in this world, but I had zero experience with relationships.

‘But as Harnie said, giving them a reason to be suspicious isn’t ideal.’

It was best to quell the rumors before they spiraled out of control.

“There’s only so much I can do to silence them, Carsein. It’s becoming… a bit of a problem.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Can you… Can you spare some time today? After breakfast, until evening?”

“Hmm… I believe that’s possible. But what requires so much time? Are we going somewhere?”

Harnie sighed, her shoulders slumping.

“I might have… overcompensated. In an attempt to quell their suspicions… I made a rather… impulsive decision. I need you to attend a party with me.”

“A party…?”

A party… A gathering of nobles.

A social minefield I had been dreading, but…

‘Now that Chapter 1 is over… It might be a good opportunity.’

I could gauge the shift in public opinion, how the trial had affected their perception of Carsein.

I could meet the nobles I would be facing at the Eastern Nobles’ Conference.

And with any luck, I could even clear a few sub-episodes.

It was also a chance to leave the Manor, to move freely, to gather information.

This party was an opportunity, disguised as a social obligation.

“Alright. Let’s head to breakfast first.”

“…”

“Harnie?”

“Don’t… Don’t blame me for this later, alright? You agreed to it.”

“Excuse me?”

“No complaining! Let’s go, I’m hungry!”

Harnie, her words a jumbled mess of anxieties, grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the dining hall.

She had been stammering, avoiding eye contact…

What exactly had she gotten me into?

“Welcome, you two.”

“Apologies for the delay, Duchess.”

“Not at all. We just arrived as well. Please, have a seat.”

Isabella greeted us with a warm smile as we entered the dining hall.

Harnie, her demeanor elegant and composed, curtsied gracefully. Isabella, seemingly impressed by her poise, gestured for us to take our seats.

Arina, Claire, and Flora were already seated on the right side of the table, leaving the left side for Harnie and me.

But then…

-Tappity-tap. Thud.

“I’m sitting here today.”

She rose from her seat, her eyes darting between Harnie and me, and before we could react, she had claimed the seat next to me.

…What was going on?