I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Broken Wings (10)

After that nightmare, Flora couldn't bear to stay in bed. She quickly got dressed and headed straight for the training grounds.

Sleep was out of the question.

Or rather, she couldn't sleep. Not until she had confirmation.

She needed to know that yesterday… that it wasn’t her fault.

That what had happened at the training grounds had nothing to do with Flora Bagrand.

And so, she found herself standing before the familiar entrance, the very same one that had haunted her dreams.

“Oh, right. Second Sister asked me to bring Carsein a gift…"

The thought made her hesitate, but she couldn’t turn back now. Shaking her head resolutely, she stepped inside.

“─────!”

Nothing had changed. The knights, already awake and alert, were diligently warming up for the day’s training.

A senior knight soon appeared, escorting her to the designated viewing area, just as he had done with her sisters.

As the morning drills began, Flora’s eyes were drawn to Carsein.

But she couldn't bear to look at him for long.

The images from her dream were still too vivid.

She was afraid. Afraid of hearing his voice, seeing him collapse again… right in front of her. Afraid of hearing him blame her.

She simply couldn’t face him.

Time passed. The other knights had finished their runs, leaving Carsein alone on the training grounds. It was break time.

Which meant… it could happen again.

‘No… it can’t. Not twice. Not in a row…’

But as she tried to convince herself, a wave of guilt washed over her.

She had asked the knight overseeing the drills how long it would take Carsein to complete his laps.

“About 20 minutes, I’d say,” he had replied.

20 minutes. She had 20 minutes. Enough time for a quick detour.

“I need to speak with Theo. Wait here.”

─Yes, Lady Flora.

The maids didn’t question her. Sir Theo Ramstear. The knight Lady Flora often met with.

Nothing to worry about.

She thought the same. Sir Theo was trustworthy. He would have answers.

She just needed to ask him about yesterday. About the destroyed pouch. About how often these… incidents happened.

That was all.

*Glancing around cautiously, Flora made her way towards the wash area.

The fastest route was a straight path. Sir Theo would probably be there, among his fellow knights.

Carsein wouldn’t be back for a while. She had time.

But for some reason… this path, the one that had led her to Carsein in her dream…

It filled her with unease.

It was just a dream. A nightmare.

And yet, she couldn't bring herself to take that path.

‘It… it doesn’t matter. Even if I go back… nothing will change. It’s just… a feeling.’

It was just a dream.

Convincing herself, she veered off the path, choosing a secluded route, hidden from view.

“Make sure it’s secure, you hear me?”

“Heh, what, you can’t even tie a simple knot?”

Voices. Knights, laughing, talking amongst themselves. Theo’s voice, distinct, authoritative.

And then… another sound.

Crackle!

‘Fire…?’

A fire? In the training grounds? Were they burning trash?

…Burning?

Crackle!

The sound drew her closer, her heart pounding in her chest.

No, it couldn’t be. Not again. There might have been a few rogue knights yesterday, but there were so many people here now.

They wouldn’t… they wouldn’t dare.

Crack! Crackle!

With each crackling sound, Flora quickened her pace.

As she emerged from the pathway, she froze, taking in the scene before her.

“Look at it burn! Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Hey! That’s mine, you idiot.”

“Come on, share the spoils!”

Flames danced merrily, casting a warm glow on the knights as they sorted through their loot.

And there it was.

A worn pouch, crudely stitched together with mismatched thread.

Now, it lay ripped and torn, its contents scattered on the ground.

A knight picked up a small notebook and tossed it into the flames. It caught fire instantly, its pages curling and blackening.

Carsein’s notebook. The one he always carried with him.

Her dream was coming true.

‘No… it can’t be…’

Each word, each accusation from her dream, echoed in her mind.

It was you. You made me a target… Did you really think it would be any different here?

Why would they treat me any differently here? You know exactly why.

You created this situation, and now you’re denying it? You’ve always made me the scapegoat.

You orchestrated everything… And this is the result.

You took my sword… Because you… you couldn’t stand the sight of me. And you destroyed everything.

This… is all your fault.

The crackling of the fire faded into the background, replaced by the haunting sound of Carsein’s voice.

‘Was it… really my fault?’

She had done it because he was a threat. Because he was an outsider, trying to take what was rightfully hers, trying to replace her beloved brother, Carn.

Had her petty jealousy… led to this?

Normally, she would have denied it. But she couldn’t. Not anymore.

There was only one reason why this was happening.

Because Flora Bagrand had ensured, during that trial, that Carsein would never be allowed to train again.

‘Gasp… gasp…’

She remembered visiting Theo, seeking reassurance. He had told her it wasn’t her fault, that she had done the right thing.

And then… he had said something else.

Visit the training grounds sometime, Lady Flora. Just send word in advance, and I’ll arrange something you’ll enjoy.

And this… this was what he had meant. This spectacle of cruelty, of casual disregard for another person’s belongings.

This was the result of her actions.

Crackle!

Another of Carsein’s belongings vanished into the flames. She could almost see him, consumed by the fire, his form dissolving into smoke and ash.

Her vision blurred, her breath catching in her throat.

Crackle!

Flora, unable to bear it any longer, ripped off her gloves.

Thwack!

“T-Theo!”

“A glove? Who threw this… at Theo?!”

“…What?”

“Could it be…?”

Confusion swept through the knights.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Flora screamed, her voice trembling with anger.

This wasn't what she wanted. This wasn't how it was supposed to be!

“Why are you doing this? Why?!”

“Lady Flora? When did you arrive? You should have said something.”

Theo, looking flustered, stepped forward.

“You’re just in time. We were just…”

Thwack!

The other glove flew through the air, striking Theo across the face.

“Another glove…? The same one from before? Could it be… you, Lady Flora?”

“I never asked you to do this! Why… why are you tormenting Carsein?”

“L-Lady Flora…?”

“Why?! Answer me!”

Theo, caught off guard by her outburst, stammered, his face turning pale.

“Is this… not to your liking? I can arrange something else. There are other ways to deal with him. Shall we have him face a knight in a duel? Or perhaps… a group of them? They’d be happy to teach him a lesson. Just tell me what you want.”

Just tell me what you want?

Whatever you desire, Lady Flora, I will deliver.

‘No.’

This wasn’t what she wanted! This wasn’t why she had sought him out! She never asked him to hurt Carsein!

So why… why was he offering her more ways to make him suffer?

‘Could it really be… because of me?’

In that moment, Flora understood.

Everything that was happening to Carsein… it all stemmed from her.

From her petty hatred, her misguided fear, her belief that he was trying to take what was hers.

The Kelbia allergy. The forgotten birthday. The Snowflake Festival. And now… the training ground, a place she had thought he would be safe.

It was all her fault.

She had to stop this. She had to stop it before it was too late, before her nightmares became reality.

But it was already too late.

Thwack!

Another glove struck Theo across the face.

She recognized it instantly. A worn, faded glove. The one Carsein had refused to replace, despite her sisters’ offers.

Shing!

A sword flashed, its tip pressed against Theo’s throat.

“Carsein! What are you doing?!”

“How dare you point your sword at your superior!”

“Put that sword away!”

Carsein.

He was standing there, his gaze cold, his sword unwavering.

***

Increasing Flora’s affinity was always a challenge. The reason was simple: she hated seeing Carsein possess anything, as evidenced by her actions in Episode V.

She despised him receiving gifts, spending time with their family, experiencing the love and affection she believed should be hers alone.

Therefore, the best way to win her over, as Carsein, was to have nothing. To be stripped bare, exploited, left with nothing but the clothes on his back.

She was a child. Naive, sheltered, her mind filled with fantasies.

Only when she saw him utterly powerless, devoid of any influence, would she feel guilt.

The stolen ointments had been a taste. This, however, this orchestrated spectacle… this was the main event.

‘…But I didn’t expect her to confront Theo directly.’

In the game, she would simply watch, her guilt mounting, before retreating to the safety of the manor.

‘Perhaps it’s because of this?’

[ Guilt: 100% ]

The target had been 70%. Just like with Radiel, triggering a transformation in her affinity box usually required exceeding a certain threshold. It seemed my actions had accelerated the process.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

Flora’s unexpected intervention wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. As long as the conditions were met…

It was time to make a choice.

[ 3. Throw a glove at Theo's face. ]

I followed the script, flinging the glove at him.

Thwack!

And then, without hesitation, I drew the sword Mark had returned to me, pointing it at Theo's throat.

“Carsein! What are you doing?!”

“How dare you point your sword at your superior!”

“Do you have a death wish?! Put that sword away!”

▶Warning! The knights’ threat level has increased!◀

Death flags. I knew the risks.

But I wouldn't back down. Not when I had a reason. Not when I had everything I needed to rewrite the script.

Theo’s expression hardened, his initial shock replaced by a cold, calculating gaze.

“So it was you. This time, you’re aiming for my throat instead of the Vice-Captain’s?”

Theo sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.

“You tricked poor, innocent Lady Flora, hoping to have me punished. You pathetic…”

Ding!

▶Theo Ramstear is attempting to shift the blame!

Finally.

[ 3. Don't be ridiculous. You deserve to be punished. ]

“You seem to be mistaken. I’m not acting as a trainee, Theo Ramstear. I’m acting as Carsein Bagrand. And I’m here to hold you accountable for your crimes.”

“…What?”

Theo laughed, a mocking, disbelieving laugh.

“Is that so? The young master is going to execute me? And what exactly have I done to deserve such… punishment? Can you prove it?”

Ding!

▶Choose a method to prove Theo Ramstear’s guilt!◀
[ 1. Flora's Testimony ]
[ 2. The Knights’ Testimony ]
[ 3. The Burning Items ]
[ 4. The Torn Pouch ]
[ 5. The Stolen Goods ]

My choice?

I casually reached into my pocket.

“This.”

[ 5. The Stolen Goods ]

“That came from my pocket,” Theo countered, his expression smug. “Are you suggesting I… stole it?”

“I’m glad you’re aware of your wrongdoing.”

“This… this proves nothing! What are you even talking about? Yes, it’s a bit… expensive for a knight’s salary. But I could have easily purchased it myself. And besides, where’s the proof that it belongs to you?”

He was confident, certain of his victory.

Good. That was exactly what I wanted.

I pressed the tip of the sword against his throat, drawing a thin line of blood.

*A gasp escaped Theo’s lips.

“What… what are you doing?!”

“He cut him! That’s unforgivable! He has no right to…”

“Even with his status, he’s not allowed to simply execute people!”

“We’ll report this! To the Ladies, to the Duchess herself!”

Theo threatened, his voice laced with fear. The other knights joined in, their voices rising in protest.

But then…

“This…” I said, my voice cold, steady. “Is a handkerchief. A handkerchief my fiancée gave me. And that,” I continued, my gaze fixed on Theo, “is enough to justify your punishment.”

Silence descended upon the wash area, heavy and suffocating.