I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: A Faded Gift (4)

Arina's mind raced as she struggled to process Heron's words. A chilling wave of unease washed over her.

‘No.’

It couldn’t be true.

How could this be happening?

It was too perfect, as if it had been orchestrated.

No, it couldn't be.

She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure.

“So… you’re saying that the things that were supposed to be delivered to Carsein… were intercepted, and then sent to my sister in this state?” Claire asked, her voice trembling.

“That is correct, Lady Claire.”

“Then… those documents…!”

The shredded pieces of paper in the basket she had found in front of her room…

She had assumed Carsein had destroyed them to spite her, to disregard her gesture.

But the truth was revealed.

Heron had entrusted the document to the maids in the utility room.

That single statement turned the situation on its head.

“Someone… tampered with it. Just like Carsein said.”

As Claire had said, the certificate she had instructed Heron to deliver had never reached its intended recipient.

“Who? Who dared touch my brother’s letters?!”

“…I apologize. It is my fault.”

Heron bowed his head.

It was clear that someone in the utility room had intercepted the document.

Carsein hadn't torn it and left it in her room.

Arina’s breath hitched.

“Are you satisfied now?”

Carsein glared at her, his expression devoid of emotion.

“I never received that document. I couldn’t have torn it if I never received it.”

“…”

“You don’t even give me a chance to explain. You just assume I’m guilty, no matter what. Don’t you think that’s strange?”

Arina wanted to speak, to defend herself, but she couldn’t.

Not after what she had done.

“My letters disappear. My food is poisoned. I’m just an unwanted outsider in this family.”

“Carsein, I…”

“I shouldn’t have been here.”

“…What?”

Carsein cut her off sharply.

Arina flinched as he continued, his voice cold.

“If it weren’t for that certificate… that training grounds permit… I wouldn’t be suspected, would I?”

Her heart sank as she watched him blame the document, the one she had given him with good intentions.

She felt a lump in her throat.

She had been the one who started this.

She had written the permit because she wanted him to be happy.

She had wanted to make up for the forgotten birthday gift.

She had hoped he would be pleased, that he would forget about the incident at the Snowflake Festival.

“It’s a misunderstanding. I… I didn’t give it to you with those intentions.”

Yes, it was a misunderstanding.

“I never wanted this to happen. I didn’t know someone was doing this.”

She hadn’t intended to hurt him.

“I just… wanted to make you happy…”

Arina tried to reason with him, to explain her feelings.

But Carsein cut her off again, his voice firm.

“A misunderstanding? This all happened because of you.”

“…!”

“You can’t take it back now, Arina. You’ve already condemned me. You assumed I destroyed your gift, even though I never received it.”

His words were sharp, piercing her heart.

She had been the one who had condemned him.

She had been the one who had accused him without evidence.

She had been the one who had slapped him in anger.

It was all her fault.

“No matter what I do, no matter what happens… I’ll always be suspected and judged. Just like today.”

“We’ll find the culprit!”

—Bang!

Someone slammed their hand on the table, silencing Carsein.

“We’ll find out who did this. We’ll tell Mother, and she’ll launch a full investigation. They won’t get away with it this time.”

It was Claire.

“We’ll find the culprit. Just like you said, Carsein, there has to be someone behind this, just like with Camilla.”

Carsein’s gaze shifted, landing on Flora.

Her blonde hair trembled.

Claire continued,

“We’ll launch a full investigation. And if we have to, we’ll replace the entire staff!”

It would be impossible.

Some of the servants were children of the family’s retainers. Even an investigation would offend them.

Carsein knew their reputation within the duchy would plummet, so he played his trump card.

“No, there’s no need.”

“…What?”

“Just leave me alone. I’m fine with that.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m moving to the annex.”

The three sisters stared at him in shock.

“Wh-What?!”

“The annex?!”

“…That’s… ridiculous.”

Flora hiccuped, Claire looked stunned, and Arina wanted to protest.

“You’re a member of the Bagrand family! You can’t move to the annex! That’s where we house guests!”

Claire, struggling to control her emotions, tried to stop him.

But Carsein’s words pierced her heart.

“A member of the family? You don’t treat me like family! You don’t acknowledge me, you just suspect me!”

He scoffed, his voice cold.

“Don’t you see what’s happening?”

The room fell silent.

“It would be better for everyone if I moved to the annex. You wouldn’t have to see me, and I wouldn’t cause any trouble. It’s the perfect solution.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! How can a high-ranking noble live in the annex?! A place for guests and…!”

“Then tell me, Claire, what’s the solution?”

“I…”

“I can’t even receive my letters or anything else that’s sent to me. I’m under surveillance, even after enduring that awful birthday gift, and I’m accused of destroying something I never received, then slapped?!”

His questions silenced them.

“It’s the same as the coming-of-age ceremony. So this is the best solution, for all of us.”

He stood up and walked past his sisters.

He had proven his innocence, and he had offered a solution. There was no need to stay.

Arina couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Claire was blaming herself, remembering her past actions, and…

Flora, sitting in the corner, her face pale, was covering her mouth with her shawl.

Carsein smirked, his eyes meeting Flora’s.

A shiver ran down her spine.

“Arina, you said something similar before, didn’t you? When I was causing all that trouble. You told me to be quiet, to stay out of everyone’s way.”

“…!”

He left them with his final words.

“I’ll do as you wish. I’ll stay quiet in the annex.”

Heron opened the door, and a gust of cold wind swept into the room.

But…

Had the temperature actually dropped?

He didn’t feel the chill.

It felt warmer outside.

Maybe the coldness in the room had dissipated.

No one followed him, except for Heron.

Of course not.

Arina had wrongly accused him.

Claire was reflecting on her own actions, realizing she had been the same.

And Flora… she was the one who had orchestrated this whole mess.

None of them could speak their minds freely.

He had to take advantage of this.

‘Let’s see the results.’

The notification had appeared when he left his room, but he needed to understand what had happened.

▶You have proven your innocence to Arina!◀
▶Your reputation within the duchy has improved!◀
▶The servants will be more cautious in their actions towards you!◀
…
…

He saw the familiar messages from the game.

The most important one…

▶You have exposed Flora’s lie. Your sisters’ suspicions have been dispelled.◀
▶Claire will order an investigation.◀
▶Warning! A certain individual will be falsely accused. Depending on the outcome, your reputation could be downgraded to Recognition.◀

Flora’s change, and the warning that followed…

That was enough.

“Heron.”

“Yes, young master.”

“What can I do for you?”

He had orchestrated this scene.

He had to compensate Heron, the only one who knew the truth.

Heron hesitated, then spoke cautiously.

“If you ever need me to do something like this again… please call for me.”

“Why?”

“I’m the butler of the Bagrand family. I need to… cleanse the duchy of its impurities.”

“Impurities? Is that the right word?”

“It’s not entirely wrong. I’ve been… waiting for an opportunity to deal with this.”

They had a common enemy.

Heron was subtly proposing an alliance.

‘That common enemy is… Emma, of course.’

But he was still a neutral character.

He didn’t think Heron was motivated solely by revenge.

“I refuse.”

“…What?”

Heron’s eyes widened in shock.

He had expected his offer to be accepted.

But unlike the other characters, he didn't ask for an explanation or try to manipulate the situation.

He simply turned and walked away.

“Very well. If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to call for me.”

He left behind a subtle message, offering his services again.

Carsein watched him leave, then muttered,

“I doubt I’ll need your help again. You’re too perceptive. You might even hinder my plans.”

Heron was the butler of the Bagrand family.

He was part of the duchy, bound to serve them, not Carsein.

He couldn't be sure what Heron would do.

“And besides… This is my fight.”

He had to handle this himself.

To reclaim his rights, to build his own strength in this house…

To escape, after carefully calculating every step…

He had to do it alone.

“You don’t need to know about this, not until I leave. Never.”

***

Heron turned and walked away, his heart heavy.

‘…His heart is closed. I couldn’t reach him.’

He had seen an opportunity.

To cleanse the duchy, and to help the young master.

But it hadn't been easy.

The slums and the duchy…

Carsein, battered by both worlds at the age of eighteen…

He had changed.

He had used his resilience, honed in the slums, to survive the bullying in the duchy… but then, he had become sharp, calculating.

Heron’s attempt to connect with him, to open his heart, had been detected and rejected.

‘…Has he already taken root?’

It saddened him.

There had been no emotion in Carsein’s eyes as he outlined his plan.

He was becoming numb to pain.

Because of the things he had experienced in this house.

“…”

Heron stopped and turned his head.

He wanted to go back and persuade him… but he knew it was futile.

He continued walking.

Thud. Thud.

His heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway.

—Ding!

▶You have successfully triggered a result that goes beyond the simple selection of choices!◀
▶Heron’s affinity has been activated!◀
[Current affinity level: 30%]

Meanwhile, the inevitable was unfolding in the conference room.

The topic of Carsein’s relocation and the culprit behind the intercepted letters hadn’t been resolved.

And then…

—Crack! Crack!

‘H-How? How did they find out…!’

Flora, the true culprit, trembled, biting her nails.