I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: A Faded Gift (2)

Flora, carrying a basket filled with shredded paper, approached Arina’s room.

She peeked around the corner, her eyes scanning the area.

Arina’s room was right there, but Flora had to be careful.

‘Good. No one’s around.’

She made sure no one was watching, then placed the basket next to Arina’s door.

It would be the first thing Arina saw when she opened the door.

A mischievous smile spread across Flora’s face.

She imagined the chaos that would ensue, then knocked on the door.

—Knock, knock!

“Come in.”

Arina’s voice echoed from inside, but no one entered.

Confused, she opened the door.

“…Hmm?”

The one who had knocked was gone.

But she saw the basket and picked it up curiously.

“What’s this doing in front of my— ”

She lifted the cloth covering the basket.

And saw the shredded pieces of paper.

Familiar handwriting, familiar paper…

And her seal, broken in half.

“…”

Arina’s face darkened.

‘Yes!’

Flora, hiding behind a pillar, watched with a smug smile.

It was obvious who had done this.

An important document, signed and sealed by the head of the household, reduced to shreds… Carsein would soon face the consequences.

As she had predicted, Arina’s eyes blazed with anger as she clutched the pieces of paper. She stormed out of the room.

Flora, imagining Carsein’s fate, followed her, her heart filled with glee.

***

—Ding!

▶Arina’s affinity has decreased!◀
[Current level: 15%]

‘There it is.’

He had been waiting for this message.

Even with Heron handling the situation, he couldn’t be sure all would go according to plan because there were so many variables.

“5%… She must have seen the document. And…”

▶Certain areas have been reclassified!◀
[Area: Training Grounds]
[Danger level: Normal → Danger]

The training grounds were now a danger zone again.

So having the document in his possession wasn’t enough.

The danger level had reverted to its original state.

But he wasn't disappointed.

He could have easily accessed the training grounds if he hadn't done this…

“I would never accept a hypocritical gift like that, Arina.”

It reminded him of his past life.

His eldest sister had tried to win him over with gifts, praising him whenever he behaved. It had disgusted him.

So he had refused.

He hadn’t accepted any of her gifts, not even opening the boxes. He had stored them away, untouched.

Even if they were things he wanted.

He had wanted to become independent.

To escape that family without owing them anything.

And that mindset hadn’t changed, even after becoming Carsein.

The game’s storyline might have been twisted, creating unpredictable variables… but he didn’t want their help.

He didn’t want to be indebted to them.

Carsein would have felt the same way.

—Ding!

▶CHAPTER 1 - Episode V branch point activated!◀
▶Timer activated!◀
▶Complete the required action within the time limit to determine the branch!◀

The long-awaited message appeared.

And the timer started ticking.

He had to be careful.

He could easily trigger a bad ending if he didn’t act quickly.

“Time to go.”

He had already prepared.

He knew where to go, and he had a plan to deal with the inevitable confrontation.

He opened the door, and the maids flinched, their eyes darting nervously.

They were the maids assigned to the utility room near his room.

‘They’re nervous because they couldn't carry out Heron’s instructions.’

Everything was going according to plan.

—Ding!

▶The maids are anxious.◀
▶How will you react to the missing item?◀

[1. Do you have something for me?]
[2. (Point to a maid) You. Come here.]
[3. (Sneering) You all seem guilty. Like you’ve lost something that was supposed to be delivered to me.]
[4. (Ignore them and walk away.)]

Why were the choices always like this?

He had raised their affinity through sub-episodes, but it didn't seem to make a difference.

He changed his approach.

“You. You’re the maid assigned to me while Camilla is away, right?”

“Y-Yes…”

—Ding!

A second set of choices appeared.

▶Will you retrieve the item entrusted to the maids?◀
[1. Retrieve.]
[2. Do not retrieve.]

There was nothing to retrieve.

He would trigger a bad ending if he entered the utility room, expecting to find something.

“Do you need something… from me?”

“Yes. There is one thing.”

He hadn’t arrived yet, but there would soon be one… no, two visitors.

“I’m going to see Mother. If anyone asks for me, tell them that.”

He informed the maid of his whereabouts.

She agreed, her face pale with fear.

He left the maids behind and climbed the stairs.

Isabella’s office was just ahead.

He knocked without hesitation, and the door opened immediately.

“Come in.”

Isabella opened the door herself.

It wasn’t that different from his morning greetings.

Isabella was working, as usual, and he had interrupted her.

Just like when he would visit her during his morning greetings.

He still remembered her indifferent gaze, the way she would dismiss him after making him wait for hours, the accusation that he was just there to complain or tattle.

It was better to be brief.

He didn’t want to waste her time, to be seen as a nuisance.

He spoke first.

“I have a request.”

“A request?”

—Ding!

[1. Please write a permit allowing me to use the training grounds.]
[2. Please write a permit allowing me to manage the Shatren estate.]
[3. Please write a permit allowing me to participate in this year's martial arts tournament.]

Three branching paths appeared.

The one he needed was, of course, the first one.

“Please write a permit allowing me to use the training grounds.”

Isabella was silent for a moment, then told him to wait.

She didn’t make him wait for hours like she usually did.

She returned with a document and wrote the permit right in front of him.

“This matter is actually under Arina’s jurisdiction, not mine. But I’ll talk to her and see if we can lift the ban.”

“Alright.”

He took the permit and stood up.

Isabella grabbed his hand.

“Wait. Wait a moment, Carsein.”

“What is it?”

“…Is that all?”

“Yes.”

What else could he possibly want?

He just wanted to get the permit and leave.

He had to leave so he could trigger the next branching point for the episode.

“Why aren’t you saying anything about the festival?”

Isabella asked, her eyes pleading.

“Do we really need to talk about it now?”

“…What are you talking about, Carsein?”

“You’re busy.”

“It’s not about whether it’s necessary or not! It’s important!”

She was getting upset.

“I heard everything from your sisters. You were suspected at the ballroom. You felt like you were being watched. You didn’t enjoy the festival. You didn’t even receive your birthday gift. And…!”

She bit her lip, then spoke again, her voice heavy with emotion.

“You must have remembered… that day. When Arina abandoned you.”

He couldn’t deny it.

“I know you have a lot to say, Carsein. Please, tell me. Let me help you, even if it’s just a little.”

She was on the verge of tears as she held his hand.

It was a pathetic sight.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m just here to waste time.’

▶Time remaining: 40 seconds.◀

He was running out of time.

The branching point for the next episode was approaching. It was time to set things in motion.

He gently pulled his hand away from hers.

“Then consider this permit my birthday gift.”

“What?”

“That’s enough to make me happy.”

“Carsein, that’s not right. No matter what…”

“I’m not the same person I was before. I’ve changed. Do you want me to hold a grudge forever?”

Isabella’s eyes widened.

She hadn’t trusted him, even for a moment, forcing him to prove his innocence at the ballroom with those Welten Static-Proof Gloves.

She had chosen to “review” his house arrest instead of lifting it, making him feel watched during the festival.

His birthday gift had become meaningless, and she had brought back those painful memories.

Asking him to forget everything was cruel.

“I understand how you feel. But I won’t accept that permit as your birthday gift, Carsein.”

She said, her eyes sad, offering to give him a proper birthday present.

He ended the conversation there.

He left the office and checked the timer.

▶Time remaining: 20 seconds.◀

“20 seconds.”

Plenty of time.

He moved to a different location, recreating the scene from the game.

A few moments later…

The timer disappeared, and the episode title appeared.

“Carsein. There you are.”

And then…

—Slap!

His cheek burned, a confirmation that he had achieved his goals for this episode.

***

She was consistent.

Arina hadn’t changed. She was just like his eldest sister.

He was almost grateful for her coldness. It helped him maintain his composure.

—Ding!

▶Episode V. Troublemaker at the Training Grounds begins!◀
▶Arina’s affinity has decreased for some reason!◀
▶Persuade Arina!◀
[Success: Affinity restored.]
[Failure: Death.]

The status window announced the start of the episode, demanding his action.

His cheek stung, but the situation wasn’t that different from the game.

He had to be strategic.

It was time to reveal his weapon.

“No matter how upset you are, this is going too far. You’ve completely disregarded my feelings, Carsein.”

“What the hell do you want?”

“Ha. Still playing dumb? Your pathetic excuses haven’t changed.”

Pieces of paper fluttered in the air.

The document was beyond repair.

“I admitted my mistake. But you’ve insulted me by destroying my gift. Why? Did you hate the permit I gave you? Or are you going to lie again, saying you never received it?”

Her eyes blazed with anger.

Her ragged breaths betrayed her fury.

But he wasn’t afraid.

“You still don’t trust me. You always suspect me, no matter what.”

“All the evidence points to you! How can you deny it?”

Arina’s eyes narrowed, but her anger didn’t waver.

He knew how to exploit her emotions.

He glanced at the choices, then…

“When did you send it?”

“What?”

“When did you send the permit?”

“This morning. I told Heron to deliver it to your room.”

“Then ask Heron if it ever arrived.”

—Flinch!

The blonde girl, who had been peeking from the top of the stairs, flinched.

‘Scared, Flora?’

She couldn't escape this time.

This plan was designed to trap her.