I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: A Pack of Wolves (3)

It’s true that they hadn't always been enemies.

Harnie had been on good terms with the other noblewomen.

There were minor disagreements, but nothing major.

One day, during a tournament…

Harnie realized that one of the young noblewomen was in love.

“Lady Heli?”

“Y-Yes?”

“My, my. Where is your mind wandering? We were trying to guess who would win the tournament.”

“Oh, that’s… Ahaha.”

Lady Heli laughed awkwardly, trying to hide her embarrassment.

But the other noblewomen knew.

They saw her dreamy gaze, her eyes fixed on a certain someone.

They realized…

That she was in love.

The girls, their eyes twinkling mischievously, started teasing her.

“He’s so handsome, with those big, beautiful eyes, and that charming smile…”

The women giggled.

Gossip and romance were the main topics of conversation in high society.

They empathized with Lady Heli, offering their usual advice.

“He’s doing well in the tournament. Why don’t you confess your feelings after it’s over?”

“C-Confess?”

“Of course! Lady Delina said he wasn’t seeing anyone.”

“But…”

“We’ve seen him often, and he’s definitely single. You’d make a lovely couple. These days, it's quite fashionable for women to make the first move.”

Love required a connection.

They all believed that a beautiful couple would blossom from this encounter.

And of course…

“You’ll help us, won’t you, Lady Harnie? You’re the closest to him.”

“Yes, of course.”

Harnie was included as well.

The tournament ended, and the brown-haired young lord in lane 3 emerged victorious. He received a ceremonial torch, a symbol of his victory.

They assumed he would dedicate it to his parents.

But there was a twist.

The young lord walked towards them.

The women gasped, whispering among themselves.

‘Could he be…?’

‘Oh my, how romantic!’

‘Will they become a couple?’

Lady Heli, seizing the opportunity, offered him a handkerchief. She had already expressed her feelings.

If he had come for her…

It would be a scene straight out of a romance novel.

Lady Heli was nervous.

Her heart was racing.

He was approaching…

But…

“I dedicate this victory to Lady Harnie, who has graced us with her presence.”

He walked past Lady Heli and knelt before Harnie.

And it wasn’t just a simple gesture.

“I’ve admired you for a long time. You encouraged me when I was shy, and you urged me not to give up. I wanted to repay your kindness with this victory.”

He presented her with the ceremonial torch.

A confession.

Harnie, flustered, glanced at Lady Heli.

Her face was clouded with despair.

She rejected his confession.

And then…

“Lady Heli, Lady Heli!”

Harnie chased after her, tears streaming down her face.

“Please, let’s talk.”

“Talk? You encouraged him, you urged him not to give up… and now you say you were just helping me? You’re cruel.”

“It was a misunderstanding! I was just being friendly to everyone. And I never gave him any tokens of affection, unlike you!”

“Then why did he approach you? And what about his confession? Was that a lie too?!”

Lady Heli glared at her, her eyes filled with tears.

“H-Haha! You must have had a good laugh, playing with my feelings! It must have been amusing to see me fall in love with the one you had seduced!”

“Lady Heli!”

“You… You’re a monster!”

Harnie tried to defend herself, to explain that it was a misunderstanding, but it was too late.

The incident became the talk of high society.

Harnie was now the enemy of every woman in the empire.

Her explanations were useless.

She tried to prove her innocence, to show that she had never been in a relationship, but it only led to retaliation and ridicule, led by Lady Heli.

Harnie sighed, remembering the past.

“After that, the rumors started spreading. They said I was a gold digger, that I deliberately targeted men and manipulated other women.”

“Was there no evidence to prove your innocence?”

“There was.”

“Then you could have shown it to them.”

“…I couldn’t.”

“What?”

“How could I possibly reveal those love letters? That would only make things worse.”

“…Ah.”

So that was the evidence.

It was useless.

It would only add fuel to the fire.

“I couldn’t show it to them. I tried to prove that I wasn’t in love with anyone, but it didn’t work.”

“I see.”

The future was obvious.

‘She must have suffered.’

She must have been ostracized, unable to participate in social gatherings.

Any rumors about her and men would lead to slander and retaliation.

Exaggeration and distortion were standard features in these situations.

It would be impossible to overturn the narrative, especially when she was targeted by a powerful group.

‘I understand her pain.’

My own unpleasant experiences in school were unexpectedly helpful.

“So you asked me to pretend to be your fiancé because you knew those women would be here? You knew they were coming?”

“Yes. I thought I had neutralized the male wolves with the engagement, but I wasn’t prepared for the female wolves. I should have warned you…”

“You were too late.”

“…Yes.”

She didn’t deny it.

He understood.

‘The biggest Snowflake Festival ever… She must have been overwhelmed.’

Harnie was trying to become independent from the Theresia Marquisate.

The festival was a major event, and with the nobles causing a scene with the fake fire, it was obvious she would be busy.

“Umm… Young Master Carsein?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you… for helping me.”

Harnie expressed her sincere gratitude.

‘I’m not used to this…’

Her genuine appreciation…

He wasn’t used to it.

Not as Carsein, not as Kim Min-hyeok.

“I owe you a great debt. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best to help you.”

“It’s not that big of a deal.”

“No, it is. I can’t fathom why, but… you saved me.”

She was determined to repay his kindness.

‘Hmm… Then I should take advantage of this.’

Carsein decided to take this opportunity to strengthen their partnership.

“Then share these things with me from now on.”

“What?”

“We’re in this together, remember? You know my situation, so it would be better if I could help you.”

“But…”

“This year is crucial for both of us. We need to succeed, and that means we need to support each other.”

Harnie’s violet eyes widened.

She was silent for a moment, then smiled.

“You’re right. We should help each other.”

She looked around, making sure no one was listening, then spoke again.

“But I want to say this.”

A faint smile on her lips…

And those unfamiliar words…

“Thank you, Carsein.”

***

The conversation with Harnie had ended peacefully.

No one had overheard them, and he had skillfully used the Bagrand name to defuse the situation.

But he didn’t want to leave things unresolved.

“We should enjoy the festival.”

“How about we explore the festival?”

They ended up reaching the same conclusion.

He was a bit annoyed that she was mimicking him, but…

“Let’s use your guide skills. What should we see first?”

“Hmm…”

He didn't know either.

But he remembered the scene from Carsein’s memories.

A certain street had been popular during the festival.

They walked in that direction and arrived at the stall where Flora had won the teddy bear.

The man recognized him.

“Oh my, it’s the young master who won the prize earlier. And this beautiful lady… Could she be…?”

Harnie closed her eyes.

He had to be the one to say it.

“My fiancée.”

“Oh! So she is…!”

The man’s eyes lit up.

“So, are you here to win a prize for your fiancée? After giving one to your sister?”

“What? Prize?”

“Oh, right. You wouldn’t know. You weren’t here earlier.”

The man, his voice filled with emotion, told Harnie the story of how Carsein had won the teddy bear for Flora.

Harnie looked at him, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“So you’re not a snake after all?”

“What do you take me for?”

“I told you, I thought you were a snake.”

Excuse me.

You’re my fiancée now.

Why are you saying things like that?

He glared at her, and she shrugged.

“So, it’s the fiancée’s turn now, huh? Well, well.”

He hadn’t said he wanted to play again, but it seemed like they wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.

Harnie’s eyes were sparkling with anticipation.

He sighed and explained the rules.

“Wow, this looks fun! I think I can win! I have a good eye for these things!”

“…Did you even hear what I said?”

“Of course! You just have to control the marble, right?”

She didn’t listen.

He let her play.

A few moments later…

Harnie had wasted two of her chances.

“How could this be…”

“Here’s your fish cake, miss!”

“Ugh…”

Harnie was staring intently at the fourth-place prize as she ate the last fish cake.

Unlike Arina and Claire, who had struggled with the spice, she seemed to be handling it well.

But…

“I have to win this…”

She was determined to win that prize.

‘The fourth-place prize…’

He had no choice.

“Can I eat the fish cake and take her turn?”

“What?”

“The young master? Hmm…”

The man looked at them, then…

“I can allow that, but on one condition.”

“What is it?”

“You have to share the fish cake.”

Share the fish cake?

He wasn't asking them to eat two each…

The spicy fish cakes weren't popular with the nobles, so many forfeited their chance rather than eat them.

He understood why he would make such a request.

‘But that doesn't apply to me.’

Harnie also seemed to be handling the spice well.

This was a free chance.

“That’s easy.”

“What?! Wait, Carsein?!”

Carsein took the fish cake and ate half of it in one bite.

He then offered the remaining half to Harnie.

“Just eat this, and you’ll get another chance. Trust me.”

“W-Well… I…”

“Is there a problem?”

“You… You’re unbelievable!”

What? What’s the problem?