I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: A Pack of Wolves (1)

—Ding!

▶Episode IV. Snowflake Festival Cleared!◀
▶Calculating results…◀
…
…

▶The knights had to work hard to find Carsein!◀
▶Reputation within the duchy has decreased!◀
▶You gained affinity with Arina by persuading her!◀
▶You have successfully triggered a result that goes beyond the simple selection of choices!◀
▶Reward granted!◀

A small amount of experience points, and a level up.

This route focused on gaining affinity with characters at the expense of Reputation points. The choices were diverse, and each one led to different outcomes.

I had achieved my goal.

I had followed the desired path and successfully navigated the episode to the next branching point.

But I couldn’t focus on those things right now.

“So he was abandoned too.”

Unpleasant memories resurfaced.

Arina, leaving him behind with a promise to return.

Money, freedom, the excitement of the Snowflake Festival.

Carsein, waiting for her with gifts, oblivious to the fact that she wouldn’t come back.

It was all too familiar.

A wristband with unlimited ride access.

A trip to an amusement park with my family.

My hand slipping away, becoming lost in the crowd, watching the sun set from the spot where they had left me.

Amusement park. Snowflake Festival.

Different time, different setting, but the same feeling.

Even the way they had found him…

“Damn it. I can’t believe I’m going through this again.”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

Lost in a crowd at an amusement park in my past life, abandoned by a family who didn’t care… and now, a boy left behind at a festival in this game world.

My blood ran cold.

The anger was replaced by a chilling calm.

“Yes, I need to be rational. There’s no need to get emotional about this.”

This was the second time, so I knew.

Carsein would be feeling the same way.

If their roles were reversed, he would be reacting the same way.

I turned my attention back to the status window.

▶Hidden Episode. A Precarious Cairn Cleared!◀
▶You have successfully triggered a result that goes beyond the simple selection of choices!◀
▶Reward granted!◀

■Reward
[Arina’s affinity has increased further!]
[Current level: 15%->20%]
[???]
[???]

I had reached this point.

The magic stone flames were fake, and Isabella had started searching for Carsein after the commotion subsided.

Arina’s hastily fabricated excuse eventually unraveled, and Isabella ordered the knights to find him.

That was how it played out in the game.

‘All I have to do now is… return to the mansion late.’

The scene would skip after the encounter with Arina.

So, even though I had cleared the hidden episode, it didn't affect the main storyline.

It didn't matter where I went now, as long as I returned to the mansion late.

But I needed to decide how to spend this time.

‘Speaking of which… what is this?’

The question marks at the bottom of the stats window caught my eye.

I hadn’t noticed it before, but there was a stat with a value of 0.

“Hmm…”

I was lost in thought.

Unlike the other stats, there were no clues about how to increase this one.

But it wouldn’t have a negative effect. Stats could help you avoid bad endings or create additional choices.

So I decided to invest all my remaining stat points into it. It wouldn’t make a difference if I only increased it by a small amount.

‘There’s no point in being stingy. Let’s go all in.’

[Using all stat points on the ??? stat!]

I didn't feel any different, but…

‘What? What changed?’

At that moment…

A woman appeared before me.

“What are you thinking about?”

“What the…!”

I turned around.

A familiar face.

A beautiful woman with striking violet hair and eyes.

A skilled negotiator, with a sharp tongue and a temper to match.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that.”

“Is that… a surprised face…?”

“Of course I’m surprised. You appeared out of nowhere.”

Harnie raised an eyebrow.

She didn’t seem to believe me.

“What are you doing here? Are you enjoying the Snowflake Festival?”

I nodded, my expression indifferent.

She coughed and asked,

“Hmm… Do you have some time for me?”

“Sure.”

“I know your time is valuable… What?”

She looked bewildered.

“Did I mishear? It sounded like you were willing to give me your time.”

“Is there a problem?”

“N-no… but are you sure? Don’t you have other plans?”

“No, not really.”

Time was something Carsein had plenty of.

He was even struggling to find ways to waste it.

If she hadn’t appeared, he might have been wandering aimlessly, lost in his thoughts.

“This feels a bit… one-sided. I’m taking advantage of you, aren't I?”

Harnie said, holding up her index finger.

“How about we make a deal?”

“A deal?”

“Yes. It would be mutually beneficial, don't you think?”

She wanted to buy my time.

‘…Not bad.’

He had time to kill, but he was broke.

He had to return to the mansion eventually, and he didn’t want to go back empty-handed.

It was better to spend his time on something that would benefit him.

“What should I do?”

“Hmm… I’m new to the Snowflake Festival, so could you… show me around?”

“…What?”

I stared at her, my eyes narrowed.

She coughed awkwardly.

“I-I’ve been so busy that I haven’t been able to enjoy the festival properly. And besides… there might be some… unwanted attention…”

She averted her gaze, blinking rapidly.

I was still confused.

“So… will you help me or not?!”

A festival guide? That wasn’t difficult.

I could easily use Carsein’s memories to navigate the festival.

But I was still struggling to adapt to this situation.

“Are… Are you laughing right now?”

“No. It’s just… amusing. This whole situation.”

“Hmph! You did this last time too. Why…?”

I tuned out the rest of her words.

But I wasn’t going to refuse.

“I’ll show you around if you teach me some etiquette.”

“Etiquette? Why?”

“You said it was a deal. You taught me some things last time. I’m still… inexperienced in many ways.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

She seemed to be calculating the cost-benefit ratio.

“If it’s a problem, you can just pay for my expenses as well. How about that?”

“Are you sure that’s a good deal? Time is more valuable than money, sometimes.”

“I don’t think it’s a bad deal. I have my reasons.”

Even with this offer, she didn’t look completely satisfied.

But she agreed.

“Alright. But if you don’t do your job properly, I won’t pay you anything.”

“That’s harsh. For your fiancé.”

“Hmph! You only call me your fiancée when it’s convenient. I’m the one who has to pretend to be in a real relationship.”

She grumbled, then pulled my arm.

“Anyway, play the part. Now.”

***

Harnie started by teaching me how to link arms like a proper noble couple.

She said that’s what she wanted, but she taught me everything I needed to know, and soon, I was getting the hang of it. It was a bit old-fashioned, but…

By the time we reached the entrance, the festival was in full swing.

The bright lights illuminated the night, far more dazzling than the scene I had witnessed in the Memorial.

“Wow.”

Harnie gasped, her eyes wide with wonder.

It seemed like she really was experiencing the festival for the first time.

If she was a little younger, she would have looked like a child at an amusement park.

“This is amazing. So many new and exciting things. Have you been to the Snowflake Festival often, Carsein?”

“No, not really. I’ve only been here a few times.”

Well, to be precise, this was my first time.

It was Carsein who had been to the festival before, not me.

“But you don’t seem surprised. I’m amazed by everything.”

“…”

She was right.

He would have been surprised if those unpleasant memories hadn’t been haunting him.

But there was no time for leisurely strolls and enjoyment in this game world where my life was at stake. That was the main reason I wasn't mesmerized.

Harnie suddenly tightened her grip on my arm.

She spoke before I could ask what was wrong.

“Carsein, do you remember our deal?”

“What?”

“You know… pretending to be my partner.”

“Of course.”

He was already playing the part.

But why was she bringing this up now?

“You… You have to do it properly. Okay?”

“What?”

Before I could respond, a noblewoman’s voice interrupted us.

“Oh my. So you’re the one they say is Lady Harnie’s fiancé?”

No, wait.

It wasn’t just one woman.

It was a group of noblewomen.

***

The Snowflake Festival was for everyone.

So, encountering nobles wasn’t unusual. He had even met a few while walking with his family.

But this…

‘They’re not looking at me.’

The plump woman had addressed me as Harnie’s fiancé, but… their eyes were on Harnie, not me.

Even at a glance, I could see that they were here for her, not me.

It was an educated guess, based on years of experience.

This was… bullying.

I needed to gather more information.

“May I ask what this is about?”

Their gazes shifted towards me.

“Oh, it’s nothing. We just heard that Lady Harnie had a fiancé, so we came to see for ourselves.”

That woman had deliberately emphasized “that Lady Harnie.”

As if Harnie was the problem.

Another noblewoman stepped forward.

“We know Lady Harnie quite well. That’s why we felt it was important to come here and talk to you.”

Harnie’s grip tightened on my arm.

Her expression remained unchanged, but I could feel her trembling.

I asked, “And why is that?”

The noblewomen, as if they had been waiting for this, sneered.

“Lady Harnie is very popular with men. But she’s never been truly interested in any of them.”

“That’s because she always seduces them, then dumps them! She’s been doing this for years!”

“There are countless rumors and testimonies. Some say she took their money, others say she even blackmailed them. There are even worse stories. Did you know?”

“That’s why we’ve been warning men about her. To prevent more victims.”

“So we’re wondering if you’re one of them. If you’re being deceived, unaware of her true nature.”

The woman in the center concluded.

“Lady Harnie is incapable of love. So if you’re being fooled, tell us now. We can stop her.”

In short, they were saying:

Harnie deliberately seduces men for her own gain, then discards them when they’re no longer useful.

They were here to warn me, to prevent me from becoming another victim.

If I was being fooled, I should break up with her.

Harnie is a gold digger.

Harnie, outraged, denied their accusations.

“That’s slander! I’ve never done anything like that! I’ve never even had a partner!”

“Oh my, she’s lying again!”

“She never changes. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself, as a noblewoman?”

The insults rained down upon her.

She tried to defend herself, but she was outnumbered.

And she had a weakness.

“Then answer this. Why did you, Lady Harnie, decide to start a business? Something most noblewomen wouldn’t even consider?”

“…”

“See? You can’t even answer that.”

“It’s obvious. She just wants to use men for money.”

Her involvement in business, a path most noblewomen wouldn’t even consider… it was enough to condemn her.

Even if she was doing it for her family.

The decision now rested on me.

“So you’re trying to deceive the Bagrand duchy now, is that it?”

“Just tell us the truth, young master. We’ll take care of the rest.”

Harnie looked at me, her eyes pleading.

“No! I swear, I’ve never… I would never deceive you…”

The answer was clear.

It was easy.

I had been through this countless times.

I could reach the conclusion without any calculations.

I released Harnie’s arm.

—Slide.

“Carsein…!”

Harnie stared at me, her eyes filled with fear, but…

“What?!”

I pulled her closer, wrapping my arm around her shoulder protectively.

Her startled eyes met mine.

Yes.

I had chosen her.

“Stop this nonsense! You dare insult my fiancée in front of me?”

Her eyes were filled with hurt.

How could I side with these bullies?

I would never do that.