I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: The Snowflake Festival (4)

After the audience with the Emperor, Arina and Isabella, as always, surveyed the ballroom.

Their eyes scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of trouble.

They couldn’t help but be suspicious.

It was practically a tradition for Carsein to cause a scene at this event.

“The atmosphere is a bit… chaotic. Where is everyone?”

“Mother, look over there.”

“Ah, it’s Carsein.”

Amidst the commotion, Carsein was quietly sitting by a window, scribbling something in a notebook.

“He’s attracting some attention… but thankfully, it doesn’t seem like he’s caused any trouble.”

“Yes, thankfully.”

Isabella sighed in relief.

“Mom.”

Flora approached, followed by Claire.

“Claire, where have you been… Ugh, with Princess Arsienne again? I told you to keep an eye on him!”

“…Nothing happened. So it’s fine.”

“Really? Are you sure? You look a little strange.”

“Sister! It’s not like I was the only one there! Right, Flora?”

“Huh? Oh, yes!”

Arina, satisfied with Flora’s confirmation, relaxed her narrowed gaze.

“Well, if there had been a problem, this place would be in chaos.”

Arina was content knowing that there hadn’t been a repeat of the previous year's incident, where Carsein, sporting Claire's slap mark, had been confined to his room. And with Arsienne keeping an eye on him…

“I suppose… it’s safe to reward him when we get back.”

“Hee hee, he’s finally maturing, isn’t he?”

“But…!”

“What is it, Claire?”

Claire flinched, as if caught stealing, and tried to say something.

But she couldn’t.

“N-nothing! Just… let’s go have some fun!”

Urged by Claire, the Bagrand family left the ballroom.

Isabella, Arina, Claire, Flora.

And Carsein, trailing behind them.

As he followed his family…

‘The Snowflake Festival episode… Right, I should try to raise their affinity levels.’

He was thinking about the upcoming events, the challenges that awaited him during the festival.

***

It was still early, but the market was already bustling with activity, the festival preparations complete.

“The market seems much bigger this year, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s definitely larger than last year.”

This year’s Snowflake Festival was twice the size of last year’s.

Not only had the Imperial family contributed funds, but the recent bountiful harvest, thanks to a new invention, had also boosted the economy and expanded the market.

Merchants and townspeople filled the streets, their voices creating a lively din. Bright lanterns illuminated the approaching night, casting a warm glow over the festival.

‘Hmm… there’s a lot to see and eat.’

Even Carsein couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity, observing the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the festival.

‘But enjoying the festival isn’t part of the episode…’

So I decided to use this time to relax, to clear my mind.

“Yay! It’s the festival!”

“Flora, slow down! You’ll trip and fall!”

“I won’t! Come on, let’s see what else there is! There are so many interesting things!”

Flora, her earlier gloom forgotten, skipped through the festival with a bright smile.

The two sisters, unable to control her, chased after their little sister.

Isabella, watching them, smiled fondly, then her smile faded as she glanced at Carsein.

And then, to her son, she spoke of something she had never shared before.

“Last year, I didn’t attend the Snowflake Festival, Carsein.”

It was a joyous occasion for everyone.

An annual event organized by the Imperial family, a day of celebration for all ages.

But Isabella hadn’t attended, not last year, not the year before.

Carsein, understanding her meaning, replied,

“Because… I wasn’t there?”

“Yes. How could I enjoy the festival when you couldn’t?”

Isabella’s gaze shifted between Carsein and her three daughters as she continued,

“Claire overreacted. It was too much to punish you with house arrest and prevent you from attending the festival, even if you had caused trouble. But I couldn’t stop her, not when Arina agreed with her.”

She had wanted to attend the festival with all her children.

She hadn't gone because he wasn't there.

She had tried to get him out of house arrest.

Isabella confided in him, her expression laced with regret.

Carsein responded immediately,

“It was my fault.”

“What?”

“I deserved to be punished. Did you think I would hold a grudge against you for that?”

“…I thought you might be upset, but I didn’t think it was wrong.”

She wanted to tell him that she was happy they could experience the festival together this year, but…

“Then there’s no problem. Come on, let’s catch up with the others.”

Those words would have to wait.

“Mom! How long will you take?”

“We’ll see everything without you!”

“Hurry up, Carsein!”

“Coming, coming.”

Isabella, unable to speak, watched as Carsein followed his sisters. But she made a silent vow.

This time, she wouldn’t leave Carsein alone.

***

This year’s Snowflake Festival lived up to its hype.

Eye-catching goods lined the streets, tempting people of all ages and social standings.

A clown with a comical nose made children laugh.

The aroma of exotic dishes, made with rare ingredients, filled the air.

Familiar festival games, like darts and archery, with tempting prizes, were set up along the streets.

Arina spotted one.

“Oh, I don’t remember seeing this last year.”

“You have a keen eye! This is a completely revamped version of last year’s game!”

“Can you tell us about it?”

The man, his face beaming, launched into an explanation.

It was a game where you used two handles to launch a ball, aiming for a target and trying to get the highest score.

However, there were traps along the way that could swallow the ball, and if you didn't control your strength, the ball would bounce out of bounds, ending the game.

‘It looks familiar…’

And there were prizes?

This was definitely a trigger for a choice.

—Ding!

‘There it is.’

A tired smile crossed my face as the status window appeared, as expected.

Meanwhile, Arina, intrigued, asked her sisters,

“Should we try it?”

“Yes!”

“Me too, me too!”

“Is that alright with you, Mother?”

“Hee hee, go ahead.”

And then, the last person…

I nodded indifferently.

Flora, spotting the grand prize, a huge teddy bear, her eyes sparkling with desire, pointed at it. Her family, seeing this, also became interested.

“How much is it?”

“10 Pessel per try.”

“Oh, it’s quite affordable! So if we just get the hang of it, we can easily win, right?”

“Ah, that’s not allowed. You only get three tries, even if you’re nobles.”

The man hastily explained.

Claire complained about the stingy rules, but she accepted when he told her it was to give everyone a chance.

Arina, the most interested, went first. She carefully manipulated the handles, trying to launch the ball, but…

“Oh dear, it went into the hole!”

“It’s harder than it looks. Give me another try.”

“Well, there’s a slight condition for a second try!”

“What?”

The man grinned and pulled something out.

It was a fish cake skewer.

But it was bright red, and it looked spicy.

“You’re saying I have to eat this to get another try?”

“Yes, madam. It wouldn’t be fair if you could win just by spending money.”

“Oh, I see. It’s also a way to encourage people to be more careful.”

“You are wise. This is the price of carelessness.”

“It’s a rather… modest price.”

Arina, without hesitation, took a bite of the fish cake and immediately realized the true value of each try.

“I-I finished it… So I can try again?”

“Yes, madam. The price is still 10 Pessel.”

And then, she lost again.

Arina decided to give up and bought herself a sorbet.

Next, Claire stepped up, eager to win. But her temper, as always, got the better of her.

She slammed the handles down too hard, and the ball flew out of bounds.

“Ugh, whatever! I’ll just eat this! Flora, watch me win that bear for you!”

“Claire… you shouldn’t just eat it like that! It’s spicier than it looks!”

“How spicy could it be, sis?”

Claire, ignoring the warnings, took a bite, and her face turned even redder than her hair.

It was satisfying to watch.

She got another try, but her performance, clearly affected by the spice, was dismal. Arina returned with another sorbet, and Claire, after struggling through the last fish cake, finally gave up.

And then, it was Flora’s turn.

She wasn’t very skilled either.

“Flora, maybe it’s best not to eat that.”

Isabella said, her voice full of concern. She would laugh it off if it were her older daughters, but she couldn't help but worry about her youngest.

“But… I want to keep playing.”

“Ha… what to do… How about this? I’ll pay double the price if you’re willing to let someone else have her turn.”

“I’m sorry, madam. I can’t let money ruin this game.”

What would happen if they could break the rules with money?

The nobles would monopolize it, and a game meant for everyone would become a plaything for the rich.

He couldn’t let that happen.

And this presented an opportunity.

[3. I can eat it for you. Would that be alright?]

“I can eat it for you. Would that be alright?”

“Carsein?”

They all looked at me, surprised by my sudden appearance.

“One person gets three tries. It doesn’t say anything about not being able to transfer your turns.”

“Oh, you’re right. But I can’t allow you to transfer your turns.”

“Right. Then let’s deduct it from my tries. How about that?”

The man, after a moment of thought, agreed. He handed me the fish cake.

▶[Spicy Fish Cake]
[This bright red fish cake must be incredibly spicy!]

It was even treated as an item.

But there was no warning about it being dangerous, was there?

I took a bite.

—Chew. Chew.

“H-hey, Carsein, that’s really spicy! If you can’t handle it, just…!”

“Should I get another sorbet? Or… milk?”

What?

This wasn’t even spicy.

“Are… are you okay? Your mouth must be on fire!”

“Just spit it out if you can’t handle it! There’s a bucket over there.”

“It’s fine.”

—Gulp.

I swallowed, showing them I could handle it.

I used to eat spicy ramen all the time in Korea.

I even had to eat spicy tteokbokki as a punishment at one of my part-time jobs.

This was nothing.

I finished the fish cake.

Arina and Claire were staring at me as if I was crazy.

—Ding!

▶You braved the spicy food for your sister… The family’s affinity has increased slightly, touched by your actions!◀

‘Ugh, this status window is so dramatic.’

It was cringeworthy. What kind of nonsense was this, talking about being “touched”?

I was just trying to raise their affinity. Even if Carsein was here, do you think he would feel the same?

But I was pleased that their affinity had increased. I wish I could raise it this easily all the time.

A few moments later…

—Thud. Thud.

“Ah…”

“Ugh, so close! A little to the left, and…”

Flora, after three tries, had failed to win the teddy bear. The only prize she had was a fox-shaped candle.

“….”

“Miss, don’t be sad. You’ll get it next time. I promise I’ll have something even better for you.”

The man comforted her, but Flora’s gaze lingered on the teddy bear.

And then…

—Ding!

▶Emergency mission!◀
▶One chance only! Clear the game and win the teddy bear for Flora!◀

■Reward
[Increased affinity with Flora and the rest of the family.]

The status window presented an emergency mission.

‘…I never managed to clear this in the game.’

I had tried during my countless retries, but I could never win the prize.

So, even with the bonus affinity as a reward, I had eventually given up.

But…

“Each person gets three tries, so I still have one left, right?”

Could I win if I tried it myself?

I decided to try.

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter