I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Belated Birthday Gift (6)

“Here you go. With the money that young lady gave, the total is just right.”

The shopkeeper, who had been ready to kick me out for not having enough money, quickly reverted to his mercenary ways and finalized the transaction.

But even though the deal was done, I didn't feel comfortable.

I had taken every precaution, following the same steps as in the game, but the fact that I hadn't paid the full amount myself left a lingering sense of unease.

It was Camilla, whose mother was sick, who had paid the remaining amount. It bothered me, knowing that she was struggling with medical bills and sensitive about money.

“Everything’s packed. Anything else you need?”

“No.”

There was no point in dwelling on it.

Right, let’s just go back.

I didn't know why she had paid for the items, but I knew I had to be careful. In the game, Camilla’s character was notorious for triggering death flags.

▶Episode IV, outing branch in progress!◀
▶Return to the Bagrand duchy on horseback!◀

I would question her later.

The status window was urging me to return. I glanced around. The sun was about to set. I had to leave, regardless of the circumstances.

The sun dipped below the horizon, the sky ablaze with hues of orange and purple. I rode in silence, guiding the horse with a flick of the reins.

.
.
.

The sun had set, the sky darkening. I arrived at the duchy with Camilla.

She had been silent the entire ride, and she was still quiet. I had expected her to say something.

“Thank you.”

She had only spoken those words, thanking me when I helped her onto the horse and when we dismounted.

‘Is she scheming something?’

Camilla, with Carsein as her master, could easily use this as an opportunity to strike back.

If they both had leverage over each other, it could lead to negotiations. That's why I had tried to be proactive, but…

She remained silent until we arrived at the duchy, and only when the coachman left the stables did she finally speak.

“I’ll take these to your room, Master. You go on ahead.”

“It’s fine. It’s not that difficult to carry them myself.”

“Well… you must be tired. You should go and rest.”

“…I’m not tired after going to just one place.”

“But it’s… it’s not appropriate for a master to carry things like this. It doesn’t look good.”

Camilla’s reaction was strange. She seemed anxious, her movements restless.

She had said I should rest, that it didn't look good for a master to carry things…

Camilla, though sometimes trying to provoke me, wasn’t the type to offer empty flattery.

‘Which means…’

I thought carefully.

She might have been showing signs of this all along.

Her death triggers in the game were always related to her backstory. Her reaction must be a sign of something.

‘The key is… when she started showing those signs.’

I rewound my memory, analyzing each moment.

When we were choosing the items? When she was avoiding eye contact with the shopkeeper? When we arrived at our destination?

No, those weren’t it. She hadn’t shown any signs then. I had to go further back.

And then, I remembered a significant conversation.

“I… I don’t know where you’re going, but… I can be of help.”

“I think the coachman is watching your movements.”

She had asked to accompany me, telling me that the coachman was tracking our movements.

If I remembered correctly, I could guess her intention.

‘She wants me to leave. Before we encounter whoever ordered the coachman to follow us.’

Then I definitely couldn’t leave.

“Why are you out so late, Master Carsein?”

Because I wasn’t going to avoid a fight I could win.

***

After clearing Episode III, Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony, Carsein was usually presented with two choices.

He could either go to the training grounds or go on an outing.

It was the first time he had a real choice.

Choosing the training grounds would increase Arina’s affinity. It was a path that allowed Carsein to make up for his past mistakes, which could positively affect his relationship with Arina and potentially deactivate future death triggers.

However, the penalty was cleaning the training grounds. It was a waste of time, and it would be physically demanding for Carsein.

Choosing the outing branch, like I had done now, allowed him to ignore Isabella’s summons. He had the right to enjoy his birthday present, to act freely for a certain time.

And it allowed me to acquire items in advance, like I had just done… but the penalty was encountering Emma and facing a new crisis.

I could have avoided her if I had returned sooner, but I had spent time with Harnie, maintaining our fake relationship.

So this penalty was unavoidable.

“You haven’t changed at all, have you, Master? Out gallivanting until sunset. I can’t fathom why you always act so recklessly.”

Emma, as expected, started by criticizing my actions.

“Pfft.”

“Wh-what…! Did you just… mock me?!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. It was absurd. Emma, her pride wounded, reacted furiously.

The choice window hadn’t appeared yet.

Every time I heard this line, I had always wanted to retort, “Who are you to judge me?” And now, I could finally do it.

“Is your back still stiff, Emma?”

“…!”

Emma’s arrogant demeanor vanished, replaced by a look of shock.

“No… no, Master Carsein Bagrand.”

Her moment of panic passed, and she bowed deeply, addressing me with my full title, without a single mistake.

It was almost comical, the way she was trying so hard to avoid repeating her previous mistakes, bowing so quickly and carefully enunciating every word.

It must have been humiliating, for the head maid of the Bagrand duchy to apologize to a lowly beggar.

It was an experience she would never want to repeat.

Emma, gritting her teeth, launched into a counterattack.

“As the head maid of the Bagrand duchy, I must inquire about your unauthorized outing. Why did you leave without permission? Are you trying to gain the Duchess’s favor again?”

“Hmm? Unauthorized outing? What are you talking about? Since when do nobles of the Pesselus Empire need to ask permission from a mere head maid to leave their homes?”

I challenged her, and Emma flinched, her face contorted with a mix of embarrassment and anger.

But her moment of panic was fleeting.

“That’s absurd! How could I possibly have the authority to grant you permission? However, you should have asked Lady Arina’s permission before leaving.”

Because she had someone to rely on.

—Ding!

The choice window always appeared at the perfect moment.

It was undeniable that her words were unfair, but attacking Emma emotionally would be foolish.

I had to turn the tables.

I would use the same strategy I had used before, the strategy of claiming innocence.

“That’s the first time I’ve heard that. Why would I need Arina’s permission to leave?”

“You’ve always needed her permission, Master. Don’t you remember?”

Emma, sensing her advantage, pressed on, her confidence growing.

“Not just here in the duchy, but also at the training grounds, at the eldest lady’s coming-of-age ceremony, even at the estate you ruined. And because you caused so much trouble, you were placed under house arrest, weren’t you?”

She wasn’t wrong.

Carsein had been under house arrest. They had kept him under strict surveillance, even when the entire family was required to attend events.

But it was a flimsy argument.

That’s why I hadn’t left yet.

I knew how to break down her claims.

Time to bait the trap.

“If my outings were restricted, it would be normal for Camilla to be the first to inform me. But I haven’t heard anything like that.”

“Well, perhaps you just forgot, young master?”

“Aha, I forgot? Even if Camilla brought it up directly?”

“Not necessarily, but you have been known to lie often. You could have lied about forgetting.”

“What if there was another reason for my outing?”

“Young master, sorry, but you never have any reason for going out, do you? Just go and apologize to the eldest miss right away.”

Emma had taken the bait.

Not once, not twice, but three times.

“That’s harsh, Emma. I had a very important reason for leaving, and you’re saying I have to apologize to Arina for not getting permission?”

Just then, the choices disappeared, and someone interrupted.

“What do you mean he has to apologize to Arina? What’s going on?”

“L-Lady Claire.”

Hello, pink-haired bitch.

***

The odds were stacked against me. Carsein’s outings were always viewed negatively by the Bagrand family.

He had once drawn his sword on the knights, claiming they had insulted him.

He had caused a scene in the duchy, accusing a maid of insulting him.

He had punched a noble during Arina’s coming-of-age ceremony.

He had been blamed for ruining the estate’s finances.

Any time he left the duchy, he was expected to cause trouble.

They had plenty of reasons to distrust him, so I was at a disadvantage.

Confronting Emma head-on would be a losing battle. No matter what choice I made, my affinity with the family would decrease.

‘But if there’s another person listening… it changes things, doesn’t it?’

Right, Emma?

—Flinch!

Emma’s face paled as she met my gaze.

“Tell me what happened. Why are you arguing with Emma?”

Claire, whose choices always led to bad endings, was now my strongest ally.

And thanks to my careful affinity management, the choices were all decent.

I shrugged nonchalantly and replied,

“The head maid is accusing me of leaving without permission and telling me to apologize to Arina.”

“Hmm… I see.”

Claire, her hand stroking her chin, glanced at Emma and me.

“Well, you have caused a lot of trouble, so it makes sense for her to question you. It’s your own fault.”

“So you’re also telling me to apologize to Arina?”

“No, not really. I think it’ll be fine if you just tell me why you left. If you caused any trouble, we’ll get a letter by tomorrow.”

Emma’s face turned pale.

I, on the other hand, could barely contain my grin.

“So? What were you doing outside?”

I wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

“Birthday gift.”

“What?”

“Mother granted me permission to go out as my birthday gift.”

Claire’s eyes widened.

“Wh-what are you talking about? Birthday gift?”

“Oh, right. You wouldn’t know, would you?”

I mocked her, watching her confusion.

“My birthday is December 31st.”

The light drained from Claire’s eyes.

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter