I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Belated Birthday Gift (1)

The damp dress had dried, as if nothing had happened.

Harnie had spent the entire time, while the dress dried, lost in thought. Until around 1 a.m., when the birthday girl herself announced her departure, overcome with fatigue.

“Carsein Bagrand…”

She had repeated his name countless times, the time slipping by until her dress was dry.

She couldn’t understand it. Why had he accepted her proposal so readily, after rejecting her so many times before?

When she had started to feel threatened by the Theresia Marquisate, she had searched for the perfect candidate, and she had stumbled upon the adopted son of the Bagrand duchy.

He was a decent choice. Despite his poor reputation in noble society, he was a young man of noble stature, possessing the prestigious Bagrand name. He was the ideal candidate.

He didn’t seem to have much power or influence, and he wasn’t the type to try to control her. And he wasn’t particularly interested in women, which was another advantage.

There was no one better suited.

But there was a problem. Whenever Harnie tried to bring up the engagement, he would apologize and try to avoid the conversation.

He had dodged her attempts to talk, not just in her letters, but also in person.

And now, he had suddenly accepted her proposal?

“No, it doesn’t matter. The reason isn't important.”

Harnie shook her head, dismissing her thoughts. Yes, the reason didn't matter.

The important thing was that she had secured his agreement to the engagement.

“I have to escape the Theresia Marquisate somehow.”

No matter how much she helped the family, they would eventually discard her like a used pawn. Knowing this, she had to find a way out.

Harnie, her anxiety growing, took a deep breath to calm herself.

“Three days. I have to secure him as my fiancé. I can do this, Harnie.”

She reassured herself, calming her nerves.

***

Three days passed.

Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony, the banquet that had continued from the evening to past midnight, had passed without incident. There was hardly any mention of Carsein.

However, it remained to be seen how Arina and Claire would react when they saw me.

Although I had cleared the episode, I didn't know what kind of criticism I might face. Claire could scold me for not congratulating her, and Arina could criticize my outfit.

And if they decided to gang up on me, Isabella might join in as well. Flora, who I had given a taste of reality, would undoubtedly be hostile.

So I needed information.

I needed to prepare for the second crisis that followed Episode III, Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony.

‘If I just wait, there won’t be any hints related to the choices, and I’ll likely get a bad ending.’

So I had to find them.

I needed a plan, a way to prepare for whatever confrontation awaited me.

I woke up early and diligently searched the duchy for clues.

However, no matter how much time I spent searching, I couldn’t find anything useful. The mansion, unlike the pixelated map in the game, was vast, and it took a long time to explore even a single room.

I searched and searched…

And then, as I stood before a particular room, the status window appeared.

—Ding!

▶This is a restricted area!◀
[Staying here for too long could negatively affect your relationship with certain characters!]
[Do you wish to enter?]

The familiar UI appeared as I tried to enter the room.

‘This is… an area with a danger level?’

In the game, Carsein couldn’t access the entire duchy.

Areas would be unlocked as you cleared episodes, and some required a certain level of affinity to enter. Just like the episodes, there were conditions for access.

But there was a key difference.

There were zones with varying levels of danger.

The danger level changed based on various factors, like episode progress, accompanying characters, affinity, and side episodes…

‘But it was a pain. Just entering a dangerous zone could result in penalties, decreased affinity, or even trigger a death flag.’

It wasn’t just an empty threat. Entering these zones could have serious consequences. Some online communities even labeled them “death zones."

But ironically, it was in these high-risk areas that I discovered most of the solutions for clearing the episodes.

And I had discovered something different from the game.

‘This wasn’t a restricted zone before. It was a dangerous zone.’

For some reason, the danger level had been downgraded to restricted, making it accessible.

After observing the surrounding area, I recognized the room. I had a feeling I could find useful information here.

I entered without hesitation.

▶Entering the Laundry Drying Room!◀
[Time limit: 10 minutes]

“The weather’s lovely today. The ladies will be happy.”

“Yes, it is. It’s a perfect day for an outing.”

I entered the room, the scent of soap filling the air, along with the chatter of maids.

I quickly found a pillar to hide behind.

This was the room where all the duchy’s laundry was dried, placed in a space with ample sunlight. The maids here were livelier and more cheerful than the ones who worked outside.

Just then, a maid interrupted the lively conversation.

“This isn’t the time for outings, girls.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

“Ugh, well…”

All eyes turned to the maid who had spoken.

What was so troubling that she had to sigh like that?

“Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony… you all know how it ended, right?”

“Of course! It went really well! Unlike the eldest lady’s ceremony, it ended without any problems.”

“Now that you mention it… That’s strange. I thought he would cause a scene and embarrass the Bagrand family again.”

“Anyway, it ended well. So what?”

“It didn’t end well.”

The maid shook her head, sighing.

“I was in charge of her room, and the Duchess and the ladies were furious. If we’re not careful, we’ll be caught in the crossfire.”

“What? Why?!”

“Because of that damn young master.”

““Again?!””

The maids groaned at the mention of the “young master,” their faces contorted with disgust. They didn’t even bother using his name.

“What happened? Did he cause another incident?”

“A huge one! He showed up at the banquet wearing a footman's uniform!”

“What?!”

“The Duchess is summoning him this morning to hear his explanation. Do you think we’ll get away with this?”

That couldn’t be all.

They hadn’t noticed that their master was wearing a servant’s uniform.

And they hadn’t been able to find him, even after Claire’s direct order.

Isabella would have a lot to say to them.

And there it was. The answer.

‘Hmm… so Isabella’s going to summon me.’

I wanted to hear more, but the maids were now busy badmouthing Carsein. Fine, let them talk.

I had gathered enough information. It was Isabella who was going to summon me.

There was no need to stay here.

▶Leaving the restricted area!◀
[Time remaining: 3 minutes 54 seconds]

‘Isabella… alright, I can prepare for this.’

I returned to my room and started rummaging through the laundry basket.

Camilla, seeing this, jumped up and tried to stop me.

“M-master! Please leave this to me!”

“…You’ve been coming early these days, haven’t you?”

“Well… you know why.”

“Why? Is Claire still giving you a hard time?”

“No, it’s not that. But I’m your maid, Master.”

Maid, she says. As if.

“Whatever. I’m not taking your laundry. I just need to get something. I put something in there that shouldn’t be there.”

“Excuse me?”

Camilla tilted her head, confused.

It was because I needed to use it.

***

After a brief struggle with Camilla, Heron arrived.

“Master, the Duchess wishes to see you.”

—Ding!

[1. I’ll be right there.]
[2. Tell her I have nothing to discuss.]

“I’ll be right there. Where is she?”

“She’s in her office. She has no other guests, so you can see her right away.”

“Alright.”

As I walked towards the Duchess’s office, I ran through possible scenarios, predicting what she would say.

Of course, it would be about the coming-of-age ceremony.

Based on the maids’ conversation in the laundry drying room, it seemed they were aware that I had attended the ceremony, but they would likely criticize my outfit, my lateness, and my lies.

It was almost certain that Claire had told Isabella about the incident.

But no matter what she asked, my answers were already prepared.

Knock, knock.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Carsein. I heard you summoned me.”

“Come in.”

Isabella opened the door herself. During my morning greetings, I had to wait for her permission before entering.

This was unusual.

And her attitude towards Carsein was different this time. She usually waited until her tea was ready before taking a seat on the sofa, but this time, she was already seated.

“Have a seat.”

“Yes.”

I sat down on the sofa across from her, as she gestured. The conversation was about to begin.

I discreetly glanced above her head, just in case…

[Isabella Bagrand]
[Affinity level: 33%]

As expected, my affinity with her had decreased because of the ceremony incident.

“Carsein, I wanted to give you a chance with this coming-of-age ceremony. But…”

—Tap.

“I’m disappointed. No matter what happened, your attire was inappropriate for your sister’s birthday.”

Isabella took a sip of tea and got straight to the point.

The choice window appeared before my eyes.

—Ding!

[1. (Clenching your fists) A chance? What chance? Was there ever a chance for me?]
[2. (Picking your ear) You’re talking about the ceremony? What’s wrong with it?]
[3. I don’t understand what you’re saying, Mother.]
[4. (Remain silent and wait.)]

One of the correct answers was gone, as my affinity with Isabella had decreased. This would have been easy if I had met Isabella first, but I had resolved the situation with Arina.

The best course of action was to avoid provoking her. It would help me maintain my current affinity level and minimize the consequences.

But that only worked when you had nothing to refute. I had already realized that Arina hadn’t spoken to Isabella.

“Inappropriate? I’m not sure I understand.”

I chose option 3 and responded confidently. Isabella’s eyes twitched, but I didn’t give her a chance to speak.

“You told me to attend the ceremony, so I attended. And I did my best to avoid causing trouble, like I did three years ago.”

Isabella fell silent at the mention of "three years ago." She seemed to be remembering the incident, and she took a sip of tea, a bitter expression on her face.

“Arina even told me not to ruin Claire’s ceremony. That’s why I acted the way I did.”

That wasn’t the only reason, but I wasn’t obligated to explain everything, like I had done with Arina.

“Ha… Carsein, that means you’ve already caused trouble.”

Isabella’s frown deepened.

“That’s your best effort? To be late, dress inappropriately, and lie? That’s not befitting of a noble, a member of the Bagrand duchy. You’ve committed all three offenses.”

Three offenses, she says.

I almost laughed out loud. It was absurd.

My blood ran cold every time this happened. I could think clearly, without a trace of anger.

“Go and apologize to Claire. She’s probably waiting.”

Isabella declared coldly that it was my fault.

Yes, that’s what she was like.

I knew how indifferent she was.

“Is it wrong to choose inconspicuous clothes and arrive at an inconspicuous time to avoid conflict? Should I have ignored Arina’s warning and caused a scene? Or should I have simply not attended the ceremony?”

“Carsein, those are just excuses.”

“Excuses? Fine, let’s say they are. Then why don’t you ask me why I was late, like you didn’t ask why I didn’t eat at breakfast?”

“…!”

The Kelbia allergy was a weapon I could use against Isabella.

I hadn’t said a word about it at breakfast, and they had only learned about it much later. It was the same this time.

Why had Carsein been late?

It was another opportunity to make Isabella reflect on her actions.

“…Did something happen?”

I had a chance to speak, because I was innocent.

—Ding!

The choice window appeared.

I didn't hesitate.

I was going to refute all three of her accusations.

[1. I’ve done nothing wrong.]

“I’ve done nothing wrong.”

I took out the item I had prepared and showed it to Isabella.

“This is…”

“My only offense, if you can even call it that, was meeting someone secretly.”

It was a bloodstained handkerchief.

The violet handkerchief Harnie had given me as a promise for our next meeting.

“Are you going to say that’s wrong too? Just like you blamed me for tearing apart the meat to avoid the Kelbia fruit?”

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