I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Claire's Coming-of-Age Ceremony (10)

She had attributed her awkwardness to her appearance and come up with that strange explanation about her looks and preferences…

And she had started with the engagement proposal without mentioning the actual reason, the business deal…

Her expressions were so transparent that I had initially thought she was easy to read.

However…

“This engagement itself is my goal.”

Her words, that the engagement itself was her goal, made me reconsider.

Perhaps my question, "What do you hope to gain?" had been foolish.

Carsein had nothing. No mansion, no land, no territory. He wasn’t wealthy, and even if he was, it wasn't his.

So there was only one thing she could possibly want from an engagement with Carsein.

The Bagrand name.

The affiliation with the Bagrand duchy.

These two things were Carsein’s only weapons, his everything.

‘Right, this world operates on that principle. I was being naive.’

Noble status provided a powerful foundation, and a family name could be the greatest weapon.

It wasn’t strange that Harnier’s objective was the engagement itself.

I should have refused. If this engagement led to marriage, Carsein would lose his only weapon.

But I couldn't refuse her proposal.

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

I couldn’t just sit here, waiting to be cast out, clinging to a weapon that could disappear at any moment.

The game allowed you to alter the story based on affinity, but there were too many variables. This woman herself was already a huge variable.

It would be far more advantageous to have another plan in place.

This wasn’t just a proposal; it was a real deal, a transaction.

“But I can’t blindly agree to your terms. I’m not going to refuse, but I need to know the conditions, your objectives.”

“….”

Harnier stared at me, her eyes wide, and mumbled something.

“You weren’t like this before…”

I couldn’t hear her clearly, but she didn’t seem offended or annoyed. It seemed like my intentions had been conveyed.

“You asked about the conditions and my objectives, right? Alright, I’ll tell you. I don’t want to lose what I’ve built with my own hands.”

“Lose what you’ve built? What do you mean?”

“Because of an arranged marriage.”

Arranged marriage.

It was a way for nobles to secure their own interests and their family’s by forcing their children into marriages.

“My family recently made a deal with another count’s family, and my arranged marriage was proposed. I won’t let my life be used for the sake of my family, not if I can help it.”

She was right.

Her life, being used like a pawn…

How could she accept that?

I could understand. This wasn’t just a problem in a world of nobles. It happened in the modern world too.

I was sick of hearing my eldest sister tell me to prioritize my family's interests.

“So… you’re saying the arranged marriage hasn’t been finalized yet.”

“No. It’s just been proposed. But there are countless men vying for my hand.”

Harnier frowned.

It was understandable.

She was a beautiful woman, elegant and refined.

She was young, only in her late teens, with striking violet hair and eyes. And her figure… any man would be envious.

Her words suggested that she was caught in a fierce competition, a battle for her hand in marriage. Poor girl.

“Let me get this straight. You’re facing an arranged marriage and want to avoid it by entering into an engagement with me. Is that your objective?”

“Well, yes… but there’s one more thing I didn’t mention.”

“What else is there?”

“The duration is one year. Until I come of age and leave the Theresia Marquisate. That’s all I ask. I can offer you ample compensation.”

She had provided a specific timeframe, solidifying her proposal.

‘I’ve been doing some research. I had to understand how this world of nobles operated.’

It seemed that my research had paid off.

First, the Theresia Marquisate, after a sudden rise to power six months ago, now held considerable influence. They had even been elevated from a count’s family to a marquis’ family, which was a significant achievement.

But the head of the Theresia family wasn’t satisfied. He was an ambitious man, aiming for even greater power.

However, the marquisate's standing within the empire wasn’t that high. To avoid being overtaken by other, rapidly rising families, they had to act.

That’s why Harnier had become a victim of an arranged marriage.

It mirrored the old European nobility and royalty. The sons focused on inheriting the family title, while the daughters and princesses were married off to strengthen alliances.

It made sense.

Second, I understood why the duration was one year.

There was a lot of mystery surrounding the Theresia family’s rise to power. The former count and his children hadn’t shown any exceptional talent… How had they achieved such a feat?

The answer was Harnier Theresia. If she was the one who had single-handedly orchestrated the family's rise in just six months, then it was likely she had a plan for the next year as well.

She could leave the marquisate and become independent, perhaps after making the necessary preparations.

‘She said she could offer me ample compensation. And she sounded confident, not just arrogant.’

She could survive even if she left the marquisate and lost her noble status. She would be an adult in a year. She could provide compensation.

Her confidence hinted at a hidden plan.

I needed to hear more.

“I understand. Now, tell me what you expect me to do during this one-year engagement.”

“It’s simple. You just have to make it look like a real engagement.”

“…That’s all?”

“Is there any other way to avoid an arranged marriage?”

“Hmm…”

It was the most effective method, indeed.

If I was already engaged, no one would bother me. And with the Bagrand name attached, they would all back off immediately.

But it seemed my hesitant tone made her doubt my sincerity, because Harnier narrowed her eyes and launched into a rapid explanation.

“There have been quite a few men pursuing me. Unlike you, there have been old geezers and fat, balding men. But if rumors spread about you being connected to me, it would deter both types, and it would also create other benefits. It’s a win-win situation, don’t you think?”

She was being pretty forceful. It seemed like I had no choice…

“I’ll meet you regularly. Is that enough?”

“Please do. And I’m not asking you to develop romantic feelings for me, so don’t feel pressured. But just so you know, I won’t reciprocate even if you do fall for me.”

Even now, she couldn’t resist being a little arrogant.

Well… she was beautiful, so I didn't argue.

“Why don’t you just accept it now? Hmph.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s nothing. Now it’s my turn to ask.”

Harnier, having stated her objectives, pushed her glass towards me.

“What do you want, Duke Carsein, in exchange for maintaining this one-year engagement?”

What do I want?

I couldn’t help but chuckle at such a simple question.

“What’s with that creepy laugh? Stop being weird and just tell me what you want.”

“I think we need to talk about that when we meet next time.”

“What?”

────?! ──!

“Ah, right.”

Things were getting noisy outside.

It wouldn’t be easy to continue this conversation.

It was time for me to make an appearance.

▶[The third commotion has occurred in the ballroom. Will you leave the balcony?]
[1. Leave.]
[2. Do not leave.]

The first two commotions had been caused by the nobles. And this third one was caused by someone else.

Our conversation had ended, so I stood up.

“You can send future letters to my maid, Camilla. And next time, make sure to have a contract prepared.”

I had set the groundwork, so it should be fine.

But Harnier, still unsatisfied, grabbed my hand as I was about to leave.

“Where are you going? Wait.”

I thought she understood, but I was wrong.

She was clutching her handkerchief, her voice laced with annoyance.

“You can’t just rip it off! The wound hasn’t healed yet. Just stay here for a while longer.”

“It’s fine, it’s just a—“

“Honestly!”

Her violet hair swayed as she reapplied the handkerchief to my cheek, the fabric absorbing the blood that had started to flow again.

Her touch was warm.

“Please return it next time. It’ll be a good excuse for us to meet again, right?”

“…”

Using the handkerchief as an excuse to meet again… It wasn’t a bad idea.

“I’ll see you then, Duke Carsein.”

“Until next time, Lady Harnier.”

We exchanged brief farewells, and I left the balcony.

***

The ballroom was buzzing with activity.

As midnight approached, fireworks exploded, and thunderous applause filled the hall, celebrating Claire’s birthday.

It was a day of joy for Claire, a celebration of her coming-of-age. The guests smiled brightly, showering her with congratulations.

She should have been smiling too. This should have been the happiest day of her life.

But Claire's face was devoid of joy. She was forcing a smile, her gaze scanning the ballroom, searching for someone.

‘Carsein… you…!’

When the ceremony began, she had assumed he was just being stubborn again.

It was true that she had slapped him, that she had unjustly hurt him, that he had a reason to be upset. She couldn’t deny it.

But she had expected him to at least attend her coming-of-age ceremony. He was family, wasn't he?

She had thought he would at least congratulate her on her birthday. They were family.

She had thought he would at least offer a polite clap, even if he was still angry about the slap. They were family!

But he wasn’t there, not even to offer a perfunctory congratulations.

Even without any sense of obligation, he should have at least shown up. He was a Bagrand. To be completely absent from his sister's coming-of-age ceremony was a serious breach of conduct.

He wasn’t there during the ceremony.

He wasn’t there during the speeches. He wasn’t there when their mother took the stage. He wasn’t even there when it was Claire’s turn to speak.

Carsein was nowhere to be found.

As soon as the ceremony ended, she asked Isabella where he was, but the answer she received was…

“Carsein? Heron said he had to leave early.”

It was a blatant lie.

She searched for him after the banquet started, hoping that it wasn’t true.

But no matter how hard she searched, Carsein was nowhere to be found. She couldn't even find anyone who looked like him, wearing the clothes he had worn earlier.

Claire, unable to contain her anger any longer, exploded.

“He didn’t even want to attend my coming-of-age ceremony?!”

Even if there were issues between them, he should have at least attended her birthday celebration.

As his sister, as a fellow Bagrand, she was furious.

“Lady Claire? What’s wrong?”

“Find him. Now. Find him in this ballroom.”

A maid, alerted by Claire’s outburst, approached. But she didn’t seem eager to follow the order.

Carsein Bagrand.

The name made the servants sigh and shake their heads, their faces filled with resignation.

They didn’t find him.

“Find him! He has to be here somewhere!!”

The maids froze, sensing her anger, and Arina intervened, stopping her before she could say something she might regret.

“Everyone, return to your positions. And speak nothing of this.”

“Sister.”

“Claire, you know how he is. Carsein never intended to attend your ceremony.”

“…”

Claire, though frustrated, knew her sister was right. She had already suspected as much.

“But did he have to go this far? Even if he’s upset about being slapped, he couldn’t even show up to his own sister's birthday?”

“He lied to Mother. I’ll question him when we get back. Well, I don’t expect to hear anything useful from him.”

It’s your birthday. Don’t let your anger ruin your special day. We’ll celebrate with you. All these guests came here for you.

Arina tried to comfort her sister.

But Claire couldn't let it go. Carsein, who hadn't even bothered to congratulate her on her birthday… She wouldn't let him get away with this.

“Claire!”

“Let go, sister! I need to see his face and hear it from him directly!”

“Calm down! The other nobles are watching!”

She would have probably confronted him the moment they returned to the mansion, slapping him again.

If Carsein hadn’t suddenly appeared.

“I’ve been here the whole time. What did you want to talk about?”

“Y-you… You…!”

“…Carsein.”

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter