Chapter 41: Led by the Heart (2)
Harnie’s eyes widened at the mention of another deal.
“In this situation?”
“There’s nothing strange about it. You pointed out a flaw in my plan.”
“…”
“I’m not going to ask for anything unreasonable. Just… forget about it.”
There was no point in explaining.
To tell her that he was trying to avoid his family…
That he was aware of their surveillance and had deliberately d...
2024-07-23 01:58:15 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 40: Led by the Heart (1)
Harnie hesitated, then turned to the man.
“I-I’ll eat another one myself! That shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“Miss, once the decision is made, it cannot be undone.”
“That’s not fair! You didn’t even ask for my opinion! You just decided on your own…!”
The man sniffled dramatically.
“Then there’s nothing I can do. It’s a shame, I was going to make a special offer for the young mas...
2024-07-23 01:56:27 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 39: A Pack of Wolves (3)
It’s true that they hadn't always been enemies.
Harnie had been on good terms with the other noblewomen.
There were minor disagreements, but nothing major.
One day, during a tournament…
Harnie realized that one of the young noblewomen was in love.
“Lady Heli?”
“Y-Yes?”
“My, my. Where is your mind wandering? We were trying to guess who would win the tournament.”
“Oh, that...
2024-07-23 01:54:28 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 38: A Pack of Wolves (2)
The smiles vanished from the noblewomen’s faces as Carsein's unexpected reaction silenced their taunts.
His statement was clear.
Although he was unfamiliar with the intricacies of high society, his ignorance was actually an advantage.
Harnie’s alleged promiscuity was a serious accusation, especially for someone about to be engaged. His ignorance made his defense all the more convincing.
They had cornered Harni...
2024-07-23 01:51:09 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 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 point...
2024-07-23 01:44:46 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 36: A Precarious Cairn
“Mommy, look! It’s snowing!”
“Yes, it’s snowing today.”
A commoner mother and child were enjoying the festival.
“Haha! Anyone else want to have a snowball fight? You’re all outmatched—Ugh!”
“Gotcha!”
“Hey! Why are you throwing snowballs at me instead of them?”
“There are no brothers or sisters when it comes to deciding who’s king of the neighborhood! Take this!”
A ...
2024-07-23 01:40:32 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 35: The Snowflake Festival (6)
“It’s been like this since the ballroom. You suspected I was going to cause trouble, no matter what. And during the festival, you couldn’t take your eyes off me. What else could you call it but surveillance?”
Arina’s jaw dropped.
The decision to lift his house arrest based on his behavior at the festival…
The outcome of their family meeting…
It was supposed to be about confirming whether he had...
2024-07-20 22:35:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 34: The Snowflake Festival (5)
I’ll say it again, this game was made with RPG Maker.
An old, outdated engine, with pixelated graphics that hurt your eyes, and clunky, awkward controls.
That meant that any mini-game you encountered would be insanely difficult, but it also meant that the rewards for clearing them would be incredible.
And this game was no different.
There were four gauge bars that controlled the launch of the ball, as well...
2024-07-20 22:34:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 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.”
Amid...
2024-07-20 22:33:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 32: The Snowflake Festival (3)
“Everyone, he hit me! He attacked me!!”
The chubby boy's cry echoed through the hall, attracting everyone's attention.
Their gazes, as one, fell on Carsein.
“Goodness, Young Master Vitus is bleeding!”
“How hard did he hit him? We need to call a physician!”
“Look at his swollen nose! That was clearly malicious!”
Whispers and murmurs erupted, the gossip spreading like wildfire as th...
2024-07-20 22:32:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 31: The Snowflake Festival (2)
It was a strange sight.
Flora, who loathed Carsein, and Carsein, who had been relentlessly tormented by her, were riding in a carriage together, alone.
An awkward silence filled the air as the carriage set off.
"Spit it out if you have something to say."
It was Carsein who broke the silence.
"You’re not planning to just sit here with me, are you? You must have something to say. It’s just me, so you...
2024-07-20 22:31:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 30: The Snowflake Festival (1)
“Master, I’ve brought your breakfast.”
A new maid knocked on my door, announcing the arrival of breakfast.
Her affinity was at 7%, so I recognized her as one of the maids who had taken a gift from the boxes on that day.
Normally, Camilla would be the one bringing me my meals, but the fact that a different maid was here meant that things were going according to plan.
“Just leave it there.”
“...
2024-07-20 22:30:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 29: Belated Birthday Gift (8)
Carsein wasn’t at fault, not this time.
His reason for leaving the mansion was legitimate, and they should have at least listened to him.
But she had said something she shouldn't have.
"Well, you have caused a lot of trouble, so it's understandable for her to be suspicious. It's your own fault."
He had caused a lot of trouble.
So, it was understandable for them to be suspicious.
It was his fault...
2024-07-20 22:29:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 28: Belated Birthday Gift (7)
He had tried not to repeat the mistakes of the past, remembering the warning I had received three years ago.
He had arrived late to avoid conflict with the nobles.
He had worn a servant’s uniform to avoid causing a scene and getting into a fight.
In conclusion, he had disguised himself as a servant to avoid causing trouble at the coming-of-age ceremony. It was the best way to prevent a repeat of the past.<...
2024-07-20 22:28:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 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 ...
2024-07-20 22:27:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 26: Belated Birthday Gift (5)
The sun was setting.
Harnie, after we finalized the contract, had focused on acting like a couple, walking around and showing ourselves to others.
Well, it took a lot of time to calm her down after she got angry about having to pretend to be a real couple, not just a contractual one…
But anyway…
The engagement contract was successfully established.
“I think this is enough for today, Harnie.”
... 2024-07-20 22:26:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 25: Belated Birthday Gift (4)
The meeting with Harnie was an hour away.
The outfit I wore for the coming-of-age ceremony was a tailcoat, appropriate for formal parties and banquets. It wouldn’t do for a meeting with my fiancée.
‘She said we had to act like a couple.’
The clothes in my closet were out of the question. The everyday clothes, the sleepwear… they were all unsuitable.
The only option was the outfit that had been sent a...
2024-07-20 22:25:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 24: Belated Birthday Gift (3)
The maids and servants, bringing in the gifts, wore disgusted expressions.
They couldn’t believe that so much money had been spent on gifts for that beggar, not even for the ladies.
They resented, even envied, that these precious items were meant for someone from the streets.
Their eyes seemed to speak volumes.
This, too, was a repetition of an unpleasant experience.
Some of my classmates in school we...
2024-07-20 22:24:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 23: Belated Birthday Gift (2)
Another weapon, following the Kelbia allergy.
The handkerchief had its intended effect.
Isabella's eyes widened as they fell upon the bloodstained cloth. Her hardening expression shifted to surprise, then to confusion.
“This handkerchief…”
The blood was clearly from Carsein's still-unhealed cheek, evidence of a meeting with the handkerchief's owner.
“You asked why I was late. I met Lady Harnie o...
2024-07-20 22:23:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 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 read...
2024-07-20 22:22:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 21: Claire's Coming-of-Age Ceremony (11)
They should have questioned Carsein relentlessly.
Where had he been, what had he been doing all this time?
He was a Bagrand; why did he dare leave during his family's celebration, damaging their reputation?
They should have grilled him, interrogated him, reprimanded him.
But the atmosphere was no longer conducive to a conversation.
──♬
Gentle violin notes blended with the beautifu...
2024-07-20 22:21:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 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 th...
2024-07-20 22:20:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 19: Claire's Coming-of-Age Ceremony (9)
Why had I forgotten?
Come to think of it, there was a hint in the game.
There were spaces in the ballroom for guests to take a break or get some fresh air. Even at a banquet, people couldn't party nonstop, so these spaces were thoughtfully provided.
The balconies were the most commonly used spaces, located in the corners of the grand hall.
After the coming-of-age ceremony episode started, Carsein co...
2024-07-20 22:19:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 18: Claire’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony (8)
Affinity generally served two purposes.
First, to unlock certain episodes. By building up a certain level of affinity with a character, you could unlock side episodes and access additional actions.
Second, to receive indirect help in clearing episodes. For example, hints about the location of Memorials, the correct choices, or clues about the story would be revealed.
In other words, affinity could help ...
2024-07-20 22:18:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 17: Claire’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony (7)
Again, this scene didn’t exist in the game.
As the title of Episode III suggested, the story focused on events before and after Claire's coming-of-age ceremony.
There was no scene where Claire sent maids to my room or where I was summoned to breakfast.
There wasn’t even a scene where Flora visited my room like this.
▶Hidden Episode - Kelbia Allergy in progress.◀
The status window dis...
2024-07-20 22:17:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 16: Claire’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony (6)
Following Claire, Arina and Isabella also looked up in shock.
There was no way Shaiden would side with Carsein. Arina immediately questioned him.
"What are you talking about, Shaiden? Food he shouldn't be eating?"
“Are you familiar with Kelbia allergy?”
The three sisters all shook their heads. Only one person flinched, her shoulders trembling.
But Shaiden, seemingly not noticing, continu...
2024-07-20 22:16:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 15: Claire’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony (5)
How long had they been staring at me?
At least 30 seconds… Well, maybe that was just how it felt. But at least 10 seconds had passed.
Their gazes were still fixed on me.
I didn't know how to respond.
Finally, I spoke,
“I apologize. I arrived as soon as I was summoned, but it seems I’m late.”
Isabella’s slightly parted lips finally closed.
“You’re not late, so there...
2024-07-20 22:15:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 14: Claire’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony (4)
“…Huh?”
My eyes were heavy. I had been sleeping well in the Bagrand duchy, but last night, I barely got any sleep.
I tossed and turned all night, my mind racing.
Naturally, my main concern was figuring out how to get through Claire's coming-of-age ceremony.
I had hoped that a decent solution would come to me…
‘Why can’t I think of anything?’
I thought I could fake an illn...
2024-07-20 22:14:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 13: Claire’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony (3)
“Just pretend to work for 30 minutes and then leave. That way, you can avoid Claire’s suspicion.”
"What? B-but…"
"I’m sorry, but you make me incredibly uncomfortable. Don’t make me say it again.”
She knew why I felt uncomfortable.
She also knew that I had chosen the best way to avoid Claire’s suspicion.
And she knew that if she did anything else, even this would be taken away...
2024-07-20 22:13:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 12: Claire's Coming-of-Age Ceremony (2)
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have any work for you.”
What would have happened if other maids had heard those words?
“Whoa, seriously?! Is there really such a sweet gig?”
“Wow, a personal maid who doesn’t have to do anything! I’m so jealous.”
“I’ll do it! I can definitely do nothing!”
The overworked maids of the Bagrand duchy would have jumped at the opportunity to reduce t...
2024-07-20 22:12:00 +0000 UTC View Post