Damn Family

The situation was getting so out of hand that it felt like a bolt from the blue.

—

Unexpectedly, I found myself in the worst state I never wanted this game to throw at me. After realizing the true intention behind my plan which no one else had noticed, I was left chilled to the bone.

—

But that’s not the problem now.

—

…I should have realized when proposing this strange offer of marrying Princess Arshien.

The Crown Prince had removed the poison from me, noticing that Harnier was awake.

—

Thanks to that, I’ve been in this state for a few minutes.

She told me not to say a word and blindfolded me.

—

No matter how much I cried out that I was a patient, she climbed onto my body and covered my eyes with a blanket.

—

“Don’t, get up. Don’t get up until I tell you to. Got it?!”

—

…She left me alone like this for quite some time.

It’s a relief not to hear nagging, but it’s also a bit difficult for this state to continue.

—

I need to check something.

—

Crown Prince Albert could have noticed my plan and revealed the tail he stepped on. If someone else discovered it, it would be awkward. It’d be dangerous if the other nobles knew. Worst case, if it reached my family directly or they heard about it, that would be bad.

—

Anyway, I needed to improve the issues exposed this time.

—

-Slither.

—

Peeking under the blanket while looking at Harnier, she turned her back.

—

There were plenty of things I could talk about to others.

I could make excuses, cover them well, and lie without hesitation.

—

I even analyzed to predict the questions of the opponent. So, responding wasn’t hard.

—

‘I can’t guess what Harnier will say.’

—

Conversely, I didn’t know what to say either.

Just like Ji-eun.

—

‘Sigh. There’s no helping it.’

—

In situations like these, going by experience is best.

—

Let me take the scolding.

Let me be pointed out.

—

Whatever the answer, I’ll give an honest response.

—

As I put down my usual moves and called Harnier, she turned towards me too.

—

Meeting eyes simultaneously.

—

Harnier had something to say as well.

—

Looking at me with surprised eyes, she turned her head sharply.

—

“What, what is it? You said to stay like this until I speak.”

—

An awkward atmosphere flowed.

—

Like when I was with Ji-eun.

—

Yeah. To ease the mood, let’s use the experience then and there to continue with a casual conversation.

—

Even in this crisis, in reality too,

—

I wasn’t the only one who got hurt.

—

“I had something to ask you too.”

“What do you want to know?”

“About your condition.”

—

…

—

Harnier sighed lightly and gently poked my body with her index finger.

—

Though not pressed hard, a sharp sensation ran through my skin from her fingertip.

—

“Aiya.”

“Who’s worrying who? You’re the one who’s more seriously injured.”

—

Harnier’s fox-like gaze became sharper.

—

“So, I’m asking. Since I rescued you, where it hurt you, it’d be a big deal.”

—

For a moment, she retracted her finger.

—

“…I’m not hurt because of the daring man who threw himself into danger to save me. So, don’t worry.”

—

“Is that so? That’s good news.”

“What good news… Sigh. Really.”

—

Judging from her reaction, she doesn’t seem angry.

—

“Still… I need to say this.”

“What is it?”

“Thank… you. For saving me.”

—

…This is an awkward word.

—

An awkward situation, an awkward expression.

—

But why?

—

Her thank you, received from her, feels less awkward now.

—

Like I’ve adapted to it.

—

Blinking her eyes repeatedly after saying that, she immediately changed the subject.

—

“Hmm. Actually, there’s something I need to do. About… your plan, there’s a hole.”

—

“Oh, right.”

“I think no one has noticed. Only after Crown Prince told me did I realize it, so it’s not a known flaw.”

—

That’s fortunate.

—

If it reached the Duke’s house ear…

—

My escape plan would be for naught.

—

“But, it’s better to investigate as a precaution.”

—

“I understand. Hmm… But I’m not sure how to solve this. Investigating and fixing the leak…”

—

“Oh. That’s simpler than you think.”

—

Harnier gave a sly smile and winked confidently.

—

—

The merchant’s face appeared before me as she fixed her shoes and got off the bed.

—

“Rest well. I’ll handle it well and return.”

—

“Um… But leaving it to me like this…”

—

“It’s better for me to move around than you in this state, right? Or are you worried I won’t handle it properly?”

—

“There’s no way. I’ve seen enough.”

—

Harnier smiled like a fox again.

—

“Then trust me and rest. I need to repay you for saving me.”

—

I couldn’t find anything to say to that.

—

Scratching my cheek in thought.

—

“…Harnier?”

“Just wait a moment. I’ll do this for a bit and then go.”

—

A warm body temperature filled me.

—

Comfortable skin and a pleasant scent.

—

Breathing that I hadn’t heard before, breath brushing against my skin.

—

Because she held me tightly.

—

Embarrassed but unable to understand her intent.

—

I felt a strange feeling.

—

“It might take some time… but I think I’ll arrive during the after-party. So, please keep my request this time.”

—

“What… request?”

“That you won’t be hurt.”

—

*Smooch*

—

Soft lips touched my cheek again.

—

What’s this…

—

“See you later, Carsein.”

—

Harnier opened the door of the sickroom and left.

—

A little excited.

—

A bit awkward.

—

Feeling embarrassed yet not unpleasant.

—

What kind of emotion is this?

—

Her pretty smiling face disappeared.

—

The fluttering dress hem vanished.

—

Until even her lavender hair floated away.

—

I couldn’t break free from this unknown emotion.

—

“…It’s not proper etiquette.”

—

Really awkward.

—

—

“It’s fine. Now’s not the time to think about this.”

—

Harnier thankfully went to do my job for me.

—

But that was part of my plan.

—

It was a flaw I exposed, one I needed to resolve.

—

So, I need to act too.

—

Quickly. A little faster.

—

To gather money to escape this Duke’s house.

—

“Camila. Are you there?”

—

“Yes, Young Master.”

—

Responding immediately to my call, Camila entered the sickroom and bowed her head.

—

[ Camila Deol ]

—

[ Affinity: 76% ]

—

Affinity is at 76%.

—

In the case of maids or residents, this is enough to exercise special authority.

—

Depending on the target, results may vary, but Camila is someone I can trust with my life. She’s discreet and reliable. Plus, she owes me a favor.

—

‘With this level, information won’t leak. The status of my territory…’

—

Marking the sentiments of the residents towards the Lord.

—

[ Rusmaier: 85% ]

—

[ Shatren: 79% ]

—

Excellent.

—

This is enough to move forward with the next plan.

—

“Those funds I asked you to hold, are you still keeping them?”

—

“Yes, Young Master.”

—

*Slide*

—

Camila took out a money envelope from her maid uniform.

—

“As instructed, I exchanged all your funds into the highest denomination checks. I kept them, just in case they might be needed anytime.”

—

The system functions are really great.

—

The add-ons work perfectly.

—

“Then, send this to Shatren. The whole envelope, without missing a single piece.”

—

“…Huh?”

—

Are you planning to use all this money for the residents?

—

Camila looked puzzled as she seemed to want to ask.

—

I smiled at her and replied.

—

“I have a new project coming up.”

—

Using the Lord’s authority is necessary for the project.

—

Do you wish to use the Lord’s authority?

—

[ 1. Yes. ]

—

[ 2. No. ]

—

Isn’t that necessary to collect the funds?

—

The debt I owe to this house.

—

—

When the martial arts tournament incident happened and Carsein’s whereabouts were unknown, my heart sank.

—

When we heard he might be in the deep end of the arena, my heart felt squeezed.

—

While rescuing one person at a time, I prayed over and over that it was Carsein. Even so, when he didn’t show up, I screamed until my voice was hoarse.

—

Fortunately, Carsein was rescued.

—

But hearing he was in danger or still unconscious made me collapse on the spot.

—

Such was Isabella.

—

At a single word, she jumped to her feet.

—

-Clink.

—

The teacup clinked as hot tea spilled over the sides.

—

“Is it true? Carsein woke up?”

—

“Yes, Madam.”

—

“His child… his child…”

—

Even though the hot tea could burn her hands, Isabella seemed oblivious, breathing heavily with old breath.

—

At the same time, life returned to her worried eyes.

—

“How is Carsein’s body? Is there any problem? Do you need anything? Anything he wants to eat?”

—

“Madam, please calm down.”

—

“Sigh. Yes, yes. Right. Sigh…”

—

With Hron calming her, Isabella asked calmly.

—

“Now… Can we go see him?”

—

Heron nodded lightly with a smile. Permission was granted by Doctor Sheiden as well.

—

Once permission was given, the following steps were obvious.

—

Without a single word, the entire family collectively decided to visit Carsein.

—

Probably, my daughters will come separately after hearing the news. Isabella boarded the carriage first.

—

Arriving at the room where Carsein was staying didn’t take long.

—

Not knowing what to prepare, she grabbed hastily brought gifts and knocked. Carsein’s voice invited her in.

—

The door opened easily.

—

Inside the room, Carsein was reading a book.

—

Isabella sighed in relief, and Carsein started speaking indifferently. However.

—

“I’m sorry.”

—

What came out of his mouth was an apology.

—

“What are you talking about? Carsein. Why are you apologizing?”

—

“Because I caused trouble and wasted precious time.”

—

Isabella’s chest started to ache.

—

*Ping!*

—

[Isabella Character Exclusive Hidden Episode: Miraculously Erased Mental Illness] is in progress.

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[ ??? : 80% ]

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