Damn Family

Flora walked down the corridor with light, bouncy steps.

“Are you that happy?”

“Yeah!”

Flora replied with a strong voice.

‘No wonder.’

Claire felt the same way.

Carsein was also safe and said he would focus on recovery after opening his eyes properly, so he would be discharged soon.

Receiving a gift with their mother’s help made her steps even lighter.

Holding her younger sister’s hand, they walked out of Carsein’s room.

After a light knock, Claire opened the door, and as she did, the sound of flipping pages came along with Carsein’s question.

“What are you here for?”

“Seriously.”

Claire stomped over and snatched the book.

“What are you doing?”

“What are you doing? You know we came, right?”

“So why are you here?”

“Ugh! Aren’t you going to look up from your book? Really?”

*Smack.*

“Why did you hit me?”

“Isn’t it rude not to greet when your sister and I came to visit while you’re sick?”

In truth, it wasn’t just about that.

With family coming to visit, the lack of expected reactions and such a nonchalant attitude made her upset.

Claire unfolded the book in a huff.

“What were you looking at anyway…? Hey? Were you managing the territory even now?”

“Is there something wrong with that?”

“Ugh, geez! How can you do this so soon after waking up?”

“As long as my body is fine. Plus, if I rest, the people in the territory will suffer. So give me that back quickly.”

“Really. There’s no lord in the whole empire who works as cluelessly as you.”

She didn’t plan to nag, but somehow, it started like that.

Claire sighed, realizing what she was doing.

‘I didn’t come here for this. I need to get a grip.’

Still, she didn’t want to give back the book. Seeing Carsein not even looking at them was unbearable.

She sat on the chair, placing the book on it as if it were a cushion.

“So, what? Why are you here?”

“Of course, I came to check if you’re okay. You wouldn’t say I shouldn’t visit your younger brother, right?”

“Y-Yeah! We came to visit!”

“Oh, really? Thank you.”

Carsein’s indifferent response was annoying, but Claire bit her lip and let it go.

“But since you seem fine, let’s get to the point. Do you want anything?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t you remember? Whenever mom praised us or we did well, she’d give us gifts too. That’s what I’m talking about.”

“Carsein, you got second place in the tournament. Mom said she’d get you whatever you wanted!”

With Flora’s addition, the topic changed immediately.

“I got a pass to a tourist spot from my tutor when I was praised. It was either money or a rare flower that grows only in another country. Anyway, since you set a record by getting second place in the martial arts tournament, you can have anything. An artifact or magical tool is possible. Maybe we could change your kendo weapon to something new?”

“Maybe something good for health like medicine would suit Carsein?”

“Oh, really? For recovery, that sounds better. Our youngest is so considerate.”

Claire stroked her youngest sibling’s head affectionately.

“So, you can have anything. Don’t you want anything?”

“Like a trip? We could all go together!”

While it seemed like a question asking for a gift, it was a good one for Claire.

This way, she could understand Carsein’s preferences, hobbies, and interests. By giving appropriate garments based on his answers and offering congratulations, she could make things perfect.

Flora felt the same. According to Sheiden, Carsein often suffered from minor illnesses more than other nobles from the empire. She planned to prepare some supplements or medicines using the skills she had learned.

Both sisters were hopeful.

They wondered what answer would come.

But then, Carsein finally spoke, though his words didn’t meet their expectations.

“I don’t need anything.”

Their eyes widened.

“You mean it? This is a rare chance!”

“When else can mom give you what you want directly?”

“Yeah, I don’t need anything.”

Carsein repeated firmly and added,

“If I want to travel, I’ll use my own money. As for pocket money, I earn it myself, so I don’t need it. Rare flowers that grow in another country? I’m curious, but I’d like to buy and grow them myself.”

“No, why use your own money…”

“Why? Isn’t it normal to use my own money?”

Carsein shrugged his shoulders.

“And besides, I should have some shame. How much damage have I caused the house already? Thinking about that, I don’t deserve any gifts for a hundred years.”

“…”

“…”

It wasn’t wrong.

Due to Carsein causing incidents, the house had suffered losses every time.

They had to pay compensation to the injured noble, and expenses for the ruined festival had to be covered.

Moreover, calculating various damages, including the cost of time and broken objects, amounted to an astronomical figure.

But is this right?

Is repaying damages by not accepting gifts the correct way?

The two sisters felt a strange unease.

Meanwhile, Carsein suddenly got up from the bed and started changing clothes.

Even with his still healing body, putting on new clothes caused fresh blood to seep through the bandages slightly.

“What are you doing! Your wound is reopening! Blood! Blood!”

“Are you crazy?! Why are you getting up and changing clothes like that…”

“It’s just a capillary. No big deal.”

“No! You should rest…”

Claire’s words were cut off by the sound of a button being fastened on a shirt.

“Shouldn’t you go to the after-party?”

“After-party…?”

“Yeah. After the martial arts tournament, we always do that. It’s a ritual; you can’t miss it. If someone is missing from the family, it looks bad.”

*Knock knock.*

“Young Master. The carriage is ready.”

Claire doubted her ears.

The carriage being ready meant… he had intended to attend the after-party all along.

‘Well… if we need to move now, it’s the right time.’

But with his current condition?

To leave the bed and attend the after-party now?

Is he really okay?

“Do you guys not want to go to the after-party?”

“Huh? No, that’s not it…”

“Of course, you should go! Not attending is truly shameful!”

“Don’t dawdle or you’ll be late. How long will you take?”

“Ah! Really? Little sis!”

“Yeah, yeah. Shall we go, Flora?”

Claire still felt uneasy.

No, rather… it felt more ominous.

‘There’s something odd here.’

Not having the right to receive gifts because of the massive damage, and wanting to participate in the after-party despite his injuries.

This was purely… adapting to others, not himself.

What is this?

*Ding!*

▶Episode V. The after-party of the Martial Arts Tournament has begun.◀

▶You are attending the after-party. Be careful not to get involved in any incidents!◀

‘So it turns out like this.’

Actually, she had expected it.

After Isabel left the hospital room, the episode branching point appeared immediately.

The branching point was very simple.

Whether to attend the after-party.

That was all.

She knew attending became possible after clearing the hidden episode, but she didn’t realize it would affect the main episodes.

‘In most cases, not attending the after-party is best.’

Since Carsein demonstrated his strength in the symposium and tournament, the challenges from now on would be more subtle and tricky.

One such challenge was when taking a break in the lounge, a half-naked woman would appear from the next room.

“Kyaaah! Don’t do that!”

Screaming, she attracted everyone’s attention.

Or, if you stop dancing due to low stamina and enter a resting room, a status ailment would occur.

“Black! Suddenly, Carsein-sama ordered me to undress… I couldn’t do anything about it…”

Waking up to find a naked woman under the blanket, she would mistakenly think she was being raped.

If you bump into someone while turning a corner,

“Help! This person is attacking me!”

You might find yourself in a situation where you’re touching a woman’s chest, ruining your reputation as a pervert.

It’s troublesome.

The triggers work in absurd ways.

Moreover, there’s Harnei, who was revealed to be his fiancée.

If I get caught, I could be done for.

But…

▶Another Plan. The method to obtain funds has been chosen.◀

▶Condition 3: Possess 1 million Pessel.◀

The third condition, after clearing the second, is too strict.

There’s no way I can reach the final stage in this state.

So, I must act.

Considering the increased freedom in Chapter 3, even with some risk, attending the after-party and expanding business is possible.

“Carsein? What are you doing there?”

“Go ahead first. I have someone to meet separately.”

“Someone to meet…? Ah.”

Flora suddenly made a sour face.

What? What is it?

“Hey. You’re from the Bargrand House. Why, why again…”

“Flora!”

“Even after winning the tournament so well. Hey…! You’re not joining us again…”

“Carsein! You said you have someone to meet. Hurry up. Haha!”

…I have no idea why he’s acting like this.

Fine. Let him think.

How could I understand a child’s thoughts?

Now, it’s important to recall everything clearly and avoid traps or choices.

‘If I turn this corner, it should be Ptua Duke.’

But what she saw when she turned the corner was.

“…Brother.”

It wasn’t Duke Ptua.

Just a disappointed boy.

*Ding!*

▶You have violated your appointment with Willard Stephen.◀

▶Meet him in the hall and explain the intentional loss.◀

Seeing this message in the status window, it seems he’s quite disappointed.

An unexpected variable beyond known information.

This event must have occurred through Willard.

I have a feeling.

This is a Dead Flag.

“Why did you forfeit in the final round?”

*Ding!*

▶A choice appears!◀

Countless text messages appeared alongside the status window.

Oddly enough, the answer was clear.

…Nothing had changed from before.

“Why did you forfeit against the master during the match?”

The junior student who cheered for me showed obvious disappointment when he saw me forfeit against the first son who was specially invited.

Therefore, I had no choice but to choose this.

[13. Because Arina isn’t worth fighting.]

“Arina isn’t worth fighting.”

*Ding!*

▶Willard’s affinity has increased.◀

[38% → 45%]

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