The Damn Family Is Back Again

30 – 30. Snowflake Festival (1)

“Young Master, I have brought your meal.”

A new maid knocked on my door, saying she had brought breakfast.

Judging by the intimacy level displayed as 7%, it was the maid who had arrived on the day I received various things as birthday presents from Ham. She took out an item from her bosom.

Originally, it should have been Camilla who came, but the fact that this maid came itself meant that things were going well as planned.

“Leave it there.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

When I woke up after sleeping for another night and it was morning, as usual, Camilla, who used to bring breakfast, was not there.

Camilla’s one-week vacation. A new maid who came in her place.

This was what I ordered when I accepted Camilla.

To turn off the dead trigger more surely.

The reason I still didn’t leave the room was for the upcoming courtyard episode.

As I brought the breakfast from the hallway into the room, I found a small letter tucked between the dishes.

“Noble…? No, it’s Camilla.”

Even though she had abandoned her title, the elegance of a noble that was still ingrained in her seemed to ooze from the handwriting. If I hadn’t read the contents, I wouldn’t have known who sent it.

First, the contents were quite simple.

“Hmm. The maids are being punished because of Claire, and as a result, I can’t give them instructions for a while?”

It corresponded to the development that the status window told me. By the way, I didn’t know that Claire had warned them while getting angry. I also had no idea that she came every time and was nervous.

It’s a little satisfying, isn’t it?

I felt good for no reason because I had given her a hard time.

Other than that, there were only thanks to me and a well-being reminder for taking care of myself.

“I wonder if she had to wake up early to write this… It’s quite impressive. I guess working as a maid drains your energy like this?”

No. That can’t be.

Being tired has nothing to do with stamina. As a Korean student who never neglected my studies even while working part-time, I can guarantee you, this is my problem.

“Well… I must be sleepy right now because of this.”

■ Karstein Bagrand ■ – 18 years old

Lv. 4 (SP: 0.15)

▶ Strength 2.00

▶ Agility 2.93

▶ Stamina 3.30

▶ Endurance 1.25

▶ Immunity 0.93

▶ ??? 0

Honestly, it’s a pathetic stat.

I don’t think there’s anything outstanding compared to ordinary people.

Stats that keep decreasing day by day. Except for the immunity that increases through meals, all the displayed values are decreasing.

With my long sleep, it was clear that my heavy body was definitely the problem.

I thought about being conscious of it and trying to exercise a little, so I tried doing push-ups…

“Well, no. Can’t make it. Can’t go up.”

Stats that had fallen, separate from realizing that my endurance is so poor that I can’t even do five push-ups, won’t recover. Even if it’s exercise, it won’t help in this way.

That means… it’s obvious.

Just like in the game, I have to head to a place where my stats will increase.

“And of all places, it had to be a restricted area… Going there would be suicide. Even if I leave my stats to plummet like this, I would still die. You’re truly amazing.”

Surprisingly, my stats continue to drop, and if I don’t manage them, it will lead to a bad ending. The solution is to exercise in the restricted area without any hesitation. But isn’t that a place where you can die if you go there recklessly?

Complaints naturally arose in my mind due to the frustrating and treacherous environment.

“In the end, the only solution is this episode… Hm?”

-Ding!

▶Ariana is here.◀

▶Listen to the explanation about the Snow Festival!◀

“I’ll have to think about that later.”

Probably, that door will open soon without my permission.

For now, I should unfold a book that I’ve read.

“Ariana, my dear?”

“Come here and give it to me. I’ll take care of it.”

After a brief conversation, the door suddenly opened.

The maid didn’t know what to do and bowed her head before leaving, while Ariana glared at me with a gaze full of dissatisfaction.

As I continued reading my book, Ariana confronted me just as I had anticipated.

“How can you be so indifferent after hurting my feelings for three days? Karsane. Are you really capable of forcing yourself like this?”

I ignored Claire’s visit as I returned to my room after going out.

A birthday gift is undoubtedly a powerful weapon. Realizing my birthday late will also give me the right to speak.

But if I accept something with a smirk and receive it, I won’t be able to use it anymore. That’s why I’ve been waiting. Until Ariana comes.

-Ding!

[1. (With a resentful tone) Who threw a lavish party but didn’t even acknowledge my birthday? Is it my fault that I don’t want to meet because I feel bad?]

[2. (Digging into his ear) If you give me a birthday present, I’ll let it slide.]

[3. (Throwing the candle next to her) You’re in a foul mood, so just go away. You f*cking b*tch.]

[4. What do you want?]

Glancing at Arina’s intimacy level, it seems that the 9% figure, which has increased slightly from 6%, stands out. If I choose option 1 right here, the intimacy level won’t go up.

Even though I have a lot to say, I should go with option 4.

I calmly closed the book and responded.

“What do you want?”

Then Arina glanced at me for a short moment.

-Ding!

[Arina Bagrand]

[Intimacy Level: 11%]

The intimacy level increased by 2%.

Considering the withheld words and the raised intimacy level, it was quite significant.

“You have certainly changed. If it were like before, I would have raised my voice and thrown a fit…”

Arina, who had been muttering to herself, cleared her throat and brought up the matter again.

“I heard that as a birthday present, I got permission from my mother to go out for a day. The clothes were also prepared, but I heard that you didn’t want it. However, this is somewhat insufficient as a birthday present.”

Agreeing with herself on that point, Arina continued speaking.

“Our entire family, including me, had forgotten your birthday, so we had a family meeting about joining the Snowflake Festival together. Your decision is the only thing left here.”

If it were the previous Karsain, it would have been obvious that he would cause trouble at the Snowflake Festival and wouldn’t have taken her there.

However, going out and increasing the return value of the birthday gift, I gained the right to participate in the snowflake festival.

The small snow globe that started from innocence has rolled so big like this.

However.

“In the end, those words of testing don’t come out of that mouth.”

Even though it is named a gift, it is not a gift at all.

While testing and doubting, how can I accept this as a gift? It would be more accurate to call it surveillance.

-Ding!

[1. Got it. I’ll participate in the festival.]

[2. Talking about a birthday gift, huh? Honestly, you just want to watch me, right?]

[3. I’ll think about it.]

The answer is 1.

Just like the status window has already given a hint, the birthday gift and the prohibition of going out are directly connected to this festival.

But why do I feel so f*cking awful?

I didn’t like the way she hid her intention to watch me like that.

I turned my head towards the book, mocking as I spoke in front of Arina’s eyes.

“Got it. I’ll participate in the festival.”

“…You.”

“Do you have anything else to say?”

Arina glared at me with displeasure, then sighed deeply and left the room after leaving one last word.

“Enjoy the festival without causing any trouble. Then I’ll give you a pretty good reward too.”

As soon as the door closed, I closed the book.

“Well, well. Are you alright?”

Instead of a birthday gift, she said she would keep an eye on me. If I follow that, she’ll give me a good gift?

This is beyond ridiculous.

“What you want is to make sure this festival goes smoothly without any trouble, right?”

Yes, that’s what I hoped for. I’ll make it happen no matter what, as you wish.

I’ll even accept the birthday gift. I won’t throw a fit. I’ll behave at the festival without causing any trouble. However you want me to.

As long as I get what I want.

***

The Snowflake Festival, which opened without fail this year.

This time, it was expected to be even bigger and more magnificent, so Florra, who enjoys the festival the most, should have been filled with anticipation.

Moreover, since she was with her family, she should have been able to stay out late and have fun. Such days don’t come often in a year.

“…”

However, as you can see, she is visibly uneasy.

Despite being able to enjoy herself. Despite being able to stay out late with her family.

She seemed rather anxious instead.

“Florra? Why are you trembling like that…”

“Eek!”

Florra, who was startled and huddled up at the sudden approach of Claire, was asked with concern.

“Why, Flora? Where does it hurt?”

“Well, little sister. Um… no, it’s nothing.”

“That’s what I thought when you were acting like that.”

She waved her hand, saying it’s not a big deal.

Of course, it wasn’t really painful.

“The problem is… over there.”

Flora glanced to the left and looked at a boy.

Once blue, his hair had turned a dark blue, almost black. His eyes, like faded colors, had lost their vibrancy as he grew.

It was Karsen.

“No issues with his attire this time?”

“No.”

Whenever she saw him being inspected, she couldn’t help but hear the voice from that day.

It’s all nonsense.

Such a thing couldn’t exist.

She even asked the governess, who said there would be no such thing and that Flora should continue to grow diligently.

So, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

“Do you remember where I came from?”

The face of Karsen, who smiled as if it was all the same when mentioning her origin, is unforgettable.

They should quickly drive out that commoner from the noble’s position so that the peace of the family can return.

They should kick out that girl who dares to aim for Carn’s position without even understanding the subject.

I can’t help but think.

If I were to kick Carsein out of here, would it really turn out that way?

“No, it’ll never happen.”

But that would just be a lie to temporarily avoid the situation.

Flora approached Arina, who was conversing with Carsein, and grabbed her dress.

“Big sis, can I ride with him in the carriage today?”

She pointed at Carsein with her index finger.

***

Flora Bagrand hates Carsein Bagrand.

The reasons are too numerous to mention, but the proposition that she hates him remains unchanged.

That’s why their level of intimacy is the lowest among the family members, showing a mere 3% increase.

And yet, she points at Carsein and rides in the carriage with him?

From a normal perspective, it’s an impossible situation.

Why would she choose to ride alone in a carriage with the person she torments so relentlessly? It’s absurd in itself.

But he smirked and replied.

“Well, why not? It wouldn’t be good if the carriage is packed with five people anyway.”

As if accepting Flora’s suggestion.