The Damn Family Is Back Again

22 – 22. Belated Birthday Gift (1)

The damp dress returned to its original state as if asking when it had ever been damp.

It was because she had been preoccupied with worry until the dress dried. Until the announcement came that the protagonist of the coming-of-age ceremony was feeling tired and going back, around 1 a.m.

“Carsain Vagrand…”

Repeated his name several times, and before she knew it, it was time for the dress to dry.

I don’t understand. Why did I accept the engagement I had refused before, all at once this time?

Around the time she began to feel threatened by Viscount Therese. It was when she happened to discover the sons of Vagrand, who happened to be the most ideal people.

He was a good match. Apart from not having a good reputation in noble society, he had the perfect conditions as a boy with the name of Vagrand, the Duke.

When the time came to detach, it seemed like she could detach at any time. She neither possessed the strength nor the means to restrain her, nor did she have anyone who could intoxicate her with femininity.

In any case, there was no other suitable candidate.

But the big problem was that every time Harnier tried to bring up the engagement, he would only leave behind an apology and refuse to listen further.

Not only through letters, but also in private conversations, she tried to engage in dialogue several times, but she felt a strong urge to avoid the situation.

That person, out of the blue, accepted the proposal today…

“No. Whether you say it or not, the reason doesn’t matter.”

Harnier quickly shook his head, dispelling his thoughts. Yes. The reason doesn’t matter.

What’s important is that the engagement with him has been realized.

“I have to somehow break free from the Marquis of Terecia.”

No matter how much the Marquis of Terecia helps, they will eventually treat her as a disposable pawn. Now that she knows this, she has no choice but to find a way to leave the Marquis.

Harnier, feeling impatient, took a deep breath to calm himself.

“The date is in 3 days. I must hold on to that person. Let’s do well, Harnier.”

She reassured herself with an anxious heart.

***

Three days passed after that.

Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony, which started in the evening and naturally continued until the midnight ball, passed without any particular mention. The mention of Karsen was practically nonexistent.

However, it remained to be seen how Arina and Claire, whom she had met in person, would react.

Although she had cleared the episode and moved on, she didn’t know what kind of trickery would be revealed. Claire could scold her for not even congratulating her. Arina, who had criticized her attire, was no different.

And if she were to ignite the flames for the sake of family, Isabella would be no different. Flora, who had already shown her animosity by giving her a warning, would undoubtedly show her true enemy.

Therefore, she needed information.

Episode III. Information to prepare for the second crisis that comes after playing Claire’s adulthood ceremony.

“If I just keep waiting like this, there’s a high chance of ending up with a bad ending because there are no hints related to choices.”

So I have to find them.

Unless I know who called Karsein and what they will talk about, I had to come up with a contingency plan.

Waking up early in the morning to make time, I decided to diligently search for clues in the mansion.

But no matter how much time I spent searching, I couldn’t find any convincing information. It took a while just to enter one room, as it was completely different from the dot view on the mini-map.

So I searched. And searched again.

When I stood in front of a certain room, the status window automatically turned on.

-Ding!

▶This place is a restricted area!◀

[ If you stay here for too long, your relationship with certain individuals may deteriorate! ]

[ Would you like to enter? ]

When trying to enter a specific location, the UI seen in the game appeared.

“This place… is a dangerous zone?”

Karsein cannot freely roam the entire mansion in the game.

After clearing an episode, it would be unlocked and entry would be allowed only after building a certain level of intimacy. Just like episodes, there were conditions for it to open.

However, there was a big difference from episodes. There were separate areas divided by danger level.

Depending on the progress of the episode, companions, intimacy, sub-episodes, and other factors, this danger level would change according to the player’s criteria…

“It’s ruthless. Just by entering, penalties can be imposed, intimacy can be reduced, and there are cases where dead flags are forcibly set.”

As it is not nonsense to say that it is an area burdened with danger, it also brings significant disadvantages. So in certain communities, it was marked as a place where you might as well die.

But paradoxically, the areas with the most ways to break through episodes were also the ones with the most danger.

And I found one thing that was different from the game.

“This isn’t originally a restricted zone. It’s a dangerous zone.”

For some reason, as the danger decreased from danger to restriction, it became an area that I could enter now.

After looking around a bit, I could roughly guess which room it was. It seemed like I could gather enough information here.

Without hesitation, I stepped into the room.

▶Entering the laundry room!◀

[Time Limit: 10 minutes]

“The weather is nice today. The ladies must be pleased.”

“Yeah, on a day like this, it would be nice to go out for a stroll.”

As I entered the room, I could hear the faint scent of soap and the chatter of the maids.

I immediately looked around and hid behind one of the pillars.

Since this was a place where the duchess’s laundry was gathered and dried in the sun, the maids here were more lively and cheerful compared to the maids working in the outdoor laundry area.

Then, beneath the noisy conversation of the maids, one of them interrupted.

“It’s not a day to go out just because the weather is nice, girls.”

“Why? Is something going on?”

“Sigh. That’s the thing.”

All eyes were focused on the maid who had interrupted.

What could be the reason for her to sigh like that?

“Well, it went really well. We finished it cleanly, unlike the first lady.”

“Come to think of it, you’re right. What happened? I thought there would be a big fight like last time, with shouting and all, over that bastard’s name.”

“Anyway, we wrapped it up nicely. So what?”

“We didn’t finish it well.”

With a sigh, the maid shook her head.

“I was in charge of that, and the madam and the ladies were going crazy. If we messed up this time, we would have gotten burned too.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Because of that damn lord.”

“What? Again?!”

At the mention of the lord, the maids screamed. They didn’t hesitate to twist their expressions or ruin his title.

“No, why? Did he cause another incident?”

“He caused a huge one! He came to the banquet wearing ceremonial robes, can you believe it?”

“What?”

“Because of that, I think the madam is going to give him a good scolding today. Do you think we’ll be safe?”

Surely, that wasn’t everything.

Even though the master was wearing such clothes, didn’t you notice anything?

Even though Claire told you to find someone, didn’t you find even one person?

Isabella has a lot to say to the lower ones.

And now, the answer has come.

“Hmm. Isabella is going to summon me.”

I tried to hear more of the story, but the maids were too busy gossiping about Karsein afterwards. Well, they can chatter away all they want.

Regardless of the maids’ distorted expressions, it was clear that Isabella was the one they were calling for among the four of us.

There was no need for me to stay here any longer.

▶ Leaving the restricted area! ◀

[ Remaining time: 3 minutes 54 seconds ]

“Isabella… Alright. Then I can prepare too.”

I immediately returned to my room and rummaged through the laundry basket.

Camilla saw me and tried to stop me, jumping up in a panic.

“M-Master! Let me take care of this for you.”

“…You’ve been coming early these days?”

“Well… You know the reason.”

“Why. Is Claire still saying something?”

“It’s not that, but still, I am your maid.”

She talks like a maid. Quite so.

“Nevermind. I won’t take your laundry, but just take out one item. You might have put something in there that shouldn’t be.”

“What?”

Camilla tilted her head in confusion.

Because that’s the situation where I need to use it.

***

After the brief confrontation with Camilla, Heron came to find me.

“Young master, Madam is requesting to see you.”

-Ding!

[1. I’ll go right now.]

[2. Tell her I have nothing to discuss.]

“I’ll go right now. Where is Mother?”

“She’s in her study. Since there are no guests, she should be able to see you right away.”

“Alright.”

As Isabella walked towards the Duchess’s study, she simulated in her mind what she would say to Carsein.

Of course, it must be because of the first adult ceremony, and the second one, and the third one.

Considering the conversation among the maids in the laundry room, it is highly likely that they assumed I did not participate in the adult ceremony, and they might point out my attire, the time, or even the possibility of lying.

It can be practically assumed that Claire’s voice reached Isabella 100%.

Regardless of which question comes up, my answer is firmly set.

Smart.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Carsein. I heard you called for me.”

“Come in.”

Today, Isabella opened the door herself. When I went for the morning greetings, it seemed like I had to wait for her to invite me in before entering, after showing proper manners.

I thought it was unusual.

But this time, Isabella’s attitude towards Carsein was different. When she was worried about work, she would sit on the sofa only after a while, but this time, she sat on the sofa right away.

“Please have a seat.”

“Yes.”

With a gesture to sit across from her, I obediently took my seat. It seemed like the conversation was about to begin in earnest.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I looked up.

[Isabella Bagrand]

[Level of Intimacy: 33%]

As expected, the level of intimacy had decreased due to the adulthood ceremony.

“Carsane, I wanted to give you a chance during this adulthood ceremony. But…”

Thunk.

“I’m disappointed. No matter what the circumstances, dressing like that on your sister’s birthday is beyond the pale.”

Isabella, who had taken a sip of tea, immediately got straight to the point.

At the same time, choices appeared before me.

-Ding!

[1. (Clutching my fists tightly) A chance? What kind of chance is it? Did I even have a chance?]

[2. (Rubbing my ears) Are you talking about the adulthood ceremony? What’s the problem?]

[3. I don’t understand what you’re talking about, Mother.]

[4. (Wait in silence.)]

With the decrease in intimacy, one correct answer was missing. If I had met Isabella, I could have easily resolved it, but I had chosen to meet Arina instead.

First and foremost, the best thing to do here is not to disturb Isabella’s feelings. That way, I can maintain the level of intimacy and the cost won’t be too high.

But that’s only when there’s no counterargument. I had already noticed that this alone was not enough to have a conversation with Arina.

“You say it’s beyond the pale. I don’t understand what you mean.”

Isabella’s eyes twitched as she confidently chose the third option and responded. However, she had no intention of giving Isabella a chance to speak.

“You told me to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony, so I simply participated as you said. I did my best to avoid any accidents like three years ago.”

Isabella fell silent for a moment at the mention of three years ago. Perhaps she was reminded of that time, as she took a bitter sip of her tea.

“Ariana also said it explicitly. She told me not to ruin Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony. That’s why I acted this way.”

In reality, it wasn’t just that, but she had no obligation to reveal everything about that day like Ariana did.

“Hah, Carsein. In that case, you’ve already caused an accident.”

Isabella’s brow furrowed slightly more than before.

“Was your best effort being late, dressing improperly, and lying? It’s not a fitting attitude for a noble or a member of the Bagrande family. You’ve caused all three of these problems.”

Three problems.

I almost burst out laughing at the absurdity of it.

Every time, it feels like my blood turns cold. My mind works perfectly, even without a hint of excitement.

“Go apologize to Claire. She’s probably waiting by now.”

Isabella coldly hammered in that it was my fault.

Fine. That’s the kind of person you are.

I’ve already seen through your indifference.

“Was it wrong to deliberately choose inconspicuous attire during inconspicuous hours to avoid unnecessary friction? Should I have caused a disturbance by inevitably colliding with friction and disregarded Ariana’s warning? Or perhaps, should I not have participated in the ceremony at all?”

“Carsein. That’s sophistry.”

“Sophistry, you say. Very well, let’s assume that’s true. Then, just like at breakfast that day, when I didn’t eat anything. Why didn’t you ask why I was late this time?”

“…!”

Kelvia’s allergy was a weapon that Carsein could use against Isabella at this moment.

Why did she not eat the food at the time and not say a word, only to hear about the Kelvia fruit and allergies much later, just like this time?

Why was Carseine late?

That was something that would once again instill a sense of urgency in Isabella.

“…Was there something going on?”

With just the fact that there was nothing wrong that day, there was an opportunity to prove her innocence.

-Ding!

Coincidentally, the choices appeared.

I pressed on without giving her a break.

I mentioned earlier that there were three problems.

I’ll handle all of them.

[1. I did nothing wrong.]

“I did nothing wrong.”

I took out the prepared item and showed it to Isabella.

“This is…”

“If there’s any fault, it’s meeting someone secretly.”

A blood-stained handkerchief.

It was the purple handkerchief that Harnier gave me, promising our next meeting.

“Is this also my fault? Like intentionally tearing apart the meat to avoid Kelvia allergies?”