The Damn Family Is Back Again

28 – 28. belated birthday present (7)

I remembered the warning from three years ago and tried not to repeat the same mistake.

I came late to avoid friction with the nobles.

I disguised myself as a servant to avoid causing a fight by shouting unfairness.

In the end, I wore the disguise of a servant to avoid causing an accident on the day of the coming-of-age ceremony, and it was the best means to prevent the same thing from happening again, as there was a precedent for it.

It was said that this was Karsein’s intention, conveyed by my sister, on the day of my own birthday and coming-of-age ceremony.

But Claire didn’t believe it.

It didn’t seem like that was the only reason. She had a gut feeling that there was something hidden.

And there was a strange sense of unease as well.

So, I tried to ask. Right after Karsein came back.

But. Something strange was heard in the conversation with Hanyang.

“──────, does that mean I have to beg Arina because I didn’t get permission with this?”

I couldn’t hear the sentence in front, but I didn’t mind that. The back was more important.

“Karsein, you have to beg your sister? What’s that about?”

“K, Miss Claire.”

Did he do something wrong to his sister?

Permission? What’s that about?

I listened to the story a little more. After listening, it wasn’t a big problem.

“Since you’ve had a lot of accidents, it’s only natural to raise an issue. This is your responsibility.”

“So, I have to beg Arina for forgiveness?”

“No, it’s not like that. Just tell her the reason why you went out, and there shouldn’t be a big problem. If you’ve had an accident somewhere, a letter will arrive at the mansion by tomorrow.”

I roughly summarized the story. If Karsein had some reason to misunderstand, it was hard to simply think that Emma was wrong for saying this about the outing.

However, Emma tried to say something more about this measure, but Claire, who couldn’t confirm it, had more urgent duties.

“So, what is it? Why did you go out?”

Karsein answered casually to this question.

“Birthday present.”

“What?”

“My mother gave me permission to go out as a birthday present.”

Suddenly, a sense of discomfort arose. The word “birthday” started to spin around in my head like crazy.

No way.

It can’t be.

That day I had thought about for my coming-of-age ceremony, it surely can’t be that day. Right?

But.

“My birthday is on December 31st.”

Karsein was saying those words that should never be said with a completely calm expression.

All doubts and discomfort turned into ashes.

All that remained was the sensation of something heavy hitting my head and the constant ringing in my ears.

“A birthday… like that…”

Unlike others, my birthday was endlessly miserable.

I didn’t receive congratulations from anyone.

Not to mention gifts, they were buried without even being remembered.

I realized too late that the belated gift was simply permission to go out.

And.

Someone who claimed to be family. My younger brother’s sister.

She didn’t come on my birthday and threw a tantrum.

I only just realized this fact now.

“What should I say…! What should I say…!”

My fingertips trembled.

My mouth naturally became sealed.

With eyes trembling like a deer caught in headlights, I met his gaze once again.

Even if it was an excuse. Even if it was a polite remark. Even if it was empty words. I had to say something.

But…

“…!”

His cold, icy gaze said it all.

Even after I had spoken those shocking words, there seemed to be no change in his emotions.

Karsein still maintained the same indifferent expression that sent shivers down my spine.

As if he had never had any expectations to begin with.

“…Go inside. I understand what you mean.”

Lowering my head, I spoke with a voice devoid of any energy.

“Just go inside? But someone has to go and apologize to Arina.”

“To my sister!”

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

It felt like the words were stuck in my throat, refusing to come out.

But Claire managed to squeeze out her voice, as if forcing it out.

“I’ll take care of it. So just go inside…”

Without a word, Karsein passed by Claire. The sound of his footsteps entering the mansion from the stable seemed unusually loud today.

Just as the sound of his footsteps completely stopped.

Claire pressed her forehead and barely managed to calm her trembling head.

But there was still someone in this place who couldn’t ignore Karsein’s attitude.

“Miss Claire, Lord Carsein might have caused an accident outside and returned.”

“Enough, just send him in.”

“What? Miss Claire, but this is too-“

“Shut up and just send him. My words should be clear enough, right?”

When Emma opened her mouth without realizing, Claire spat out curses with a piercing gaze.

“Damn it. You, you’re just a servant. Why are you making such a fuss over a simple outing? Are you trying to put on a show?”

Fierce eyes poured out without hesitation. In the face of intimidating remarks, there was no way to retort.

Emma could only bow deeply in that spot, with her head lowered.

“I-I’m sorry! I misspoke. Please overlook it this once…”

“Mispoke? Ha. Even if my sister imposed a ban on outings, this is clearly an exception, right?”

“C-Claire…”

“Try crossing the line one more time. Even if you’re Floria’s nanny, I won’t let it slide.”

“Yes, yes! I will be careful…!”

As Claire entered the mansion, erasing the branch, she felt that this wasn’t enough and added a word to Emma, who was bowing deeply.

“I’m warning you again. If this conversation is heard within the ducal residence, you’ll be the first to suffer. Behave yourself.”

It was a clear warning.

***

▶Successfully cleared the outing branch in Episode IV!◀

▶Successfully achieved results beyond the choices.◀

▶Claire’s intimacy has greatly increased, and the harassment at the mansion has decreased.◀

[Clare Bargrand]

[Level of Intimacy: 13%]

■ Compensation

[Ariana’s restriction on going out will be relaxed.]

[You can now go outside the duke’s residence without permission.]

The result came out just as I had anticipated.

From the moment Clare openly overheard the conversation, Emma couldn’t even make a sound. And she went on to reveal her birthday as the choices dictated.

Thanks to Clare’s shock, she was able to smoothly leave that place.

“Emma will be caught by Clare after that. I have to punish Carsein somehow, but I’ll have to be careful not to provoke Clare’s emotions.”

I’m not interested in what conversation took place there. What mattered was that Clare’s level of intimacy had increased and the restriction on going out had been slightly lifted.

I now had a bit more freedom of movement.

There are still countless dangers lurking, but being able to go outside was a significant development.

Now I could prepare for other dead triggers. Just that alone was enough. Of course, I would still need to gather enough clues.

“And… it’s time to activate one dead trigger.”

Carsein’s personal maid, Camilla.

This was the chance to sever the strong bond between her and the maid who had just entered the room with me.

But I mustn’t let my guard down just yet.

There were undoubtedly meaningful actions.

Actions that were not seen in the game, like contributing money for things she needed or leaving her seat before Emma arrived.

I had to clearly address the reasons behind these actions before the dead trigger was deactivated.

I asked directly,

“Do you know that an explanation is needed? Camilla.”

“…Yes, I know.”

Finally, when we arrived at my room, I threw my words as if I was floating.

-Thump!

A dull sound echoed loudly from the floor.

Camilla, who had swallowed her saliva with a composed posture, immediately dropped to her knees on the floor.

“I’m sorry, my lord!”

She started apologizing out of the blue.

***

After the dull sound, Camilla not only knelt down but also pressed her head to the floor.

“What is this?”

She showed the most submissive posture. Wouldn’t there be some sincerity in speaking while lying flat like that?

Yes, for example, like the cost of medicine for a sick mother.

“Do you need money?”

I happened to have heard the entire conversation with Heron, and it matched perfectly with the fact that I had cash in my hands. Moreover, I had even added 200 pessels to buy my belongings, so it was reasonable to assume that she wanted money.

“If you need money, take one of my clothes tomorrow and sell it. Even if it’s a useless garment, it was worn by a noble, so the amount you get from selling it will be enough to cover what you paid. If you need permission, show me the proof that you brought it yourself.”

“That’s not…! No, I don’t need money.”

Does it mean she needs something else? Fine.

“Well, I can give you more interest. You can take a few more sets and collect the money from that ship. If you’re still not satisfied, add the things you received when you were young. You’ll get a few more gold coins, so this should be enough to satisfy you.”

The value of 200 pesos that I received from Camilla doesn’t matter because it could determine my life or death.

Even if I were to sell the gifts that Carsein received when he was young, there would be no one in the palace to say anything about it.

“No, it’s not like that. I don’t desire gold or jewels. I didn’t give money to the Duke for goods!”

As Camilla said this, she knelt down and lowered her head. She had given me such a generous reward, even though it was something she had achieved on her own.

“Do you expect me to believe that? I know very well that you’re working here at the palace, earning a salary twice as high as before because of your mother’s illness.”

“Well, that’s…”

Camilla, who was struck by guilt, took a deep breath. She is currently in charge of my personal maid duties because of money.

If the need for money was so desperate that it reached Arina’s ears, then her purpose for working at the palace couldn’t be anything other than money.

So she doesn’t need money? This argument in itself was a glaring contradiction.

Camilla, who had been biting her lips, gradually paled and then suddenly had a thought.

…But.

“That money!”

“Hmm?”

“The money used to pay for the calculations was actually an advance from the maid!”

If the previous statement was an unexpected remark, this one was even more surprising.

“What is this? This is practically a confession!”

The source of the cash, 200 pesos, was from the maid, and it was revealed that it was an advance.

Naturally, the process and the result can be deduced. The moment Camilla received the money, it meant that she received a request from Emma, and this request naturally meant that she had a task to do for me as my personal maid.

It is definitely not a story to be lightly spoken of. It is a secret within secrets. It was not something that could be openly confessed in front of me, as it would be a significant matter that would create a stir the moment it became known in the palace.

“When the Duke said that there was something to discuss, Emma came to me at that time.”

For the sake of the duke, you’ll consider moving again, won’t you?

“That’s the money you gave me while saying that. Emma said she would set things up for me. After it’s over, I was planning to go and report to the lord about what you did, and he would probably listen to the details and pay the rest of the money. Of course, now that things aren’t going as planned, he’ll probably throw a fit…”

Carcein requested a report on what he did outside. I said I wouldn’t do it.

From the discussion about the advance payment to the precise timing of the request just mentioned.

It was a perfectly natural flow without any inconsistencies.

But the doubt wasn’t resolved.

No matter how much I thought about it, isn’t it contradictory to try and send Carcein in first?

I couldn’t understand it at all, so I narrowed my eyes and asked.

“Why are you telling me this?”

Camilla, who had been silent for a long time in response to my question, choked up and took something out of her sleeve.

“This is a diet pill… I thought about dying in the isolation cell, hoping that even a little money would go to my mother. It could cause a stomachache that could lead to death. If that happens… I thought a little more money could go to my mother…”

Mentioning her actual desire to die, Camilla was pouring everything out of her mouth without holding back.

The process seemed quite difficult for her.

But I’m not here to hear this answer.

“Camilla. My question isn’t about that.”

Like trembling hands, it gradually spread through her whole body. Then, her breathing became erratic and her voice began to tremble.

Underneath her reddened eyelids, her moistened iris fell straight down like a handmaiden’s skirt.

Camilla’s mouth finally opened again.

“I couldn’t do anything until the end!”

“What?”

“I was endlessly ashamed and embarrassed by my despicable and weak actions that had tormented you, Your Grace. But, Your Grace…! Didn’t you forgive someone like me?”

The answer was found in the word “forgiveness.”

Although it was completely incomprehensible, it was an answer that made me reconsider multiple times.

No other answer came up.

“Carmilla, showed me kindness.”

In fact, when I thought about it carefully, it wasn’t just the two of them. I hoped that I wouldn’t be ignored, or that I would take the initiative to prepare clothes for the coming-of-age ceremony.

If I consider the details, there might be more.

And this is why I am banging my head.

“I already knew. The fact that I tried to send you away from the ducal house.”

Carmilla nodded her head with her lips tightly closed.

■ Possessed Item ■

▶ [Shufep Wood Root]

[Effect 1. When ingested after being infused, it releases the state of magical asphyxiation and reduces the possibility of recurrence to 0%.]

…

…

The moment she consumes it, Carmilla’s mother will be able to escape from magical asphyxiation and live a normal life.

Because it could only be obtained in such a dark and shady place, it was close to zero for the possibility of noble ladies going to such a place.

She also noticed it one step ahead. That was the item she had been trying so hard to obtain, and the fact that I would offer it to her.

I handed Carmilla the Shufep Wood Root and asked.

“I’m not scolding you, so answer comfortably. Is there a reason for you to stay at the ducal house? If it’s money, after curing your mother’s illness, you don’t necessarily have to be here.”

“…because I committed such a great sin against you, my lord.”

“Was it to alleviate your guilt?”

“It’s shameful, but yes.”

Until now, Camilla had only felt like an ordinary extra character.

Just a character filled with materialistic desires, moving for money.

A dedicated maid character who tormented Karsayne and created various dead triggers.

At the same time, a character who only gave Karsayne a chance to rebound in a specific episode.

Now, all that remained was to turn off the dead triggers, with just one final move, and she was nothing more than a character in a game.

So, I thought it was the end.

The objective had already been achieved, and from now on, there would be no dead triggers related to Camilla, nor any connection to any episode.

But what about now, in reality?

If she had once been a noble family’s daughter, it would be even more difficult for her to lower her head than an ordinary commoner. Especially if she were to find out that the other person was a pauper from the slums.

The difficult circumstances of having to commit misdeeds without hesitation, even if it meant collecting money to cure her mother’s illness, may have also been a significant hindrance.

Nevertheless, she took on an attitude of reflection and humility.

Perhaps I could hear her story.

“Tell me what you want. Camilla.”

Realizing that an opportunity had come, Camilla wiped away her tears and assumed a polite posture.

“To repay the grace of forgiveness from you, my lord, I want to repay it!!”

And soon after.

-Ding!

▶Will you accept Camilla as a maid?◀

[1. Accept]

[2. Decline]

The choices appeared.

It was a choice that had never been seen in the game before.

If it were a game, I would have dismissed it as a futile belief. There could be risks, and I would have probably dealt with any potential dead triggers.

But even the sincere and desperate gaze did not seem like a futile belief.

“Logically, it would be better to follow Emma rather than me, wouldn’t it?”

“I have abandoned such logic. You can think I’m crazy. I have no intention of following Miss Emma’s orders anymore.”

“I don’t have any money to give you. Unlike Emma’s secret money, all I receive is the duke’s salary as a dedicated maid. Life may become difficult in the future.”

“That is my responsibility. I realized too late that I shouldn’t turn the burden I should bear onto you, my lord.”

No matter how you look at it, from Carsein’s perspective, I am definitely a b*tch. Even from my current standpoint, if I couldn’t seize the opportunity and put him in solitary confinement, my feelings wouldn’t be much different from Carsein.

But right now, he is the only person in the duke’s mansion who can be loyal to me. I will never miss this opportunity.

“You only get one chance. Remember that.”

“Thank you, my lord! I will never forget this favor and I will accept any task without hesitation!”

▶Hidden Episode. Cleared the Maid’s Mortal Sin!◀

▶By accepting Camilla as a maid, some of the eyes that monitor Carsein have completely disappeared!◀

▶The perception within the Bagrandt Duchy has greatly improved!◀

▶As a result, the existing danger zone has been significantly reduced!◀

…