The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 266



266. The Resurgence of Discontent (1)

– Chirp. Tweet.

“Hmm…?”

With the sound of sparrows chirping, Harnié wakes up in a daze.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she immediately feels a sense of unease and opens her eyes wide.

It was definitely night.

Arina’s birthday hadn’t even started during the day, and when she chased after Karsein, the sun had already set.

In fact, it was dawn when the Jewel of Oath began to shine.

Yet, such bright light is streaming through the window.

It can only be explained as morning.

To wake up and find it’s morning…

Somehow, a familiar experience comes to mind.

‘Could it be…?’

As Harnié turned her head toward the approaching footsteps.

The door creaked open.

“Are you awake?”

“Ah…”

With a faint sigh, Harnié felt a strange sense of unease.

—

Let me know if you need anything else!

She asks Karsein, who has just burst through the door, with a glimmer of hope.

“Could you… explain why I’m here…?”

She had hoped it wouldn’t come to that…

“I saw you sleeping outside, so I carried you in.”

Ugh! Of course, that couldn’t be true!

In truth, she knew it herself.

The fact that she was asleep on this bed was undeniable proof.

With the night as the backdrop, the scenery she had always seen was the outside of this room, but now that she was inside, all the causal relationships aligned.

She had simply fallen asleep.

Karsein had just brought her here and laid her down.

She had promised herself she wouldn’t leave Karsein alone, yet here she was, having fallen into a deep sleep. It was a moment when she felt a bit of disdain for her own weakness.

And look at what Karsein is holding.

He has brought something to drink and something to eat.

‘You fool! I should have been the one to bring the drinks and food!’

Seeing that made her bury her face in her hands, overwhelmed by self-loathing.

In the meantime.

Karsein set down a breakfast to quell his hunger on the table and said,

“From now on, don’t be foolish like that.”

“…What?”

“No matter what, how can you sleep outside like that?”

It was an accident that she had fallen asleep, a sign of her own weakness.

That had clearly been a nuisance to Karsein.

‘But that statement…’

Just a moment ago, she had been tangled in a mix of self-loathing, shame, and resentment towards herself.

But upon hearing Karsein’s words, the emotions that had piled up like ancient dust vanished, replaced by something else that swelled within her.

“This is the West, and there are quite a few people who know me, so it’s fortunate. If it had been somewhere else, it could have been a disaster. And what were you thinking, sleeping outside and risking catching a cold? Anyway, be careful.”

The corners of her mouth involuntarily lifted.

He had made her worry for no reason.

The one who had asked if she needed anything had ended up leaning against the door and falling asleep.

In the end, he had even gone so far as to carry her to bed, creating a nuisance. That’s why Karsein was scolding her.

—

But it’s not just simple nagging.

Even if it’s not a scolding or a sharp retort, his voice held… an implicit something.

– Thump. Thump.

Once again, my heart races.

Harnie smiled like a fox and pressed her body against Karsein’s side.

“I’d rather lean on you like this… than have breakfast.”

It was nagging, but deep down, it made me feel better.

So what should I do for him? I needed time to think.

*

We finished breakfast together.

We left the room together.

Even when organizing things, there were not just two hands but four.

And there were four legs moving toward the designated place.

I took her hand and climbed into the carriage, returning together in the same carriage.

How did it end up like this?

I had come alone, but now I was leaving with two.

‘It’s fine. What I need to focus on now isn’t over there.’

– Ding!

▶ Episode IV. The one who proves their worth begins. ◀

▶ The noble points you can earn will be determined by your actions during the martial arts tournament and the results. ◀

▶ Be careful! The gazes directed at you are not kind! ◀

“There they come.”

“The princess’s birthday has passed… and seeing that she didn’t come with her family, it seems she couldn’t prepare a gift after all?”

“Either way, she’s still your sister. Isn’t it a bit too indifferent?”

They used to whisper that I should be placed in the position of heir based on my abilities. Now, that rumor had vanished, and yesterday’s incident was being discussed.

Given how the situation was unfolding, the outcome was as clear as day.

– Ding!

▶ The nobles are slandering your actions. ◀

▶ You can choose an appropriate response.

Right. The options are appearing like this.

As always, it seems.

It may be surprising, but here, the correct answer is to choose the original option and respond appropriately to those nobles.

Currently, I am participating in a martial arts tournament, so if I were to slander any participant in any way, I could justifiably protest against that person.

However, I did not do so now.

Unlike in the game, I must clear Chapter 3 in a completely different manner.

There may be times when I need to step in depending on the situation, but this is not one of them.

I should just ignore it and move on.

Yet, despite my intention to ignore it, it seems I can’t help but be concerned about this side.

—Swoosh.

Harnie’s body pressed even closer than before.

At the same time, she shot sharp glances at those who spoke carelessly, as if to say she wouldn’t allow any disrespect.

Then, after a moment, some of the young ladies who had been mocking me cleared their throats with a cough! and fanned themselves. In high society… they would call this tucking their tails.

‘…A bit surprising.’

If they were to hurl more insults at me here, I was definitely prepared to choose an option to set an example.

▶ Those who tried to incite through backbiting have fallen silent. ◀

▶ The options disappear. ◀

But with just this one action. With just that one glance from Harnie, the options completely vanished.

“This time, it won’t be like yesterday. I’ll be right here, by your side, the whole time.”

“…”

I couldn’t say a word to her as she urged me to hurry along, arms crossed.

It should be fine, just a little.

Thinking that, I followed Harnie.

*

From dawn to morning.

I spent the entire time with Harnie, but now the moment to part has come.

I cautiously spoke to her.

“Isn’t it about time you head back, Harnie?”

I need to finish all preparations before the start, including managing my condition, checking and maintaining my equipment, and a simple warm-up. During this time, no one should interfere, not even my fiancée, and certainly not family.

I would use that as an excuse.

However, contrary to my expectations, she tightened her embrace around my arm.

“…Harnie?”

“There’s still some time left, right? It’s not bad to stay a little closer. Is it strange for lovers to be like this?”

…Well, that’s true.

Isn’t pretending to be lovers enough?

If the goal is to imprint our image in the eyes of others, then many people have already seen us together, so is there really a need to show more?

Well, from her perspective, that might be the case.

Just as I was about to accept it.

“I’m sorry. I was being forceful. I guess… I was just feeling a bit restless.”

“Is that so?”

“B-but I’ll definitely do what needs to be done. So… just close your eyes for a moment.”

“Close my eyes?”

“Quickly! Don’t ask…”

…What is she trying to do?

For now, I closed my eyes as she wanted.

If it’s just a mischievous prank, I’ll have to go along with it—

– smack.

‘…Huh?’

Something soft touched my cheek.

That moist yet warm sensation left even a faint sound of contact that only I could hear.

“G-go, do your best in the match. Karsein!”

With those words, Harnie turned around, clutching the hem of her dress.

She ran away so quickly that her figure vanished from my sight in an instant.

“…”

Feeling awkward, I lightly brushed the spot where she had touched with my hand.

That moist feeling still lingers.

The warmth and softness of her touch remain as well.

I can only guess.

What had touched my cheek was…

“I think it was… her lips.”

It feels awkward.

Too awkward, my mind froze for a moment.

Is there such a precedent?

Or is this the way to cheer for the no-tournament?

To eliminate any doubts that may arise, I tried to dispel the suspicion by expressing affection.

All sorts of thoughts came to mind, but…

The only thing left was awkwardness.

“Ah, it’s good that the competition hasn’t started yet?”

As I was still stuck on awkwardness and scratching my cheek, a mocking voice suddenly came from beside me. Pink-haired lunatic.

I must have lost a lot of intimacy.

If I were to take issue with it, I would have a choice. Here, I’ll respond adequately─

…what?

“What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that.”

[ Clare Vagrand ]

[ Intimacy: 80% ]

Why isn’t intimacy decreasing?

*

July 1st.

Ariana’s birthday has passed.

That means the time for the Huang Long Martial Arts Tournament has arrived. I had to think about how to complete this episode.

But, as I opened the lid, I found that intimacy wasn’t decreasing as much as I thought.

The person I was most worried about, Clare, was still fine.

The little brat who was usually annoying, Floramaze, came to find me and was still normal.

Even people I had only met briefly, or those who were just acquaintances, didn’t have a significant drop in intimacy.

Not to mention the considerable number of nobles who were still fine.

In other words…

-Bling!

▶Player, please note that you have received insufficient information!◀

▶We will reveal the perfect clear reward for Episode III, including the Noble Points and intimacy decrease compensation rates.◀

[ Noblesse Point Reduction Offset Value: 100% ]

[ Intimacy Reduction Offset Value: 100% ]

…How surprising.

The result derived from applying it to my reality leads to a perfect clear, and yet people still look at me with preconceived notions.

“Well, there are exceptions after all.”

[ Exception Target: Arina Vagrand ]

▶ Stimulating Arina’s emotions inflicts greater damage on the opponent. ◀

Well, this one is to be expected.

In fact, it’s what I hoped for.

But even with such a luxurious reward now given, I find myself at a loss for what to do.

“If this continues, almost all the sub-episodes I need to complete will disappear.”

Rumors among the nobles bring forth sub-episodes that interfere.

And if they overlap with sub-episodes related to Another Plan, they steadily chip away at my Noblesse Points.

To prevent this, I would typically have to personally step in to resolve the sub-episodes, which would gradually eat away at my time, leaving me with an ever-dwindling preparation period.

But if this time has now become completely empty…

“…I suppose it’s time to pay a visit to Marquis Magnuelle.”

That person was definitely the first to speak up.

More perfectly.

More neatly.

It would be best to let that author know that I have no interest in Vagrand’s heir whatsoever.

*

Claire rushed over upon hearing that Karsein had arrived at the tournament hall.

Given what happened yesterday, she had a lot to ask Karsein.

However, the questions she intended to throw at him were swallowed up by the display of affection happening right in front of her.

“Here I was, worried and rushing over, and look! You’re having a sweet, sugary date with your fiancée!”

Her words dripped with discontent.

The tone and voice were almost mocking.

Yet, her true feelings were the complete opposite.

“…Still, I’m glad nothing serious happened.”

Karsein is not a child.

—

It’s not like there’s anyone to blame while throwing a tantrum or telling lies.

There must be some reason for committing such an act on my sister’s birthday. At least, that’s what I thought as I turned my steps to inform Flora and my mother of this fact.

───────.

──────.

‘Hmm? Is that voice…?’

Listening closely, it’s Karsein.

When did he come this far? Should I eavesdrop on his conversation?

“Really, you have not the slightest interest in the Duke of Bagrand’s heir position?”

…What’s this? What kind of topic is this…?

“Right. I’m someone who should have left the duke’s family from the start, aren’t I?”

At that moment.

Claire’s head spun sharply.

– Ding!