The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 273



273. Afterparty (1)

Albert Schuenian Peselros.

In other words, the Crown Prince of the Peselros Empire.

Simply put, one could see him as the character next in line after the Emperor, but he is not someone to be thought of so simply.

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The one who will become the next Emperor.

Even amidst the competition for the throne, he holds a unique position.

A war hero who has claimed victory in every battle since the era of the Empire’s unification.

Just looking at the fingerprints assigned to him in the game reveals an overwhelming presence.

Thanks to that, I had established one rule while playing this game.

No matter what, do not turn this person into an enemy.

‘For someone like that to visit my hospital room…’

I might need to be on guard.

—

I have never taken such a route before, nor do I remember meeting him in the hospital room.

If options were to appear, I would have to respond carefully.

I cautiously asked him,

“May I inquire what brings you to this humble place, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

There should be nothing wrong with the etiquette.

Given the circumstances, I have maintained the utmost decorum.

Still, Albert wore a rather sullen expression.

After a brief sigh, he opened his mouth.

“Confucius. As I said earlier, there’s no need for pretense. Well, there are those I need to pressure under the guise of formality, but you are not one of them.”

“However, Your Highness—”

“I do not wish to remain a useless Crown Prince who makes a wounded person, especially one who threw themselves into danger to save another, feel worse by imposing etiquette upon them.”

Albert poked the air with his index finger, as if to urge me to relax.

“If you still don’t comply, I’ll wake your fiancée right here and have her speak to you.”

“…What?”

“Lady Harnié said she would be furious when she wakes up to see you.”

“…”

That’s a bit of a different kind of trouble.

Reluctantly, I accepted the Crown Prince’s command.

“…Understood.”

“Ha ha. Good. That’s how it should be. Truthfully, I’d like to wake her up myself. It seems like it would be quite amusing to see how you would react if Lady Harnié were to give you a good thrashing.”

No. This person?

When I looked at him in disbelief, he laughed heartily.

‘Well… it’s unexpected in either direction.’

Given that my counterpart was the Crown Prince, Albert, I remained tense, wary of any options that might arise.

However, the expected reactions never came.

In fact, not even a choice appeared, making me wonder if my eyes were deceiving me.

To be honest, I was quite surprised.

The commanding presence that suppressed the nobles, his extraordinary qualities as a war hero, and the charisma of an emperor who reigned over the aristocracy—all of that reduced to merely telling a patient not to worry about etiquette.

It resembled what I had seen in the game, yet it was vastly different.

It was enough to evoke memories of someone.

‘…Just like me, the student council president and vice president had older brothers too.’

The ability to inherit the company is one thing.

Social skills are another.

I thought to myself, how much they resemble that person.

The first time we met was at the sports festival.

And the second meeting was when I was hospitalized after the sports festival, right?

…It feels strangely aligned on this side too.

“Um. Let’s stop the small talk here. Shall we get to the main point? Confucius.”

“Yes. Please go ahead.”

“What are you planning to do from now on? Confucius.”

“What do you mean by that? First, I’ll recover, and after I’m discharged—”

“Are you planning to gather money again, just like before? To leave somewhere?”

In that moment, my heart jolted and stopped.

“Why would I leave the Bagland Duke’s family?”

“Hm. If you want to dodge the question, I can’t help it.”

No options appeared.

Even looking at the familiarity, there were no signs of it diminishing.

However, this observation suggests something far too clear.

“The economic scope dragged down by the two territories that were in the gutter is already among the top ten in the empire. Yet, the places where your funds are being spent are still not revealed? If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be right to assume you’re gathering funds to leave somewhere?”

“…”

“The Bagland Duke’s family isn’t a financially struggling one. I’ve heard information that you refused pocket money, and besides that, you were preparing everything alone as if you were going to stand on your own. This alone was enough of a clue. Wasn’t it?”

Damn it. I made a mistake.

Yeah. This is a different era. My status is also noble.

I had intended to pay back all the money used in the duke’s family at once, just like in modern times, and leave. But due to my spending habits of not using any money earned from the territories, I ended up getting caught instead.

I swallowed hard at the unexpected observation.

“…What are you trying to say?”

“I came to make one suggestion.”

“A suggestion, you say?”

“Yes. I may not know as much as Arshien or Florence, but I’ve heard enough to understand your family situation. That’s why I’m saying this.”

Albert interlocked his fingers and asked.

…But.

“What about a marriage with Arshien?”

The state of the question was quite strange.

*

I was so taken aback.

I think I stood there with my mouth agape for quite a while.

A marriage with a princess, huh.

What kind of nonsensical talk is that?

This is not a topic that should even come up.

However.

“Hmm. I think enough time has passed for consideration. I would appreciate an answer.”

The crown prince was asking in a tone that was not merely playful, but serious.

I finally regained my composure and asked back.

“Ha. Are you serious?”

“Of course I’m serious. I can’t think of a better proposal than this.”

Still, to say something like that.

My head was spinning.

I had no idea how things had gotten so tangled.

First, I needed to sort things out step by step.

“Why is that even being brought up?”

“I don’t mind gathering money. However, from my position, Confucius’s plan unfortunately cannot help but weigh on my mind.”

“Weigh on your mind, you say?”

“Yes. You are, after all, a survivor of the Kingdom of Wederos.”

“…!”

You know that too?

…No. That’s not it.

Rather, it’s strange if you don’t know.

“Indeed, your mind works quickly. That’s right. As someone who has stepped onto the battlefield, I couldn’t possibly be unaware of your origins. When the monsters launched their surprise attack, I was already drawing my sword and standing on the front lines with them. I am well aware that you are a descendant of the Kingdom of Wederos.”

Right. According to the game’s setting, Albert is someone who walks the battlefield.

There’s no way that the war hero, known as such, would have remained idle when the monsters attacked.

Now I understand.

“Is it because I am a survivor of the Kingdom of Wederos that the nobles of the Empire might find me distasteful and seek to eliminate me? Is that it? The marriage with Princess Arshien can guarantee safety because it would have the protection of the royal family?”

“Oh? Have you already calculated that far? I heard it was an emergency, but this is beyond my imagination.”

Albert stroked his chin and grinned.

“But that’s not all, Prince.”

“You mean this isn’t everything?”

“Correct. There’s no place as safe for you as the royal family. However, there’s a bigger reason.”

Is there something more than that?

I can’t quite grasp what it could be, no matter how much I think about it.

As I pondered, Albert pointed his index finger at me.

“It’s you.”

“…?”

“A capable person like you could leave for another country. That would be a tremendous loss for the Empire.”

He withdrew his finger and continued speaking.

“After reviving Shatren following Rusmaier, uncovering the treason of the Waglou faction, and proving yourself as a martial artist in the tournament, I’ve concluded that no talent in the Empire could catch up to you. How could we afford to lose someone like you?”

Ah. So.

To keep a talent like me tied to the royal family, they’re pushing for a marriage with his own sister?

“You’ve misjudged me. I don’t possess such abilities.”

“You’re being overly modest.”

“Your Highness has overestimated me.”

“Well, at the very least, it seems you have knowledge that is a level, no, several levels above the rest. The theories you demonstrated while revitalizing the soil of Shatren seemed almost out of this world. Even if all the nobles put their heads together, no matter how advanced magic becomes, such intricate theories couldn’t possibly emerge in this era. That’s something I’m certain of as the Crown Prince.”

…It can’t be helped.

Modern knowledge is on a completely different level compared to the knowledge of this era.

“Let me put it this way. As the Crown Prince of this country, do you think I could come up with a way to revive Shatren and Rusmaier, even if all the nobles pooled their intellect?”

“…”

“It seems you don’t quite realize how exceptional you are, Prince.”

—Min-hyuk, it seems you don’t quite realize how exceptional you are.

Hearing that compliment, or rather, that near-praise, left me momentarily dazed.

What is it that feels so similar?

“So, what do you think of my proposal? Do you need some time to think it over?”

– Ding!

▶ Crown Prince Albert has made a proposal. ◀

▶ Will you accept it?

[ 1. Yes. ]

[ 2. No. ]

The status window, which had not displayed any options during my conversation with Albert, suddenly appeared.

There’s only one reason for this.

It could affect the Another Plan.

But my answer is already decided.

“I will decline. That proposal conflicts with my objectives.”

My objective is always the same.

To resolve things on my own and to find my own way out.

The goal is to handle everything alone and to leave that house with confidence.

In this process, I didn’t want to borrow anyone’s hand.

“Hmmm. Arshien’s beauty isn’t too shabby, though.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.”

Well. It’s not necessary, but I could make use of this.

“Harnie is more beautiful in my eyes.”

“Oh? Are you insulting the appearance of royalty?”

“What can I do if this person is beautiful in my eyes?”

“Before the Crown Prince, you can’t praise your sister but instead say she’s inferior to another woman?”

“Yes. Harnie is more beautiful. You can tell by how she threw herself to save me. My fiancée is only Harnie.”

In truth, I am somewhat more drawn to Harnie than to Arshien.

If this woman were to come at me with intent… Well, I think I would waver too.

Albert clicked his tongue, revealing his disappointment.

Even if it was disappointment, I knew it was a half-joking response.

“If truly the will of Confucius is so, I won’t bother to dissuade you. However, it would be wise to be cautious. The nobility’s rejection of the Westerners is precisely because they possess formidable power. That’s not rejection; it’s fear.”

“…”

“It would be best not to engage in any actions that might be discovered. At that time… I can’t guarantee anything. You understand what I mean, right?”

“… Yes. I will keep it in mind.”

—

Like Pollux or Talphon, Albert offered the same advice.

The fear of the nobles. It is the fear of those who hold power.

It wasn’t that they rejected the Westerners, including the Kingdom of Wederos; they rejected them because they feared them.

What if my origins were revealed?

What if it became known that I wielded the power of the Kingdom of Wederos?

That would mean they would come for my head using every means at their disposal.

‘I don’t know if I exist as a dead trigger… but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.’

In the context of this world, the Kingdom of Wederos is a threat in itself to them.

I had seen dozens of newspapers speculating whether I was plotting a rebellion to survive.

“Take care.”

He lightly patted my shoulder as he left the infirmary.

Soon after, a blurry status window appeared.

[ Albert Shuhenian Peselos ]

A white intimacy box popped up with clear letters.

…This is the same.

Like Heron or Shaiden, it hadn’t shown the actual intimacy value before.

-Ding!

▶ The conditions have been met, and Albert’s intimacy is now activated. ◀

[ Albert Shuhenian Peselos ]

[ Intimacy: 90% ]

▶ Since sufficient intimacy has been accumulated, the royal protection will apply under certain conditions! ◀

“…”

Somehow, it had come to this.

Truly.

‘Hmm?’

The blanket is positioned a bit differently than before.

…I didn’t move. That means.

‘When he said to take care… could it be…?’

That man. No wonder he was smiling as he went outside!

Did he say that knowing I was already awake?

‘…I’m screwed.’

I swallowed hard and finally opened my mouth.

“Uh… Harnié?”

At that, Harnié’s shoulders flinched.

She was definitely awake—

– Thud!

…Huh?

Suddenly, my body was pushed down onto the bed, and my eyes were covered.

“W-what? Harnié?”

“Ah, don’t say anything.”

“Ugh. It hurts!”

“I said don’t say anything!”

“…”

I didn’t know how long she had been awake, but for now, I decided to stay quiet. If I didn’t want to get hit.

*

I didn’t know when I had fallen asleep, but I was jolted awake by voices coming from the hospital room.

When I opened my eyes, Karsein and the Crown Prince were having a conversation.

I thought I should greet them quickly, but I couldn’t do that.

‘Don’t. Say. A. Word?’

What could I do about the Crown Prince’s orders?

Harnié had no choice but to follow his instructions.

But my body couldn’t help but flinch.

Comparisons with Princess Arshien came up.

And just when I thought my stomach was churning at the mention of marriage with her.

“Harnié is more beautiful in my eyes.”

That one sentence made my face flush bright red.

“Oh? Are you insulting the appearance of royalty?”

“What can I do if this person is beautiful in my eyes?”

“You can’t even praise your sister in front of the Crown Prince, yet you dare to say she’s inferior to another woman?”

—

“Yes. Harnié is prettier. You can tell by how I threw myself to save her. My fiancée is only Harnié.”

As he continued to strike repeatedly, Harnié’s heart wouldn’t stop racing.

‘Ugh…!’

To hide my flushed face, I had to pretend to be asleep instead.

But that didn’t last long.

“Um… Harnié?”

When I was caught pretending to sleep by Karsein.

– Thud.

“Uh, uh? Harnié?”

“Ah, don’t say anything.”

“Ugh! Ah, it hurts!”

“I said don’t say anything!”

I couldn’t bear to show my embarrassed, flushed face, so I had to cover his eyes.