The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 274



274, Afterparty (2)

I wondered if it was possible for things to go so awry that it felt like a bolt from the blue.

Suddenly, a state I didn’t want to turn into poison in this game came upon me, and realizing the true intent of my plan, which no one had noticed, sent chills down my spine.

But that’s not the problem right now.

…I should have realized it when the strange proposal of marriage to Princess Arshien was thrown at me.

The crown prince had released the poison on me. He must have sensed that Harnié was awake.

Thanks to that, I had been in this state for several minutes.

She had covered my eyes, insisting I say nothing.

No matter how much I shouted that I was a patient, she stubbornly climbed on top of me and covered my eyes with the blanket.

“D-Don’t get up. Absolutely don’t get up until I tell you to. Got it?!”

…After leaving me with those words, she had left me alone for quite a while.

In a way, it was fortunate not to have to hear her nagging, but maintaining this state was a bit troublesome.

‘I have something to confirm.’

The crown prince Albert might notice my plan and someone else could discover the tail I stepped on.

The very fact that it could be revealed to someone else was awkward. It would be dangerous if it got out to my retainers or other nobles. The worst-case scenario would be if it were directly revealed to my family or if news reached their ears.

In any case, I needed to improve the issues that had arisen this time.

– Swoosh.

—

As I cautiously lowered the blanket, glancing at Harnié, she was turned away.

Usually, I had plenty of words to deflect others.

I would come up with suitable excuses. I would package them convincingly. I even told lies without hesitation.

I had anticipated the other person’s questions through analysis. So, it wasn’t difficult to adjust my responses accordingly.

“But with Harnié… I have no idea what she might say.”

Conversely, I had no clue what I should say either.

Just like Ji-eun.

“Sigh. It can’t be helped.”

In situations like this, it’s best to go with experience.

If I’m going to be scolded, then let it be.

If I’m going to be pointed out sharply, then so be it.

No matter what answer comes back, I should give an unembellished response.

As I set aside my usual tactics and tried to call out to Harnié, she too turned her body toward me.

Our eyes met simultaneously.

It seemed Harnié had something to say as well.

She looked at me in surprise, then quickly turned her head away.

“W-what is it? You told me to stay like this until you spoke…”

An awkward atmosphere lingered.

…It had been the same when I was with Ji-eun.

Right. To ease the tension, let’s draw from that experience and try to continue with a normal conversation.

Just like in this situation, it was true in reality as well.

I wasn’t the only one who was hurt.

“I had something to ask you too, you know.”

“What do you want to ask me?”

“I was wondering if you were okay.”

“…”

At that, Harnié let out a small sigh and lightly poked my body with her index finger.

It wasn’t a hard poke, but a sharpness flowed through the skin where her finger made contact.

“Ouch.”

“Who’s worrying about whom? You’re the one who should be more concerned.”

The gaze of Harnié, who had been like a fox statue, sharpened further.

“So I’m asking. You threw yourself into danger to save me, and if you’re hurt, that would be a big problem.”

She hesitated for a moment before withdrawing her finger.

“…Because of a bold man who threw himself into danger to save me, I actually didn’t get hurt that much. So don’t worry.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

“Relief? What relief… Hah. Really.”

From her reaction, it seemed she wasn’t actually angry.

“W-Well… I’ll say this.”

“What is it?”

“Thank… you. For saving me.”

…It’s an awkward word.

An awkward situation, and an awkward expression.

But for some reason.

That gratitude I receive from her no longer feels so awkward.

As if I’ve somehow adapted to it.

After saying that, she kept blinking her eyes and quickly changed the subject.

“Ahem. B-But there’s something we need to do. Your plan has a hole in it.”

“Ah. Right.”

“Probably no one has noticed. I only realized after His Highness the Crown Prince pointed it out, so it’s not a flaw that’s widely known.”

That’s a relief.

If it had reached the ears of the Duke’s family… my escape plan would be in vain.

“But just in case, it would be wise to investigate.”

“Understood. Hmm… But I’m at a loss as to how to resolve this. Investigating is one thing, but shaking off the tail is…”

“Oh my. That’s simpler than you think.”

Harnié flashed a fox-like smile and gave a reassuring wink.

*

She showed the merchant’s face and got up from the bed, adjusting her shoes.

“Just rest well. I’ll handle it and come back.”

“Um… Still, it feels a bit much to leave it to you like this.”

“Isn’t it better for me to move on my own rather than with that body? Or are you worried that I won’t be able to handle things properly?”

“That can’t be true. I’ve seen enough by now.”

Harnie smiled again, like a fox.

“Well then, trust me and rest well. I have to repay you for saving me.”

With that said, I found myself at a loss for words.

In the midst of scratching my cheek, I spoke.

“…Harnie?”

“Just a moment. I’ll be right there after this.”

“…”

A warm body heat envelops me.

I can feel her soft skin and the fragrant scent.

Breath that I hadn’t heard before now reaches my ears, and her breath brushes against my skin.

She is holding me tightly.

It’s bewildering, and I can’t grasp her intentions.

Yet, there’s a strange feeling.

“It might take some time… but I think I’ll arrive just around the time the after-party is in full swing. So, this time, please keep my request.”

“What… do you mean?”

“That you won’t get hurt.”

A soft kiss.

Her gentle lips touch my cheek once more.

What on earth is this…

“I’ll see you later, Karsein.”

Harnie opened the door and left the hospital room.

I felt a little giddy.

A bit awkward.

And while it was embarrassing, it wasn’t unpleasant either.

What on earth is this feeling?

Her pretty smiling face fades from view.

The fluttering hem of her dress disappears.

Until even her light, flowing purple hair vanishes completely.

I couldn’t escape this unknown feeling.

“…It definitely doesn’t seem like proper etiquette.”

It’s really awkward.

Things like this.

“Forget it. This isn’t the time to think about that.”

Fortunately, Harni went to take care of what I needed to do.

But that was originally my plan.

It was a gap I exposed, and a gap I should have resolved.

Therefore, I also need to move a bit more on my own.

Quickly. Just a little bit faster.

I needed to gather money to escape this duchy.

“Camilla. Are you there?”

“Yes, my lord.”

Responding immediately to my call, Camilla entered the sickroom and bowed her head.

[ Camilla Deol ]

[ Affinity: 76% ]

The affinity is at 76%.

At this level, it’s a figure that allows for special authority when limited to maids or residents of the territory.

The results can vary slightly depending on who the subject is, but someone like Camilla is trustworthy enough and keeps her mouth shut. Besides, she owes me.

‘At this level, there shouldn’t be any leaks of information. As for the state of my territory…’

▶Displaying public sentiment towards the lord.◀

[ Rusmaier: 85% ]

[ Chatren: 79% ]

Excellent.

With that, I can move on to the next plan.

“Do you have the money I told you to keep?”

“Yes, my lord.”

Swish.

Camilla pulled out an envelope of money from her maid uniform.

“I’ve exchanged all of your funds into the highest denomination of bills as you ordered. I kept it with me since I didn’t know when it would be needed.”

—

The system functions are indeed impressive.

The additional features have worked well.

“Then send that to Shatren. Without missing a single envelope.”

“…What?”

Are you saying you want to use all this money for the residents of the territory?

Camilla looked flustered, as if she wanted to ask that.

I smiled at her and replied.

“I’m going to proceed with the next project.”

▶ You need the lord’s authority to proceed with the project. ◀

▶ Would you like to use the lord’s authority? ◀

[ 1. Yes. ]

[ 2. No. ]

That’s how the money will gather, right?

The money to repay this house.

*

When the incident broke out at the martial arts tournament and I couldn’t see Carsein, my heart sank.

When I heard the news that Carsein might be deep in the arena, my heart felt like it was being squeezed.

Even as each person was being rescued, I kept hoping and hoping that it would be Carsein. Yet, when Carsein was still nowhere to be found, I shouted hoarsely until my voice was gone.

Fortunately, Carsein was rescued.

But when I heard that his life was in danger or that he still hadn’t opened his eyes, I nearly collapsed right there.

Isabella, who had been like that,

Suddenly sprang to her feet at a single word.

– Clatter.

The teacup rattled as the tea flowed down the walls of the cup.

“Is it true? Carsein has woken up?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“That child… that child…!”

The hot tea could have burned her hand, yet Isabella seemed oblivious to the heat, exhaling a rough breath.

At the same time, the worry in her eyes was replaced with vitality.

“How is Carsein’s body? Is there no problem? Is there anything he needs? Doesn’t he have anything he wants to eat?”

—

“Ma, my lady. Please calm down.”

“Haah. Yes, yes. That’s right. Haah…”

With her heart soothed by Heron, Isabella asked once more, carefully.

“Is it… alright to go see him now?”

Heron, with a smile, lightly nodded. The permission had also come from her physician, Shayden.

Once the permission was granted, the next steps were obvious.

Though not a single word was spoken, it was a given that the entire family would visit Carsein together.

Perhaps my daughters will come separately after hearing the news. Isabella was the first to board the carriage.

It didn’t take long to arrive at the private room where Carsein was hospitalized.

Unsure of what to prepare, she hurriedly clutched the get-well gift she had brought and knocked. Carsein responded, inviting her in.

The door opened gently.

Inside the private room, Carsein was reading a book.

As Isabella let out a sigh of relief, her heart calming, Carsein spoke in a flat tone. However.

“I’m sorry.”

What came from his lips was an apology.

“What do you mean? Carsein. Why are you apologizing?”

“Because I got hurt, I’ve taken away this precious time from you, haven’t I?”

Isabella’s heart began to ache.

-Ding!

▶ Isabella character-specific hidden episode. ＜Miraculously Erased Mental Illness＞ is in progress.◀

[ ??? : 80% ]