The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 278



Chapter 278. After-Party (6)

Though the House of Marquis Teresia had rapidly risen to power in a short time, their roots were not so upright.

They were rotten roots.

Selling wares born of impure intentions.

Secretly designating distributors to be handled by the underworld.

And laundering the money they grasped through a multi-level scheme.

If the Empire were to catch wind of it, it would be no surprise if they were imprisoned at any time, anywhere, for the vile dealings they had conducted.

But today, that too would come to an end.

By the accusation of none other than a member of their own house.

“It has been confirmed. As per the young lady’s testimony, the artifact you mentioned has been found among the Marquis’s belongings.”

“While a detailed analysis is necessary for clarity, it appears that all the actions of the sinner you mentioned are interconnected. It seems likely that the truth will soon be revealed.”

“What remains is in your hands.”

“Yes. The royal court will conduct a thorough investigation.”

Testimonies, evidence.

Everything is ensnared in this moment.

The Marquis glared fiercely, his eyes bulging as he shouted at Harnié.

“Harnié, you…! You…! It’s you, and no one else, who has betrayed me!!”

“…”

“How dare you betray me and still draw breath!”

Harnié cast a sidelong glance at the enraged Marquis.

Once, that man had seemed like a father to her.

In the past, she had poured her passion and time into earning a single word of praise from him.

He had been the kind of person who made her tremble in fear when he wielded his whip.

Now, he was utterly unfrightening.

“Indeed, a wretched b*stard like you should have been left to die! Just wait. With the Marquis’s lawyer at my side, my innocence will be proven, and once I escape from this prison, you will…!”

“You won’t be able to prove it, will you?”

“What did you say?”

“Do you think what I’ve investigated is merely the surface?”

“…!”

The Marquis’s eyes quivered with disbelief.

“Illegal manufacturing, dark market dealings, and even multi-level laundering would only warrant a hefty fine. But you’ve hidden something far worse beneath, haven’t you? The fake mana stone farm.”

“You…!”

That was not a business that could be revealed to the world.

It was the Marquis’s greatest source of wealth, a secret enterprise he had kept hidden.

To know of it…

“I know everything. All that your family has concealed.”

“You snake of a girl, ugh…!”

– *Clang!*

The mana cuffs restrained the Marquis’s movements.

With a twisted expression etched on his face, Harnié stood before him, more resolute than ever.

“During my time in the dungeon, I shall visit you a few times. Ah, of course, we shall never meet again on the surface.”

He would become a traitor of the highest order, imprisoned in the royal underground cells.

Through torture, those involved in the conspiracy would gradually begin to speak, and in the end, they would lose everything—from wealth and riches to the very name of their family.

All that remained for the marquis was the sound of shoes echoing in the dark.

The fallen marquis’s ambitions met their end here.

“Phew.”

Harnier inhaled the refreshing outside air, closing his eyes tightly.

When he opened them again, instead of the blue sky, a thick twilight settled over him.

“I revealed the estate too early; the cost has been too great.”

Originally, that estate was not meant to be uncovered at this time.

Step by step, with greater certainty, he had planned to tighten the noose around the Teresia family, taking his time.

But because he had exposed the estate’s identity so swiftly, Harnier’s powerful weapon—his capital—was now considerably shaken.

Moreover, having chosen a path that distanced him from the marquis’s family instead of swallowing it whole, the necessary sum had multiplied several times over.

If he were to compensate for the losses incurred and the sluggish growth that resulted from this action, it would take a considerable amount of time… and furthermore, there was still one more step to take.

‘Belian.’

Even if he defeated the marquis, the marquis’s offspring remained steadfast.

The allied nobles still loyal to Marquis Teresia and the internal factions continued to support Belian.

Though he had overcome a significant hurdle, if he could not navigate the next obstacle, it would all be for naught.

Additionally, even if he were to seize the marquis’s family, the timeline was exceedingly tight. With the marquis’s misdeeds laid bare for all to see, she would have to tread a different path than the marquis to ascend as the head of the family.

She must care for this land through entirely different enterprises.

She needed to prepare to shoulder countless responsibilities while managing the territory.

To win in the competition for succession, being an illegitimate child meant she had no allies within the family, thus incurring even greater losses.

Time and capital. Calculating what both sides stood to lose left him feeling dizzy.

The losses were so substantial that a sigh escaped him…

Yet still, it was alright.

“All I need to do is defeat Belian. With that, if the marquis’s family falls into my hands…”

He would gain an entire family that was beyond the reach of the duke’s power.

Then, there would be no reason to part ways with Karsein.

A home would be prepared for that person to stay.

He could live alongside the man he cherished.

—

In the most ideal form, one could repay the benefactor who has saved them time and again.

Is that not enough?

“Mina. The carriage.”

“Yes, my lady.”

With a smile gracing her lips, Harnié ascends into the carriage.

Quickly,

I wished to convey this news, to reach Karsein sooner.

*

“Is it truly so?”

“Yes. You will be able to obtain it periodically.”

“Periodically, you say…”

Curiosity sparked within him, and he bit the bait.

As he stroked his chin, he asked once more.

“Are you saying that it is possible to acquire regular honey through this beekeeping venture?”

“Indeed. Do you not believe me?”

“Oh, no! It’s not that I don’t believe… It’s just that… well, honey is typically harvested in small quantities, you see. Ahem!”

Well, it’s not unreasonable.

Sweet spices rank among the rarest treasures of this age. Likewise, honey, too, was a coveted delicacy, often in short supply.

To claim that one could obtain it regularly would naturally invite skepticism.

Here, then, one must lay the bait properly.

“It may be hard to believe, but this venture is founded on rigorous theory.”

“Theory, you say?”

“Yes. After flowering, seed plants undergo pollination, allowing the next generation of plants to bloom.”

Commonly, it is the transfer of pollen.

That is what I speak of.

One might think that in Shatren, where farming is directly tied to income, honey harvesting would hold little relevance.

Yet, unlike traditional crops, the plants here grow at a far swifter pace.

What does that imply?

It means that as the plants grow, the pollen that must be transferred accelerates in its movement as well.

Assuming this, the beekeeping venture must inevitably be advanced in timing, and in the temperate climate of Shatren, it stands as a business with great potential for large-scale prosperity.

—

“Honey flows like that… Hmm. It is a reasonable thought.”

“What do you think? Is it still hard to believe?”

He gazed at me intently, swallowing hard as he suddenly grasped my hand.

“Very well. I accept your proposal for the deal.”

“Excellent judgment. Shall we begin drafting the contract then?”

“Let’s!”

The beekeeping venture, grounded in ample theory, had proven successful.

In fact, it had already undergone analysis to test its edibility.

I could simply sell the honey harvested from Shatren at a fair price.

– Dding!

▶ The deal has been successfully concluded! ◀

▶ The transaction amount will be added to your funds, and you will receive regular income from this new source. ◀

▶ Your funds have exceeded 1 million Pesel. ◀

‘Is this the clear for stage three?’

I knew this wasn’t the end, but I had taken another step closer to escape.

From now on, the momentum would surely build, and the money would begin to stack up. The more I invested, the larger the ventures I could aim for.

“…Still, proceeding further from here seems risky.”

▶ The vassals of the Duke of Bagland are watching your actions closely. ◀

Unbeknownst to me, the eyes of the vassals were already turned in my direction.

It was difficult to discern the direct gaze among so many people, but sending someone to keep an eye on me was likely second nature to them, so I couldn’t tell what kind of scrutiny it was.

In any case, what I saw as mere actions to gather wealth might appear to them as an expansion of business, in other words, a bid for succession.

While Marquis Magnuel might be fine since our conversation had concluded, the other vassals would not be so forgiving. It was only natural for them to show signs of keeping me in check.

‘It’s best to call it a day for now.’

After all, I was feeling a bit weary.

Deciding to rest, I leaned back against a nearby terrace sofa.

“Meeting people is indeed exhausting.”

Regardless of the circumstances, dealing with relationships was a hassle.

‘…If this continues, I’ll be seeing Arina for a long time.’

Just as with the firstborn, Arina’s gaze upon me grew sharper.

It was even the case when I was handling trivial tasks at the company…

—

It was not merely a stroke of luck to think that Claire, while accompanying Flora, could avoid encounters with the nobility.

Something had to be done.

What to do?

As I closed my eyes for a moment, a status window appeared without granting me a moment’s respite.

– Ding!

▶ A certain character has come seeking you. ◀

My brow furrowed involuntarily.

Forcing a change in my expression, I rose, and a middle-aged woman hesitated, her hand pausing mid-air.

“Could you spare a moment? Carsein.”

Isabella, of all times.

Truly, my luck was abysmal.

*

Since returning from the hospital visit, Isabella had not known a moment’s peace.

She had intruded.

She had stolen time.

Those two phrases had burrowed deep within her heart.

Like a wave crashing in, it was sharp and cold.

Once it had pierced her heart, it would never retreat.

Yet, without even a moment to dwell on her self-reproach, a thunderclap struck Isabella.

“Carsein… said such things?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“No, why on earth…”

“We’re even more curious. Just so you know, it’s a misunderstanding; we explained everything! But still…”

She desired nothing.

That same response echoed back to her.

“Why, such…”

“Mother. That is…”

Flora, hesitating, gently grasped Claire’s sleeve and uttered words that were nothing short of shocking.

“There’s been so much damage to the Duke’s house… because of that, we’re deemed unworthy of receiving gifts…”

Hearing those words, her heart grew even heavier.

—

What does a few measly coins even matter?

Is it not a gift that should be praised and cherished, one that should not be demanded?

‘That cannot be.’

I recall the voice of the old steward, loyal to the Duke’s house, and I summon it again.

The affection I had given that child felt distinctly different from that of my daughters.

Thus, I must now offer a proper love.

As a mother, I must embrace my child rightly.

The mistakes of the past must not be repeated.

Therefore, even with a heart still heavy with guilt, I had to meet Karsein.

Now, standing before him, my throat tightens, yet Isabel manages to force the words out.

“I heard from Claire and Flora. They said you didn’t wish for a gift from the martial arts tournament. Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“And you said you have no right to such a gift because your past actions have harmed the family?”

“That is true.”

I had hoped, perhaps foolishly, that Karsein would deny ever having said such a thing.

This admission brought a profound sense of regret.

But.

I cannot stop here.

“You need not concern yourself with those few coins. Everyone makes mistakes, don’t they? Karsein.”

What does it matter if the Duke’s house suffered such a loss?

“Other children have erred as well. There have been times when the Duke’s house had to compensate for their mistakes, but it was never a significant amount. You are no different.”

Of course, I added that such a minor issue could hardly tarnish the Duke’s house, and there was no need to dwell on the monetary aspect.

Having concluded the discussion of right and wrong, Isabel reveals her true feelings.

“I’ve been reconsidering the matter of your visit… I realize now how thoughtless I was. I’ve come to understand that I haven’t cared for you as I should have, unlike the other children. Truly, I am sorry.”

The invisible wall that Heron spoke of.

It must be torn down.

Karsein had been seen through a lens entirely different from that of my three daughters. Simply because he did not share our blood.

Isn’t that a misguided perspective?

Isn’t that a wall that should not exist?

Now was the time to completely wash away the awkwardness between Karsein and me.

“Then, this time, I want to take care of you properly. After all, you are my son. No matter what anyone says, you are a child of the Duke of Bagrand.”

It was necessary to imbue it with fair affection.

I wanted to fill the void that my daughters had never received.

Thus, I hoped that this time, Karsein would speak of what he truly desired.

“If you’ve done something worthy of praise, then you deserve a fitting gift. At times like this, you can ask for anything. You’ve achieved something, haven’t you?”

Just placing second in the martial arts tournament was an outstanding feat.

No, even the triumph at the symposium alone was enough to astonish the world.

“Speak freely. If you wish to travel like Claire, I will send you anywhere. If you desire rare local treasures or garments adorned with jewels like Flora, I will gladly buy them for you. Or perhaps, like Arina, you’d like to spruce up your surroundings. The things you’re using now are getting rather old, aren’t they?”

Isabella held Karsein’s hand tightly, waiting.

This time, she was determined to take care of her only son without fail.

However.

“I don’t need anything.”

Another wall had already been erected around Karsein.

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