The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 376



376. The Yggdrasil Project (16)

Blood flowed down from the broken forehead. The wound on the forehead was so severe, with blood gushing out, that the maids were visibly worried.

But the pain wasn’t felt.

No matter how much blood flowed, how much flesh was torn, the thought of pain didn’t register.

A far more painful wound had already been inflicted.

There was someone whose heart was being ripped apart in a way that couldn’t be compared to this paltry wound.

Someone who had, bearing that agony, completely let go and surrendered.

*That* was the true pain.

* * *

*Thud.*

A single drop of crimson blood fell, staining the uniform.

“…”

The blood spread quickly.

It had landed on a light-colored patch, making it spread even faster.

She tried to wipe it away quickly, but the stain had already set.

Watching the expanding bloodstain, Arina bit her lip, as if in pain.

That stain.

That indelible stain.

It was like seeing a reflection of herself.

The ugly truth that she’d viewed her sibling through the lens of inferiority wouldn’t disappear.

Those vile acts, turning away from family when she could have had one, gathered like shards of memory, tormenting Arina.

They would never fade away.

Not even through proper compensation to ease the knot in her heart.

Not even through training until she sweat, trying to wash it all away with the perspiration.

Not even through deliberately drinking, trying to erase it from her mind.

The memory of not seeing her family as family would remain, forever etched within her.

Just like this hollowness she felt from her hair.

“Uhm, Lady…”

A soldier approached hesitantly, watching her.

“What’s the matter.”

“It’s nothing much, but… I had something to ask…”

“Something to ask?”

“It seems everything’s done at this hospital, so, what are we supposed to do now?”

“What are we supposed to do? Well─”

Suddenly, Arina seemed to grasp something, her eyes widening.

The soldiers here had gathered to escort Isabella. Except, Isabella wasn’t here.

Not in the ruined sickroom, nor anywhere else in the hospital had Isabella set foot. Now that it was clear the Duchess wasn’t here, there was nothing more to do.

But. That they had nothing to do, seen another way, also meant nothing was settled.

The moment she realized this, a cloud immediately darkened Arina’s face.

‘Wait. Even if I stop chasing now like this…’

It wasn’t over.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing had been resolved.

Matters buried by inferiority began to surface, one by one.

Threads tangled in jealousy loosened, revealing their true forms, one by one.

Already, an enormous game had been laid out, past the point of no return.

‘That… that…!’

Right now, the blood from her own cracked forehead might be staining her uniform. But next time, it might not be her own blood staining things.

The flames of rage, fed by the nutrients of inferiority and jealousy, might tear Carsein’s whole body to shreds, scattering his blood.

The next stain on this uniform will be.

Carsein’s blood.

“No. It can’t… it can’t be like that.”

Nothing’s over yet.

The things I’ve set in motion are still exerting their power.

Slowly. Very slowly.

They’re bringing that blade to Carsein.

-Thud!

“Ugh…!”

“Princess!”

Is it the accumulated damage from the fight earlier that’s still affecting me? My legs give way, and I can’t move properly.

In this state, I can’t even ride a horse alone.

“Is anyone there!”

“Yes, Miss!”

“Right now, I’m going to the Duke’s manor. As fast as possible!”

“N-Now? You have a schedule in an hour…”

“Cancel it, it’s not needed! Get a carriage ready, a carriage to the Duke’s manor immediately!”

“Y-Yes, understood!”

Arina emphasized going to the Duke’s manor, even yelling at the maid.

The problems that had been buried under feelings of inferiority and jealousy were finally starting to be addressed, one by one.

‘They say the chase is over, but it’s not the end…’

That was just an order for a few soldiers, the mess was much bigger.

The wanted posters plastered Carsein’s face all across the Empire. Unless they put a stop to it, the pursuit will be endless.

There are more than a few who dream of turning their lives around by capturing Carsein. Not only the ducal family, but these bounty hunters must be stopped as well.

The request for help that was spread to track down Carsein also remains in place and needs to be revoked.

‘And it’s not just the pursuers, other families too…!’

Like the schedule that was just cancelled, there were many families across the empire who were contacted for cooperation, requesting help in the search for Carsein.

They are no different from bounty hunters. They could be seeing Carsein as a walking opportunity, a way to get on the good side of Bagrand, or put him in their debt.

Not only that, but there are plenty of nobles who do not see Carsein favorably. Some have willingly hired mercenaries or sent their own soldiers, claiming they volunteered.

This even required cooperation between families, so it’s definitely not something that can be easily resolved. Promises have to be broken.

‘If I hand over the family headship to Claire, it might be okay… but that won’t be easy either.’

Would the vassals accept that positively? No. They wouldn’t.

Those who seek their own benefit would want the current system to stay in place, so there would be a huge backlash.

Moreover, Claire’s approval ratings and shares are extremely weak. The power of those who oppose needs to be cut down.

Before handing over the family headship.

All this has to be taken care of.

He has to resolve all the issues he created himself to ensure Carsein can finally stop running.

That was the reality he realized, from the blood staining him and the questioning soldier standing nearby.

“Miss Arina! Shouldn’t we call a doctor…!”

“Ugh…! The carriage!”

“They’re coming. But you need treatment first…”

“Didn’t I say I don’t need it!”

This wouldn’t be something easily resolved.

And that’s why she was growing more impatient.

It had to be taken care of as soon as possible.

Which only made her even more frantic.

Despite the soldiers and maid’s attempts to stop her, Arina pushed her body forward with reckless abandon.

But there was no way her body, pushed back after fighting Carsein with all her might, could be normal. Her mana was even drained, making her useless, and in this moment, she was no more than a fragile girl.

“…!”

“Ah, Lady!”

“Princess!”

Once again, her body tilted sharply.

This time, she couldn’t even assume a defensive posture, and a greater injury was sure to come, but.

-Thunk.

Someone gripped Arina’s body firmly.

“…Ugh.”

“You look utterly pathetic. Princess.”

At the familiar voice, Arina lifted her head.

Those nearby who had been anxiously watching Arina all shut their mouths and lowered their heads.

“Crown Prince… Your Highness?”

It was none other than Albert who caught Arina’s body.

“…”

The moment she saw him, Arina couldn’t say a word.

Despite his warnings, she’d pushed ahead with her stubbornness.

Having ignored the Crown Prince’s words – of all people – leading to this mess, her head naturally bowed.

Without a word, Albert studied Arina’s condition intently, then lowered his stance slightly and supported her.

“…Your Highness?”

“You were heading to the Duke’s residence, I presume?”

“…Yes. But…”

Why? And how did he…?

As she was about to voice the questions, Albert cut her off.

“This isn’t the place for such talk.”

With those words, a brief, bitter shadow flickered across Albert’s face.

“I will support the Lady, so everyone step back. Let’s go, Lady.”

“…Yes.”

Probably, that’s what he meant.

They couldn’t talk in a place with so many people.

He’d tell her in the carriage, where there were no prying eyes.

So, they should move quickly.

Though she didn’t know what he wanted to say, Arina allowed the Crown Prince to help her into the carriage.

*

-Clop, clop.

Right after getting into the carriage, treatment took priority.

Albert, having been deeply immersed in the battlefield, was skilled in these matters. He applied appropriate treatment, then medicine, taking measures to prevent infection.

However, there were some concerns.

Was it possible they were trying to stop Arina from going to the Duke’s residence? Given his past record was so dazzlingly colorful, it seemed possible he was preventing yet another incident.

‘How… should I explain this?’

As Arina hung her head, her mind in turmoil, Albert spoke first.

“Now you’re starting to grasp what you’ve done?”

“…”

“I see. That wound looks like you directly clashed with Duke Carsein, and I’d guess you’ve got a rough idea of what the Duke’s been through. You’ve probably realized that the way you looked at the Duke before was with eyes full of inferiority, too.”

The Crown Prince’s words felt like sharp thorns. How could he know all of this so well? It even raised such a question.

“This much has happened, and it’s something you did yourself, and since you believe you must handle it personally, you’re heading to the Duke’s residence, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Right. So that’s the way of it… You’re walking the same path as me.”

“Pardon?”

Albert continued immediately.

“I have no intention of interfering. You’ll understand when you get there.”

“What do you mean by that…”

“When the time comes, the Princess just needs to agree to one proposal of mine. That’s all.”

They’d heard the words, and I figured they’d reject it, knowing what I might do. But they didn’t, not at all, and it threw me off.

‘No need to clear up any misunderstandings, so it doesn’t matter… but, why?’

After that, the carriage moved towards the Duke’s estate in silence.

When I got out, we’d already arrived.

My body was mostly recovered. With the Crown Prince by my side, I could persuade the retainers more easily and amend or terminate agreements with other families.

The second I stepped out of the carriage, I ran straight for the office.

‘Do I need to deal with the chase first…? No. The request and the wanted posters have to come first. But if I don’t sort out the agreements with the families…! No, I need to win over the retainers first if I want to pass the headship to Claire…!’

With a tangled mind, I stepped through the main gate.

But, the first person I encountered didn’t welcome me.

“…Why are you here?”

A girl stood, blocking my way, with a sharp tone.

Her small body stretched out her arms, barring the path.

The atmosphere had shifted so much, for a moment I almost didn’t recognize her.

Neatly braided blonde hair.

The childishness was fading, and a hint of maturity had begun to show.

This girl, who should have been clutching a teddy bear and acting spoiled, was shockingly different.

Right. This child was the one who always used to call me ‘older sister,’ with the honorific at the end.

It was Flora, the youngest.

“…I’m sorry, Flora. I have things I need to do right now. Would you please move aside–”

“My only older sister is Claire!”

Flora erupted, yelling,

“My family is just Mom, Claire-unnie, and Carsein-oraboni!”

Bewildered, I try to call out to her, but all that returns is the youngest’s hardened rage.