The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 388



388. The Time Ahead (1)

-Rustle.

“What? Why all of a sudden…”

Clare’s eyes widened.

Just moments ago, these tree-men were wielding weapons and casting magic in human guise, spewing vines from their slimy bodies in attack, and now they were suddenly quieted.

Suddenly silenced, the tree-men were simultaneously crumbling.

She was not alone in her bewilderment.

Reports flooded in from soldiers, each relaying the baffling disappearance of the enemy.

“The stench of mana beasts is completely fading from them.”

“…Which means?”

“It seems it is over.”

Talpon spoke, lowering his weapon.

Over, is it.

Clare felt a wave of relief at his words.

*You did it. Carsein.*

Still, Clare knows nothing.

She knows not why this transpired, nor why these beings assailed the ducal estate, nor by what sorcery mana beasts could masquerade as men. She knows nothing at all.

Only one thing do I recall.

From noble mtl dot com

That it was because of her, I survived.

That the Duchy of Bagrand remains unscathed.

That her family remains unharmed.

And that, unlike those puppets controlled, she remains whole until now.

It was all possible because of Karsein.

‘…Ah.’

Perhaps it was the thought that it was all over, the tension finally breaking.

Her legs give way.

“Oho, now, now, one must be careful. Lady.”

Claire’s body, her legs suddenly failing her, was caught firmly by Florencia.

“…Your Highness Florencia.”

“Well… it is no wonder. After fighting with all your might for so many hours.”

“…”

Bagrand, together with the Lilpeton tribe led by Talpon, received yet another wave of reinforcements.

Those reinforcements were none other than the Imperial Family. The Imperial forces, arriving with the Lindel tribe, became staunch allies of the Duchy at just the right moment.

“Come now, let me lend an arm. Move slowly.”

An arm to lean on?

Claire was startled, aghast at such a great impropriety.

“I apologize. For such an unsightly display… I shall stand at once.”

“Hmm? You swayed like a reed just now, and you’re trying to stand again? Enough, I say.”

“Ah, no! I can walk on my own two feet.”

“Rather, let’s take it slow. You’ve spent magic like water, you’re practically drained. I doubt you can even move properly, can you?”

“…Ugh.”

She tries to force her body to move, but it’s no use. Florence is right – everything feels amiss, here and there.

“…I apologize, Your Highness.”

“Haha. Apologize for what? You’ve never shown me this side of yourself before, and now finally, this day has come.”

“Pardon?”

“You were just too resilient, you know? Never once faltering, there was never a crack to pry open… Ah.”

Normally, such words would be fine, but there are too many eyes upon them now.

Realizing he’s letting something slip, Florence clears his throat awkwardly, trying to gloss over it.

“Ahem. Well, I just meant you’re being human. When people are tired, they need to lean on something, receive help, you know? Like being supported now. Mhm. That’s what I meant. This is normal.”

“…? Is it, really?”

Clare still seems unconvinced, tilting her head slightly, but harbors no suspicion.

“Heavens, this is…”

Talpon, watching from the side, clicks his tongue, unable to bear the sight.

“Maybe I should have let her use magic a few more times and collapse entirely.”

“Out of the blue, what are you on about now?”

“If that happened, she would have truly collapsed in exhaustion and slumber. Then, His Highness would have happily carried her on his back, or in his arms, perhaps.”

Florence, still supporting Clare, widened his eyes in alarm.

Sweat beaded, dripping, he pressed a finger to his lips, demanding silence.

But Claire, it seemed, took it as an insult.

“Honestly, what’s there to like? It’s only causing his Highness trouble.”

“First ask her if she thinks it’s trouble.”

“Isn’t it obvious if you think rationally? If you can’t even take care of yourself and you’re a burden on others, that’s trouble.”

Talpon shook his head, a lament.

“Unbelievable. How is it that the Dukedom only produces thickheads? Is it hereditary? Or perhaps some sort of enchantment is cast at the Dukedom gates?”

“What are you on about?”

“You and Karsein are the same in this regard. Though no blood ties, truly, remarkable beings in many ways.”

“No. I’m saying, what does that *mean*?”

“Pfft!”

“Pwahahaha!”

The surrounding soldiers erupted in laughter.

“An enchantment, you say.”

“Hmm. Perhaps not entirely inaccurate.”

“Eh, it sounds perfectly right to me!”

“See? You’re the only one who doesn’t know. Only you. Or rather, only this thickheaded Dukedom knows nothing.”

─Hahahahaha!

Another explosion of laughter, and Claire’s anger flared.

“Hey! Stop talking in riddles only you know! Tell me! What is it? What are you even saying!”

“Lass, *Gongnyeo*! Enough for today! Shouldn’t you rest?”

“Nay. Just wait a bit, Your Highness! This concerns the very image of the Ducal House!”

Florence, drenched in cold sweat, ultimately swept Claire into his arms.

“Ugh?!”

“The *Gongnyeo* must rest! Let’s, let’s go!”

It resembled a flight.

…Nay. It *was* indeed a flight.

“Hmph. Such an obvious gaze, yet how long does she intend to remain so oblivious.”

“Indeed. His Highness Florence seems quite fond of you, sister. You are a fool.”

Of course. Of course. It was, by all accounts, an expression of affection.

A most honest flag, proclaiming a man’s interest in a woman.

To not perceive it… Truly lacking in perception…

‘Hm?’

That voice of agreement belonged neither to the Ducal knights, nor the tribesmen, nor the Imperial Guard.

Talpon turned his head towards the source of the voice.

There stood another *Gongnyeo*, her hair woven into elaborate braids.

“…Hoo. It seems obliviousness is not a hereditary trait of the house?”

Talpon chuckled softly, watching Flora hop about.

“Ugh! Why are you so tall. Mister, lower your arm a bit. Let me treat your wound!”

“I appreciate the thought, but I am fine. It seems it would be more prudent to observe over there.”

“Over there?”

Talpon’s finger pointed towards where Mother Isabella lay.

“Shayden’s tending her well, no? Doesn’t seem like my interference is exactly needed…”

“The wound is not the issue. That woman is calling for *you*.”

“Me?”

“The scent of mana emanating from your mother confirms it. She calls for you, incessantly.”

At first, Flora tilted her head in confusion, but assuming Talpon knew best, she followed him towards Isabella.

“Miss Flora? What brings you here.”

“Shayden. Has my mother said anything?”

“Ah, well… She seems to be attempting to speak, but…”

Shayden scratched his head, looking rather troubled.

“She appears to have strained herself, her voice won’t quite come out. I cannot decipher what she is trying to say…”

It was true. Just as Talpon had said, Isabella’s lips moved, striving to form words.

“…I suppose so. Using a potion here would do more harm than good, I remember it being said it’d act like a poison with the internal injuries she sustained.”

“Precisely as you mentioned.”

This was not Shayden’s forte, not in the least.

This, rather, was Flora’s domain.

“Just a moment. Shayden. Let me try.”

“Yes. Miss.”

Shayden readily ceded his place.

Flora, with a composed air, assessed the patient’s condition.

She wove a subtle magic, a whisper of enchantment, to ease Isabella’s burden.

Then, she gently propped her up, enabling her to speak, and administered a potion, freshly concocted on the spot.

Only as something slid down Isabella’s throat…

Did a faint, threadlike voice finally emerge.

“…Go, up. Flora.”

She at last spoke her desire, but the words were barely audible.

Flora leaned in, pressing her ear close to Isabella’s lips, straining to catch the sound.

“Kahr, Sein’s room, go, up. Flora.”

“…Brother’s room? Why?”

“Badly, wounded, perhaps.”

Badly wounded?

‘Surely… not?’

Hearing those words, Flora grabbed her medical kit with sudden urgency.

“Miss Flora?”

“I must go see to my brother! Please, look after Mother!”

Leaving Shayden and Isabella behind, Flora darted towards the manor.

Though there was no need to heal her mother further, a task had presented itself.

She had to ascend.

Higher, into this manor.

I must hasten, must rush to Karsein’s chambers.

A sudden realization of just how far his room truly is, dawns upon me.

The main hall felt wider than ever before.

Why must the lobby require so much running, and why so many stairs?

But I couldn’t allow myself to be deterred by such things.

“Hah… hah…!”

Finally reaching Karsein’s room, Flora threw the door open.

Within, this room once overflowing with money and invoices, Karsein lay, eyes closed.

A jolt of fear struck her.

Surely not, surely…

“Lady Flora.”

“…!”

“He is alright. Karsein, he is alright.”

Harnier’s composed voice began to soothe her.

Flora approached slowly.

She checked his condition, as he rested comfortably in Harnier’s arms, eyes still shut.

From the most grievously wounded areas to those easily overlooked.

Karsein’s body was far from well.

There were ribs fractured, or on the very precipice of breaking, in more than a few places.

Nowhere, she realized with dread, could one say he was unscathed.

But…

Feeble though it was, a breath.

A pulse, faint, yet felt. The heart beat true.

Blood pressure low, much blood was lost, but within reach of healing.

He lived. Calsesine lived.

Here, now, with her own hands, she could heal him, bring him back.

“I entrust him to you, Lady Flora.”

“…Yes!”

*

Calsesine’s emergency care rested almost entirely in Flora’s hands, yet she felt no tremble of fear.

In her resolve, not a single error was made.

The result.

Calsesine lay upon the sickbed, whole.

-He may sleep for quite some time. His body has sustained too much damage…

It could be quite some time before he awakens.

-Moreover, the wounds are manifold, and what might arise from them, I cannot say. Therefore…keep watch over him. You, Lady.

If anything seems amiss. If even the slightest suspicious reaction is observed.

She begged her to call her at once if such a thing happened, and then Flora departed.

Only the two remained in the private chamber.

In the silent stillness, Harnier rose from his seat.

“…”

Harnier pushed the chair back.

Slowly, she climbed onto the cot where Karsein lay.

She pressed herself against him, embracing him tightly. Skin touched skin, breaths mingled.

And then, lacing her fingers together with the hand that still bore the ring she had never taken off, she sniffled.

“…I’ll scold you endlessly when you wake up, Karsein.”

There were so many things she wanted to say to him.