The Damn Family Is Back Again chapter 126

126. The Azure Internal Medicine (3)

The original plan was to stay in Rusmayel and wait until Isabella, not Arina, called Karsein.

If I went back to that, Arina would certainly receive criticism for not reporting her absence.

However, after seeing this memorial, my thoughts changed.

Karsein, who was hiding the fact that he had the Azure Internal Medicine, was caught by Claire and couldn’t even move.

That was the worst situation for me right now.

I hadn’t revealed that I had become the lord of Rusmayel.

I didn’t reveal what I was doing while governing that land.

Moreover, I had continued the transaction with the Duke of Aifelos, so it was a situation that was no different from before.

So, it wasn’t the time to stay in Rusmayel.

Before this transaction ended, it was better to return to the palace and take the blame instead.

When I return to the duke’s mansion, I’ll get scolded for doing whatever I want, and Ariana will be furious.

Isabella will also get annoyed due to the sudden notification-less outing.

Claire will watch this situation from the side and might even give me a pinch.

Florence will see me getting scolded and snicker, ridiculing me.

That’s my future.

But, it’s not like I’m afraid of it.

This kind of thing is just a daily routine for me.

Having to go through this twice is just ridiculous, but for me, it’s just another day.

Intimacy? Bring it down a notch.

I don’t plan on getting close to this family anyway.

It doesn’t matter even if my reputation drops; it’s not like I care. Even if it does, I can just recover in the next episode.

So, there’s no need to make it a big deal like during the memorial ceremony.

I’ll just explain everything straightforwardly, take the anger head-on, and give them what they want. That’s all.

It’s always been like that.

I just need to prepare myself to leave this house.

– Tingling!

As I arrived at the duke’s mansion, a system message popped up.

It was the news that Episode IV had been cleared.

Thanks to that, I chose to return to the duke’s mansion, and Claire also returned, according to the report.

“That’s right. All four of you need to be there. That way, you won’t just vent your anger on me?”

I chuckled and grasped the reins.

***

As I arrived at the duke’s mansion, Heron looked at me and bowed his head.

Behind him, Ariana glared at me with anger in her eyes, and Shayden seemed tired from meeting me earlier.

And, as expected.

▶ Late Return Penalty is in effect.◀

▶ You have been outside for a long time. The Outing Penalty has been strengthened.◀

▶ The Outing Penalty is in effect!◀

A penalty worse than the Late Return Penalty, the Outing Penalty.

A penalty even worse than that, the Outing Penalty, appeared in the system message.

“There are many things I want to say to you, Carsein.”

Ariana threatened me in a low, menacing tone.

This is just something I’m used to.

I was prepared for my intimacy to decrease.

“Go back to your room, wash up, and dress properly. Then, come down to the dining hall.”

Ariana replied curtly and turned around.

Going back to my room, washing up, and dressing properly is just a familiar demand from Ariana.

And the designated location is the dining hall, it seems.

If I’m not careful, I might get hit with food here.

This is just what I expected, anyway.

The formal reprimand seemed to be starting from there, but I didn’t pay much attention and just went down in words.

Then, Dr. Shayden, our manager, approached me with a worried expression and asked, “Didn’t you say you’d take it easy and come back later, milord? Or did Claire not convey your message properly?”

It seemed that Claire had indeed called Shayden, judging from the medicine bottle that was there.

“No, I heard it correctly.”

“But how can you be in such a hurry at Rusmayeur, milord? Your body will suffer. It would be better if you listened to us and took it easy.”

Shayden said that he would directly report my health condition, and it would be better to make a request for the next time.

At this, Herron chimed in.

“I also think the same as Shayden, milord. Why don’t you take a rest in your room with your friend and make a request later?”

Their reactions showed that they already knew something.

I knew I would hear complaints as soon as I returned to the mansion.

But I didn’t care.

“It’s fine. It’s just nagging anyway.”

Shayden let out a deep sigh.

“Milord Carsein…”

“It’s not like my body will get hurt just from listening to a few words.”

Herron also let out a deep sigh, and it was so deep that I could hear it even as I was heading to the mansion.

It didn’t take long to wash my body.

Changing clothes took even less time.

Thanks to that, I could quickly leave my room and head to the dining room.

‘Am I the last one?’

Isabella and Arena were already seated in their places.

I sat down calmly and said, “I stayed out late simply because I was in a bad mood.”

“What?”

Arena’s eyebrows twitched.

On the contrary, Floria was staring at me with trembling eyes.

“Hey, did you really stay out that long without notifying the mansion just because you were in a bad mood?”

Arena looked incredulous, asking me again if that was true.

And I,

“Yeah.”

Briefly nodded in confirmation.

“…Is that really true, Carsein?”

Isabella also asked, and my answer was the same.

“Yes, I just didn’t feel like coming back because I was annoyed.”

“Wait a minute! You…!”

“You followed me and only hurt my feelings, Floria. That’s why I got annoyed and stayed out, right?”

I blocked any room for excuses.

And getting scolded was definitely less painful than being misunderstood.

“Ruschmeyer Young Master is coming. Whatever he does in his territory is his business, and whether he continues to trade is also his decision. I wonder what’s wrong with him, sending even Claire to bring me back.”

Now Arina will get angry.

I’ll have to be criticized for my mistakes one by one, and Isabella will cover her face with her hand, thinking “This guy’s done it again.” Claire isn’t here, so I can’t get scolded, but Flora will be snickering.

It’s all my fault anyway.

“Hurry up and scold me. I’ll take the punishment and be done with it.”

I waited for my family’s reaction with a gloomy expression.

But.

-Knock, knock.

“Madam, Claire and a guest have arrived.”

What guest is this?

***

“Claire, you’ve arrived—”

Before the coachman could finish speaking, Claire jumped out of the carriage and rushed towards the mansion.

“Claire?”

“Herond, is Karsein?”

“He entered a little while ago…”

“Oh no, crazy! He’s already gone in?”

I hurriedly asked the coachman, but it seemed Karsein had arrived before me, and I let out a frustrated remark.

“You can take your time to freshen up and change clothes. They’ll be heading to the dining hall around now.”

“Is that so? Ha, that idiot. Luckily, I can still stop him.”

Someone rebuked Claire’s harsh words.

“Oh, don’t speak like that, Claire.”

“…Arsien?”

I hadn’t noticed Arsien’s presence due to my haste.

“You should maintain your dignity. As a noble from the esteemed Bagrand Duke’s family, you shouldn’t use such harsh language. What will other nobles think?”

“Why are you here?”

Claire asked with a blank expression, as if she had forgotten there were others watching, and Arsien chuckled, brushing his silver hair back.

“Hmm, I’m not sure I want to say that. Ah, didn’t they say the Duke’s family would be gathering in the dining hall? It seems you’ll be heading there soon too, Claire.”

“That’s true, but…”

Claire avoided eye contact, trying to change the subject.

It wouldn’t be good to let Arsien see Karsein’s impending trouble.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a meal at the Bagrand Duke’s family. Shall we go in?”

“Eh? Ah, Arsien! Yeah, let’s go together!”

Before Claire could stop her, Arsien was already walking towards the dining hall.

The two of them arrived at the dining hall.

Isabella, who had confirmed Arsien’s identity as the first guest to enter, stood up from her seat.

“Greetings, Your Highness Arsien.”

From noble mtl dot com

Arina, Flora, and even Karsein didn’t exception.

They all stood up to show respect to the royal guest.

Arsien, who had been watching, observed Karsein’s transformation.

“Wow, you’ve really changed a lot. Your body has become incredibly toned, and your etiquette is also exceptional.”

It was clear even to the naked eye that his muscles had bulked up significantly compared to before.

It was likely that Harinee had personally taught him etiquette.

So, there was nothing to pick on.

Moreover…

The other side had also changed a lot.

“This time, at the Eastern Noble Assembly, it’s going to be a real commotion.”

Arsien chuckled and gestured for him to sit down.

“I’m sorry. I apologize for not giving you prior notice and showing up like this. However, I have a good reason for coming to meet you all. As the inspector of the Eastern Noble Assembly and as a representative of the imperial family, I have important business to attend to.”

-Clang.

Arsien sat down in the chair next to Carsein, who was seated at the outermost seat, and continued talking.

“Why don’t we have a meal together and discuss this later? Would that be alright?”

There was no awkwardness in his actions.

However, it was clear to Arsien’s eyes.

“It’s just like they don’t know anything. Even with something this big happening, they’re still clueless.”

The unawareness of the duke’s family was almost laughable.

***

“Mm, the cooking skills of Bagrand’s chef are still the same. I used to come here often and eat.”

“The food suits the princess’s taste, thankfully.”

“I’ve never had a dish from Bagrand that didn’t suit my taste. The duchess and the young ladies always put in a lot of effort.”

“More flattery.”

“Oh, it’s true, though.”

With Arsien’s arrival, the heavy atmosphere that had prevailed until a moment ago had vanished.

What was supposed to be a formal inquiry or interrogation had already turned into a dinner conversation.

“This conversation can be put off for later.”

It couldn’t be helped.

If I brought it up again in front of the princess, I would be embarrassing Arina and tarnishing the reputation of her family.

All I wanted to do was draw a line under my actions and maintain my deal with Rusemeyer and Aifelros, eliminating other variables. But if I did that, unnecessary trouble would arise, and variables would only increase.

So, I decided to keep quiet until the conversation with the princess was over.

But…

The topic suddenly changed.

“By the way, does everyone know about that? The western front, which defends against the demons, has become even stronger.”

“I’ve heard about it. The situation on the western front was urgent, and they finally received the supplies they needed.”

“I’ve also heard. The imperial family provided financial support by collecting taxes, but I heard that the supplies were still lacking…”

Arina and Isabella responded in agreement.

Those two still didn’t know the story. As long as I didn’t bring it up, they wouldn’t know.

“…Maybe.”

At that moment, Arsien smiled faintly.

“It’s not just about selling supplies. A new technology has been discovered.”

▶The result is beyond selection, and the princess, Arsiene Rihern Pesseros, has been designated as a helper!◀

▶Arsiene has noticed the unnaturalness of the duke’s household!◀

▶With Arsiene’s protection, the 1st penalty has been reduced!◀