The Damn Family Is Back Again chapter 132

132. Spring Outing (2)

My original plan was to stay in Rusmail for as long as possible and then return to the ducal house.

There were nobles in Rusmail who were trying to get involved with Karsein’s territory, and I was also worried about a possible deal with the Aifelos Marquis family.

I wanted to visit the Shatren territory and gather more information if possible.

However, there was a different reason.

The problem was that I would be restricted in my movements from the moment the next episode started, and I couldn’t do anything.

This was exactly the second penalty.

The first penalty occurs when you first meet your family, but the second penalty always occurs with Claire.

The content was that Clare had fixed the date for the spring outing, so Carsein was being dragged around like during the Snowflake Festival, and that was it.

“But didn’t Clare entrust me with the schedule?”

Considering the penalty from the guild event, it didn’t seem likely, but… there was no penalty window in front of me.

It was literally just completing the sub-episode.

“…Is it because of intimacy?”

Yeah. There was only one possible explanation.

It was intimacy.

Yesterday, the number had risen to 78%, and the tears I had shed were faintly visible. Clare’s reaction was also unusual in many ways.

No. It wasn’t just that.

The penalty itself didn’t occur.

[ Arina Bagrand ]

[ Intimacy: 32% ]

[ Isabella Bagrand ]

[ Intimacy: 65% ]

The intimacy levels of the other family members were also rising.

Especially Arina’s, which had risen by 10%.

Since the penalty didn’t appear, it seemed reasonable to think that Carsein had covered up all her mistakes.

Whatever had happened, it was beneficial to me.

I wasn’t foolish enough to waste the opportunity given to me.

“Then, let’s depart two days later.”

Once you start getting dragged around, there’s no way to escape from the family’s grasp, unlike during the Snowflake Festival.

With a packed schedule, including taking portraits, paying respects to the royal family, and meeting with other nobles, there’s no way to free up time.

So, from today to tomorrow.

It was right to gather information about Shatren and Lilpeton in advance and prepare for the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

“Two days later. Hmm.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to go a bit faster? People will be crowded due to the cherry blossoms.”

“If we go now, we’ll only see the unopened cherry blossoms.”

“What?”

“Cherry blossoms bloom all at once, and besides, the peak blooming season is actually a bit later, so it’s better to go a day or two later.”

“…”

“…”

At that, Arina and Isabella’s eyes widened.

What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?

“You knew that much about cherry blossoms?”

“Did you, Carsein, like cherry blossoms that much?”

Ah, thinking about it, these people are nobles.

They’re going to see the cherry blossoms as a form of entertainment, unlike commoners who go to see them on a whim.

Although unintentional, it seemed like this conversation could be blocked.

“What, I was originally a commoner, so…”

At that, Arina’s brow slightly furrowed, and Isabella let out a sigh.

As expected.

“Alright, we’re leaving in two days, so let’s pack our bags.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Isabella, who quickly wraps up the conversation, and Arina, who responds to her.

Our conversation ended like that.

– Tingling!

▶ Sub-episode. The daily routine has ended.◀

▶ Proceed to the main episode corresponding to the current date and term.◀

▶ Episode IV. The Spring Outing Begins.◀

The route I had planned to take proceeded as usual.

I even gained some time, and the result was quite satisfactory.

Ah.

But there’s one more thing left.

“Why did you have to say something like that in a good atmosphere?”

As soon as we stepped out of the office, Arina frowned and glared at me.

“It’s not like I said anything wrong, did I?”

“Carsein.”

“I was a commoner, so I should know better. But I don’t think I need to lie to you.”

“Hmm.”

This time, she shook her head, tilting it to the side.

“Don’t mess around during meetings. If you act like this again, I won’t forgive you.”

Arina, who was annoyed, walked ahead of me.

“Ah, by the way, Flora has been studying hard lately.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s something you should take care of. Like today.”

What? No, why do I have to…

– Tingling!

▶ Sub-episode. Flora’s Study Begins.◀

‘Huh?’

This is ridiculous.

Is a sub-episode suddenly starting like this?

“You, Carsein, don’t have any separate business to attend to. On the other hand, Mother, I, and Claire are all busy every day, so we can’t lend a hand. Flora is finally trying to study properly, so it’s better to ask for your help rather than a home tutor. Isn’t that right?”

“…”

“Anyway, teach her like that. At the tea party, we didn’t take care of Flora properly. If we do it right this time, I’ll let it slide.”

As the sound of footsteps faded away, my cold blood began to flow.

How did the situation become like this?

– You’re the only one with time to spare, while everyone else is busy. So, you’ll have to teach the youngest one. I heard the same thing at that house, too.

But I didn’t expect to hear it here as well.

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the absurdity.

“Yes, I know.”

But I won’t do something stupid like that again.

As long as Flora leaves a trail of studying hard, I’ll be fine.

***

Flora, who had taken Karcein to the afternoon tea party.

Although she had started studying, opening the book she hated, there was still a big empty space in the mansion.

Whenever there was a meal, one seat was always empty.

When the maids came to take away the laundry, there was always one set missing.

The number of meal carts was always one short, and the number of meals taken away was also one less.

And…

Even the sound of footsteps in the corridor had disappeared.

After realizing that Karcein’s seat had disappeared from the mansion, I started to spend time gazing out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

I would often think, “What if he really doesn’t come back?” and feel anxious.

I thought that maybe he didn’t want to come back because of me, and that thought made me uneasy.

I tried to shake off that anxiety and gazed out the window every day.

“…”

Even now, when I think back to that time, I feel anxious, so I shake my head.

I sat down in a chair, trying to shake off the gloomy feeling, and opened a book.

“Well, Karcein did come back, so it’s okay…”

He might still be angry.

Although the little sister had brought Karcein back from Rusmeier, the reason for his anger was because of me, who had taken him to the afternoon tea party.

I knew through the words of Princess Arsien that Karcein had been doing well, but the fact that he had a bad experience couldn’t be changed.

Even if the wound had healed, Karcein said it was because of his bad mood that he didn’t come back.

The reason for his bad mood was because of me.

There was no contradiction in his words.

Therefore, Karcein’s anger wouldn’t subside.

Not in the past, nor in the present.

The Kelveia fruit I had planted was still circulating around Karcein.

– Tick, tick.

So, I had no choice but to study.

To not hurt him anymore, I had to learn a little more and reduce the pain caused by the Kelveia fruit.

Among the subjects, math was the most difficult and hated, but I had to master it to receive lessons on medicine and treatment from Shayden’s side.

Only then could I finally remove the Kelveia fruit that was attached to Karcein’s side.

To make a medicine that could neutralize the effects of the Kelveia fruit and hand it to him myself.

Flora opened her book and started writing for that purpose alone.

But…

She suddenly felt gloomy again.

The problem Karcein had taught her was laid out in front of her eyes.

From noble mtl dot com

“…I liked it. It’s what Carsein taught me.”

I dropped my book like a fool, then picked it up again.

I asked Carsein to solve a problem for me without thinking, and as soon as I realized my mistake, I tried to take it back. But unexpectedly, Carsein willingly taught me.

Just the fact that the problem was solved was satisfying enough.

But what was even more satisfying was that Carsein was the one who solved it.

As I listened to his voice, which explained things in a few short sentences, I didn’t feel too bad about receiving lessons from my “oppa” (older brother).

I even had some expectations, thinking that maybe my anger would dissipate a little.

It was a hope that was close to a wish.

“Teach me… will you try?”

As I muttered to myself, filled with hope, a light knock sounded in Flora’s room.

Flora got up from her desk and opened the door a crack.

“Who…?”

Before she could finish her question, her strength seemed to drain away, just like when she dropped her book.

“Ca, Carsein…? Why are you…?”

He was there.

It was Carsein, who had just been helping me with my studies.

I didn’t know what was going on, but he told me to come in.

Then Carsein entered the room, closed the door, and immediately picked up a pen to fold the paper that Flora had written on, layer by layer, along the creases.

As he precisely tore along the lines, a rectangular solid finally took shape.

“If you’re not good at spatial reasoning, it’s better to fold it yourself to check. Two points are here and here. If you connect them with a line, the longest diagonal line will be created from the two side faces. 3D and 2D are clearly different.”

“Ah…!”

One problem that had been stuck was suddenly solved.

Flora swallowed hard and carefully asked.

“Are you going to teach me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“That’s something you don’t need to know. I’ll help you with your math studies for about an hour or two a day.”

Help with math studies?

And for an hour or two a day?

Flora’s lips began to curl up.

Why had Carsein come to find her? But if he was here to help with her studies, maybe her anger would dissipate a little?

“No, that’s not it!”

I need to study hard.

Yes, that’s right!

-Ding!

[ Please don’t ■■■, ■■■■. ]

[ Score: 85% ]

***

“…”

Harnie’s focus blurred again in her eyes.

It was time to stare blankly into space once more.

“Again, she’s like that.”

Mina, who was watching Harnie, let out a sigh without anyone noticing.

It was impossible to count how many times this had happened today alone.

Mina, who was waiting for a report from Harnie, finally got up from her seat.

“Ah, Ga-ssi?”

“Huh?! Ugh?!”

Harnie, who was sitting, let out a startled cry and jumped up, flapping her arms like a bird.

“What, what’s wrong, Mina? Why suddenly…”

“It’s because you’re not reviewing the report and just spacing out, so I had to come. We have a lot of work to do anyway.”

“Ah… really?”

When Mina replied, Harnie looked hesitant, brushing her bangs aside.

“But why are you so surprised?”

“I’m not surprised or anything…”

“You’re thinking about something else, aren’t you? You’ve been like this since you came back from Rusmayeur. Did something happen there?”

-Bang!

“What’s going on?! Nothing happened!”

Mina stared at Harnie with a piercing gaze.

“Heh, it seems our lady has changed somehow?”

Her ears turned red, and it was quite noticeable.

It wasn’t just her ears; her cheeks were also slightly flushed, and her eyes kept blinking repeatedly.

Including her over-the-top reaction, it was clear that something had happened in Rusmayeur.

Mina, sensing that Harnie was different from usual, smiled slyly and teased her.

“Did Lord Karsein not give you a hug this time? Hehe.”

“Mina! What’s with the hug?!”

“It’s nice to have body contact in the cold winter. It’s not like we’re going to get cold, and it’s nice to feel each other’s body warmth. Ah, lady.”

Half of it was a joke, but since they had been close together in the carriage before, the scene came to mind, and Mina said it out loud.

She wanted to see what kind of reaction she would get, so she checked…

“It’s not warm at all! It’s not warm, and it’s not like we’re going to touch each other…!!”

“Kyaa, lady! Using a cushion to hit is cheating!”

…Somehow, her reaction was even more intense?

Did they hug each other tightly or something?