27 – 27. Belated Birthday Present (6)
“The calculation is done. It’s perfect when you add the money the young lady gave.”
The merchant, who had shown signs of wanting to chase us away because he thought we didn’t have enough money, quickly returned in a materialistic manner and completed the transaction.
However, even though the transaction was completed, my heart was still uneasy.
I had prepared for the best possible outcome, just like in the game, but it left a lingering discomfort that I didn’t personally pay for the entire amount of money to purchase it.
Moreover, Camilla, who is working at the Duke’s house to pay for her sick mother’s medicine, paid some of the money. It bothered me that she, who reacted so sensitively to money, paid on my behalf.
“Everything is packed. Do you need anything else?”
“No.”
There’s no point in thinking about it any further.
Yes. Let’s just go back for now.
I don’t know why she gave me some of the money, but since the dead trigger related to the character Camilla in the game has persisted to the very end, I need to be careful.
▶ Episode IV’s outing branch is in progress! ◀
▶ Ride the horse and return to the Duke’s house in Bagrand. ◀
Anyway, I’ll ask her later.
The status window is also responding without moving. Looking around, the sun is just about to set. Regardless of the situation, I needed to leave here quickly.
Between the setting sun that had begun to disappear and the revealed twilight, I silently held the reins and shook them.
.
.
.
Before I knew it, the sun had completely set and the twilight had disappeared, allowing me to re-enter the Duke’s house with Camilla.
Camilla remained quiet throughout the ride, still not saying a word. Honestly, I had thought she would be the first to speak.
“Thank you.”
When getting on and off the horse.
Apart from expressing gratitude like this, there was no other conversation.
“Is there something bothering her?”
As long as the situation where Karceine, her owner, held the leash continued, this could be an opportunity for Camilla to counterattack.
If they both had weaknesses, it could create room for negotiation. So, I moved in advance to prepare for this situation…
Even now, as she arrived at the duke’s estate by carriage, Camilla remained silent. Only when the stablehand left did she finally speak.
“I’ll carry the items myself. Your Grace, please go inside first.”
“It’s fine. What’s so difficult about me carrying them myself?”
“Well, you must be tired. It would be better for you to go inside and rest quickly.”
“…I’m not tired from just going there and back.”
“Still, if someone else doesn’t do this, it might look bad, Your Grace.”
Camilla’s reaction was strange. It was an awkward sight for someone who was just carrying items.
It’s better to go inside and rest because you might be tired.
If someone else doesn’t do it, it might look bad.
Camilla seemed to resist internally, but she didn’t seem to be the type to easily accept kind words.
“If that’s the case…”
I pondered deeply.
In fact, Camilla may have shown signs even before this.
In each of the Dead Triggers that were born from her entanglement, there must have been a story mixed in, so there would definitely be some signs in these reactions. Just like in the game.
“Well then, the key is when did they show such a tempting bait.”
I started to think about each timing.
When choosing an item? When avoiding the shopkeeper’s gaze? When arriving at the destination?
No. Not here. There are no signs, so I have to go further.
So I moved forward. Rewinding my memories further, a significant conversation comes to mind.
“Although I’m not sure where you’re going… if you take me with you, it will definitely be helpful.”
“It seemed like the maidservant was watching your movements, my lord.”
That was when she asked him to take her with him, while indicating the maidservant’s surveillance.
If I can recall up to this point, I could vaguely guess Camilla’s intention.
‘She wants me to leave here quickly. Before reporting it, before encountering someone important.’
Then I definitely shouldn’t leave this place.
“Why are you coming back so late? Lord Carsein.”
There is no reason to engage in a risky fight in the first place.
***
Episode III. After finishing Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony, Carsein is mainly given two choices.
The choice to visit the training ground and the choice to go out.
Whichever it may be, it was a moment when a real decision-making point emerged for Carsein.
If he chooses the former, he can increase his intimacy with Arina. This is a branch that builds up the perception that Carsein is making up for what he did in the past, and it may have a positive impact on the future Dead Triggers that will arise, not only for Arina.
However, there is a penalty of cleaning the training ground. This is both a waste of time and quite difficult considering Carsein’s physical condition.
In the current situation, by choosing the latter, Isabella’s call can be ignored. It grants the rightful privilege of a birthday gift, allowing freedom of action for a designated period of time.
There is an advantage in being able to obtain items in advance like this… but meeting Emma as a penalty puts me in a crisis.
If I had come a little earlier, I might have been able to avoid running into her. But there was also the time to make a contract with Harnie, and I was reluctant to return quickly in order to play the role of a lover.
So, this penalty is inevitable.
“Even as you age, my lord, you never change. I never expected you to be shooting outside until the sun sets. I really don’t understand why you only choose such awe-inspiring actions.”
Emma began to point out my behavior as if she had been waiting for it.
“Tsk.”
“W-What…! Are you mocking me?”
I couldn’t believe it, so I laughed it off. In response, Emma, whose pride was hurt, contorted her face and became furious.
In the meantime, the choice still hasn’t appeared.
Every time I saw that line, I swallowed the words “Who do you think you are?” in my mind. It was perfect since the choice hadn’t appeared yet.
“Is your back still stiff, Emma?”
“…!”
Emma’s confident expression was replaced with surprise in that moment.
“No, no. Your Highness Karzain Bagrand.”
Only a moment of surprise. This time, she bent her back straight and answered, correctly pronouncing my name and even adding my title.
It was quite comical to see her determined not to repeat the previous mistake, not even bending her back or changing her pronunciation.
It must have been quite embarrassing. A noblewoman who works in the distinguished profession of being the wife of the Duke of Bagrand, having to apologize to a mere commoner.
I absolutely don’t want to experience that again, not even for a second time.
After finishing the greeting, Emma muttered it under her breath and launched a counterattack.
“As the housekeeper of the Duke, I must ask why you went out without permission, Your Excellency. Why did you do that? Are you trying to gain the favor of the Madam in this way?”
“Hmm? Going out without permission? What nonsense is this? Did the nobles of the Phecillos Empire have a culture where even a mere housekeeper needed permission to go out?”
Emma was taken aback by the way he responded as if asking her to speak up. It was clear from her expression that her pride had been wounded.
However, Emma’s momentary confusion didn’t last long.
“Could such a thing be possible? I could never dare to allow Your Excellency to go out without permission. However, if Your Excellency wanted to go out, you should have sought permission from Miss Arina.”
She said it with a hint of trust.
-Ding!
At this point, the choices are bound to appear.
It is an undeniable fact that it is unreasonable no matter what, and there is nothing more foolish than emotionally attacking Emma.
Therefore, I have to first gently turn this situation around.
Using the method of claiming innocence as I always have.
“It’s the first time I’ve heard of this. Why do I need Arina’s permission to go out?”
“Your Excellency always needed the permission of the first Miss to go out. Perhaps, don’t you remember?”
Whether she thought she had brought it to a favorable situation or not, Emma spoke again with a confident attitude.
“It’s not just as the housekeeper. It was the same in the military office, on the day of the first Miss’s coming-of-age ceremony, and even in the territory that Your Excellency ruined. Moreover, didn’t you have restrictions on going out because of the accidents you caused?”
Her words were not wrong.
At that time, Karsein was actually under constant restriction from going out. Even if it was a place where the entire family had to attend, he made sure to keep a close watch so as not to leave him alone.
However, this was nothing more than a shallow trick.
That’s why I am confident and have not left this place.
Definitely. Without any contradictions.
There is a way to break Emma’s argument.
Alright. Shall I throw out a bait now?
“If you restricted going out, it is perfectly normal for me to hear it from Camilla first. I haven’t heard anything like that.”
“Well, my lord, perhaps you just forgot.”
“Oh, I forgot? Even though Camilla herself brought it up?”
“Even if that’s not the case, you often tell lies. You could have lied about forgetting.”
“What if I went out for a different reason?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“My lord, I’m sorry, but there’s no other reason for you to go out, is there? Please go quickly to the eldest young lady and groom yourself.”
Emma neatly bit the bait I threw.
Not once, but three times. She kept asking without fail.
“This is too much, Emma. I went out for a very important reason, and now I have to beg Ariana because of this?”
Then, as all the choices disappeared and one person hastily intervened in the conversation.
“Carsen, you have to beg your sister? What are you talking about?”
“K, Lady Claire.”
Nice to see you. Pink-haired girl.
***
I am in a quite unfavorable position. Carsen’s outings draw attention from various angles within the noble family.
Like when knights draw their swords and rush at him, claiming that he insulted them.
Similarly, causing a commotion within the noble family by claiming to have been insulted by a maid.
Or when during Ariana’s coming-of-age ceremony, he knocked down a nobleman in a brief moment.
He would receive all sorts of reports and petitions, claiming that he had ruined the estate’s economy.
Karsein was convinced that even a momentary absence or outing would cause trouble again.
He was in a state of constant unease, knowing that there was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode outside, unsure of what mischief it would cause.
Therefore, if he were to confront Emma head-on, he would be defeated. No matter what choice he made, it would inevitably damage the closeness of his family.
“But if my hearing becomes sharper, this story will change.”
Isn’t that right, Emma?
-Twitch!
When I responded with a glance, Emma’s complexion quickly turned pale.
“Tell me. What happened that you’re fighting with Emma?”
Ah, I hated how Claire always gave me bad endings, but right now I couldn’t feel secure.
Thanks to managing both the options and the closeness in advance, everything was fine.
I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly and replied.
“Grandpa told me to tell you. Since you went out without permission, you have to apologize to Arina.”
“Hmm. That’s what it was about.”
She said, resting her chin on her hand, alternating her gaze between me and Emma.
“Well, considering how many accidents you’ve caused, it’s only natural to raise concerns. It’s your responsibility.”
“So, you’re telling me to apologize to Arina?”
“No, it’s not that. If you just tell me why you went out, there shouldn’t be a big problem. If you had an accident or something, the letter from the mansion will arrive by tomorrow.”
At those words, Emma’s face turned pale.
On the other hand, I felt like my lips were about to curl up.
“So what? Why did you go outside?”
This was an opportunity that should never be missed.
“A birthday present.”
“What?”
“My mother gave me permission to go out as a birthday present.”
Claire’s eyes widened.
“What, what are you talking about? A birthday present?”
“Oh, right. You don’t know either?”
Stuttering, I told Claire, who was confused, once again with a sarcastic tone.
“My birthday is on December 31st.”
At that moment, Claire’s eyes lost their light.