41 – 41. Towards where the inner heart leads (2)
Harnier’s eyes widened when the conversation turned to a deal.
“In a situation like this.”
“There’s nothing strange about it, right? You’ve hit the nail on the head.”
…
“That doesn’t mean I’m trying to make a bad offer. Well, just forget I said anything.”
What’s the point of explaining the reason?
The reason he was moving away from that street was because of his family.
He deliberately distanced himself, aware that he was being watched by his family.
It doesn’t really matter if he says he was walking to clear his head instead of attending the festival during his free time.
But it seems like Harnier doesn’t want to say that.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do that.”
“Why not?”
“You said it yourself. I boarded a ship. I’m grateful that Master Karsein helped me with my work, but shouldn’t this be treated separately?”
“Do you need to know my situation? Is that what you’re trying to say?”
“Yes. Like Master Karsein said, I might be able to help too.”
Since they are bound by a contract, it’s not necessarily a bad thing to help each other for their respective goals.
However, there is also a line that needs to be drawn.
“I don’t consider it a very good choice.”
“I know. Since we are engaged through a contract, it’s best to satisfy only the parts that benefit each other to a reasonable extent.”
“Even though you know that, why are you making such a proposal?”
Harnier narrowed his eyes at her words.
“I’ll go wherever my true feelings lead me. Just like you helped me, I want to help you too.”
…
With her beautiful appearance, she smiled mischievously and spoke again.
“If it doesn’t feel right, let’s consider it a transaction. Like Confucius said, we’re on the same boat, aren’t we?”
The words I used to convince her have come back to me.
I had nothing to say.
But more than that…
I still can’t adapt.
To a situation where I receive help from someone.
“Since this isn’t the right place to talk, shall we get on the carriage first?”
Harnier signaled to get on the carriage.
It was getting late.
I thought it was about time to return to the mansion.
“That’s right.”
But it seems that my time with my fiancée is not over yet.
***
Now, taking the familiar etiquette, I escorted her to the carriage and this time, we got on together.
After a while, when the carriage started moving, Harnier took the initiative.
“First, shall I give it a try too? Why you were there.”
“Hmm. Then could you give me a moment to think?”
“Sure. Since it’ll take some time to get to the mansion anyway.”
It didn’t take long.
The time I needed was just to break away from the festival with Harnier and face reality again.
About ten seconds.
That was enough.
“First of all, I didn’t come here to enjoy the festival as you expected. I was walking in the opposite direction of the festival street because of that.”
Harnier guessed and expressed his thoughts, saying, “As expected.”
“As you may know, I am not the legitimate child of the Bagrand Duke. I’m just a child picked up from outside. That’s why my position within the Duke’s family is very unfavorable.”
“…No way.”
She would start to figure out the reason little by little.
“You probably remember the purpose of this contracted engagement that I mentioned to you at the time of the agreement.”
“I know… but, that’s…”
With surprised eyes, she stares straight at me.
It’s a look that says she doesn’t understand. But on the other hand, she must have guessed that there’s a reason that makes sense.
“To escape from the Bagrand Duke’s family. It would sound strange just to hear it like that. People would ask why someone who enjoys the highest power and wealth after the royal family in this empire, standing at the peak of the nobility, would want to leave voluntarily. Even if it were a pauper who used to wander around the slums, they would call it a crazy act.”
Because that’s what’s normal and logical.
But.
“On the contrary, because someone like a commoner became a noble. Because someone who shouldn’t have received those privileges received them. Because I climbed that mountain without knowing the subject. I have become the target of deeper disdain and condemnation than anyone else in this empire.”
I am being closely watched.
In every small action, I am suspected and hindered.
And as if that weren’t enough, I am falsely accused and rumors spread about me.
“Even if you cry out that it’s unfair, it doesn’t matter. Even your own family doesn’t believe you; suspicion and reproach come first. The heavy burden of false accusation has already swollen to the point where it not only affects the nobles but also the aristocrats.”
“The aristocrats… Wait, does that mean your own family…!”
Harnier’s eyes filled with sympathy, as if understanding his feelings.
There was no need for further explanation.
“It’s the price I pay for overflowing talent. I am not treated as family in Bagrand.”
The family that should have been allies has transformed into enemies.
And not just any enemies, but the worst kind.
Therefore, Karsen Bagrand chose this one-year engagement.
To escape from Bagrand.
To abandon this status, which is better off nonexistent, and to build the strength to live in the world alone.
That’s why he started this contract.
Harnier, who understood and sympathized with the situation, fell silent for a moment.
“I’m sorry. I thought I could help, but if it’s like this, there’s not much I can do…”
“No, it’s not true. You have done a lot to help me.”
“Have I?”
With a completely puzzled expression, Harnier looked at me, and I smiled and made a few requests.
Harnier still looked confused even after hearing them.
“Is that not possible?”
“It’s not impossible… Are you really okay with that?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Yes.”
Whether it’s okay or not.
That’s all. It will be useful to me.
-hehehehe!
As this conversation was coming to an end, the carriage stopped.
The coachman announced their arrival at the Countess Theresa’s mansion, and she prepared to disembark.
Aligning herself with the proper etiquette, Harnier pursed his lips.
“It’s no fun teaching you. In situations like this, you should make some mistakes to scold yourself and relieve stress.”
“You must have learned very well. I will take it as a compliment.”
“But there’s still a lot for you to learn, right? Are you prepared? I’m a strict teacher, so I’ll scold you severely.”
“Hmm. In that case, I need to review. I have no choice but to look at that book again…”
“That, that book should be thrown away. Definitely throw it away!”
***
After taking her to the mansion while she grumbled, it was already late at night when he returned.
“Well, the story did get longer than I thought.”
To use the skip scene, I had to waste some time and come back.
If he returned home after a certain time, the time for conversation with the characters would be shortened, and he might not even meet them at all.
From Carcine’s perspective, it was better not to encounter them as much as possible. That way, he could more surely obtain what he wanted.
However, he had to time it perfectly for that result. If he was a little late, he would end up encountering his family again.
Roughly speaking, it might be the timing when the fireworks start and the power struggle continues at the night market. If I hadn’t met Harnier at that time, I would have returned.
As late as it was, I had to meet at least one person and go in.
“There it is, just over there.”
Through the window, pink wavy hair flutters.
It must be Claire.
“Is it fortunate in misfortune?”
Florana Arina was a much better opponent than Isabella.
“We have arrived, Lord Cassein.”
The news came from the carriage driver, Theresa Houjaka, who took me to the mansion.
As I got off the carriage, I carefully took out the money from my pocket and handed it over.
“Thank you. Consider it a tip.”
“No, my lord. It’s not a tip. I just did what a carriage driver should do.”
“You’ve been back and forth to the mansion twice until this late. You deserve to be paid for it. Also, not to mention, I hope you consider my dignity a little.”
“My lord…”
The carriage driver gratefully bowed her head and took the money.
This money is actually borrowed from Harnier, not mine… Well, this shouldn’t be a big problem.
The carriage departs.
Claire must have witnessed this scene nearby, and I maintained the dignity of Bagrand.
The number of times I could be caught with a book has been reduced.
I’m sure I’ll be scolded for coming back late, but at least I won’t be caught for this. The rest is up to my discretion.
“Karsein!”
Claire confirmed my presence and shouted as she hurried down the stairs.
Then, she looked me up and down, making a strange noise.
“No injuries… Ha. That’s a relief.”
“Why are you like this? It’s creepy.”
As I pushed Claire’s hand away and said that, her pink bangs fluttered from my breath.
And then she pinched my cheek.
“What’s wrong?”
“Creepy? Hey, you find it creepy in this situation? Huh?”
It doesn’t hurt, but something feels off.
I quickly removed Claire’s hand and spoke.
“Then isn’t it creepy to grope my body and lean your face in? You should think about what you usually do.”
“This is real!”
This time, she pinched my side.
Ugh. Seriously, my second sister is so annoying because she’s just like me in temperament and everything.
After my body twisted a few times, Claire naturally removed her hand.
And then, whether it was because I felt a little relieved, Claire got to the point.
“Go to work earlier! Do you have to wander outside until this late? If you were one minute late, I almost ordered the knights to find you.”
“Geez. Why would you do something like that?”
When I responded curtly, Claire showed her fierce expression again.
“Why? Because I was worried, of course.”
– Ding!
[1. (Sniffing) You’re talking about worry, huh?]
[2. (Nonchalantly) Ah, sorry for being late. It’s fine, right? I’m tired, so can I come in?]
[3. (Flipping the bird) Screw you. Mind your own business.]
[4. (Looking away) I was just really angry, that’s all.]
The choices appeared.
In the meantime, Claire maintained her sharp gaze and continued speaking.
“I remember that incident too. You came back all beaten up and hugged your mother. When I think about it… there’s no way I wouldn’t worry.”
As Claire complained, it seemed as if she had lost her mind after eating spicy fish cakes today.
She considered mixing in some other words, just in case.
“After coming back like that and lying sick in bed for a while, you even caught a cold from staying outside in the snow. That’s why I checked your body first.”
Surprisingly, unlike Arina, who couldn’t remember anything, Claire remembered the time of the snow festival quite well.
Normally, she would choose option 2 and go in a direction that didn’t go against her instincts.
But, at this moment…
Choosing option 4 seemed like a good enough way to move on.
“I was just really angry, that’s all.”
Upon hearing that, Claire fell silent for a moment and murmured softly.
“…Right. From your perspective, it would naturally be that way. It’s our fault.”
“Did Arina say something?”
-Nod.
“Nodding, I turned off the raging fire and went around with the knights to find you, but when I came back, Unni had already told everything to Mom. She said she already knew?”
There was no need to deny it, and that’s why I had the upper hand.
So I gave her the answer.
“After Unni said she would take responsibility from then on, she told Mom not to scold you. I… also apologized because I did something wrong. Now it’s too late, so I thought you would be looking for me.”
“You’re looking for me?”
“When you came back beaten up that day, Unni was really worried for a while. She even held onto the hairband you gave her and just drank alcohol.”
“…”
“So I thought the same thing might happen again this time. Since it’s so dark now, I ordered people to release you and find you. If you had seen Unni’s expression at that time, you would never worry about why.”
That’s how Claire told me what happened during the time I was gone.
“So, let go of your anger. Don’t stay locked up in your room like you did a few days ago. Today… you can even go out and play with your fiancée. Unni said the ban on going out has been lifted.”
Claire’s words, which had always been sharp, were a little bitter.
It was because of what happened before. It seemed to be because of that.
But.
“You would have said the same thing about why I worry. Claire.”
I’d rather be on the side that doesn’t care.
Swallowing those words, I scrolled through my status window again.
As expected, it didn’t pop up.
At this timing, the original choices were supposed to appear.
Claire’s line telling me not to stay locked up in my room had changed, and I was supposed to go to the mansion, saying it was my freedom to decide whether to stay locked up or not.
The progression in the game had changed.
And it was in my favor, greatly.
My eyes were drawn to the intimacy box almost involuntarily.
[ Claire Bagram ]
[ Intimacy: 27% ]
“…Is that so.”
Ever since the game started, Isabella’s intimacy level had risen to 30%.
And Claire’s intimacy level, which had been gradually increasing, was almost on par with hers.
It was highly likely that intimacy had an impact on the progression.
As I stared at Claire’s intimacy box, something fell from above.
They were small, white objects.
“And you, Karsein, you used to… No. No, this is not what I wanted to say.”
“What is it?”
“Oh my god. I don’t know! Ask your sister directly. Hurry up and come inside since it’s snowing. Don’t get sick and lie down again.”
Claire, whose lips were turning pale from the cold, urged me to go inside quickly.
Unlike in the game, I was able to follow Claire into the mansion without any trouble.
“But, Karsein. Did I forget something?”
“Forgot something?”
“Isn’t there something important? Really important.”
What is it? What else is there?
What I forgot on this route…
“Is there really nothing?”
-Thud!
“Ah!”
Seeing my completely clueless reaction, Claire smacked the back of my head.
Ugh. Of all places, why there? And it was Harnie who hit me…!
“Oh my! It’s my fault for expecting. Just take care of your fiancée!”
After that, I walked away, seething with anger.
Asking a question and then getting mad at myself, what’s up with that?
This is just my personal opinion, but…
Are all second-borns always like this?