77 – 77. Again, Breakfast Gathering (1)
A day had passed.
The body still felt sluggish. If the recovery speed is that fast, it might seem strange, but, I don’t know. Right now, the term “restless body” might be more appropriate.
Instead, spending most of the time in the room searching for various things, I managed to find out quite a bit.
The first thing was to figure out how far the episode had progressed.
After CHAPTER 1 ended, the intimacy among the family members increased, and everyone related to Emma and Theo faced a crisis.
As a reward for the disappearance of the Duke’s enemies, all threatening figures were leaving.
In short, CHAPTER 1 is the story within the Duke’s residence.
It can be seen as the main development of clearing the Duke’s reputation from the family’s accusations and refining Carcine’s position within the Duke’s residence.
After chatting with Harnier over a light meal, there were no signs of immediate branching decisions, so there was no need to rush.
Therefore, taking it step by step, it was clear that the current situation was just one episode ahead.
“Swoosh, swoosh…!”
-Ding!
▶Continuous exercise increases the maximum action power!◀
▶The required value for falling into a state beyond fatigue increases!◀
The second was the relaxation of stat increase restrictions.
Although the stat increase amount from simply doing push-ups in the room was not as high as running in the training field, stats went up just by doing light exercises like that.
This meant that even outside the training field, I could raise stats through light exercises.
However, as this restriction was lifted, a slightly peculiar situation arose.
■Carcine Vagrand■ – 18 years old
Lv. 10
▶Strength 3.96
▶Agility 5.17
▶Endurance 5.42
▶Stamina 3.00
▶Immunity 1.10
At first glance, it seemed that the stats filled in the training field were all that had increased, so there didn’t seem to be any problems up to this point.
But upon closer inspection, I could subtly notice something different.
Next to the level, the window displaying the held SP had disappeared.
In this game, upon leveling up, SP is given. It’s not very efficient, providing only 0.05 SP, which can be used to raise the desired stat, depending on the player’s choice.
However, I couldn’t use the held SP.
Not now, nor in the future, permanently.
From Noble mtl dot com
▶The held SP is automatically used for the ??? stat!◀
That’s because of this window.
Below, the mysterious ??? stat, which I had absentmindedly clicked on, had increased to 0.50.
Seeing it marked without my action, it seemed like some effect had permanently taken place.
But even I didn’t know what effect it held.
‘I’ve never seen this in the game.’
Anyway.
By clearing this chapter and triggering some kind of change, the relaxation of stat management constraints unlike in the game occurred, but in return, I couldn’t raise stats with SP.
The second change could be summarized like this.
‘Chapter 2 in this state.’
It was somewhat strange, but it wasn’t easy to consider both as losses.
Although there was no merit, there was no need to make major changes to the original plan.
“Sir. The lady suggests having breakfast with the family.”
Breakfast time.
It’s not a pleasant thought to have breakfast at this hour, but it might be better to go now.
“I’ll freshen up quickly and join you in the dining room.”
***
As I came out dressed, a woman who seemed to be following me bowed her waist.
Then, she smiled at me and greeted, “Nice to meet you, Sir Carcine. I’m Tasha Deol, who has newly entered the Duke’s residence.”
I thought Camilla would be waiting, but if it’s Tasha Deol…
‘She’s the new lady.’
By the way, it was around this time that a new housemaid had arrived.
Since Emma, who was a housemaid, had been dismissed after the events of Chapter 1, there would have been plenty of empty seats in the mansion.
Among the housemaids invited as the new housemaid, was a woman named Tasha Deol.
A significant point was that shortly after Chapter 2 began, she would join forces with Karsein…
“What is it? Why does that not seem to be all?”
Strangely, it felt like something was overlooked.
“Perhaps we’ve met separately before?”
“Yes?”
“Before the mansion, I mean. Since I’m a child picked up from a poor village, we could have met at some point.”
“I beg your pardon, but I first saw you here, sir.”
“Is that so?”
Hmm… Could it be that Karsein already knew? Maybe I was just overthinking. I tried to think that way and move on.
“But, sir, I have received great kindness from you.”
Tasha replied with a gentle smile.
“Great kindness?”
“hehehe. Yes.”
Was it just my imagination?
Perhaps because Emma had looked down on me so much, or maybe I wasn’t sure, but Tasha’s words didn’t seem like a lie.
The problem was that I had no idea about it at all.
“For now, please move with your fiancée, Harney, sir.”
“Uh, okay.”
If I had grasped the fact of who the fiancée was, this question might have been resolved.
Shortly after, Harney came out of the guest room, yawning.
Realizing that she had yawned, she quickly covered her mouth and coughed to hide her appearance.
“G-Good morning, Karsein.”
“Couldn’t sleep?”
“A little. I have some work to do.”
Seeing that she said she had work to do at this point, I thought she was quite harsh.
Even amid this, she was avoiding the eyes of the duke and carrying out her duties.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
I decided to be careful not to inadvertently cast doubt on the engagement.
I subtly questioned Tasha and the other housemaids who followed her.
Worriedly, Harney asked, “May I join the duke’s morning meal?”
“What’s wrong with having a meal? Guest treatment, even at the mansion, must have been present.”
To be precise, “must have been” is correct.
I didn’t know much either.
“Hey, Karsein. You must understand this isn’t just a simple guest treatment. Do you really not know what this means?”
“…Is there a problem?”
“I hoped not…”
Harney felt dizzy and touched her forehead.
“Listen, Karsein. Bringing the fiancée to your mansion means sending a message that the fiancé will visit the fiancée’s family. It’s a way for both families to introduce each other.”
Damn.
Was that what it meant?
“You said you would handle it…”
“Well, how should I know? I don’t even know proper noble etiquette.”
“You should have said you didn’t know. Ugh, really!”
Bringing the fiancée and sending her off meant just that.
It was an awkward situation.
Though Harney and I were expecting an engagement between us, it seemed that a year later, it wouldn’t be the case.
Formally introducing oneself to the other’s family now implied continuing this relationship… I could roughly guess why she buried her face in her hands.
“It’s already difficult enough with the Marquis opposing our union so vehemently. Given the scrutiny from the Baragrande Duke’s side, if we were to part ways, do you realize it’s only you at risk?”
“Pardon?”
Harney glanced around discreetly, then covered her lips with one hand, asking in a voice meant for my ears alone.
“You… plan to break away from the Marquis. If I were to leave after the separation, it wouldn’t be long before I, too, escape the Marquis’s hold. It’s only natural that I might incur the Marquis’s wrath because of you.”
That was true.
The reason for my distress was because of that side…
“Harney, are you not at a disadvantage in this?”
“No. Why would I be at a disadvantage?”
Harney seemed puzzled, tilting her head.
‘…I can’t quite understand.’
I thought Harney might be at a disadvantage.
But it turned out, it was due to my concerns that she was acting this way.
As expected, such matters never grew familiar.
“Since there’s no issue, let’s just have the meal and leave it at that.”
“Have you made any preparations?”
“Yes.”
In fact, quite the opposite.
What could Theresa, the Marquise, do to me after the separation?
Not even the Baragrande Duke would bother about me.
If those individuals had any intentions, it might be to gradually diminish the Baragrande Duke’s authority.
Although they could potentially cause trouble by not being able to utilize their connection with Harney, I had no interest in them whatsoever.
“Rather, I heard you had a request for me yesterday.”
“Oh, that… Yes! I have a favor to ask separately, would you help me with something?”
“…Is that so.”
I understood that she wanted my help.
…But why was she stumbling over her words like this?
I told her to speak freely.
“Well, it’s just that… in social circles, since you haven’t been seen much, there are rumors circulating that I might be lying…”
“Didn’t I clearly catch up with you during the Snowflake Festival?”
“…Do you know how many days it’s been since we last met?”
Hmm. Let me think. How long has it been?
It’s been about 6 days since Episode V in the Audience Chamber.
Adding the time taken for Episode VI – the trial, Theo Ramstair’s escape, Flora’s abduction, and resolving the case, along with the time I woke up…
“It’s been well over ten days. Leaving your fiancée alone like this could lead to suspicions, don’t you think?”
“Is that so?”
“No, it’s not ‘is that so’… Sigh. Honestly. Some things just can’t be taught.”
I decided to just accept it.
I’m not sure how strict engagements are in this world, as I’ve never been in a relationship.
Therefore, I don’t really know how long it’s appropriate to be apart from a lover.
‘But leaving behind grounds for suspicion, as Harney mentioned, would not bode well for the future.’
It might be best to silence the voices from the social circles for now.
“It’s a bit challenging for me to silence those voices alone. That’s why the situation is a bit awkward right now.”
“What can I do to help?”
“Could you, by any chance, spare some time today? From after the meal until evening.”
“Hmm. I think that would be possible. However, at that point, it seems like we’d be going out?”
At this, Harney let out a deep sigh.
“I got too caught up in suspicions, so to avoid them, I might have gone a bit overboard. That’s why I need you to attend a certain party with me.”
“Party…”
When one speaks of a party, it’s clearly a gathering of nobles.
Assembled by the scions of renowned families, it’s a place that was originally feared.
“Now that I’ve cleared Chapter 1, it wouldn’t hurt to make an appearance.”
Thanks to the trial that ended in my victory at the marquis’s, I can gauge how Carcine’s perception has shifted.
I might get a sneak peek at the nobles I’ll encounter at the Eastern Noble Conference, or if things go well, I might even clear a sub-episode.
Moreover, I can legally move beyond the marquis’s domain.
It was an opportunity either way.
“Understood. Let’s head for the meal first.”
“…”
“Harnier?”
“Why do I have to say something about this later? You agreed to it.”
“I did?”
“No backing out! Let’s go quickly, I’m hungry!”
As doubts crept in, Harnier swiftly took my hand and led me to the dining hall.
…She’s been stumbling over her words and avoiding eye contact since earlier.
Surely, nothing serious is about to happen, right?
***
“Welcome, welcome.”
“Sorry for being late, Lady Marquise.”
“No need for apologies. We haven’t been here long ourselves, so please, have a seat quickly.”
As we entered the dining room, Isabella warmly greeted us with a smile.
Harnier greeted her courteously and without a hint of hesitation, and Isabella, seeming to appreciate that, gestured for us to take our seats.
Ariana, Claire, and Flora were seated on the right in order, leaving the seats on the left for Harnier and me.
But.
-Thud. Thump.
“Let’s eat here today.”
After glancing back and forth between Harnier and me, she swiftly got up and dashed over, claiming the seat I was supposed to take first.
…What’s going on here?