Chapter 21

Two people should have asked this to Carsein in the first place.

What on earth were you doing until now that you’re only showing up now?

You are also one of the Bargrand family. Why did you recklessly leave your seat and ruin both the atmosphere and the family’s prestige at your family’s birthday?

They should have pried into him, questioned him, and criticized him.

However, the atmosphere was not right to continue the conversation with Carsein.

The violin’s soft music mixed with the beautiful melody of the piano. From the moment the banquet hall was filled with music, the time for conversation had disappeared.

“Claire.”

“…”

Even though she had much to say, Ariana shook her head coldly as if saying that now was not the time.

Now was the time for Claire to start the dance first. At the same time, as the most prominent noble among the Bargrand family, she should set an example.

There was no time to scold or deal with Carsein.

Claire, who had a frown, suppressed her emotions by somehow managing her face.

“Would you like to dance one song, Young Lady Claire?”

“…Yes.”

Then, as if announcing the official start of the banquet, they began together.

From the outside, it looked like a perfect start. However, every time her eyes rolled towards Carsein, her gaze changed frequently.

‘It seems I came at just the right time.’

Carsein was satisfied seeing the status window showing no reaction. If Claire hadn’t angrily rushed towards him, he felt that all those Dead Triggers would have been extinguished in one go.

Furthermore, he successfully avoided the gazes of the nobles. Since Claire’s natural movement drew everyone’s attention, Carsein wasn’t even given a second glance.

Thanks to this, the situation where he would be chased away by the nobles’ stares disappeared, completely removing another risk.

However, he hadn’t yet cleared all the hurdles. Even if all the other triggers were extinguished, one death flag remained.

“I need to hear an explanation, no, an excuse, about this unfortunate action. Carsein.”

Among all, there was one person who kept their gaze fixed on Carsein.

With blue eyes contrasting his red hair, he seemed to emit a laser-like intensity. Ariana, with a chilling look, confronted him.

Ariana said she wanted to hear an excuse, not an explanation.

This was clearly Carsein’s fault. She might severely reprimand him for not showing up at Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony.

‘Well, what can I do? I have to respond appropriately.’

Carsein calmly asked,

“Shall we move somewhere else first? It doesn’t seem like something to discuss here.”

When Ariana nodded, indicating agreement by gesturing towards Claire, she followed silently, aware of her surroundings.

The box representing Ariana’s 2% affinity started to flash.

***

The largest branching point in the game could be considered CHAPTER 1 – Episode III. Claire’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

This episode was unique because no matter what you did, you couldn’t avoid all the characters.

The reason was unclear, but it seemed to be a system regulation.

In other episodes, there were clear correct choices among the selection options, so with enough tries, you could reach the proper branching path.

However, in this episode, there was no correct answer. You either had to face the nobles, whose boxes were filled with ash-colored minus affinity, or cause an accident and meet Isabel or the three sisters of the Bargrand family. It was mandatory.

Thus, there was only one way out. You had to choose the option with the least risk.

Facing the nobles would easily distort the situation in your favor. Of course, you shouldn’t choose that.

Explaining it to Claire directly wouldn’t help either. The affinity would drop to a negative value, worsening the relationship further, making it a no-go.

What about Flora? Could it work since I’ve caught her weakness this time? No, that wouldn’t work either.

If I went during the time to face Flora, I’d have to deal with two people instead of one.

“Big sister! I saw it! You were hiding on purpose, right?!”

If that girl, who naturally lies, found out about my weakness, she could easily cover it up.

‘Flora is always with Claire. Facing both of them means a bad ending straight away.’

Next, Isabel.

Isabel, whose affinity was around 30%, seemed like she might listen to Carsein’s words, but…

‘This time, I can’t afford to be put under house arrest. It would break my promise with Harnier.’

Choosing Isabel to reduce the risk led to a choice where Carsein had to admit his mistake and ask for house arrest.

Since I had a plan of my own, house arrest was no longer a safe outcome.

Thus, I ended up facing Ariana, whom I judged to have the least risk.

Following Ariana, a resting place appeared. It was just me and Ariana for now.

As soon as I entered the room, she instructed the maids to close the door and then looked at me with a cold stare.

“First, explain your appearance.”

It’s begun.

A rather similar question.

-Ding!

[1. What kind of condition am I in? Didn’t I ruin my clothes in the morning?]

[2. I got beaten up, so I just threw something on. Why, don’t you like it?]

…

…

The selection options started appearing. I answered calmly.

“Excuse me?”

Ariana frowned deeply.

“Do you really not know? As a member of the Duke’s House and my younger sister, why are you wearing the servants’ uniform?”

So, it comes to this.

“Because my clothes were dirty in the morning? There was someone in the Duke’s House who could make new ones immediately. They could have made new clothes without washing the old ones since I was staying for a day.”

“Is there any reason you shouldn’t wear them?”

“Carsein, stop playing games. If you had just asked anyone to make you new clothes, this wouldn’t have been an issue. Just because of your pride, you didn’t ask, and now you show up in such a ridiculous outfit at a gathering of nobles?!”

Her voice carried a heavy pressure.

Given the importance of family and house matters, she was ready to strike if necessary.

And then, the perfect timing for the selection appeared.

…

…

[5. How would changing clothes make any difference?]

“How would changing clothes make any difference?”

“Carsein, separate personal matters from public ones. This is a formal event with the family name involved. This is a public duty, as a member of the Bargrand Duke’s House.”

“So, how would changing clothes make any difference? I was just following the warning I heard before. Specifically, the warning from Ariana Bargrand.”

“What warning?”

Ariana looked puzzled, as if she had no idea.

After saying it herself and treating Carsein harshly, she acts like she doesn’t know?

Even if it weren’t my business, if it were Carsein, his voice might have already risen several times. The options presented were similar.

How can you say you don’t know after saying it yourself?

She laughed loudly as if in disbelief.

She shivered and gritted her teeth, as if trying to convey Carsein’s frustration.

No matter what, it felt like Carsein’s grievances were being conveyed. At the same time, having watched it through the memorial, I strangely empathized, feeling more chilled than angry.

I could maintain a calm tone, perhaps because of this.

[4. I’m not your sister or family.]

“You said three years ago that I’m not your sister or family.”

“…What?”

“Don’t even call me ‘sister.’ I remember every word you said. But, you want me to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony? Then you’ll have to call me ‘sister’ at least once. Whether it’s you or me.”

“If it was three years ago… That was your coming-of-age ceremony, right? Didn’t you cause an accident that day?”

“Yes, yes. I caused an accident. On someone’s coming-of-age ceremony, I beat up another young lord, ruining the mood entirely. It tarnished the family’s prestige and ruined the family’s coming-of-age ceremony. I shouted loudly, claiming I was wrong.”

She probably knew who “someone” referred to.

I answered confidently, even grabbing my collar twice.

“That’s why this outfit fits perfectly. If anyone mistakes me for a servant, there won’t be any trouble. The nobles won’t say anything, and there will be no need to call me ‘sister.’ I won’t shout loudly because I’ve been beaten up. Isn’t that great? The family’s only blemish is gone.”

“What…?”

“I tried my best not to ruin Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony. I even called Heron to avoid meeting nobles as much as possible. I did everything you wanted. Is this really something to be scolded for?”

The fierce blue eyes softened instantly.

At the same time, a heavy silence fell. Those few seconds felt like minutes.

I couldn’t guess what Ariana was thinking in that silence. And this scene was the last in the game, so there was no next dialogue.

Though I couldn’t see Ariana’s expression behind her bangs, I turned around and opened the door to the lounge, concluding the conversation.

“It feels very unfair. I did nothing but follow your orders, Ariana Bargrand.”

-Clink, thud.

Soon, information about clearing Episode III appeared in front of my eyes.

▶Episode III. Clear of Claire’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony!◀

▶Receiving Reward!◀

■Reward

[Exp 50]

[Level 2 → Level 3]

[0.05 Stat Points Added!]

[Ariana’s Affinity Increased!]

[Affinity Value: 6%]

The clear window I wanted appeared.

I had grasped the branching well, and despite the risks, I didn’t suffer any losses.

Although it was natural to be happy given that I cleared the episode and increased affinity smoothly, my mood didn’t improve.

“Damn. I feel really disgusted.”

The thought of “Kim Min-hyuk” kept popping up.

“Family’s birthday. Yeah, right. I won’t forget it. Considering how much they care.”

Carsein might have envied this luxurious setting with countless guests, celebrating in blessing.

Maybe he thought he might have such a day too. Even if he wasn’t part of the family, he might hope to be in that position someday.

That was the picture he hoped for.

…Once upon a time, I felt the same.

That’s why you didn’t notice for years. Even if you felt uncomfortable, you wouldn’t ask others.

And you wouldn’t even think about it, let alone talk about it, before forgetting again.

It was a cliché future. After all, I wasn’t family.

‘Cake… yeah. Whatever. I’ll take it.’

I cut the cake, which was half-eaten by the guests, and wrapped it up to take it.

I knew it was foolish to indulge in my thoughts on such an important day, consuming the rest of the day.

But even knowing it was foolish, I couldn’t help it.

How could I feel like someone was watching over me?

Perhaps I wished for a small wish, hoping to be remembered in a foreigner’s mind. Maybe I was just wasting emotion, hoping it would make me feel less lonely.

***

Even after Carsein left, Ariana stayed in the lounge for a while, with a peculiar expression.

“I remember everything from three years ago.”

Today was not much different from any other day. It was her birthday, and like today, she was celebrated by VIPs and guests at her coming-of-age ceremony.

Carsein caused a disturbance by knocking down a noble lord, and the chaos spread throughout the hall, distorting the atmosphere greatly.

Yet, strangely, Ariana couldn’t remember much of that day.

She only remembered that Carsein caused an accident and ruined the coming-of-age ceremony.

“Did I say something like that?”

Even the words she had said to Carsein.

Ariana sighed faintly and muttered with resignation.

“No. I can’t be sure it’s true.”

Just as usual, Carsein might have lied.

You could directly interrogate someone who remembers that day, but…

There’s no need to do that.

There’s no point in recalling the memory of a ruined coming-of-age ceremony.

But today?

Nothing happened. Unlike her own coming-of-age ceremony, Claire’s ceremony proceeded smoothly without any disturbances.

“Yeah. I acknowledge that you tried hard on your own. We can just let this go.”

Even though Carsein showed up in the banquet hall in a ridiculous outfit, disturbing the mood, no accidents occurred because of it.

It’s good.

Yeah. Nothing happened. It went well.

Surely, she must have spent the remaining time satisfactorily, thinking it was resolved well.

“…Why do I feel so uneasy?”

A strange sense of unease wrinkled Ariana’s face.

She felt like she had missed something important, something she shouldn’t have forgotten.

“Sis?! Ah, you’re here!”

“Claire? Why are you in such a hurry?”

“It doesn’t matter. How did it go with that kid?”

It seemed like she had just finished her first dance. Given how quickly she rushed over, she must have been quite agitated.

The explanation didn’t take long. She recited, as if reading from a textbook, that she wore that outfit to avoid ruining Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony and to prevent repeating past mistakes.

“What a moron. He’s really a jerk.”

As soon as Claire heard that, she couldn’t hold back her anger, and her expression twisted instantly.

At 12:35 AM.

Only 35 minutes into her birthday.

“I’m going back. It’s not fun at all.”

Despite finding her birthday, Claire decided to leave.

“Still, tell mother and Flora before you go.”

“I already told them. But…”

Claire scratched her flowing pink hair, annoyed. Despite hating her hair getting messy, she seemed to have something unresolved.

“Sis, I have one thing that’s bothering me.”

“What is it?”

“…Something from yesterday.”

“Yesterday? Claire, don’t say it like that.”

“Oh, the day I was preparing for my coming-of-age ceremony.”

“I get it. Why that day?”

“Was it some special day? I can’t remember.”

This matched perfectly with the sense of unease Ariana had been questioning about December 31st.