Chapter 24

The maids and attendants were bringing in the gifts with a look of disdain.

This much money spent on gifts for beggars instead of the young ladies was such a waste.

It was even more frustrating that these were meant for those outside the noble family.

Their eyes seemed to say they would rather use the items themselves.

This was yet another uncomfortable experience.

Seeing some of his schoolmates who were children of his mother’s company employees forced to bring birthday presents had been similar.

With this familiarity, his response became clear.

Receiving these gifts instantly brought his recognition down.

No matter what, these precious things were not meant to end up in his hands.

Thus, this was the only right answer.

“There you are.”

“Yes?”

“Come in and each take something from the box.”

The servants, both men and women, looked bewildered.

Their eyes seemed to ask why they were being given these gifts.

But many of them were drooling too.

The items brought as birthday gifts could easily satisfy the desires of commoners if sold in the city.

‘Of course, I can’t move immediately. The problem is the butler standing firmly in front of me.’

If he were to point out that these were the young master’s birthday gifts and dare them to take them, he’d be in a difficult situation.

In such cases, adding one more sentence would do.

“This is a gift from the master as a token of appreciation for your hard work. Will you refuse it?”

Even if Heron was right there, the command from above the butler was clearly from Carsein Bargrand. This gave them the justification to take the items.

The servants began to enter one by one and take the items in the box. It was clear to see their surprise.

“You’ve achieved an outcome beyond a simple choice!”

■Reward

[Recognition +15]

[Recognition within the House of Bargrand improves.]

[Affinity with the maids and attendants who received the gifts greatly increases!]

[Increase: 7%]

‘This isn’t bad. Since these aren’t useful to me anyway, it’s not a loss.’

Despite disliking Carsein, this made it easier to identify which ones would be suitable for future sub-episodes based on their affinity.

However, Heron seemed to have something on his mind.

“Why so? These are my birthday gifts, mine to give away as I please.”

“No, Young Master. That’s your intention.”

He kept a poker face, but I knew that these birthday gifts weren’t sent by Isabella.

How could Isabella, who showed little interest in Carsein, suddenly remember his birthday?

Given her persistent prejudices and preconceptions, it was impossible that she had sent the gifts.

Just like in the game’s story, these birthday gifts were sent by Heron.

“Have you taken everything?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Then everyone except Camila and Heron, go out. I have something to discuss.”

The servants happily left the room.

A tense silence filled the room.

Heron seemed to be choosing his words carefully.

Then I had to make the first move.

“Still got something to say? Heron.”

“…”

“Whether I didn’t attack or you planned to, I know. You don’t need to worry about Camila.”

As the butler glanced at her, Camila bowed her head in silence.

When Heron was ready to talk, I spoke my mind.

“These clothes were meant to tell me not to wear them like that again. They’re telling me as a noble and as part of the Bargrand family, I shouldn’t embarrass us.”

“That’s not true, Young Master. My lady…”

“Why? Even if it was a real birthday gift, it would just be a jewel box or something similar. Am I wrong?”

“…”

Heron remained silent with a grim expression.

Like in Claire’s coming-of-age episode, where she avoided attention by wearing servant’s clothes, Isabella sent Carsein clothes first.

This was a development that occurred in the game’s story as well, and she sent the gifts as an afterthought.

Though it’s called a reward in the game…

I couldn’t imagine Carsein feeling good about receiving them.

“You’re doing something unbecoming. To think my mother would purposely remind me of my birthday.”

This wasn’t a warm birthday gift from his mother.

It was a forced gift sent out of embarrassment after realizing his birthday was forgotten, due to the butler’s reminder.

So, these items were essentially given by Heron.

“I’m sorry. But I hoped this would improve your mood…”

“Heron.”

It was a pathetic excuse.

No matter how he tried to wrap it up or express remorse…

The fact that Isabella didn’t care about Carsein remained unchanged.

“If you want to improve my mood, then next time, don’t say anything. Same goes for today.”

This means I won’t be meeting Isabella for a while.

I was going to tell Heron to leave.

“I can’t presume to understand Your Lordship’s feelings as a mere butler. However, please give me a moment.”

*Ding*

“Indeed, my lady sees you differently from other young ladies. But I noticed, and since my expression is clumsy, this is all I can convey.”

Holding his chest, he continued.

“As a butler who has served the Duchess for 40 years, I know how clumsy she is. Please give me some time. Your Lordship. This clumsy expression will eventually become genuine affection.”

Finally, Heron pulled out a small envelope from his pocket and bowed.

“Please accept this, even if reluctantly. Give my lady a chance once more. I implore you.”

“How should I respond to Heron’s request?”

[1. Get rid of everything. Don’t do this again.]

[2. Alright.]

[3. I never asked for these anyway.]

An unfamiliar choice appeared.

Honestly, I’d prefer options 1 or 3. There’s no way affection could be in late birthday gifts, especially when discovered through others’ hints.

But rationally, this is Heron’s request, not Isabella’s.

[2. Alright.]

“Alright. First, straighten up.”

His attitude was overly respectful, bowing and admitting his mistake. As the butler of the House of Bargrand, his dignity was at stake.

Unwillingly, I had to admit he wasn’t wrong. Heron was just the butler, and compared to other characters, he hadn’t caused any harm to Carsein. He was genuinely innocent.

I could have rejected him harshly, but it felt wrong to make someone who hadn’t done anything wrong bow their head.

This choice might actually be better.

“You don’t need to point out my clumsiness. I’ve said it before, I didn’t expect such things.”

“But, Young Master…”

“Let me repeat. Don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to cover up this incident. I just don’t want to vent my frustrations on you.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind. And thank you very much, Young Master.”

Heron bowed deeply, expressing gratitude.

“Fine. Will this suffice?”

“Yes. If you take these clothes and this, it will ease my lady’s heart.”

What Heron handed me was a blank check.

In other words, money.

This meant I could spend and enjoy it freely.

‘Money.’

Though Carsein wasn’t the type to squander, this would help in my current situation.

“Can I go to the bank right now and cash this check?”

“Of course. With the House of Bargrand’s name, you could even buy a mine.”

“Then send someone to convert this amount into cash and bring it back.”

“Understood. How much, Young Master?”

After writing the amount on paper and handing it to Heron, he looked puzzled at the number.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, I’ll get it right away.”

There was no other choice. If I refused again because I was annoyed, it would be the biggest misfortune for him.

Hermon politely bid farewell and left.

***

“Hidden Episode. Clumsy Expression cleared!”

“You’ve earned rewards!”

After Heron left, a message appeared saying the episode was cleared. The rewards included several outfits, the amount of cash I requested, and three question marks.

Those would be revealed later.

For now, I needed to handle the immediate situation.

“Camilia, how much money can I use right now?”

“It’s…”

Camilia hesitated.

“Just be honest. I have a meeting soon.”

“Yes. Well… honestly speaking…”

Camilia revealed my financial situation was dire.

The only clean outfit I had was the one I wore for Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony, and I could only afford to meet Harne with the birthday gifts.

‘I made the right choice by not refusing.’

Not having an outfit would be worse than going empty-handed to meet my fiancé.

“Prepare me for another outing, Camilia.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

All that was left was to meet Harne.

***

Returning from the bank, Heron was confused holding the cash.

A blank check could have allowed him to draw much more.

But the amount Carsein requested was pitifully small.

‘Only 1500 peseles?’

Holding the small sum, Heron gave up and knocked lightly on the door.

“Master, I’ve brought the cash you requested.”

“Good. Hand it over.”

Camilia opened the door, and Heron promptly handed over the cash. Carsein took it indifferently and continued preparing for his outing.

Curious, Heron didn’t leave the room immediately and spoke again.

“Excuse me, Master Carsein. May I ask a question?”

“What is it?”

“Is the amount you requested exactly the same as this cash?”

“I don’t need much money to meet my fiancée. Why, is it strange?”

“I thought perhaps a bit more would be appropriate, considering it’s a meeting with a fiancée…”

Carsein, who was adjusting his shirt, chuckled.

“Heron, do you remember what Florea said when I first joined the House of Bargrand?”

“Florea Young Lady surely said, ‘Young Master Carsein is nothing like Young Master Carn’…”

Recalling the day he first entered the House of Bargrand, Heron realized his slip of the tongue and quickly closed his mouth.

“Yes. Instead of comparing me to Carn, she said I was just a street urchin. Florea’s voice echoed throughout the House of Bargrand.”

“…! Young Master, that’s not…”

“I know. Florea is like that. But the important thing is, it wasn’t Florea’s reaction that mattered.”

Heron felt a chill run down his spine.

“I didn’t give these away to the servants for nothing.”

Florea wasn’t the only one who saw him as a street urchin. Everyone present, except Isabella, agreed silently.

‘It’s because he’s not a young master of the House of Bargrand.’

In that moment, they unanimously agreed that he was just a lowly street urchin.

The entire House of Bargrand turned into his enemies.

“A massive enemy appeared. No matter my intentions or emotions, every action was viewed negatively. And it still is.”

He understood everything.

He had been observing every glance and movement directed towards him in the House of Bargrand.

“Are you satisfied now, Heron?”

“Yes, Master. It’s enough.”

Indeed, he understood perfectly.

Even if he obtained what he wanted with a blank check, Carsein couldn’t escape the House of Bargrand’s gaze.

Regardless of it being a justified birthday gift, accepting it would make him seen as a filthy pauper.

Thus, he drew a clear line. By requesting such a small amount, he ensured his actions wouldn’t upset anyone.

‘You’ve changed a lot.’

Calmly and composedly.

Without any anger, Carsein made Heron bow his head unwittingly. This brief conversation alone made him feel guilty as an observer.

Yet, Carsein didn’t scold him for it.

‘Maybe… I’m thinking quite impiously right now.’

Heron felt a pang of regret.