Chapter 30

“Master. I’ve brought breakfast.”

The new maid knocked on my room, saying she had brought breakfast.

Given the 7% affinity displayed, it seems she was the maid who had taken items out of the box that had been filled with various birthday presents that arrived on the day.

Originally, Camila should have come, but the fact that this maid came means things are going as intended.

“Put it there and leave.”

“Yes, Master.”

After sleeping one more night and waking up to morning, just like any other day, Camila, who usually brings breakfast, wasn’t there.

It was Camila’s one-week vacation. The new maid who came in her place was what I ordered when accepting Camila.

The vacation was to make sure the Dead Trigger was completely turned off.

Not leaving the room was for the courtyard episode.

I brought the breakfast set in the corridor inside and found a small letter wedged between the dishes.

“Huh… It’s the head maid and Claire? Because of that, the maids can’t receive orders for a while?”

The unfolding matched what the status window had said. Also, I didn’t know Claire had warned her in a fit of rage. I also didn’t know she had visited and worried so much each time.

It felt somewhat satisfying, but it also made me feel good because it seemed I had thoroughly fooled the second sister.

Aside from that, it was mostly gratitude and a message wishing me well in my recovery.

“Hmm. She must have woken up early to write this. Really impressive. Does working as a maid make your stamina drop like this?”

No way.

If you’re tired, you get even more tired; stamina doesn’t increase. As someone who didn’t neglect their studies while working part-time jobs, I can assure you this is my problem.

“Well, maybe I’m just naturally needing more sleep these days.”

■Carsein Bargrand■ – 18 years old

Lv. 4 (SP: 0.15)

▶Strength 2.00

▶Agility 2.93

▶Endurance 3.30

▶Health 1.25

▶Immunity 0.93

▶??? 0

Honestly, these stats are pitiful.

They don’t seem superior compared to an average person.

Stats keep dropping every day. Aside from immunity increasing slightly through meals, all the marked numbers keep decreasing.

With my long periods of sleep and heavy body, this is clearly the issue.

Trying to do some exercise, I attempted push-ups, but…

“Nope. Can’t do it. Doesn’t go up.”

Discovering my poor physical condition aside, the dropped stats aren’t recovering. This means exercise won’t help unless done in a certain place.

This is obvious.

Like in a game, I need to go to a place where stats increase.

And the place happens to be a forbidden zone… If I go, I’ll die. If I don’t fix this, I’ll die anyway. Quite a predicament.

Surprisingly, stats keep dropping, but if I don’t manage them, it leads to a bad ending. The solution is to exercise in the forbidden zone. But the forbidden zone is a place where you can die if you enter carelessly.

Complaining about such a vile environment, I couldn’t help but express my dissatisfaction.

“In the end, the solution lies in this episode…”

Ding!

▶Ariana is coming.◀

▶Hear the explanation about the Snow Festival!◀

“I’ll think about that later.”

This door will likely open without my permission soon.

I better read the books or articles I’ve already opened.

“Ariana Miss?”

“Give it here and leave. I’ll take this.”

After a short conversation, the door suddenly opens.

The maid lowered her head, looking unsure, and left. Ariana glared at me with a full load of complaints.

Reading a book, I didn’t expect Ariana to start a fight.

“Why are you upset for four whole days, Carsein? Are you going to continue being unreasonable?”

After returning from outside, I ignored Claire’s room.

A birthday present is definitely a powerful weapon. Noticing my birthday late also gave me a say.

But if I accept something with a smile now, I won’t be able to use it again. So, I waited until Ariana came.

Ding!

[ 1. (complaining) Someone throws a luxurious banquet, yet they forget my birthday entirely. Is it my fault for being upset and not meeting them? ]

[ 2. (whispering) I’ll let it slide if you give me a birthday present.]

[ 3. (throwing a nearby candle) I’m so upset, just go away. Bitch.]

[ 4. What’s the matter?]

Checking Ariana’s affinity, it rose slightly from 6% to 9%. Choosing option 1 would not raise the affinity.

Even if I have a lot to say, I should go with 4.

I calmly closed the book and responded.

“What’s the matter?”

Ariana stared at me for a brief moment.

Ding!

[Ariana Bargrand]

[Affinity: 11%]

Affinity increased by 2%.

Considering I held back my words to raise the affinity, it was quite significant.

“You’ve changed. Back then, you’d have gotten furious.”

Ariana cleared her throat and brought up her purpose again.

“I heard you got permission from Mother for a day out as a birthday gift. Your clothes were ready too, but I heard you didn’t want it. However, this isn’t enough for a birthday gift.”

Ariana continued, saying our family forgot her birthday and decided to discuss attending the Snow Festival together. All that’s left is my decision.

Previously, Carsein wouldn’t have taken me to the Snow Festival, knowing I’d cause an accident.

But after taking the birthday gift’s return value into account, I gained the right to participate in the Snow Festival.

A tiny snowball grew so big.

However,

“Her mouth still won’t say she wants to test me.”

Even though it’s called a gift, it’s not really one. Testing and doubting me makes it hard to see it as a gift. It’s more like surveillance.

Ding!

[ 1. Okay, I’ll attend the festival.]

[ 2. A birthday gift? Seriously? Just admit you want to surveil me.]

[ 3. I’ll think about it.]

The correct answer is 1.

The status window hinted that the birthday gift and the no-go order are directly linked to the festival.

But why does it feel so terrible?

It doesn’t sit well that they hide the surveillance under the guise of a gift.

Facing Ariana, I spoke sarcastically and turned towards the book.

“Okay, I’ll attend the festival.”

“…You.”

“Anything else?”

Ariana looked displeased, sighed deeply, and left the room after saying one last thing.

“Just enjoy the festival without causing trouble. Then, I’ll give you a decent reward.”

As soon as she left, I closed the book.

“How ridiculous. A decent reward?”

To say they want to surveil me under the pretense of a gift, and then offer a reward if I comply?

It’s infuriating.

“You want to surveil me to ensure the festival passes without trouble.”

Yes, that’s exactly what I wanted. If that’s the case, I’ll do as you wish.

I’ll accept the gift, not complain, and behave properly during the festival. Whatever it takes.

Because all I want is what I desire.

***

The annual Snow Festival is underway.

This year, it’s expected to be larger and more splendid, making it the most anticipated event for Flora.

Plus, since we’re going as a family, she could stay out later. Such a day comes around only a few times a year.

“…”

However, she’s visibly anxious.

Despite having fun and staying out longer with the family,

She appears uneasy.

“Flora, why are you trembling…”

“Hik!”

Flora flinches and shrinks back when Claire approaches suddenly.

Claire asks worriedly,

“Why, Flora? Are you sick?”

“Little sister, uh… No, I’m fine.”

“It’s because you’re shaking.”

Flora waves her hand, insisting she’s not sick.

Of course, she really isn’t sick.

“The problem is… it’s over there.”

Flora shifts her gaze slightly to the left, looking at a boy.

His hair, once blue, has turned dark blue and almost black. His eyes, once like wall eyes, have also faded in color.

It’s Carsein.

“Everything’s fine with your outfit, right?”

“Yeah.”

Seeing his inspection, memories of his voice from that day keep surfacing.

It’s all nonsense.

Such things can’t exist.

Even asking the tutor confirmed it; Flora is growing well as she is.

So, there’s no reason to worry.

“You’ve forgotten where I came from.”

Carsein’s face, smiling disdainfully when mentioning his origin, remains unforgettable.

I must drive out this commoner from the Duke’s house to restore peace in the family.

I must drive away this beggar who dares to covet the position of Karne, my older brother.

The thought crosses my mind.

What if driving out Carsein results in…

No, that can’t happen.

It’s just a temporary lie to avoid the situation.

Flora approached Ariana, who was talking with Carsein, and tugged at her dress.

“Big sister, can I ride in the carriage with him today?”

She pointed at Carsein with her index finger.