Chapter 33

The scene ended, and Arina and Isabella, as usual, first surveyed the atmosphere in the hall.

Carsein was once again met with a suspicious glance, as if he had done something wrong this time.

It couldn’t be helped; he had caused trouble every year around this time.

“Things seem a bit chaotic. Where did everyone go?”

“Mother.”

“Oh, it’s Carsein.”

Amidst the chaotic atmosphere, Carsein quietly leaned against one of the windows, writing something in his notebook.

“Everyone’s attention is on Carsein, but thankfully, he didn’t cause any trouble today.”

“Phew, that’s good.”

Fortunately, nothing happened.

Isabella sighed in relief.

“Mama.”

Just then, Flora approached her mother and sister. Behind her walked Claire.

“Claire, where have you been? Again, you were with Princess Arshien? I gave you a hint to keep an eye on her.”

“…Nothing happened. That’s all that matters.”

“Are you sure nothing happened? You look a little strange.”

“Ah, sis! It wasn’t just me here. Right, Flora?”

“Eh? Yeah.”

With Flora’s agreement, Arina’s narrowed eyes returned to normal.

“Well, if there were problems, things would already be in disarray.”

Arina was satisfied knowing that Claire had no visible marks from being isolated somewhere, or that Princess Arshien was not watching over her.

“I think it’s fine to head home now and really have some rest.”

“Hehe. Looks like that child is growing up.”

“Why?”

Claire twitched nervously, trying to speak, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Just! Let’s go play instead of talking nonsense!”

Prompted by Claire, the Duke’s House finally took Carsein out of the hall.

Isabella, Arina, Claire, Flora, and lastly, Carsein followed behind.

He, who was following behind, thought:

‘The Snow Flower Festival episode is coming up… Yeah, I should try to increase my affinity now.’

While assuming situations that might arise during the festival, he was thinking about something else entirely.

***

Even though it was still early, the market was bustling since preparations for the festival had long been completed.

“The range of the market seems to have expanded quite a bit, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah. Even at a glance, it’s bigger than last year.”

This year’s Snow Flower Festival had expanded its range by twice as much as last year.

Not only did the nobles’ tributes for lining up at the royal family contribute, but new inventions led to a bountiful autumn harvest, which expanded the area of the streets geometrically.

The noisy merchants and residents, the bright lanterns casting a faint light, the warm atmosphere of the night market, made it clear why this was a festival street.

“Hmm… Despite the strangeness, the food and entertainment are plentiful.”

He felt a bit curious about the different nature of this festival compared to modern times.

“Playing through the episodes doesn’t really involve enjoying the festival.”

So, he thought it best to use this time as a break to clear his mind.

“Ha ha! It’s a festival!”

“Flora, don’t run so much or you might fall.”

“I won’t fall! Hurry up and see more. There are so many fun things!”

After being gloomy, Flora happily ran through the festival street. The two elder sisters chased after her helplessly.

Seeing her sisters walk ahead, Isabella smiled kindly, but when she saw Carsein right next to her, her expression turned serious.

To her son, Isabella spoke words she had never voiced before.

“I didn’t come to the Snow Flower Festival last year either, Carsein.”

Everyone enjoys this festival, a yearly event created by the royal family, enjoyed by men, women, and children alike.

But Isabella hadn’t participated last year, nor the year before.

Carsein quickly understood Isabella’s intention and replied.

“Was it because I wasn’t there?”

“Yes. How could I enjoy the festival without you?”

Isabella continued, looking back and forth between Carsein and her three daughters.

“Claire’s measures were somewhat excessive. Even if she caused trouble, it was too harsh to punish her by forbidding her from participating in the festival. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop Arina from joining in.”

Actually, she wanted to come along with all three daughters and even with you. Because you weren’t there, she didn’t come to the festival. She had tried to take you out of isolation.

Isabella expressed her struggles, showing a bitter expression.

Then Carsein spoke up.

“It’s my fault, isn’t it?”

“Huh?”

“Since it’s my fault, I deserved the punishment. Did you think I’d complain about it?”

“…I did think I might complain, but I didn’t think it was wrong.”

Instead, he wanted to say that he was truly happy they could all enjoy the festival together this time.

“Then there’s no problem. Let’s catch up before we get too far behind.”

That conversation seemed better suited for another time.

“Mama! When are you coming?”

“If we’re not careful, we’ll end up seeing everything ourselves.”

“Carsein, hurry up!”

“I’m going. I’m going.”

Unable to finish speaking due to her daughters’ urging, Isabella made a promise while watching Carsein’s back.

She decided not to leave Carsein alone during this festival.

***

This year’s Snow Flower Festival deserved its title of “unprecedented.”

As people walked down the street, various items caught everyone’s attention, regardless of their status or age.

A man wearing spectacles acted foolishly, making everyone laugh. The smell of new specialty products teased noses. Dart games and archery contests, regular features, began to appear.

Arina pointed at one.

“Oh, this looks new.”

“Indeed! We’ve completely revamped what was there last year!”

“Can you explain it to me?”

The man, excited, started explaining.

The game involved pushing a ball with two footrests connected by a handle to launch it upwards, aiming to hit a target repeatedly to score points.

However, traps were hidden everywhere, and the ball could easily fly away or bounce off if the force wasn’t controlled properly, ending the game.

“How familiar it feels.”

And this game had a prize?

There was no need to watch. A choice would appear.

*Ding!*

“Of course.”

Seeing the expected progress window, a helpless smile appeared.

In the meantime, interested Arina asked her sisters.

“Shall we give it a try?”

“Sure!”

“Yes, yes!”

“Would mother be okay with it?”

“Hehe. Sure thing.”

Next was the final person.

I nodded indifferently.

In the meantime, Flora spotted a large bear plushie and her eyes lit up. Seeing this, her family members also began to covet the prize.

“How much does it cost?”

“One attempt costs 10 peseles.”

“Oh, pretty cheap. So if I learn the trick, I can win?”

“Aah, no. No matter who you are, you only get three chances.”

The man hurriedly explained. Though Claire commented that it was stingy, she accepted it since it was for the next person.

Arina played the game first.

Being the most curious, she carefully moved the handle to launch the ball.

“Oh no, it went into the hole!”

“Seems harder than expected? Here, let me give you another chance.”

“Oh. Starting from the second attempt, there are conditions!”

“Huh?”

The man laughed and pulled out something from beside him.

It was a stick of fishcake on a wooden skewer.

However, it looked strangely red, as if biting into it would fill your mouth with heat.

“Do I have to eat this to get another chance?”

“Yes. If you simply enjoy the game with money, it will become monopolized.”

“Ah, that makes sense. It means you need to use the ball more carefully.”

“Exactly. It’s a consequence of not being cautious enough.”

“Still, it’s not much of a price.”

Arina carelessly bit into the fishcake, realizing how important these chances were.

“Done eating… should be fine, right?”

“Yes. The price remains 10 peseles.”

After losing the chance again, Arina decided to give up. Wiping sweat from her forehead, she seemed to have bought something cold earlier despite the cold weather.

Next, Claire paid and attempted to win.

Her impulsive personality got in the way.

The ball flew straight out of the field due to the strong impact.

“Hey, just eat it! Flora, watch carefully. I’ll definitely win this for you.”

“Clare, you can’t just eat it. It’s…”

“Very spicy, sis.”

After underestimating the fishcake, Claire’s face turned redder than her hair. This was surprisingly delicious.

Claire, having gained another chance, played the game, but naturally failed to score high points. Arina soon returned with a shaved ice, and even after eating another fishcake, she couldn’t manage to win.

Finally, it was Flora’s turn.

She, too, lacked skill.

“Flora, maybe you shouldn’t eat it.”

Isabella worriedly asked.

Indeed, while her sisters might laugh it off, her youngest daughter’s safety was a concern.

“But… I want to play this game more.”

“Ah, what to do. Since we’re offering double the price, can’t we make an exception?”

“Sorry. Paying to break the rules would devalue the prizes.”

What would happen if someone broke the rule with money?

The nobles would disrupt the policy, monopolizing everything. The game meant for everyone to enjoy would become just a pastime for the wealthy.

For that man, this rule must not be broken.

Thus, this became an opportunity for someone.

[Should I eat this fishcake instead?]

“Should I eat this fishcake instead?”

“Carsein?”

Surprised, the family looked at him standing silently behind.

“Each person gets three chances. There’s no mention of eating a fishcake to gain another chance.”

“Hmm, that makes sense. But transferring chances like that is problematic.”

“That’s true. Then, let’s consider it as using up my chance. What do you think?”

The man, who had been troubled, thought for a moment and decided to allow it.

▶ [Spicy Fishcake]

[How yellow must the fishcake be to turn this red!]

Is this treated as an item?

Hmm, it doesn’t seem dangerous.

Without much thought, I bit into the fishcake.

Munch munch.

“Hey, hey! Carsein, that’s super spicy! If you can’t handle it, just…”

“I need to buy another shaved ice. Or should I get milk instead?”

What?

It’s not that spicy.

“You okay? There should be lava flowing in your mouth right now!”

“If you can’t handle it, spit it out. I’ve prepared a place for you to spit it out.”

“Alright.”

-Gulp-

I swallowed the fishcake in front of my two sisters to show them.

I used to eat spicy cup ramen well in Korea. Even at work, I had to eat spicy tteokbokki as a punishment. So, this doesn’t seem very spicy.

Anyway, since I need to eat it all to get another chance, I finished it.

Arina and Claire looked at me like I was crazy.

*Ding!*

▶ Thanks to eating spicy food for your younger sibling, the family’s affinity has slightly increased!

‘Ugh. Why does the status window always go crazy?’

My hands and feet feel like they’re curling up. Why am I getting all sentimental about this?

I just want to increase my affinity. Even if Carsein were here, wouldn’t I think the same?

Still, I’m glad the affinity increased.

If I could raise it like this, it would be the best outcome.

A little later.

“Tuck, tuck.”

“Oh…”

“Oh, it’s such a shame! If it were just a bit to the left!”

Despite using all three chances, Flora didn’t get the bear plushie she wanted. All she got was a fox-shaped candle.

“…”

“Miss. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait for the next chance. We’ll make it up to you with something more fun next time.”

The man gently comforted the disappointed Flora.

But Flora kept looking at the bear plushie, clearly reluctant to give up.

At that moment.

*Ding!*

▶ Emergency mission! ◀

▶ Only one chance! Clear the game and bring the bear plushie to Flora! ◀

■Reward

[Increase in affinity with Flora and family]

The status window announced an emergency mission.

“…I couldn’t clear this even when I tried again.”

I had put effort into retrying, but I couldn’t win any prizes.

Even if the reward was an increase in affinity, I eventually gave up.

But now.

“There are three chances per person, right? So I still have one chance, don’t I?”

I decided to challenge this myself.

Watching from behind, I suggested to the man.