Chapter 41

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 31, 2025

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Here’s the English translation in a comedic anime style:

“Let’s talk business,” Harnei said, her eyes widening like she just saw a talking cat.

“What timing is this?”

“There’s nothing strange about it. You pointed out the flaw.”

“…”

“I’m not here to make bad proposals. It’s more like, let’s forget about it.”

Why bother explaining? The reason I left was because of my family.

They were watching me like hawks, so I deliberately distanced myself.

Saying I was just walking around to cool my head instead of going to the festival doesn’t seem that meaningful.

But Harnei doesn’t want to hear that.

“Sorry, but I can’t do that.”

“How come?”

“You said we’re on the same boat. While I’m grateful for Lord Carsein’s help, this is separate.”

“Are you saying you need to explain your situation?”

“Yes. Just like Lord Carsein helped me, I might be able to help you too.”

It’s not bad to help each other if it serves our mutual goals.

But there’s a limit to how much you should help.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“I know. With a contract engagement, the best thing is to satisfy each other’s interests.”

“Why propose something like that then?”

Harnei narrowed her eyes beautifully.

“I’ll go where my heart leads. Like you helped me, I want to help you more.”

She smiled sweetly and spoke again.

“If you really don’t like it, let’s call it a deal. As Lord Carsein said, we’re on the same boat, right?”

I never expected those words to come back to haunt me.

No words came to mind.

But rather than that…

I still can’t get used to being helped by someone.

“Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this here. Shall we go back to the carriage first?”

Harnei signaled she was getting on the carriage.

It’s late.

Time to head back to the Duke’s Mansion.

“Sure.”

But my time with my fiancée doesn’t seem over yet.

***

I escorted her to the carriage with proper etiquette and got in with her.

As the carriage started moving, Harnei broke the silence.

“Let me hear your story first. Why were you there?”

“Hmm. Can I have some time to think?”

“Sure. We have time until we reach the mansion.”

It didn’t take long.

I needed time to transition from the festival back to reality.

Just a few seconds.

That was enough.

“I wasn’t there to enjoy the festival. I was walking in the opposite direction because of that.”

Harnei looked unsurprised, as if she already knew.

“As everyone knows, I’m not a legitimate child of the Bargrand family. Not even an illegitimate one – I’m a foundling. So my position in the Duke’s Mansion is terrible.”

“Really?”

She probably guessed the reason by now.

“Do you remember why we made this contract engagement?”

“Yes… But, that’s…”

She stared at me with wide eyes, confused. But she also seemed to understand.

“It sounds crazy to leave the Bargrand family. Why would someone from a prestigious family want to leave? Especially someone from the slums.”

That’s normal thinking.

But.

“On the contrary, because a commoner became a noble. Because someone who shouldn’t have benefited did. Because I climbed a mountain I shouldn’t have. That’s why I’m receiving deep humiliation and criticism in the empire.”

Every move is watched.

Even small actions are doubted and stopped.

Not to mention, false rumors spread about me.

“Crying injustice won’t change anything. Even my family doesn’t believe me. Suspicion and blame come first. The rumors have grown so big they cover not just the nobles but even the Bargrand family.”

“The Bargrand family… No way, did your family…!”

Harnei’s eyes softened in pity, understanding my situation.

No further explanation was needed.

“It’s the price for receiving more than I deserve. I’m not treated as family in the Bargrand family.”

My family turned into enemies.

The worst kind of enemies.

So Carsein Bargrand chose this one-year engagement.

To escape the Bargrand family.

To abandon this identity that’s better off non-existent and gain the strength to survive alone.

That’s why he started this contract.

Understanding the situation, Harnei fell silent.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to help, but… This way, I can’t really help…”

“No, there are many ways you can help me.”

“Really?”

Harnei looked puzzled after hearing my requests.

“Is that okay?”

“It’s not bad, but… Are you sure about that?”

“Yes.”

Whether it’s okay or not,

It will be useful to me eventually.

-Hihihing!

Just as the conversation was wrapping up, the carriage stopped.

The coachman announced they had arrived at the Marquis House of Teresia.

Following proper etiquette, I escorted Harnei out of the carriage.

She pouted.

“It’s no fun teaching. When I make mistakes, I need to be scolded to relieve stress.”

“That means you learned well. I’ll take it as praise.”

“But you still have a lot to learn. Prepare yourself. I’m quite strict.”

“Hmm. Looks like I need to study. I guess I have to look at that book again…”

“Throw that book away! Get rid of it completely!”

***

After dropping off the complaining Harnei, I returned home late at night.

“I guess the story was longer than expected.”

I needed to waste some time to use a skip scene.

If I return too late, dialogue times with characters shorten, or I may not meet them at all.

From Carsein’s perspective, it’s better not to encounter them too much. The more I avoid them, the easier it is to get what I want.

But I need to hit the peak timing. If I’m too late, I’ll run into my family again.

Around the time fireworks start and the night market gets busy. If I hadn’t met Harnei, I would’ve returned then.

Late at night, I needed to meet at least one person.

“Ah, there she is.”

A pink wavy hair peeked through the window.

It must be Claire.

“Lucky me.”

Compared to Flora, Arina, and Isabella, Claire is much easier to handle.

“We’re here, Master Carsein.”

The coachman from the Marquis House of Teresia announced they had arrived.

I got out of the carriage and took out some money from my pocket.

“Thanks. Take it as a tip.”

“No, sir. It’s my duty as a coachman.”

“It’s late. I’ve been to the mansion twice tonight. I deserve this pay. Also, I hope you consider my face too.”

“Sir…”

The coachman bowed and accepted the money.

Actually, this money was borrowed from Harnei… But I doubt it’ll be a problem.

The carriage drove off.

Claire must’ve seen this scene. I maintained the Bargrand family’s dignity.

I reduced the chances of getting lectured.

Though I’m sure they’ll say something when I get home, at least this won’t give them a reason to complain. The rest is up to me.

“Carsein!”

Claire called out to me and hurried down the stairs.

She examined my body and said something strange.

“Did you hurt anywhere…? Oh, nothing.”

“Why are you acting like this? Gross.”

I pushed away Claire’s hand and said this, making her pink bangs flutter.

Then she pinched my cheek.

“What?”

“Disgusting? You’re gross in this situation?”

It didn’t hurt, but something felt off.

I quickly removed Claire’s hand and said,

“Isn’t it gross when someone touches your body and looks at your face? Think about what you usually do.”

“This is real!”

***

This time she pinched my side.

Ow. She’s just like the second sister. So annoying.

After a few twists, Claire finally let go.

Now feeling better, Claire got to the point.

“Come back earlier next time! Do you have to wander outside this late? If you were a minute later, I would’ve ordered the knights to search for you.”

“Seriously, why would you do that?”

Claire gave me a fierce look.

“Of course, I worry about you.”

-Ding!

[1. (Snorting) Worrying is pointless.]

[2. (Half-heartedly) Yeah, sorry. It’s fine. Let’s go in, I’m tired.]

[3. (Flipping off) Get lost. You’re the one watching me.]

[4. (Looking away) I was just angry, that’s all.]

Choice options appeared.

In the meantime, Claire kept talking with a sharp look.

“I remember that day. You came back with bruises and in your mother’s arms. Thinking about that, how could I not worry?”

Claire seemed to be having a breakdown, talking to herself.

“Remember how sick you got after coming back from the cold? That’s why I checked your body.”

Surprisingly, Claire remembered the snow festival with Memorial, unlike Arina who forgot.

Normally, I’d choose option 2 to avoid conflict.

But now,

Option 4 seems appropriate.

“I was just angry, that’s all.”

Claire fell silent for a moment, then muttered softly,

“…I see. It makes sense from your perspective. Our mistake.”

“Did Arina tell you?”

-Nod.

“When the knights and I searched for you, and your sister told mom everything, she already knew.”

There’s no denying it. This is my chance to take control.

So I replied,

“Your sister said she’d take responsibility and bowed to mom. I also apologized since I was wrong. Now, she’s probably looking for you.”

“She’s looking for me?”

“After you came back that day, your sister suffered for a while. She drank sake every night, clutching the hair tie you gave her.”

“…”

“She’s worried this might happen again. It’s dark outside, so I ordered people to search for you. If you saw your sister’s face, you’d know she wouldn’t ask ‘why worry?'”

Claire explained what happened while I was gone.

“So calm down. Don’t lock yourself in your room for days like before. Today, I won’t say anything if you go out with your fiancée. Your sister lifted the outdoor ban.”

Claire’s usual sharp tone softened.

Probably because of the previous incident.

But.

“You’d still say ‘why worry?’ Claire.”

Sometimes, not caring is easier.

Swallowing my words, I glanced at the status window again.

Nothing appeared.

At this point, the choice options should’ve shown up.

Instead of locking myself in, Claire suggested I calm down. Normally, I’d choose whether to stay in my room or not.

The game’s progression changed.

And it changed in my favor.

My eyes naturally went to the affinity box.