Chapter 79

The carriage was quiet.

Other than the sound of hooves, nothing could be heard. Or maybe even that sound of hooves couldn’t be heard.

…

“…”

My gaze naturally drifted towards my hand.

In this small cylinder held in my hand, there would surely be an ointment to apply on wounded skin.

In short, it’s an ointment tube.

‘Odd.’

Yes, it was definitely odd.

“Oh, don’t hurt… Don’t hurt…!”

I couldn’t forget how Flora came closer and said that when she saw the shallow wound on her hand with a handkerchief.

Her face was as white as snow, eyes wide with fear, unable to look away.

Just when I was about to ask why, she repeated,

“Don’t hurt…”

Tears moistened her cheeks as she only repeated those words.

No matter how much I thought about it, it was strange. It didn’t make sense.

‘That’s right, it was this ointment she got because of that.’

That girl who used to hate Carsein so much.

She used to try to torment Carsein whenever she saw him.

The same as the third sibling who used to prevent her from eating properly and taking anything.

“Don’t hurt, I dislike that. So… please, apply it for sure.”

She gave it to me while sobbing like that.

At that moment, Flora’s eyes were clearly filled with fear.

There was no setting in the game that Flora had any phobia.

Moreover, she had nothing to be afraid of.

At most, she was just a foolish person having delusions of Carsein stealing her family away.

‘I wonder what it could be. I’ve never seen anything like this before.’

While controlling Flora’s affinity and progressing through episodes in Chapter 2, this time, despite giving her a hard time, she reacted completely differently.

Except for one episode being moved forward, Chapter 2 doesn’t seem to have been greatly altered.

“Seems like you’re deep in thought?”

As I recalled Flora leaving my room without any further comment, Harnier casually asked me.

“You made me become an irreplaceable fiancée, which is a pain, but are you really troubled?”

Could it be because of that?

Harnier’s eyes narrowed sharply.

Well, although we suddenly coordinated our actions, she must feel uneasy about it.

“It was an unforeseen situation. You didn’t want to stay there long either, did you?”

“But your mouth is smiling. It’s different from when you asked to delay the outing time.”

“It’s just my mood.”

“If you’re just teasing, it won’t do. I don’t plan to let this slide, so tell me.”

“What should I say?”

“At least tell me what you’re talking about.”

I replied while putting the ointment back into my pocket.

“The issue isn’t so much the problem itself, but Flora has never acted like this before.”

“Huh?”

“As you know, she wasn’t close to anyone, especially her family. This incident should have made that clear.”

Harnier nodded readily.

“But her unexpected behavior is surprising. That’s all.”

“What? Surprising? Someone whose head hurts so much over an important matter is joking around.”

Thinking it was a serious matter, Harnier responded sullenly when it turned out to be something trivial.

Actually, although I joked about it, I did react a bit too strongly at the time.

‘It felt like I was pouring out everything I wanted to say to the third sibling onto Flora.’

I didn’t expect these words, which I had kept bottled up, to come out like this.

Flora is just a character in the game after all.

‘As Harnier said.’

Rather than being trapped by vague memories of reality, it’s more important to focus on the significant matters first.

Even though Flora showed unusual behavior after receiving the ointment, there was no special indication in the status window.

So, my planned episode route didn’t change much.

“Now that I’m in Chapter 2, I need to start controlling the episode branches.”

Although I understand that the choices and system are trying to control me, my ultimate goal remains escaping from the Duke’s House.

Thus, I lack everything.

The strength to protect myself, capital to solve necessities, and the ability to resist the game’s choices.

To survive in the noble society and the caste system, there’s no other choice.

Before preparing a foundation to live alone outside the Duke’s House, it’s best to gradually eliminate the dead triggers by focusing on episodes.

“Harnier, can I ask you to investigate a territory for me—”

-Ehihi!

At that moment, a startled neighing sound rang out as I stumbled.

Due to the carriage moving at some speed, it shook violently, and I almost fell if I hadn’t held on.

“Oh, this one. Calm down!”

And once again—

Due to a sudden stop, the vibration inside the carriage intensified.

‘Sudden stop event… Damn it. Come to think of it, this is the first time riding in a carriage since recovering my body in Chapter 2, and it’s a forced event.’

This event has two types.

One where the family is present and one where they aren’t.

I’m in the latter category.

-Ding!

▶If you fall off the swaying carriage, your HP will decrease depending on the severity!◀

▶Caution! If you get a status ailment, additional consumption may increase!◀

Although it’s just a matter of whether my HP decreases or not, it’s not good to lose HP unnecessarily as it increases the required sleep time for recovery.

So, I tried to endure appropriately to maintain my HP.

But I overlooked an important fact:

I wasn’t the only one in the carriage.

“Kyaa?!”

“…Harnier!”

Harnier lost balance and fell.

It was obvious she would get hurt as she was falling in a dangerous direction.

Before I could even think about grabbing her, I had already thrown myself.

-Kung.

The dull sound coming from the carriage was only one.

By tightly hugging Harnier’s body, I managed to avoid a major accident.

Of course, depending on the severity, if it were in the game, I might have had to return to the Duke’s Mansion for treatment if seriously injured.

That’s why even small accidents require attention.

Considering how weak this body is, judging from the amount of HP lost, there’s a possibility Harnier was also injured.

“Harnier, are you okay?”

“Yes, thanks to…”

Fortunately, it seems she wasn’t seriously injured.

My arm wrapped around her head quite well.

“But, um… Carsein?”

“Yes?”

“It’s a bit too close now… Can you let go?”

“Oh, sorry.”

I had held her tightly, thinking she might get hurt, but I forgot we were in a tight embrace.

When I loosened my grip, my vision suddenly became obstructed.

Since it wasn’t my hand, it must be Harnier’s hand.

…Did I do something wrong again?

“There, um…”

“No, don’t say anything!”

“Huh? No, I didn’t do anything wrong…”

“I said, don’t say anything!”

“…Then just close your eyes?”

“Yeah! Just do that!”

It seems that’s the right thing to do.

Anyway, since my vision is obscured and I can’t move unless Harnier moves first, there’s nothing I can do.

I decided to quietly stay still instead of getting an unnecessary spike.

“Hmm. Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

“…”

As soon as I opened my eyes slightly, I saw Harnier walking away from me, her back turned.

“Um, did you… do that intentionally?”

“…Do you mean throwing yourself to prevent me from getting hurt?”

“No, no. Of course, you wouldn’t do that. Ahh… Why do I always think such unnecessary thoughts…”

What’s going on here?

After tidying up my disheveled clothes, I heard voices from outside the carriage.

“Sorry, Young Master Carsein, Lady Harnier! I couldn’t control the horse that suddenly bolted!”

The coachman came to apologize.

At the same time, a choice appeared asking if I should scold him, but Harnier shook her head, indicating it was fine.

Actually, I felt the same way.

He was probably in a state of mindlessness due to the sudden movement of the horse. There was no reason to scold him; the newly hired coachman had no fault.

‘In fact, this event was scheduled.’

Whenever the player rides the carriage for the first time, this exact problem occurs. The system set this up, so the coachman truly had no fault.

This event happens during the return trip as well.

To prevent HP from decreasing due to this event, this is the best solution.

“We’re fine. But, how about you?”

“Huh? Me? I’m fine. We can depart immediately!”

“Then, take a little rest. It’s not urgent, so we can recuperate in a nearby village.”

“Oh, Young Master…”

“Go ahead. It’s better to be free and clear rather than anxious.”

The coachman bowed his head and headed toward the village.

I suspect he intended to hide it, but he might have gone to the village to tend to his injured arm.

-Ding!

▶Due to the choice, a sub-episode occurs! An unexpected consequence unfolds!◀

The carriage had to stop abruptly due to a trigger causing an event.

This event involves nobles causing an accident by hitting commoners and then blaming them wrongly. As this pattern repeats, they become enraged and devise a plan.

They plan to harass the nobles’ carriages every time they pass by using prepared devices.

So, managing Carsein’s HP alone is not enough.

Although it’s a sub-episode, this needs to be handled to minimize friction with them and alter the main episode’s branching.

“Carsein?”

“Shh. Lower your voice.”

I carefully exited the carriage.

While the coachman wasn’t watching, I approached the trembling horse and dug into the ground.

‘Found it.’

◆Quagmire Gobbler Telumos’ Lung

[When something approaches quickly, it emits ultrasonic waves detectable only by animals.]

[Even if Telumos’s body dies and only the lung remains, this effect does not disappear. After emitting sound waves once, it shrinks and requires time to emit again.]

…

…

—

Following the game, I decided to grab this first.

—

The carriage, accompanied by one escort knight, resumed heading toward the party hall after the coachman returned with his arm treated.

We arrived at a suitable time since the departure wasn’t rushed.

Entering together, Harnier and I played the part of lovers.

Unlike Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony, the guards immediately let us in. Considering Harnier’s beauty, even those who didn’t recognize me guessed we were a couple.

The party hall was filled with noisy chatter.

But, somehow…

It didn’t feel like a proper party.

Here, there, and far away, people were grouped in pairs.

Yes, it felt like…

‘A place where couples gather rather than a party.’

Ignoring the nobles gathered, the fact that pairs of men and women were coupled made me think this way.

“Ah, Lady Harnier is here.”

“But who is this person next to her? Not a maid this time, but a man.”

“A man? Could it be… her fiancé?”

Eyes from various groups converged on me.

Although it was instinct, it felt like the eyes of hyenas eyeing prey.

Several couples began asking questions as examples.

“Hello, Prince Carsein. It seems Lady Harnier’s fiancé is not a lie. Thank you for attending this event together.”

“We were curious too. We heard you two were secret lovers unknown to the public.”

“Since you’ve come directly and kept your promise, perhaps we can ask you a few playful questions?”

As if sensing the hyenas converging, my guess was correct.

Thinking it was a gathering of nobles, I was led to what felt like a den of hyenas.

Naturally, my gaze shifted to the woman I was escorting.

‘This isn’t about helping each other but more like creating a situation where we have to act out a scenario.’

At the party, showing the couple relationship to the nobles is merely a formality; being together is enough.

But, didn’t she say herself that she took a risk to dispel suspicion and insisted we attend this party together?

The fact that everyone here was so engrossed suggests she might have taken a big risk.

She seemed to sense my thoughts, blinking her eyes repeatedly and sharply turning her gaze away, sweating coldly.

‘Yes, I’ll hear what kind of risk Harnier took.’

If it’s something manageable, I’ll let her explain…

“Prince Carsein begged Lady Harnier many times to grant permission for the engagement. Is that true?”

What the heck?

The first question is this?

“From what I heard, he whispers sweet love into Lady Harnier’s ear every time.”

“Some days he treats her like fragile glass, cherishing her, and other days he melts like butter, making her yearn for his affection.”

“During their secret meetings, they missed each other so much that it became worse. They say he even secretly visited her house, which was nearly Romeo and Juliet-like.”

The subsequent questions were equally outrageous.

How annoying.

‘They made someone without any dating experience seem like a legendary lover.’

This is exaggerating things too much.

There’s no way to refuse these questions. I must accept them, as I have to bend to meet her.

‘Sigh. This is what you’ve put me through.’

And yet, you turn away and pretend to pull your hand back?

No, now that it’s come to this, you should fully immerse yourself.

“…”

“Oooh.”

I pulled Harnier closer to me as before.

“Any man would feel the same. How could anyone wait when faced with the Empire’s most beautiful lady?”

The suspicious eyes slightly faded.

No, they didn’t.

There were plenty of eyes full of curiosity.

This isn’t something that can be resolved with just one line.

…Let’s see, Harnier.

Once I resolve this, I’ll make you pay.

‘This situation has gotten this big… I have no choice. Even I tried to minimize the damage, but…’

Let’s see these corny lines rise.

This is the strongest corny line from a morning drama seen by the third sibling.

“Oops, Harnier. What will happen if people find out about us?”

“What do you mean…?”

“The bars separating us are the world, a huge enemy. If I could, I’d want to look into my heart every day and see you.”

At that moment, I could tell Harnier’s skin stood on end.