Chapter 87

“Ah, ah…”

Camila saw Flora off as she arrived at the Duke’s House.

It was unknown if tears had fallen from her eyes while walking to the Duke’s House.

However, her blue eyes were still brimming with tears.

Just like back then, this time too…

She couldn’t do anything.

Before she could even speak, she was chased away.

That fact was unbearably painful.

“Flora? Where did you go? Are you coming now?”

“Little sister…”

“Did you cry? Why are your eyes…”

As soon as Flora heard that she cried, she involuntarily gulped.

‘No, I shouldn’t cry. If I cry, it’ll be…!’

She might make Carsein misunderstood.

With such thoughts, Flora quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve.

“What happened? Tell me, big sister.”

“Umm? No! Nothing happened─”

A part of Flora’s heart sank when she was about to say nothing happened.

If she said nothing happened now,

It would be just like back then.

“Flora? Flora!”

“…”

Isn’t that the same as lying and hiding it from Carsein?

It’s the same.

Even if we say nothing happened, it won’t disappear.

We’ve always been hiding, covering up, and lying.

We can’t just let this slide again.

Yes. I have to speak.

I have to speak directly even if I know I’ll get scolded.

“Flora? Why are you acting like this!”

The person in front of her wasn’t big sister Ariana.

‘That time, big sister scolded Carsein for his mistake…’

But little sister, wouldn’t she be different?

Flora swallowed hard.

She didn’t want to get scolded. But, she should be scolded.

Because she did something bad.

She did something she shouldn’t.

She even lied.

She couldn’t hide this any longer.

“…Big sister Claire. I have something to tell you.”

“Yes. Tell little sister everything. I will listen.”

Sniffle.

“I… did bad things to Carsein.”

“What?”

“Back then… I sprinkled salt on his food. I intentionally put needles in his clothes or put sand in his water jug. I even told Emma and made the maids do it… I even lied and blamed Carsein for it…”

At that moment, Flora sniffled and confessed all her mistakes.

She didn’t leave out a single detail.

Everything she had done to Carsein until now.

“…”

Claire, who couldn’t believe it, slightly opened her mouth.

While she knew about Carsein’s unfair harassment in the Duke’s House, she never caught the culprit.

Vaguely, she thought Theo Lamstair and Emma Urnen were responsible, and it seemed right to give them the harshest punishment.

But as they say, the darkest place is under the lamp.

This series of events, woven like a thread, passing through the pearl called Flora, could have happened in some way.

Claire felt her chest tighten because she never imagined the culprit could be her own sister.

“Sigh, big sister. I was wrong. It’s all my fault.”

There was no need to ask if it was really her.

The youngest sister, who never seemed like she would admit her mistake, was confessing herself.

“Come with me, Flora.”

Claire had to lower her voice and scold Flora now.

To the sniffling youngest sister, to the youngest sister she had never touched.

It was painful, but it was right to give her a sharp reprimand.

Claire brought Flora to her room and ordered Heron to prepare something.

Soon, the old butler came with a switch according to Claire’s orders.

“Extend your hand, Flora.”

“Gasp, gasp…”

Even though she knew she would be hit, Flora obediently extended her hand.

*Swoosh! Clang!

The switch Claire swung had no mercy. Flora’s palm turned red.

Sobs echoed again.

“…Gasp. Hwaaaah.”

But she didn’t pull away.

No matter how many times the switch left red marks on the young sister’s delicate palm, Flora never said it hurt.

Because the one truly hurting must be somewhere else.

The switch was swung several times.

The sisters surprisingly didn’t say a word.

When Heron entered and quietly spoke.

“Claire, miss. I think it’s best to stop now.”

The switch, which was about to strike down, stopped.

“…”

Only then did Claire realize Flora’s palm was about to bruise.

“Big sister…”

“Tell me.”

“What should I do…? Carsein keeps chasing me away. Gasp! What should I say…?”

Claire couldn’t answer this question either.

After all, she had also hurt Carsein.

***

Chapter 2’s first main episode starts from a sub-episode.

Since Carsein needs to gain the authority to participate in the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, the branching of the story depends greatly on the achievement level of this sub-episode.

I chose Rusmaier Territory for several reasons and now needed to carefully investigate to clear this episode.

However…

Even just looking at what Camila investigated was impressive.

All the answers to the choices I saw while playing the game were written here. I could understand which was the dead flag and what choice led to the best judgment without missing anything.

“…So there’s only one thing left.”

When I turned my head slightly, I noticed the stats I couldn’t raise due to lack of time.

“From tomorrow, I need to train hard.”

Yes. To clear the Rusmaier episode, I needed training right away.

I thought it was time to sleep.

“…Wait, I haven’t even washed up yet.”

Looking around, it was late at night.

It was already the time to go to bed.

I didn’t notice how much time had passed while studying.

▶Status Ailment: Fatigue, Lack of Sleep◀

The status window also said:

“You’re tired. Go to bed now.

Otherwise, penalties will be imposed.”

“In reality, I didn’t care, but here, I need to pay attention.”

If I collapse at an important time due to a penalty, it would be serious.

***

“Princess Arshien sends this!”

The nobles standing up to bow.

The princess, with silver hair fluttering, sat down with a somewhat weary look.

“Your Majesty, your complexion looks worse today.”

“If you need medicine, our family can provide─”

“The herbs we collected from our territory this time are of high quality. You could brew them into a decoction─”

That’s why she looked so tired.

Arshien, as if not wanting to hear such flattery, interrupted sharply.

“Are everyone here?”

“Yes, Your Majesty Arshien.”

When Arshien glanced around and confirmed the seats, one minister nodded.

As the minister said, there were no empty seats.

That’s why her look of fatigue deepened.

“Then, from now on, we will hear additional proposals for the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.”

This place is where the adjustment plans for this Eastern Nobles’ Meeting are announced.

Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

For the nobles, it’s like a trial set by the royal family, but if they pass the test well, it’s like getting a certificate proving they completed the royal family’s trial.

“Your Majesty, may I ask why you blocked the attendance of the heads of the families?”

“Hmm. Because it feels like it would harm the essence of this noble meeting.”

“What do you mean by essence?”

“Think about it. Every year, at the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, the families that participate and achieve good results, most of them are the heads of the families. Isn’t that true?”

“Mm…”

“Now that you mention it…”

“Of course, there are families that aren’t like that. For example, the two sisters of the Bargrand Duke House took action themselves. But if it’s like this every year, it ends up focusing only on the capabilities of the heads of the families. Do you think this will change over time?”

Arshien firmly believed that it would never change and that there would be no change in the empire.

“Therefore, I order your children to prove their capabilities. There must be those who live comfortably under their parents.”

“But Your Majesty, asking this of young lords and ladies─”

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of withdrawing this. They will eventually take the position of the head of the family and become the mistress. As future pillars of the empire, they should be tested.”

At Arshien’s firm words, the nobles fell silent.

“Don’t worry. The evaluation method will remain the same. More fairly, more equally, and more strictly.”

Arshien recommended that the content of this Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, which would evaluate those who would lead the empire’s future, not leak out.

Meaningless fights and rankings in the same place are meaningless.

Other conversations went back and forth about whether other adjustments were necessary.

In short, the framework of the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting was established here.

At this moment.

A man raised his hand.

“However, Your Majesty Arshien. There is one problem.”

“What is it, Count Retelvik?”

“A person who doesn’t even have the qualifications to be a noble should not be allowed to participate.”

Arshien’s eyes twitched.

The unqualified person. This clearly refers to someone.

“Should we really give participation rights to someone who once caused trouble and brought about the worst situation?”

“Count, please hold your tongue.”

“Is the Duchess listening? Then it should be even clearer. How can we guarantee that the same thing won’t happen again?”

Count Retelvik’s words made other nobles nod.

Not only those trying to prevent the dictatorship of the Bargrand family, but even neutral nobles and imperial ministers agreed. Even Bargrand’s retainers had nothing to say about the count’s point.

The incident that erupted due to the rapid decline in production of the main specialty products of the Shatren Territory and the anger of the residents has remained a dark spot on Bargrand and remains a disgrace to the nobility.

“The decline of Shatren Territory, despite the efforts of Lady Ariana and Lady Claire, is a great disgrace to the nobility. Such incidents should not happen twice.”

Isabella couldn’t hold it in anymore and interjected.

“So you’re saying you want to revoke my son Carsein Bargrand’s authority?”

“Of course, that’s what I think, Duchess.”

“Count!”

Isabella frowned and shouted immediately.

She felt as if she was being insulted. Her lips trembled.

“Oh, Duchess Isabella isn’t very calm. Even if he is your child, it’s the empire’s matter. Your arm bends inward too much.”

“That’s right.”

“It’s a valid argument.”

“Carsein Bargrand is not a suitable person for this meeting.”

Other nobles began to agree.

If it continues like this, Carsein’s authority might be revoked without a doubt.

Right at that moment.

“Actually, I think we should include Carsein Bargrand.”

It was none other than Arshien defending Carsein.

“Your Majesty?”

“What do you mean?”

“Carsein Bargrand is merely hasty and lacks knowledge.”

“Given he never received noble education, how can he stand out in any area?”

“Frankly speaking, he showed no potential at all. Don’t you all agree?”

Despite the objections from the nobles, Arshien didn’t back down.

“Hasty, lacking knowledge, and not receiving noble education. Those are the kind of things you’re saying, but in fact, the biggest change was shown by Carsein Bargrand.”

“Biggest change?”

“Do you forget the trial held at the Duke’s House?”

At that moment, the image of the ruthless Carsein at the negotiation meeting faded away, and the image of the trial judge Carsein emerged in the minds of the nobles.

“Clearly, Carsein Bargrand’s chances of winning in that trial were infinitely low. Given his past behavior and previous incidents, the atmosphere of defeat was overwhelming. But how did the result turn out?”

“…”

The ministers fell silent.

The result of the trial was an overwhelming victory for Carsein, completely stripping him of the previous rumors with impeccable arguments and valid evidence.

“Moreover, the decision to save the hostage without provoking the culprit who lost their back was arguably the most correct. Considering Theo Lamstair, the recovering knight, held his sister hostage, he must have had some power. He has clearly changed from before. Instead, he became a more noteworthy person.”

Can such a person be concluded to have no potential at all?

He proved to have shown potential in both literature and martial arts through that incident.

“Let’s end the adjustment plan here. Everyone, let’s remove biased perspectives.”

Arshien ended the negotiation meeting with these words.

The heads of the families and ministers gradually left their seats.

Once they left, Isabella immediately thanked Arshien.

“No, it’s not. We shouldn’t waste the opportunity of a potentially valuable talent for the country.”

“…Valuable talent?”

“Yes. I clearly see potential in Prince Carsein. Not just from the trial, but I’ve seen it before.”

She recalled with a smile the incident during the snow festival, the day she couldn’t see during the royal audience.

But that smile didn’t last long.

‘Some preparations are made, but I wonder how Count Retelvik will react. Prince, you need to be prepared.’

This Eastern Nobles’ Meeting felt somehow ominous.