Chapter 98

Just a moment ago, there was a warm current between mother and daughter, melting away the cold wind.

However, this warm current vanished even before it could fully form.

For some reason, it felt as though a chilling wind blew from Carsein.

With just one gesture.

Surprised, Isabella asked again.

“Are you upset by what Carsein said?”

“Not at all. It’s perfectly right.”

“…I see.”

It seems my hand push made her think that way.

Why did I have such a thought? Carsein’s attitude wasn’t crooked.

His willingness to admit and accept his mistakes openly shows how much he has changed from the past.

From his straightforward acceptance of criticism without any excuses or objections, it’s clear there’s no issue here.

Finally, it wasn’t a chance for rebellion but simply a question. That’s all there was to it.

‘I guess I’ve become a bit sensitive.’

Isabella shook her head in disagreement inwardly.

Feeling apologetic, she changed the path of her hand to caress Carsein’s hand instead of touching her cheek.

“The money you need can be covered by the Duke’s business profits. We can make your pocket money through various business profits rather than making it. I wanted to instill a sense of financial caution, so don’t take it to heart.”

“I told you already, I don’t feel hurt at all.”

“That’s good. I’m proud of you.”

Yes. It’s different from the past.

There’s no Carsein shouting that his money is allocated to him.

There’s no Carsein yelling that he can’t even use the money properly, nor is there a Carsein complaining that he’s not as free as his two older sisters or younger sister.

Carsein, who has grown into a full-fledged member of the Bargrand family, has changed significantly since those days.

Thanks to this, Isabella could let her guard down and speak freely.

“As for the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, I can’t directly help you. But don’t worry. With your sisters, they will surely help you enough.”

Of course, Arina threatened to strip Carsein of his authority for the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, but it won’t be that harsh. She has already taken some measures.

So, if Carsein gets a little help from his two sisters, he should be able to pass this test smoothly.

Then, there’s only one thing to be cautious about.

“Don’t worry about Shatren Territory. Focus on your exam, Carsein.”

Shatren Territory.

There might still be lingering trauma from the past.

If Carsein can’t forget that time, he could find himself in a tight spot.

Isabella had to first dispel this anxiety.

“Although things happened as they did, Claire is sending some of the money earned from the boutique business as support. The Shatren Territory isn’t making a big fuss about it, so you should prepare carefully.”

There’s no need to overthink it; part of the money Claire earned is being used as support.

The Shatren side is reducing their resentment towards Carsein as they receive this support, so they’ll likely hold off for now until the territory recovers.

Suddenly, Carsein said something peculiar.

“I remember something from the past. You also supported me back then.”

“You supported me with water?”

“When I dug up the garden you were tending with dirty hands back then. Do you remember?”

“Well… I do remember, but…”

Today, like many others, when we waited for support at the charity, our three daughters came and handed over their report cards.

But why bring this up now?

Seeing Isabella’s puzzled look, Carsein replied quickly.

“When I dug up the land back then, I was trying to bury my poor report card there.”

***

Carsein’s grades are perfect, a full score on every test. Unlike his two older sisters and younger sister.

Naturally, getting everything right doesn’t mean he’s better just because he’s younger.

Arithmetic isn’t comparable to quadratic equations or logarithmic functions, and those aren’t comparable to integrals, statistics, geometry, and vectors. Each level should be considered separately.

But if he achieved all these scores at once, how should they be evaluated?

Coldly, I would say he surpasses them by a mile.

In the same amount of time, while they learned less, he mastered everything they did.

That’s how he received those grades.

Grades obtained despite discrimination.

That’s exactly what this is.

Carsein truly deserved praise for his grades.

The words written on this crumpled paper aren’t humble; they’re a dazzling testament to hard work.

Therefore, I will lie.

Those people shouldn’t recognize Carsein’s efforts.

No. They mustn’t know.

Let them remain oblivious. Keep them in the dark.

At least, that’s what I think.

“Trying to bury your report card in the ground… I didn’t know about that.”

Isabella shook her head and held my hand tightly.

“Everyone makes mistakes, and it’s natural to make mistakes while learning. I’m not going to look at your growth negatively.”

Similarly, she wouldn’t scold me.

She said,

“Even during the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, you must have suffered a lot because of that. Yes, tell Arina. She’ll understand if I tell her about this old story.”

-Beep!

[ 1. Please tell Arina for sure. I’m worried because of my authority. ]

[ 2. Tell Claire instead. Claire is sending support to Shatren Territory. ]

[ 3. Not necessary. ]

Originally, the answer would have been 2.

Sometimes, hints are unexpectedly placed among the choices.

Logically, if no one was taking care of Shatren Territory, which Carsein messed up, a dead trigger would have appeared quickly.

So, that’s the correct answer.

Claire’s support for Shatren Territory helped clean up Carsein’s mess, making it easier to accept her help.

But I don’t choose that.

[ 3. Not necessary. ]☑

“Not necessary.”

“…Carsein?”

“If I barely pass the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting exams with the help of Arina or Claire, what’s the point? If I solve it that way, I’ll always stay in this position.”

“Carsein…”

“And, the Duchess’s power is the same.”

Isabella pushed my hands away.

“It’s a problem I have to solve myself. If I can’t raise my poor grades myself, I can’t stand on my own. And this situation is the same. If I rely on the Duke’s power or others’ support, I won’t change. Right?”

Isabella’s slightly opened mouth narrowed.

I gained information from the choices.

Without hesitation, I spoke it out.

“Return all the support money Claire sent to the territory to my side.”

“What? What do you mean?!”

“You should repay it properly. Considering that even my money is part of the Duke’s funds, using Claire’s personal funds to settle things. At least, solving it myself is the right thing to do.”

“If you proceed like that, your pocket money will be gone. Claire spent a lot more money than you think.”

Of course.

Shatren Territory was in such a difficult state that it was hard to recover.

Sending support money at a level that could sustain life without any income means Carsein would have to spend all his pocket money.

But, I don’t mind that.

It’s the Duke’s money and it’s my responsibility to pay it back.

“Consider it as punishment.”

“Punishment? Carsein, you…”

“I will handle the authority for the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting and the exams there all by myself. I don’t want to be a burden on the Duke’s house forever.”

After saying that, I said I’d leave.

Isabella didn’t say anything else.

Hearing that I could go, I immediately turned around, and the status window chased after me.

-Beep!

▶Hidden Episode. Cleared the crumpled report card!◀

▶Successfully triggered an outcome beyond the choice!◀

■Reward

[ ??? ]

‘Another hidden episode, huh?’

An unseen hidden episode automatically cleared itself.

The reward window was disappointingly bare.

Choosing this option meant cutting ties with the Duke’s family and rejecting the help of both Arina and Claire.

But this empty reward felt like the true reward.

The fact that I am gradually distancing myself from the Duke’s family is the real reward. What else could be a better reward?

Honestly, it felt like the most satisfying reward I’ve ever received.

Though experiencing this twice feels a bit frustrating.

While glancing at the progress window.

▶Luxury is forbidden. Event ongoing.◀

▶Head to Claire’s office for conversation.◀

‘Ah, right. This event is supposed to be resolved by Arina, right?’

Meeting Isabella at the charity wasn’t clearing this event.

That means there’s a high chance I still have to endure another unpleasant experience.

I’m a bit annoyed, but it’s just a fleeting emotion.

I decided to get it over with and left the charity.

Then,

Right after leaving the charity, I was grabbed by the arm.

“Carsein. Why did you do that?”

Pink hair. Sharp eyes.

It was Claire.

Why is she meeting me here? Isn’t it supposed to be Arina I need to meet to resolve this event?

At that moment, the status window lit up again.

-Beep!

▶Previously hidden rewards revealed!◀

■Reward

[ You can receive help from surrounding characters in the next event. ]

[ Due to this effect, Claire overheard Isabella and your conversation! ]

‘So, she overheard that.’

▶Additional event triggered due to revealed rewards!◀

▶Claire’s affinity may change due to this event.◀

[ Current affinity: 47% ]

Despite not understanding anything, the status window added additional events to me.

This wasn’t part of the original storyline.

Not knowing what’s happening, Claire grabbing my arm and ending the conversation with a choice feels strange.

But, it’s not really a problem that Claire overheard that.

I can just give the same answer.

-Beep!

Similar to Isabella.

Claire also looks at me with a lot to say. Probably, she feels something is wrong and wants to point it out.

“What are you so unhappy about?”

I calmly waited for Claire’s reaction.

“You idiot! If you hadn’t told Mom the truth, you wouldn’t have been scolded!”

Claire shouted impatiently.

“Your money was used for living expenses in Rusmaier Territory. If you had told Mom that clearly, she wouldn’t have scolded you. Don’t tell me you didn’t know?! You did!”

As expected, her voice was quite unpleasant.

But, on this side…

So, the answer is this.

[ 1. Why do you care so much? ]☑

“Why do you care so much?”