Chapter 99

Claire Bargrand, unable to focus on her work, decided to take a walk and left her pen aside to head for the Duke’s Mansion.

The servants of the Duke’s household all wondered why the second young lady was acting this way, but Claire didn’t notice.

Normally, new maids would greet her with a hearty “Good day, Miss Second Young Lady!” but now, they didn’t even dare to do so.

Her frowning face,

Her fiercely raised eyebrows,

Her sharp eyebrows,

Anyone could see that Claire was clearly upset.

-“Think whatever you want.”

Carsein’s cold reply echoed in Claire’s ear, causing her brow to furrow immediately, and her steps to halt.

From being worried about worrying the family, to having her words taken as if she was meddling, the tone immediately turned bitter, which was completely reasonable for Carsein to feel bad about.

Claire herself was aware of this.

But the problem lies in what came next.

If Claire had asked why she should hear such words or expressed her annoyance, she would have quickly apologized.

However, the phrase “think whatever you want” made Claire feel uneasy seeing Carsein act as if he didn’t care at all and walked past her.

That unease led Claire here.

‘What the heck is going on?’

Claire, who believed that clothing and hairstyle can change one’s impression, scratched her head again. The discomfort felt deeper than her messy hair.

Thinking and thinking,

No matter how much she tried to shake it off, she couldn’t understand Carsein’s feelings.

She needed to walk more.

Walking through the complex emotions, she eventually reached the back garden.

There, by chance, she heard her mother’s voice.

“I know your mood wasn’t good, Carisein. But this time, I need to scold you properly.”

The topic of conversation between Claire’s mother and Carisein was enough to catch Claire’s attention.

Claire sneaked around to listen.

It was about the money Carsein hadn’t received and his expenses.

Now that she thought about it, he hadn’t been seen for a while. It turned out he was spending his allowance.

As expected, Claire’s mother pointed out that it was excessive.

Claire had heard this before, so she somewhat understood.

However, during this long talk, Carsein did not utter a single word.

Listening only to her mother’s voice, it seemed he didn’t react at all.

This felt odd to Claire.

‘Maybe he plans to say something later?’

In the boutique business, such stories come up often, and Claire knew about it.

She knew where Carsein spent his money.

Rusmaier Territory.

A territory that had no protection from any noble house and was known for its daily problems suddenly found protection under one man.

That man was Carsein.

Of course, Claire’s mother wouldn’t be surprised to hear this.

It was used well, not for extravagance but to help a territory.

As a noble, it was the right thing to do, she thought.

“Understood.”

Soon, Carsein spoke.

“Are you upset because of what you heard?”

“Not at all. Your words are perfectly correct.”

“…”

Her mother asked again, sensing the cold tone,

but Claire could tell it was too dry an answer.

A chill ran down her spine at that moment.

Surely, he wouldn’t remain silent like this?

Surely, he wouldn’t.

Even though Claire shook her head, thinking it was an overreaction, Carsein didn’t mention Rusmaier at all.

Not even when the conversation shifted from old topics like report cards to the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

Claire felt utterly frustrated.

After Carsein finished his conversation and walked out,

Claire couldn’t hold back and grabbed his arm.

“Carsein, why did you do that?”

“What else is bothering you?”

“You fool! If you hadn’t told mom the truth, you wouldn’t have gotten into trouble!”

“Why didn’t you tell her straight?”

Claire, feeling frustrated, said what she wished Carsein had said.

“Your money was spent on Rusmaier Territory. If you had just told mom that, she wouldn’t have been angry. Right? You couldn’t have not known!”

He could have justified his expenses with solid evidence.

Given that Claire’s mother knew about Rusmaier’s situation, a brief mention would have sufficed.

She didn’t need to act like she made a mistake. There was precedent; she had helped Camila due to Emma.

At least saying it wasn’t a frivolous expense would make sense, but it made no sense why he was getting scolded.

She wished he had spoken up.

If she relayed it directly to her mother, it would have been fine.

But Carsein looked at her with that usual gaze.

“Why do you care?”

Again, he seemed to deny his mistake.

“What…?”

Claire murmured in a daze.

“Spending money on a hopeless territory. Well, it could be seen as overspending. Plus, your grades are terrible, like a zero. So, what’s wrong? You’re unfit to be a lord, like in Shatren Territory.”

“Hey, Carsein.”

“You deserved it. That’s always been my impression. No big deal, right?”

As if it were normal.

He was belittling himself, saying there was no problem.

Claire sighed heavily and asked.

“Why are you like this? Are you upset because of what I said in the garden earlier?”

“It’s not that, but I did wrong then and now. I seem to still be a stain on the Bargrand name.”

“Ha…!”

Claire was stunned.

She couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“In the garden, digging holes is why mom complained. But this time, there’s nothing wrong. Why act like you did something wrong when you didn’t?”

It’s different now. Even if he picked on small details…

Right now, Carsein had done nothing wrong.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Why do you belittle yourself? If you had spoken up, you’d have been praised, not scolded! Overspending? The money for a worthless territory is nothing compared to what the Duke’s household can handle. You didn’t cause any damage to the Duke’s records! Why call it overspending and blame yourself?”

It wasn’t just that.

“Plus, what? You want me to use all my support funds for Shatren Territory as your allowance? If I ask my sister or you for help, explaining this incident could get me my authority back. Why are you doing this? Everyone else tries to make things easier, but why can’t you take the tough path?”

Whether it’s the voting rights for the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting or the support funds for Shatren Territory…

“Why refuse? I don’t understand. Why?”

She couldn’t understand.

She couldn’t believe it.

She was truly angry.

Claire shouted loudly.

After letting out her anger, Claire gasped for breath.

While Claire caught her breath, Carsein remained silent.

When Claire finally calmed down,

Carsein finally opened his mouth.

“I prefer solving it alone.”

“What…?”

“A low-class commoner. Someone uneducated. A troublemaker who causes accidents wherever they go. A liar who can’t admit their mistakes. That’s me, a blemish on the Bargrand name.”

He smiled bitterly and continued.

“Ask for help from the Duke’s household? To maintain the nobility’s pride and not tarnish the Bargrand name, isn’t it natural for me to solve it myself?”

At that moment, as if denying Carsein’s words, Claire grabbed his shoulders.

“Who said that? Who put those thoughts in your head?”

Her eyes blazed with anger.

“Was it outsiders? Or was it something from within the Duke’s household? Tell me! Who said those things to you?”

“No one said that.”

“Don’t lie!”

It couldn’t be true.

Claire shouted.

Without hearing such things from someone else, Carsein wouldn’t act like this.

“Did Emma say that? Or was it Flora? Who is it? Who?”

Even if she had to, this was a situation where she needed to be angry.

It wasn’t right to hold it in.

“At least tell mom or your sister. I’ll handle everything. Even without the family’s support, I can solve it!”

Yes, she could handle it.

If it was an internal issue, as the second daughter, she could resolve it. If it was external, as Claire Bargrand, she could step forward.

She hoped Carsein would let her help him.

But,

Carsein rejected her hope coldly.

“It’s unnecessary.”

“…You really…”

“You’re misunderstanding. This is my own decision. Not because of threats or pressure.”

Seeing Carsein push her arms away, Claire felt lost.

‘How can he say such nonsense?’

To be scolded for not defending himself and refusing help from family members as if it were his decision?

To choose a difficult path despite having the option for an easier one, calling it his decision?

“Why are you doing this? Do you have to lie so much?”

“No. I’m serious.”

She hoped he wasn’t.

But his answer was immediate and decisive.

It made her even angrier.

“Just say ‘help me.’ Is it that hard?”

“…”

“Stop being stubborn or prideful! Just ask anyone for help and it will be much easier. Is it that hard to ask for help?”

Carsein walked past Claire without a word.

The only thing she heard was one sentence.

“It’s unnecessary.”

It felt like a cold wind had blown through.

– Dinging!

[ Claire Bargrand ]

[ Affinity: 56% ]

***

[ 1. Take Claire’s advice and resolve misunderstandings with Isabella.]

[ 2. With Claire’s help, talk to Isabella and then visit Arina.]

[ 3. Visit Isabella with Claire and bring up the topic of Rusmaier Territory.]

…

…

Suddenly, these choices appeared due to an emergency event after Claire’s conversation.

But, it was almost settled.

[ 5. After finishing the conversation, go find Arina without Isabella or Claire’s help.]

She wouldn’t seek their help whether she had overheard or not.

Though other choices might lead to smoother events, that wasn’t what she wanted.

Carsein was already alone.

Like showing his crumpled report card, Carsein had no expectations from this family.

And neither did she.

Just like she never expected anything from her family, she didn’t expect anything from the Duke’s household either.

Even if she had to endure a difficult path without their help, she wouldn’t change this decision.

Solving things alone was familiar to her.

So, she left, leaving behind the words, “unnecessary,” to Claire.

▶ Frugality is key! Event in progress! ◀

▶ Meet Arina and start a conversation! ◀

The system’s demands weren’t over yet.

While Isabella and Claire might be treated as additional events, meeting Arina was inevitable.

Arina would surely bring up something from the conversations with Isabella or Claire, along with the choices.

Time to move.

If it takes too long, unexpected variables might arise.

Just as she started to walk, Claire’s voice rang out from behind.

“Ah, you dumbass. Fine! Keep your stubbornness! You idiot!”

As always, she spoke boldly like the second daughter.

But, it felt different.

Unlike usual, she wasn’t acting out of frustration or ready to slap him.

“Just let it be. Anyway, stop fussing.”

Claire grumbled in frustration, took out the pin securing her hair, and walked away.

It was as if nothing had changed.