Chapter 132

The route I intended to take was originally to stay as long as possible in Rusmaier and then return to the Duke’s House.

There were nobles who wanted to get their hands on Carsein’s territory in Rusmaier, and there was also concern about potential transactions with the House of Aiferos, which is why I planned to visit the Shatren Territory if possible to gather more information.

However, there was another reason behind this.

Starting from the moment the next Episode began, I realized that I would be restricted in my movements and wouldn’t be able to do anything, which was the problem.

This was the second Penalty.

The first Penalty occurs when meeting family members first, but the second Penalty is fixed and occurs from Claire.

The content was that because Claire set the date for the spring outing, Carsein would have to go along like during the Snow Flower Festival.

“But, did Claire assign me the period?”

Considering the penalties caused by the ear-related event, it seemed unlikely, but… there was no penalty window in front of my eyes.

It was literally that I had completed a Sub Episode.

“…Could it be because of Affinity?”

Yes. There was only one thing that made sense.

Affinity.

Yesterday, some value had risen to 78%, and there were faint traces of tears. Claire’s reactions were also odd.

No, it wasn’t just that.

The Penalty didn’t occur at all.

[Arina Bargrand]

[Affinity: 32%]

[Isabella Bargrand]

[Affinity: 65%]

The affinity of other family members also increased.

Especially Arina, whose number went up by 10%.

Given that no Penalty appeared, it was reasonable to think that all of Carsein’s mistakes were covered.

Whatever happened, it was beneficial to me.

I’m not foolish enough to throw away given opportunities.

“Then, let’s depart two days from now.”

Once dragged around, starting from then, unlike during the Snow Flower Festival, there would be no way to escape from the family.

Not only taking portraits, but also attending royal audiences, meetings with other nobles, and discussions made the schedule tight, so there would be no time for me regardless of what I tried.

So, from today until tomorrow,

It was right to collect information on Shatren and Rilfetten in advance to prepare for the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

“Two days from now. Hmm.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to go a bit sooner? People will flock because they say the cherry blossoms are blooming.”

“If we go now, we’ll only see cherry blossoms that haven’t fully bloomed yet.”

“Huh?”

“Cherry blossoms bloom all at once. Plus, the peak blooming period is actually a bit later, so it’s better to go one or two days later for a better view.”

“…”

“…”

Arina and Isabella’s eyes widened.

What’s going on? Did I say something wrong?

“Who knew you’d know that much.”

“Did Carsein like cherry blossoms that much?”

Ah, thinking back, these people are nobles.

Seeing cherry blossoms is their entertainment, so they don’t rush to see them like commoners.

Unintentionally, this could block any further conversation.

“Well, I used to be a commoner, after all.”

Arina frowned slightly, and Isabella sighed.

As expected.

“Alright. Since we’re departing two days from now, let’s pack our bags well.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Isabella quickly concluded, and Arina responded.

Our conversation ended there.

-Ding!

-Sub Episode. The return date has ended.

-The current date and the corresponding Main Episode will proceed.

-Episode IV. The spring outing begins.

The route I intended to take proceeded as planned.

I also bought some time. Quite a satisfactory result.

Ah.

But there’s one thing left.

“Why did you say such a thing at a good atmosphere?”

As soon as I stepped out of the office, Arina glared at me with a scowling face.

“It’s not wrong.”

“Carsein.”

“Since I used to be a commoner, I understand better. But I don’t see the need to lie.”

“Huh.”

This time, she slapped her forehead and shook her head.

“Don’t cause trouble during the meeting. If you act like this again, I won’t forgive you.”

Frustrated, Arina walked past me first.

“Oh, come to think of it, Flora has been studying hard lately.”

“So what?”

“She keeps asking me to check on her studies. Like today.”

What? No, why would I…

-Ding!

-Sub Episode. Flora’s studies are underway.

‘Huh?’

That’s absurd.

To suddenly start a Sub Episode like this?

“Carsein doesn’t have any separate business to handle. On the other hand, Mother and I, and Claire, are busy every day, so we can’t help. Flora is also trying to study properly now. It’s better to use your hands rather than a tutor. Don’t you think?”

“…”

“Anyway, keep that in mind and teach her. You didn’t properly take care of Flora at the tea party last time. If you do well this time, I’ll consider it.”

As the cold blood started to circulate with the sound of retreating footsteps, how did the situation fit so perfectly?

-Everyone is busy, so you’re the only one with free time. That’s why you’ve been wandering around late. So, you should teach the youngest sibling.

Even at home, they told me to teach the youngest sibling because I seemed to have free time.

But here, I hear the same thing again.

I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

“Alright. I got it.”

But, I won’t make a fool of myself by causing trouble like before.

Whether Flora studies or not, all I need to do is leave a trace that I taught her properly.

***

Flora took Carsein as a companion to the tea party.

Although she started studying the book she hated so much, there was a big empty space in the Duke’s Mansion.

When there was a meal, there was always an empty seat.

Whenever the maids took the blankets to wash, there was always one missing.

Every time, the number of plates for meals was one short, and the number of dishes being taken was also one less.

And.

The sound of footsteps in the hallway was also gone.

Since realizing that Carsein’s place in the Duke’s Mansion had disappeared, she sometimes found herself looking at the main gate every day. When focusing on studying, she wished she could see the figure of a man through the window.

She felt uneasy, wondering if he might not come back at all.

She even thought that he might not come back because he was angry at her for what happened at the tea party.

She shook her head and stared at the main gate every day, overcoming her anxiety.

“…”

Even now, thinking of that moment makes her feel anxious, so she shakes her head.

To clear her gloomy mood, she sat down and opened a book.

“At least Carsein came back safely… That’s enough.”

He might still be angry.

Even though her younger sister brought Carsein back from Rusmaier after the incident at the tea party, his anger was directed at her for bringing him there.

Even if the Princess said she understood how Carsein had been, the fact remains that he had a bad experience.

Even if the pain healed, Carsein said.

He didn’t come back simply because he was upset.

The reason for staying out was because he was annoyed.

The reason for being upset was because of her.

There was not a single point of disagreement in that statement.

Therefore, Carsein’s anger would not subside.

Past or present.

The Kelbia fruit she planted continued to orbit around Carsein.

-Square, square.

So, all she could do was study.

To avoid hurting him further, she needed to learn and master more to reduce the pain caused by the Kelbia fruit.

To fully grasp mathematics, the most difficult subject she disliked, she needed to be able to attend Shayden’s classes on medicine and illness.

Only then could she remove the Kelbia fruits stuck to Carsein.

To give him the antidote she would make herself for the Kelbia fruit.

Flora started opening books and picking up pens for that purpose.

But.

Suddenly, she felt melancholic.

In front of her was a problem Carsein had taught her.

“…It was nice when Carsein taught me.”

When she dropped the book foolishly and snatched it back, she innocently asked him to solve a problem she didn’t know.

Realizing it was a mistake, she tried to retract it immediately, but surprisingly, Carsein readily agreed to teach her.

She was satisfied just knowing the problem was solved.

But even more satisfying was that Carsein solved it.

With a few concise words, understanding his explanations, solving problems bit by bit made her feel like a sister receiving lessons from her older brother, which wasn’t unpleasant at all.

Moreover, she had a slight expectation.

Maybe his anger had cooled down a bit.

A hopeful expectation.

“Should I ask him to teach me…?”

Muttering while filled with hope, a light knock sounded on Flora’s door.

Flora got up from her desk and cautiously opened the door.

“Who…?”

Before the question could finish,

Her hand, as delicate as a leaf, lost its strength and released the book.

“C, Carsein…? Why are you here…”

He was there.

The Carsein who she hoped would help her study just moments ago.

Not knowing what happened, he invited himself in.

Carsein entered the room, closed the door, and immediately picked up a pen, folding the scrap paper next to where Flora had written her solution neatly.

By tearing the paper skillfully along the lines, a rectangular prism was finally formed.

“When shapes are confusing, it’s better to fold them yourself to confirm. These two points here and here. Connecting them forms the longest diagonal from both sides. Three-dimensional and two-dimensional are clearly different.”

“Ah…!”

One of the problems she was stuck on was solved instantly.

Flora swallowed her saliva and cautiously asked,

“Are you… teaching me?”

“Yeah.”

“Why…?”

“You don’t need to know that. I’ll help with math studies for about one to two hours a day.”

Math studies?

For about one to two hours?

Flora’s lips curled upward.

Not knowing why Carsein came to her, seeing that he came to help with her studies, she thought maybe his anger had cooled a bit.

“No, that’s not it!”

She needed to study hard.

Yeah, that’s right!

-Ding!

[Please ■■■, ■■■■.]

[Numeric Value: 85%]

***

“…”

Harrier’s focus blurred again.

Another moment of staring blankly into space.

‘She’s doing it again.’

Minna, watching Harrier, sighed silently.

She couldn’t count how many times this had happened today.

Finally, Minna stood up from her seat, waiting for the report from Harrier.

“Ah, Miss?”

“Eeek?!”

Harrier’s sudden movement startled the sparrows perched on her, making them flutter away.

“What, what is it, Minna? Why all of a sudden…”

“Because Miss has been spacing out instead of signing reports. With so much to do already.”

“Oh… really?”

Answering, Harrier fiddled with her bangs.

“But why are you so surprised?”

“No, I’m not surprised…”

“I know you’re lost in thought. Ever since you returned from Rusmaier, you’ve been like this. What happened there?”

-Bang!

“What, what happened! Nothing happened!”

Minna looked at Harrier with puzzled eyes.

‘Hmm. Our Miss has changed somehow.’

Her ears turned red. Quite noticeably.

Not just her ears, but her cheeks were also slightly flushed, and her eyes blinked several times.

Including her exaggerated reaction, it’s clear something happened in Rusmaier.

Minna’s intuition that Harrier was different than usual made her smile slyly and probe further.

“Did Lord Carsein not give you his shoulder this time? Hehe.”

“Mi, Minna! Shoulder, what shoulder…”

“In cold winter, if you touch each other, it’s not cold and feels good. It’s not just because your side feels cold. The body heat transfers, you know. It’s quite warm.”

Half joking, recalling the scene from the carriage where they used to press against each other, she mentioned it.

Checking for her reaction…

“Wh, what warmth? Not at all warm! It’s not cold anyway, so touching, what touching…”

“Ahh! Miss! Using a cushion to hit is cheating!”

…Why is her reaction even more intense?

Did they hug tightly together or something?