Chapter 170

At first, I was clearly very tense.

I had made it to the Shatren Territory, but I didn’t know how to start the conversation.

Should I ask if she was prepared for the response, starting with the fact that my sister might come looking for me?

Or should I ask about where Flora was, since she came looking for me?

Maybe I should inquire about what conversation I had with Flora?

All sorts of questions came to mind, but I couldn’t decide how to begin. Even when Carsein finally showed up, all I could muster was asking him to knock first.

But, she knew best herself.

The truth was, those weren’t the words I wanted to say at all.

Was it because I thought my older sister, Arina, would come here and nag?

No.

Was it because of Flora coming to the Shatren Territory?

That wasn’t it either.

Was it because I was worried about what conversation Flora had with Carsein here?

No, not that either.

“…I just wanted to say sorry.”

Though I hadn’t realized it back then, I now clearly understood.

Carsein had noticed something in the Shatren Territory and tried to revive it. I, however, forcibly stopped him and ruined his plans. And the price he paid for it was not mine to bear.

I knew it all.

That’s why I came—to tell Carsein I’m sorry.

But I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

“…I just ended up slapping some innocent kid for no reason.”

Claire clenched and unclenched her fist a couple of times.

It wasn’t a hard slap, but she still impulsively hit out, which remains unchanged.

So maybe it was for the best that she couldn’t deliver the message to Carsein.

If she had tried to persuade him or tell the residents about this, she might have messed things up again, just like last time.

“Yeah, given my personality, it’s a relief if I don’t cause any accidents.”

Claire paused, turning her back slightly.

She already knew the answer within herself.

“Hmm, looks like I did it again ────?”

“…”

“Argh, what’s with that?”

“Ah.”

“What do you mean ‘ah’? We made a promise!”

“Th… Th-think about what I’m saying? I had no choice! So ────…”

“That’s enough! Since you broke your promise, this time… Hey? Where are you running to?! Get back here now?!”

“If I get caught now, I’ll end up saying nonsense again. What else can I do?!”

“Carsein, you…! Just you wait till I catch you!”

Even if it wasn’t her, someone else would help her younger brother.

Even if it wasn’t her, there were people who cared and sometimes scolded her.

Claire watched her quietly, smiling a little, then quietly turned around.

“Guh… Where am I…?”

“Woke up, Flora?”

“…Little sister? Where am I? Did you see where Carsein went?”

“Flora.”

Claire interrupted Flora’s anxious words by softly calling her name.

“Did you come here because you did something wrong to Carsein again?”

“…”

Flora, who was making a fuss, silently closed her mouth.

Yes, that was the truth. She came to find Carsein because of her past mistakes.

“Want to talk about what you did wrong? You can tell me, your older sister.”

Claire said this to reassure Flora.

“I spread bad rumors about Carsein among the residents of the Shatren Territory. I even spread the rumor that Carsein came to ruin this land… I also sold some of his belongings and pretended to help them… I did all these things.”

Flora admitted her mistakes one by one, her voice trembling.

Each admission revealed how much worse Carsein’s situation had become.

Financial troubles and problems within the territory remained unresolved.

Without anyone to help from the outside, and with the only lead—the plan—rotting away like a rotten Rohia seed, everything fell apart.

Claire, though feeling sick, forced herself to ask:

“So, why did you come here? Because you think Carsein is having a hard time because of you?”

“…Yeah.”

“And you went to see Lady Harnier?”

“To find someone to help us. Big sister said if she can’t gain the trust of the residents, our business in the Symposium will be very difficult. That’s why I looked for someone to help us.”

“So you thought of Lady Harnier as someone who could help?”

“…Yeah.”

“Of course.”

Claire smiled bitterly.

She had guessed correctly; they had the same thoughts.

But, that approach was wrong.

“…We shouldn’t do that, Flora.”

“Big sister…”

“Because it could make Carsein’s situation even harder.”

When Flora was about to argue, she silently cried instead.

The realization that it might make Carsein’s situation worse.

There was no other way but to accept it.

The terrible memory of the tea party where Kebia fruit was served in abundance, and how she, unknowingly, dragged others into that mess, was due to Flora.

“So what should we do? Because of me, Carsein is having a harder time. Can’t I just bring more people to help?”

“I understand your feelings, but we need to try another way. Flora, if you collaborate with someone unknown at the Symposium, it could worsen Carseine’s situation.”

“Oh…”

“We need to find someone who understands Carsein’s situation and can help, and persuade them properly.”

Claire had been searching for someone who could help her persuade Carsein.

Although she managed to get Harnier, the fiancée, involved, it wouldn’t solve all the problems in Shatren.

But direct help was not allowed.

Indirectly, unlike Harnier, she needed a different approach.

To truly help Carsein, she had to take a detour.

“Don’t worry. Let’s go to big sister. Wait until she calls us.”

“Yeah…”

Claire gently comforted her youngest sibling, who seemed down.

***

It’s quiet.

But it’s not really quiet. My mind is filled with a constant stream of voices.

Lying on a warm, soft, and peaceful place, but it doesn’t feel that way.

It’s warm, but it’s problematic.

Soft, but it feels restrictive.

Peaceful? Not really. This situation is so uncomfortable it’s driving me crazy.

Yes, sleeping on this knee is far from ideal.

“Um…”

Feeling it won’t do, I swallowed and started speaking cautiously.

“How about we quietly close our eyes?”

But as expected, a sharp voice cut through like a knife.

Harnier seemed ready to watch me sleep for hours.

“…Again, how did this happen?”

The reason was obvious.

A lie.

Not getting proper sleep was the fundamental problem that led to my face being placed on her thigh.

“…For some reason, Harnier never falls for my lies.”

Others don’t change their perception based on my appearance, but somehow, she immediately notices if I haven’t slept properly.

There was no sign, no clear situation.

When Harnier found me, she claimed it was because of Flora, and her attention was drawn to Claire, so she wouldn’t have had time to notice anything.

…Yet, she immediately knew I hadn’t slept.

How does she do it? Really.

‘Now is not the time for such thoughts.’

Yes. It’s not time to sleep.

Thinking of an excuse, I decided to be more forceful.

“What are you doing? Stay still and don’t move─”

“You’re really reckless, Harnier.”

-Splat.

“!”

“Look. If I push you, you can’t do anything.”

Pushing her against the sofa, I finally saw her panic.

Of course, it’s normal to feel threatened.

She’s so close.

To avoid such situations, I need to realize that lying on her thigh is dangerous.

‘Hopefully, she understands and lets go?’

…Up until a moment ago.

“Sleep. Be more careful from now─”

-Splat!

“Eh!”

“What are you doing?!”

Another red handprint appeared on my back.

***

“Ugh… You didn’t have to hit so hard.”

“Hmph. It’s self-inflicted. Suddenly pushing me like that… How could you scare me like that─── Do you know how much it affects a person’s heart─── Look, it’s racing. Hmph.”

As I rubbed her back, Harnier turned her head sharply. She mumbled something, but I couldn’t quite make it out.

“You already know I’m not the one who would cover you, right?”

“…You were serious?”

“Then you were lying? After seeing you just a few times… No, anyway! So, don’t do that again.”

“Yes…”

Though it wasn’t ideal, she prevented me from ending up on her thigh.

Now, I could get to the point.

“But why did you come here?”

“Huh?”

“It’s not just to check if I slept, right?”

Harnier narrowed her eyes.

“It’s important whether you slept properly too? Don’t treat it like nothing.”

“No, actually, it’s not that big of a deal…”

“Car… sein?”

“…Yes. I’ll be careful.”

Gulp.

Her staccato-like voice from hell was a warning to carve her palm on my back.

From now on, I shouldn’t mention that sleep isn’t important in front of Harnier.

“So, what’s the reason you came?”

Looking at her, Harnier sighed deeply.

“Lady Flora asked me to help you.”

“…What?”

What does she mean?

Flora asked her to help me?

“Not on the same day, but a few days ago. She just said she needs help, but I didn’t understand. She said she needs someone to help because you might have a harder time because of her.”

So that’s why Harnier came to see me.

That’s why.

“Your expression suggests you understand something?”

“Yes. But it’s just wasting your time.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, just ignore the nonsense that kid spouted. Anyway, my grades aren’t affected.”

“…I don’t worry much about your grades. I know how great you are. But…”

-Slurp.

Harnier grabbed my hand.

“This time, I actually want to ask for your help.”

“…”