Chapter 103

Second Clue.

Flora might not have noticed, but I had a hunch.

This place is blatantly perfect for Carsein to fall into a trap.

It’s great for framing him, embarrassing him, making him a laughing stock, or any other way the Duke’s House tormented Flora in the past.

In other words, within the common set of nobles, this place could easily isolate Carsein.

If we look at it differently, there was a possibility that Carsein had been here before.

We could assume so.

“Yeah. It was a possibility back then. But not anymore.”

The moment I saw this shining object, it wasn’t a possibility anymore. It was certain.

Carsein had been here before.

Just like today, with someone else.

“Let’s see what trouble Flora has caused now.”

-Ding!

▶Obtained Flora’s Handkerchief Memorial!◀

-Klang!

Forks and tableware clattered with a metallic sound.

Those utensils belonged to a boy who had just clenched his eyes shut.

The boy, who was eating the food on his plate a moment ago, coughed violently after dropping his utensils.

Due to the loud noise, the nobles’ eyes were drawn to one side.

But such gazes didn’t matter to Carsein.

-Yo, Carsein. You don’t seem well. Why don’t you visit the House of Gelgetten?

-House of Gelgetten…?

-Yeah. The food from the House of Gelgetten’s territory is mostly top quality. There’s a very renowned chef there. They say he can make healthy meals. So, go eat something healthy.

A few hours earlier,

Claire had said this.

Though it was under the pretense of taking care of his health, she also suggested he make some friends among the nobles and build connections.

However, when Carsein looked in front of him, there was no food again.

There was only one reason.

“Flora… you…!”

With a betrayed gaze, he looked at his younger sister opposite him.

The blonde girl covered her smiling lips with her hand and changed her expression completely.

“Oh, are you okay? Did you hurt anywhere?”

Her worried gaze.

But there was something hidden behind that worry.

It was no exaggeration to say it was filled with a devilish smile.

“Princess Carsein, even if that’s so, throwing down tableware isn’t a noble’s modesty, is it?”

“Oh my, oh my. Even so, the dining etiquette…”

“Please understand. Carsein’s health was terrible.”

Flora claimed that Carsein’s health had been deteriorating recently and that this wasn’t the first time.

“I felt so bad. Wouldn’t it be better if you understood a little?”

“Indeed, that must have been tough.”

“How wonderful it is to have such a broad heart.”

As a sister, she even acted tearful, which was the picture of an anxious younger sister.

But the nobles sitting at the same table knew what this signal meant.

They didn’t scold Carsein; they followed Flora’s intentions, doing as she instructed.

They only ordered new tableware.

At the same time, the plates were taken away and replaced with new ones filled with food. The new plates were larger and contained more food than before.

The food looked delicious and could greatly enhance one’s recovery from illness.

“You should eat properly. Your younger sister told you to take care of your health.”

Flora handed over the new tableware with a gentle smile.

“What a beautiful sight, seeing a sister worrying about her brother.”

“Truly. No one can match the generosity of Lady Flora.”

“The head chef at the House of Gelgetten must be very pleased.”

The nobles chuckled and agreed with Flora’s words.

It was a trap.

Carsein couldn’t leave this place.

He had to pick up the tableware.

Cut the food, put it in his mouth.

Chew and swallow.

Even if he knew all the dishes were covered in Kelbia fruit.

He couldn’t complain.

Unless he finished everything on the plate, he would be seen as another reckless troublemaker outside.

He would be scolded by Claire.

Scolded by Arina.

Yelled at by Isabella…

“Guh…!”

The rejection reaction from Kelbia allergy made him grimace involuntarily.

“Why is your face like that? Do you think it’s because the taste is bad?”

“My goodness. This is the cuisine praised by gourmets from the House of Gelgetten. That can’t be it!”

“Don’t eat too quickly. Savor it slowly. We’re doing the same.”

Again, he picked up the tableware.

He put the food in his mouth as if nothing happened.

He had to chew and swallow forcefully.

Even if he realized the nobles were enjoying his suffering.

And…

“Eat more, Carsein.”

Even if he sensed the malice in Flora’s act of putting her own food on his plate.

He shouldn’t say anything.

“Here’s a handkerchief! Use it while you eat.”

A handkerchief. The intention was clear: she wouldn’t even allow him to wipe his mouth discreetly.

At this moment, Carsein hated Flora desperately.

No one knew about his Kelbia allergy except her. Without her, he would have been served normal food.

But Flora came along.

The nightmare from the Duke’s House restaurant revived here.

Flora’s influence tainted the food.

The nobles all noticed.

He couldn’t scream.

He couldn’t get angry.

He couldn’t resist at all.

All he could do was tightly grip the handkerchief.

He could only silently protest with the handkerchief.

Amidst excruciating pain, Carsein had to silently chew and swallow the food.

***

There was nothing more to the aftermath.

Carsein stuffed the handkerchief into the trash bin and rushed back to the Duke’s carriage, suffering from pain.

After returning, the moment Claire asked if he ate well, his emotions welled up.

“I won’t, never again, go out with Flora! Absolutely!”

And he got scolded by all three of them, as always.

The light of the handkerchief faded, and soon it returned to its original place, opening the status window.

▶Memorial Ended!◀

“Huh, you brought Carsein back here even after he did this?”

Unbelievable.

Carsein’s eyes, still full of hope to finally eat proper food, wouldn’t fade away.

Nor would the miserable look of Carsein, who had to force himself to eat despite betrayal and frustration.

Yet, Flora Bargrand brought Carsein back here again.

“She’s truly remarkable.”

Separately, this Memorial gave me a nauseating glimpse of the past.

Back then, I too couldn’t escape humiliation in front of the third’s friends.

That’s why I regained my composure quickly.

-Ding!

▶Episode III: Remnants of Malice in Progress!◀

▶It’s revealed that someone is threatening Carsein at the villa!◀

▶Results of success or failure based on achievement level will be informed to the player in advance.◀

[Success: Arina’s affinity increases slightly.]

[Failure: Status ailment occurs, confining you to your room for a day, imposing a curfew.]

Curfew.

Why does it fit so perfectly?

When I started working part-time, I was imposed a curfew.

It was due to the third. Because I kept coming home late, the first reported to our eldest sibling, leading to a curfew with the complaint of “Why do you worry so much about your younger sibling?”

That year, a significant portion of the money I collected through part-time work was cut. Not only that, my actions were restricted, and I was dragged into unwanted places, becoming a laughingstock.

So.

I think the current situation and my circumstances back then aren’t much different.

Since I was asked by Arina to take care of Flora, if Flora’s influence extends here, it’s not surprising at all that a curfew might be imposed. Even beyond just the game system.

“Even if it’s because of Kelbia allergy, being bedridden is natural, but a curfew is dangerous.”

While spatial restrictions can be somewhat managed, there’s no solution for time constraints. It was an absolute restriction.

“Huff.”

Calmly, he took a deep breath to cool down.

He closed his eyes tightly.

Quickly organizing the information.

This episode requires avoiding the nobles’ plans against Carsein. The achievement level depends on how well he avoids them.

I am at the mansion of the House of Gelgetten, where dishes filled with Kelbia fruit were served.

In the past, Carsein’s Kelbia allergy was exposed by the nobles, thanks to Flora.

So, what about now?

It’s obvious that the nobles and their companions won’t touch anything untouched.

This tea party is ultimately an event designed to mock Carsein’s Kelbia allergy.

Now, the answer to why I remained silent until now is clear.

The nobles at the mansion will inevitably enjoy Carsein’s suffering as he eats the food and reacts painfully.

And.

The other person would do the same.

Carsein was merely pulled back to this place where remnants of malice remain.

That’s reality.

“Yeah. This is reality. Ask Arina to take care of her younger sibling? That sister of mine is tormenting me so cruelly.”

Shut up.

I won’t let this happen.

Feeling cold blood flow through him, he picked up Flora’s handkerchief.

Then, leaving the empty room, he immediately asked the servant.

“Hey you. Do you know when the tea party starts?”

“In about 15 minutes.”

“Fifteen minutes.”

Before leaving the Duke’s House, Tasha had hinted that it would be better to know a bit about the Gelgetten territory.

-“The Gelgetten territory is close to a village, providing fresh ingredients.”

It’s about a 3-minute ride on horseback.

There was plenty of time left.

“Then, I’ll go out for a bit.”

There was ample time to prepare.