Chapter 142

“Can I come in for a moment?” asked Camila immediately upon my inquiry, and I nodded.

“Please wait a moment.”

“Alright.”

The documents from Rusmaier were organized by Camila, and I personally arranged the remaining documents to make them inconspicuous.

Once everything was done, Camila opened the door as instructed.

Indeed, Camila was an efficient maid.

Although I had cleaned up the room by subtly moving some items, acting calmly and buying time.

Thanks to this, Isabel, who had just arrived, felt no discomfort.

Meanwhile, I pretended to organize the documents related to the territory, making use of the remaining time.

If someone was going to look for me, they should have come yesterday.

The person who might look for me would be either Arina or Claire.

But both of these possibilities were wrong.

▶Perfect Clear reward: Arina and Claire did not appear; instead, Isabel appeared.◀

This unexpected visit from Isabel was the effect of the Perfect Clear.

“I’ll go out first, Young Master.”

“Alright.”

As Camila left, she left Isabel and me alone.

After taking a sip of the tea Camila had brewed, Isabel began softly.

“I’m sorry, Carsein. You can blame me for this.”

To suddenly say that she could be blamed?

Normally, one would assume Arina reported, and it would be natural to ask about the fight with the nobles.

Of course, even if Claire, who knew about the Tourmus flower, affected the situation at the time, there wouldn’t be any changes to the Episode clearance…

But I hadn’t heard anything about this before.

“What does that mean?”

I had to hear the story to understand what was happening.

So, I directly asked Isabel.

Then, Isabel held my hand tightly and added,

“It’s all my fault. To bring you here without remembering such incidents… Even now, I, who hasn’t changed, have caused you pain again.”

Along with her words, something reached me from Isabel’s hand.

My eyes involuntarily twitched. It was obvious whose fault this was.

‘…Pointless effort.’

It was clearly a good object.

Before leaving the Duke’s Mansion, I had seen the broken frame of the Memorial.

What did it mean that this frame was back in Isabel’s hand?

Even though I had hinted to Heron to handle it, seeing it folded and put back into my hands meant that Heron must have brought it up, just like the memory I saw through the Memorial of Carsein.

“I saw you differently than other daughters, and because of my prejudice, this all happened. So… I decided not to draw the family portrait this time. I can’t give the same wound twice.”

What am I hearing right now?

Not giving the same wound twice, so I won’t draw the family portrait this time?

A sour feeling rose from my stomach.

It was tolerable that Isabel noticed the matter.

No matter how things progressed, I could just endure it. After all, it was an episode that happens before the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

But the image of that person reluctantly trying to accommodate me overlapped, making me feel like I might vomit.

Unable to hold back, I blurted out angrily,

“No, there’s no need for that.”

“…What?”

“Why should we ruin this fine day for me? Wouldn’t it be better to proceed as planned?”

Yeah, thinking about it, there’s nothing particularly bad about it.

It’s just a family portrait after all.

The only thing that matters is whether my image is included in that painting.

There’s no need to create a situation where I feel uncomfortable over something like that.

All I want is for the family photo session not to be ruined because of me.

“Let’s proceed with the portrait schedule as planned.”

“What? But then…”

“You’re talking about old memories. I don’t know what you’re referring to, but I don’t remember. It seems like a long time ago, and why should I miss such an opportunity on such a sunny day with cherry blossoms in full bloom?”

“…”

“Just tell me plainly. I don’t care. Even if you paint the portrait, it doesn’t matter. Missing such a good day for something I barely remember isn’t worth it.”

Isabel paused for a moment, seemingly in contemplation, then asked me again,

“Are you really okay with this?”

“Yes.”

I didn’t even want such convenience.

Such nauseating kindness would only cause more irritation.

“I’ll buy new clothes to replace the dirty ones. Let’s proceed with the portrait schedule as planned.”

So let’s accept it the other way around.

Let’s accept exactly what this family wants.

I don’t care about your kindness, Duchess.

Isabel held my hands tightly and smiled faintly.

“Really… You’ve grown so dependable, Carsein.”

Even if I don’t remember the incident, Isabel said she was still sorry for her mistake and thanked me.

I tried hard to hide my bitter smile.

‘There’s no need for you to apologize or thank me, Duchess.’

In the end, this will all be erased from your mind.

Like always.

– DING!

▶Condition for Hidden Episode IV fulfilled.◀

▶Clear the newly drawn portrait. Hidden Episode obtained.◀

▶Awarding confirmed rewards!◀

■Rewards

▶Carlein’s affinity increases.

[ Affinity level: 65% → 68% ]

▶The nobles threatening Carlein withdraw, reducing the threat level in the eastern cherry blossom viewing area.

[ Threat level change: Dangerous → Warning ]

…

…

Despite the numerous rewards popping up, I couldn’t care less due to the sourness rising in my throat.

***

After Isabel’s visit, the portrait schedule, which should have been canceled, continued as planned.

Preparations were made hurriedly.

Claire and Flora looked quite surprised when they heard from Isabel that the portrait would be drawn, while Arina remained quiet.

The day passed quickly like that.

Claire prepared new clothes since she couldn’t wear the dirty ones.

Flora kept checking on me occasionally, whereas Arina gave me knowing looks.

The next day, I followed the painter’s request and arranged the composition and drew the portrait.

It felt similar to taking a family photo, but unlike last time, I didn’t miss out or ruin the arrangement.

None of the family members raised objections.

Only Heron and Sheiden looked puzzled, watching me.

The remaining time was spent in meetings with the nobles.

A place where nobles could compete and cooperate with each other in the east.

They also went on spring outings, enjoyed food, and simply admired the cherry blossoms or took walks, continuing their usual schedule.

When the Bargrand family moved together, spending half a day to a whole day there, and another half a day to a whole day back at the hotel dealing with documents and pens.

For several days, every day was like this.

And two days before the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, the schedule ended.

“These portraits should be hung here.”

“Yes, understood!”

Under Isabel’s instructions, the servants of the Bargrand family moved.

They busily replaced the portraits in the Bargrand mansion.

Glancing over, the large family portrait taken recently was hung in the Main Hall.

Moreover, all the walls and frames in the mansion were replaced with new portraits. Even expensive paintings were replaced.

Seeing my face in mirrors all over the place, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“How anxious I was about ruining this outing, but at least I didn’t overreact, Carsein.”

At that moment, Arina approached me.

Of course.

She came to find me now.

“Still, your action to reduce Mother’s worries has some merit. I’ll overlook this time. However, if you tarnish Bargrand’s reputation again, I will strip you of your authority without hesitation, regardless of the Symposium starting in a few days.”

Arina wagged her finger at me as a warning.

“Grr.”

“Laughing?”

“No, I just regained my senses. Yeah, the Symposium hasn’t started yet.”

If my vigilance wavers, she would definitely come to remind me.

Truly, I should be grateful to Arina.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll be careful. I won’t ruin a meal by adding salt. But did you hear? Hemnan Modrich was excommunicated from the Modrich count’s house not long ago.”

“Excommunicated? What does that mean?”

“Oh, it seems the news didn’t reach you. Heheh.”

Arina frowned deeply.

“Don’t bring up irrelevant topics. You’re currently being reprimanded. And it’s related to an issue that could harm the family.”

“Grk, Haha!”

No matter how hard I try to hold back, I can’t.

Yeah, what’s the point of a portrait, a family photo?

“That’s true. No relation at all. After all, I’m not fit for the Bargrand family.”

“Huh? Carsein, what are you trying to say?”

“I’m just stating the truth. I’m still a ragged person from a slum, just like Hemnan described.”

“What?”

Cold sweat ran down my body.

Holding back the laughter that kept surfacing, I returned to my room.

Now, after coming back from outside the Duke’s Mansion, a small change occurred in my room.

“Tsk. Heron and Sheiden. Always doing pointless things.”

On the table was a single frame.

Inside was a picture of the Bargrand family, peacefully gathered under the bright spring sun and pink cherry blossoms.

“Maybe it’s not entirely meaningless?”

Slash.

I pulled out the portrait behind the frame and started tearing it.

Cleanly and neatly.

Only what needed to be removed was taken out.

“Yeah, this is right.”

I’m not part of your family.

Just like before, having cracks is correct.

For them.

And for me.

Just like the broken frame, we need to be apart.

-Slap. Thump.

Carsein’s torn face was buried deep in the trash bin.

***

At the same time.

Someone’s eyes opened in the dark.

“When will this pig spawn wake up?”

“Ugh, ugh…?”

“Oh, you’re finally coming to?”

“What, who are you… No, why am I tied up here!”

Hemnan woke up to an unfamiliar voice.

Realizing his body was tied to a wooden chair, he struggled.

“Untie me! I am Hemnan Modrich, a noble from the high-ranking Modrich count’s house! How dare you treat me like this…!”

At that moment, a punch hit his sternum.

With the force choking his breath, Hemnan couldn’t even make a sound and bent over.

“Why is this fool ruining my plan? Why am I so angry?”

“Cough, cough! What do you mean…!”

A hand reached out from the darkness, grabbing Hemnan’s jaw.

The light in Hemnan’s eyes was filled with fear.

He should have screamed for his release, but he stood silently, drenched in cold sweat.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because of you, Carsein keeps getting his freedom. Understand? That’s why my plan is completely messed up.”

“Plan… you said?”

“Yes. The plan to get him out of the duke’s house. It’s ruined.”

Though it was an incomprehensible statement, Hemnan felt only one emotion looking at those eyes.

Fear.

Fear of that man.

“First, untie me. I don’t know what I did wrong, but I’ll pay compensation. Please—”

“Compensation was to complete the mission!”

-Slice!

“Gwaaahhh!!!”

Unlike the previous squeal of a pig being slaughtered, a deep scream echoed in the basement.

Along with a chilling voice, blood oozed from a deep wound on Hemnan’s thigh.

Ironically, only then did Hemnan regain his senses.

“Y-You… You are… him?”

If that’s the case, it makes sense.

The sudden excommunication and his situation here.

Growing fear.

Hemnan started begging.

“I-I’m sorry! I know what you ordered! The goal was to make Carsein misunderstood and return to the duke’s mansion under house arrest! B-But somehow, the Marquis Aiferos of Rusmaier became an accomplice. This was unforeseen…!”

“Your filthy tongue. In short, you failed. You couldn’t even ruin a worthless territory like Rusmaier. Right?”

“T-That’s…”

“It wasn’t that difficult, was it? Now, you just need to take away their necessities one by one and slowly take their land. It’s simple. You volunteered for this easy task, but why are you failing?”

As expected, no matter who took on this task, it wouldn’t be strange. Hemnan took on this task because he coveted the land of Rusmaier.

But what about reality?

He failed miserably and was brought here.

“Whatever. Since the count doesn’t know about this, and the news of your excommunication is spreading, handling you won’t be difficult.”

“H-Handling me?”

Being told to ‘handle’ him means death.

Those who fail missions have always faced this fate, and none have escaped this punishment.

Terrified, Hemnan started pleading.

“Give me one more chance! This time, he’s attending the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting. I can use my knowledge of Rusmaier… If I can create internal division…!”

“Ugh, shut up.”

“Kehgr…”

Seeing his discomfort, a nearby man gagged Hemnan.

“Mmph! Uugh! Mmph!”

“Handle it cleanly. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Ugh! Uugh! Mmph! Ugh!”

In this place, Hemnan Modrich’s name vanished completely.