Chapter 194

– Ding!

▶ The player is holding a grudge against those existing in this party hall. ◀

▶ The nobles’ attention rises. ◀

[ Current value: 53% ]

The nobles’ attention is gradually increasing.

The nobles are displeased that a commoner like Carsein is present at this event, causing their attention to rise.

Though not a good situation, it confirms that my current development isn’t derailed.

‘It’s best to step away for now.’

I stand up.

“I’ll go get some fresh air.”

Claire immediately grabs me. Not just Claire.

“You. Where do you think you’re going? Just stay here.”

“It’s Flora’s birthday party. How long have you been sitting and now you want to leave?”

– Ding!

▶ Claire and Arina grab the player. How will you react?

[ 1. (While letting go of Claire’s hand) I’m tired. I’ve come this far. Can’t I rest a bit? ]

[ 2. (Looking at Arina) It’s still too early. I’ll be back when the time comes. ]

[ 3. (Nonchalantly) I need to use the restroom. ]

[ 4. If we don’t prepare now, we’ll be late. ]

Yeah, this is how it should be.

For Carsein, these options are normal.

Although option 4 seems correct at first glance, it’s not.

If the conversation leads to “You prepared Flora’s gift?”, suspicion might arise.

Then the conversation could take a wrong turn, raising the attention further.

So, the answer is 3.

[ 3. (Nonchalantly) I need to use the restroom. ]☑

“Why can’t I go to the restroom?”

“…Carsein. Didn’t you say you were going out for some fresh air?”

“At least I should prepare, right?”

“Prepare?”

“I don’t want to get scolded by you guys after complaining about not having a gift.”

Arina falls silent, and Claire loosens her grip.

“So you’re saying you’re going to get Flora’s gift now?”

“Yeah. This is the best time to blend in with the nobles.”

“…Worrying about getting another gift in advance was unnecessary.”

“Really? Then why didn’t you say so from the beginning! Why make me misunderstand…”

Misunderstand what? I just didn’t want to see you all leave early on Flora’s birthday.

Fine. I’ll mumble to myself. I need to get that doll.

“Come back as soon as possible.”

“Why? Do you think I’ll run away?”

“…Carsein.”

“You worry too much. I won’t run away.”

Arina’s eyebrows shoot up.

“Punishments must be clear. I need to discuss this with you and ask what compensation you’d like. That’s not what I meant.”

Ha. Compensation.

You and the eldest are no different.

– This is the time to buy what you want. Don’t you want anything?

Exactly.

It sounds like a generic, insincere response.

I don’t need that.

“What happened between you and your sister?”

“Nothing. I refused to sign the collaboration agreement because I didn’t want to tarnish our family name.”

“What?”

“Carsein, you…”

This time, Arina glares at me fiercely, clearly upset.

I fuel her anger slightly.

“Just let me take the blame. You can call me an idiot for refusing such a great offer.”

“How can you treat someone’s sincerity… like that again!”

“The punishment will come after the symposium at the duke’s house. I don’t want to ruin the mood on Flora’s birthday.”

This way, their affinity will drop naturally later.

I glare at the fiery redhead and the still perplexed pink-haired one before leaving my seat.

Claire follows me into the hallway and grabs my hand.

“Hey… That…”

“What now?”

“…About that, you know.”

– Clunk. Clunk.

What is it? What’s with this hesitation?

“Ugh!”

Why mess with my hair? What’s wrong with you today?

“Later. Let’s talk alone later. Got it?”

“Just talk now.”

“Now’s not the time! Later. Just you and me.”

What’s this?

– Ding!

▶ The player has chosen an option. ◀

▶ Stand up and move to the parlor. ◀

‘Yeah, for now, it’s best to leave the seat.’

If I stay longer, my attention will rise, and I’ll waste the precious free time I’ve earned.

I respond vaguely and head towards the parlor from the gathering of the Bargrand ducal house.

“It looks like there’s no issue since the packaging symbol is intact. This means there’s no change in the contents.”

Sometimes, this happens. In the game, messages would appear saying the player’s prepared gift had changed when inspected.

If the packaging is slightly altered here, you must quickly swap the gifts upon inspection.

If left untouched, when Flora opens the gift, she’ll find a box full of bugs inside.

Bugs, worms, insects—all things Flora hates. If it’s revealed that you gave her such a gift… well, that’s a fantastic bad ending.

That’s why this choice is crucial.

▶ The state of Flora’s birthday gift box can be checked.

“Let’s see. Since no one’s touched it… I should move it to another spot and place a new box there.”

[ 2. Place a new box in the same spot and move the real birthday gift box to another location. ]☑

Alright. Even if the nobles try to tamper with my birthday gift, there won’t be a big problem. Adding an extra empty box is nothing more than thinking I made a mistake in preparation.

From now on, there will be choices to respond to the nobles’ taunts in a way that doesn’t raise attention.

In that case, it’s best to confront them directly.

First, I need to leave this place.

Staying any longer might cause suspicion about switching the boxes.

“Hmm?”

As I head out,

I notice a faint light coming from below.

This is…

Click.

“…Right. A memorial.”

Even in the game, memorials appear around this time.

However, in this case, it’s found in the hallway rather than the parlor, offering hints to counter the nobles’ provocations.

This means the memorial likely contains another part of Carsein’s past.

But…

“Ugh, I can guess what this is for.”

Seeing the brightly glowing memorial, I can somewhat understand its purpose.

“This thing shouldn’t be hidden in a closet.”

They put it there on purpose, either to hide it or discard it.

And they left it there, unattended, from the past until now.

The person involved probably knows nothing about it.

“…Stupid.”

I smile bitterly and reach for the memorial.

▶ Obtained the trampled bear-shaped memorial. ◀

-Swoosh!

***

The time is during the snow festival, which extends into spring outings.

It was just another spring.

Warm spring sunshine and cherry blossoms swayed gently, petals fluttering and falling, covering the empire’s land with vibrant blooms.

One day, amidst the nobles’ conversations,

I heard something by chance.

“Isn’t it urgent to miss this week?”

“Of course. I’m going with my parents.”

“Hehe. Right. You wouldn’t miss Flora’s birthday, would you?”

“Anyway, aren’t our paths overlapping? Want to go together?”

“Sure, why not?”

It’s Flora’s birthday.

I remember clearly.

Last year, around this time, it was Flora’s birthday, and there were times when birthdays passed without doing anything.

All I could do was watch. I couldn’t participate in the warm scenes where family members celebrated birthdays and exchanged gifts.

Carsein felt deeply uncomfortable each time.

It was frustrating not being able to give even a single gift despite being family.

So this time, he clenched his fist and vowed.

‘I really want to prepare a birthday gift this time.’

Carsein immediately returned to the ducal house.

To get a gift for his younger sister Flora, he needed money.

– Click.

“… ”

Opening the drawer, he sees a few coins.

These coins are leftover money from spending on his older sisters.

With this, nothing can be bought.

Flora is a noble.

Her gift must be luxurious and rare.

“I have no choice.”

Sighing, Carsein glances toward the door.

He moves cautiously, trying not to be seen by Emma or other maids, who might make things worse.

– Shush.

Under the bed.

A hidden box emerges.

Carsein smiles faintly at the box.

Inside, as expected, were coins, but in abundance. The box was so full that every movement of the coins made a clinking sound.

The money here was all Carsein’s earnings from outside the ducal house, collected over time.

The coins in the box, unseen by Emma or the maids, were substantial. With this, Carsein believed he could afford a noble’s item.

Next was deciding what to buy for Flora’s birthday…

He heard about this.

“Miel’s magic doll, right?”

Rumors said Miel’s dolls, powered by magic stones, could comfort and help with sleep.

Flora had deeply admired a magic doll once, showing curiosity. This would be a perfect birthday gift.

Carsein gathered the coins from the box and sneaked out.

The maids were busy preparing for Flora’s birthday, making it easier for him to slip out unnoticed.

But a problem arose.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t purchase with this amount.”

No matter how many coins were in the box, they were just coins.

Even adding them all up, it wasn’t enough for the expensive doll.

“…Then, how much more do I need?”

“About 1500 peseles.”

The shopkeeper lifts his glasses nonchalantly.

1500 peseles?

That might be enough.

Just in case, he had kept a second box.

There were items inside that could be sold for money.

“I’ll be back shortly. Wait for me…”

“I apologize, but that doll is the last one we have.”

“…What?”

“Our magic dolls are restocked when the magic runs out. They’re very popular among noble ladies, so someone else might buy it first.”

Carsein panics.

“If you’re buying, do it as soon as possible. We can’t reserve it.”

“…Alright!”

To buy Miel’s magic doll, Carsein rushes back to the ducal house.

Back in his room, Carsein immediately checks under the bed.

But,

The box is empty.

It’s completely empty.

“Why is this empty…?”

Carsein stands before the empty box, stunned.

Someone watching through the crack in the door smiles.

“Heh. Thought hiding it there would keep you from finding it?”

Golden curls shimmered.