Chapter 196

Under the dazzling chandelier.

The grand birthday party truly began as the birthday girl, Florra, stepped into the high-class cafe.

The nobles cheered loudly. The dress, personally handled by the famous boutique and Princess Claire herself, blended perfectly with the spring scenery, making Florra look lively and fresh.

“Is that Princess Claire’s latest design?”

“Yes, it’s made by our younger sister. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“You’re absolutely right.”

“It would be even better if we could capture this moment in a portrait.”

“She’s already planning to invite more people!”

As the birthday party’s star, Florra finished her brief greetings and immersed herself in the festivities.

In the midst of it all,

One person was nowhere to be seen.

“By the way, where’s that commoner?”

“I expected him to sneak in like a weed and take a seat here.”

“What happened? Could it be that Miss Florra did something about it?”

“That’s not it… Well, who cares if he’s not here? Better things are better.”

“True. Even if he were here, he wouldn’t help much anyway.”

“Right. It’s better without him. It’s only natural for him to know his place, but his absence worries me.”

“Missing Florra’s birthday party would certainly make things easier.”

Carsein.

He still hadn’t shown up.

As a result, the two sisters were thoroughly annoyed.

Despite being adopted, he was still a member of the House of Bargrand. He should attend his younger sister’s birthday party, but somehow, Carsein couldn’t be found anywhere.

“Where on earth is this kid?”

“He must have run away. Can’t he go a day without causing trouble? On such an important day too…”

For several tens of minutes, they searched the party hall, occasionally pretending to visit the parlor and peeking into a few rooms in the hallway.

Yet, there was no trace of Carsein.

Arina clicked her tongue and decided to act decisively.

“Clare, there’s no other way. Searching room by room will only delay us. We need to find him ourselves first.”

“Big sister? What do you mean? If we search around, guests might see us.”

“We need time. We have to create some time somehow.”

“…Ah.”

“Given the situation, we have no choice but to ask mother for help and search for him together. And if time is short, I’ll join in to buy more time. You do your best to find him.”

“I will. Big sister. This brat won’t get away. After the party, I’ll deal with him.”

Isabella, who had been stiff, nodded at this news.

“First, he didn’t leave the house, right?”

“Yeah, mom. There’s no change in the number of carriages or horses.”

“And the guards haven’t seen anyone leave.”

“Let’s follow Arina’s advice. I happen to have something to discuss, so I’ll try to stall as much as possible. Hurry and find Carsein.”

Two heads nodded in agreement.

When they decisively opened doors instead of just peeking, Carsein’s location was quickly found.

“Ha! Who would’ve thought he’d be in such a place. Why are you hiding in such a corner? Are you sane?”

“Enough, Clare. Quickly come along. We can’t let Carsein ruin Florra’s birthday.”

Though she wanted to punish him severely, Arina warned that they had to hold back because the party was still ongoing.

It would have been better if he hadn’t been found. Carsein had no choice but to follow silently, biting his lip.

What he saw, what he heard, what was the truth—knowing all of this, he realized he was nothing but a hindrance at the party, yet he had no choice but to follow.

Time passed.

Finally, it was time for gifts.

Florra received enthusiastic cheers and gifts from all the nobles.

“Congratulations, Florra.”

“Our youngest, you should grow tall and strong.”

Even the family members didn’t miss out on giving gifts.

Everyone except one.

“You mean to say you don’t have a gift prepared, Carsein?”

“Did I hear wrong?”

Carsein clenched his lips and answered.

“…I’m sorry. I couldn’t prepare anything.”

There was no gift.

Mielle’s magic doll was sold out before he could gather enough money, and the doll he intended to give, though damaged, was locked away in a closet.

The atmosphere turned cold.

While everyone congratulated Florra and gave gifts, it was a contradiction for Carsein, a family member, to not bring a gift.

Under three pairs of eyes, Carsein trembled like a mouse.

After the party ended,

Carsein was almost dragged off by Clare.

“Damn. I’ve held back long enough. Answer me properly. Got it?”

“…”

“Speak. Why didn’t you bring any gift for your little sister’s birthday when you were hiding somewhere?”

But Carsein couldn’t answer.

What should he say? That he brought a gift, but it wasn’t really a gift? Or that he wanted something else entirely?

“…It wouldn’t matter anyway.”

In the end, he remained silent.

“Stupid brat. Why are you speechless? Answer me!”

“…”

“Fine. I guess you don’t have a mind. Even Florra defended you saying you could do it. What a great brother you are!”

“…Defended?”

“…Great brother?”

-Click.

“Where did you look?”

Overwhelmed by sadness, Carsein inadvertently let his true feelings slip.

As a result,

-Slap!

Clare’s hand swung harshly.

“You damn piece of trash. Say it again. What did you just say?”

“…”

“Miss! You must control yourself!”

“There are still people watching!”

Clare’s eyes flared up.

Her blue flames burning with anger, but Heron and Sheiden intervened, creating some space between them.

But Carsein had only faced Clare.

“What a selfish bastard. Even if it was small, if you had prepared something, you could have given the nobles something to laugh about.”

Next came Arina.

“I don’t understand how far you plan to disgrace the House of Bargrand. Seeing you cause such a big mess on such an important day is unbearable.”

Arina, despite knowing it was an excuse, agreed to listen to any explanation.

Carsein swallowed his anger and said to Arina.

“I… didn’t do anything wrong.”

“What?”

“I didn’t do anything wrong!”

-Smack!

“Ugh…”

Unable to hold back, Arina stood up and punched Carsein’s face.

Her punch, filled with emotion, strength, and mana, tore his soft flesh and caused blood to flow freely.

“Foolish. You don’t even show any sign of remorse. Feel ashamed. Do you think it’s brave to not admit your own mistakes?”

“…”

“Enough. Beating you won’t make Florra feel any better. It’s pitiful how Florra treats someone like you who caused trouble on their birthday as their older brother.”

After being hit again, Carsein felt his cheek sting.

But the pain was nothing compared to what he felt inside.

Family.

Doubts about the word started to creep in.

Inside Carsein’s heart, something was breaking and crumbling, creating a hollow crack.

If it had been just the two of them, perhaps the cracks in his heart could have healed over time.

But now, a blunt wedge was driven in.

“Did you call for something?”

“…You came.”

After being scolded by his two sisters, the last person he met was Isabella.

The birthday party was nearing its end.

Soon, the ceremony of lighting the beacon and setting off fireworks would begin.

But before that, Carsein had a private meeting with Isabella.

With a closed gaze, Isabella looked at Carsein and sighed.

“Even though we’re not blood-related, I accepted you as my son. I even completed the adoption. But today’s incident is truly disappointing.”

Isabella’s first words were a sigh of disappointment.

“I thought you’d at least bring a gift. I even thought you might have asked the servants to get something. Anything, even if it’s insignificant. But… this isn’t acceptable.”

She paused, unable to continue.

Her voice was scolding Carsein for coming empty-handed.

“I don’t expect you to bring a gift for my birthday. But from now on, bring whatever you can. If it’s too hard, ask your two sisters to help prepare.”

Isabella added, insisting on one thing.

“Don’t ever hurt your younger sister, Carsein.”

Although Isabella treated him more gently than Clare or Arina, he didn’t expect her to speak kindly.

But hearing her heartfelt plea, Carsein couldn’t hold back his tears.

“Me? Hurt Florra?”

The real wound was on him.

Hurt Florra?

Seeing her swollen face, Carsein knew he had been beaten by Clare and Arina.

Despite receiving treatment from Sheiden, his cheek was still swollen, but Isabella didn’t mention it.

This was the final blow that shattered his already broken heart.

“Y-Yes, ma’am.”

“…Heron. Send this child to his room.”

Isabella thought further conversation was pointless and sent Carsein away with tears in his eyes.

Silent until then, Carsein shouted with a choked voice.

“I tried to give a gift… for her birthday.”

“…You tried?”

“The thing she likes most…”

is being excluded from the party, getting scolded by the family, and being pointed at by the nobles!

Unable to finish his sentence, Carsein ran out before Heron could follow.

His broken heart couldn’t be mended. The tears that flowed washed away even his small wish to belong.

As a result of ruining Florra’s birthday party, Carsein was placed under house arrest.

From that day on, Carsein’s emotions dried up like a doll’s.

***

▶The bear plush memorial has ended.◀

▶A timer has been set.◀

“Haha.”

When the memorial ended with the timer, I laughed bitterly.

How could expectations never be wrong?

I knew the bear plush had been trampled.

And I vaguely guessed it had been tossed aside.

But I hoped it wouldn’t be like this.

-Bang!

“Damn. Why do these coincidences have to be so unpleasant.”

I hoped Carsein wouldn’t repeat the same mistake as me, hoping foolishly to become part of a family.

But it was all the same.

Chilling blood rushed through my head.

The coldness spread through my body, jolting me awake.

“Gah, right. Probably from this point. I resolved to leave that house as soon as possible. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise.”

This guy finally woke up.

Being clear-cut like this was better than being lost in delusions.

▶The timer has ended.◀

▶Episode VII. Florra’s Birthday resumes.◀

▶Choices may occur in the hallway.◀

“Florra’s birthday party. Perfect.”

Now is the time to show my true intentions and Carsein’s.

-Tuck.

“This kind of bear plush can never be a birthday gift.”

-Zzzzzt, zzzzt!

Today, I’ll give you the best birthday gift.

Florra.