Chapter 22

The damp dress returned to its original state as if it had never been wet.

During that time, she had been lost in contemplation until the dress dried, which took from dawn until the announcement was made that the birthday celebrant was tired and would be returning at around 1 AM.

“Carsein Bargrand…”

Having repeated his name several times, she realized the dress had dried. It didn’t make sense. Why did she accept his engagement this time when she had refused it so strongly before?

It was when she felt threatened by the Marquis House of Teresia. In her search for the most ideal partner, she unexpectedly found Carsein Bargrand, the adopted son of the Bargrand family.

He was a decent match. Despite his poor reputation in the noble society, he possessed all the desirable qualities for a young man of the Bargrand family, except for his less-than-stellar reputation.

She could always break off the engagement later if necessary, and he lacked the power or influence to control her. Moreover, he wasn’t the type to be swayed by lust, which also played a role in her decision.

There simply hadn’t been any better candidate available.

However, there was a big problem: whenever Harrier tried to bring up the engagement, he would only apologize and refuse to continue the conversation.

Even in private settings, they had tried to talk about it several times, but he seemed to avoid her presence strongly.

But now, out of the blue, he accepted the proposal today…

“No. It doesn’t matter why. The reason isn’t important.”

Harrier shook her head, shaking off her reverie. Yes, the reason didn’t matter. What mattered was that she could now secure the engagement.

“I need to get away from the Marquis House of Teresia somehow.”

No matter how much she helped them, they would ultimately treat her as disposable. Knowing this, she had no choice but to find a way out of the Marquis House.

Taking deep breaths to calm herself down, Harrier thought:

“The date is in three days. I need to make sure he doesn’t escape. I can do this, Harrier.”

She tried to soothe her anxious heart.

***

Three days passed.

Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony went smoothly from dinner through the midnight party. There was no mention of Carsein, nor were there any other remarks.

However, it remained to be seen how Arina and Claire would react when they met her directly.

Although she had cleared the episode, she couldn’t predict what kind of trouble might arise. Claire could criticize her for not even congratulating her, and Arina might point out her attire.

If Isabella decided to fan the flames, she wouldn’t be spared either. Flore, who had warned her beforehand, surely harbored strong resentment.

Thus, information was needed.

Episode III: To prepare for the second crisis following the playthrough of Claire’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony, necessary information was required.

“If I just wait like this, without any hints regarding choices, there’s a high chance of ending up with a bad ending.”

So, she had to find it.

Without knowing what would happen when Carsein was called, she needed to prepare a strategy.

With ample free time in the morning, she decided to diligently search the Duke’s House for clues.

But despite spending time searching, she couldn’t gather any plausible information. The field of vision on the mini-map differed greatly from reality, making it take ages to enter even a single room.

Searching and searching again.

When she stood in front of a certain room, the status window automatically activated.

-Ding!

-The area you are entering is restricted!-

[Staying too long may worsen your relationship with a specific person!]

[Would you like to enter?]

As she attempted to enter a specific location, the game’s UI appeared.

“This place… has a danger level?”

Carsein couldn’t wander freely throughout the entire Duke’s Mansion in the game.

Some areas unlock after completing an episode, while others require a certain level of affinity. Just like episodes, these areas have their own conditions for unlocking.

However, unlike episodes, there are separate areas based on different danger levels.

The danger level changes according to various factors such as the progress of the episode, companions, affinity, and sub-episodes, adjusting to the player’s standards…

“This is tough. Entering this area itself can result in penalties or reduce affinity, and sometimes even force a bad ending.”

Given the significant disadvantages, some communities marked this area as a death trap.

Ironically, though, this is where the methods to overcome episodes were discovered the most.

And I found one difference from the game.

“This area used to be dangerous but has now become restricted.”

For some reason, the area changed from dangerous to restricted, allowing her to enter.

Looking around, she could guess which room it was. She was confident she could get enough information here.

Without hesitation, she stepped into the room.

-Ding!

-Entering the laundry drying room!-

[Time Limit: 10 minutes]

“Today’s weather is nice. The young ladies will love it, won’t they?”

“Yes, it would be great to go out on a walk.”

Upon entering the room, the faint scent of soap mixed with the gossip of maids could be heard.

She quickly surveyed the surroundings and hid behind a pillar.

Since this was where the laundry from the Duke’s House was dried in the sunniest spot, the maids here were more active and lively compared to those working outside.

At that moment, one maid interrupted the chatty maids below.

“It’s not time for outings just because the weather is good. Listen, everyone.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Sigh. That’s the thing.”

The maid who interrupted drew everyone’s attention.

What could be so serious that she sighed like that?

“Regarding Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony. Did you all know how it ended?”

“Of course, it went well. Unlike with the first lady, it was neatly wrapped up.”

“Come to think of it, that’s true. What happened this time? I expected another fight and for the Bargrand name to be tarnished.”

“Well, it went well. So what?”

“It didn’t go well.”

The maid who sighed shook her head.

“I was in charge of it, and the mistress and the young ladies were in a frenzy. If something goes wrong this time, we might get implicated too.”

“Wh-what?!”

“It’s because of that damn young master.”

“Again?!”

The maids shouted in unison, distorting their faces and not even caring about the honorifics.

“Hey, why? What kind of accident did he cause this time?”

“He caused quite a stir! He actually showed up at the banquet dressed as a page.”

“What?!”

“Because of that, the mistress wants to call him in today and hear everything from start to finish. Won’t that implicate us?”

Clearly, this wasn’t all there was to it.

Didn’t they notice when he showed up wearing such clothes?

Didn’t they find that one person despite Claire’s command to look for someone?

Isabella had plenty to say to the lower servants.

The answer was clear.

“Hmm. So Isabella will call me.”

She wanted to listen to more, but the maids kept bashing Carsein. Let them talk all they want.

Regardless of the maids’ distorted expressions, the situation pointed towards Isabella calling her among the four people.

There was no need to stay here any longer.

-Ding!

-Leaving the restricted area!-

[Remaining time: 3 minutes and 54 seconds]

“Isabella… Yeah, then I can prepare.”

She rushed back to the room and rummaged through the laundry basket.

Seeing this, Camilla jumped up to stop her.

“Young master! Please let me handle this.”

“…You’ve been coming earlier lately?”

“That’s because… you know the reason.”

“Why? What did Claire say?”

“Not much. But I’m still your maid, young master.”

She sounded like a servant. Quite fitting, indeed.

“Fine. I won’t take your laundry. Just give me one thing. I put something I shouldn’t have in there.”

“What?”

Camilla tilted her head.

Because she needed it for the situation.

***

After a brief argument with Camilla, Heron came over.

“Master, Her Ladyship wishes to see you.”

-Ding!

-[1. I’ll go right now.]

-[2. Tell Her Ladyship I have nothing to discuss.]

“I’ll go right now. Where is Her Ladyship?”

“She’s in her office. There are no guests, so you can visit her immediately.”

“Alright.”

While walking to the Duchess’s office, she simulated conversations with Isabella, trying to guess what she would say about the coming-of-age ceremony.

Of course, it would be about the coming-of-age ceremony, no doubt about it.

Based on the maids’ gossip, she assumed that her absence from the ceremony was not a given, and that her outfit, timing, or lies would likely be the focus.

It was almost certain that Claire’s voice had reached Isabella, and whatever question came, her answer was already set in stone.

Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

“Carsein here. I heard you called for me.”

“Come in.”

Unlike usual, Isabella opened the door herself. Previously, she would only tell him to come in after he had performed the proper etiquette.

It seemed like a routine matter.

But this time, Isabella’s attitude toward Carsein was different. Instead of sitting on the sofa only when the work was done, she sat down immediately this time.

“Have a seat.”

“Yes.”

He sat across from her, ready for the conversation to begin.

Just to be safe, he looked up.

[Isabella Bargrand]

[Affinity: 33%]

As expected, the coming-of-age ceremony had reduced their affinity.

“Carsein, I intended to give you an opportunity this coming-of-age ceremony. But…”

Bang.

“Disappointing. No matter what happened, dressing like that on your sister’s birthday was excessive.”

Isabella drank a sip of tea and got straight to the point, and simultaneously, a choice appeared before him.

-Ding!

-[1. An opportunity? What kind of opportunity are you talking about? Was there ever an opportunity for me?]

-[2. (Scratching his ear) Speaking of the coming-of-age ceremony, what’s the problem?]

-[3. I don’t understand what you’re saying, mother.]

-[4. (Silently waiting)]

Due to the drop in affinity, one correct answer was gone. If she had met Isabella, she could have easily resolved this, but she chose to meet with Arina instead.

The best option here was not to upset Isabella, maintaining her affinity and minimizing the cost.

But this was only valid if there was no rebuttal. He could already tell from Arina’s conversation that she had not been involved.

“Excessive? I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

He confidently chose option 3 and answered, causing Isabella’s eyes to twitch. But she didn’t give Isabella a chance to speak.

“I followed your instructions to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony. I merely did my best to avoid accidents, just like three years ago.”

Isabella fell silent for a moment at the mention of three years ago. She seemed to recall that time and took a bitter sip of tea.

“Ariana openly told me to not ruin Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony. So, this is how I acted.”

While it wasn’t the whole truth, there was no obligation to reveal everything that happened that day.

“Sigh, Carsein. Then, you’ve already caused an incident.”

Isabella furrowed her brow slightly more than before.

“Your best effort resulted in tardiness, improper attire, and lies. That’s not the behavior expected of a noble or a member of the Bargrand family. You’ve caused all three problems.”

Three problems.

He nearly laughed at the absurdity.

Every time, his blood ran cold. Even without showing any signs of agitation, his mind worked just fine.

“Go apologize to Claire. She’s probably waiting for you.”

Isabella firmly pinned down his mistake.

Yes, that’s just the kind of person you are.

I saw this level of indifference coming.

“Is it wrong to choose a non-conspicuous time and outfit to avoid friction intentionally? Should I create unnecessary conflicts and ignore Ariana’s warning? Or should I not have attended the ceremony at all?”

“Carsein, that’s sophistry.”

“Sophistry? Yes, let’s assume that’s the case. Then, why didn’t you ask why I didn’t eat breakfast that day? Why am I late this time?”

“…”

Kelvia allergy was Carsein’s weapon against Isabella at this point.

Given that he didn’t mention why he didn’t eat the food back then until much later when he learned about the Kelvia fruit and allergy, it was the same this time.

Why was Carsein late?

That was another factor to instill caution in Isabella.

“…Was something wrong?”

Just the fact that there was no wrongdoing on that day and his innocence was proven gave him the chance to speak.

-Ding!

A choice appeared just then.

He continued pressing her without pause.

She mentioned three problems.

He would address all of them.

[1. I did nothing wrong.]

“I did nothing wrong.”

He pulled out a prepared item and showed it to Isabella.

“This… is it…”

“The only sin is that I secretly met someone.”

A blood-stained handkerchief.

It was the purple handkerchief Harrier had given him, promising their next meeting.

“Should this also be considered my fault? Just like how I purposely tore at the meat to avoid Kelvia allergy?”