Chapter 23

Weapon instead of an ordinary one.

The effect of the handkerchief was clear.

The blood-stained handkerchief was seen by Isabella’s eyes.

Her stern expression turned into surprise, then quickly into panic.

“This handkerchief…”

It must be the blood from Carsein’s unhealed cheek wound, proving his encounter with the handkerchief’s owner.

“I asked why you were late. I met Lady Harnei on the terrace. And due to the morning injury reopening and bleeding, I borrowed this handkerchief.”

“…Was that so?”

“But this alone won’t answer why you were late, right?”

Nod.

Of course not.

I prepared more for this.

“So, I have a question. Have there been any letters arriving for me recently?”

“No. There weren’t any.”

“What if those letters were being filtered out even if they arrived?”

“…What do you mean?”

Not a regular weapon.

A bomb.

“Lady Harnei seemed puzzled. She said she sent me letters several times but received no reply. So where could those letters have gone?”

Click.

Isabella’s teacup tilted, spilling tea onto the table.

Her wide-eyed look finally realized the seriousness.

“What does that mean? Explain in detail.”

Bomb effect is great.

“So last month, I sent more than twenty letters. None reached me, so I questioned it directly by coming here.”

“Twenty… That can’t be. Who in the Duke House would dare tamper with our letters…”

“By the way, I don’t even remember when the last letter arrived. I was just trying to understand the truth.”

Thus, all three problems were solved.

Being late, inappropriate attire, and lying were cleared up in one go.

Neither as a noble nor as a member of the Bargrand family was this behavior appropriate.

Even if some of my claims contained lies, what was the problem?

“First, let’s call Heron for investigation.”

Looking at Isabella who was still puzzled, I added another remark.

“No need.”

“Carsein?”

“Just consider it my fault. It seems I deserved such suspicion.”

“Why are you talking like that? I know you’re upset, but you should choose your words carefully, Carsein.”

“I’ll leave now. I’m not interested in further discussion.”

I don’t want to hear an apology from you. Even if it slips out, would this creature like it?

I guarantee.

It would disgust them.

So, without giving any chance to speak, I stood up quickly and tried to leave.

Right then.

An object on the shelf started to shine brightly.

‘This must be the Memorial appearing in this branch.’

Yes, whatever it might be, let’s take a look.

Touching the letter made everything flicker before my eyes.

“What? No change?”

Just as I thought,

I saw myself and Arina sitting in Isabella’s office.

This place itself was the spot where the Memorial projected.

The two were having a simple conversation.

“We can’t leave Carsein like this, Mother.”

One line conveyed the situation clearly. Due to Carsein’s frequent accidents.

But the next line was unexpected.

After this short conversation, the Memorial returned me to my original position.

‘F*ck.’

Cursing was inevitable.

This was beyond indifference.

During this, Isabella’s hand touched my shoulder.

“Carsein, sit for a moment. Your attitude just now─”

Smack.

Pushed her hand away roughly due to displeasure.

“You…!”

I can guess what expression I must be making now.

I know I shouldn’t show this expression to Isabella.

Stay calm. Stay cool.

Even if words were about to burst out, I had to hold back and leave.

But one sentence slipped out.

“No one will say anything about a secret meeting with your fiancée.”

***

The door to the office slammed shut with a loud noise and opened again shortly after. Time passed and the door opened once more.

“I brought the results of the investigation you ordered.”

“How did it turn out?”

“That is…”

Heron hesitated on how to deliver the report and finally presented it.

“The total number of letters was different. Other ladies and the mistress received their letters without issue, but…”

“There were discrepancies in Carsein’s letters?”

Nod.

“It seems likely that they leaked or were discarded during the maids’ handling process since Lord Carsein never received his letters directly.”

“When did this start?”

“Just checking briefly, it’s already months. If we expand the range to include the House of Teresia, it could be years.”

Sigh.

“Why again… I wish it were just a lie.”

Isabella covered her forehead and sighed deeply.

“I’ve already conducted a full investigation. However, there’s a possibility the situation could be buried with internal staff alone, so I hired external help.”

“Thank you.”

As Isabella lamented, Heron spoke up.

“Mistress, if I may, this isn’t something you should hope is a lie.”

“Heron?”

“You’ve been neglectful towards the young master. As I’ve mentioned before, there’s a wall between you and Lord Carsein.”

“Why bring this up now?”

“Twice, not just once.”

Despite knowing better, she repeated the same mistake, ignoring Carsein’s Kelve allergy.

Why was Carsein late?

Why did he lie, and why was he wearing servant’s clothes?

Not asking why led to this trouble.

Nothing changed from the restaurant incident.

If only I had asked once. If only I had asked if there was any problem.

But Isabella didn’t.

She was still biased.

This bias, Heron had to break.

To prevent things from escalating uncontrollably.

“I understand. You want a thorough investigation to clear Carsein’s name, right?”

“No, Mistress.”

“Not what I meant? Then, should I give him a suitable punishment?”

Heron shook his head.

“You should have apologized, Mistress.”

“Apologize…?”

“If other young ladies were in the same situation, would you scold them like you did Lord Carsein?”

“Of course. I’d point out their mistakes.”

“Mistress…”

Heron held a calendar and spread it open. It was the calendar from last year Isabella used.

Pointing at a date, he asked again.

“Do you remember what day this is?”

The circle marked on the old calendar was incomplete, with no content.

Seeing Isabella’s confusion, Heron showed her the current calendar beside it.

“Still don’t recognize it, Mistress?”

His voice carried weight this time. A sharp reminder for a housekeeper to a representative of the duke.

No one else but a loyal servant like him would dare say such things.

Isabella compared the two calendars intensely and finally covered her mouth with both hands.

“Now you see, Mistress. The wall I talked about, the feeling of unequal affection, is exactly this. You don’t treat Lord Carsein the same as your daughters.”

Important dates were marked with a straight circle and ‘Claire’s birthday, January 1st’ written.

Unimportant dates were marked with a faint circle and ‘December 31st’ left blank.

The treatment of these two dates was clearly different.

Though she said differently, her gaze betrayed her. Heron clearly pointed out this difference.

“Me… such…?”

Only then did Isabella’s eyes flash open.

If it were her daughters in the same situation, she would have asked first.

The reason, why they acted that way.

But it was Carsein.

Not her own child, but an adopted one.

With only a hint of guilt remaining.

So she saw him through a blurred vision.

“Heron, where is Carsein… Ah.”

Suddenly, Isabella remembered Carsein’s words before leaving the room.

Feeling bad, he said he didn’t want to talk anymore.

“…”

Reluctantly, she chose to pick up the pen.

Watching her, Heron sighed inwardly.

Their relationship probably wouldn’t improve much.

***

‘Why did I have to see that?’

Back in my room, I rushed to the bathroom to cool down. I couldn’t bear the heat rising inside me and needed cold water to wash my face.

The cold water gradually cooled me down, and I felt a bit clearer.

That last sentence was definitely wrong.

“Agh. Why did I react so strongly to hearing about a strategic marriage?”

The scene I saw in the Memorial was like this.

Even if taught, the untamable beast-like Carsein, they discussed whether it would be better to arrange a strategic marriage.

So in anger, I blurted out.

About sending his fiancée on a secret date.

Spilled milk can’t be unspilled.

“Phew. Calm down. It’s almost time to prepare.”

Harnei sent a letter to Camila on the day of their conversation.

The letter requested a meeting today, so I needed to prepare quickly.

After washing my face, I called Camila.

“Yes, Lord Carsein?”

Camila moved toward the laundry basket, looking around as if expecting a mop to appear in my hand.

On her head was:

[Camila]

[Affinity: 17%]

Her affinity box surged, having risen significantly to over 15% in three days.

“…Why has it increased so much?”

Managing the Dead Trigger lately, I let Camila’s tasks slide, but could it increase this much?

I wasn’t sure.

Anyway, let’s get it out now.

“Stop the commotion. I won’t cause it again. Don’t come so early from now on.”

“But…”

“I told you twice. Do you want me to say it three times?”

“No, no! I understood it clearly. I’ll be careful.”

Every time she entered my room, she checked my mood and tried to stop working. It annoyed me more than if she just did her job.

“Anyway, Camila, get ready for an outing immediately.”

“Outing?”

The first appointment was approaching. To continue the engagement naturally, a casual meeting was necessary.

“I need to meet someone. They’re a noble, from a prestigious family.”

“Yes, I’ll inform the coachman right away.”

Just as Camila was about to leave,

“Mr. Heron?”

“Pardon me, Lord Carsein.”

Heron bowed respectfully, followed by a group of maids and attendants.

Seeing this, I felt a surge of annoyance.

‘Shit.’

Isabella noticed.

Carsein’s birthday.

Noticing the birthday itself might be miraculous, but perhaps ignorance would have been better.

My mother’s delayed reaction to mentioning his birthday seemed to reflect her actions.

No, she didn’t mention it at all.

“Though late, Mistress said she would grant any wish. If you desire a birthday party, she’ll organize one. If you want famous boutiques, she plans to invite them. If jewelry is desired, she intends to call jewelers.”

She didn’t come herself, but sent others to convey this.

Using money to give me something and hoping to lessen her guilt a little.

A birthday party? A famous boutique? Jewelers?

None of it matters. It’s ridiculous how they assume the same preferences as the three sisters.

How could this be so disgustingly similar?

It doesn’t matter.

No matter how late I realize it and apologize, it won’t make a difference.

But.

*Ding!*

▶Birthday Present Arrived! How would you like to respond?

As expected.

The choices won’t let me stay silent.

So, I decided here.

“Other than that, I’ll accept what’s here. But, you know, the maids and servants seem very busy lately, right?”

“…Yes. We’ve had quite a lot of work recently.”

“Then bonuses should be given, right?”