Chapter 255

-Thunk.

A day before the Martial Arts Tournament begins, Isabella, who hasn’t forgotten about the incident at the Exchange Hall.

She hasn’t forgotten what Carsein had to endure.

“I will apologize directly to the person involved, Carsein. Not just for slandering his fiancée, but also for last year’s incident…! I will return all the costs, including the clothing expenses he demanded. Ah, no…! I’ll compensate double, no, triple! Please, just…”

Terrified, Young Lady’s Son tries to beg for mercy despite his injuries still not fully healed and his face still swollen.

But Isabella doesn’t stop here.

“Is this all the compensation worth my child’s suffering?”

“Mrs., please!”

“The price is too low. Adjust the price.”

-Thunk.

Isabella sends over the amount she wants.

“That’s unreasonable. Five times because of those scars…! This is…”

-Thunk.

“Add the cost for insulting your fiancée, Lady Harrier, which hurt Carsein’s feelings.”

“Mrs.!”

-Swish.

“And my son’s hand was quite scratched. I need that cost as well.”

-Swish. Swish.

“There was an incident like this last year too, right? The tailor’s scissors tore my son’s clothes, and the second child made them. Add the cost for trampling on that effort.”

“Just wait a moment… Mrs.!”

-Swish. Swish.

“The cost for treating his injured body was no small amount. This time, Carsein even bent his waist. How much strength did they use to bend his back? Add that cost.”

-Thunk.

“And I want compensation for the time they took from me.”

“Just wait a moment…! I’ll give it all, Mrs.! I’ll give you everything as you said!”

The amount was shocking. It was written as twelve times. This adjustment is ridiculous.

But this isn’t an agreement.

Who knows how much more the price might go up in the future.

No one knows what will be written in this paper’s price adjustment.

Yes. This is nothing but one-sided extortion against the other party.

The man, kneeling hurriedly, had to pay a terrifying amount, yet closed his eyes tightly and bowed his head.

“I’ll give it. Just once… Just forgive me once.”

The man who insulted Carsein’s fiancée and tried to insult Carsein quickly caved in.

No, it’s more accurate to say he had no choice but to cave in.

The opponent is the Bargrand family, at the peak of the Empire’s nobility.

And not just any member, but the highest-ranking person in the Bargrand family.

The current head of the Bargrand family, Duchess Isabella Bargrand, opposing them is like suicide.

The punishment for daring to touch the Bargrand family was severe.

They had to give up one of their main sources of income, the sap extraction facility, to stop the rapidly increasing price.

Isabella, who received the deed of transfer for the sap extraction facility, spread it out and smiled contentedly.

“This should be useful for that child.”

I heard Rusmaier imports sap from outside to use.

Also, Shatren, being openly specialized in agriculture, means sap filled with nutrients would be useful anywhere.

Holding the sap extraction facility’s deed, Isabella happily went to find Carsein’s lodging.

Carsein hadn’t arrived at his lodging yet.

It could be due to the influence of this Martial Arts Tournament. Their close relationship with his fiancée, Camila, was evident too.

Considering this, it might take longer.

After informing Camila separately, she said she would wait in another room.

But even after waiting for a long time, Carsein didn’t arrive.

“…”

-Thunk.

Finally, Isabella closed her book.

Although she thought it might be late given the setting sun and the clock, it was too late.

The sky was already deep into the night.

Instead of the sun, the moon was rising, darting among the stars.

“…I wanted to personally hand this over if possible.”

That wasn’t possible.

If she waited any longer for Carsein, her work for the Duke’s House would pile up.

Sighing with regret, Isabella was about to leave, placing two envelopes.

But then—

-Tap. Tap.

“Sorry for being late.”

Someone’s footsteps from one side apologized for being late.

There was no need to ask who it was.

No mother would fail to recognize her own son’s voice.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for. It’s fine.”

Isabella greeted her son with a smile instead.

***

-Clink.

“Sorry for not preparing earlier. Please wait a moment.”

“No, there’s no need for that. You don’t have to prepare.”

When Carsein tried to treat his mother, who was his guest, with great respect by making tea, Isabella immediately stopped him.

“Actually, I’m planning to talk briefly and leave. No need for tea or snacks. Okay?”

…

Upon hearing that, Carsein put down the water he had poured into the teapot and returned to the sofa.

Revenge is done.

All that’s left is to hand over two gifts.

To ease her tired son, who carried the fatigue of the day, Isabella got straight to the point.

“Take this, Carsein.”

“What is this?”

“Those who insulted your fiancée and dared to frame you have paid the price.”

Carsein picked up the envelope and checked its contents.

“What is this…”

Inside the envelope was the deed of transfer for the sap extraction facility, which Isabella had taken from the family earlier.

“Last year, something similar happened. So, I took the sap extraction facility as a whole. This compensation should naturally go to you.”

-Shatren suffered significant damage due to the Waglew Faction. I included some recovery costs. And I added extra pocket money, so feel free to use it as you wish.

-No need.

On that day, Isabella gave Carsein nothing.

At the time, she felt sad thinking why he would do that, but now, she had a perfect chance to properly give it to him.

Now is a good time to tell everything.

“From now on, if anything happens, tell me. If anyone dares to touch my son, I’ll wield the cudgel under the name of Bargrand.”

But Carsein sighed and put the deed back into the envelope.

“Take it back.”

“…Carsein?”

“No need.”

Those same words weighed heavily on Isabella’s heart again.

“No need? Carsein. With two territories, this sap extraction facility is—”

“Not needed by me. No, I shouldn’t take it.”

“…What?”

“I caused a disturbance. I broke a promise and lied. I don’t deserve any compensation.”

“What are you talking about!”

Isabella raised her voice in anger.

“Claire investigated thoroughly. They even found the tailor’s scissors stained with your blood. With evidence, what wrong did you commit!”

He was merely a victim.

He should have been protected first, and the improper handling led to further damage.

Thus, he deserves it.

However.

“Even though I only mentioned designating a sponsor, I lied. And acting unbecoming of Bargrand isn’t much different. Even if the truth is revealed later, it can’t be covered up.”

“Carsein, you are my son. A member of the Bargrand family.”

“Yes. That’s why I should have acted more rationally, distinguishing between public and private matters. As Ariana said, I’ve defiled the family name.”

Carsein was trying to reject the gift by revealing all his faults.

“Have I not caused harm to the Bargrand family in the past? Such compensation shouldn’t be given to me, but to the family.”

“How could…”

Isabella muttered with a lost voice.

“…I understand. I respect your wishes.”

Once again, she couldn’t give it.

She had been looking forward to this moment, but ended up giving nothing.

Since he refused so stubbornly, there was no other way.

She couldn’t force it upon him either, so Isabella had no choice but to leave.

Still feeling sad, she asked once more.

“…Can’t you accept pocket money at least?”

“No need. I have my own funds from my territory.”

Even that was firmly rejected.

Their conversation didn’t last long after that.

Isabella hurriedly left when Carsein offered to see her off, saying it was late, and she held the two envelopes.

Yet, she couldn’t help but look back at Carsein’s lodging several times.

“What a heartbreaking thing. As a mother, I can’t give anything to my own child.”

Her heart ached.

Whenever she gave something to another child, seeing them smile and enjoy it brought her immense joy. That was the greatest happiness for a parent.

But this time, the desire to take care of her child was never so intense.

“I wish I could see that happy face of his.”

She rarely saw that.

No matter what she tried to give, he pushed it away.

Isabella patted her chest and turned around.

One day, there will be a chance.

As a parent, there will always be opportunities to take care of her child.

-Beep!

▶This text does not appear to the player.◀

▶Conditions for unlocking Isabella’s exclusive hidden episode have been met.◀

[1. Spend all support funds from the Bargrand family solely on the territory.] ☑

[2. Reject rewards from Isabella three times or more.] ☑

[3. Reach 80% affinity with Isabella.] ☑

[4. Isabella feels guilt recalling a past bout of madness.] ☑

▶Isabella’s exclusive hidden episode “<Miraculously Erased Mental Illness>” will automatically start.◀

***

-Beep!

▶Event completed.◀

▶Successfully concluded the conversation with Isabella, mitigating penalties.◀

After Isabella left, I confirmed that the event involving family visiting on the first day of the Martial Arts Tournament was complete, and I finally felt relieved.

The choices weren’t difficult.

They played out as expected, and I managed to handle Isabella well.

It’s ironic that the scissors, which I misplaced somewhere, ended up in Claire’s hands, leading to an investigation. That was indeed unlucky.

But instead of getting angry, I felt extremely cold.

“Huh.”

How could it be the same?

Two people sharing a common ground, stepmother and stepson, are truly the same kind of people.

“To call me your son now.”

That’s a funny joke.

But at least it woke me up.

It chilled my entire body.

“I was never your son. And I won’t be.”

Whether it’s the Carsein in this world,

Or Kim Minhyuk in reality,

Neither of them has ever considered me their son.

I’m just someone picked up from somewhere else.

So, just wait until I leave this house.

That’s the biggest gift I can give you.