Chapter 265

In the hall, away from the party, the time alone was truly sweet.

There was no need to care about someone’s birthday.

No need to watch the family’s expressions.

They might gossip about me, but what do I care?

In this quiet place, gazing at the moon alone, these moments felt so tranquil.

I could let my body be carried by the night wind, and freely roll around the chilly thoughts in my brain.

“Sense of inferiority,”

Truly, such a funny thing.

It’s none other than Carsein, after all.

A foundling, who picked up on the streets, has no legitimacy or bloodline.

Still labeled as low-quality in the nobles’ society, treated as a commoner, even in the Duke’s house, he received no master treatment, only abuse from maids.

To someone with nothing,

Having a sense of inferiority was it.

His situation overlapped perfectly with that of the second sister.

“Why couldn’t I have noticed earlier? I’ve already had such experiences in reality.”

The eldest, who helped their mother with work early on, would likely be a strong candidate to inherit the company.

From a young age, they helped with the company’s work.

Around them, praise and accolades followed, to the point where they were practically a full-time employee.

It felt like a threat, being replaced by an unknown child who just rolled in.

So, I won’t handle things as casually as back then.

“Having the same experience twice, am I going to let you trip me up again?”

Finally, this episode, and moving forward, the challenging Chapter 3 can now be cleared with a clear direction, no longer bound by choices.

Thanks to the eldest.

-Swish.

I took out my notebook.

I crossed out two lines for each existing plan, canceling them.

Now, what I have to do is simple.

Lower all reputations.

Become a rogue so that thoughts of successor qualities never come to mind.

Make sure Arina feels no sense of crisis or inferiority, and everything will be fine.

Of course, the Noblesse Points will decrease, and Another Plan’s progress will slow, but the Dead Flag won’t be reached.

By dragging incidents along silently, I’ll disappear without a trace.

[July 1st]

Suddenly seeing the date in my notebook, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“The date is simply perfect.”

July 1st.

Arina’s birthday and also the eldest’s birthday.

I liked how it started.

Based on Arina’s birthday,

And the eldest’s birthday,

Before the year ends, I’ll execute this entire plan.

-Uhuh.

…

The Oath Gem in my pocket began to glow.

When it glows like this, it means the gem’s power has imposed one restriction on me.

Generally, the gem’s power isn’t often manifested. Most times, I remember and keep my promise with Harnier.

But, now, I’m different.

It’s past midnight, and here I am, holding onto documents, breaking my usual sleep schedule.

“If this can restrict something… it must be my actions.”

There should be a clause for restricting actions if a promise is broken.

It’s natural for Harnier to include that.

Who knows what I might do if I harbor dark intentions and try to take her?

Restrictions can be enforced through physical pain or magical suppression. Even binding spells are possible, making it dangerous.

But there’s been no reaction from my body yet.

That means the other side hasn’t activated that function.

“A simple light. This reveals… my location.”

She probably guessed I was in Rilfetten with Talpon’s help and didn’t take long to find me.

—

Using mana to enhance my hearing, I heard the sound of horses galloping far away.

Harnier can’t ride, so this means someone else came with her.

-Hiiiiiii!

“Young Master!”

“Carsein!”

…It’s probably Radiel.

That shouldn’t be a big problem.

With Radiel’s help, she got off the carriage, holding her dress, and approached me.

What will she say when she arrives?

Will she ask why I suddenly did this?

Or complain about doing it without warning at a birthday party?

Maybe she’ll be angry about coming all this way and not resting?

…I’m not sure.

-Bam.

After pushing Radiel aside, she looked at me silently for a moment, then held my hand tightly and asked.

“Now that no one’s here, tell me. Why are you doing this? Why do you insist on hurting yourself again?”

…Unexpectedly.

I thought she’d at least get angry or scold me.

But I knew what I had to say.

Releasing Harnier’s hand gently, I answered.

“It’s because someone wants it.”

“Huh?”

“Symposium followed by the Martial Arts Tournament. Yeah, it looks good in the short term. It spread as rumors too. But there are people who don’t like it.”

Harnier’s violet eyes widened with confusion, then comprehension dawned in them.

Yes, you’re smart enough to figure it out.

With disbelief, Harnier blinked and cautiously asked.

“Y-you mean… Princess Arina?”

She knew exactly who the plan targeted.

The conversation where we discussed silencing rumors and talked about successors.

Only she remembered that conversation.

And it was Harnier who warned about the rumors.

There was no need to confirm.

“How… how could this happen…”

No further explanation needed.

Directly speaking,

“I want to ask you not to tell me to take rest time or sleep anymore.”

“Carsein…”

“Right now, time is more important to me than ever. I want to leave this Duke’s House as soon as possible, every second counts. So, please don’t stop me from staying up all night preparing.”

“…”

If it were any other time, she would narrow her eyes and say no.

But now, she didn’t interfere with my decision.

This is enough.

I took a deep breath and spoke my mind.

“From now on, the Oath Gem will activate continuously. Each time I break a promise, I’ll listen to your requests. What do you want?”

“…No, it’s okay.”

She replied sharply.

“You understand why I made this judgment. If you understand why I’m being chased, I won’t stop you.”

Is this the end?

Getting rid of the unwanted title of successor is easy.

But, unlike before, calculating how to gather money differently is tricky.

I can’t ignore this error, so I have to completely overhaul the ongoing plans.

I need to drastically change how I manage the territory and adjust the consumer base and product handling strategy.

I’ll need to sort this out tonight.

There’s a lot to do.

“Carsein.”

As I was about to enter the room,

Harnier grabbed my arm again.

She wasn’t trying to hold me back or stop me.

Rather,

There was an inexplicable familiarity.

“Can you fulfill one request for me?”

“What is it?”

“Control your injuries so they aren’t too severe.”

…Even asking this, she’s still worried about my body.

But I doubt I can keep that promise.

“I’ll try my best.”

Worrying about this part,

This woman is too kind for her own good.

Ji-eun.

Just like her.

—

Carsein is about to ruin his body again.

He’ll probably work himself to exhaustion, taking naps during the day,

And cut down on sleep time to focus on paperwork.

Such a predictable future.

But, Harnier can’t stop Carsein’s determination.

“How… how could I stop him?”

She wanted to escape the Marquis House of Teresia more than anyone.

She was more obsessed with money and business, cutting her sleep time to unravel the house’s fate.

To break free from the chains of family, such efforts were necessary.

Yes.

Carsein is no different from her.

Understanding his feelings,

Sharing the same experiences,

Knowing his state of mind better than anyone,

She couldn’t stop him.

She had to respect his decision.

But…

I hope he doesn’t destroy himself.

-Knock knock.

“Say if you’re hungry! I’ll bring you food!”

I can’t open the door and go in.

But I can’t leave him alone either.

“Tell me if you need anything! It would be great if you need help with documents!”

Before meeting Carsein, I didn’t know.

But since meeting him, I realized.

Carrying everything alone leads to failure.

No one can be perfect.

So, Harnier fell too.

She almost fell harder next time.

But meeting Carsein allowed her to stand up again.

‘This time, it’s my turn to catch you.’

Prepare yourself.

I’ll never leave your side.

Harnier promised herself to wait until Carsein needed something, or until he came out.

Hours passed like this.

Finally, the moment she had been waiting for arrived.

-Click.

The door opened.

It was the moment Carsein came out.

It must be past his sugar drop time now.

With his brain used, he’d be even hungrier.

It’s the perfect timing to give him a sandwich I made all night.

Or maybe offer him the small cookies I learned to make from Rilfetten’s children.

I could feed him directly with my hands…

“Mmm…”

Unfortunately,

Harnier fell asleep unable to resist her drowsiness.

But her heart reached him.

“…Haah.”

-Swish.

With a soft sigh, he carefully lifted her body and placed her on the bed.

-Ding!

▶ ??? Increased. ◀

[Current Value: 76%]

—

“Phew.”

Arina, the birthday girl, rubbed her forehead and sat on the sofa.

It was already dawn.

Despite quickly wrapping up the disrupted schedule, a considerable amount of time had passed.

Just thinking about birthdays made her head ache.

Like always, whenever it was Carsein’s or any family member’s birthday, he’d cause chaos, ruining the mood.

Today was even worse.

“You haven’t changed at all.”

She tore open the gift given to her and threw away the cheap trinket as if it were trash, then left.

The birthday atmosphere was instantly ruined.

The commotion caused by Carsein spread rapidly.

Everyone criticized Carsein, questioning whether such a person should even be a noble.

Even though she tried to persuade and calm them, the ending felt unsatisfactory.

“Since you acted like that, I won’t stay silent either, Carsein.”

Fix your rotten mindset properly in this martial arts tournament.