Chapter 35

“In the hall, from the beginning, they doubted me no matter what I did. But during the festival, I couldn’t even open my eyes? What else could this be if not surveillance?”

Ariana’s mouth involuntarily opened wide.

It was the decision to impose an outing ban at this festival.

The family meeting concluded that they only wanted to verify if she had the proper character for such an action.

Her head sparked with the word “surveillance.”

Ariana hastily tried to change the subject.

“Carsein, you know it wasn’t just once or twice. This suspicion is because of your past misdeeds.”

“That makes sense. From your perspective, whether I cause trouble or not would be most important, not enjoying the festival.”

“Don’t exaggerate. I truly hoped you would enjoy the festival…”

“I don’t want to hear any excuses.”

Carsein sharply cut off Ariana’s words.

“It must have been so boring watching someone like me? I’ll let you off now.”

“Carsein!”

Bang!

Ariana tried to grab Carsein’s wrist, but her hand was roughly pushed away.

“You can stay in your room where you belong. Enjoy yourself and come back.”

Unable to extend her hand again, Ariana clenched her fist and trembled.

Though she couldn’t tell how, realizing she was under surveillance, she couldn’t criticize his attitude.

Ariana tried her final tactic to hold Carsein.

“Do you know how much Mother looked forward to this day?”

A family gathering that all members attend.

Isabella longed for this deeply.

“Because of you, we’ve missed the festival several times. She stayed at the mansion hoping you wouldn’t feel lonely.”

So, if you felt any guilt at all.

If you didn’t want to hurt Mother’s feelings.

You wouldn’t ruin the family festival this way.

“Just bear with it a little longer. Even if you’re upset, I’ll give you a greater reward than that. Today, just make Mother happy.”

Family ties.

This was her last resort to hold Carsein.

“Damn it.”

But Carsein turned his head sharply, snorting contemptuously.

Without looking back, he walked away.

She wanted to stop him, but for once, she couldn’t.

After all, it was Ariana herself who wanted to evaluate Carsein through this surveillance-like behavior.

Meanwhile, Isabella returned after finishing business with her two daughters.

“What’s going on?”

“Sister? Why are you like this?”

Isabella, seeing the gloomy atmosphere, scanned around worriedly. Carsein wasn’t there.

“He said he’d be right back after taking care of something. Don’t worry.”

There was no other choice.

She couldn’t burden Mother’s heart.

For now, she had to deceive Mother and bring Carsein back.

Fortunately, Ariana could guess which direction Carsein went since his dark blue hair was out of her sight. She could catch him if she rushed over.

But just then,

A crowd surged from one of the streets.

“Fire!”

Flames shot up.

At the Snow Festival, a fierce blaze erupted.

***

During the festival, a sudden fire caused chaos.

Ariana immediately shouted at the panicked citizens on the street.

“Snap out of it! Are you all planning to burn to death?!”

The citizens, recognizing her, calmed down.

“That emblem, it’s the Bargrand family, right?”

“The Bargrand family… So, you must be Princess Arina Bargrand?”

“You’re alive! You’re really alive!!”

“Princess! Give us orders!”

Not only the citizens, but the guards also needed someone to give them orders amidst their confusion.

They noticed not only Ariana but the entire Bargrand family present, and cheered as they quickly asked for orders.

“Everyone, move in formation, not in a mess! Soldiers take the left side near the flames, citizens move to the right!”

“Yes!”

With one command, soldiers and citizens moved in order without getting lost. It was indeed a scene that showed the power of the Bargrand family.

Now that the crowd was organized, it was time to extinguish the fire.

“We need to block the fire from spreading. Does anyone know where the source is?”

“I do.”

Three guards raised their hands from the back.

Clearly, their uniforms were scorched, indicating they were likely the first to notice the fire.

“The fire didn’t start from one place. It flared up simultaneously in many places.”

“Simultaneously?”

“I was working in the west. This friend was at the banquet hall, in the east.”

“Even at my isolated south, the fire flared up all at once. That’s why the north is the only area not engulfed by the fire.”

Ariana narrowed her eyes. Claire seemed to think it was serious too as she asked Ariana directly.

“Sister, could this be…?”

“Yes. It’s similar to what happened two years ago at the Snow Festival.”

Two years ago, there was such an incident.

The Snow Festival was an annual event hosted by the royal family. The possibility was high.

“Can anyone remember the color of the flames?”

“Blue.”

“Was it blue?”

“We saw blue flames too.”

“Indeed. They weren’t ordinary flames.”

Convinced, Ariana immediately spoke to Isabella.

“Mother, Claire and I will put out the fire. Can you calm the citizens in the meantime?”

“Is it the same as before?”

“Yes. Witnesses’ statements match.”

“Alright. Do as you wish.”

“Thank you.”

Ariana directed the soldiers, passing through the smoky path. Seeing her daughters act, Isabella gathered everyone’s attention.

“Pay attention! This fire was meant to cause chaos, not harm humans directly.”

The citizens were puzzled.

“Madam?”

“What do you mean? Flames that don’t harm humans?”

“Two years ago, something like this happened. At first, no one knew, but the investigation revealed those flames were fake flames created through magic stones.”

Hearing about fake flames, the citizens murmured.

Isabella pointed to a house, providing evidence, and soon the truth that the fake flames were created by magic stones became clear. The citizens could finally escape their fear.

‘This again.’

On the surface, the reason for the winter festival was to gauge public sentiment and hope for a good harvest and future.

But there were those who argued that political elements were subtly embedded in the festival, and some secretly resisted this.

“Mom. So the festival will… continue? It won’t end like last time?”

“Yes. Once your sisters put out the fire, you can play more.”

Isabella gently patted Flora’s back, comforting her concern.

Soon, the fires in three locations were extinguished.

Seeing Ariana and Claire return after resolving the fake flames, they praised the Bargrand family.

But.

One person.

During the fire, they forgot something.

“Wait, where’s Carsein?”

Isabella’s question made the princesses’ heads snap up.

While it was fine to say he went to the bathroom, it only bought a moment’s time. Now that the fire was extinguished, he should have returned by now.

His failure to return by now made Isabella suspect Ariana’s lie.

“Immediately, release the family knights!”

The fire was extinguished, but another larger fire broke out elsewhere.

***

▶ CHAPTER 1 – Episode IV. Clear the Snow Festival! ◀

▶ The family enjoyed the Snow Festival without any issues. ◀

▶ Successfully triggered results beyond choices. ◀

…

…

Some rather sweet news appeared in the status window one after another.

Episode cleared.

Smoothly passed festival.

Results beyond choices.

These were perfectly satisfactory foundations for clearing the game, appearing before her.

But no matter how much these things appeared in the status window,

Memories kept popping up in her mind, burying this joy instantly.

“Why do these memories keep surfacing?”

She was angry.

At herself, not Carsein.

How long has it been since I escaped that house I never wanted to go back to, yet the memory keeps coming back?

Though my body is outside that place, I still can’t shake off this ridiculous feeling.

“F*ck.”

-Kerplunk-

An angry kick hit an innocent barrel, causing it to roll and spill the remaining wine inside.

Just that made her breathe heavily and harshly.

“There’s no way.”

Gasping, she tried to kick over another barrel, but quickly realized it was pointless and stopped.

Yes. These emotions are unnecessary.

Even if I had briefly hoped when Carsein was here, it was just a fleeting feeling.

Even if recalling my expectations being crushed like a popped balloon at the amusement park, now that memory holds no meaning.

No matter how similar the situation, it’s not me.

It’s just a background for a character in a game.

…

I should.

“Poor kid.”

Unconsciously, she blurted out.

Then, she wandered aimlessly, walking and walking.

She didn’t know which direction the carriage was heading.

She walked until the memory in her head became slightly hazy.

Not knowing where she was, she walked.

Suddenly, a bright light caught her eye.

In the night, such brightness could only be artificial.

But more glaring than the artificial light, she saw something she had become somewhat familiar with.

Memorial.

An object made from Carsein’s past.

“A stone tower…”

Stacked neatly, the stones stood unsteadily.

They seemed like they could collapse with the slightest touch.

Why hesitate?

She stretched her hand out, facing the truth of his past.

The flickering scene showed the same Snow Festival.

And from the sky, cold, white particles were falling.

Snow.