-玎玲！
▶Episode IV. You have successfully concluded the Snow Festival!◀
▶Calculating results!◀
…
…
▶The efforts of the knights in searching for Carsein have decreased his reputation within the duke’s mansion!◀
▶By persuading Arina, you gain affinity points!◀
▶Successfully triggered results beyond the choice options!◀
▶Rewards are being distributed!◀
You gained a small amount of experience and a level up message appeared.
This route consumes recognition points instead of gaining the affinity of characters. Depending on how choices are made, paths diverge, and with a wide range of choices, opposing outcomes can be achieved.
Your goal has been accomplished.
You should be able to move without any problems until the next episode branching stage by taking your preferred route.
However, such things were not immediately apparent.
“This thing was also abandoned behind my back.”
Unpleasant memories resurfaced.
Seeing Arina, who didn’t come to look for him despite being paid money.
The permission dropped along with the words that she could play as much as she wanted after receiving money.
The Snow Festival filled with all sorts of food, entertainment, and fun.
Carsein waited with gifts prepared, unaware that he had no place to return to.
All of this was no different from his own experience.
After the payment, an unlimited ticket usage right hung on one wrist.
The amusement park that he visited with his family, where he curiously explored every corner.
Not realizing he was left behind on purpose and became a lost child, he simply stared at the sunset from that spot.
Amusement park. Snow Festival.
Different eras and settings, yet fundamentally similar.
Even the process of being rediscovered.
“Crap. I never thought I’d go through something like this twice.”
A bitter laugh escaped involuntarily.
In reality, he became a lost child at the amusement park, but here, he was a secretly discarded child.
That’s why his head felt hot.
Not with heat, but a cold chill circled, cooling his head.
The anger towards unpleasant memories was fleeting.
“Yeah. I need to stay calm. There’s no need to put emotions into these things.”
With the second experience, he was sure.
Carsein would think similarly.
If he were in his position, he would definitely act the same way.
While lost in thought, he turned his gaze back to the status window he hadn’t seen.
▶Hidden Episode. Cleared the precarious tower!◀
▶Successfully triggered results beyond the choice options!◀
▶Rewards are being distributed!◀
■Rewards
[Arina’s affinity increases!]
[Current level: 15% -> 20%]
[???]
[???]
He took stock of the situation up to this point.
It was revealed that the magic stone flame was fake, and with the commotion subsiding, Isabella must have searched for Carsein.
The hastily concocted excuse ultimately led to Arina’s lie, prompting Isabella to order the family’s knights to find Carsein.
This far, it followed the original game progression.
‘What remains… is to enter the duke’s mansion later.’
After meeting Arina, scenes skipped to the duke’s mansion. Hence, this scene is skipped time.
Thus, even though the hidden episode appeared, it didn’t affect the original progression.
From now on, no matter what he does, entering the duke’s mansion late will suffice.
Deciding where to spend this time was the dilemma.
‘But… What’s this?’
At the bottom of the stats window, a question mark caught his eye.
Only now did he notice the 0 stat that wasn’t visible during the game.
“Hmm…”
He fell into minor contemplation.
Other stats had ways to increase them directly, but there was no clue for this one.
Just because a stat doesn’t have a negative impact doesn’t mean it won’t. It sometimes creates additional choice options to avoid bad endings.
So, he decided to use the remaining stat points on this. Since the rise is much smaller than the drop, increasing it wouldn’t make much difference.
‘A slight increase wouldn’t be noticeable. I’ll raise it fully.’
[All points used on ??? stat!]
Though he wondered if anything had changed in his body after seeing the status window, there were no obvious changes.
“What the heck is this…? What’s changed?”
At that moment,
A woman suddenly appeared in front of him while he was looking up at the sky, deep in thought.
“What are you thinking about?”
Hearing the sudden voice, Carsein immediately turned his head.
It was a face he was somewhat familiar with.
A stunning beauty with purple hair and eyes that matched perfectly.
Separately, her hands were quite skilled.
“Why do you startle people like that?”
“Huh? Isn’t this a surprised expression…?”
“You suddenly appear, so of course, I’m startled.”
Harnier looked exasperated, although she was genuinely surprised.
“Anyway, what are you doing here? Came to see the Snow Festival?”
Without much interest, Carsein nodded at the mention of the Snow Festival.
Then Harnier cleared her throat and cautiously brought up the topic.
“Hem hem. So, could you spare some time for me?”
“Sure, why not?”
“I know. Your time is precious… Eh?”
As if she had misheard, Harnier sounded puzzled.
“Did I hear that wrong? I thought you said you’d give me some time.”
“Is there anything wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong… Are you free? Don’t you have plans?”
“I don’t have any. Not really.”
Carsein had an abundance of time now.
He had been pondering what to do with this excess time, and if she hadn’t come, he might have wandered alone with an empty heart somewhere.
“Hmm… I’m not sure what happened, but I feel uncomfortable using you like this too much.”
Harnier paused in thought, then raised her index finger.
“How about we make a deal?”
“A deal?”
“Yes. It’s more familiar and comfortable for both you and me.”
She was saying she wanted to buy his time.
“…Not bad.”
Even though it was time he needed to consume somehow, he was currently penniless.
It was better to use his time and get something in return rather than just waste it.
“Where would you like me to spend your time?”
“Hmm… This is my first time at the Snow Festival, so can you show me around?”
“Excuse me?”
Carsein narrowed his eyes, unsure if he had heard correctly.
Harnier coughed awkwardly.
“I’ve been busy, so I haven’t enjoyed the Snow Festival properly each year. Plus, there might be people clinging to me…”
Then, as if feeling embarrassed, she avoided eye contact, blinking her eyes.
When Carsein remained blankly confused, she placed her hand on her waist and asked:
“So, will you help or not!”
Guiding the festival isn’t difficult.
If he could borrow Memorial’s memory of Carsein, it would be easy enough.
However, adapting to this situation still feels off.
“Are you laughing?”
“No. It’s just funny, this situation.”
“Huh! Miss, you were the same last time. Why—”
He didn’t catch the rest of her words.
But Carsein had no intention of refusing.
“If you help me, teach me some etiquette.”
“Eh? Etiquette?”
“Didn’t you say we’re making a deal? Like last time, tell me. I’m rather inexperienced.”
“But…”
He seemed to be calculating if this was a good deal.
“Alright, let’s say the fee for guiding and some money I’ll use is covered. How about that?”
“Is that okay? Time can be much more expensive than that sum of money.”
“I don’t think it’s a bad deal. I have my reasons too.”
“Hmm…”
Despite not seeming entirely satisfied, Harnier quickly agreed when the offer came as a deal. The fact that he had his reasons mattered most.
“Fine. But, if it doesn’t suit, I won’t give you anything?”
“That’s harsh. Even to your fiancé.”
“Really. Only when it comes to fiancé? I should be showing real affection.”
Harnier clicked her tongue and sighed deeply before pulling Carsein’s arm.
“Let’s at least pretend to be a couple properly.”
***
Harnier first crossed her arms to teach the etiquette of a noble couple.
Although she said she would teach, she ended up teaching everything and immediately moved to practical application, gradually getting used to it. Though it was a bit old-fashioned.
Upon reaching the entrance, the Snow Festival had already entered its liveliest phase, with bright lights beginning to illuminate. Much more splendid and beautiful than what he saw in the Memorial.
“Wow.”
Harnier exclaimed at the decorations adorning the sky.
It seemed she truly had never been before.
If she were younger, he would have thought she was a child seeing an amusement park for the first time.
“It’s amazing. So many new things gathered here. Have you often attended the Snow Festival, Carsein?”
“No. I haven’t seen it properly several times.”
No, actually, I’ve never been.
I saw the Snow Festival several times through Carsein’s memories.
“But you’re not surprised? Everything seems new to me.”
“…”
Listening to her, he examined the decorations.
Indeed, he would be surprised. If not for the disgusting memories of the past that surfaced.
In this world where life and death hang in the balance, there was no room for leisure to enjoy such things. That was the biggest reason he wasn’t surprised.
Suddenly, he felt Harnier’s crossed arms tighten.
Before he could ask why, she spoke first.
“Carsein. Do you remember our deal earlier?”
“Eh?”
“The… request to act like a couple.”
“I know about that.”
It was part of fulfilling the contract.
But why bring it up now?
“Please, you have to keep it up. Really.”
“Eh?”
Before he could answer, a noble woman’s voice came from straight ahead.
“Oh, is this the fiancé of Lady Harnier?”
Actually, not a noblewoman, but a group of noble ladies.
***
The Snow Festival doesn’t discriminate based on social status or age.
So, it’s possible to meet nobles. He had met them a few times when with his family.
But, this…
‘Are they not looking at me?’
The woman who referred to herself as Harnier’s fiancé must be talking about me, but upon closer inspection, it seems she came to meet Harnier more than me.
Even at a glance, the women behind the leading one all seem to be looking at Harnier.
This could be an exaggeration, but based on his accumulated intuition from experiences, this feels like harassment.
First, let’s gather more information.
“What’s the matter?”
Directly questioned, their gazes shifted slightly toward him.
“Not much. We came to visit Lady Harnier since she got engaged.”
Just now, that woman said “Lady Harnier.”
As if Harnier had done something wrong.
Another noble lady stepped forward to add details.
“We’ve seen Lady Harnier quite often, so we know a lot about her. That’s why we had to come and meet her personally.”
Harnier’s hand tightened around her crossed arms, her expression unchanged, but likely trembling inside.
Undisturbed, he asked the reason.
Promptly, the noble ladies began chattering with smirks, as if waiting for this moment.
“Harnier has lots of male admirers. But, none of them have truly poured their hearts out to her.”
“Because she always enchanted men and then mercilessly rejected them! She’s been doing this all along!”
“There are countless witness accounts. Some say she just takes their money, others say she even extorts them. Do you know how rampant the rumors are?”
“Thanks to this, we constantly warn men in advance to prevent more victims. Just in case, the number of victims might increase.”
“So, we came to check if you, the fiancé, are being deceived. We worry you might not know about this.”
Finally, the woman in the center wrapped up.
“Harnier doesn’t know love. If you are being deceived, please speak up. We can stop this wickedness.”
In summary, this is what they meant.
Harnier deliberately ensnared men for some purpose, then discarded them mercilessly once they were no longer useful.
They intervened because they believed there might be men who are unaware of this, and especially because they suspected the newly announced fiancé, Carsein, might be deceived.
In short,
If you are being deceived by these women, get rid of it quickly.
Harnier Teresia is a flower snake.
This is what they were saying.
Harnier grew agitated and started denying.
“No, it’s slander. I haven’t met any men, not even one!”
“Oh, look at that. Lying again!”
“As expected, you haven’t changed. Don’t you feel ashamed as a noble?”
Criticism rained down.
Though she vehemently denied, facing the majority, Harnier couldn’t stand a chance.
Moreover, she had a big weakness.
“Then, answer this. Why did Lady Harnier get involved in businesses run by men?”
“…”
“See? Can’t even answer this.”
“It’s obvious. She must have intended to take advantage of men.”
The other noble ladies pointed out that she entered businesses men typically didn’t.
Her actions, which deviated from the norm, couldn’t escape criticism.
Even if it was for the sake of the Teresia family.
Thus, this issue rested solely on his hands.
“Are you trying to deceive the Bargrand family this time?”
“Prince, please be honest. We’ll handle the aftermath.”
Then, Harnier pleaded with desperate eyes.
“No! Really, I… I haven’t deceived you.”
The answer came swiftly.
Problems like this were easily deduced in his mind.
Again and again.
There was no need for calculations.
He immediately uncrossed his arms.
-Slither.
“Carsein…!”
Harnier looked at him with trembling eyes in an instant.
“Gya?!”
He swiftly wrapped his freed arm around her shoulder, pulling her close protectively. Her startled eyes turned toward him.
Yes.
He chose one over the many.
“Doing foolish things. Dare you insult my fiancé in front of me?”
Those eyes are filled with someone wronged.
How could he side with them against Harnier?
At the very least, he couldn’t do that.
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