Chapter 38

The unexpected reaction from Carsein caused the women’s faces, which were previously filled with laughter, to suddenly darken.

The explanation was more than enough.

Even though Carsein was ignorant about the social circle, this ignorance surprisingly turned out to be helpful.

The problem of having extensive experience with men as a woman is fatal in an engagement. It would have been perfect to deceive him properly.

However, despite pushing Harnier into a corner, this fiancé seemed to be protecting her instead of punishing her.

“What do you mean by that? We only wanted to help good men not suffer any harm,” said one of the young ladies, trying hard to hide her panic.

Others joined in.

“Yes, we came because we thought our fiancé might be deceived.”

“Carsein doesn’t seem to know much about the social circle, but Harnier is a woman who ensnares men. Is it right to accept someone with such experience as a fiancé?”

“Moreover, there’s a possibility she might have taken advantage of them financially. Why else would she suddenly dive into business?”

It was necessary to intervene.

Otherwise, the plan would fall apart.

“Are you done?”

Carsein sneered.

“There’s no value in listening to your lowly chatter. What’s the point of me listening to your attempts at exclusion?”

“Your Highness! That’s going too far!”

“Too far? It seems you’re the ones going too far.”

“…What?”

“When did I become the kind of person who takes others’ words at face value? Especially after being chewed over by those before me.”

At his words, the young ladies fell silent.

Yes, standing before them was none other than Carsein.

He was the bane of the Bargrand family, always carrying countless labels.

Thus, even trying to persuade him was already a mistake.

“Hmm! There must be some truth to right and wrong.”

“Yes, in this situation, Carsein is clearly the victim.”

Even if they called him a victim, it was blatant hypocrisy.

They were merely grasping at straws.

But they knew it.

“You see.”

Carsein pretended not to notice.

The young ladies let out a sigh of relief.

Since their opponent was Carsein, they believed they could win him over somehow.

“But you chose the wrong opponent. Idiots.”

Carsein looked at Harnier and asked.

“May I show something to these ladies? Can I have your hand?”

“…What?”

Seeing her hesitation, he smiled slightly, and Harnier readily extended her hand.

“I knew it.”

Carsein chuckled, looking at Harnier’s hand.

Pointing to one of the young ladies, he said.

“See here, your ring finger shows signs of being removed recently. It looks like you broke up with your boyfriend not long ago.”

“How did you know?”

“Because the ring had to have been on your finger. Usually, when a ring is constantly worn and then lost, the mark becomes very noticeable. Even if it’s not a scar, the mark is so clear that others can easily notice.”

“Why are you bringing this up now?”

“It feels like you’re trying to divert the topic.”

At his sudden statement, the young ladies snorted.

But Carsein’s analysis was meticulous. Only Harnier noticed.

“If what you say is true, my fiancée should have many rings on her fingers due to her numerous relationships. But my fiancée’s ring finger has no such marks. What do you make of that?”

Harnier’s ring finger was normal, unlike the marked one the lady pointed out.

It showed no signs of ever wearing a ring.

“If she had been luring men for money, she would have worn rings. However, Harnier’s hand is clean. Therefore, her extensive experience must be a bold lie.”

“Are you saying we’re lying?”

“Then what else could it be?”

The young ladies gasped in protest.

“How can you judge everything based on just a ring? There are countless witnesses of her dating men!”

“Just because a ring is seen doesn’t mean it’s the only gift. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and all sorts of jewelry could be given!”

“No one here has mentioned Harnier wearing a ring. Besides, taking money could also mean selling things!”

They weren’t entirely wrong.

Harnier could have received gifts and sold them secretly.

If she truly was a seductive flower snake who took everything from men.

But Carsein knew.

He knew Harnier wouldn’t do such a thing.

“You mentioned earlier that my fiancée entered the business world.”

“Yes.”

“And she amassed great wealth suspiciously, didn’t she?”

“…Yes.”

Carsein responded as if he had been waiting.

“Tell me, why are there marks on your fingers like this?”

None of the young ladies could answer.

Only Harnier realized it and sighed in relief.

“Surprisingly, these marks are formed from repeated cuts in the same spot. If such thin and sharp cuts happened on the same finger, what could it be?”

There was only one thing.

“Turning pages, flipping through books, documents. Constantly turning pages has left scars on her finger. She uses this finger mostly, hence the scars.”

The young ladies collectively held their breath.

Carsein waited for this moment to warn them.

“The business part is true too. How much longer will you deny my fiancée’s efforts? Do you all want to go against the Bargrand family?”

Silence fell heavily.

Usually, Carsein wasn’t frightening. He was often the subject of gossip in social circles.

This time, targeting Harnier, he wasn’t easy either.

He hadn’t expected the situation to turn sour.

But with one sentence.

With this clear warning, the young ladies, young and inexperienced, were terrified.

Under the name of Bargrand, no one dared to raise their heads here.

They were at the peak of the noble hierarchy.

Even the royal family struggled with their house. The mere mention of the Bargrand name made nobles shudder.

This fear now emanated from Carsein.

“Feel free to speak. Name the families that dare to oppose the Bargrand family. I’ll report every single one to your mother.”

Part bluff, part earnest.

Though he might be insulted, this was a clear challenge to the Bargrand family. Carsein had ensured this situation would impact his family.

No one among the young ladies dared to mention their own family.

Overwhelmed by pressure, they changed their stance.

“…I’m sorry.”

They feared offending the Bargrand family.

They feared the incident would spread to their family.

All the women who had pushed Harnier into a corner lowered their heads.

“Tsk. Ruined the mood on festival day. Get out.”

When they chattered endlessly, it took tens of minutes, but fleeing took only seconds.

After driving away the nuisances, Carsein smiled at Harnier.

“Does this mean you owe me?”

***

Harnier understood.

Starving packs of wolves always waited for her.

But those wolves didn’t just wait for prey to appear.

They destroyed the surroundings.

To thoroughly break and crush, waiting for the prey to tire and fall.

The noble society was a food chain where such cunning wolves gathered.

She aimed to break these wolves.

By slowly revealing her engagement to Carsein to the public.

But even the astute Harnier missed something.

Wolves aren’t all male.

“Did you get engaged?”

“How did you lure this one?”

These female wolves seized the opportunity and pounced.

A sudden crisis.

It could have shaken the foundation of the tower she had built.

Though she tried to cover it up, the situation tilted unfavorably.

She had expected something similar, but she never imagined these women would approach Carsein during the festival.

So, she hurried to the snow festival, only to meet Carsein first.

But.

“Harnier is popular among men. But none of them truly care about her.”

“She always lures men and discards them mercilessly! That’s how she’s been all along!”

“There are countless testimonies and sightings. Some say she only takes money, while others claim she steals completely. Don’t you know about the rumors?”

“We’ve been warning men in advance to prevent such incidents. We don’t want the number of victims to increase.”

“That’s why we came to check if our fiancé was unaware of this.”

There was nothing she could do.

She was cornered.

She cried out it was slander, but her denials fell on deaf ears.

“Would anyone really believe us?”

The majority.

It was clear whose side everyone would take.

Finally, her defenses were breached.

Harnier clenched her eyes shut, anticipating some loss.

But.

“Foolish behavior. You dare to insult my fiancée in front of me?”

Instead of joining the young ladies, Carsein supported Harnier.

And…

“Does this mean you owe me?”

Smiling slyly, he neatly resolved the situation.

Creating a breakthrough with systematic and logical reasoning, he pulled her out of the abyss.

In this situation, Harnier couldn’t help but wonder.

“Why did you help me?”

“What?”

“You could have sided with them.”

Of course, it would have been easier.

By siding with just one person, she could gain countless allies.

For Carsein, choosing her side over theirs would have been more advantageous.

“Even if I couldn’t immediately cancel the contract due to the Oath Gem, I could still inform the Teresia Marquis House.”

Contracts become meaningless the moment the situation changes.

Even if the gem’s power activates, the Bargrand family would handle it.

Understanding Carsein’s intention, he smiled.

“So, you wanted to use me as a sacrifice for your gains?”

“That’s right. Actually, it is.”

While surprised by his purpose, if he had such a sharp mind, his profit and loss calculations would be faster than hers.

Thus, it felt odd.

But Carsein firmly nailed it down.

“I don’t need multiple people’s answers. I need unbreakable trust from a single person.”

“…”

“If I sold you off to gain their trust, would they still treat me warmly afterward?”

Carsein continued.

As an adopted child of the Bargrand family, his name would forever carry that stigma.

“There’s no point in trading with those who seek temporary allegiance for their own benefit. It’s just foolish. Clearly, it won’t lead to achieving my goals.”

Logical arguments led to speculation, but was it really speculation?

No, it didn’t feel like it.

Rather, it felt like a certainty.

During this time, Carsein finished wrapping up the situation and asked.

“Didn’t you say you faced pressure from the Marquis House? They don’t seem like the type to be deterred by an engagement.”

Harnier wanted a one-year engagement to avoid a strategic marriage arranged by her family.

Thus, it was a reasonable question for Carsein to ask.

However, he was talking about the social circle.

It had nothing to do with him. Even if the contract remained, informing him wouldn’t change anything.

This question needed to be refused.

But, he was an incredibly perceptive man.

“Don’t think you can get away with this. I might collect information from the Duke House myself.”

“What?! Why would you…!”

“As I said, I need a strong bond of trust with you. Shouldn’t such matters be shared? We’re in the same boat.”

Also, asking her to imitate a couple’s behavior seemed suspicious. He wanted to gather more information.

He had no intention of letting this matter slide.

There was no way to stop him once he discovered the scene.

Sighing deeply, Harnier hesitated before speaking.

“Our relationship wasn’t always strained.”

After much deliberation, she decided to reveal the whole story to Carsein.

She believed it would be fine with him.