Chapter 52

Flora Bargrand had never felt uneasy while tormenting Carsein.

Precisely because there was no reason to feel uneasy.

How could a vagrant from outside take her brother’s place? It was an impossible situation and one that couldn’t be accepted.

So, she denied it repeatedly, as if to show off. She would ask how could he be her brother? He was just a vagrant from the slums, and she would firmly tell him she wouldn’t accept it.

“Flora, how can you say such things to your older brother!”

But thanks to her mother’s unstable mental state, Flora found herself in the wrong every time.

The love she received as the youngest daughter was now monopolized by this vagrant, even threatening her brother’s position.

No matter what her two elder sisters said, their mother’s ears were closed. The poor boy from the slums was slowly becoming Karne Bargrand in front of her eyes.

She couldn’t just watch this happen without doing anything.

Who are you to try and tear our family apart?

Who are you to mimic our brother?

You’re just a vagrant from outside anyway.

She wanted to spit these words right in his face, but she couldn’t bring herself to say them.

As her resentment deepened.

One day, by chance, Flora overheard a conversation between the maids.

“No way. Why should we keep such a commoner? Even if it’s for the young ladies, it’s a waste to use good clothes and blankets on him.”

“What else can we do? Everyone probably thinks the same. But… What are you doing?”

“What do you think? I’m making his food taste bad. Ugh!”

The maid sprinkled more salt into Carsein’s meal.

“Hey! What if they find out!”

“Find out? As long as you stay quiet, nothing will happen.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Reluctantly, the maid joined in, skillfully mixing the ingredients.

Though she stumbled upon this by chance, Flora realized many people shared this sentiment. And they could secretly sabotage Carsein without getting caught.

What a perfect plan!

From then on, Flora started meddling with Carsein’s food. She made him cough from pepper, choke from too much salt, and cringe at spicy and sour tastes. Each time, she felt an immense satisfaction.

Oddly enough, every time Carsein complained, no evidence ever came up. She didn’t know why, but maybe it was for the best.

But even with her actions, her mother, who was mentally ill, still defended Carsein.

She kept arguing and shouting about the vagrant.

The more her mother did this, the angrier Flora became. She started causing trouble not just with food, but with everything. More boldly, more daringly.

She left no stone unturned in her efforts to torment him.

Then, Isabella’s consciousness returned, and she realized that with her mother’s recovery, no one in the duke’s house would defend Carsein anymore.

Flora seized this opportunity.

Afterwards, the duke’s house could return to normal. Proudly, Flora could claim she saved her family, this dukedom, and her brother’s position from the peasant boy.

But recently, doubts began to creep into her actions.

A strange sense of unease accompanied her.

“Miss Flora? Why are you acting so suddenly?”

It was the knight she had just met. They were walking side by side when he took off his outer coat and draped it over Flora.

“If you’re cold, why didn’t you say something? You might catch a cold.”

“…”

She wasn’t cold. The winter wind couldn’t penetrate her thick coat, and she was already wearing a warm shawl, so she wasn’t chilly at all.

She didn’t need any outer coat; it was plenty warm.

Still, she felt relieved.

‘That’s just Theo for you.’

Theo Lamstair.

A probationary knight under the First Knight Order, soon to become a full-fledged knight.

However, there was a reason why Flora felt so at ease with him.

He was the most special person to her.

-That’s not your fault, Miss Flora. It’s his.

As a nobleman’s son, Theo had once comforted a scolded Flora and empathized deeply with her troubled heart.

Whenever Flora felt down about Carsein, she would seek out Theo.

His words were always comforting, scratching the itchy spots and giving her a clear mind.

He always satisfied her.

Even now.

Isn’t he concerned about the master’s health?

If asked who she trusted second only to her family, she would have to choose between her nanny and Theo.

He was a trusted figure, greatly relied upon by Flora.

‘Theo would surely know the answer.’

Gazing at Theo, Flora decided to finally open up about her worries, which had been gnawing at her for days.

“There’s something I’ve been thinking about, Theo. Would you listen?”

Theo smiled warmly and replied, “Of course.”

Even though she had come prepared, Flora always felt at ease whenever she met Theo.

Thanks to this, she could comfortably share her worries, from tormenting Carsein in the past to her current confusing feelings.

She shared bits and pieces, and then got to the point.

“I want to ask your opinion, Theo. I’m wondering if I’m doing something wrong…”

She wanted to ask if he thought the same, what this feeling was, and how to resolve it. From the start, she had wanted to ask him this.

Theo smiled kindly and took Flora’s hand.

“Miss Flora, it’s not your fault.”

***

On the fourth morning after three days of training, despite soreness all over, she felt a sense of accomplishment knowing she had passed the halfway mark of her induction period.

In fact, she had already gotten through the toughest part.

Compared to the grueling third day, today would be much easier.

▶With Isabella’s protection, the knights’ harassment has decreased!◀

As the status window indicated, due to Isabella’s presence, the knights’ movements had slowed significantly.

Of course, it wasn’t just Isabella.

▶During the remaining training period, you’ll receive help from your family!◀

▶Depending on the choice, one additional person will intervene each day until the sixth day, totaling three interventions!◀

Choosing who to follow is a minor use of the Bargrand ducal power, slightly lowering its recognition.

Due to this risk, Carsein should avoid external activities outside of training, but during training periods, he would receive the strongest ally.

That ally was the family support displayed in this episode.

Thanks to Mark bowing his head, the knights showed him respect, making the rest of the training period less challenging.

Day 3: Isabella.

Day 4: Arina.

Day 5: Claire.

Family members visited Carsein in rotation, one each day.

No matter how much they disliked Carsein or wanted to drive him away, or even if someone ordered them to do so, they couldn’t act recklessly while being watched by the family heads.

“But, this game won’t go that smoothly, right?”

▶On the sixth day, Flora Bargrand will visit the training hall!◀

“Without giving everything away, the difficulty wouldn’t be that high.”

Isabella, Arina, and Claire would definitely become allies if the knights tried to harm her.

Except for Flora.

This immature girl seemed to think she would steal her own family, suffering from paranoia, and her mental age was also low, making her more likely to be Carsein’s enemy.

Ironically, the structure was the same.

This scene remained unchanged regardless of branching or choosing different options.

Episode V started with Flora, and it ended with Flora.

This made it somewhat predictable.

Episode V itself connected the beginning and end to Flora Bargrand.

A destiny she would eventually face.

A contradictory trial for Carsein, to build intimacy with all family members.

It meant he needed to win back Flora’s heart.

Recalling this scene made her chuckle involuntarily.

An annoying scene, but…

“…I could use this to my advantage.”

Having sorted it out in her head, she knew it was time to act.

▶Fill your water flask before training to prepare!◀

▶Pack a towel in your bag to wipe sweat!◀

The status window instructed her actions, leaving no room for staying cooped up.

From now on, she had to face the boys like the game’s Carsein.

*Kung kung.*

‘About time.’

Leaning against the wall, waiting for a visitor, she opened the door at the sound of Mark’s voice.

“Pardon me, Young Master. May I open the door… Oh.”

Their timing overlapped, and Mark looked surprised, not expecting the door to open immediately.

Sure, it was odd for a noble young master to be awake early in the morning.

But what could she do?

She went to school, worked part-time, and studied, so she didn’t have the habit of waking up late.

Anyway, a choice appeared just now.

She could use it right here.

“The fact that you called me ‘Young Master’ instead of ‘Trainee Carsein’ suggests you have something urgent to discuss?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

Mark didn’t deny it.

When they stepped outside after closing the door, Mark cleared his throat and spoke.

She already had an idea of what he’d say.

“Why didn’t you speak up despite Mother’s visit?”

*Bling!*

At the same time Mark asked, a choice appeared.

Immediately, she answered as the choice suggested.

“You want to ask why I tolerated the knights tormenting me, even though Mother found out?”

“!”

“It’s nothing. If I told, I’d be kicked out of the training hall. Right?”

“No. If Mother found out, you wouldn’t be kicked out, but the knights who tormented you would.”

She grinned at Mark and responded.

“You declared you’d follow the training hall rules just three days ago. Do you really expect me to break those rules and return to being the Young Master of the Bargrand duchy?”

It was absurd.

“Enough of these pointless tests. You’re keeping me around because you want to know something.”

“!”

“Didn’t you accept me as an opportunity to give me a chance? Am I wrong?”

Mark swallowed hard.

Though he moved his lips, he didn’t respond as neatly as before.

Sighing deeply, Mark looked straight into her eyes.

Unlike before, his attitude had changed.

“I still can’t forgive you. No, I can’t. You know why, Young Master.”

“Yes.”

“The entire First Knight Order remembers you cutting Radiel. So!”

Mark clenched his fist tightly.

How tight? His hand turned white.

Continuing, he said,

“Don’t run away this time. When the time comes, you must reveal everything Radiel wanted to hide and what happened that day.”

He openly showed his uncontrollable anger.

The choice asked whether to punish Mark at this moment.

Seeing his expression, if asked to make such a ridiculous choice, she might have cursed the creator aloud.

This promise would never be broken.

Even if she weren’t Carsein Bargrand herself.

“I promise. When the time comes, I’ll tell you the truth of that day.”

“…”

Mark finally released his clenched teeth and gradually calmed his anger.

Before leaving, Mark took a deep breath and handed her some items, saying they were good for visiting someone in recovery.

“Radiel wants to see you. You should visit.”

With that, Mark walked down the corridor.

She couldn’t thank him immediately. Maybe she couldn’t say anything at all.

*Bling!*

▶Depending on your choices, a sub-episode with Mark and Radiel will proceed, freezing Mark’s affinity!◀

[Current Affinity: 2%]

▶A sub-episode with Mark and Radiel will progress!◀

▶This runs separately from Episode V and rewards are given independently!◀

[Clear Episode: Mark’s affinity increases and reputation within the order improves to Good Rating]

[Fail Episode: – ]

She chose the option to perform the sub-episode.

***

After talking with Mark, she followed the instructions in the progress window to fill her water flask.

‘I hope this is close enough.’

If only she had Carsein’s memory. It was too vast to remember just by looking at the dot map.

She managed to find the place. By recalling the background and landmarks, she figured out where she was.

As she approached the place to fill the flask, she heard voices of knights nearby.

“Lately, my body feels heavier.”

“Because you drink so much alcohol.”

“Still, you train properly. This kid.”

She had to be careful.

If she didn’t follow the schedule, she might bump into the knights and get into a fight when the ones Emma instructed incited trouble.

Her reputation would drop, and without Mark’s protection, she’d be in a bind.

Waiting a bit, the knights moved away.

Quickly, she filled the flask and splashed water around.

‘Where the hell is it?’

Usually, drinking in the game would prompt a button, but this time, a use button appeared.

Carsein splashed water around, and obtained an item.

But… damn game.

Every time, this message appeared.

‘Because it’s reality, not a dot map, it’s too big!’

There was no choice.

She had to sprinkle water on all the pillars.

She moved busily four times.

Then, a key hidden behind a pillar revealed itself.

*Bling!*

[Item Obtained!]

“…Got it!”

Finally, the item acquisition message appeared.

■Inventory■

◆Key to the First Knight Order Warehouse

[Using this allows entry into the warehouse.]