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I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 126
🕑 Added 2024-09-23 07:15:56 +0000 UTCChapter 126: The Indigo Potion (3)
The original plan was to stay in Lusmire, visit Shatrain, and wait for Isabella to summon me, avoiding Arina’s wrath.
If I returned to the Duchy now, both Arina and Isabella would reprimand me for my prolonged, unannounced absence.
But witnessing that Memorial changed my mind.
The Carsein trapped within that Indigo Potion bottle had tried to hide the truth, only for Claire to discover his secret and make things worse.
And that was the worst possible outcome in this situation.
I hadn’t revealed my new position as Lord of Lusmire.
I hadn’t told them about my actions, my plans for the territory.
And I had even secured a trade agreement with the Ipheros Marquisate without their permission.
It was a repeat of the past.
Staying in Lusmire was no longer an option.
I had to return to the Duchy before the deal fell apart, even if it meant facing their anger.
Arina would be furious, her voice echoing through the mansion as she unleashed her wrath.
Isabella would scold me for my lack of communication, for my disregard for their authority.
Claire, watching from the sidelines, would chastise me for my recklessness.
Flora would mock me, her laughter echoing through the halls as I faced their judgment.
That was the future that awaited me.
But…
I wasn’t afraid.
This was my reality.
It was frustrating to relive these experiences, to be subjected to their judgment once again, but I was used to it.
Let their affinity drop.
I had no intention of befriending them anyway.
It wouldn’t reach a critical level, and even if it did, I could always recover it in the next episode.
There was no need to create a situation where everything could fall apart, like in that Memorial.
I would tell them everything, face their anger, and give them what they wanted.
As I always had.
I just needed to prepare myself for the inevitable storm.
-Ding!
As the Duchy came into view, a system message popped up.
Episode IV cleared.
It also informed me that Claire was on her way back to the Duchy.
“Good. You all need to be there. All four of you. That way, I won’t be the only target of your anger.”
I chuckled, tightening my grip on the reins.
***
As I arrived at the Duchy, Heron bowed his head in greeting.
Arina glared at me, her eyes narrowed, her expression thunderous.
Shaiden, having just returned from Lusmire, simply sighed.
And as expected…
▶ Late Return Penalty applied. ◀
▶ Extended absence detected. Leaving Duchy Penalty intensified. ◀
▶ Staying Out Overnight Penalty applied! ◀
The Leaving Duchy Penalty, more severe than the Late Return Penalty.
And the Staying Out Overnight Penalty, the worst of them all.
“You know we need to talk, Carsein,” Arina said, her voice low and menacing.
I was used to this.
I was prepared for the drop in affinity.
“Go to your room, clean yourself up, and change into proper attire. Then come to the dining room.”
She turned away, her dismissal curt and final.
Her instructions, the demand for cleanliness and proper attire, weren't surprising.
And the designated location… the dining room?
This could easily turn into a disaster, a verbal assault accompanied by flying tableware.
But I was ready.
The real confrontation would begin there.
I dismounted, unfazed by her threats.
Shaiden approached, his voice laced with concern.
“Young Master, I specifically advised you to rest. Did Lady Claire… Did she not inform you?”
It seemed like Claire had been the one to summon Shaiden, judging by the presence of that potion bottle.
“No, she told me.”
“But why did you rush back from Lusmire in this condition? You’re not fully recovered. I urge you to reconsider. Perhaps I could speak with Lady Arina and explain…”
He offered to intervene, to request a postponement of their reprimand, giving me time to rest.
Heron nodded, agreeing with the physician.
“I share Shaiden’s concerns. Young Master, perhaps you should rest in your room for a while. We’ll speak with Lady Arina.”
They knew.
The moment I stepped foot in this mansion, I would be subjected to their criticism.
But I didn't care.
“It’s fine. It’s just a lecture.”
Shaiden sighed, his shoulders slumping.
“Young Master Carsein…”
“A few harsh words won’t kill me.”
Heron, too, let out a deep sigh, a sound so heavy, it reached my ears even as I walked away.
It didn’t take long to clean myself up.
And changing clothes took even less time.
I headed towards the dining room, ready to face my fate.
‘I’m the last one, as always.’
Isabella, Arina, and Flora were already seated at the table.
I sat down and said flatly,
“I stayed out because I was in a bad mood.”
“What?”
Arina’s eyes widened, her brow furrowing.
Flora, on the other hand, stared at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and anticipation.
“Are you saying… You stayed out all this time… without even informing us… because you were in a bad mood?”
Arina’s voice was incredulous, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
And I…
“Yes.”
…confirmed it.
“…Is that really true, Carsein?”
Even Isabella’s question was met with the same response.
“Yes, I stayed out because I was annoyed.”
“W-Wait a minute! You…!”
“I went with you, and you ruined my day, Flora. I was annoyed, so I stayed out. Is that a problem?”
I shut down any attempt at an excuse.
It was better to face the punishment head-on, to endure the inevitable storm.
“I’m the Lord of Lusmire. I can do whatever I want in my own territory, and I can make deals with whoever I want. I don't understand why you had to send Claire to bring me back.”
This would trigger Arina’s wrath.
I was prepared for their lectures, for Isabella’s disappointed sighs, for Flora’s mocking laughter.
This was exactly what I wanted.
‘Come on, yell at me. Get it over with.’
I waited, my expression impassive, ready to endure their judgment.
But then…
-Knock. Knock.
“My Lady, Lady Claire and a guest have arrived.”
A guest?
***
“Lady Claire, we have arrived— ”
Claire, ignoring the driver’s announcement, jumped out of the carriage and ran towards the mansion.
“Lady Claire?”
“Heron, where’s Carsein?”
“He arrived a while ago.”
“Damn it, he’s already here?!”
She had urged the driver to hurry, and yet, Carsein had beaten her back.
“He probably just finished cleaning up and changing. He should be on his way to the dining room now.”
“Really? Haa… That stubborn idiot! At least I can still stop this.”
A voice, sharp and familiar, interrupted her.
“Claire, is that any way to speak?”
“…Arsienne?”
Arsienne, unnoticed in her haste, was standing right there.
“Maintain your composure. You shouldn’t use such vulgar language, especially not as a member of the esteemed Bagrand Duchy. What will the other nobles think?”
“Why are you here?”
Claire, forgetting their audience, stared at her, bewildered, and Arsienne, with a flick of her silver hair, chuckled.
“I’d rather not say just yet. But I have a very important reason for being here. It’s an urgent matter, both for the Imperial Family and for the Eastern Nobles’ Conference. ”
-Click.
Arsienne pulled out a chair and sat down next to Carsein, who was seated at the far end of the table.
“So, how about we enjoy a meal together while we discuss this matter?”
Her actions and demeanor, were flawless.
But Arsienne saw through their facade.
‘They’re completely oblivious. Even after everything that’s happened…’
She saw their discomfort, the subtle tension that clung to them like a shroud.
***
“Hmm, the chef’s skills haven’t diminished. I used to enjoy meals here quite often.”
“I’m glad you approve, Your Highness.”
“The food at the Bagrand Duchy has never disappointed me. The Duchess and the ladies always go above and beyond to ensure my comfort.”
“You flatter me.”
“It’s the truth, my dear.”
Arsienne’s arrival lifted the heavy atmosphere that had settled over the dining room.
The interrogation, the inevitable confrontation…
…had been replaced by a pleasant meal.
‘I should postpone this…’
It couldn’t be helped.
If I brought it up now, with Arsienne as a witness, Arina would accuse me of disrespecting the Duchy.
I just wanted to protect the trade agreement with Lusmire and the Ipheros Marquisate, to eliminate any unnecessary variables. Creating a scene now would only make things worse.
I decided to remain silent, to wait until after Arsienne left.
But then…
The topic of conversation shifted abruptly.
“Speaking of which, have you heard? The defenses on the Western front have been reinforced.”
“I’ve heard something about it. They were facing a shortage of building materials, but someone stepped up and provided them with what they needed.”
“I heard about it as well. The Imperial Family provided funds through taxes, but they were still short on materials.”
Arina and Isabella chimed in, unaware of the details.
‘…Don’t tell me…’
Arsienne smiled faintly, her gaze sweeping across the room.
“It wasn’t just about providing building materials. A new construction method was discovered.”
-Ding!
▶ As a reward for achieving an unexpected outcome, Princess Arsienne Riheren Pesselus has been assigned as a helper! ◀
▶ Arsienne has noticed the unnatural behavior of the Duchy members! ◀
▶ The initial penalty has been reduced due to Arsienne’s support! ◀
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