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I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 75
🕑 Added 2024-08-06 22:27:59 +0000 UTCChapter 75: Pulled Chapter (1)
Two days had passed since the incident at the shack.
Unlike Theo Ramstear, who lay unconscious, frothing at the mouth, or Carsein, his body covered in wounds, blood staining the wooden floor, Flora had emerged from that horrifying ordeal relatively unscathed.
Upon her return to the ducal manor, she was showered with love and concern. Her sisters and mother, relieved and overjoyed by her safe return, doted on her, their worry replaced by a wave of protective affection.
But things were different now.
In the past, she would have reveled in the attention, smugly declaring that Carsein hadn’t stolen her family’s affection.
But now… Her thoughts were a tangled mess of guilt and worry.
Carsein hadn’t woken up in two days.
“…”
Once again, she found herself standing before his door.
The physician’s words, his reassurances, were lost on her.
She just wanted him to wake up.
To open his eyes and look at her.
-Knock. Knock.
Hesitantly, she knocked on the door, a sliver of hope flickering within her.
Silence.
Her hope crumbled, replaced by a familiar wave of despair.
‘Do I… Do I have to go back again…?’
Her mother, her sisters… They had all urged her to rest, to give Carsein space to recover.
They reassured her that he would be fine, that his injuries were minor, that he simply needed time to heal.
They told her to take care of herself, to focus on her own recovery, so she could greet him with a smile when he woke up.
But their words, their attempts to comfort her, felt hollow, meaningless.
Flora, her lips pressed into a thin line, ignored their advice and reached for the doorknob.
‘I know the truth!’
She knew that he wasn’t simply sleeping; he was injured, his body struggling to heal.
And she wouldn’t leave. Not today.
-Click.
The door creaked open, a secret transgression in the quiet hours of the night.
Her heart pounded as she entered, her gaze immediately drawn to Carsein, lying motionless on the bed.
He was still unconscious.
She closed the door, careful to avoid making any noise that might alert the others, and rushed to his bedside.
He looked the same, his face pale, his breathing shallow, his body vulnerable.
“Hicc… Hicc…”
She tried to hold back her tears, but they flowed freely, blurring her vision.
“Are you… Are you in pain…? Is that why you won’t wake up…?”
She reached into her pocket, pulling out a small cylindrical object.
It was a familiar object, a gift she had given him before.
But its meaning was different now.
“Here… Take this… So you won’t… So you won’t hurt anymore…”
She leaned closer, placing the tube of ointment in his hand, her tears falling onto the bed.
It was a simple gesture, an offering of healing, a silent plea for his well-being.
But his hand, rough, calloused, scarred, lacked the strength to hold it. The ointment slipped from his grasp, falling onto the bed.
Flora picked it up, placing it back in his hand, only for it to slip away again.
Her tears flowed freely, a torrent of guilt and remorse.
“I-I’m… I-I’m sorry… Don’t be… Don’t be in pain… Please…”
-Drip. Drip.
“I… I lied… I-I’m so sorry… I-I’m sorry for making you suffer… P-Please… Don’t… Don’t be in pain…”
-Drip. Drip.
“I-I promise… I-I won’t… I-I won’t ever do that again… Hicc… S-So please…”
Please don’t hurt.
Please wake up.
Please don’t leave me.
She buried her face in his blanket, her tears soaking the fabric, her sobs silent but heart-wrenching.
And finally, as if sensing her despair, his hand closed around the ointment, his grip weak but firm.
***
The ducal manor had been purged.
Emma, the housekeeper who had embezzled Carsein's allowance, had used those funds to solidify her control over the staff, creating a network of loyal followers who turned a blind eye to her actions.
Those who hadn't been bribed, those whose loyalty to the ducal family hadn't been corrupted, were either silenced or manipulated into compliance.
But her reign of terror had ended. The trial had exposed her crimes, and she, along with her co-conspirators, had been punished, banished from the ducal manor.
And the one who had orchestrated her downfall, the one who had gathered the evidence and convinced the other servants to testify… It was Camilla, Carsein’s maid, who had just returned from a week-long leave.
“…It’s my turn now, isn’t it?”
Camilla, despite her role in exposing Emma’s crimes, felt the weight of her own transgressions.
She had accepted Emma’s bribes, had participated in Carsein’s torment. She knew her actions were unforgivable.
But she had no regrets.
The young master had spared her life, a mercy she didn’t deserve.
He had provided her with the means to treat her mother’s illness, a priceless gift, a chance at redemption.
He had given her an opportunity to atone for her sins, to play a part in exposing Emma’s crimes.
He had shown her a level of kindness and compassion she hadn’t earned, a generosity that humbled her.
But despite his forgiveness, she couldn’t escape the truth. She was a sinner, her actions a betrayal of his trust.
And so, she walked towards his room, determined to confess her involvement with Emma, to face the consequences of her actions.
-The young master will be fine. The physician says he should wake up on the third day.
Shaiden, the physician, had reassured her that Carsein’s injuries weren’t life-threatening, that he was simply exhausted and needed time to recover.
And today was the third day.
It was time for him to wake up.
‘This will be my last act as his maid.’
Shaiden had also mentioned that he would likely wake up later in the day.
And so, she had arrived early.
There was nothing else she knew how to do, nothing else she could offer but her service.
She would clean his room one last time, a final act of devotion, before leaving the ducal manor.
-Click.
She entered without knocking, a transgression she wouldn’t normally dare commit.
She moved quietly, her footsteps light, careful not to disturb his slumber.
But she wasn’t alone.
“…Don’t… go…”
“Lady Flora…?”
Flora, the youngest daughter of the Duke, the one who had openly expressed her dislike for Carsein… She was curled up on his bed, fast asleep.
Or rather…
She had cried herself to sleep.
“…”
Camilla found herself in a predicament.
While Shaiden had reassured her that Carsein wouldn’t wake up just yet, cleaning the room would undoubtedly disturb Flora’s sleep.
‘What should I do…?’
As she hesitated, unsure how to proceed…
“…Don’t… go…”
“Hmm…”
Carsein, unexpectedly, stirred awake.
“Who’s there?”
His vision was still blurry; he couldn't quite make out the figure standing before him.
But he was awake.
“It’s Camilla, young master. I was… I was cleaning your room before you woke up. I apologize for the intrusion.”
“…Your leave is over, I see.”
“Yes, young master.”
She bowed her head, her heart pounding.
This wasn’t how she intended to confess, but now that he was awake, she had no choice.
“I… I didn’t return after my week of leave…”
“What do you mean?”
“I received news from the other maids… There was… an incident at the Manor… They said… They said you were in danger of being falsely accused… I had to come back…”
Carsein sighed, a tired, resigned sound that tugged at her heartstrings.
“I see. So it was you who rallied the servants at the trial.”
“…Yes, young master.”
There was no point in denying it.
She smiled, a sad, resigned smile, as she confirmed his suspicions.
“How did you do it?”
“I… I investigated Emma, after visiting the Knight Squadron…”
“You followed her?”
“I… I was also… corrupted by her bribes. We had… a designated meeting place… I used that information, along with the other places she frequented, to create a list of names.”
“Hmm… That was risky. So that’s how you convinced them to testify.”
He nodded, his gaze sharp but understanding.
“But why are you here now? Why did you seek me out?”
“I… There’s something I need to tell you— “
“Are you here to confess your involvement with Emma, Camilla?”
She faltered, her carefully prepared speech forgotten.
He had seen through her, just like he always did.
“Regardless of the circumstances, you were part of the plot against me. You’re here to confess, to reveal your connection with Emma, to explain your actions… Am I right?”
His words were accurate, echoing her own thoughts.
“…Yes, young master.”
She couldn’t deny it.
“Don’t say anything.”
“Young Master… But…”
“If Arina, Claire, or Mother hear about this… They’ll summon me. I was the one who vouched for you, who kept you as my personal maid, even after Emma’s crimes were exposed.”
It was a natural conclusion.
And Claire… She would be furious, accusing him of being naive, of protecting someone who had betrayed him.
“I don’t want any more trouble. So just… let it go.”
“…Yes, young master.”
She bowed her head, her heart heavy with guilt.
Carsein, having silenced Camilla’s attempt to confess, quickly changed the subject, diverting the conversation away from her transgressions.
“Camilla, how long have I been asleep?”
“Th-Three days… Since… Since you collapsed… Oh!”
She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
She had forgotten something crucial.
“I’ll bring your meal right away!”
“No, that can wait. There’s something…”
Carsein sat up, his expression grim as he looked towards the foot of the bed.
He pointed at Flora, curled up on the bed, her face stained with tears.
“Did you bring her here?”
“N-No, young master. I don’t know anything about Lady Flora…”
“Then what’s this ointment doing in my hand?”
“I-I didn’t notice it… I was… I was just trying to clean your room and leave quietly…”
“Ha… I see.”
Carsein sighed, handing her the tube of ointment.
“Just put it away. I won’t be needing it.”
He then requested his meal, instructing her to fetch Claire or Arina so they could take Flora back to her own room.
And as he spoke… His expression was cold, distant, a stark contrast to the warmth and affection he had shown Camilla moments ago.
A stark contrast to the tear-stained face of the young girl sleeping peacefully at the foot of his bed.
***
A while later…
Claire and Arina arrived, ready to retrieve Flora.
“She fell asleep here…?”
“We tried to bring her back after she woke up, but…”
With the help of a few servants, Flora was carried out of the room.
But Claire and Arina remained.
-Ding!
Of course.
There were choices to be made.
“Can you both leave now? I need some rest.”
“Hey, don’t be like that. How are you feeling?”
“How am I feeling? Terrible. I just woke up after being unconscious for three days, and I’m starving. I need to eat.”
I replied, turning away from them, dismissing their concern.
This set of choices wasn't crucial.
It was a matter of managing affinity and action points. Meeting Isabella would increase her affinity, but it would also consume valuable energy.
And my priority was rest. Carsein’s body was weak, and I needed to eat, bathe, and get some sleep. The meager increase in affinity wasn’t worth the effort.
I had expected a scolding from Claire for cutting her off.
But to my surprise, she didn’t protest.
“Let’s talk when you’ve recovered.”
And Arina, echoing her sister’s sentiment, simply nodded before leaving the room.
According to the game, they should have both chastised me for my rude behavior.
‘Now I understand why they’re being so lenient.’
[ Arina Bagrand ]
[ Affinity: 26% ]
[ Claire Bagrand ]
[ Affinity: 37% ]
Their affinity levels were higher than before.
That explained their unusual behavior.
But there was another reason why I had dismissed them so abruptly.
“Camilla mentioned you wanted to speak with me. Something urgent?”
“Yes, Harnie.”
Now was the time to speak with Harnie, alone.
Chapter 2 had been pulled forward, its events bleeding into Chapter 1, creating a chaotic, unpredictable situation.
And the break I had been counting on, the period of calm between chapters… It had vanished.
I had to be prepared.
“I need your help. With the estate.”
***
-Whoooosh!
The report, consumed by flames, disappeared within the fireplace.
The man who had delivered it let out a humorless chuckle, his voice laced with disbelief.
“How could you mess this up? You couldn’t even get rid of a single commoner from the Duchy? And you ended up banished?”
She was the Head Maid, someone who knew the inner workings of the ducal family like the back of her hand. It was inconceivable that she had failed to eliminate a mere outsider, someone who was barely treated as a family member.
She had been given access to sensitive information, the secrets of the Duchy, the vulnerabilities that could have been used to discredit and destroy Carsein.
And yet, she had not only failed but had been utterly humiliated, her schemes exposed, her reputation in tatters.
“Any other news? Did she flee with the funds?”
“She’s dead, sir.”
“What? Dead?”
“It seems she tried to bribe her way out, to have Carsein removed quietly. But it backfired. The knight who took the bribe… Theo Ramstear, I believe was his name… He eliminated her.”
“…That’s it? That’s all you have?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Unbelievable. She was killed by the very knight she bribed? I knew she was greedy, obsessed with money, but I never imagined she was this incompetent.”
He sighed, shaking his head in disappointment.
“Well, no matter. There are other ways.”
He hadn’t anticipated this setback, the arrival of that street urchin who had somehow infiltrated the ducal family and created such chaos.
But removing him wouldn’t be difficult.
The boy was undoubtedly filled with resentment, his heart festering with anger after years of abuse.
Emma had mentioned that he was ostracized, barely considered a member of the family.
And that’s why… He had hope.
“Ah… I can’t wait to meet you, Carsein Bagrand.”
He yearned to witness that anger, that resentment, directed at the Empire, at the Bagrand family.
The satisfaction of seeing him turn against those who had wronged him, his sword aimed at their hearts.
He was looking forward to it.
