The Damn Family Is Back Again

Chapter 197

197 – 197. A Step Away (13)

“The makeup is finished, miss.”

“Isn’t it too pretty?”

“Every time I dress you up, I feel it… It’s truly fulfilling to see you like this.”

The maids wiped their sweat, looking satisfied.

However, the expressions on the maids’ faces were not so good.

‘Could it be… she doesn’t like it?’

‘Again?! We worked so hard… Is it still not enough to please her?’

‘No way! This time it’s perfect itself!’

‘What’s the problem? What doesn’t she like?!’

‘Should we redo everything? Is it the accessory in her hair? Or does the necklace not match the dress?’

Today was a very special day for the youngest miss – her birthday.

Not only that, it was also her debutante day, an even more special occasion for a noblewoman.

So, unlike usual, they put extra effort into making her look more beautiful. The maids focused and poured their hearts into it.

Yet, the person who was dressed up remained silent.

I wonder if she’s not satisfied.

Is it dissatisfaction?

Or is something else uncomfortable?

It would be fortunate if Flora could guess even one thing, but she shows no reaction.

This silent response once again led the maids to a great misunderstanding.

Exchanging glances with tears in their eyes, the maids conclude that it’s a bust again.

“Guys, this isn’t working!”

“Let’s, let’s bring something else. Quickly! Before the lady shouts!”

“Yes!”

The same situation repeats itself.

On a day as important as today, upsetting the master’s mood would surely bring punishment.

The maids, sweating profusely, were about to embark on their next strategy.

“…”

Unaware of the maids’ inner turmoil, Flora has been silent, head bowed.

She was completely fixated on a single word.

“Birthday…”

The word Flora was fixated on was none other than birthday.

A day deeply connected to today, and also the time she looks forward to with the greatest expectation every year.

There was a reason that the word birthday struck her…

“…Guys.”

“Gasp!”

“Yes, yes! Miss!”

“Did you call us?!”

Suddenly, Flora murmurs softly, and the maids react each in their own way.

The maids, thinking this was truly the end, all clenched their eyes shut.

“Could it be… Carsein is also supposed to come today. Is he here now?”

“…What?”

Caught off guard by such an unexpected question, the maids wore bewildered expressions.

Asking if Carsein was here.

Of course, he would be here for his sister’s birthday.

The maids looked at each other, shaking their heads as if they didn’t know.

I wonder what this has to do with anything, but thanks to Flora, who had not said a word, the maids, who were growing anxious, spilled every word they had.

From noble mtl dot come

“Master Karsein might already be here…! Or, are you asking us to call for him?”

“Not just the master, but everyone else has arrived too… Do you wish to show yourself to them first?”

“You are beautiful enough, Miss! You can boast to your family, and if you’re not satisfied, we can change it right away!”

At that, Flora flinched and waved her hands.

“No! I didn’t mean to call for Karsein!”

“Is that so?”

“Anyway… he’s here. Then…”

Fidgeting with her fingers, Flora raised her head again and asked the maids.

“Could you… prepare just one gift box?”

***

Flora’s birthday was always luxurious, abundant, and splendid.

Even compared to her two older sisters, Flora’s birthday party was the most glamorous. Loved even more for being the youngest, Flora’s birthday was the grandest event in the duchy.

Invitations were sent out in abundance to noble families.

Becoming the star of the birthday party amidst the bustling crowd had become a routine so familiar it felt natural.

But today’s birthday was a little different.

Not simply because it announced her debut.

It was the realization that while she had such a happy birthday, someone else had to spend theirs unnoticed.

In the past, she would have brushed it off as nothing…

But now she knew.

That it shouldn’t be so.

That it wasn’t right to create a birthday full of hurt for someone else while she alone enjoyed such luxury.

‘It’s my birthday, but… Yes. I can give Karsein his birthday present here, right? Right?’

There’s no rule against celebrating together.

She wanted to celebrate his birthday, even if it was belated.

In front of everyone, in front of all to see.

This time, they could share the birthday between the two of them.

-Knock knock.

“We’ve brought the item you requested, Miss Flora.”

He’s here.

“Come in!”

With eyes slightly filled with anticipation, she beckons the attendants.

One by one, the attendants enter, and an assortment of items gathers in Flora’s dressing room.

Seeing them with her own eyes, her anticipation swells even more.

Wrapped in curiosity, a servant cautiously asks Flora.

“Excuse me, miss.”

“Yes?”

“What are all these for? They don’t seem like they’re for your use…”

Indeed, there was a commonality among these items.

“These are usually used by men, aren’t they?”

As the questioning attendant pointed out, everything laid out here was meant for men, not women.

“That’s… I’m planning to give them as gifts.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s my birthday, but I’m preparing these for someone who has already passed theirs.”

“Ooh…”

“Shh. If you’re loud, we’ll get caught!”

Flora hushes the attendants, who are eliciting exclamations, reminding them it’s a secret.

“Is it supposed to be a secret? Absolutely confidential?”

“Of course, miss!”

“It’s an order from Miss Flora, it’s only natural.”

“The recipient will be thrilled, won’t they?”

The servants leave the dressing room with content smiles.

What remains is the choice of which to select.

But Flora finds herself in a dilemma once again.

“…What does Karsein like?”

She doesn’t know.

What Karsein likes or dislikes.

She has no information at all.

***

▶ Episode VII. Flora’s Birthday is underway. ◀

▶The birthday party has reached its midpoint.◀

▶The current attention level is at 41%.◀

Since leaving that room, there have been a few events with the nobles, but I let them pass easily.

The answers to break through the choices are information I’ve already obtained through much struggle, so there were no particular changes. Moreover, the branching point itself is fixed with Flora’s birthday, so there’s no change there either.

Thanks to that, I was able to lower the attention level steadily after dealing with the nobles.

Then, time passed idly by.

The time waiting for the birthday party and the time when the nobles and the duke’s household meet.

Starting with the vassals I haven’t seen in a while, to the acquaintances of Claire and Arina.

And of course, there was time spent conversing with the young nobles of Flora’s age, including the time for family speeches, which made for a very long period.

And then.

My time has come.

“Karsein. Won’t you say a few words?”

-Ding!

▶The time for family speeches has arrived.◀

▶From now on, both the attention level and the completion level will be displayed simultaneously.◀

▶As the completion level rises, the time to complete the episode is reduced.◀

※Dual display of the objective gauge

[ If there is only one objective to clear the episode, you can manage that gauge. ]

[ However, as is the case now, when more than one gauge is displayed, the two gauges can influence each other, requiring management. ]

[ In this episode, raising the completion level significantly increases the attention level. ]

[ You can help adjust the attention and completion levels through sub-episodes and specific events based on intimacy, as well as through emergency missions and gimmick disruption. ]

[ Please clear the episode by adjusting the objective gauge to set the penalty scale/completion time. ]

[ Good luck. ]

▶Will you participate in the speech?

[ 1. Yes. ]

＜Attention level increases by 15%, completion level increases by 5%＞

[ 2. No. ]

＜Attention level decreases by 2%, no change in completion level＞

“Is this where the path of choice begins?”

The system roughly knows.

The fact that I must clear this episode remains unchanged.

However, Flora’s birthday episode is one with a clear intent behind its creation.

As seen by its sudden intrusion into the main episode of estate management, it’s essentially a disruptive episode, serving no purpose other than to be a nuisance.

Much like a lecture scheduled merely to consume the player’s time during the 21st Eastern Nobility Conference.

Knowing this, it would be wise to increase the completion rate as much as possible and exit swiftly…

‘Could that also be seen as a way to avoid this episode?’

Perhaps there’s no need for deliberate management after all.

From my perspective, having seen the memorial, I might even prefer it that way.

“No, I’d rather not step forward. I’ve been a bit tired from managing the estate lately.”

“…So?”

▶Your refusal to speak has decreased the attention rate by 2%.◀

[ Attention Rate: 39% ]

[ Completion Rate: 0% ]

“Then take a rest. I’ll go and help Clare, who’s dealing with the nobles on her own.”

Isabella, upon hearing this, did not question me further and headed towards the nobles.

However, Arina’s affinity slightly decreased. She seemed quite displeased with the situation.

Well, let it be.

After all, no other choices appear in that state.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the third daughter of the Grand Duke Bagrand. Miss Flora makes her entrance!”

Shortly after, the lights dimmed, heralding Flora’s arrival.

“Oh my.”

“She’s like an angel.”

“How can she be so lovely?”

“The jewelry must have been done by her proud eldest sister, right?”

“The dress designed by Miss Clare also shows exceptional taste.”

Under the spotlight, Flora appeared, greeted by the enthusiastic applause of the guests and a beaming smile.

The murmurs of the nobility were brief.

Grateful acknowledgments followed.

The noble greeting smoothly transitioned into the debutante’s prelude.

As soon as the greetings ended, applause erupted once again.

The host promptly proceeds to the next item on the agenda.

The time for the banquet has arrived.

Lavish dishes make their entrance, fostering a time for conversation, as the lighting shifts along with the gentle strains of classical music.

Next, the ballroom will open.

That’s the answer being given.

Boys brimming with anticipation flaunt their gazes.

Flora, having just made her debutante entrance today.

For her, the choice of the first dance partner has yet to be made.

The first dance partner holds such significant meaning, after all.

Moreover, the first dance at the debutante ball of Flora, the youngest daughter of the Bagrand Ducal Family, was bound to be even more special.

Leaving such boys’ gazes behind.

Flora approached me.

“Excuse me, Karsein.”

“What.”

“The first dance. Won’t you dance it with me? There’s something I want to say too…”

Nobles looking at me, slightly losing their poker faces, their eyes trembling.

As their gazes meet mine, a window pops up before my eyes indicating a 3% increase in attention.

‘How absurd.’

What? You want to dance with me?

You must be out of your mind. Well.

“I refuse.”

Judging by your talk of gifts, you obviously don’t even remember.

So, the best birthday present for you would be.

For me not to be here.

For any reason at all.

***

“I refuse.”

“…”

Flora’s face quickly fell at Karsein’s firm response.

Arina read Flora’s expression and scolded Karsein.

“Don’t say that and just go ask her to dance once. Karsein. The first dance holds great significance for a noblewoman who has had her debutante ball. It might be tiring, but do it for Flora’s sake, just this once.”

At that, Flora immediately waved her hands in refusal.

“No, no, it’s okay, big sister.”

“You can ask for this kind of favor. It’s just one dance after all. Besides, dealing with the pests is something family can take care of most comfortably.”

“Uh-huh. I’m really fine, big sister.”

“…Sigh.”

Arina’s intimacy level dropped once again.

It’s already fallen to 47%.

Well, let it drop.

With this, the condition is met.

-Tatatat.

“Big trouble, Miss Arina.”

“Hm?”

“That is…”

A servant hurried over and whispered the news.

Arina’s eyes widened in shock, and she stood up abruptly.