The Damn Family Is Back Again

199 – 199. A Step Away (15)

Each word from Karsein, sharp as thorns, contained something cold.

Flora’s downy skin bristled.

Despite it being spring, a chill lingered.

And when I sent him away without saying a word.

Flora froze on the spot.

“Oh my. Just leaving like that? On a family birthday?”

“That’s too much, even for him. Regardless of status, a family birthday should be properly celebrated.”

“There was talk of a birthday gift, I wonder if he really didn’t bring it and is just making excuses?”

“Seeing him sneak away like that, it might just be true.”

But right after Karsein left, the nobles at the party began to whisper conspicuously, and I came to my senses.

‘Ah, no… If I cry here, it becomes the truth.’

It’s not just cursing.

There will be no shortage of those who will point fingers at him as a commoner, accusing him of making the youngest daughter of the Bagrand Duke’s family cry and insulting her, just like before.

And to the family as well.

Especially my older sister or mother might impose even harsher punishments.

Therefore, I must defend Karsein so that he does not end up being pointed at from either side.

Flora, who had locked the large faucet called tear glands, turned to where the audience was with effort.

But I have no idea how to defend him.

‘What should I… say?’

Is there a reason Karsein left? But it’s a birthday party. What reason should I give?

Should I respond that I’ve already received congratulations? That’s not quite right either. Leaving the birthday party early contradicts the claim of having been celebrated.

Moreover, what about the birthday gift? None received. He is under suspicion for not giving a birthday gift. This statement is more likely to exacerbate Carcine’s fault.

‘What should I do?’

Flora doesn’t know.

She knows nothing.

Because she lacks the knowledge to avoid repeating the past.

As she trembled with anxiety again,

From noble mtl dot come

Her vision was obscured by pink hair.

“Is it really okay for everyone to speak so carelessly?”

…Little sister?

“Carcine didn’t receive a single critique from the judges, Princess Arcien and Prince Florence, at this symposium. That’s how hard he worked to achieve his grades. But was it so wrong to say he’s tired and needs to leave?”

The nobles, eager to slander Carcine, fell silent.

Hidden from the nobles by the faces, Flora looked up at Claire. Claire nodded as if to say it’s okay.

‘I see. I need to follow him now. To see him off!’

If she wants to support Carcine’s decision to leave due to tiredness, she must follow him. It’s necessary to plant the image in their eyes that the birthday party’s honoree has allowed it.

“Just a moment, I’ll be back, everyone!”

After responding energetically, to Claire she said,

“Thank you. Little sister.”

With those words of gratitude, she took off.

-Tatatat.

Flora, clutching the hem of her dress, ran.

The opportunity given by her little sister was a one-time chance to convey her sincerity to Carcine.

About that incident in the past.

And about all the mistakes made until now.

***

A story from long ago.

I, too, had been there.

Foolishly, I wanted to give gifts to that family, hoping to become closer, out of a naive heart.

But after coming to my senses, I found myself standing alone, ridiculed at the third child’s birthday party held at a vacation spot.

It may seem different, but in fact, it’s almost the same.

Having my time stolen at a birthday party was something both Karsein and I had in common.

Bringing a birthday gift was pointless; the youngest was only satisfied when I was broken and scolded to pieces. And ultimately, it was about not showing up at the birthday party at all.

So, it was even harder to find what was wrong.

Every situation. The two birthday parties of the youngest that Karsein experienced and the one I went through in reality.

And the entire process of solving it.

It was eerily identical.

If there was one thing that was different,

Unlike the third, Flora couldn’t frame me twice, could she?

That’s why I felt so refreshed now.

Looking at the memorial, it felt like watching my foolish past self, which was frustrating, but as I quickly drew the line and left the party, only relief remained.

What does it matter if things go sour with the family?

It was bound to happen anyway.

My mind raced. Like being engulfed in cold blood, my brain began to stir with stimulation.

Yes. I need to escape as quickly as possible. I can’t stay tied down here.

I must reduce the time I’m bound here and escape outside.

To do that, I need to start with Shatren. Just like when I crazily earned money by increasing the number of part-time jobs, I need to completely take over Shatren, not just Rusmayer.

And as I moved my steps,

I felt a presence behind me, and then I was enveloped in an embrace.

Could it be, one of my family members?

“Karsein.”

Hearing the voice, I seemed to know.

The one who hugged me from behind wasn’t those damned family members.

It was Harnie.

My fiancée.

“I saw everything.”

What?

“What you went through at this birthday party. So…”

Harnie whispered while holding me.

“Why are you so calm?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“I had arrived earlier and saw everything without missing a beat. I saw all that you did… but I can’t understand why you’re so calm. You should be distraught. You should feel wronged. It wouldn’t be strange for you to vent your frustration. But why…”

-Crunch.

“Why do you look so unaffected…?”

She pulled me in tighter, pleadingly asking me.

Why do I seem so unaffected?

Isn’t that obvious?

“Isn’t it because I truly am unaffected that I wear this expression?”

At that, the strength left Harunie’s hands.

She turned back to face me, looking utterly bewildered. No, it was a look that said something was terribly wrong.

I don’t understand.

What’s supposed to be wrong?

“My goodness. You… all this time…”

Harunie’s hands rose, not in the manner of the other family members who would swing theirs.

With tender eyes, she caressed my cheek.

“I may have experienced less than you, but I’ve been there. On a family member’s birthday, receiving those contemptuous glares that made me feel it was better to disappear like an intruder. Then… naturally, it’s the family that should make you suffer, right? Your heart should ache, and it should hurt. This is supposed to be agonizing!”

“I’m not suffering at all. My heart doesn’t ache or hurt.”

Pain?

What kind of pain is this supposed to be?

“Getting hit by family members is routine. If it were painful enough, I would have collapsed long ago.”

As I responded, Harunie flared up, shouting.

“So you’re saying you’ve become numb to the pain! You’ve become accustomed to what you shouldn’t have. Don’t you see?”

“…”

I don’t see.

I can’t understand.

Why is it strange to become accustomed to such things?

-Thud.

Suddenly, Harunie stood on her tiptoes and yanked my head down.

Her approaching body covered my entire field of vision.

A soft sensation, along with the warmth of her skin, traveled up the hem of her dress.

Strangely, the cold chill seemed to slowly dissipate.

“Harunie? What…”

“Don’t endure the pain… This isn’t something to be endured.”

You must say it when you feel bad.

You must speak up when it’s tough.

It’s not about enduring, but expressing it clearly.

Harunie strung together words I couldn’t comprehend.

Still, I don’t understand.

I know they’re not the type to joke about such things, but I really don’t get it.

I couldn’t grasp at all what they were talking about.

Even as Harunie held me in their embrace, I thought it over and over.

But in the end, I didn’t understand.

Why should I feel it’s tough?

There are tougher things lying around.

Why should I feel pain?

I’ve experienced far more real pain.

I don’t know.

***

“…”

I found them.

Because of the running, I was able to find Karsein quickly.

Karsein was not far from the mansion.

However, I couldn’t bring myself to speak to them.

Not because I lacked courage.

Not because I didn’t want to admit my mistakes.

Not because I wanted to escape reality.

It was because I saw Karsein, embraced by their fiancée, and I couldn’t move my feet or open my mouth.

And then.

It came back to me again.

The voice I heard while being carried on my older sister’s back.

-…We shouldn’t do this, Flora.

-That might make things even harder for Karsein.

I had to agree.

The only thing my hands had wrought was a false accusation against Karsein. Not once had any incident been proven innocent. And it’s still the same now.

But…

Harnie. With that person, it feels like they could cover the wounds.

Even if the scars are unsightly and out of control, that woman who warmly embraces Karsein seems alright.

My sister used to say the same.

That we need to take a step back.

-Thud, thud.

After watching the two for a moment, Flora turned on her heel.

Once she turned back, she pretended as if nothing happened and began to manage the situation again.

Her little sister was a great help in clearing up the misunderstandings.

Thanks to her, the finger-pointing and blame directed at Karsein were immediately halted, and the party went on.

But Flora could no longer enjoy the birthday party.

Her expression, which she was trying hard to maintain, had reached its limit. Far from enjoying the party, she complained of fatigue and had to leave, heading to a place where she could be alone.

Just when she thought she was finally alone.

-Knock, knock.

The sound of a knock made her turn her head, just in case.

And there she was, her little sister Claire, who had helped her.

“Sob.”

Tears welled up immediately.

“Flora.”

“Little sister…”

If it had been someone else, I might have asked them to leave.

But Claire, she’s the exception.

“By the way… what happened with the theft of Karsein’s belongings…?”

Despite acting nonchalant, there was one thing she wanted to ask.

It was about the possible theft of Karsein’s possessions.

A question she had held back from asking her older sister Arina, shaking her head in dismissal.

Claire responds by handing over an item.

“…They say this came from Karsein’s room. Flora.”

“This is…”

It was a doll, trampled beyond recognition.

“Specifically, inside the wardrobe. Given its poor condition, it might have been… something intended for your birthday a long time ago.”

“Sniff…!”

A footprint at the center catches her eye.

Who could have stepped on it… The size gives a clue.

Yes.

This is a gift.

One that Karsein meant to give to someone.

And now she’s certain of the recipient.

This place, this party hall, has also been the venue for her own birthday celebrations in the past.

So… did I mock and falsely accuse someone by selling their belongings meant as a gift?

“Sob, sob…!”

Watching Flora weep, Claire vaguely guesses the truth and silently embraces her petite frame.

Feeling the embrace of the only person who could understand her, Flora finally begins to cry her heart out.

“I did it again… I made another mistake… sob…! I secretly sold Karsein’s things before. And so…!”

As if encouraging her to continue, Claire gently strokes Flora’s back.

From the lips of the younger sister confessing her sins, the same words kept repeating.

“I did wrong, I did… I’ve done something bad again… I kept hurting Karsein…”

Wrongdoing. Misdeeds. Causing pain to Karsein.

The repeated words were all of that nature.

Without missing a beat, she confessed to the sins she committed in the past.

-Ding!

▶You have satisfied an additional condition.◀

[ 4. Flora discovers the gift from Karsein hidden in the wardrobe. ]☑

▶Satisfying the additional condition leads to changes.◀

▶You have successfully triggered an outcome beyond the choices!◀

[ Attention level is fixed at 0%. ]

[ The achievement rate is fixed at 100%. ]

[ Based on the two gauges, the penalty according to the attention level is completely removed. ]

[ The false accusations are cleared, and the affection of a certain character increases. ]