The Damn Family Is Back Again

242. School Trip (5)

Harnié pushed her arms away once more.

The embarrassment was still there.

How could one not feel embarrassed about exposing their bare skin to others? That’s only natural.

However.

Just for now, that embarrassment didn’t touch me.

No. Rather than feeling shame, I was acting out of necessity.

The subtle gazes from the noble ladies were so bothersome.

What about the voices of the noble ladies chattering while looking at Karsein’s body?

I could see hands trying to subtly touch his arms or muscles, and it felt like something was scratching at me.

Karsein’s appearance had changed enough to draw attention compared to the past. He not only had a body that would catch the eye, but considering his ability to revive the two territories that had hit rock bottom and his status as a member of the Bagland Duke family, there was no doubt he was an attractive fiancé.

But he is my fiancé.

He is someone you shouldn’t covet.

In that regard, this gift is special.

It’s different from other women’s gifts.

It’s a special gift from a fiancée to her fiancé.

From noble mtl dot com

It’s a gift given to the one person in this world I can trust.

This moment is, solely for Karsein, the most special time a fiancée can offer.

“Um, how is it?”

Harnié stammered as she asked.

With a nervous heart, wondering if it looked strange.

“Um… well…”

But Karsein seemed troubled, scratching his head and avoiding eye contact.

—

Perhaps it was because she didn’t quite like that look, Harnié puffed her cheeks slightly and grabbed Karsein’s face.

“What’s this! You keep avoiding me!”

“Uh, uh? Harnié?”

“I-I’m not completely unembarrassed, you know. I thought about it so much before wearing this. Even after bringing it, I wondered if I should actually put it on, and it took me a while to decide. But what if you don’t even look at me properly?”

Though she said that, in her honest heart, a hint of anxiety lingered.

Wasn’t it strange to see myself in such clothes?

That was the source of her unease.

However, there was no need to worry about that unease.

– Thud.

“Eh?”

Harnié let out a voice of surprise without meaning to.

And it was only natural.

The solid muscles crafted through training and effort.

The firmness felt in pieces.

That body, which other noble ladies eyed with sly glances, wishing to touch it just once.

Because it was pressed against her own.

Softly nestled in Karsein’s embrace.

“It’s not strange at all. You look beautiful no matter what you wear. Even in this dress, it’s the same.”

And with that straightforward remark, Harnié’s heart leaped like a live fish.

***

School trip. The sea. Swimsuits.

And one person, too.

Only after all of that came together could I recall the memories of the school trip.

To be sure, if we were to consider just the school trip, it wasn’t particularly exciting.

Even when I first set foot in the sea.

Even when the student council president and vice president made space for me and lifted me up a bit.

Yet, the reason I could vividly remember this school trip was solely because of one person.

In truth, she pretended to be unfazed while being afraid of the water.

Participating in the mini-games happening on the beach together.

And ultimately finishing in a tie for first place, thanks to her, I was able to remember the school trip.

—

Seojin.

It was all thanks to her.

And she had suggested a walk by the sea.

Just like now, to show me this swimsuit.

Perhaps if someone else had caught a glimpse, they would have whispered about her being a tease.

Jieun, who had often faced harsh words from other women, was frequently followed by nasty rumors just because of her looks. Showing a bikini here? It was clear what kind of trouble that would bring.

Yet, despite that.

In front of me, she willingly showed off that swimsuit.

Saying I was someone she could trust.

Yeah. It was then that I first learned to trust someone.

I, who couldn’t even trust my own family, found a way to trust Jieun.

With that steadfast trust, I opened my heart honestly.

That she was beautiful.

That it suited her well.

So I gave the same answer to Harnié.

Because in response to this unwavering trust directed at me, I too needed to be honest.

But there was a twinge of regret.

I could have praised her more.

I could have said it in a way that would make her smile brightly.

I wondered if I had answered too bluntly.

So this time, I acted differently, not just with words.

In my own way of expressing it. By holding Harnié tightly in my arms.

Harnié, taken aback, flinched for a moment before nodding slightly.

Ah. Still, I had to say this.

“Harnié. You look beautiful in that swimsuit, but please, don’t show it to anyone else.”

This isn’t just idle talk.

There are those who would have lewd thoughts upon seeing someone too beautiful. Like those who targeted Seojin or Claire.

So that outfit should never be shown to anyone else.

Even I almost had a bad thought for a moment.

…But.

—

Harnie’s face suddenly flushed red upon hearing those words.

“Y-You…!”

Huh…? Could this development be…

A backstab? What have I done wrong now?!

As I was sweating coldly.

A light fist brushed against my body.

-Thunk.

She, with her delicate arm, lightly tapped my chest and asked me, her head bowed.

“…If it could be shown to others in the future, would you still hide it for me like you do now?”

What kind of question is that?

“If you want, I’ll hide it as much as you need.”

At those words, Harnie’s shoulders flinched.

“What if we’re far apart? What will you do then?”

“I’ll run to your side in a single step.”

“You fool. That wouldn’t work.”

“Why not?”

“It’s a nuisance. Just for something like that…”

“Just? Not at all.”

I gently stroked the back of her head with my hand.

“A fake engagement. A contractual engagement. Yes, I suppose you could think of it that way. But you’ve trusted me enough to give me such a precious gift. I don’t want to betray someone who has given me that kind of faith.”

“…”

Harnie fell silent for a moment after hearing that, then began to ask another question.

“So, if I ask you to stay by my side, will you?”

“Yes.”

“…If there’s a problem in society or with the marquis family and I ask for your help?”

“I’ll help as much as you need.”

Kindness towards others is often met with suspicion first.

But I don’t doubt the kindness she offers.

This person is different.

“Then… I’ll ask one last thing.”

I waited, holding her as if to say she could speak freely.

“If you want to continue this connection after leaving the Duke’s family… will you accept it?”

Is this really what you call a question?

I chuckled softly and replied.

“Of course.”

To me, she is a precious person.

Is it because I’ve received help in many ways?

Because of the contract?

Because a route to escape the Duke’s family has been arranged?

Because it expands my range of actions in this game?

‘It’s okay even if there’s no reason like that.’

It’s simply because I like Harnié.

That’s enough, isn’t it?

Like a friend I made for the first time in school.

Like her, who was the first person I could trust in my life.

Just like the author, I want to continue this connection simply because I like her.

Yeah. I didn’t need any other reasons.

“…I won’t show it to anyone else.”

“What?”

“I said, I won’t show it to anyone else!”

– Thud.

Harnié hit my chest once more with her soft fist.

“Because I’ll only show it to you.”

That’s a relief.

She carefully slipped out of my embrace, turned her back abruptly, and took a moment to catch her breath.

Well, she must have felt so stifled because of me.

Thinking about how her heart was being weighed down, it wasn’t strange for her to act like that.

After catching her breath, Harnié glanced at me and took my hand, saying,

“Y-you’ll teach me how to swim next time, right?”

“Yes.”

—

That much, I can teach you without hesitation.

***

As the sunset, which had dyed the sea red, completely faded away, the sky turned pitch black, stitching stars into its fabric.

Enjoying the campfire, radiating lights of various colors.

The barbecue party, along with a bit of ale, greatly lifted the atmosphere.

Thus ended a day that had been so hectic.

But.

Harnie’s heart still lingers in this day.

-Thump. Thump.

Even lying in bed, this heart continues to beat vigorously, showing no signs of stopping.

When it was time to show the swimsuit, I was filled with embarrassment.

But when Karsein, unaware of the existence of the swimsuit, embraced my body after I took off the one-piece, I couldn’t help but feel flustered.

Up to that point, it was understandable.

It was a mistake of thinking it was underwear. Given that he covered me on purpose, it shows his true nature.

-It’s not strange at all. You look beautiful in whatever you wear. It’s the same with this outfit.

I could even understand receiving compliments from his lips.

Well. Karsein has never said anything bad.

But.

-Harnie. You look pretty in your swimsuit, but no matter what, please don’t show it to others.

To say such a thing again without awareness.

This man, really. While he displays such a sharp mind elsewhere, he has no filter at times like this.

That kind of remark is asking me to show my swimsuit only to you.

“…”

But why is it?

Harnie is blushing.

As if that statement wasn’t entirely unwelcome.

And then…

-…If it could be shown to others in the future, would you cover me like you do now?

-If you want, I’ll cover you as much as you like.

-What if we’re far apart? What would you do then?

– If I run to your side in just one step, would that be enough?

Even from afar, I say I would run to your side in just one step.

– Fool. That won’t do.

– Why not?

– It’s a nuisance. Just for that…

– Just for that? Not at all. It’s not like that. A fake engagement. A contractual engagement. Yes, I suppose you could think of it that way. But you trusted me enough to give me such a precious gift. I don’t want to betray someone who has given me that kind of trust.

Even when you point out that coming for just that reason is a nuisance, I gently stroke the back of your head, insisting it’s not a nuisance at all.

Hearing those words while being held in his arms, my feelings for Carsein were changing significantly.

I had wondered about that question at some point.

Why does this person feel so special?

What is it that makes it so clear he is different from other men?

Why does my heart race so much when I’m with Carsein?

Why does it flutter and tingle in a way I only feel with him?

Simply because he is a good person.

Because he has a righteous heart—those words alone couldn’t provide an answer.

So, without thinking, Harnié’s true feelings slipped out.

– Then, if I ask you to stay by my side, will you?

If I truly ask you to stay by my side, will you?

– …If there’s a problem in society or with the marquis family and you ask for help?

If there’s a problem and you ask for help, will you help then?

– If I say I want to continue this connection with you even after leaving the duke’s family… will you listen?

If I hint that I don’t want to part ways even after the contract ends, will you agree to that?

It was a question filled with a bit of childishness.

A question that was somewhat selfish and even a little rude.

No matter how close we had become, I shouldn’t be making such demands.

But.

– Yes.

– I will help you as much as you need.

The answer I had longed for inside Harnié came out without missing a beat.

I will always be by your side.

—

“I’ll help you as much as you need.”

And…

– “Of course.”

Understanding the intent, he smiled slyly and nodded.

From that moment on, my heart wouldn’t stop.

Thinking of his voice brings me happiness.

Yet, on the other hand, I feel a bit regretful that Karsein isn’t here right now.

Even now, the warmth of his embrace lingers in my memory.

With nothing touching my body, I feel an emptiness that’s almost palpable.

I want to see him, to look into his eyes.

I want to hear his voice and walk the same path together.

With my hands on my pounding heart, Harni murmurs.

“…What should I do?”

– Thump. Thump.

“I think I… like that person.”