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I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 323
🕑 Added 2025-02-28 00:55:49 +0000 UTCChapter 323: Alone (6)
The once bustling Bagrand Duchy had fallen silent.
One of the sisters had gone to seek advice, another was desperately searching for a solution, refusing to give up, while the third had chosen a destructive path.
Heron, his heart heavy with a sense of foreboding, opened the door to Isabella's room.
A somber atmosphere filled the room.
Shaiden, too, was watching over the sleeping Isabella, his expression filled with concern.
“Shaiden.”
“Ah, Heron.”
He hadn’t even noticed Heron’s arrival.
Shaiden was startled.
While it was understandable for a physician to be focused on his patient, he should at least be aware of his surroundings.
Heron pulled up a chair and sat down, then addressed Shaiden.
“You haven’t rested for days, attending to My Lady. You should go and get some sleep.”
“I’m not tired. Just… preoccupied. And I’ve already rested.”
“You’ve already rested?”
“Yes. Someone helped me. I couldn't have stayed here all this time without any rest, not at my age.”
“Hmm. That’s true.”
Having concluded that Shaiden didn’t need to rest, the room fell silent again.
“…The rumors have spread throughout the Empire. You’ve heard, haven’t you?”
“I have.”
How could he not have?
The rumors about Carsein plotting a rebellion.
“It’s a baseless accusation, not even worth repeating.”
“Indeed. For the Young Master to betray the Pesselus Empire? That’s impossible.”
They, more than anyone, knew Carsein’s true nature.
He had no interest in wealth or power, even rejecting the opportunity to claim victory in a prestigious tournament.
And he never mistreated those below him.
They had seen Camilla’s horrified expression as he tried to take on her duties, and Tasha’s disbelief as he insisted on working alongside the servants.
He had meticulously calculated the appropriate workload, the necessary rest and benefits, based on his own experiences.
Thanks to that, while he had been criticized last year, public opinion had shifted dramatically this year.
The misunderstandings had been cleared, the false accusations dispelled, and now, the people of his territories spoke of him with respect, praising his virtues as a just and compassionate ruler.
He had trained his body, not for power or glory, but for self-defense.
He had managed his territories to repay his debt to the Duchy.
He had refused help, insisting on handling everything himself.
It made them wonder if he even had any personal desires.
Carsein had only wanted one thing.
To leave the Bagrand Duchy, to sever all ties.
He was a man devoid of ambition.
“But… the situation isn’t favorable.”
“For such a kind and selfless young man to be falsely accused…”
They had tried to quell the rumors, but the established nobles, those who feared the Wederos Kingdom, wouldn’t relinquish their power.
And they, a mere physician and a butler, couldn't stop them.
They needed someone with more influence, someone from the Bagrand family.
And that’s why the situation was so dire.
“If only Lady Arina hadn’t issued that arrest warrant…”
That was the biggest problem.
If it had been a search warrant, the accusations of betrayal and malicious intent wouldn’t have escalated this far.
Arina, of all people, had cornered her own brother.
“Is there no sign of the Lady’s recovery?”
“…No. Not unless Carsein returns.”
“This is bad. Very bad.”
Isabella’s relapse.
If she recovered, this situation could be easily resolved.
But the only person who could bring her back was Carsein.
And would he, who had so desperately wanted to leave the Duchy, return?
It was impossible.
Especially considering his resolute departure, his unwavering determination to sever all ties.
It was a vicious cycle, a paradox.
Just like an outsider, alone,
He would wander aimlessly, until he was captured.
That bleak future seemed inevitable, when…
Shaiden spoke, offering a glimmer of hope.
“…But it’s not entirely hopeless.”
“What?”
“Not all of them share the same sentiment.”
While Arina had pushed Carsein into a corner,
The other two sisters hadn’t.
“…You don’t mean…?”
Shaiden nodded.
“Lady Flora has instructed the maids to distribute a Kelbia allergy neutralizer throughout the area. And Lady Claire has refused to participate in the pursuit. She’s been trying to create safe havens for him, disrupting the checkpoints.”
Amidst the gloom and despair, it was a welcome piece of news.
No, perhaps it was inevitable.
“Yes. They’ve changed. Both Lady Flora and Lady Claire.”
They had reflected on their past actions, and had finally begun to accept Carsein as their brother.
“So, what’s the current situation?”
“The neutralizer has created a safe path for him. Of course, considering his allergy, he’ll need a horse and protective gear…”
“So there’s a chance he might escape the north.”
“Yes.”
“Can you mark it on the map?”
“Yes. From here… like this…”
The neutralizer, scattered strategically, created a path.
And if Carsein followed that path, it would lead him to the safest possible location.
“Lusmire.”
A glimmer of hope appeared.
He wasn’t alone, after all.
There were still risks, of course.
There might be those within his territories who would betray him for the bounty.
And there were those who would contact the nobles, those who feared the Wederos Kingdom, hoping for a greater reward.
But those risks didn’t apply to Carsein.
The two old men smiled, looking at Lusmire on the map.
They didn't need to worry about what would happen there.
Those who had committed sins would face the consequences.
And those who had shown kindness would be rewarded.
Carsein wasn't alone.
Even though he didn’t realize it.
“If he reaches Lusmire, we can buy him some time. In that case…”
“Heron, what are you planning?”
“I’m going to meet with the vassals.”
“What?! You…!”
Shaiden stared at his friend, his eyes wide with surprise.
“I am the butler of the Bagrand Duchy. I serve the head of the family.”
“B-but that’s…!”
“We have to correct this mistake.”
Heron, as the Bagrand butler, had been thinking about this for a long time.
The burden of leadership was heavy.
While Isabella had been acting as a regent, she would eventually have to relinquish her position.
A true leader had to emerge, someone with the necessary skills and qualities to inherit the title.
And Arina, with her recent actions, had proven herself unworthy.
“Lady Arina… she’s not fit to be the head of the Bagrand family.”
Only one person had made the wrong decision.
Only one person had allowed her prejudice to cloud her judgment, jeopardizing her family.
Only one person had to let go of her resentment, her bitterness.
Heron intended to reveal his long-held belief to the vassals.
***
Thanks to the strategically placed Kelbia neutralizer, I had managed to escape the north, avoiding being trapped in Illeor.
But the pursuit continued.
The timer was ticking down, and while the pursuit speed had been reduced, I didn't have much time.
I had to make a decision.
“Is that… Lusmire, up ahead?”
“Yes.”
The path, marked by the neutralizer, whether a trap or a blessing, had led me to Lusmire, one of the territories I had once managed.
My territory.
It should be safe here, but…
‘I can’t be certain.’
There could be hidden dangers.
Pursuers lying in wait.
Villagers who had been bribed by the Duchy, or by nobles who feared the Wederos Kingdom.
Or perhaps bounty hunters, eager to claim the reward on my head.
I couldn’t relax my guard. In fact, the very familiarity of this place made it even more dangerous.
“Hah…”
“I hope they catch him soon.”
Just like that.
My movement was restricted, not just by the Kelbia allergy, but by other factors as well.
‘At least my disguise is effective.’
The Assassin’s Hood, one of the items I had received before leaving the Duchy, offered a weak stealth effect, but I wasn't sure if it would be enough to get past the guards.
Just then, as if reading my mind, Harnie asked to dismount.
“I’ll go ahead and scout the area, Carsein.”
“What?”
“They’re looking for you, not me. And I can use my status as your fiancée to enter the territory.”
That was true, but…
“You’re usually so quick-witted, why aren’t you asking for my help now? Honestly…”
“Harnie, wait…!”
“I’ll be back soon.”
She smiled and entered Lusmire.
“…”
She was right.
The arrest warrant was for me, not for her. No one was pursuing Harnie.
She hadn’t been detected in Illeor, and there was nothing unusual about her entering Lusmire.
I knew.
It was the most efficient approach.
But I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
I didn't want to deceive her.
…I didn't want to use her.
***
Some time had passed since Harnie entered Lusmire.
Just as I was starting to worry, wondering if she had been captured,
A carriage emerged from the village.
It wasn’t an ordinary merchant’s carriage.
It stopped a short distance away, in plain sight, and then…
“Young Master Carsein!”
“My lord, please get in!”
A woman and a young girl emerged from the carriage.
-Ding!
▶ You have achieved an outcome beyond the given choices! ◀
▶ Hidden Event activated. ◀
▶ Characters with 100% affinity will assist you! ◀
[Participants: Camilla Deol, Tasha Deol]
Their bright white affinity boxes appeared.
And below them, the same message was displayed.
[Loyalty, to our master.]
