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I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 305
🕑 Added 2025-02-13 06:00:33 +0000 UTCChapter 305: As If It Never Happened (2)
“You heard that from both Claire and Flora?”
“Yes. I’ve never done anything like this before. Why would I prepare a banquet like that all by myself? I would have messed it up.”
Carsein readily admitted to having asked for help.
He rested his chin on his hand, his expression casual.
“Claire’s more familiar with noble customs and etiquette. She’s organized events before, and she’s used to dealing with dignitaries, thanks to her boutique and salon. And this banquet had a wide range of guests, from all age groups. While I could probably manage the older nobles, I wouldn’t know what the younger generation would like. So I asked Flora for her opinion.”
“…”
It was a reasonable explanation.
Claire was indeed familiar with noble society, having interacted with even members of the Imperial Family.
And the wide range of ages among the guests was also a valid point. He would have needed Flora’s input regarding current trends and preferences to avoid any dissatisfaction from the younger generation.
‘So he asked those two for help, considering those two factors.’
But that didn’t answer her main question.
“It must have been quite expensive.”
Right. The cost.
While she was their mother, this was the Duchess of Bagrand’s birthday banquet. To maintain their prestige and social standing, they had to spare no expense.
While Shatrain and Lusmire were thriving, they were still just two territories.
And she hadn’t heard of any other successful business ventures, so there was no way he could have covered the costs on his own.
“Yeah, it was.”
Carsein shrugged, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“So I borrowed money from Claire.”
“…From Claire?”
“How else would I have paid for it? I’m not even receiving an allowance. And even if I were, it wouldn’t have been enough. You know that better than anyone.”
“The Duchy could have covered the expenses.”
Carsein scoffed and pulled his arm away from her.
He picked up a nearby file and added,
“You told me not to tell Mother. But if I used the Duchy’s funds, she would have found out. So I had to borrow from Claire.”
If she asked where the money had come from,
She might find out about the birthday banquet preparations.
So he had borrowed from Claire.
It made sense.
“You could have asked me. I would have helped you. It’s not that difficult to hide something like that.”
“I didn’t have time. I was too busy answering your questions.”
“Hmm. I suppose that’s true.”
Right. It wasn't a bad decision.
His priority had been to keep it a secret from their mother.
She wouldn’t question him further about the money.
“Alright. I’ll talk to Claire and make sure she’s reimbursed. Well, it’s not a significant amount for her.”
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Alright. You’ve worked hard. Get some rest.”
Carsein stood up, tidied up his desk, and left the room.
-Click.
The door closed.
Arina looked at the files he had left behind.
This year's birthday banquet had been the most impressive, flawlessly executed.
And the amount of work involved had been substantial.
She doubted he could have done it all by himself, not within the given timeframe.
While Claire and Flora had supposedly helped him,
“He must have… overexerted himself.”
That was the most logical conclusion.
Arina sighed softly and put down the files.
“He’s so foolish. He could have just asked me for help.”
Her words, whispered in the empty room, didn't reach Carsein.
***
A carriage arrived at the Duchy.
Two young ladies hurriedly disembarked.
“Lady Claire? And the youngest lady…?”
Heron, the butler, tilted his head in confusion, seeing the Bagrand carriage return so early.
Claire asked,
“Heron, is Carsein here?”
“Young Master Carsein? Yes… he doesn’t have any scheduled events today.”
“Is he at the manor? Or the training grounds?”
“He should be at the manor, as usual.”
“Sister!”
“Let’s go!”
The two sisters rushed inside.
Heron watched them leave, a knowing look on his face.
‘It must be about the birthday banquet.’
The old butler, a wistful smile on his face, followed them.
It didn't take long for them to find Carsein.
“What? What’s so important that you had to drag me here?”
Carsein, seemingly annoyed by the interruption, responded curtly.
The two sisters’ faces were grim.
“Carsein, be honest with us. Okay?”
“Yes! Tell us the truth!”
“What is it? Just spit it out.”
Claire, swallowing hard, asked,
“Did… did Sister help you with the birthday banquet? I’m not accusing you of anything, but… there was just so much work…”
“A-and the money! Did you borrow it from her?”
Heron, hearing their questions, closed his eyes.
He already knew the answer.
He had done it all alone.
He had prepared the Duchess’s birthday banquet, without any assistance.
The perfectly arranged lighting.
The balanced placement of the tables and chairs.
The efficient use of space and time.
He hadn’t asked for help with anything.
And that wasn’t all.
-He just gave us instructions.
-Didn’t he ask you to borrow books or ask questions? Um… no?
-He just told us what to do, and when.
He hadn’t asked for help from anyone, not even the other ladies, let alone the servants.
-He gave me a list of ingredients to order, and the exact amount of money.
-The desserts? Young Master Carsein brought those himself. He told us to be careful with them.
-And the decorations, too. He ordered them himself and paid for them in person.
Even the expenses for the banquet,
He had covered them all himself.
He had prepared the entire banquet, relying solely on his own resources.
Heron, unable to bring himself to reveal the truth, bit his lip.
“Yes. Arina helped me.”
A deep chasm had formed.
Between the Duchy, and him.
I wouldn’t do that.
I wouldn’t know how to prepare something like that by myself.
How could I possibly have done it without any help?
Lies.
Lies.
And more lies.
The lies continued, one after another.
But they were oblivious to the deception.
“I thought you did everything yourself!”
“I was worried, but… that’s a relief…”
“I’m so glad Sister helped you.”
Claire and Flora seemed relieved, the weight of their worries lifted.
The two sisters and Carsein chatted for a while longer, then Carsein excused himself, ending the conversation.
Of course, they were aware of Heron’s presence.
Their gazes met his several times during the conversation.
But Heron remained silent.
He wouldn't reveal the truth.
Carsein, ignoring Heron, left the room.
“…”
Heron, watching Carsein’s retreating figure, a look of sympathy in his eyes, murmured,
“It’s time to prepare.”
Many within the Duchy were indebted to Carsein.
But few knew the truth, the extent of his sacrifices.
While it saddened him, he couldn't change Carsein's decision.
No, he shouldn’t.
Heron’s task was to gather those who were indebted to Carsein,
So they could at least offer him a proper farewell.
***
Days turned into weeks, the meaningless, monotonous hours blurring together.
I had successfully maintained my deception.
I had lied to both sides, concealing the truth about the birthday banquet.
And my financial activities remained hidden.
The fact that I was accumulating wealth, the methods I employed, and the reason behind it all.
While there was one potential obstacle,
I had no intention of interfering.
So, no one knew.
No one even suspected.
And so, I had reached this point, my true intentions hidden beneath a carefully constructed facade.
-Ding!
▶ You have chosen <Territory> as your method of acquiring funds for <Another Plan>. ◀
▶ Stage 5 requirement: The required amount of funds has increased. ◀
▶ You have reached the required amount. ◀
[Current Funds: 300,000,000 Pesel (100%)]
I had worked tirelessly, day and night, sacrificing sleep and rest,
And I had finally reached the target amount.
Ironically, the calculations had been precise. Today was the day.
▶ With the Another Plan cleared, the death trigger associated with failing to meet the deadline has been removed. ◀
▶ You may now escape the Bagrand Duchy. ◀
▶ Successfully escaping will clear Chapter 3, regardless of episode progress. ◀
“Hah…”
A wave of relief washed over me, the weight of my worries lifted.
The Another Plan’s time limit.
The death trigger in Episode XII.
The choices I had to make.
It all vanished from my mind.
All that remained,
Was the anticipation of freedom.
I could finally escape.
Just like in my past life, I could leave this wretched Duchy.
I had achieved freedom.
Through my own efforts.
“This is it. The final step.”
-Ding!
▶ Episode XI: The End of the Year has begun. ◀
▶ Go outside and see your family off. ◀
This would likely be the final episode.
Today, the Bagrand family had a scheduled event outside the Duchy, but Carsein wasn't included.
In other words, they were leaving without me.
It was the perfect opportunity to make my escape.
I had to be thorough.
And leave no trace.
“Why are you dressed like that?”
As I stepped outside to see them off, Claire asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Well, it wasn’t surprising.
I wasn’t wearing my usual noble attire.
“I have to inspect the territories later.”
“Inspect the territories? Dressed like that?”
“That’s weird! Why are you dressed like that? You should dress properly!”
Arina chimed in, her tone equally sarcastic.
Even Flora gave me a strange look.
And Isabella’s gaze was filled with suspicion.
“There might be those who are trying to deceive me.”
“Hmm?”
“Think about it. If there are those who are pretending to be loyal, but are secretly plotting against me, I’ll need to blend in to catch them off guard.”
“Ah.”
I explained that it was an undercover inspection, and they seemed to accept my explanation.
“It would be nice if you could come with us. But with things like this…”
“It can’t be helped, Mother.”
“That’s right. This is something we have to do.”
“Don’t get lonely while we’re gone.”
So there was something they had to do, something I wasn't privy to.
It didn't matter.
They boarded the carriage, one by one.
And finally, it was Isabella’s turn.
“There will be good news when we return, Carsein.”
And with those words,
It was over.
The carriage departed.
As the sound of the wheels faded, a notification appeared.
-Ding!
▶ Your family has departed. ◀
▶ Free time allocated. ◀
Free time.
I knew what I had to do.
I returned to my room.
-Rustle.
I pulled out stacks of cash, bills, and envelopes.
“I’ve paid you back, in full.”
Just as I had written in my notebook,
I carefully divided the money into separate envelopes, each one labeled with a specific amount.
Comments
Chibi Chi
Holy shit the tension! I can feel it in my body! I'm really looking forward to the drama... I still hope for reconciliation in the future... It breaks my heart to see Carsien like that... 😭😭😭
