The Damn Family Is Back Again

346. Family (16)

As Shaiden said, the knights of the duchy do not seem to have any particular suspicion towards the family’s physician, so they do not come near this room.

Most of them are focused on protecting the duchess, who is in poor health, keeping Claire under house arrest, and preventing intrusions by outsiders. For these reasons, they did not seem to think that someone like the physician would be hiding Karsein.

‘Thanks to that, I feel a bit relieved.’

As night fell, the security of the duchy became even tighter, so it was not easy to wander around. In this situation, it was not easy to find a place to rest, let alone satisfy one’s hunger, so I could really put my mind at ease.

I don’t know how much longer Karsein will stay in the duchy or go outside, but this rest time has increased the chances of getting out without any major problems.

The arrangement itself was already hinted at by the mention of Claire’s house arrest, so it would be easier to move around the duchy in the future.

If it were someone like him, who knows all the paths of the duchy, he would soon find an answer and head to the next destination.

With that, Harni pulled the curtains with a sense of relief.

“…”

When he turned around after pulling the curtains, Karsein was silently lowering his head.

It was a back view that made one think a lot.

Harni knew.

How calculating and cold Karsein was.

Therefore, this time was extremely precious to Karsein.

Time to relieve fatigue. Time to heal the wounds. Time to fill the hungry stomach and get enough sleep to prepare for the next day.

Even with a little thought, one could understand.

How precious this time had to be used.

Having finished calculating in his head, he would never waste this time. He would use every minute and second for what was necessary.

He would act with a far-reaching vision, planning several steps ahead, never wasting time.

That is this man’s value system.

The belief of a man who has always lived alone, in solitude.

But… the current Carsein was different.

Carsein was just staring blankly into the void, lost in deep thought.

Even when urged to rest, whipped to take a break, Carsein rarely listened. He was the kind of person who would drive others crazy by taking short naps even when he slept.

He was wasting time on his own.

With such a deeply troubled face.

-Tick.

Also, Harni knows.

There is only one reason.

Before the small hand of that clock moves to the next notch.

It was because of what happened when the two were not in the doctor’s room.

If Carsein had adhered to his original values. If he had stuck to his heavy beliefs, he would never have acted that way.

He wouldn’t have given such a look to the Duchess.

Even if he received something he needed, he would have ignored it as if it were nothing.

He wouldn’t have said or done such things. Certainly not.

If he had coldly taken only what he was supposed to receive and turned away, that would have been more in line with this man’s values and beliefs.

Moreover, considering what he had experienced in the Duke’s house so far, he should have reacted even more coldly and indifferently.

But he didn’t.

It was an enormous change.

It was the moment when a crack appeared in the firmly closed door of Karsein, a door that seemed like it would remain closed forever.

It was the moment when a spark of emotion was born in Karsein, who had been devoured by the monster called reason.

And, Harnie knows.

She knows that the relationship between the mother and son is incredibly twisted.

“D-Duchess? What brings you here…”

Not long after Karsein had concluded the Duchess’s birthday celebration, Isabella had come to see Harnie.

A long confession followed. A long time of reflection followed. A painful time of self-reproach followed.

Isabella… truly considered Karsein as her son.

“I, a worthless mother, may not be able to change Karsein’s heart. But… I thought you, my lady, might be able to, so I came to you.”

“…”

“Please, I beg you, take care of that child.”

Her last request to Harnie was the same.

Isabella sincerely wished for Karsein’s happiness, pleading and pleading again.

It was so heartbreaking.

The twisted relationship between the two pained her heart.

That’s why Harnie approaches.

To nurture this spark.

To open the door that had closed again, even wider.

-Swish.

“Are you regretting it, Karsein?”

Lightly embracing Karsein from behind, Harnie asked.

There was no way he didn’t know what it meant.

The reason they ended up like this was because of what happened in the Duchess’s room.

Karsein answered in a low voice.

“…No.”

“Then why are you doing this?”

“…”

Karsein didn’t readily answer.

“You have a reason for doing this too. Every action has a reason. Isn’t that why you’re doing this?”

“…”

After a long pause, he took out the note he received from the Duchess and said.

“This note. It was the most important part.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Without this, we might have greatly misunderstood the location of the final place.”

“It was the most important note. But… that.”

“…Yes. This is the note I received from the Duchess. And this is a note we could never have found.”

Karsein explained step by step why they couldn’t have found this note.

Why it was a note they couldn’t find.

About the doubts regarding the Duchess’s actions.

Listening to him, it was a convincing explanation.

“…This is from the Duchess. No, my mother deliberately handed it to me.”

“Deliberately?”

“Yes. Otherwise… it wouldn’t make sense.”

Isabella was suffering from a peculiar mental illness called Elbern Syndrome. However, at that moment, she returned to her senses.

Trembling fingertips. Changed eyes. Clear voice.

From all those senses, Carsein deduced that the Duchess had deliberately held onto him.

Moreover, the fact that she knew exactly about the last note in that drawer, and the specific reasons why she took the item from the drawer and handed it to the necessary person, all came to light.

It was a clear conclusion that wouldn’t make sense unless she had returned to her senses and deliberately handed it over.

Thus, the true intention behind the final action was revealed.

“So, I couldn’t help but say my final goodbye.”

The title “mother,” which he had never wanted to use in his life.

The expression of a final goodbye and the act of an embrace.

Even the wish for her well-being.

Although Carsein had accumulated countless grievances against the Duchess…

At this moment, his closed heart opened.

Piercing through the cold monster called reason, the spark of emotion was gradually revealing itself.

Harnie hugged Carsein tightly, expressing her feelings about his choice.

‘Yes. You were always that kind of person.’

On the outside, you may seem rigid and dry, but inside, there is an infinitely kind heart.

You may appear to be a cold and selfish person who only thinks of yourself, but within that hard shell lies an inescapable nature.

Even though he had walked a hard life, he was not a vengeful spirit soaked in hatred and betrayal, craving revenge.

Nor was he a madman who, claiming it was time to release the grudge that had built up over many years, revealed that grudge to the parties involved and repaid them with the edge of a blade.

He was a good person to the core.

He was a nobleman who could not commit evil deeds.

No matter how he acted on the surface, no matter how he behaved in a way that would make him be pointed at, in the end, it was not the edge of a blade but a warm heart towards others that was ultimately revealed.

So, it was impossible not to like him.

Because this aspect of him was shown countless times, my heart went to him.

It was natural to think that the contract didn’t matter.

This person’s essence and nature had been like this from the beginning.

Embarrassing, but. Really embarrassing, but.

‘The reason I came to love you was because of this.’

That was the reason I fell for this person.

‘I’m glad. Truly.’

Karsein would soon return to the place where he lived.

I had already prepared myself to let him go.

But… there was one last lingering attachment.

The fact that Karsein still harbored a deep distrust towards others created that lingering attachment.

I had to break the firm belief that no one could help him.

I had to destroy the solid value that he had to live alone in this world.

I had worked hard for that.

Steadily staying by his side, getting to know him.

With all sincerity, he fought off the monster called reason and revived his dulled emotions.

In the end, the fruit of his efforts came.

Today, the true value of this effort has been revealed.

Though he wants to ignore the approaching future where they will part ways…

He found great significance in being able to trust people again, and could let go of his lingering feelings a little.

-Tick.

With the sound of the clock’s hands, Carsein turned his head.

Confirming the time, he opened his mouth wide.

Harnie chuckled and replied playfully.

“Really. It’s finally resolved. I was worried about how long it would take.”

“…I didn’t realize so much time had passed…”

“Do you know how many times I yawned because I was sleepy? Hmph.”

“Ugh. I’m sorry…”

“If you’re sorry, hurry up and spread the blanket.”

“Yes.”

He immediately spread the blanket.

As always, the bedroom stubbornly insisted on sharing the bed.

Scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, Carsein was eventually dragged to the bed, unable to resist.

Taking this opportunity, he indulged in a bit of greed.

“…Harnie?”

“Why?”

“This is a bit…”

“It’s just our usual sleeping arrangement. What’s the problem?”

“It’s too close. If we end up touching…”

“And if we touch, what then?”

“…”

Karsein was at a loss for words, seemingly flustered.

His expression seemed to ask why this was supposed to be natural, as if he wanted to question it.

Regardless, Harnie burrowed even closer to Karsein.

She didn’t care if their skin touched and pressed together.

She moved so close that she could hear his breathing and feel the warmth of his breath tickling her skin.

“I’m sleepy. It’s cold, so don’t move away, okay?”

“…”

To nurture the budding emotions, to drive away that cold monster, warmth was needed.

Harnie closed her eyes, hoping that her body heat would remain, not fade away.

…And also hoping that his warmth would never disappear from her.

*

Morning had come.

Despite being familiar with the ceiling of the building, it didn’t feel quite as familiar now.

Because Isabella allowed me to hide without holding me back.

Following Flora, the second one.

My foster mother, Isabella, helped me.

I still can’t quite believe it, as I had firmly believed it was something that could never happen before leaving this house and even after that…

Anyway, yesterday’s events should be left as yesterday’s events.

Having hidden and endured for a day, it’s time to move now.

-Ding!

▶You have discovered a note hidden by Karn Baghrand.◀

▶You have succeeded in triggering results beyond the choices!◀

The note once again pointed to the next location.

Along with an apology that it couldn’t be helped because this secret could only be hidden through a multi-step process, there was information about the tree monster and the right-hand man of that demon.

『The third book. People criticize it as a fictional character, but in fact, it’s a real person.』

『Arxus Felscrime. That person with twisted ideas is a pervert who enjoys destroying family relationships. If a murder case that year is linked to a family, it must be his doing.』

『He doesn’t kill people himself… but he’s no different from a murderer. He sneaks in secretly, sharpens the knife of hatred, and eventually, that person wields the knife. If you meet him… be careful, Karsein.』

There were numerous pieces of advice about his absurd stealth ability to hide anywhere and the characteristic of not killing people himself.

Reading it made me feel uneasy.

If I had been chosen by that person and became a human who sharpened the knife of hatred…

My expression naturally frowned.

“Karsein. The letters are starting to connect again.”

In the meantime, along with Harnie’s voice, the status window also displayed a message.

▶You have discovered the hidden fourth part, and you can now immediately find the location where the treasure is hidden.◀

『The location of the next treasure is─』

Upon confirming the location of the next treasure, I was stunned on the spot.

“…Huh.”

『The tomb of Roselle Bagland. In other words, it will be my father’s tomb, which will be created in the duke’s mansion after he passes away in a little while.』

-Ding!

▶Move to the Duke Bagland’s tomb and seize the treasure.◀

▶Be careful! In the mentioned field, a bad ending can be confirmed without a sound!◀