The Damn Family Is Back Again

397. CHAPTER 6. ■■■■(6)

Hurriedly pushing open the terrace doors, Harnia all but fled, her eyes wide with bewildered urgency as she snatched a drink.

*Glug. Glug.*

A single glass vanishing, swallowed greedily.

The coolness, without doubt, soothed her mind.

“Haa…”

The breath that had been heavy with heat gradually calmed. With a sigh, the temperature of her exhale noticeably dropped.

But following that calming breath, ironically, came a wave of… regret.

“Why am I like this? Why now?”

The atmosphere had been perfect.

Having slipped away from the crush of the crowd with a weary Carsein, seeking refuge on the terrace.

It was the ideal setting. To guide the conversation, easing his fatigue, and then, at the opportune moment, present the chocolates. After that, they could revel in their privacy, intimately entwined until the end of the gala.

Except. It had ended at the chocolate stage.

All because of that half-eaten chocolate piece she’d absentmindedly placed back in the box.

Indirect kiss. Granted, it was embarrassing.

To have carelessly returned the chocolate she’d tasted, only to witness Carsein unknowingly pop it into his mouth, was mortifying.

But it wasn’t something that warranted fleeing outside.

“We’ve… already kissed on the lips, though.”

Harnia shyly touched her own lips with her fingers.

The gesture stirred up those embarrassing memories, but she had to be clear, this wasn’t about an indirect kiss.

Just like the touch of her fingers on her lips, there had been real kisses.

She’d done worse. More embarrassing things. She’d even secretly kissed Carsein. And now, she was flustered over an indirect kiss?

The thought made her feel utterly foolish.

“Haa. Harnia, you idiot.”

What was she doing, getting embarrassed over something so trivial?

She wanted to grow closer to Carsein, didn’t she?

Then she should be thinking about taking a step closer, not retreating and getting flustered by something already past.

“No. Absolutely not.”

Scolding herself harshly, Harnia lifted her head, her expression hardening with resolve.

“I can’t stay stuck here, either.”

Harnie, recalling what Karsein had said about knowing nothing of her, dimly realized something herself.

That she, too, knew hardly anything of the person that was Karsein.

Perhaps, then, she should learn more?

“Let’s go back. To Karsein.”

Just as he had looked back at her from the beginning, trying to understand her, this time she had to understand Karsein.

To do so, she had to cherish every moment.

Vowing this alone in the empty room, Harnie rose immediately and grabbed the two drinks, intending to return to Karsein’s room.

But just as she was about to open the door and leave with the drinks…

-Knock knock.

Someone’s knocking echoed.

“Um, Miss. It’s me!”

“That voice…”

It was a voice she knew reasonably well.

-Click.

She opened the door without hesitation.

The visitor who had come to find her was… indeed.

“I heard you were here, and I came to find you. I’m glad you’re here!”

It was a cute young girl, with her blonde hair braided neatly and a teddy bear held in her arms.

*

While soothing her sighs in the empty room, a visitor had arrived.

But, why had she come looking for her?

That was the question.

“What brings you here? Miss Flora.”

“Um, I came to ask how it went.”

Flora asked, her expression becoming somewhat serious.

‘Ah, that’s what she means.’

She seemed to be speaking indirectly, but making a heart shape with her hands… there was only one thing she could be referring to.

Valentine’s chocolate.

No matter how meaningful the day the chocolate was given, how could she make someone eat unpalatable chocolate if they disliked it?

It’s only natural to want to feed him something, anything, that tastes delicious.

Even more natural is the desire to hear that word, “delicious,” from the man who has tasted the chocolates you made yourself.

Therefore, Harnia, whose culinary skills were lacking, needed help.

No matter how well she thought she could make chocolates, she needed someone to rigorously assess them.

Even if they tasted alright to her, there was no guarantee they would suit Carsein’s palate; she needed someone to deliver a cold, hard judgment.

Someone who could inspect each batch as it was made, pinpoint any problems, and sharply indicate which way the flavor was leaning.

There were plenty of people. Countless mouths to feed. If she asked for taste testers, there would be no shortage of volunteers.

However, that too was out of the question.

She didn’t want to start a rumour that she was making chocolates for the whole neighbourhood, nor did she want the news to spread, cheapening the gift.

Besides, how could she just hand out chocolates meant for one precious person?

Absolutely, absolutely, it was something to be avoided.

Just one person. She needed at least one person.

And after agonizing over whether there was someone who could rigorously evaluate the chocolate’s taste… she had found her match.

This girl who loved, loved, loved sweet desserts.

“Thanks to you, I think it turned out well.”

“Really?!”

“Yes. Carsein said it was delicious too.”

Carsein had popped a chocolate into his mouth and declared it delicious.

She had been so worried, since he didn’t particularly like sweets, but apparently, the taste of the chocolates made according to Flora’s advice was agreeable enough to Carsein’s palate.

“…Maybe, he didn’t actually think they were delicious. Lady Harnia.”

Flora expressed her concern in response to her reassurances.

“Why do you think that?”

“I was wondering if… if Older Brother was deliberately lying. I’ve seen my brother endure things without showing how hard it is…”

“Hmm… That’s certainly possible.”

Of course, it wasn’t impossible that he had simply been considerate. Carsein was the kind of man who could be like that. She knew well that he was the sort of man who would force down something he disliked, eat sweets even though he didn’t enjoy them.

He might even lie.

But.

“It’s alright. I know for a fact that he wasn’t lying, because I saw it myself.”

“You did? How…”

“His taste has changed. Carsein’s taste, I mean.”

“Lately, though, someone’s been putting so much care into making them, that I don’t dislike them as much anymore.”

The words were sincere.

The way he ate them, saying they were delicious, the way he eagerly snatched up the chocolate, claiming his tastes had changed, it was no lie.

“Oh, I see. That’s a relief. Heehee.”

Flora’s face bloomed with joy. It seemed Flora had truly become a younger sister with a deep affection for her older brother.

“But, I’m curious… why are you out here alone?”

“Huh?”

“If you gave your brother chocolate, shouldn’t you be sticking close to him…?”

An unexpected ambush.

Flora’s pointed question brought back the memories Harnié had desperately tried to banish.

“Ah, well… it’s… there’s a reason, you see…”

“What reason?”

“Yes, yes?”

“Lady Harnié said there was a reason she was out here. But, the Valentine’s chocolate went over well… so why are you separated? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Doesn’t… make… sense? It’s not really a big reason…!”

“What is the reason? Tell me!”

As if she absolutely needed to know, Flora stared intensely at Harnié, demanding an answer.

She’d never been this way before. So persistent today, Harnié couldn’t help but blush.

Seeing her reaction, Flora suddenly became downcast.

“Could it be… did you fight?”

“N-No! That’s not it!”

“But, if you didn’t fight, then why are you so far apart…?”

“Lady, over there? Why are you crying…?”

“uuu. You shouldn’t fight with your brother…”

Flora’s voice began to quiver with tears, and soon tears welled up in her eyes.

What on earth…?

‘Ugh…! I have no choice!’

She didn’t know why Flora was about to burst into tears, but she had to overcome her embarrassment, right now.

“It’s… it’s because of the chocolate! That’s why I’m out here!”

“Choco… late?”

“Yes, yes… It’s not that it doesn’t taste good… It’s just, there was something I was trying to taste beforehand and remove… but that thing happened to be in there… and then Carsein…”

Ughhh!

Harnie shuddered with embarrassment, blurting out the indirect kiss issue herself.

Hearing those words, Flora’s tears vanished completely.

“So, you two kissed?”

“Wh-what are you saying?”

“You touched lips, didn’t you? You each took a bite! Right!”

“No, that’s…!”

She couldn’t say it was true. She couldn’t say it wasn’t.

Harnie was simply flustered, her face turning red in confusion.

Meanwhile, the dark clouds that had been hanging over Flora just moments before were gone, replaced by a radiant bloom.

“If that’s the case, then it’s fine! It just means Lady Harnie is further ahead!”

“…Eh? Further ahead, you say?”

“Yes! So much further ahead! Far, far ahead of everyone else!”

What on earth does that mean…?

She couldn’t grasp it at all.

“But if you just stay still like this, you might get overtaken. We have to go quickly! Come on, let’s go!”

“Lady Flora? What exactly are you…?”

“If Lady ends up falling behind… no, Sister! I’ll call you Sister. Sister can’t fall behind!”

“Yes…?”

“I won’t allow anyone but Sister!”

So then.

What on earth does that mean…?

Harnie, not understanding a single thing, was led out by Flora’s hand.

The moment the door opened.

A chorus of cheers from countless women echoed.

“Oh my. He looks so dependable…”

“Is that him? The one who saved the Empire, they say.”

“Yes. That’s Duke Carsein!”

“What a handsome man… I wonder what he likes?”

“Whatever trinket you send, it will be for naught. I’ve… heard murmurs, you see. A perfectly tailored gift is already on its way.”

“Hmph. My intelligence is of a finer vintage. Besides, *taste* isn’t a bauble, but the essence of lineage, wouldn’t you agree? Considering *that*, my offering is far more appropriate.”

“Perhaps. But considering the… gentleman’s rather *humble* origins, wouldn’t a woman of more familiar standing hold a certain… appeal?”

– *Crackling, like static.*

A palpable tension, a low hum of feminine rivalry, filled the hall.

All eyes gravitated towards a single figure.

Karsein, emerging onto the terrace, a touch bewildered as he scanned the crowd.

The eligible ladies of society, freshly cultivated and eager.

Each family’s daughter, schooled in the arts of wifely grace alongside seasoned duchesses.

And the maids, gulping audibly. The handmaids, deliberately adorned. A throng of womanhood, all vying for his attention.

‘What in the world… is all this?’

The answer dawned soon enough.

Whispers of contrived squabbles and theatrical tears.

Explanations of a heated face, not from argument, but a shared, fleeting touch – met with an unexpected chorus of delight.

Assessments of being “ahead of the curve.”

…And so much more.

Warnings against complacency.

A sudden burst of sisterly affection, laced with desperation not to fall behind.

Veiled possessiveness, declaring sole claim upon his attention.

Abstract fragments, seemingly nonsensical…

But she understood.

She grasped the underlying meaning.

– *Yes, Milady. This is a situation demanding utmost vigilance.*

Mina’s admonition, now hitting with full force.

“Ha, ha ha. Suddenly… parched.”

What *is* all this?

A flush rose to her cheeks.

A gentle warmth, now igniting into flame.

…Of course. Word had spread of Karsein’s intention to leave the Duke’s household.

That would mean his status drifts further from nobility once more.

But with the announcement that this valorous deed will earn him a new estate and title…

It would be seen as an undeniable opportunity for the ladies, of course.

Just from a glance, the sheer number of those women was extraordinary – all of them his rivals.

“So, that’s how it is…?”

Chocolate wouldn’t be enough this time.

Indirect kisses? There’s no time to be coy about such things.

-Tap. Tap.

Harnier, now aflame with purpose, heads off somewhere.

Not in Karsein’s direction, though.

A joyous thing, from Flora’s perspective as she trails behind.

‘Sister-in-law, fighting!’

Clenching both fists, Flora cheered for Harnier, her soon-to-be sister-in-law, again and again.

*

“Lady Harnier? What brings you here…?”

“Duke Claire… no, to the owner of Shine Tear Boutique, I have a request.”

“Nee…?”

Not a Duchess, not a Duke, not even a Lady – Claire tilted her head, a puzzled expression on her face at the new title.

“Could you… fix me up real good?”