The Damn Family Is Back Again

10 – 10. Dead Trigger (4)

“I won’t come to greet you in the morning from now on.”

Isabella’s teacup, which was about to take a sip of tea, trembled for a moment. The cup stopped in its place and didn’t rise any further.

“Is that really all you have to say?”

“Yes.”

Karsain, who was about to open the door and leave, turned back and responded immediately.

“I heard you caught a cold.”

As expected, Isabella seemed to have known.

Although one could mention it and complain unjustly, Carcine had decided not to do so.

“Ah. Yes, that’s right. I’m sorry. I just haven’t been taking care of my health.”

“…Taking care of your health.”

“It seems that I’ve been eating too hastily. So, I’m no longer going to have selective eating habits.”

Isabella’s mouth slightly opened.

“I will be more careful. But really, showing such a thing, isn’t it easy for people to misunderstand?”

Carcine turned his back and opened the door again.

After giving a brief response, he left as if he had nothing more to say.

“…”

After Carcine left the office, Isabella stared blankly into the air for a long time.

Even though there was a mountain of work to do, she couldn’t seem to hold a pen because of that child. As always, she wanted to complain about what happened at the Duke’s residence every morning, but for the first time, Carcine apologized.

When she heard the word “sorry.” When he showed the doctor asking to release Camilla.

She momentarily doubted her ears.

He used to say things like “What did I do wrong?” or “Why did you just release Camilla?” while grumbling. She only knew how to express her dissatisfaction.

Of course, it wasn’t always that he would shout in excitement. Sometimes they would just exchange a few words in silence and finish the greeting.

But from Carcine’s mouth, the words “sorry” came out first. He asked to release Camilla and admitted his own fault obediently.

It was something that would never have happened before.

“Has something changed?”

He had reached a considerable age, so it was possible. Or perhaps there was a reason for it or he had matured mentally from studying in the room.

It could be seen favorably from either side. The child was only a year younger than Claire and was about to enter adulthood.

“Coming of age… Yes. It’s about time that child matures as well.”

Isabella rang the bell, summoning the butler. After a moment, the senior butler arrived at Isabella’s office and respectfully bowed his head.

“You called for me?”

“How is the preparation for Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony going?”

“The servants are quite busy, but the preparations are proceeding smoothly without any problem.”

The nineteenth birthday of their second daughter, Claire, was approaching. It was the month of January, transitioning from winter to spring. On the first day of January, Claire was scheduled to become an adult.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Isabella put down the teacup she was holding and took out a report.

“Heron, do you remember this day?”

“Um… It’s Miss Arina’s coming-of-age day.”

A report that made him sigh involuntarily as he read its contents. Heron quickly understood Isabella’s intention.

“Do you plan to invite Duke Carsane to Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony?”

Isabella nodded her head.

“Madam, I recall that you originally did not intend to bring the Duke.”

“Honestly, I’m still thinking the same.”

It was understandable. During their first daughter Arina’s coming-of-age ceremony, Carsane had caused quite a commotion.

If Carsane were to attend Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony and cause trouble… it wouldn’t end with just the Duke’s reputation.

“But this time, I’m not sure. That’s why I wanted to seek your advice.”

“If you need even my humble assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“If I were to say that I had already released Camilla and expected her to throw a fit… but she didn’t.”

“Oh, Lord Carsein…”

Like Isabella had done at first, Heron also had a look of surprise.

He had secretly anticipated that this morning’s greeting would undoubtedly mention Camilla being bedridden with a cold.

But this prediction was completely off.

“Instead of throwing a fit, she actually blamed herself and asked to be released from solitary confinement. She even admitted that it was her fault for catching a cold. And she said that she won’t come for her usual morning greetings anymore. It feels like she’s become a different person in just one day. What on earth happened?”

Contrary to Isabella’s words, Camilla was still confined in the cell.

Even if there was insufficient evidence, there was no doubt that she was a strong suspect, and she still had the guilt of not properly serving Carsein.

Yet, the lie about releasing Camilla from solitary confinement was solely to see Carsein’s reaction.

In other words, Carsein coming to discuss this matter was a process of choosing to participate in the adult ceremony.

“Lord Carsein ordered Camilla to be released from solitary confinement.”

The story was hard to believe, and Heron’s mouth fell open. As the butler of the Duke’s substitute, he had never lost his composure. But now, he was shaken.

But this too, wouldn’t it be a natural flow?

With a smirk, Heron made a comment to the confused Isabella.

“As I mentioned before, Lord Carsein is not a person with a bad temper. If you were to care for him with love like the other ladies, this time would have come a little faster.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Honestly, it felt like Madam’s chronic illness disappeared and a wall was built. As the interest waned, the affection he received from the other ladies would have been significantly different.”

“Different affection… from my daughters and Carsein?”

“At least, that’s how it seemed to me. So, I think it’s only fair to give him a chance.”

Isabella fell into deep contemplation.

In fact, if Heron hadn’t made this remark, I would have considered separating the precedent from the consideration. As more guests gathered than at Arina’s coming-of-age ceremony, I wanted to detach Karsein more securely and safely.

Because there was a precedent.

But Karsein is also a member of the ducal family. Even if he’s not Isabella’s son, he’s still a legitimate heir.

That’s why Heron judged it appropriate to give Karsein a chance.

He accepted his own mistake and showed generous understanding of others’ circumstances.

If Karsein had learned to show such generosity. If he had truly matured to that extent.

The upcoming second sister’s coming-of-age banquet. As a member of a family belonging to Bagram, who was once called by a derogatory nickname among the maids, she had every right to enter and leave with confidence.

As Isabella’s concerns deepened, she put the report back in its place.

“Tell Camilla to release Karsein from solitary confinement and let him participate in the coming-of-age ceremony, as he suggested.”

“If that’s the case, it seems like the young master will need a maid as well.”

“Oh, right. Hmm… how about reassigning Camilla then?”

Reassigning Camilla as Karsein’s personal maid. There are two intentions mixed here.

Heron quickly noticed the intentions and accepted the orders.

“Oh, steward. Was there any news from Viscountess Teresia?”

Heron, who was about to leave, showed a look of surprise at the mention of Viscountess Teresia.

“Viscountess Teresia… Are you referring to her? I don’t recall any news.”

“…Is that so.”

It seems like he thought there might be a reason here.

“I’m sorry, but madam, I think you may have misunderstood.”

Even though it was far from the emotions Isabella was thinking about, it was too far away.

The intimacy was only at 30%, so I wondered if there was something wrong.

But there wasn’t.

The morning greeting was the worst.

It made me feel even worse.

Not only did Isabella bring back memories from the past, but her blatant bias and prejudice towards Carsein were also clearly evident, so it was impossible for me not to feel bad.

Still, there was no need to invest emotions in such things.

“Status window.”

As soon as I returned to my room, I checked the status window right away.

▶ Episode II. Cleared the maids’ dissatisfaction! ◀

▶ Camilla is released from solitary confinement. ◀

▶ The maids’ dissatisfaction quiets down. ◀

▶ No need to make morning greetings anymore. ◀

“As I thought.”

After finishing the conversation with Isabella and leaving the room, I heard a sound, so I guessed that I had cleared an episode.

First and foremost, it was important that Camilla was released from solitary confinement and the dead trigger was deactivated.

Most of the bad endings in the early episodes were directly related to Camilla, and if she couldn’t be released in time after being confined, it would lead to an inevitable demise.

Just the situation of Camilla’s corpse appearing at this time tomorrow was unfair enough. How unjust must it have been to make such an extreme choice? Even if I didn’t say anything, they would hold a funeral for Camilla and seek revenge.

And in the end, Carsein… no matter which choice was made, he died miserably.

If you miss a specific timing, it’s as good as being late. Therefore, Camilla’s release from solitary confinement was the best possible outcome.

“But we mustn’t let our guard down. There will surely come a turning point where Camilla will have to leave the duke’s mansion.”

We must be careful, very careful.

“The maids’ dissatisfaction is probably because of Camilla. Resolving the morning greetings in the game’s past setting seems to have been a good move. After all, it was like a shackle.”

Somehow, it seemed that the dangerous episode had been successfully overcome.

▶CHAPTER 1 – Episode II Cleared!◀

■Rewards

[ Exp 50 ]

[ Lv. 1 → Lv. 2 ]

[ You receive 0.05 stat points! ]

So far, these were the rewards that I knew from the game.

However, it seems that a longer receipt is coming to me, who entered the game.

▶You have succeeded in bringing about results beyond the choices.◀

▶Additional rewards will be given!◀

■Additional Rewards

[ Perception +3 ]

[ Your perception within the Bagrandt Duke’s mansion will improve slightly. ]

[ ??? ]

“Results beyond the choices. So, this is how Claire’s affinity has increased additionally.”

In fact, if I had followed the game’s development as it was, Claire wouldn’t have noticed that I had finished taking a cold shower.

It was clear that even a small change could move things in a favorable direction.

“…But what’s with that question mark?”

Recognition is a game system within the noble household that reduces the occurrence of dead flags in conversations with maids, but I’ve never seen anything like that.

I received something, but I don’t know what it is.

“Sometimes, you get items when you clear an episode, but it’s not like you have any possessed items, right?”

The only things in my room are the clothes I personally washed. Memorials are not possessions to begin with, and the stats on the status screen don’t increase like this.

I don’t have anything that I received from someone. What on earth is it?

As I was pondering this, I heard a knock or something from outside.

Well, someone did knock on my door…

“Is there someone in my room?”

No, there’s no point in worrying about this.

If someone knocked on my door, I should listen to what they have to say or what business they have.

“Come in.”

As I waited for the door to open, I fixed my gaze.

And I was amazed.

“…!”

“Uh, excuse me. Young master…”

-Ding!

The status window turned on before I could even finish my thoughts.

A short sentence was added to the reward window that had been hidden.

[Camilla returns as my exclusive maid!]

And then,

Camilla asked me with a voice full of hesitation.

“What…what should I do?”

Even if she asked me that, I had nothing to say from my perspective.

Since the purpose was to turn off the dead trigger, I had never even considered the possibility of Camilla returning as Carsein’s exclusive maid.

I don’t know who intervened and told Camilla to become my exclusive maid, but what’s done is done. It can’t be undone.

I had to accept it.

“But this…it was definitely a reward, right?”

That’s what I received as a reward, being her exclusive maid.

“This…this is a really amazing reward, isn’t it?”

If you think about it normally, you might think that the dead trigger coming back to life is a reward, but it’s actually the opposite. Unless Camilla goes back to solitary confinement, I can avoid numerous bad endings.

If you think about it for a bit, the answer is clear. Can I be absolutely certain that there won’t be a situation where Camilla is expelled from the aristocratic family due to other variables?

Without a doubt, I can’t.

As someone who has played this game, I can confidently say that I can’t.

But if she becomes my exclusive maid? The variables that could arise from the outside are completely cut off. By becoming my exclusive maid, I can eliminate all other variables.

That’s why there was no need to hesitate. While there may be a risk in having a maid again, I can easily solve that risk within my own boundaries.

“No. I might even be able to go beyond that and come up with a new plan.”

Conclusion has been reached.

Let’s accept it for now.

“There’s nothing to order today. Come back tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow… Did you say tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow.”

Of course, just because I say that, doesn’t mean you have anything to do.