episode_0029

Once again, Karceine was not at fault.

The reason for going out was more than justified, and that alone should have been enough for complete understanding.

However, words that should never have been spoken slipped out.

“You’ve been in so many accidents, it’s reasonable to raise concerns. This is your responsibility.”

So many accidents indeed.

Hence, it’s reasonable to raise concerns.

Don’t retort to situations that cast suspicion on your responsibility.

Like a fool, I responded in that manner.

It was a slip of the tongue.

A foolish judgment, a clear mistake.

Despite knowing that hasty judgments were forbidden based on previous cases of Kelpie allergy, I still made a grave error.

If it had ended there, Karceine might have been merely upset… but I committed an even greater folly.

It won’t end with just being upset.

Beyond that, I left a wound.

A very bitter and deep wound. A wound of such magnitude that it was truly grievous.

“It’s not too late yet…!”

Having given Emma a stern warning and entered the mansion, Claire quickly changed her steps.

A birthday gift? I’ll make it even more luxurious since it’s belated.

I’ll make up for the time I forgot with an abundance.

I’ll let my family know and throw an even more lavish party than myself.

It’s late, but still.

As an older sister, I intended to do everything I could.

Until Karceine is satisfied.

-Knock, knock.

“Karceine. You’re not asleep yet, right? Can you open the door for a moment?”

Thinking there was still a chance for reconciliation, Claire knocked on Karceine’s door.

There was no response from inside the room. With no movement or sound coming from within, Claire began knocking on the door more insistently.

“Open the door. I know you’re feeling bad. Let’s talk face to face. Okay?”

Still, the room remained quiet.

Thud, thud!

Feeling anxious, Claire began knocking on the door even louder.

“Karceine! Will you please open the door?”

After several insistent requests, the door finally opened.

Claire felt relieved, thinking she could finally have a conversation, but instead of Karceine, it was his maid who appeared from within the room.

Bowing politely, Camilla conveyed Karsein’s words. “The young master does not wish to engage in conversation, Miss Claire. He also mentioned that you would understand the reason better.”

Upon entering the room, Claire had already anticipated what she might say. If there was a need, she intended to promise to listen without any doubt this time.

She had planned to propose the happiest birthday party, allowing her to forget today’s memories completely, whenever she wanted, in whatever way she desired. However, with Camilla’s single remark, Claire’s excited heart cooled instantly. She had nothing to say. A firm refusal to converse, a resolute rejection.

Carefully, Claire asked Camilla, who had relayed Karsein’s words, “Is he very angry?”

The reason behind Camilla’s words was best known to herself. Already filled with wounds, Claire had received no attention on her birthday, not even a single gift. Instead, she received a paltry present of being allowed to go out, doubted by the very family from whom she should have received congratulations on her birthday.

Camilla did not respond. No, it would be more accurate to say she couldn’t respond. It was obvious that Claire’s feelings were hurt.

“Alright. I’ll leave now.”

Rarely, today was a day when Claire’s shoulders slumped.

*Ding!*

***

“Sigh.”

In her study, Isabella sighed as she held her throbbing forehead. For the comfort of her children’s daily lives. For the affluent and prosperous days, she always diligently wielded her pen. But things weren’t falling into place.

The duties as a viscountess and acting head of the household were absurdly numerous, yet nothing seemed to get done.

Swoosh.

…

Thud.

Isabella’s pen lay on the table. Unable to grasp her pen, she gazed silently at the sofa.

At this hour, she always remembered Karsein’s figure. He often used the excuse of having something to say and would come for a morning greeting.

As always, I thought I should listen to this young child’s tantrum. Even considering this as just another task, I had tried not to pay much attention. However, once the seat was empty, a great sense of unease washed over me.

“I won’t come for morning greetings from now on.”

I had said that I wouldn’t come for morning greetings one day. I hadn’t paid much attention. I thought it was a lie, and if not, I could find any other reason to come. Not long after, just as I expected, I thought he would come sooner or later as before. However, contrary to this obvious expectation, Carcine really didn’t come. Even after several days, he did not come for morning greetings.

“…Why isn’t he coming, Carcine?”

Isabella seemed pained as she flipped through the calendar from December 31st last year. Yes, the reason she put down her pen was none other than Carcine. Not only did he realize her birthday late, but even after giving her a birthday present, her heart wasn’t at ease. She wanted to send a gift big enough to fill a castle, but…

“Young master no longer expects any more birthday presents.”

Heron advised Isabella not to bring up that day’s events again. So, all she could do was wait, right? Until Carcine came on his own. Even if she pushed aside everything that happened before, she was certain he would come this time. But… Carcine did not appear beyond Isabella’s expectations this time either, even after three days since he went out.

“Since there’s talk about the fiancée, I should call him and have a conversation.”

Unable to grasp the situation, Isabella couldn’t leave Carcine alone like this. Whether it was about meeting the fiancée or the birthday present, she needed to make room. The breakfast table. That would be the most appropriate place to call Carcine.

“Mom, can I go in now?”

The reaching hand stopped. The voice belonged to the second daughter, Claire.

“Come in.”

The door opened lightly.

But Claire’s expression didn’t seem light at all. Isabella immediately asked Claire about her intentions.

“What’s wrong? Why are you here at this hour?”

“Um… It’s just that… Mom, I made a mistake.”

“A mistake?”

“Yeah. It’s… quite a big one, actually.”

Claire, hesitating, as if trying to organize her complicated thoughts, finally brought up her concerns as if she couldn’t find an answer.

“Karsein hasn’t been around for three days now… I forgot his birthday, and then I started suspecting his outings… That’s why, maybe?”

“And so…” Claire, elongating her words, touched her tense nape and continued speaking.

“Actually, there was nothing, right? Even if he went out that day, there were no rumors or anything. So, about Karsein’s outings… Shouldn’t we just let it go if I talk to him nicely?”

“… ”

“Sorry, Mom. It’s my fault, but I really can’t figure out what to do. That’s why I came to ask for help.”

In response to Claire’s request for help, Isabella fell silent instead.

In truth, upon hearing about Karsein’s birthday, she also hesitated. She didn’t know how to help.

“I’m sorry. I also… only realized Karsein’s birthday late, so it’s difficult for me to help.”

“You too?”

-Nod.

She had also realized his birthday late. She had tried to give a birthday present, but her sincerity had been questioned by Heron. Neither side held a strong position.

However, she found Claire’s suggestion to lift Karsein’s outing ban somewhat appealing.

“First, could you call Arina and Flora?”

It was a long-awaited family meeting.

***

“We heard you calling.”

Arina and Flora entered the study together. Perhaps because they heard the term “family meeting,” Arina’s expression was already sour.

Sitting on the sofa, she asked straightforwardly,

“It seems Karsein has caused trouble again, doesn’t it?”

Whenever a family meeting like this was called, it usually revolved around Karsein’s issues. It was almost predictable.

“Calling you because of Karsein is true, but it’s not because the child did something wrong.”

“What do you mean by that, Mother?”

Clare still scratched her cheek nonchalantly, and Flora’s expression soured as soon as Karsein’s name was mentioned. In such an atmosphere, Isabella brought up today’s agenda.

“I intend to lift Karsein’s ban on going out.”

“What?!”

“Um… what?”

Ariana and Flora were shocked. They both opposed.

“That won’t do, Mother. It’s a situation where Karsein freely causes trouble everywhere he goes outside!”

“Yeah, Mom! He brought scary things from outside and even threatened me once!”

“Actually, I was worried yesterday too. Do you know how much I asked around when I found out Karsein went out?”

It wasn’t just once or twice. It was enough to make them overly sensitive about Karsein going out.

But they couldn’t keep him from going out like this. Isabella added valid reasoning. It was a bit painful, but she had to say it herself.

“It’s a birthday present.”

“What?”

“That going out, I allowed it as Karsein’s birthday present.”

A sudden silence fell over the meeting room.

Isabella broke the silence.

“December 31st. I completely forgot. That day was Karsein’s birthday. So, I allowed him to go out.”

“…”

“Ariana, Flora, what birthday present did you give to Karsein?”

At her words, the two also fell silent.

With the gift forgotten and not even knowing when his birthday was, they couldn’t possibly speak up.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Clare cautiously spoke up.

“Actually, it was just one day out yesterday. It’s kind of ambiguous to call that a birthday present. So… that’s why you lifted the ban. Nothing happened yesterday either.”

“I agree with that too.”

Even Isabella agreed.

There was only one step left to lift the ban.

“I know what Ariana and Flora are thinking. But Karsein has made up his mind not to accept any presents at all. So, we can’t give him anything else.”

“…Sigh.”

Ariana let out a long sigh.

This action is clearly akin to leaving a fish in the care of a cat. Releasing Karceine’s restraints recklessly would undoubtedly lead to incidents throughout the empire. However, acknowledging one’s own fault cannot be denied. Moreover, resorting to the ploy of refusing gifts, no alternative comes to mind. Eventually, Ariana also chose the side of reaching a compromise.

“Then let’s do it this way. Since it’s necessary to confirm if you have the temperament to lift the prohibition, we will verify it with our own eyes and make a decision.”

“We verify it with our own eyes?”

“Yes. Besides, the palace is also preparing. You should know that best, Claire.”

“Oh, I see. The Snowflake Festival.”

While other seasons host chronic festivals, winter, due to its biting cold, tends to dampen people’s spirits. Yet, when snow falls, children laugh and play, throwing snowballs at each other, not losing their smiles despite the chilly atmosphere. Recognizing this, the empire’s emperor designated a festival period to create lively streets even in winter, naming it the Snowflake Festival. It was one of the annual events devised by the empire, starting from early January, during the season when snow falls, to see children playing outside.

“They say this year’s Snowflake Festival will be even bigger. Since last autumn was so abundant, the crowds are expected to be much larger. The nobles are all gathering as well.”

“…Is Karceine going to cause trouble among those many people? Is that the test?”

“Yes. It won’t be too late to lift the prohibition then.”

There would be no better compromise than this. Isabella accepted Ariana’s opinion and decided to prepare for the family festival.

Meanwhile, Karceine, who hadn’t left his room for three days, was looking at the status window.

▶ Episode IV. The Snowflake Festival Begins! ◀

▶ Enjoy a normal festival with your family! ◀

[If cleared, Ariana’s prohibition will be completely lifted!]

“Finally.”