episode_0038

The faces of the women, which had been filled with laughter at Karsein’s unexpected reaction, quickly darkened.

The explanation was sufficient.

Although Karsein was ignorant about social rights, it actually worked to his advantage.

The problem of being greatly biased as a woman was most fatal when facing an impending engagement. It was perfect for mixing words and deceiving others.

However, even though he cornered Harnier, that man who was her fiancé not only did not condemn her but rather embraced her.

“W-what are you saying? We just came out to help innocent men from getting hurt, that’s all.”

One of the women stepped forward, trying hard to hide her confusion.

Then, one by one, the other women joined in.

“That’s right. We came because we thought her fiancé might be deceived.”

“Master Karsein may not know much about social rights, but Harnier is someone who captivates and manipulates men. Can it make sense to accept someone with such bias as a fiancé?”

“It’s not just bias; there might even be circumstances where she took advantage of them. What could be the sudden reason for entering into business?”

It was necessary to step forward.

Otherwise, the plan would fall apart.

“Is everything done?”

Karsein snorted.

“Seems like it’s not worth listening to. What’s the point of hearing about teasing and bullying?”

“M-Master! Your words are too harsh!”

“Too harsh? Seems like you’re the ones being too harsh right now.”

“…What?”

“Since when have I become so obedient as to listen unquestioningly to what others say? Especially those who always chew me out.”

At his words, the women fell silent.

Yes, what was before their eyes was none other than Karsein.

He was the person known as the error of Bagrand, always carrying numerous stigmas.

In other words, attempting to persuade this man was already a mistake.

“Hmph! Even so, there’s still a matter of right and wrong.”

“That’s right. Here, Master Bagrand is clearly the victim.”

Regardless of whether he was a victim or not, it was clearly hypocrisy.

It’s just a stopgap measure to grab what’s in front of you right away.

I know that.

“Ah, I see.”

Karsein pretends not to know.

The young women breathed a sigh of relief.

Since the opponent was Karsein, they judged that they could somehow manipulate him.

“But even if you choose the wrong opponent, you’ve chosen very, very wrong. You idiots.”

Karsein looked at Harnier and asked, “Excuse me, I have something to show them. Can you give me Yeong-ae’s hand?”

“What…”

Though Harnier was bewildered by the situation, he smiled and willingly extended his hand when Karsein nodded slightly.

“Alright then.”

Karsein chuckled as he looked at Harnier’s hand.

After looking away from the hand, he pointed at Yeong-ae.

“You there. Judging by the slight indentation on the inside of your ring finger, it looks like you recently broke up with a man you were dating, right?”

“H-how did you…?”

“Because you used to wear a ring on that finger. When something like that comes off, it leaves a noticeable mark. It’s not quite a scar, but the imprint is deep enough that you might not notice it yourself, but others can easily pick up on it.”

“Why are you suddenly talking about this?”

“It seems like you’re veering off into irrelevant topics.”

The sudden comment made the women snicker.

However, Karsein’s analysis was thorough. Only Harnier noticed.

“If your testimony is true, my fiancée must have worn a ring quite often due to her many relationships with men. However, there are no traces of that on my fiancée’s ring finger. What do you make of that?”

Unlike the woman’s ring finger he pointed out, Harnier’s ring finger is normal.

As if nothing had ever been worn on it.

“If she had seduced men for their money, she would have worn a ring at some point. However, Harnier Yeong-ae’s hands are clean. So we can consider the claim of having many relationships as a blatant lie.”

“A-are you saying that we are lying?”

“Then what else could it be?”

At this, the women panicked and retorted, “How can you determine everything based on that? There are more than a few eyewitness accounts of her relationships with men!”

“It’s not just about receiving rings. If she received a necklace, it wouldn’t leave a trace!”

“Is a man only supposed to give a ring as a gift to a woman? From necklaces, earrings, bracelets, to all kinds of jewelry, there are countless options! And they can even be mixed and matched!”

“No one here has ever said that Harnier wore a ring. Besides, it could also mean she sold it, couldn’t it?”

It wasn’t an incorrect statement.

Harnier could have received something, then secretly taken it and disposed of it.

If she truly was a seductive viper who lured men with her exceptional beauty only to discard them, then it would make sense.

However, Karsein knows.

That Harnier would never do such a thing.

“Hey you. Earlier, I mentioned that my fiancée had dived into business.”

“W-Well, yes.”

“She also said she amassed an enormous fortune suspiciously quickly, didn’t she?”

“…Yes.”

As if waiting, Karsein extended his hand towards Harnier’s finger once more.

“Do any of you know why these marks are on her fingers?”

None of the noble ladies could answer.

Once again, only Harnier realized this and let out a sigh of relief alone.

“Surprisingly, these marks were made by repeated injuries in similar places. If such sharp cuts were made only from turning pages, what could cause it?”

There’s only one thing.

“It’s from turning paper. Turning books, turning documents. Turning so much paper caused these scars on her hands. Since I mainly use this finger, it got cut.”

The young women collectively held their breath.

As if expecting this reaction, Karsein warned the women in front of him.

“The business matter was indeed true. How dare anyone deny my fiancée’s efforts? Do you all want to challenge Bagrand together?”

“…!”

A heavy pressure settled in.

He usually wasn’t the intimidating Karsein they encountered at social gatherings. He hadn’t felt this frightening before.

This time, he targeted Harnier, but this side was not to be underestimated either.

They hadn’t thought things would take a turn like this.

But with just those few words.

The young women were all frightened by the warning that had been deeply engraved.

Under the name Bagrand, there was no one here who could lift their head.

They were undoubtedly those at the pinnacle of nobility.

Even the royal family trembled at the thought of them being a lineage that caused concern and were titled as dukes.

That fear was now slowly emanating from Karsein.

“You can say it as much as you want. Now, if any of you have a family that dares to challenge Bagrand, quickly utter your names. I will report everything to my mother without missing a single detail.”

Half boasting, half sincere.

It might be insulting to oneself, but this was clearly a challenge to Bagrand. Karsein had already completed enough work to ensure that this situation would connect with the family in some way.

Therefore, there were naturally no beloved ones who would mention our family.

They simply changed their attitude skillfully under the overwhelming pressure that almost took their breath away.

“…I’m sorry.”

In case they might appear resentful to Bagrand.

In case this matter might spread to the family.

Every woman who had been cornered into a dilemma bowed their heads without exception.

“Tsk. Seems like you’ve just ruined the festive mood. Get out right now.”

While they used to talk endlessly, holding up dozens of minutes, it took less than 10 seconds to shut their mouths.

Karsein, who had driven away the nuisances, showed a sly smile and spoke to Harney.

“This. You owe me this, don’t you?”

***

Harney knows.

That packs of hungry wolves are always waiting for her.

But these packs of wolves never just wait for their prey to appear.

They eliminate the surroundings of their prey.

Thoroughly destroy and break down in order to consume.

They don’t exert their strength greatly, but rather wait for their prey to exhaust and collapse.

The noble society was a stage where such cunning packs of wolves gathered in the food chain.

That’s why she tried to drive away these packs of wolves.

By gradually loosening her engagement with Karsein in public.

However, even the sharp-minded Harney missed something.

These packs of wolves are not only male.

“I heard you’ve got an engagement partner?”

“How did you manage to lure another one this time?”

This engagement had been in existence for quite some time, and the female cat group had seized upon this weakness and pounced on it.

A sudden crisis emerged.

Mishandling it could potentially shake the very foundation of the tower that had been quietly building up.

Though there was some maneuvering, the situation was leaning towards an unfavorable direction.

It was expected that a similar method to what happened back then would be used someday, but it was completely unexpected that at this festival, women from the social circle would approach Karsein.

In such a rush, she came to see the snowflake festival and met Karsein first.

However…

“Harnie is really popular among men. However, she has never sincerely devoted herself to any of them.”

“Because she always captivates men and then coldly turns them away! She’s been doing that all along.”

“There are countless eyewitness accounts and testimonies. There are rumors of her just taking money, and some say they’ve been completely swindled. Do you know there are even worse rumors than these?”

“Thanks to this, we always warn the men in advance. Because otherwise, such incidents might continue to occur, and more victims could arise.”

“So, I wonder if your fiancé is being deceived. We came to see if you are unaware of this fact.”

There was nothing to be done.

They were increasingly cornered.

They shouted accusations, but there was no deception to refute.

‘Will they really believe me?’

The majority sided with someone.

It was clearly not a situation where anyone’s side could be taken.

Reluctantly, arms unfolded.

Harnie closed her eyes tightly, anticipating a certain amount of loss.

However…

“You’re playing quite a game. How dare you insult my fiancée in front of me?”

Karsein, instead, wrapped his arm around her, confronting those women.

And…

“This. You owe it to me?”

With a sly smile, he neatly organized the situation.

He systematically and logically created a breakthrough that deserved admiration, pulling her out of this predicament.

In this situation, Harnie couldn’t help but wonder.

“Why did you help me?”

“What?”

“They could have sided with them.”

Of course, that would have been much easier.

By aligning with just one person, you can gain numerous allies.

Whichever way you look at it, for Karsen, choosing the other side rather than herself would have been much more beneficial.

“Because of the oath’s constraints, breaking the contract immediately wasn’t possible, but if this fact were to spread, it could have easily reached the Duke of Theresa.”

Contracts like these become meaningless the moment this situation collapses.

Even if the power of the oath were to be triggered, the Duke of Vargrande would have handled it adeptly.

Karsen, understanding the intention, smirked.

“Since sacrificing you, Harney, will bring me a lot, do you think that’s what I’m considering?”

“That’s right. In reality, too.”

Although surprised upon hearing the purpose, if one is capable of displaying such a sharp mind, then the calculation of gains and losses would be quicker than self-assessment.

Therefore, one couldn’t help but feel strange.

However, Karsen firmly nailed the point.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t need several people seeking predetermined answers; I need unwavering trust from just one person.”

“…”

“Let’s say I gained their trust by selling you out. But will those people really treat me kindly after this?”

Karsen says.

Cheonchul, who was adopted by the Duke of Vargrande.

That name is indelible.

“What would I achieve by making deals with those who seek momentary alignment for their own benefit? It’s just foolishness. It’s obvious that I may not even achieve my goal.”

Starting with logical reasoning and ending with speculation, but was it really just speculation?

No. It didn’t seem likely.

Instead, it felt close to certainty.

After concluding the situation, Karsen asked.

“More importantly, weren’t you under pressure from the Duchess? Contrary to what you’ve said, they seem like people who cannot be coerced through engagement.”

Harney had wanted a year-long engagement to avoid the strategic engagement demanded by her family.

Therefore, this was a matter that was sufficiently questionable from Karsen’s perspective. After all, it wasn’t men but women who were pushing her into this.

However, what he is asking about is a story from the social circle.

It has nothing to do with Karsein. Even if this contract continues, it will only be asking for help.

This question had to be refused.

But he was very quick-witted.

“You shouldn’t think about skirting around the issue. If you don’t, I’ll just gather information separately from the Duke.”

“What?! Why would you…!”

“As I said before, I want a strong trust with you. Shouldn’t we share this kind of thing? We’re in the same boat here.”

He also found it suspicious that she asked him to mimic a lover and decided to find out more about the situation.

He had no intention of letting this matter slide.

There was no way to stop it from the moment this scene was caught.

Harney, who had been hesitating, finally spoke up.

“Our relationship wasn’t strained from the beginning.”

After much consideration, he decided to tell the whole story of this incident.

Because he judged that it would be okay if it was Karsein, of all people.