episode_0024

The maids and servants had wearied expressions as they brought in the gifts. It wasn’t the ladies’ presents, but rather the gifts of a beggar that had cost this much money. All for things meant for the lowly outside. Rather, it was a lament mixed with jealousy about wanting something for themselves. It felt like they could convey a whole message with just their eyes. This, too, was a repetition of an unpleasant experience. Among the classmates who attended school, there were a few who were children of employees at their mothers’ companies, and I could see them forcing birthday celebration gifts upon me.

It was a similar experience to back then, but my response became even clearer. My self-esteem plummeted the moment I received these. No matter what I did, in whatever way, they didn’t want these precious things to be in my hands. Therefore, this was the only correct answer.

“You there.”

“Yes, yes?”

“Come in and take one thing from the box each.”

The servants, both male and female, seemed perplexed. Why are we giving these? That kind of look. But there were also several who were salivating. The items brought as birthday gifts could easily fill the desires of commoners if just one were sold in the city.

“Of course, we won’t be able to act immediately. The problem lies with the old steward standing firm in front.”

If you dare to question taking what was brought as the young master’s birthday gift, you’ll find yourself in an untenable position. In such a situation, just one more word is needed.

“It’s a master’s gift given as a token of appreciation for your hard work. Will you not accept it?”

No matter how close Heron may be, the command from above is none other than that of Carsein Vagrand. This gave them the legitimacy to take the items. The servants then began to come in one by one and take the items inside the box. Their giggling and muttering about how unexpected this was were clearly visible.

▶ Successful in bringing about results beyond the options presented. ◀

■ Rewards

[ Recognition +15 ]

[ Improved recognition within the Vagrand Duchy. ]

[ Significant increase in intimacy with the maids and servants who received the gifts! ]

[ Metric: 7% ]

“This isn’t bad. It’s not like they’re of any use to me anyway, so I don’t mind sharing.”

Though it’s true that some despised Carcyn, this made it easier to distinguish those who would perform sub-episodes based on their intimacy level.

However, Heron seemed to have something more to say about this.

“Why though? It’s my gift, so what’s wrong with sharing it with the lower ones?”

“No, it’s your intention, sir.”

A poker face without a hint of faltering.

But I know. This birthday gift wasn’t sent by Isabella.

How could Isabella, who seems so disinterested in Carcyn, suddenly remember to send a belated birthday gift? Given her deep-seated prejudices and preconceptions, it’s highly unlikely that Isabella sent a birthday present.

Just like the story within the game.

This birthday gift was from Heron.

“Have you taken everything with you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then everyone except Camilla and Heron, please leave. I have something to discuss.”

The servants who received the gifts willingly left the room.

The room fell into silence.

Heron seemed to be choosing his words carefully.

In that case, it’s up to me to make the first move.

“Do you still have something to say to me, Heron?”

“…”

“If you didn’t plan to attack me, then you must have thought about attacking. Camilla doesn’t need to worry.”

As the housekeeper discreetly glanced at her, Camilla nodded in agreement.

When Heron was ready to speak freely, I immediately voiced my thoughts.

“These clothes are probably meant to convey a message for next time. They’re likely sent as a reminder not to look menacing as a noble or as a Vagrante.”

“No, sir. Madam…”

“Why? Even if it’s considered a substantial birthday gift, all I’ll receive is an empty jewelry box or something similar. Am I wrong?”

“…”

Heron fell silent with a pained expression.

Just as she had avoided Claire’s coming-of-age episode by wearing the servant’s clothes, Isabella sends garments to Carcyn, starting from the bottom, given his waning interest.

This is a segment from the game and also an unexpected birthday present that was sent without being noticed.

In the game’s story, it may come out as a reward… but from Karsein’s perspective, there’s no way he would feel good about receiving this.

“You’ve done something you shouldn’t. Telling my mother about my birthday on purpose.”

It’s not like a warm gift from a mother who wants to take care of her son’s birthday. It’s a forced product filled with disgust that was sent after realizing it only yesterday due to the maid’s reminder that he didn’t even know his own birthday.

Therefore, these items were practically given by Heron.

“I’m sorry. But I hoped this would at least improve your mood a little…”

“Heron.”

It’s a pathetic excuse.

No matter what packaged words are used, even if it leads to resentment.

The fact that Isabella has no interest in Karsein remains unchanged.

“If you want to improve my mood, then next time, just don’t say anything. Today’s work is the same.”

Thus, there will be no occasion to meet Isabella for a while.

I was thinking of telling Heron to leave now.

“As a mere servant, I dare not presume to understand what my lord is feeling. However, please allow me to say a few words.”

-Ding!

▶Hidden Episode. Awkward expression in progress!◀

“It is true that madam sees my lord differently from other ladies. However, because you have noticed this and are awkward in expressing it, this is the only way I can express it.”

He said, placing one hand on his chest.

“This Heron has served the Duchess in this mansion for 40 years. That’s why I know very well how awkward madam is. Please give me a little time. My lord. This awkward expression will someday become sincere and affectionate.”

Finally, Heron bowed his head and offered a small envelope from within his embrace.

“Please accept madam’s feelings, even if you don’t want to receive them. Please grant her generosity once more as before. This old man begs you.”

▶How will you respond to Heron’s request?

[ 1. I don’t need any of this, so get rid of it all. Don’t ever do this again. ]

[ 2. Alright. ]

[ 3. I never asked for this kind of stuff in the first place. ]

An unfamiliar choice popped up.

Honestly, it’s either 1 or 3. There’s no way my belated birthday gift was filled with affection. If I realized that only after being pointed out by others, it would be even worse. But if I look at this objectively, it’s not Isabella’s request, but Heron’s.

[2. Got it.]

“Sigh. Got it. First, straighten your back a bit.”

It was an exceedingly polite attitude, bowing his head cleanly to admit his fault. Considering his position as the butler of Bagrand, it could damage his dignity.

I don’t want to admit it, but he hasn’t done anything wrong. Heron is just a duke’s butler and, compared to other characters, he’s truly one of the innocent ones who has never harmed Karsein in any way.

I could stubbornly refuse… but it felt unpleasant to see someone who had done nothing wrong bowing their head.

Moreover, this choice might actually be better.

“There’s no need to dwell on that clumsiness. I’ll say it again, that’s not what I wanted.”

“Master. But that’s…”

“I’ll say it again, don’t misunderstand. I just don’t want to vent my anger on you, nor do I want to cover up this incident.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind. And thank you very much, Master.”

Heron expressed his gratitude as if to say that was all, straightening his back.

“Alright then. Do I just take this?”

“Yes. If you accept the remaining clothes and this, Madam won’t be greatly disappointed.”

What Heron handed to me was none other than a blank promissory note.

In other words, money.

This meant I could spend and enjoy it to my heart’s content.

‘Money.’

Karsein wasn’t one to indulge himself, but at my current position, it would be helpful.

“Can I use this note as credit at the bank right away?”

“Of course. If the Duke’s name is attached, you could even purchase a mine.”

“Then arrange for someone to cash this amount and bring it here.”

“Understood. This amount… Master?”

As he wrote the amount on the paper and handed it over, Heron looked perplexed as he gazed at the numbers.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, I’ll bring it right away.”

There was no other choice. If I refused again because my feelings were hurt, it would be the biggest loss for me.

Heron left after a curt farewell.

***

▶Hidden Episode. Cleared the awkward expression!◀

▶Reward given!◀

As soon as I saw Heron off, the episode clear message popped up. The rewards were a few sets of clothing, an amount of money I had written down, and three question marks that I had seen before.

I guess that will be revealed later anyway. So, I needed to deal with the matter at hand immediately.

“Camilla, how much money do I have available right now?”

“W-well…”

It seemed like a difficult question for Camilla to answer, as she nervously bit her lip.

“Just answer honestly. We have an appointment soon.”

“Yes. Well… Honestly speaking…”

Camilla’s honest account of my financial situation was dire. I only had clothes I wore at my coming-of-age ceremony, which I had already washed, and the birthday present I received was just enough to meet Harneya at a decent level.

“I did well not to refuse.” It was better to have nothing to wear than to go to meet my fiancée in such a sorry state.

“Prepare for another outing, Camilla.”

“Yes, my lord.”

All that remained was to meet Harneya.

***

Heron, returning from the bank, looked at the cash in his hand with doubt. Even if it was just for a day, he could have withdrawn several tens or hundreds of times more than this amount. The Duchess had allowed it.

But the amount Karceine had asked for was pitifully small.

“…Barely 1500 pessels.”

That was the amount in his hand. That was the amount Karceine had asked for. It might be a considerable sum by commoner standards, but it was still too little.

He couldn’t help but think that he should have withdrawn enough cash to fill a jewelry box with gold coins.

With the envelope containing a paltry sum in his hand, Heron gave up trying to understand and lightly knocked on the door.

“My lord, I’ve brought the cash you requested.”

“Good. Hand it over.”

When Camilla opened the door, Heron immediately handed over the cash. Cassein accepted it nonchalantly and began preparing to go out.

Heron, filled with doubt, didn’t leave the room right away and soon mustered up the courage again.

“Um, Lord Cassein. May I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Is the amount you desire truly equivalent to the value of this cash?”

“There’s no need to spend so much money on meeting a fiancée. Why, is that strange?”

“I thought it might be more generous. Since it’s a meeting with your fiancée…”

As Heron spoke, straightening his shirt, Cassein chuckled.

“Heron, do you remember what Flora said to me on the day I first entered the mansion?”

“If it’s Lady Flora, then surely, Lord Cassein, you and Karn…”

Recalling the day he first set foot in the mansion, Heron sensed he had misspoken and quickly fell silent.

“Yeah. She asked where I found Karn and compared him to a beggar on the street. Her voice reached throughout the mansion.”

“Lord, that’s…”

“I know. That’s just how Flora is. But the important thing isn’t Flora’s reaction; it’s the others’.”

Heron suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

“I didn’t share those things with the lower ranks for no reason.”

It wasn’t just Flora’s opinion about Cassein not being Karn, or calling him a beggar on the street. Everyone present, except Isabella, remained silent, giving the same response to him. It was as if they all agreed, “That boy is not the lord of the mansion.”

In that fleeting moment of unanimous agreement, Cassein ceased to be the lord and became a mere beggar. The entire mansion, automatically, turned against him. “A formidable enemy has emerged. No matter my intentions or how I act, everything I do within the mansion will be seen negatively. And that’s ongoing, even now. If I accept this birthday gift here, what will happen?”

He knew everything.

Every gaze and movement directed towards me from the duke was being observed without exception.

“Have I now become an answer, Heron?”

“…Yes. It has become a sufficient answer, sir.”

Indeed.

He understands it clearly.

Even if he were to receive a blank check and obtain what he desires, Karceine cannot escape from the duke’s scrutiny.

Even if it were considered a birthday gift, a fair price, he should not accept it, for he would be perceived as a wretched beggar from the filthy slums.

That’s why he drew the line distinctly. With money that would be endlessly insufficient as a birthday gift, he controlled everything so as not to disturb their minds.

“Truly, you’ve changed a lot.”

Calmly, composedly.

Without a hint of anger, Karceine made Heron involuntarily bow his head. Just this brief conversation alone was enough to make him realize his sin of indifference.

Yet, Karceine did not even reprimand him.

“Perhaps… I might be harboring very disrespectful thoughts right now.”

Heron felt a moment of regret.

-Ding!