Damn Family

“Shut up and act like you’re working, then get out. That way, you might avoid Claire’s suspicion.”

“What? B, but…”

“I’m sorry, but you make me very uncomfortable? Don’t make me say it again.”

You know best why you’re uncomfortable.

You also know that I picked the best option to avoid Claire’s suspicion.

And you surely understand that if you do anything else, even these measures might be taken away.

After that, Camila stopped responding.

“Would it be alright if I washed the rag you used for drying yourself, besides this other one?”

*Ding!*

[1. I’d rather put a rag in your mouth.]

[2. If you’re going to make me uncomfortable, I’ll just leave?]

[3. Do whatever.]

[4. Work at your own pace. I’ve heard your situation.]

The final choice appeared.

Choosing this will soon determine the branch for Episode III.

But, even while playing the game, those sentences still stand out clearly.

Once upon a time, I too used to give such leniency to the woman who used to torment me.

How could I extend such leniency to her? So, I don’t want to choose that.

“Meh. If you really want to, go ahead.”

After that, Camila silently did the laundry in the bathroom, washing only two pieces of laundry. Even though it took quite some time, in a way, you could say she was quick on the uptake.

While pretending to work, she simultaneously followed the order not to irritate anyone.

When I saw her expression while taking away the dishes after a simple meal, her anxiety seemed to have lessened quite a bit.

***

The status window didn’t say much after that until Camila left my room.

▶CHAPTER 1 – The branching for Episode III has been designated!◀

▶Episode III. Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony will proceed!◀

▶Meet and talk to Claire!◀

“Finally popped up.”

It’s much better to directly head to the main episode instead of going through more branches.

I finally caught the route I wanted, so now it’s time to think about the incidents in the main episode.

In this game, affinity plays a huge role.

If the system changes the choices based on the degree of hostility towards Carsein inside the Duke’s House, then increasing affinity amplifies that influence but narrows the range, changing the choices for one target.

So, it’s always better to increase it if possible. Especially if someone within the Duke’s House has significant influence.

And here comes the opportunity. Since we’re not bringing in a maid, this is a chance to raise Claire’s affinity.

But one shouldn’t jump to conclusions.

Even though the goal is to raise affinity, there’s also the complex situation of turning off the Dead Trigger.

If forced to choose between the two, I’d have to prioritize turning off the Dead Trigger over raising affinity.

Gathering my clothes, I stepped out of the room.

“Let’s see… Claire should be in the second-floor study right now. I’ll head straight there.”

But the status window showed something different.

▶Claire is currently in the kitchen!◀

▶Go to the kitchen and meet Claire!◀

“What? In the kitchen?”

Why is she there? Normally, she would be reading something in the study.

…And the progress window doesn’t lie.

*Ding!*

▶Claire is currently in the kitchen!◀

▶Go to the kitchen and meet Claire!◀

As I tried to move in the opposite direction, a warning immediately popped up.

I don’t know the reason, but it seems like meeting Claire in the kitchen is the common point.

Following orders, I turned around and headed in the opposite direction towards the kitchen.

Soon enough, pink hair came into view as the status window said, and Claire was intently watching something in the kitchen.

*Ding!*

[1. What are you doing here?]

[2. If you keep staring so intently, the chef will get nervous and won’t be able to work properly.]

[3. Why are you looking for the chef to eat so much? Are you a pig? Well, pigs are pink too.]

“This is ridiculous. They give me such options.”

I doubt number 3 will end well. Number 2 seems like it will get me hit.

I thought maybe the previous 2% affinity would lead to a better option, but it looks like there’s nothing else. Raising it by 2% is insignificant, isn’t it?

Sighing inwardly, I chose option 1.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

“C, Carsein?”

Claire jumped and turned sharply.

What is it?

Isn’t asking what you’re doing here obvious? Why are you surprised?

“Why are you here?”

“This, this is the dishware I dropped when I had a cold. I found it while cleaning.”

“Huh. You should have told a maid to do this. Why did you bring it yourself?”

“Dunno. Must be because of what someone said.”

“Hey.”

It’s because of what you said.

Seeing Claire’s face sour, she gulped down a bowl of water.

“Ugh… Fine, don’t take it out anymore. I won’t tell the maids not to do it from now on. And…”

*Swipe.*

“It’s honey water. I saw you make it myself, so you can drink it with peace of mind.”

Claire pushed a cup in front of me.

“What? Is this really for me to drink?”

Why is she in the kitchen instead of the study? Could it be because of this?

*Ding!*

▶Claire is offering honey water. How will you react?◀

[1. (Taking the cup) Thanks, I’ll drink it.]

[2. (Flipping the cup, spilling it on the floor) Now?]

[3. No need to worry, I’m all better.]

What a mess.

With the choices popping up, it seems real.

“Why did things turn out like this?”

I can guess. If we met in the study, I would’ve just given her a book that helps with recovery, and our affinity would’ve increased slightly.

In a similar scene, here, I need to gain Claire’s favor. Choosing 2 would only decrease affinity unnecessarily, and 3 would just waste the opportunity.

“Drink it before it gets cold.”

But I prioritize managing the Dead Trigger over current affinity. So, I need to be clear.

[3. No need to worry, I’m all better.]

“No need to worry, I’m fully recovered. But, the more you push, the harder it makes my position, you know?”

“What are you talking about? You’re not drinking and just rambling?”

“Stop bothering Camila.”

At the mention of her name, Claire’s eyes, which were previously sparkling, instantly cooled.

“What are you saying? Carsein, aren’t you the victim? Why are you not suspecting the suspect?”

“You’re right, I’m the suspect. The person suspected of the crime, not the criminal.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! Clearly, the most likely suspect is that girl!”

That’s true.

Of course, I agree with that.

The perfect position to torment Carsein would be the dedicated maid’s position.

But I repeated,

“The suspect is not the criminal. It’s just an assumed person.”

“Are you siding with Camila? Have you lost your mind?”

Of course. If she dies because of you, I die too.

Stopping the Dead Trigger is more important than this honey water. Even if it means sacrificing some affinity.

“Rigomose leaf extract. Rigomose sap. Both were stimulants and awakening agents in my desserts. Remember that?”

“That’s perfect timing! Even if the other maids did it with food or water, this is evidence that can identify the culprit!”

“No, actually, it’s the opposite. It gives a reason why she couldn’t be the culprit.”

“What?”

“How could a single maid, especially one with restricted movements, obtain such items alone and not get caught?”

At this question, Claire’s sharp gaze softened.

“Shaeden wouldn’t have made a wrong assessment. But, I can’t be sure that Camila is the mastermind. There must be someone else who obtained them.”

“You know who the culprit is? Who is it?”

“I don’t know. But, how many people in the Duke’s House might dislike me?”

“…!!”

Claire fell silent again.

Yes. Counting isn’t necessary.

It would be quicker to count the people showing kindness.

This seals it.

“And there’s another reason I’m not confident Camila is the mastermind.”

“What else is there?”

“Camila is actually highly regarded among the maids. But, she has a major problem.”

“…Her mother’s medical bills due to illness?”

“Yes.”

Actually, I don’t know much about Camila’s mother’s story. While information was provided in different branch choices, the specifics require following that branch, which I couldn’t do while prioritizing survival.

Her mother’s medical bills.

Another piece of information gained.

This should wrap it up.

“The maid who was imprisoned due to suspicion has been released and returned as my dedicated maid. But, if you keep pressuring her, even the remaining maids will disappear. If that happens, today’s normal meal could turn into a salty one again.”

Camila brought a normal meal today. If she were the culprit, why wasn’t it salty today?

This rebuttal left Claire speechless for a moment, shocked.

She hadn’t realized her actions to pin down the culprit were pushing Carsein into a corner.

Though it contained lies, it was convincing.

“Claire.”

Calling her name to prompt a response, Claire scowled and shouted.

“Ugh, fine! I get it! Just don’t say anything!”

“Again, the possibility of Camila being the mastermind is low.”

“I got it! Then, just drink that and leave! Jerk!”

I’m familiar with the reactions of such hot-blooded characters. Without proper buildup, they might have already attacked and told me to shut up.

But now, she’s listening to my every word.

So, it’s my turn to get what I want. With such personalities, give-and-take works best.

*Ding!*

Although I drank the honey water as Claire instructed, choosing 3 meant affinity wouldn’t rise. Still, I consider this a decent exchange.

[Drinking a sip of warm honey water restores energy.]

[Some status ailments are cured.]

As the status window informed me of the honey water’s effects, Claire’s stern gaze softened slightly.

“Hey, finish it before you go.”

“What?”

“It’s my coming-of-age ceremony. Try skipping it because you’re sick.”

Ah, that’s what she meant.

With the immediate crisis averted, I was trying to figure out how to skip it.

“Goddamn it, I shouldn’t have drunk it.”

Cursing inwardly and regretting, I knew it was too late. This game is irreversible.

Claire, with a frustrated tone, grumbled and left the kitchen first.

As the pink hair disappeared from my sight,

*Ding!* The status window unfolded.

‘Huh?’

For a moment, I doubted my eyes. I clearly chose option 3.

“Tsk!”

Claire, checking the right side outside, clicked her tongue and turned her head. But she didn’t notice that direction.

Below the automatically appearing status window was a message indicating success beyond the choices.

Though rewards haven’t been fully given yet since the episode hasn’t been cleared…

▶Received Claire’s favor.◀

▶Successfully triggered results beyond the choices.◀

▶Affinity has increased!◀

[Claire Bargrand]

[▣□□□□□□□□□]

[Affinity level: 5%]

‘I didn’t expect both to happen.’

Affinity, which I planned to give up on to manage the Dead Trigger, has increased.

‘Maybe it was just good luck. Or perhaps, due to similar experiences, I handled it well. Oh, maybe drinking the honey water increased it since I accepted it.’

There are many speculations. But I’m not sure which is the correct answer. I’ve never experienced such a situation in the game.

‘But, getting two rabbits is a win-win.’

Claire’s footsteps gradually faded.

But distracted by the status window, I failed to notice that the footsteps were actually two.

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