The Damn Family Is Back Again

250. Designation of Sponsors (3)

After changing clothes, I changed into another outfit.

If it seemed like I had chosen something that looked good, I changed again.

Harnie tried on every kind of dress as if she were a doll.

In the end, the attire and adornments prepared for just one day brilliantly illuminated her figure.

The upper staff were filled with energy.

Those who had chosen the clothes stood with their shoulders broad, as if puffed up with pride.

Especially Mina, who had led all these instructions, was no exception.

Leaving such people behind, Harnie headed to the venue for the gathering.

Though she had experienced it beforehand, it was exhausting.

She woke up early in the morning, pouring in fine oils and herbs, washing herself to the point where she felt like her skin was being stripped away.

Then, after sitting in a chair for several hours to be adorned, she felt aches in her body while riding in the carriage.

But on the other hand, anticipation surged within her.

‘What will Karsein think when he sees me…?’

For just one person.

For the man she had in mind.

As the fiancée cheering for Karsein, who would shine in this martial arts tournament.

She couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement about how he would react to her, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the venue.

Harnie immediately began searching for Karsein inside.

However, that was a mistake.

She had forgotten that there were far too many eyes targeting her, driven by their own expectations.

“Oh my, look at her, all dressed up like that…!”

“It’s obvious she’s trying to charm the men, isn’t it?”

“Isn’t she supposed to have a fiancé? Well, that makes sense. You can’t hide your true nature.”

“Who is she trying to enchant this time?”

Voices of the young ladies from high society.

—

Whenever I come dressed like this, my eyes ignite.

Fingers point. This time, they click their tongues, wondering who the target is.

That was Harnié’s blunder, earning her the nasty nickname of the socialite’s femme fatale. It was as if she had handed them the ammunition to chew on.

Only then did Harnié regain her composure and maintain her poker face.

‘It’s fine. I’m used to this, right?’

Hearing the same words once more wouldn’t change anything.

…But.

“Hmph. She’s just a b*stard child, after all. No matter how high and mighty she acts, isn’t she just a worthless wretch who couldn’t even get proper treatment from her own family? With no talent or worth of her own, she’s just trying to cling to that commoner from the Duke of Bagrand’s family to become a mere puppet wife. Just leave her be. Heh heh.”

Even if I try to turn a blind eye, it doesn’t mean I won’t get hurt at all.

The position of being a b*stard child digs deep, and the pure scorn that I have nothing but my looks makes me feel despondent.

How hard have I worked?

Without knowing anything!

Harnié harbors resentment within.

But it’s clear what will happen if I step in here.

There’s no ally for her in this place. Thus, all sorts of exaggerations and fabrications will spread as lowly rumors.

I could feel wronged, asking why I have to hear such words, but swallowing it quietly was the right answer. Just as it always had been.

Just as Harnié was about to turn her back with her ears closed.

– Thud!

A heavy sound echoed from somewhere.

Then, with a crash, someone fell.

I have a vague sense of the direction.

It’s where she had turned her back.

The place where the young ladies of high society were gossiping about her being a femme fatale.

And where the man had just mocked Harnié, saying she’d be nothing but a puppet wife.

– Thump, thump.

‘…No way.’

At that sudden thought, her heart began to race again.

Cautiously.

Very cautiously, her head turned.

From the edge of her vision, black hair came into view, striking Harnié’s heart once more.

—

– Thump!

“Ugh, ugh…! What the hell is this…!”

“If you had just knelt and apologized from the start, it would have been enough, but you just had to be this way. You b*stard.”

– Thud! Thwack! Thud!

“Gah, ugh, s-stop. Stop… ugh…”

“Don’t you dare talk about someone else’s fiancée like that, in front of her fiancé.”

No one had ever expressed anger on behalf of Harnié until now.

People who tried to get close to show off.

Those who sent sly glances, pretending to comfort her.

Individuals who schemed with ulterior motives.

Only such people surrounded her.

But he was different.

In this moment, Carsein was expressing pure rage.

For her, and no one else.

Even knowing full well what would happen, he moved for one person.

This scene vividly imprinted the fact that Harnié had a clear ally in a place where everyone else would only chew it over and turn away.

– Thump!

The man she cared for moving for her.

It was enough to make her heart race.

However.

– Thwack! Thwack!

As the brutal sounds of impact echoed and blood streamed down Yeongsik’s head.

Harnié also regained her senses.

‘Right. I can’t just stand by like this.’

With such a commotion, a backlash was bound to come.

…No.

“W-wait, wait…!”

It’s already here.

***

“W-wait, wait…!”

“Are you throwing punches at a sacred gathering?”

“How long has it been since you caused trouble at the martial arts tournament to do something like this again…!”

The commotion spreads.

Like a thick dye diluted in water, it diffuses and continues to spread.

Of course, there is room for rebuttal.

Since it is true that I was accused of slandering my fiancée, I could argue the legitimacy of my actions by bringing this to the forefront.

If I were to mention that such harsh words were uttered while my fiancée was listening right beside me, the atmosphere could quickly turn in my favor.

However.

“My goodness. Just look at that appearance. That young man won’t even be able to participate in the tournament.”

“Is he trying to undermine other participants because of his lack of skill?”

“That vulgar…! If that’s the case, he should be disqualified as punishment!”

In the process, exaggeration and fabrication are added like layers of fat.

What the instigator said and what actions they took are pushed out of focus, suppressing this legitimacy.

Let alone the fact that there’s no way to gather evidence.

Even if I mention that someone spoke ill of another, the numbers are on their side. If they decide to hide it, there’s no way to counter.

And so, he is laughing.

“Ha. Ha ha. You’ve really done it now. You’re done for, Karsein.”

“Are you going to say I slandered my fiancée? What should I do? Almost everyone here is on our side. What will happen if our families find out?”

“We were merely having a perfectly legitimate conversation.”

There’s a reason for that.

Indeed. People like this are so predictable.

Well, I’ve had countless experiences like this in reality, so I was used to it. Experiencing it twice wouldn’t change anything.

Swish.

“Karsein.”

In the meantime, Harnie approached me and grabbed my arm.

“I’m fine. This is enough… Let’s step back, okay?”

She suggests retreating as if this harassment doesn’t concern her.

Perhaps she has decided that ignoring the slander is the wiser choice, and so she says we should back off.

The question of whether she’s okay didn’t need to be asked.

That face was all too familiar. It was like the face of Ji-eun, who used to ignore bullying as if it were part of everyday life.

…And so, I could not retreat any further.

“I have a plan. Harnié. Can you trust me?”

At that question, Harnié hesitated for a moment.

“I believe you. If it’s you.”

She soon laid bare her worries.

Yes. This will do.

***

▶A commotion has erupted in the exchange meeting hall!◀

▶Upon hearing the disturbance, someone from the family will randomly appear.◀

▶If the issue is not resolved, you will have to undertake a subsequent sub-episode.◀

When everyone is pointing fingers, if I argue back, I’ll be falsely accused.

But if I cause a scene, it will escalate, and I’ll face even harsher penalties from my family.

However, based on my experience, there’s a very effective way to turn the tables at this moment.

Not arguing back, nor waiting in silence without any mention. For now, that was the most significant reason.

I am certain.

The method I used back then will work well here too.

Whether it’s a systematic aspect or based on my experience, this is the answer.

So I waited.

Until I could hear the voices of my family.

“It’s unfair. We were just sharing a different story.”

“So it’s that fiancé and that fiancée.”

“To try to frame someone else like this.”

“Isn’t this going too far?”

With no reaction, the pressure came from the other side first.

‘It’s about time they arrived.’

Sufficient time had passed for the commotion to reach someone’s ears.

Just when I wondered when someone from the Bagland Duke’s family would show up.

Finally, someone spoke up.

But it was different.

That voice was not the familiar reprimand directed at me.

“Stop talking nonsense!”

“What, what do you mean?”

“You’re slandering Lady Harnié, the fiancée of Lord Karsein. I heard everything!”

– Ding!

▶ An ally has appeared. ◀

▶ An ally from the Rusmaier side! ◀

[ Targets: Kyan, Melik, Tony ]

“Isn’t that something said about our lord’s fiancée? You think it wouldn’t reach your ears?”

“Ugh, ugh…!”

“You’re saying strange things. Are you trying to protect your lord?”

“That lord and those from his territory…! It’s quite a spectacle!”

– Ding!

▶ An ally has appeared. ◀

▶ An ally from the Shatren side! ◀

[ Targets: Dyke, Frict ]

“Our ears are open too, so are we lying as well?”

“An insult to the lord’s fiancée is an insult to the lord himself. Are you saying our ears are all wrong?”

“T-these commoners, all together…!”

“Stop your nonsense! These commoners are spouting arguments that aren’t worth hearing!”

“Do commoners’ ears hear different voices, I wonder?”

“Oh? Commoners’ ears, you say. Then our ears must be correct.”

– Ding!

▶ An ally has appeared. ◀

▶ An ally from the West! ◀

[ Targets: Marquess Aiferos, Count Lilpetten ]

“What, what is this? What could a mere barbarian like you possibly…!”

“To be precise, we are nobles who have received titles from the Empire. Unlike you, who are just the offspring of a family.”

“What did you say about commoners’ ears earlier? That they only hear different voices? Are you saying our ears, treated as nobles, are wrong too?”

▶ The appearance of allies is shaking public opinion! ◀

“Isn’t it possible that they really did slander?”

“Indeed. They say you insulted your fiancée right in front of her. If you think about it, it doesn’t seem entirely like a lie.”

“I think so too. I’ve heard that Prince Carsein holds my fiancée in high regard.”

“That’s probably true. Considering he’s never been apart from her during the school trip… It seems he really did speak ill of her, doesn’t it?”

…I never expected this at all.

There are a few, but they are defending me.

Thanks to those supporters, the once-solid public opinion was starting to waver.

This must be due to the nature of the Hwangryong Martial Arts Tournament.

Not only nobles but also commoners who want to prove their skills attend the competition. That’s why this situation seems to have arisen.

‘But, this could backfire if I’m not careful.’

Well. Fortunately, it seems help has arrived just in time.

“What’s all this commotion?”

…But they said it would be random.

Three people just showed up?

▶The family members who heard the commotion have appeared randomly!◀

[ Family members who appeared: Arina, Claire, Flora ]

Well. That’s fine.

No matter how many there are, I have only one course of action.

Arina is already frowning, but let her think what she wants.

I felt it was time to step forward.

It was the same then, and it’s the same now.

The opponent had pulled back to frame me.

If that’s the case, my approach becomes much easier.

“Ah. I lost my temper and acted out. I’m sorry.”

“What, what did you say?”

“I said I’m sorry. I was in the wrong.”

The opponent looked bewildered upon hearing that.

“…I see. It seems you’re trying to acknowledge your mistake and apologize.”

Arina moved just as I wanted her to.

Only then did the opponent’s lips start to tremble as they grasped the situation.

After trying to frame me for so long, this apology would turn everything to nothing.

—

All my family has seen is me apologizing after causing trouble.

No matter how much I’ve stirred up problems, I’m acknowledging my mistakes, so they can’t possibly find that strange.

Even if they realize my apology is half-hearted, what can they do about it?

I’ve apologized for now, but is there any proof that it’s not a sincere apology?

Besides, if they refuse to accept this apology, it’ll just turn into a real attempt to frame me.

In short, I’m caught in a dilemma.

Just a superficial act of apology once.

It’s certain that I’ll get scolded. But how much worse is it that I got thoroughly beaten and still couldn’t even manage to frame anyone properly?

‘So, what now?’

What can you do?

What else can you do besides quietly accepting the apology and leaving?

Now, openly mocking me, he gritted his teeth. But there was no significant reaction.

“Damn it. Just get out of the way since I need treatment!”

The sight of me unable to contain my anger as I left clearly indicated who won and who lost.

“You must have something to discuss with me. Karsein?”

Yeah. Well… since I’ve caused this mess, I guess I have to clean it up.

I’ll hear the nagging, but I can probably brush it off. I’ve apologized, right? An apology.

Thinking that, as I tried to follow into the interrogation room, Harnié grabbed my hand.

“Thank you. For getting angry for me.”

-Thank you. For getting angry because of me.

Right. The outcome is just the same as back then.

Then, should I respond in kind?

“If something like this happens again, let me know. Got it?”

Harnié hesitated for a moment before answering.

Very softly.

“Yes.”

She said.

It felt not so bad.

***

For Harnié, the Hwangryong Martial Arts Tournament also holds no good memories.

—

Here’s the translation of the excerpt you provided, with attention to word choice, phrasing, and atmosphere, while preserving the line breaks:

—

Hearing that I might be trying to seduce someone.

Even when there were supporters, I was met with suspicion.

Because of that, I could do nothing. Unlike the other noble ladies, I had to show a bland reaction. I couldn’t even take advantage of this good opportunity.

There was no way that could be enjoyable.

Instead, only bad memories remained, and the martial arts tournament was always forgotten in her mind.

But today was different.

“…”

It was just a single door separating us.

Whenever I thought of Karsein, who had mercilessly beaten the man who spoke ill of me, my face would flush. My heart raced, as if it were finally time to let loose.

This memory…

I didn’t think I could forget it.

– Ding!

▶??? has increased.◀