The Damn Family Is Back Again

255. Hwangryong Martial Arts Tournament (3)

The day before the martial arts tournament began, Isabella, who had not forgotten her duties at the exchange hall, stoked the flames.

She had not forgotten what had happened to Karsein.

“I will apologize directly to the person involved, to Karsein. Not only for slandering my fiancée but also for what happened last year…! I will return everything I demanded, including the cost of clothing. Ah, no…! I will compensate double! So, please…!”

Youngsik, who was thoroughly terrified, struggled to control his swollen facial muscles, still not healed, as he sought leniency.

However, Isabella had no intention of stopping here.

“Is that all the price for compensating for what happened to my child?”

“L-lady…!”

“That is far too insufficient. I will adjust the price.”

-Thunk.

Isabella wrote down the amount she desired and sent it.

“T-this is unreasonable. Five times because of that injury…! This is…!”

-Thunk.

“I will add the price for insulting Karsein’s fiancée, Lady Harnié, and hurting his feelings.”

“Duchess!”

-Swish.

“My son’s hands were quite scraped. I will need to collect for that as well.”

-Swish. Swipe.

“There was a similar incident last year, wasn’t there? The clothes my son tore on the scissors for the foundation were made by my second child. I will also add the price for trampling on that effort.”

“Wait a moment… Madam!”

– Swoosh. Swoosh.

“The cost of treating your body, which is filled with wounds, was not insignificant. This time, Karsein was made to bend his waist entirely. Yes. Just think of the effort it took to twist his body. That cost will be added as well.”

– Thud.

“On top of that, I’ll add the price for the time you’ve stolen from me.”

“Please, just wait a moment…! I will pay. I will pay everything as you say, Madam!”

It was an amount that would make anyone gasp.

Twelve times the price, no less. It was an outrageous adjustment.

However, this was not a negotiation.

There was no telling how much the price might rise for any reason in the future.

What adjustments would be included in this price written on the paper remained uncertain.

Indeed. This was nothing more than a one-sided threat directed at the opponent.

The man, hastily kneeling, had to pay a sum that made his flesh tremble, yet he squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head.

“I will pay. Just once… please forgive me just this once.”

The one who had insulted Karsein’s fiancée and sought to humiliate Karsein himself quickly tucked his tail between his legs.

No. To be precise, he had no choice but to tuck his tail.

His opponent was the Duke of Bagrand, standing at the pinnacle of imperial nobility.

Moreover, the one at the very top of the duke’s house.

To oppose the current head of the Bagrand family, Duchess Isabella, was akin to a death wish.

The price for daring to touch Bagrand was severe.

To stave off the rapidly inflating amount, they had to relinquish a major source of income for their family—the entire sap extractor.

Isabella, having received the deed for the sap extractor, unfolded it and smiled with satisfaction.

‘With this, it should be quite useful for that child.’

She had heard that Rusmaier imported this sap from outside.

Additionally, since Chatrain was openly specialized in agriculture, the nutrient-rich sap could be used anywhere.

With a joyful heart, Isabella set off to find Karsein’s lodging.

Karsein had not yet arrived at the accommodation.

The influence of the martial arts tournament must have played a part. There was also the special bond he shared with his fiancée from the first day.

Considering that, it seemed it would take a bit more time.

After giving a separate hint to Camilla, she said she would wait in another room.

—

But even after a long wait, Karsein had not arrived.

“…”

– Thud.

In the end, Isabella closed the book.

She had thought it possible that he might be late, glancing at the setting sun and the clock, but it was far too late now.

The sky was already deep into the night.

The moon, not the sun, was floating, wandering among the stars.

“…I had hoped to deliver it by hand, if possible.”

But that was not an option.

If she waited any longer for Karsein, the Duke’s affairs would be delayed.

With a sigh of regret, Isabella placed the two envelopes down and turned to leave.

Just then.

– Thud. Thud.

“I’m sorry for being late.”

A voice came from one side, accompanied by the sound of footsteps, followed by an apology for the tardiness.

Was there any need to ask who it was?

No mother could fail to recognize her own son’s voice.

“There’s nothing to apologize for. It’s all right.”

Isabella smiled instead, welcoming her son.

***

– Clink.

“I didn’t prepare much in advance, so this is all I have. Please wait just a moment.”

“No, you don’t need to go to such trouble. Don’t do that.”

As Karsein tried to serve tea to his mother, the guest, Isabella immediately stopped him.

“Honestly, I’ll just speak briefly and be on my way. No need for tea or snacks, okay?”

“…”

Upon hearing this, Karsein set down the kettle he had placed on the table and returned to the sofa.

The revenge was complete.

All that remained was to present the two gifts.

Carrying the fatigue of the day, for her son who would surely be tired, Isabella got straight to the point.

—

—

Swoosh.

“Take it. Karsein.”

“What is this?”

“The ones who dared to insult your fiancée and even tried to pin that blame on you have paid the price.”

Karsein picked up the envelope and checked its contents.

“This is…”

Inside the envelope was the transfer of rights for the sap extraction that Isabella had pried from that family.

“I heard they did the same thing last year. They took it by force and brought back the entire sap extraction. I thought this compensation should naturally go to you.”

— I heard that Shatren suffered considerable damage due to the Waglou faction. So, I included a little for the costs of recovery. And I’ve added a generous allowance, so feel free to spend it where you wish.

— I don’t need it.

That day, Isabella couldn’t give Karsein anything at all.

At the time, she was upset, wondering why that child was acting that way, but now she had a very good opportunity to hand something over properly.

It would be best to say everything now. Isabella continued to speak.

“From now on, if anything like this happens, tell me. If anyone dares to touch my son, I will bring down the hammer in the name of Bagrand.”

However, Karsein sighed and put the rights document back into the envelope.

“Take it back.”

“…Karsein?”

“I don’t need it.”

With the same words as before, he weighed down Isabella’s heart once more.

“You don’t need it? Karsein, for someone with two territories, this sap extraction—”

“It’s something I don’t need, no, something I shouldn’t take.”

“…What?”

“You caused a commotion. You broke your promise, and I lied. I have no right to receive anything.”

“What do you mean by that!”

Isabella shouted, flaring up.

“Claire said she investigated thoroughly. They found the ritual scissors stained with your blood. With evidence like that, what wrong have you done!”

You are merely the one who suffered unilaterally.

It was a matter that should have been addressed with protection from the start, and due to improper handling, it had turned into a situation that caused harm instead.

Therefore, you have every right.

But.

—

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

—

“I only left the words that I would designate a sponsor, so I have essentially lied. And my behavior, uncharacteristic of the Bagland family, is not much different. Even if the truth comes to light later, I cannot disguise the act of violence.”

“Karsein. You are my son. A member of the Bagland Duke family.”

“Yes. Therefore, I should have acted more rationally, distinguishing between public and private matters. As Arina said, I have tarnished the family name.”

Karsein was laying bare all his wrongdoings, ready to accept them.

“Have I not caused the Bagland Duke family losses since the past? That should not be compensation for me, but something the Duke family must bear.”

“How could that be…”

Isabella murmured in a hollow voice.

“…I understand. I will respect your wishes.”

Once again, it became impossible to give.

I had waited for this moment, yet I could offer nothing.

But with such a stubborn refusal, there was no way to change it.

I couldn’t force him to accept, so Isabella ultimately had to step back.

Still, the feeling of disappointment lingered, prompting her to ask once more.

“…Could you at least accept some pocket money?”

“I don’t need it. There is money coming from my territory.”

That too was firmly rejected.

After that, the conversation between mother and daughter did not last long.

Startled by Karsein’s words that he would see her home since it was late, Isabella hurriedly tried to dissuade him, rushing out with two envelopes in hand.

Even so, her feet felt heavy with regret.

She turned back several times, taking in Karsein’s residence with her eyes.

“It’s truly upsetting. As a mother, not being able to give anything to my child.”

Her heart ached.

In the past, when she had given something to other children, seeing them smile and be happy was a true joy. There was no greater happiness for a parent.

However, this time, the desire to care for her child had never felt so urgent.

“…I wish I could see that child’s happy face just once.”

It was a sight she could hardly ever see.

No matter what she tried to offer, he pushed it away.

Isabella patted her frustrated heart as she turned to leave.

Someday, there will be an opportunity.

As a parent, there will be plenty of chances to take care of her child.

—

– Ding!

▶ This text will not appear to the player. ◀

▶ The conditions to unlock the Isabella character’s exclusive hidden episode have been met. ◀

[ 1. Spend all the funds from the Duke of Bagrand solely on the territory. ] ☑

[ 2. Reject rewards from Isabella three times or more. ] ☑

[ 3. Reach 80% intimacy with Isabella. ] ☑

[ 4. Isabella recalls a past where she felt madness and experiences guilt. ] ☑

▶ Isabella character’s exclusive hidden episode. ＜Miraculously Erased Mental Illness＞ will proceed automatically. ◀

***

– Ding!

▶ The event has been completed. ◀

▶ Successfully concluded the conversation with Isabella and waived the penalty. ◀

After Isabella left, I confirmed that the event of my family visiting on the first day of the martial arts tournament had been completed, and I finally felt at ease.

The choices weren’t that difficult.

It came out as I expected, and I was able to handle Isabella’s arrival well.

It was just my rotten luck that those scissors, which I had no idea where they had fallen, ended up in Claire’s hands, leading to the investigation.

Yet, rather than getting angry and heated over it, I felt completely cold.

“Ha.”

How could everything be so unchanged?

The two people who fell into the intersection of being my stepmother were truly the same kind of human beings.

“Now you call a child you picked up your son.”

What a funny statement.

There’s no better comedy than that.

Well, at least it brought me back to my senses.

It made the cold blood circulate throughout my body.

“I have never been your son, not even once. And I won’t be in the future either.”

Whether it’s the Karsein of this world.

Or Kim Min-hyuk of reality.

In either case, I have never been a son to them.

I was just someone picked up from another place, a stranger.

So just wait until I leave this house.

That will be the greatest gift I can give you.