Chapter 05
From the day Isabella finally learned to properly use the smartphone, the system, almost absurdly considerate, began automatically displaying additional features it thought she might enjoy.
It started with an internet connection. For just 1 krona, she could access a limited trial of new content related to Haeyun for a week. Or apps like “TrXX,” which any idol fan would supposedly need, and even a paid “BurX” app that allowed communication with idols.
These cheaply started trial services steadily turned into paid subscriptions that skyrocketed in price once the trial period ended. By now—three months later—the cost Isabella had to pay for internet access had reached an outrageous sum.
『 Monthly internet communication fee of 1,000,000 krona has been deducted. 』
“You damn bastards… do you think I’m some kind of sucker?!”
After searching standard South Korean telecom pricing online, Isabella discovered that the system was charging her nearly ten times the average rate.
“They’re ripping people off!”
Each time she paid a fee that could equal a normal family’s monthly food budget, it stung painfully. Still, thanks to having internet and SNS access, she had become fluent in Korean slang and abbreviations beyond standard language.
“Miss. What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“Hmm?”
Stopping mid-meal, Isabella blinked blankly. Seeing her lost in thought, her attendant Selly looked at her with concern.
“Ah, it’s nothing. The weather just feels really nice today.”
“It’s almost summer already~.”
“Soon, the Night of Harta will begin.”
Matching Selly’s words absentmindedly, Isabella quietly organized her upcoming plans.
‘First priority is clearing the first mission.’
She had been told she would receive the second mission only after completing the first. She absentmindedly fiddled with the smartphone in her pocket before quickly pulling her hand away at the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Lady Isabella.”
“What is it, Martin?”
“A visitor has arrived.”
“At this hour?”
Martin nodded, his expression clearly troubled. It seemed an unwelcome guest had come.
Isabella immediately guessed who it was. The only person who would show up unannounced in the early morning like this was one man.
He must have been quite shocked by her recent breakup declaration. Isabella let out a deep sigh, as if the ground itself were sinking.
“Should I ask them to wait? I’ll go change first.”
“Yes, my lady.”
As she turned to head back to her bedroom, Isabella suddenly stopped. Selly and Martin, who had been following behind her, also stopped and looked at her in confusion.
What was the point of dressing up for someone she was about to break off an engagement with anyway?
Glancing at her nightwear, Isabella simply threw a night robe over her shoulders.
“Never mind. It’s not like I have anything to impress him with. He’s in the first-floor reception room, right?”
“Yes. He is waiting there.”
“Don’t bring tea to the reception room. He’ll be leaving soon.”
Making her stance clear to Martin, Isabella headed straight for the reception room.
Even from outside, Ikanu-el was standing motionlessly in front of the window, as if observing the estate grounds.
Click. The sound of the door closing made him turn toward her. Even in the early morning, he looked immaculate.
His symmetrical features looked as though they had been carved meticulously by a sculptor. His ash-gray hair shimmered in the morning light.
His deep blue eyes, slightly lowered at the corners, turned toward her. His firm lips parted, and a heavy, low voice filled the quiet room.
“Lady Ledia.”
At the sound of him calling her, her body instinctively tensed.
‘No. Why am I nervous? I’m the one breaking off the engagement.’
Reassuring herself, her racing heartbeat slowly calmed.
Meeting his gaze head-on, Isabella sat on the sofa first, gesturing casually for him to sit opposite her.
She intended—without fail—to end this engagement today. Her eyes burned with determination.
Ikanu-el silently took the seat across from her, folding his hands over his knees.
Watching him, Isabella forced her lips open.
“What brings the young duke to my home so early in the morning?”
She swallowed the rest of her words bitterly. Until now, he had never once visited her first.
Ikanu-el said nothing, simply looking at her. His usually cold gaze flickered strangely today, like a burning hearth.
He unfolded his hands and took a small box from his coat pocket. His hand hesitated in midair for a moment.
After a brief pause, he placed the box on the table and pushed it toward her.
“The reason I came this early is because I would like to spend this year’s Night of Harta with you, Lady Ledia.”
“…Pardon?”
Isabella stared at him in disbelief, wondering if she had misheard.
For the first time since their engagement, the man who had never once initiated a partner request had suddenly changed.
The Night of Harta, the grand summer festival of the Verthus Empire. It was famous for the legend that if lovers prayed together at the temple of Harta, the god of summer, their love would last forever.
Because of that legend, countless couples from across the continent visited the empire every year during this season.
And he wanted to attend that festival—with her, after she had already declared the engagement broken?
Isabella swallowed a sigh that threatened to escape between her parted lips. She seriously wondered if he had hit his head overnight.
As if he had forgotten all the contempt he had shown her for ten years, his behavior only made things more confusing.
“Did you forget what I said a few days ago?”
“I remember.”
“Then why are you making such a proposal?”
She frowned slightly. Ikanu-el tilted his head as if genuinely confused.
“Aren’t we engaged? Why would a reason be necessary to attend a festival together?”
As if nothing had happened at all, his words left her mind momentarily blank. Isabella flexed her hand in the air in frustration.
“Wait. Hold on.”
He nodded once, as if waiting for her response.
Why was he acting like this? Was he planning to ignore her breakup request? If so, that meant he intended to continue the engagement.
His blue eyes remained calm and unreadable, like a still lake with no trace of emotion.
‘He’s asking me to be his partner today, not even the day I asked for the breakup?’
Isabella looked down at the small box in front of her.
If it had been her past self, who once loved him, she might have accepted it gladly. But not anymore. She felt nothing. Only discomfort.
‘Should I even have Selly bring the jewelry box he gave me for my birthday?’
Ikanu-el rarely came to see her in person. It might not be a bad idea to return everything now.
They had been engaged for ten years. Over that time, he had given her countless gifts, but they had never once attended a party together. So everything had remained untouched in a jewelry box.
A hollow laugh slipped from her lips at the absurdity of it all. She reached out and pushed the box back toward him.
Ikanu-el looked visibly flustered.
In contrast, Isabella remained calm.
“No. I have no intention of spending the Night of Harta with you, nor of accepting this gift.”
“Wait. Hold on.”
She looked at his rare expression of confusion without hesitation. Standing up, she placed a hand over her chest and bowed slightly.
“You should go to the festival with someone else.”
“Isabella.”
It felt strangely unfamiliar to hear him call her by her name, after always addressing her so formally.
Isabella, who had kept a stiff expression the entire time, let a gentle curve form on her lips.
But that was all. There was nothing left in her eyes anymore.
No love. No resentment.
Just emptiness.
The hand resting on his knee twitched.
She was clearly drawing a line between them.
“I don’t mind if you don’t call me by my name. Since when were we close enough for that anyway?”
“……”
“You don’t even like me, do you, Young Duke?”
She knew it was improper to leave before the guest did, but what did it matter? They would never see each other again anyway.
Her emotions, once turbulent, had settled into calm indifference.
“I would appreciate it if you informed me before making sudden visits. Goodbye.”
“Isabella. Wait.”
Ikanu-el reached out as if to grab her wrist, but she stepped back before he could touch her.
“Oh, and please reconsider the engagement cancellation.”
Leaving those final words behind, Isabella turned and walked out of the reception room.
Through the window, the clear morning sky filled her vision. It was a perfect day for a new beginning.
At the same time, a new notification appeared on the smartphone in her pocket.
『 First mission: “Purification” is about to begin. 』
▶ We are expecting the player to utilize their unique trait.
