Chapter 11

The next morning. When I opened my eyes, an empty space beside me greeted me. It had been a long time. Even after we got a bit closer, I didn’t think Ian had ever disappeared in the morning and left me alone.

“Did he already go to sword practice?”

I stretched widely, got up, changed my clothes quickly, and opened the door to go out into the hallway. And the moment I passed the hallway and came down to the first floor via the stairs.

“You’re already awake.”

I encountered the butler, who was smiling kindly, as always.

“Where’s Ian?”

“He has returned to the Academy.”

“He’s already gone?”

Ian had left for the Academy while I was sleeping. I hadn’t even had a chance to explain about the party yet. Suddenly, my energy drained away.

‘Before, he used to throw such a fit, saying he didn’t want to leave until the sun went down…’

I don’t know why I felt so disappointed.

‘No, it’s actually for the best.’

Anyway, I was busy today and didn’t have much time to worry about Ian. I ate a quick breakfast and got ready to go out. To meet my sister.

“Here it is.”

The place I arrived at was the mansion of the Marquis Evra. Elicia’s family home, a place I had never been to.

The servants of the mansion greeted me with delight when they saw me. I replied with a polite smile and headed for the drawing-room. The Evra Marquisate was modest compared to the Bellocchio Ducal Mansion, which was filled with luxuries like paintings and sculptures. Of course, even this level was extremely extravagant compared to the declining state of the Evra family.

“What’s the sudden visit?”

Perhaps because I had come without any warning. My sister approached me, unable to hide her look of surprise.

“Nothing. Has Father not come here?”

“Is that even a question?”

She displayed clear displeasure.

“Just in case.”

Last night, the father who had fled from the terrace was never found in the end. The knights were mobilized to search the garden thoroughly, but no trace of him had been discovered yet. Even now, the knights were circling outside the Ducal Mansion, looking for my father.

‘To disappear so easily without a trace. Did someone help Father escape?’

The thought that my sister might have helped him crossed my mind. After Father ran away yesterday, she had looked at me with a resentful gaze.

“The Bellocchio family knights are searching everywhere, but they haven’t found a single trace. You didn’t hide him, did you?”

“Where would I get the ability to do that? What on earth did you do yesterday?”

“Don’t worry about it. And hurry up and break off the engagement.”

“How can I not worry? Father has disappeared. And do you think breaking off an engagement is that easy?”

She spoke as if placating me, perhaps thinking I was throwing a tantrum. Yet, feeling frustrated, she sighed deeply and ran a hand through her hair.

“What does it matter? We can do without a father like that.”

“Sia, he’s still our father.”

My sister clasped my right hand tightly with both of hers. The warm sensation on my right hand made me feel good for a moment, but my heart felt heavy. Somehow, it felt like she was defending Father. After being abused so much by Father, why was she still looking out for him?

“You should talk to the Duke nicely. Say there was a misunderstanding. Then maybe Father will come back soon?”

I was so frustrated that I wanted to pound my chest. She was taking the side of the father who had caused her long-term pain.

“Are you seriously a fool?”

“Sia, that look just now was like you when you were little. You were so rough that you often got scolded by our parents.”

She smiled faintly. It was surprising how gentle she looked, considering the cruel things she had said to me at the dance party last year.

“Do you still want to treat him as your father, even though he hit you every day and is now trying to sell you off to an old man?”

“Father must have been very frustrated because the family was unstable. I understand. And he said it was a marriage to save the family.”

Ah, I don’t think we’re compatible. Can a person be this frustratingly kind? I felt a lump in my throat.

“If you keep looking out for Father like this, you’ll eventually be killed by his hand. So stop living foolishly now.”

“No, but how can you say such things about Father…”

“Don’t you feel sorry for Mother? Taking Father’s side when the family is falling apart at his hands. Mother wouldn’t have wanted you to be like this.”

Perhaps because I mentioned our deceased mother. She was unable to say anything, only moving her lips for a moment. Soon, tears began to stream down her eyes.

“Please come to your senses. Father never loved us. And he destroyed the family Mother built. Are you really okay with that?”

“Ah…”

My sister groaned in distress and then cried sorrowfully, saying, “I’m sorry. I must have been crazy all this time… I just thought everything would be okay if I endured it. I thought this was the right way… Completely forgetting about Mother.”

Thanks to the mention of Mother, my sister seemed to have somewhat come to her senses. I sighed softly, handed her a handkerchief, and said,

“Sister, now is not the time to cry. We need to break off the engagement as soon as possible, and now you have to manage the family. Whether Father is eventually caught or doesn’t return, you need to become the head of the family.”

“Yes, first, the annulment…”

“Honestly, you didn’t want to marry that man, did you?”

“Of course not.”

We chuckled as we looked at each other. It was the first time since I started this game that my sister and I had looked at each other and laughed comfortably.

“Father has promised to help with the annulment penalty.”

“The Duke?”

“Yes. And Father gives our father an allowance every month, doesn’t he? So you won’t have any problems living. As long as you don’t gamble or start strange businesses like Father.”

“We don’t need the support going forward.”

Her voice was firm.

Why refuse the support when it’s offered? I didn’t understand.

“We’ve already received enough support until now. Father just didn’t use it properly. Besides, the annulment penalty is huge, isn’t it? I’m already grateful just to receive help with that.”

That was true. The annulment penalty set by the Empire was a massive amount that the Evra family could not afford.

Moreover, to proceed with the annulment with Baron Davida, they would have to pay not only the penalty but also the investment money Father had received from him under the pretext of business. Without Duke Bellocchio’s support, the Evra Marquisate would have been forced into bankruptcy.

“But Father messed up all the businesses, so there won’t be any money left.”

“Sia, ‘messed up.’ That’s not noble language.”

“…”

Suddenly, I was scolded by my sister.

“Fortunately, there are a lot of luxuries hidden in Father’s room. Selling those should solve the problem.”

“Are you sure?”

“I take after Mother, so I can do well. You take after Mother too, of course.”

Seeing the slight curve of her lips made my heart feel at ease. After that, she thanked me repeatedly and asked me to stay for dinner.

‘But I’m not her real little sister.’

It was a bit overwhelming to be with my sister for a long time. I told her to send a letter immediately if she found Father and quickly got up to leave. She looked disappointed as she saw me off.

Finally, all the problems were solved. Although I couldn’t catch Father, I felt relieved and returned to the Bellocchio Ducal Mansion.

***

“She is certainly different from your father.” 

The first thing I did upon returning to the Ducal Mansion was report the details of my conversation with my sister to the Duke of Bellocchio. I slowly explained that my sister had agreed to proceed with the annulment and that, after the final annulment penalty payment, the Evra family would no longer accept support from the Bellocchio Duchy.

“It seems your sister is more suitable to inherit the family than Marquis Evra.”

“That’s a relief.”

“I was already annoyed by Marquis Evra’s constant greed, so I’m glad it’s been handled this way.” He took a satisfied sip of his tea.

“Um… did you happen to find Father?”

“We are still looking. We are searching the capital thoroughly. He couldn’t have gotten far, so we will find him soon.”

“…”

“Don’t worry. I will find him and make sure he never leaves prison for the rest of his life.” His expression was very composed.

One week later.

“Wait a minute, speaking of which…”

No letter has come from Ian.

I realized Ian hadn’t sent a letter while reading the one that just arrived from Angelo. Angelo’s letter didn’t mention Ian. It was just about how he was doing well and that he would visit soon since the holidays were approaching.

‘Normally, a letter from Ian would have arrived by now… but there’s nothing.’

I had even sent him a letter the night I met my sister, promising to give him a detailed explanation about the party incident the next time we met. But there was still no reply. Come to think of it, he returned to the Academy at dawn without even saying goodbye to me.

‘Ian must be really mad at me.’

It would be better to clear up the misunderstanding before it gets worse. I had to explain, even if it was just through a letter. I decided to write in detail about how the incident unfolded at the party and why I hadn’t told him earlier.

The moment I made up my mind and picked up my pen.

“Little Madam, the Duke is urgently asking for you.” The butler’s voice came with a knock.

‘I’ll write the letter later.’

I stood up, swung the door open, and left. I descended the stairs quickly.

“Little Madam. It’s dangerous. Please walk slowly.”

“I’m fine.”

I had a hunch. He was calling for me for a reason related to my father. Because of this, my steps kept quickening. After reaching the first floor, I practically ran into the Duke of Bellocchio’s office.

“We found your father.” As soon as I opened the door, the Duke of Bellocchio got straight to the point as if he had been waiting. I sat down on a chair and asked, “Where did you find him?”

“He managed to escape outside the capital. That’s why it took so long to find him.”

“Then where is he now? Is he in the dungeon?”

“Well, you see…” He seemed to hesitate before saying the next word. Seeing him sigh and roughly run a hand through his hair, I was sure.

“Don’t tell me Father ran away again?”

“…”

“I heard the Bellocchio Knights are the best after the Imperial Knights. And he managed to escape them?”

“…Calm down.”

“Father is terrible at both magic and swordsmanship. For him to run away… the knights’ negligence seems serious.” Shouldn’t the knights be replaced? If things are left like this, my sister or I might be in danger. I shuddered, recalling the past of Elicia that Lala had shown me. Of course, I had placed a few Bellocchio knights near my sister just in case. But you never know what might happen.

“It seems the reputation of the Bellocchio Knights is a thing of the past.”

“Have you finished speaking?” Duke Bellocchio’s extremely low voice made me realize my mistake too late. Was it because he had killed me in the previous timeline, yet we had grown closer over time? I had unintentionally crossed the line with my words. I should have kept the insult to the knights to myself.

“Unfortunately, we did not lose him. The reputation of our knights is still great.”

“Then what?”

“We heard he is already dead.”

“…Excuse me?” I gaped stupidly at the totally unexpected news, staring blankly at the Duke of Bellocchio.

My father was dead.

***

“So… he died here?”

“Yes. He was found here, stabbed by a sword.”

When I first heard the news of his death, I was curious who had killed him, but for some reason, I wanted to visit the place where he died. After persuading the Duke of Bellocchio, I was able to leave for the location as soon as the next morning dawned. It was a place that required a long carriage ride outside the capital.

“This place is…”

I looked around. Yellow flowers were blooming on the wide-open prairie, and a small shack was visible far in the distance. The place felt both familiar and unfamiliar. Just in case, I cautiously asked, “Is this the road leading to Belmond Village?”

“Yes. If you keep going straight, you’ll reach Belmond Village. Do you know this place?”

It was indeed the place I knew. I had often seen it through Elicia’s memories. This was the place where Elicia and her sister were murdered.

“Who on earth killed Father…”

“I’m sorry. Unfortunately, we have not found the culprit.”

“…”

“We have released the knights to thoroughly search the vicinity. We must find both the person who hid your father so he could escape far away and the one who killed him.”

“Thank you.”

I gave Duke Bellocchio a sincere bow. He had done me a great favor. Not only did he help me set a trap for Father, but he also tracked him and was now helping to find his killer. He even came with me to the spot where Father’s body was found, perhaps thinking I would be shocked.

“Since the culprit left the sword behind, we should be able to find them by tracing who made this sword and who it was sold to.”

“That’s a relief.”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if the culprit would really be found. No, tracing the culprit might be pointless. If it were crucial for the story’s development to find the culprit, Lala would have given me a quest by now.

‘But Lala is quiet.’

That meant that my father’s role in the game was simply over.

The reason why my incompetent father could bypass the tight security of the Ducal Mansion and escape all the way here. And the reason why Father was murdered in the very place where the original Elicia and her sister died.

‘It was only possible because this is a game.’

After confirming my father’s death, my mind felt much more at ease.

‘Now, once my sister breaks off her engagement, I won’t have to worry about family matters.’

I turned and walked toward the carriage with a light step.

“Are you going back to the capital now?” Duke Bellocchio’s voice came from behind me. “Are you really sure you can go alone? If I go, it seems like it will be resolved quickly.”

“I’m fine. I absolutely want to resolve this myself.”

I replied with a determined look. The goal of my sister’s annulment was now close. I had received enough help from Duke Bellocchio until now, so my sister and I wanted to handle the conclusion ourselves. Of course, the problem was that Baron Davida was not agreeing to the annulment easily.

‘But today, no matter what, I’m going to make sure my sister gets the annulment.’

I clenched my fist, determined.

“If anything happens, the Bellocchio Knights will help you.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I smiled and got into the carriage, a different one from Duke Bellocchio’s. Perhaps because I no longer had to fret over whether my father would be found, I was able to sleep soundly in the carriage for the first time in a while.

A little while later, I arrived at a luxurious teahouse in the capital. As I opened the door and walked in, my sister sprang up to greet me.

“You came early.”

“Is that scoundrel here?”

“Not yet.”

She looked quite tense, forcing an awkward smile. She had become noticeably thinner in the past week. It was understandable. Baron Davida not only ignored her letter requesting the annulment but also showed up at the Marquisate unannounced, yelling for her to meet him.

‘It makes sense that he’d be greedy. My sister is young and pretty.’

Although their assets were meager, my sister was expected to become the Marchioness now that Father had died. That’s why Baron Davida wanted to avoid the annulment.

Of course, my sister strictly followed my instructions and never met Baron Davida. That’s when Baron Davida raised the stakes, saying he wouldn’t agree to the annulment unless they met in person.

‘He must have thought my soft-hearted sister would give in.’

To be honest, I was worried she might, which is why I came along.

We could have called him to the Evra family mansion, but not wanting to defile the estate, we arranged to meet at the teahouse. It seemed Baron Davida hadn’t arrived yet.

“Sister, did you hear the news about Father?” I decided to get straight to the point, feeling I needed to tell her before Baron Davida arrived.

“Yes… they said the body would arrive tomorrow.”

Perhaps because he was found dead while escaping, a verification process was needed to confirm if the body was truly my father. They had to be sure it wasn’t a fake body created with magic.

“The funeral should be simple, given all the commotion.”

“Well, if you want, simple it is…”

Among the nobles, Father was already being spoken of as trash who had abused his children and coveted Duke Bellocchio’s fortune. So, there wouldn’t be many people to genuinely mourn his death. My sister did not cry. Her expression was calm.

“You don’t have to come. Father isn’t a good memory for us, is he? I’ll have the servants handle the arrangements properly.”

How did she know I didn’t want to go to the funeral?

“Since I’m inheriting the title, I’ll attend out of courtesy… but come visit later for a meal.”

Just as she smiled faintly, the door opened with a ding, and the face of Baron Davida appeared. Unlike us, who had arrived early, Baron Davida arrived exactly on time.

“I thought this was just between the parties involved.”

“This is a family matter; how could I be absent? Please sit down.”

As I, sitting next to my sister, gestured to the chair across from us with my chin, he sat down with a displeased expression.

“To be honest, I have no intention of breaking off the engagement.”

He got straight to the point as soon as he sat down. Baron Davida was still unyielding.

“I don’t know how many times I have to say this, but we will not only return the business investment money but also provide a generous annulment penalty. Duke Bellocchio has also agreed to this.”

“The Duke has nothing to do with this matter. What’s important is the hearts of Daisy and myself.”

“I believe my sister sufficiently conveyed her intention to annul the engagement through her letter. Can’t you read?”

“That won’t be enough to break my heart.”

He grinned broadly, seemingly unconcerned by my provocation, and his gold tooth flashed. I wanted to point out that he should manage the excessive oil dripping down his face. Seeing him made my stomach turn, and I didn’t touch the dessert.

“Then let it remain an unrequited love. Should you force a marriage when the woman you love clearly despises you?”

“That’s probably because she hasn’t recognized my charm yet.”

“If you still haven’t managed to charm her, it might be better to give up.”

“You are being overly playful.”

Baron Davida was trying to act relaxed, but he couldn’t hide the slight trembling at the corners of his mouth.

“I’m not being playful. Let’s proceed with the annulment while I’m speaking nicely.”

“My feelings for Lady Daisy are not a joke either.”

“Oh, for goodness sake!!” I couldn’t help but shout in the continued argument. Perhaps my voice was too loud. The eyes of the other patrons turned to me, and my sister, who had been sitting quietly next to me, grabbed my hand and told me to stop. But I had no intention of doing so.

“You want to become husband and wife with a woman younger than your own children? Did you trade your conscience for assets?”

“Well, for someone who is supposedly going to be the future Duchess, your conduct…”

“The one who made my conduct ‘unseemly’ is you. You should have listened when I spoke nicely.”

“Honestly, isn’t this situation strange? Lady Daisy hasn’t said a single word.”

“I told my sister not to speak. I didn’t want her to be involved with a lowlife like you any longer.”

He stood up abruptly, looking offended. As my eyes naturally looked up, his nostrils flared in anger, clearly visible.

“I’ll consider today’s meeting canceled. It would be better to discuss the wedding privately next time, Lady Daisy.”

“Shouldn’t you be calling her Marchioness Evra, not Lady Daisy?”

He ignored me and headed quickly for the exit.

“You cannot leave right now.”

However, he couldn’t exit because the Bellocchio family knights were blocking the way.

“Move aside immediately. I have an urgent matter.”

“Not until the Little Madam gives permission.”

I thought I was used to it, but being called “Little Madam” in public made me so embarrassed. So, I deliberately tore up a tissue and spoke.

“You will never be able to leave this place until you finalize the annulment. The Bellocchio Knights will stop you.”

“Are you threatening me right now?”

“Threatening? This is something Duke Bellocchio authorized. He told me to succeed in the annulment today and return. Are you ignoring the Duke’s direct order?”

Perhaps because I seemed quite unyielding. He returned to our table and sighed deeply.

“Aren’t you unilaterally forcing this annulment? The person involved hasn’t said a word. We have a bond from the time we spent together; we can’t just break up like this.”

Baron Davida’s voice softened, seemingly trying to persuade us.

“What bond are you talking about, after meeting so little?”

As I scoffed, my sister nudged my arm as if to tell me to stop. Then, worried that I might utter another rough, un-noble-like phrase, she quickly spoke up.

“I feel the same way as Sia. Please just sign the annulment papers now.”

Fortunately, her voice was firm, indicating she had no intention of being persuaded by him.

“The party involved also wants the annulment, so hurry up and sign it, shall we? Or do you want to stay here all night?”

He was about to say something to me but stopped. It was probably because of the knights watching us. Not only that. Every single patron in the teahouse was staring at us.

To be precise, they were giving Baron Davida a look of contempt, as if he were a pathetic piece of garbage. While it was true that he was acting pathetically by clinging to a marriage with a young woman, it was also a confrontation between a Baron and the person who was about to become the mistress of the Bellocchio household. Thus, everyone naturally sided with me rather than Baron Davida.

‘This is why I insisted on meeting at a teahouse with many people.’

My judgment was excellent, as expected. Baron Davida, realizing the patrons’ gazes too late, sighed, haphazardly running his hands through his hair in confusion. And finally, he filled out his signature on the annulment document.

“Good. Go meet someone your own age from now on. Don’t go after young women without a conscience. We will send the annulment penalty soon.”

I motioned for him to leave, glaring at him as if he wanted to kill me. But since the knights were watching, he couldn’t say anything to me and left.

[Congratulations. You have completed ★Lala’s★ quest: <Stop Your Sister’s Marriage!>. Would you like to check the reward?]

 

▷ Yes

 

▷ No

 

At the same time, the Quest Clear window popped up. Of course, I chose Yes.

 

[Ian’s Temperament has increased by 5.]

 

[Ian’s Affinity has increased by 5.]

 

[The probability of Erlian causing trouble at the Academy before the holidays has decreased.]

The holidays are less than a month away; is this a joke? The reward was too weak for all the immense trouble I went through.

‘Lala?’

I called Lala’s name in a voice trembling with anger. But Lala did not show himself. I called until he came out.

‘Lala. I know you’re watching.’

– Miss Elicia, you called for me ♪

Only after I called him three more times did Lala finally appear.

‘You killed Father, didn’t you?’

I got straight to the point, in case he suddenly disappeared again. Even after a week, no trace of the culprit who killed my father had been found. Nor had they figured out how he managed to escape the heavily guarded Bellocchio Ducal Mansion and leave the capital.

– Lala can do anything for Miss Elicia ♪

‘So, did you kill Father?’

– Wouldn’t your future be happier without your Father?

With those words, Lala disappeared. He didn’t openly admit to killing him, but I could deduce it. He killed him because his role in the game progression was over.

As Lala disappeared, my sister’s face came into view.

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you.” She grabbed my hand, tears streaming down her face.

Seeing her, I felt a wave of guilt. Unlike her, who sacrificed out of pure love for her sister, I had only helped for a small favor and a quest.

“Are you busy today? How about we have a nice dinner together?”

“Sorry. I have to go back right away.”

I turned away from my disappointed sister. Getting too close was still a bit overwhelming. Feeling deeply sad to part with me, she accompanied me all the way back to the Bellocchio Ducal Mansion, holding my hand tightly throughout the carriage ride.