Chapter 9

It has been over a month since the vacation ended and Ian returned to the academy. Perhaps thanks to my efforts, Ian hadn’t caused any trouble so far, and peaceful days continued.

In the meantime, I had been quite busy focusing on financial matters at the Duchy. Lately, I was so busy that I was even struggling to reply to letters. Maybe that’s why.

「I’m sending this because you keep worrying.

 

I still haven’t fought with anyone.

 

I did well on the exam, and my attitude score is high. So I think I’ll be the top student again this time.

 

(…~~~~…)

 

How are you doing these days? Your reply is a bit slow.」

Ian sent me a letter urging me to reply.

‘Wow, he’s really grown.’

The Ian right after our marriage wouldn’t have felt so disappointed because I didn’t send letters often. No, he wouldn’t have sent a letter in the first place.

“Should I reply this time?”

I guess I’ll stay up a little later today. The moment I opened the drawer and took out the stationery.

[★Lala★’s Quest has appeared! Would you like to check it?]

 

▷ Yes

 

▷ No

A window suggesting a quest popped up after a long time. Pleased, I immediately shouted ‘Yes’ without hesitation.

[★Lala★’s Quest]

 

<Top Student is Ian’s>

 

You can’t waste study time just because of a letter, can you?

 

Ignore Ian’s letter.

 

(Duration: One month)

“That’s so easy.”

Compared to the previous quests, this was incredibly simple. I put the stationery back in the drawer. Afterward, I didn’t reply to any of Ian’s letters for a month.

Perhaps that’s why. Letters came asking why there was no reply, and if I liked life at the Duchy without him so much. But I completely ignored Ian’s letters. The result:

[★Lala★’s Quest <Top Student is Ian’s> has been completed. Would you like to check the rewards?]

 

▷ Yes

 

▷ No

I cleared the quest very easily. Waking up in the morning to see the quest clear window—today was a lucky day.

‘Yes.’

Thank you, Lala. Maybe because I succeeded in a quest after a long time, I kept smiling foolishly.

[Temperament stat increased by 3.]

 

[Acquired a Rare Item Lottery Ticket.]

 

[The message window announcing XX changes will disappear.]

I succeeded in the quest just by doing nothing. And it gave me a Temperament stat increase and a rare item. The rewards were quite generous. But there was one strange thing.

‘But why is it saying it won’t announce XX changes?’

It seemed strange no matter how I thought about it. Why was I being penalized when I succeeded in the quest?

– Would you like to use the Rare Item Lottery Ticket now?

Then, Lala, who showed up after a long time, winked and suggested. As I muttered ‘Yes’ internally, various item images flashed quickly before my eyes.

– Congratulations♪ You have acquired the ‘Silencer Wand’.

And a very strange item appeared.

[Dreaming of a perfect crime? It’s not difficult with this wand! It makes no sound and leaves no injuries, but it hurts tremendously♪]

…Is this a good thing? It’s just a wooden stick. I doubted my eyes as I read the item description. I’m a person who pursues peace, so I don’t think I’ll ever use it.

‘Instead of giving me this, why not just increase my Temperament stat more?’

Feeling regretful, I only clicked my tongue. Right then.

“It seems Erlian caused some trouble. I need to go to the academy.”

Duke Bellocchio, who burst into my room without even waiting for a knock, said urgently. He must have been in such a hurry that he came himself instead of sending a butler.

“Ian caused trouble?”

It was unbelievable news. The letters I had received clearly said he hadn’t fought with anyone and his attitude score was high. The news was completely contrary to the letters’ content.

‘…Was the wand I just received meant for me to use on Ian?’

Perhaps Duke Bellocchio couldn’t believe it either. He was just smiling. Seeing that he looked slightly happy, he must have gone mad because the situation was the exact opposite of the perfect Ian he desired.

“I don’t know the exact reason. So we must go to the academy right away.”

“I’ll go too.”

“Prepare quickly.”

After Duke Bellocchio left the room, I quickly finished preparing to go out. What could have happened? Seeing the recent Ian, it surely wasn’t intentional on his part. Could someone have framed him?

‘Don’t tell me Liam is up to something again?’

I had to go to the academy quickly and figure out the situation. Trying to hide my anxiousness, I went down to the first floor, but Duke Bellocchio was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is my father-in-law?”

“He is still preparing.”

That was strange. Based on my observations of Duke Bellocchio, his preparation time for going out was not long. His appearance naturally radiated, and he didn’t like spending a lot of time on grooming.

The fact that he was taking longer than me, who was carefully dressing up, was astonishing.

***

Inside the quiet carriage. I knew it was rude, but I kept glancing at Duke Bellocchio, pretending to look out the window.

“Is something strange about me?”

“No!”

Strong denial is affirmation. Proving this, I denied it with a resounding voice.

Who are you? Someone must have possessed the body of Duke Bellocchio sitting in front of me. His attire was not that of a parent going to deal with a troubled son. He was dressed up as if he were attending an important party.

‘Am I seeing things?’

He even looked shy and a bit excited. Who on earth is that person! My face was turned toward the window, but my eyes kept darting towards Duke Bellocchio across from me.

“So this is the academy…”

Time passed, and we arrived at Verditi Academy, where Ian attended. As soon as our carriage arrived, the tightly closed academy gate swung open as if it had been waiting. Moreover, the gate opened by itself like an automatic door, even without a gatekeeper.

‘Wow, that’s amazing.’

I stood with my mouth open, amazed by the academy’s modern convenience.

“Welcome.”

As I opened the door and stepped out of the carriage, a middle-aged man with gray hair bowed respectfully to us. The man seemed to already know we were Ian’s family, as he didn’t bother to check our identity.

Duke Bellocchio and I followed him. After passing a small building and going further inside, a very large, white building greeted us. It was overwhelmingly large compared to the surrounding buildings, announcing that this was the main building. Upon entering the building, a statue of an unnamed woman welcomed us.

‘Now that I think about it, Duke Bellocchio also graduated from this academy.’

It was TMI that the maids told me out of the blue, even though I wasn’t curious and hadn’t asked.

Perhaps because he was happy to be back at the academy after a long time, the Duke, who usually walked straight ahead, uninterested in his surroundings, now walked slowly, looking around. As we walked down the corridor connected behind the statue and entered a certain room.

‘I really should have taken the right arm back then…’

My eyes met Liam’s, and I knew my prediction was right. Ian had fallen for Liam’s frame-up.

“You’ve finally arrived, Uncle!”

Liam respectfully greeted Duke Bellocchio as soon as he spotted him. Completely ignoring me next to him.

I rolled my eyes and looked around. The teacher sitting in the middle, and Ian and Liam sitting opposite each other, glaring.

“Please, have a seat.”

Following the teacher’s guidance, Duke Bellocchio and I sat on the long sofa where Ian was sitting. Ian and Duke Bellocchio were seated on either side of me.

“What happened?”

Duke Bellocchio asked, crossing his legs.

“Erlian suddenly punched my left cheek. Of course, I know I’ve wronged Erlian in the past. But isn’t this violence too much?”

He strongly asserted that he was the victim, clutching his swollen left cheek. It must be a lie. He probably asked his friend to hit him, just like last time. I chuckled internally as I listened to his claim.

“Erlian, is this true?”

“Yes.”

‘Yes?’ I couldn’t believe Ian’s confident answer.

It was different from when he was framed by Liam. Previously, when he got caught in Liam’s scheme, Ian didn’t say anything to Duke Bellocchio’s question. Because it wasn’t true. Because it wasn’t his fault. But he knew his father wouldn’t believe him even if he denied it.

This Ian was admitting that the current incident was true. Very confidently.

“Why did you do such a thing?”

“…”

But he didn’t say the reason.

“Uncle, isn’t it obvious? Erlian’s wicked nature has finally been exposed.”

“And not because you were unilaterally tormenting Ian?”

Did my words hit the nail on the head? Liam’s face instantly contorted, and he pointed his finger at me, shouting that it was absurd.

“Ian, right? Liam was the one who started the fight unilaterally.”

Seeing Ian nod slightly as if agreeing with my words, I was certain.

“Father-in-law, this is truly awful. Liam tormented Ian again!”

“Erlian, what did Liam do that made you punch him?”

“I cannot say.”

Ian spoke firmly, as if he had done nothing wrong.

“Why can’t he say it! It’s because I haven’t said anything wrong! I didn’t torment Erlian.”

The more Ian kept silent, the more confidently Liam claimed to be the victim. However, having been fooled by Liam multiple times, Duke Bellocchio did not seem to trust him.

“Ian, what did you hear that made you do this? It’s okay, tell me.”

“I can’t say.”

“If you don’t, this situation will be too disadvantageous for you.”

I kept trying to persuade him, but Ian didn’t seem to have any intention of revealing the truth. He must have punched Liam for a valid reason, but he seemed reluctant to reveal it.

‘I need to know the reason to help him…’

Liam must have tormented Ian in a way that would be difficult for Ian to mention. Whatever it was.

‘Can’t he just tell me quietly?’

I leaned my face close to Ian’s ear to whisper. He looked displeased, his eyes widening, and he turned his head away to avoid me. All I could see was the back of Ian’s head.

‘This isn’t the first time you’ve avoided me.’

I calmly grasped Ian’s cheek, turned his face, and whispered softly so others couldn’t hear.

“What is it? Just tell me.”

“You don’t need to know, take your hand off.”

“Tch.”

Only then did I remove my hand and move away from Ian. Right then.

“Pathetic fool.”

Before I could stop him, there was a loud ‘slap,’ and Ian’s head snapped to the side.

“I-Ian…! Are you okay?”

Unlike me, who was flustered by Ian’s red, swollen cheek, Ian was composed. As if he had fully expected this outcome.

“Did I not tell you not to cause trouble? Especially at the academy, you must be perfect!”

Duke Bellocchio’s right hand was raised toward the sky once more. That man was going to hit the same spot again.

“Father-in-law, no!”

In my haste, I cupped Ian’s cheeks with both hands and shouted, preventing the Duke’s hand from reaching Ian.

“Take your hands off.”

“No! Please calm down. There must be a reason. As you know, Liam is a repeat offender!”

“Who’s a repeat offender?”

Liam’s retort was heard, having been stung by my jab, but I ignored him.

“Liam must have set a trap that makes it difficult to speak up here. We need to find out what it is first.”

“What on earth is it that makes you so silent!”

I don’t know that either. What should I do now? Honestly, I have no idea. It would be great if Ian would just open his mouth. Anxiously, I only bit my lip. Just then.

Screech-

“Excuse me. I have something to say.”

The door opened, and Angelo appeared. He smiled broadly, unconcerned by the tense atmosphere, and even greeted me with a casual ‘Hello?’

“Leglorie, this is not the time to intervene. Please return to your classroom.”

The academy professor tried to stop Angelo.

“I brought a witness.”

He said, still with a smile.

“I can’t let my friend be in trouble.”

But I didn’t know why he was looking at me instead of Ian.

Angelo then opened the door and told someone in the corridor to come in. His formal tone was unfamiliar, contrasting with his usual gentle and soft manner of speaking.

Three young men then timidly entered.

“Just say what you saw now.”

“B-But…”

Even when Angelo urged them, the three men couldn’t speak and hesitated. Their gaze was fixed on Liam. It looked like they were wary of him. I spoke loudly, pretending to talk to myself, feeling frustrated.

“Isn’t it better to just be honest? Although Liam is older, Ian will be the Duke later.”

My self-talk worked. Realizing belatedly that the person they should be on good terms with after graduation was Ian, not Liam, they began to speak one by one.

“W-Well, the thing is!”

They should have done that earlier. I smiled slightly and listened intently to their next words.

“Lord Liam insulted Lord Erlian’s wife!”

“That’s right! At first, he tried to provoke Lord Erlian about his swordsmanship skills, but Lord Erlian didn’t react. So then he started insulting his wife!”

‘This bastard?’

I unconsciously clenched my fist, then quickly relaxed it. Why insult me when he could just provoke Ian?

“Lord Liam kept insulting her even when Lord Erlian told him to stop, so he punched him in the face!”

According to their subsequent testimonies, he had hurled various insults, from criticisms directed at my family to claims that my education level was too low to attend the academy.

“He also said she was too outspoken and bossy!”

Hmm, that’s not an insult. After the testimony ended, the atmosphere turned cold. Liam, who had been denying every word the witnesses said, finally sensed the atmosphere and fell silent.

Now I understood. Why Ian was so confident about punching Liam but had kept the reason a secret. He wanted me not to hear the insults Liam had directed at me.

“It seems Liam is the one who caused the trouble, not Erlian.”

“I-I apologize… Uncle.”

“You keep causing annoyance.”

Liam, who had been so loud, was now silent, his head bowed low.

“I trust the academy will appropriately handle Liam’s punishment. Of course, I will also formally protest to my brother.”

Duke Bellocchio seemed to have nothing more to say and opened the door, telling me to go to the carriage now. I, too, grabbed Ian’s wrist and followed him closely. The moment we stepped into the corridor.

“Still the same.”

A woman, leaning against the wall, spoke to Duke Bellocchio.

‘What?’

I was startled when I saw her. Black hair and green eyes. She looked exactly like the person in the portrait I saw in Duke Bellocchio’s office.

‘Wasn’t Ian’s mother supposed to be deceased?’

The reason I thought Ian’s mother was dead was that she never appeared in the original game. Furthermore, because Ian cherished the necklace she left him, I inferred that she had passed away.

‘NeithErlian nor Duke Bellocchio ever mentioned Adria in front of me.’

Moreover, Ian would hide away in a corner room on the third floor on his birthdays. I once heard from a maid that Ian’s mother left on his birthday. I had vaguely assumed he was reminiscing about memories with his deceased mother, but she was alive and even looked healthy.

“Have you… been well?”

Surprisingly, this emotional voice belonged to Duke Bellocchio.

“I’ve been well. Since I got out of that place.”

Duke Bellocchio’s eyes became red-rimmed at her sharp words.

“Can we talk for a moment? If you’re uncomfortable being alone, Erlian can join us.”

She sighed deeply and swept her hair back. Duke Bellocchio kept his gaze fixed on her, as if he didn’t want to miss even a moment of it.

“Fine. Just for five minutes.”

With her permission, Duke Bellocchio curtly told me to go to the carriage first and followed Adria. I was curious but couldn’t intrude. Reluctantly, I started walking slowly toward the carriage when,

“The academy is big, you might get lost. I’ll take you.”

Angelo, who had approached my side without me realizing, said. He seemed to be in a very good mood, perhaps because his friend Ian’s misunderstanding was cleared. Just as I was about to thank him, I saw Liam. As soon as our eyes met, he glared fiercely, then turned sharply on his heel and walked in the opposite direction.

“No, I have something to do. See you next time!”

I waved at Angelo and followed Liam with a quickened pace.

“Why are you following me?”

Liam headed toward the back of a building where not a soul was in sight. He must have come this way because he knew I was following him.

“You, apologize to Ian right now.”

“Why should I do that?”

“Why do you keep trying to provoke him, knowing you’ll fail every time? Your parents come to the Duchy to apologize every time. Aren’t you ashamed?”

“Hey! Are you done talking?”

He shoved my shoulder hard with both hands, and I helplessly fell to the ground.

‘You attacked first.’

I sneered at the glaring Liam and muttered internally.

‘Use Silencer Wand.’

“W-What is that?”

Perhaps because a wand suddenly appeared in my hand, he stammered in surprise.

Thank goodness. I couldn’t use the Funnel in front of others, but I could use the wand. Liam reached for the sword at his waist as if to counterattack, but.

“Are you kidding me!”

I struck his right hand with the wand with all my might.

“Aagh!”

“Just! Live! Quietly! Huh?”

With every word I spat out, I hit Liam with all my might. Especially his right arm. Of course, I know this is a crime in reality.

‘But this is inside a game.’

Moreover, I felt no guilt hitting a villainous character.

The only regrettable thing was that since it was the Silencer Wand, there was no sound, so the fun of hitting was diminished. Still, seeing Liam’s expression of pain was satisfying.

“Crazy, are you completely insane? How dare you injure my body?”

“Injury? Where? I don’t see anything with my eyes?”

The Silencer Wand was supposed to inflict pain without causing injury. I confidently refuted him, as the item description said so.

“Don’t lie!”

Rolling up his sleeve and checking his right arm, he was startled late. There was pain in his arm, but it was clean without a wound. However, his startled expression soon turned into a subtle smile.

“Do you think there’ll be no evidence that you hit me just because of that?”

Why is he smiling like that? As I pondered, the brooch on Liam’s left chest glinted in the sunlight.

“Ugh, idiot.”

I grabbed Liam’s brooch, dropped it on the ground, and stomped on it. So hard that the gem on the brooch shattered with a cracking sound.

“My, my recording stone…”

“This is the method I used.”

Perhaps because he was defeated by me again, Liam only glared at me in frustration and didn’t dare to attack rashly. He seemed afraid that if he attacked, he would only get hit without being able to strike back.

“So, just live quietly. Don’t pick a fight with Ian. And you know that if you report this incident, you’ll only look like a fool since there’s no injury, right?”

I was about to swing the wand one more time when I heard someone chuckle softly from somewhere.

‘What was that? Is someone secretly watching?’

I looked around, but thankfully, not a soul was in sight. I must have misheard.

“If you make me frown again, I will really take your right arm then.”

I warned Liam one more time, spoke like a cool protagonist, and turned my back.

***

Looking at the retreating figure of Elicia, the man chuckled. She was more like Elicia than the Elicia he had loved.

During his childhood when he was particularly frail compared to others, everyone looked at him with pitying eyes but no one approached him. So he was always alone. Lonely.

“What are you doing by yourself?”

Then someone approached him first. It was Elicia.

She who extended a helping hand from the hell of loneliness didn’t pity him and treated him normally like everyone else. Of course, Elicia was rougher than others, but he liked that anyway.

Then she changed. The always confident and cool Elicia began to constantly watch others’ reactions and became timid after marrying Erlian. Seeing that made him disappointed.

‘This Elicia is different.’

He recalled what the ‘previous’ Elicia was like when this incident happened.

“Let’s tell Duke Bellocchio.”

“He won’t help anyway even if I tell him. I just need to endure it alone.”

While returning to the carriage alone, Elicia couldn’t even protest, let alone resist Liam who followed and tormented her. Instead, she was desperate to hide the wounds caused by Liam. How heartbroken he had been watching that.

But this Elicia is different. Didn’t she chase after Liam and take revenge directly?

‘I’m glad I gifted her the soundless rod.’

The man felt proud.

The Elicia he loved had struggled terribly with married life with Erlian. She even called him by the nickname ‘Ian’ trying to get close to Erlian, but the owner of that nickname remained cold. Still, she stubbornly kept using the nickname.

And that wasn’t all.

“How would you know there’s a problem with Erlian’s etiquette teacher? You didn’t even attend the lessons together. It’s not your fault.”

“Still, it’s my fault. Ian was always particularly sensitive on days with etiquette lessons… I should have noticed.”

The etiquette teacher had been tormenting Erlian only during lessons, avoiding others’ eyes. So naturally Elicia couldn’t discover the problem.

The careless etiquette teacher one day conducted a lesson while drunk. A butler who found the strong alcohol smell from the teacher suspicious reported the situation to Duke Bellocchio, and chaos erupted in the ducal household. Elicia, who failed to discover the teacher’s problems earlier, had to be scolded by Duke Bellocchio.

And,

“Your fingers…”

“Ah, I’m still clumsy at needlework.”

She had to work her fingers to the bone embroidering for Erlian who was merely attending a hunting competition. He had only helped a little, hoping she wouldn’t suffer such pain anymore, and the new Elicia was using it well.

‘You’re the real Elicia now.’

He had rewound time dozens of times to find a woman more like Elicia than Elicia herself, bringing women from beyond time and space. But they were weaker than Elicia and fell for Erlian, failing to fulfill their role. So the man mercilessly killed them using bad endings as an excuse.

After repeated failures, he finally met the perfect Elicia.

‘Erlian is the problem.’

Until now, Erlian had never shown interest in any Elicia. But this time was different. He regarded this one specially enough to make him feel threatened.

So he sent quests like fighting with Erlian or not sending letters, but things didn’t flow as he intended.

‘I need to come up with a plan.’

Strength entered the man’s clenched fist.

After a moment, he quietly muttered something and disappeared into the darkness.

***

“What should I do…”

I needed to return to the carriage but got lost. The building was too large, and all buildings except the main one looked similar, so no matter how much I walked, I only saw unfamiliar paths. I wanted to ask for directions, but unfortunately, there wasn’t a single person visible outside.

“Should I go back to the main building?”

Fortunately, the main building was much larger than other buildings so it was easy to distinguish. As I trudged back toward the large building I had entered to meet Ian,

“Ian!”

I raised my hand high and waved it with joy.

Luckily, I met Ian and Duke Bellocchio coming out of the building through the large door. Ian maintained an expressionless face while Duke Bellocchio had his lips slightly curved upward, seeming to be in a good mood.

“Why are you here instead of going to the carriage?”

“Just… it’s nice to go together.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say I got lost because I was busy hitting Liam.

“Erlian, you go back to your classroom.”

“…”

Duke Bellocchio only said his piece and left toward the carriage. But Ian, who would normally have immediately followed his father’s orders, wasn’t budging this time. With his gaze fixed on me. The wind gently stirred Ian’s bangs.

“Why? Do you have something to say?”

“Why haven’t you been sending letters?”

“Letters?”

After thinking for a moment, I belatedly realized. That I hadn’t sent Ian any letters for a month to clear Lala’s quest. I never dreamed Ian would be waiting for my letters this much.

“Sorry. I was busy. I’ll send them properly from now on.”

“But you sent letters to Angelo.”

I hadn’t sent them to Angelo frequently either. Because I was so busy, I only sent one during the past month. Though Angelo sent four, once a week.

“Sorry. It just happened that way.”

“Shouldn’t you send them to me more often than to Angelo?”

He said while gently grasping my wrist. With an expression full of ‘I’m hurt’ emotion.

Wow, Ian has really changed a lot. This is an expression I could never have seen before.

“Alright. I’ll send them often from now on.”

“So when will you send them?”

“…Sometime next week?”

What could possibly be unsatisfying? Ian’s brow furrowed at my answer.

“What, why? Tomorrow’s the weekend anyway. Next week will come soon.”

“You could send it this weekend.”

I rest on weekends. So I had no intention of sending letters. Since we’re meeting today anyway, why write a letter tomorrow? That was my thinking. But seeing Ian’s sullen expression, my heart softened just a little.

He even punched someone because Liam badmouthed me…

“Since it’s the weekend, how about we go out somewhere instead of a letter?”

Only then did Ian’s lips slowly curl upward. Watching that, I smiled too, then belatedly realized. That there was something I hadn’t resolved yet.

“Father!”

I shouted loudly and ran toward Duke Bellocchio who was walking toward the carriage. I could finally face Duke Bellocchio when we reached near the carriage.

“Why is Erlian, who should be going to class, still here?”

“That’s not important.”

“No, that seems to be the only important thing.”

“There’s something more important. You need to apologize to Ian!”

“Why do you think I need to apologize?”

He looked down at me and Ian with an emotionless expression.

“Why? Because you suspected and hit Ian earlier.”

I shouted while pointing at Ian’s swollen cheek from Duke Bellocchio’s doing. Earlier, the duke had struck Ian based only on Liam’s words. But now that the misunderstanding was cleared, Duke Bellocchio should apologize for his mistake.

“So apologize to Ian.”

“…”

I urged him, but as expected, Duke Bellocchio wasn’t so accommodating. Seeing his lips pressed tightly in a straight line, it seemed not even the first syllable of an apology would come out even if I kept waiting. Perhaps because of that.

“I’m fine.”

Ian said flatly with his gaze fixed on me. With an expression that expected no apology at all because his father was so authoritarian and taciturn.

Honestly, I know it too. He will never apologize to Ian. I sighed deeply and opened my mouth again.

“Then give me money instead of an apology.”

“Money…?”

“Yes. I should go shopping with your money to my heart’s content.”

“How much do you need?”

“A lot. Give me everything you have now.”

“Alright. I’m in a good mood today.”

I didn’t expect him to grant the request. I thought he’d just give me a few gold coins, but he handed me the entire money pouch he received from a servant waiting by the carriage.

“Can I spend it all?”

“If you can do it today.”

Clearly he expected I wouldn’t be able to spend it all. But I will definitely spend it all. Since I didn’t even get an apology, I should at least get proper compensation. I held the heavy money pouch in my right hand and grabbed Ian’s wrist with my left hand while smiling.

“I’ll do my best. Ian can skip the remaining classes today, right?”

“Erlian wouldn’t want that.”

“He’s too shocked by today’s incident anyway, so the lesson content won’t stick in his head.”

Ian also seemed to have no intention of studying today, as he nodded immediately after my words ended.

“…Then it can’t be helped.”

His expression looked somewhat relieved, perhaps because he didn’t have to apologize. He then looked at the carriage and opened his mouth.

“But unfortunately there’s only one carriage.”

It was true. We had come in one carriage together, Duke Bellocchio and I. Ian and I were going to the shopping district, while Duke Bellocchio had to return to the ducal residence. So we needed two carriages.

“You two go to the shopping district first, and send me a hired carriage.”

Seeing how happy he is, it seems the academy should be attended again by Duke Bellocchio rather than Ian.

“But then you would have to wait, is that alright?”

The coachman who came with us asked Duke Bellocchio with a worried expression.

“Since I’m already here, I’ll look around the academy more. Take good care of the children.”

The coachman bowed, saying he understood, and opened the carriage door. Ian and I greeted Duke Bellocchio and got into the carriage. The last expression I saw of him seemed excited.

‘Did I see that wrong?’

I shook my head, feeling like I saw something I shouldn’t have.

“What’s wrong?”

“Did you see Father earlier? He looked excited.”

“That makes sense. That’s why he yielded the carriage to us.”

Ian answered with a chuckle. Goodness, I guess I didn’t see it wrong. As I expected…

“He must have met… Mother, right? Why is she at the academy anyway?”

Ian’s mother. Duke Bellocchio must have met Adria, whom I thought was dead.

“I can’t tell you that.”

As if it were difficult to answer, Ian turned his gaze toward the window. Come to think of it.

“How was the magic lesson?’

“It is not ‘her.’”

“Just wait a little longer, and the day will come when she notices you.”

When Ian had his first vacation after entering the academy, Duke Bellocchio deliberately dined with us. And talked about ‘her‘. If Ian’s mother was a magic professor at the academy, their conversation made sense. Judging from the earlier reaction, Duke Bellocchio seems to like Adria…

‘Why doesn’t he just visit her often?’

But the Duke Bellocchio I’d seen had always been busy handling work inside the ducal residence. If there hadn’t been a problem with Ian like today, he wouldn’t have visited the academy and wouldn’t have met Adria.

‘Did they get divorced or something?’

What exactly is this situation? While I was pondering their relationship for a while,

“What are you thinking about?”

I came to my senses belatedly at Ian’s voice.

“No, nothing much.”

“You seemed to be thinking something quite interesting. Is that why you couldn’t hear me?”

“Sorry, what were you saying?”

Come to think of it, right after we got in the carriage we were sitting side by side with some distance, but when I came to my senses, I was sitting close to Ian.

“Do we have a plan?”

“The goal is just to spend money lavishly without a plan. Relieve the stress from Liam with money.”

Ian’s lips curved slightly in a smile, seemingly pleased with my suggestion.

“But you don’t seem busy today.”

“What?”

“You didn’t even have time to send letters. But today you came to the academy and are even going out to the shopping district.”

Ian seems more petty than he appears. To keep talking about it just because I didn’t send letters for a while.

“You’re right. I happened to have time today.”

“I see. So you suddenly got time because I caused trouble.”

“It’s not like that.”

Actually, that’s exactly it. But I pretended otherwise since he would obviously be very hurt. Did my acting work? Ian stopped harping about letters.

Chatting pleasantly with Ian, we arrived at the shopping district quickly.

“Let’s go.”

Fortunately, this time it wasn’t crowded like at the night market, but we might lose each other again, so I held Ian’s wrist and walked looking straight ahead. We passed restaurants and tea houses that stimulated the sense of smell, and boutiques with splendid entrances, but no purchasing desire arose. Perhaps because of that.

“At this rate, we won’t spend any money and will just keep walking.”

Ian urged shopping. Even chuckling as if my behavior was amusing.

“What’s this? I’m seriously thinking, you know.”

“When will that thinking end? If you can’t think of anything, wouldn’t it be better to just buy jewelry first?”

It seems Ian expects me to shop for myself. If that were the case, I would have swept up jewelry first, but that wasn’t today’s purpose.

This is money I got as compensation for Ian’s damages. So shouldn’t I spend it for Ian?

“Do you know why I’m thinking? Because you hit Liam today.”

“What does that have to do with shopping?”

“Liam will obviously provoke you again in the future. He always has.”

“That’s true.”

Perhaps because I suddenly brought up Liam, Ian nodded slightly in agreement while still maintaining a puzzled expression.

“So I’m thinking if there’s an item that can let you hit Liam more effectively when he picks a fight.”

“…”

“There are many swords at the ducal residence, but you can’t stab people with swords.”

Of course, I have the soundless rod Lala gave me. But that’s an item only I can use, so I can’t gift it to Ian. Plus, even if I gave it to him, it would be awkward to answer if he asked where I got it.

So what should I buy? Looking around slowly, I spotted an accessory shop.

“Let’s go there.”

I moved toward the accessory shop.

The accessory shop we headed to didn’t have the luxurious interior that nobles would like. The exterior, pillars, walls, and even the showcase displaying jewelry had traces of time like graffiti and dents.

“Welcome. Are you looking for something specific?”

The owner of the accessory shop also showed similar signs. The wrinkles carved around his eyes, mouth, and forehead seemed to prove he’d been running this shop for a long time.

“I’d like to have a ring made.”

“What design are you thinking of? And what gem will you decorate it with?”

The owner who scanned our attire asked actively.

“It must be sturdy. The gem absolutely cannot fall out or break under any impact.”

“Then diamonds would be best. They’re the hardest gem in the world. Though the price is a bit steep…”

“That’s fine. I’d prefer the gem to be sharply cut. And I’d like the gem to be red.”

You never know what might happen. If he really punches someone secretly from adults and blood splatters, a red gem that doesn’t show stains might be better. That was my thinking.

“That’s quite demanding. We happen to have red diamonds prepared, but the cutting will take a long time. You’ll have to wait at least two months.”

I was flustered because it took longer than expected, perhaps still being used to Korea. What if Liam attacks again in the meantime?

“But why are you buying a ring?”

“If you’re going to hit someone anyway, hitting with a fist wearing a ring can cause bigger wounds.”

I answered Ian’s question with a proud expression. Because it was my own idea and quite good. I was grinning by myself when I belatedly remembered.

Right. I shouldn’t just be wary of Liam but also be mindful of Ian’s character.

“Ahem… But I’m not saying to use it indiscriminately. Only in situations where Liam bullies you or you have no choice, wear the ring and swing your fist. It’s for self-defense, you know?”

“…Then how about making your ring the same way?”

Ian said, his face slightly flushed, perhaps from heat.

“No, I don’t need one.”

As I placed the pouch full of gold coins on the table, the accessory shop owner’s eyes sparkled.

“Make the gem as big as possible. You can make it faster, right?”

After checking inside the pouch, he said, “I’ll make it within a week. Even if I have to stay up all night.”

It was a satisfying answer.

“Didn’t you spend too much money on just a ring?”

Perhaps because I used all the money on one ring, Ian felt burdened about making his own ring.

“It’s too late. The money’s already gone.”

WhethErlian felt burdened or not, I just pushed my opinion. Ian eventually couldn’t refuse my firmness.

“But the gem is big. You can resell it later, so it’s not a loss. So wear it every day. And you know Liam’s attacks come suddenly, right? Use it effectively then.”

“I can handle it on my own even without the ring. You didn’t buy anything for yourself.”

“It’s fine. It was all your money anyway.”

It’s part of the fortune Ian will inherit from his father someday. I only bought Ian’s things with it. I just stated the facts because he kept feeling burdened, but he laughed showing his neat teeth as if he was dumbfounded.

***

I really did come back to the ducal residence with Ian after buying only the ring. Perhaps because I had bragged that I’d spend every last coin before returning, it must have seemed odd to Duke Bellocchio that I came home before the sun had even set. He summoned me to his office.

“Did you spend all the money I gave you?”

“Yes. Every last bit.”

“In that short a time?”

I couldn’t blame him for being surprised. After all, the amount he had given me could have easily bought a small house in the capital.

“I bought a ring for Ian. A big one, with a large stone.”

“And why, exactly, did you buy a ring?”

“Well, if something like today happens again, wouldn’t it be better to counterattack more effectively? I had it made extra sturdy.”

“……”

He didn’t react at all to my explanation. Was he offended that I was teaching his son “bad” tricks? I glanced up at him, belatedly gauging his mood. After a pause, he finally spoke.

“I see. A girl who knows nothing of swordsmanship might think that way.”

At least he didn’t think I had done something wrong. It felt a little dismissive, but not unpleasantly so.

“In that case, you ought to have a ring of your own as well. I’ll have someone come to the residence before long.”

“Thank you.”

Since he was offering, I decided to accept. But truthfully, the idea of a ring didn’t stir much in me. I was already living in comfort here, and if I ever returned to my true self, I wouldn’t need such a thing anyway. Besides, I already had my trusty silent stick for dealing with Liam. A ring would hardly see use.

He turned his eyes back to the documents on his desk, as if dismissing me. I rose to leave but hesitated, curiosity tugging at me.

“When we went to the Academy earlier—was that lady truly your wife?”

“She’s even more beautiful in person, isn’t she?” he replied, his gaze shifting from the documents to a portrait.

“Why doesn’t she live here, in the ducal residence?”

I couldn’t bring myself to bluntly ask if they were divorced, so I tiptoed around the question.

“That’s all because of that worthless Erlian. She left because of him. She was furious today as well, when she heard Erlian had been caught up in some incident.”

So, while I had been beating Liam, Ian and the Duke had been speaking with Adria. That must have been when she got angry.

Is Adria a perfectionist?

Piecing together what the Duke had said: she had been disappointed with Ian’s shortcomings and left the residence to become a professor at the Academy.

Leaving your family just because you’re disappointed in your child? That’s strange…

From what I gathered, the Duke longed for her return, and in his obsession to raise a “perfect son,” had accepted me as his daughter-in-law.

But children make mistakes, it’s natural. Isn’t abandoning them over that too much?

Besides, when I saw Adria earlier, she hadn’t looked particularly pleased to see Ian—or even the Duke. It didn’t feel like she had left purely out of disappointment in her son. That was just my impression, anyway.

“She scolds both me and Erlian, but she’s adorable even when angry. I can’t take my eyes off her. It reminded me of the days when we used to argue over whether magic or swordsmanship was superior back at the Academy.”

“Ah.”

“And she’s even more beautiful now. It’s a shame I couldn’t witness her growth all these years. No doubt the men at the Academy admire her. Fortunately, I was at least able to prevent the divorce back then.”

I had no words. Now that’s what I call obsessive love.

He had completely forgotten my presence, lost in raptures as he gushed about Adria, eyes shining like an overzealous fan finally meeting their idol. It was such a stark contrast to the Duke I’d known until now.

I felt like I’d just witnessed something I shouldn’t have. Not wanting to stay in that room a second longer, I gave a perfunctory bow and left.

“What did Father say? You didn’t get scolded, did you?”

Right outside, Ian intercepted me, looking anxious, as if he’d been worried about me. He probably thought I’d be reprimanded for spending such a massive sum on nothing more than a ring for him.

“No. But… how long have you been standing there?”

“Just now.”

Almost as if by habit, we began walking toward our room together.

“He didn’t say much.”

“Then what did he say?”

“I told him I bought your ring, and he said I should get one too.”

“Oh? So we’ll end up wearing matching rings after all.”

A smile tugged at Ian’s lips, as though he were trying to suppress his amusement.

“But we already have matching rings, don’t we?”

“We don’t wear those.”

Right—surprisingly enough, we were married. Naturally, we had wedding rings. But since our relationship hadn’t been great at the beginning, we had shoved them into a drawer the very day of the wedding.

Of course, that had been earlier this year, before Ian entered the Academy.

Maybe we should just wear them, since we already have them?

They’ll just get in the way.

Ian had made the suggestion once, but I had rejected it immediately. Wearing such an accessory daily was just too cumbersome. After all, the gems on those rings were enormous—more like a flaunting of the Duke Bellocchio’s immense wealth than anything else. For a child to wear one every day would be exhausting.

He’d been briefly disappointed, but then accepted my reasoning. Seeing that, I had wondered if perhaps he thought of the wedding rings more like “friendship rings.”

He must have really wanted us to wear them as matching rings between friends.

Just look at how happy he was now, simply because we would share another set.

“Make sure you write me letters.”

“I said I would.”

Ian narrowed his eyes at me, clearly unconvinced. All this fuss, just because I’d missed writing a few times. No doubt it was because, even after enrolling at the Academy, he still hadn’t made any close friends.

But his nagging about letters would only last a few more months. Next year, the heroine, Ethel, would enroll. Then his attention would shift from me to her.

“Go on already.”

The weekend we’d spent together was over, and it was time for Ian to return to the Academy.

What a busy weekend it was.

We had bought the rings, gone boating the next day, and today, lazed around the mansion reading books and eating snacks. Ian had tried to study and train too, but I’d dragged him away for idleness instead.

The Duke hadn’t scolded him for it either—likely still feeling guilty for slapping him. …Or so I guessed.

The days off had flown by, and now Ian had to return. Even though leaving now meant he’d arrive at the dormitory late at night, he still lingered, insisting on letters.

“I’ll really write them, so just go already.”

“I don’t want to.”

Perhaps he’d gotten too fond of relaxing, after usually studying so hard. Pretending not to hear, I gave him a push toward his carriage.

“Go on. Study hard.”

“…Fine. I’ll see you during break.”

I waved until the carriage carrying Ian disappeared from sight.

The next morning, news arrived from the Academy. I heard it from the Duke Bellocchio.

“Ian’s conduct grade has been deducted by two points.”

Because Ian hadn’t been able to endure his wife’s slander and had punched Liam, the Academy had penalized him. Violence, they said, could not be tolerated.

“What about Liam?”

“He’s been sentenced to a week of campus service and lost ten conduct points.”

The Duke sounded positively cheerful as he reported it. On his desk, a top-grade magic stone glittered—a gift from Count Liveri, sent as an apology for his son’s misdeeds.

This time, though, the Count hadn’t come groveling in person, as he had before. After all, while Liam had provoked the fight, Ian had still struck his son.

With nothing more to say to the Duke, I left his office and went to find Dario.

Today I’ll finish work early and write a letter to Ian.

At least, that had been my plan. But an unwelcome visitor prevented it.