Chapter 15

[★Lala★’s Quest Has Occurred! Would you like to check it?]

 

▷ Yes

 

▷ No

Was it that every time I cleared one of those quests, I became less able to distinguish between the game and reality…? I glared at the notification window for no reason before accepting it. I didn’t know why they bothered to include ‘No’ when they’d just give me a bunch of penalties if I refused.

[★Lala★’s Quest]

 

<Imprint Ethel’s Existence onto Ian>

 

Worried that Ian is indifferent to Ethel?

 

How about arranging a meeting so they can get to know each other ♬

 

(Duration: Until Ian’s vacation ends)

There was no problem with the quest content. It was true that for a happy ending, Ian and Ethel needed to be aware of and care about each other.

‘Snap out of it. I have to see the happy ending.’

I was afraid of what would happen if I saw a different ending.

***

“Ian, you really have to live a good life.”

“Got it.”

As soon as dawn broke, I insisted and insisted again that Ian live a good life. I lectured him about a virtuous life not only when I woke up but also during breakfast. He seemed to barely listen to my precious advice.

“Breaking that window was really too much.”

“You’re bringing that up now?”

Ian stopped cutting his food and narrowed his eyes, staring at me as if dumbfounded. Was it a bit petty to bring up the past again? Feeling a little awkward, I cleared my throat and said.

“Anyway, it means you shouldn’t do bad things, like the time you broke the window.”

“The circumstances weren’t good then.”

“What were the circumstances?”

Was there really a story behind why Ian had to break the window back then? If so, shouldn’t Lala raise Ian’s Temperament stat, which had dropped by 20? I silently swallowed and waited for his next words.

“I was in a bad mood.”

…I guess I’ll have to keep focusing on raising his Temperament stat in the future. I ignored Ian’s fixed gaze and focused on my meal.

Three days had passed.

I couldn’t advise him often because Ian was busy with his classes, but I lectured him to live a good life first thing in the morning and before bed. Of course, Ian seemed to let it go in one ear and out the other.

I didn’t get angry that he wasn’t listening. It was because Ian hadn’t caused any trouble so far.

‘He’s getting along so well at home…’

Why did he cause such enormous trouble at the academy? I regretted not being able to attend the academy with him; then I might have been able to stop him.

I sighed and held the envelope in my hand. It was a letter the butler had handed me as I was trudging back to my room after finishing my financial duties. Ethel’s name was written on the envelope.

Three days ago, to clear the quest, I had sent a letter to Ethel inviting her to visit the Duke’s residence. The reply had finally arrived.

‘But will I even be able to meet her with Ian is the question…’

Ian’s course load was tremendous. I’d have to find a class he could miss for just one day and meet her briefly then. The problem was that I wasn’t sure if he, who was indifferent to Ethel, would skip class to meet her.

‘First, let’s set the appointment.’

I tore open the envelope and checked the contents.

“Huh?”

Taken aback by the content, which was different from my expectation, I checked the letter’s content again.

「Hello, Miss Sia.

 

Thank you for the kind suggestion.

 

However, regrettably, I am busy spending days researching bread, so it seems difficult for a while.

 

Then, be well.」

“No, did I ask to meet every day?”

I crumpled Ethel’s letter in frustration. I had just suggested having a brief tea time at the Duke’s residence, but I was rejected. I felt like she was drawing a line, even though she knew I was a user and not an NPC. I was a little sad.

‘Is she busy clearing a quest?’

Perhaps she was busy proceeding with a quest to develop a new bread. If my guess was true…

‘He should have given her a quest to meet Ian, not to develop bread.’

Darn Lala. I glared at the letter for no reason and picked up a pen.

「Hello.

 

It seems you’re too busy to even step out for a moment.

 

(~~~~)

 

If you’re so busy, may I visit your mansion, Miss Ethel?

 

I trust you can spare an hour or two for me.」

I didn’t know how I’d drag out Ian, who was very busy with classes, but I threw it out there anyway. I’ll worry about the next step later. I sent the letter to Ethel through the butler and waited patiently for a reply.

Two days later.

“Are you kidding me?”

I muttered aloud when I checked Ethel’s reply.

「I’m sorry, Miss Sia.

 

It seems impossible, as I really can’t find the time.

 

Let’s meet when we have the chance later.」

Looking at the letter, I could confirm it. Ethel wasn’t busy performing a quest. She was just avoiding me. Why on earth? I recalled our meeting during the hunting competition.

“I didn’t do anything wrong.”

No matter how much I thought about it, I didn’t recall doing anything that would cause her to avoid me. Then why was she trying to avoid me? After much thought, the conclusion I reached was this:

‘Is she avoiding Ian, not me?’

She would know my intention to make Ian and her meet. Therefore, she was avoiding any chance of crossing paths. She’s quick-witted.

“Well, I guess I have no choice.”

I sighed and started writing a letter again. This time, I put strength into every word, desperately hoping she would give in to my suggestion. Perhaps thanks to the care I put into the letter.

「All right. Then let’s meet in 5 days.

 

I don’t intend to go to the Duke’s residence, so I’d like to invite you here…

 

But my family doesn’t welcome me, so I feel self-conscious.

 

How about going boating on the nearby lake?」

Finally, a reply came saying she would meet me. Fortunately, she was more naive than she looked.

「I didn’t request the meeting with the intention of having you and Ian spend time alone. Ian is so busy with classes these days that even I can’t see him much. I just want to meet you to talk about this game.」

When I wrote and sent this long explanation, she finally consented.

‘Since I’m also meeting with them, Ethel won’t be spending time alone with Ian, right?’

In any case, I didn’t lie.

Perhaps Ethel didn’t believe my letter 100%, as she was reluctant to visit the Duke’s residence. Yet, she couldn’t invite me to the mansion where she lived either. She was a bastard child and lived being ignored by her family. So, she would have felt self-conscious even about inviting me.

“She’s so transparent.”

If she hadn’t been so wary of Ian, she would have suggested meeting at a tearoom in a nearby city, but Ethel specifically suggested boating, which would require at least a two-hour carriage ride. She must have thought that busy Ian wouldn’t be able to follow.

Her plan was plausible. But I had no intention of falling for it.

‘I want this so badly, can’t she just get together with Ian?’

Since she’s not in the fencing club anyway, there’s no risk of her being ostracized, and I kindly explained that the current Ian is different from the original Ian, so her worries about obsession should be lessened, but she’s still avoiding him. I couldn’t understand her behavior.

“I wonder if Ian can skip class for a day…”

Since Ethel gave in, now I had to lure Ian out.

‘What classes does Ian have that day?’

I lay on the bed, thinking about Ian’s schedule. That day included his daily fencing class, plus magic, Imperial history, etiquette, art…

‘It seems like skipping one day wouldn’t be a big problem.’

Of course, Ian really liked the fencing class, so he might be disappointed, but if I persuaded him well, it wouldn’t be a major issue.

The problem was the magic class. Duke Bellocchio had even brought in the most expensive magic tutor, carefully selected. Was it because his mother was an academy magic professor? Though he didn’t show it, Ian was also subtly passionate about the magic class.

‘He’s worried he’ll disgrace Adria if he’s not good at magic, right?’

Ian was taciturn and highly wary but was subtly very caring toward the people around him. In the original story, he was so caring toward Ethel, whom he considered his person, that he even locked her in his room and…

‘No, let’s not think about that.’

I shook my head, trying to erase the thought I just had.

His Temperament stat was much higher now. He was different from the original Ian, who excessively cared for and obsessed over only one person. He took good care of me, tried to be a useful person to me, and occasionally expressed gratitude to the servants.

I had even seen a servant tear up, seemingly moved by his appearance. Of course, he was ruthless toward those who were not his people.

‘But why did he break the window?’

The academy window incident came to mind again, and I punched the air for no reason. It seemed he did it because someone he wasn’t interested in made a mistake.

‘I need Ethel to recognize that she’s his person soon.’

However, not only Ian but also Ethel was uninterested in him. So, I would show Ethel that the original Ian and the current Ian were different. So, I absolutely had to take Ian with me in 5 days.

‘How can I get Ian to willingly join the outing…’

Just as I was deep in thought, the door opened, and Ian appeared. His hair was slightly wet as if he had just showered, and he looked tired, probably from studying hard again today.

“You’re tired, aren’t you?”

When I patted the spot next to me on the bed, Ian weakly smiled and lay down on the bed.

“No matter how I look at it, you seem to be overdoing it.”

“I just don’t have enough time.”

Ian, lying straight, gave quite a model student-like answer.

“Can’t you take a day off?”

“Why should I?”

“It’s vacation, though. I thought it would be nice to go somewhere and have fun.”

“Where do you want to go?”

Did Ian also want to take a day off? He turned his body toward me and asked. This was my chance. I tried to hide my excitement and asked.

“How about going boating in 5 days? It’s a nice change of pace, isn’t it?”

“That’s not bad.”

I thought he would definitely say he had to attend class, but the answer was more positive than expected. I felt like I could clear this quest easily.

“Then it would be better to go to our family’s villa. It’s great for boating.”

“No, not there.”

“How do you know which villa I’m talking about?”

“I just don’t want to go there.”

The Bellocchio ducal family had many villas, befitting their enormous wealth. I had an idea of which villa Ian was referring to. It was not far from the capital, and it was the largest and most luxurious of the villas the Bellocchio ducal family owned. Not only that, but it had a large lake behind it, making it perfect for boating.

‘If I suggest going there to Ethel, she’ll refuse the meeting itself.’

Ethel doesn’t know that I arranged the meeting to connect Ian and her. She just thinks I want to talk about the game. But if I invite her to the Bellocchio family’s villa, she’ll quickly realize that my letter was a lie.

And there was a reason I knew a lot about this villa, which I had never been to.

‘Ethel was imprisoned there before.’

In the original game, Ethel was nearly killed by her half-brother when she was eighteen. It was Ian who brought her to the villa after she barely escaped the mansion.

He imprisoned her there under the pretense of safety. And he ruthlessly killed the man who tried to kill her. She was uncomfortable with Ian not letting her leave, even though the brother who threatened her was dead, so she eventually escaped secretly.

‘The current Ethel has seen many happy endings, so she must know well about this mansion’s existence.’

So, we absolutely can’t go there. She might become wary, thinking he intends to imprison her again.

“Let’s not go to the villa, let’s go somewhere else. Because another friend is coming with us.”

“Who? Angelo?”

Was it my imagination? Ian’s voice sounded sharp for a moment.

“No, Ethel. The friend I met at the hunting competition before. Do you remember her?”

“Ah, the one who was with you at that time…”

Ian’s voice softened considerably. Is it because Ethel is the female protagonist? Ian, who seemed disinterested in others and even unwilling to remember them, recalled her.

“You did remember Miss Ethel!”

“You forgot to cheer for me at the hunting competition and were with that woman.”

“…”

If you look closely, Ian is subtly quite resentful.

“Anyway, Miss Ethel is my recent friend, so I thought it would be nice if you got along too!”

“No thanks.”

He turned toward the ceiling again, lying straight, as if he wasn’t interested.

“Why? She’s a lady who attends the same academy as you. Wouldn’t it be nice to be friends?”

“I have no intention of doing that. Go have fun. Just don’t get too close to that woman.”

“What? You just agreed to go with me.”

“I think it’s better to attend class after all. It’s a waste to skip even one day.”

“No. You promised me first.”

I didn’t know why he suddenly changed his mind after being positive about the boating trip a moment ago. Frustrated, I poked Ian’s arm with my index finger for no reason.

“If you want to argue, class was scheduled first.”

…He was right, so I couldn’t argue back. But I couldn’t give up like this. I doubted whether Ethel would spare time for me next time.

“Still, it should be okay to skip one day.”

“It’s better to study a little more before returning to the academy.”

“You haven’t even played with me because you’ve been studying all the time.”

I’m not usually this kind of person… I did my best to act hurt to elicit Ian’s sympathy.

“Then let’s go, just the two of us, without that woman.”

No matter how I looked at it, Ian was too shy around strangers. It was strange how he got close to Ethel in the original story.

“Aw, but wouldn’t it be more fun with several people? This is how you make friends.”

“It’s strange.”

“What is?”

“It seems like you especially want me and that woman to become close.”

“She’s my friend, so I thought it would be nice if you became friends too.”

When I answered as cheerfully as possible, a short sigh escaped his lips. Was making a new friend that much of a burden? Of course, even if it was, I wasn’t going to give up.

“I have no intention of becoming friends with that woman in the future. So, you go have fun.”

He turned his back, clearly refusing my suggestion. He’s so wary and follows me when I say I’m going out alone with Angelo.

‘Wait, Angelo?’

I unconsciously swallowed. I was hopeful that this method might work. I calmly threw another bait to Ian.

“Then I guess I have no choice. I’ll go have fun with Miss Ethel and Angelo, the three of us.”

As soon as Angelo’s name came up, Ian raised his upper body and looked down at me. He looked like a fish struggling after taking the bait.

Although it was dark, so I couldn’t see clearly, I could feel Ian’s gaze fixed on me. I didn’t know why he was so wary of Angelo, but my method worked. I suppressed the laughter that was trying to escape and asked calmly.

“What?”

He frustratingly ran his hand through his hair and then slowly said.

“Fine. I’ll skip class.”

“Let’s have fun together, the four of us. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“…Okay.”

When morning breaks tomorrow, I’ll have to send a letter to Angelo asking him to go boating. I was able to fall asleep with a much more relaxed mind.

***

“Sia, thank you for the invitation.”

As I arrived at the meeting place and stepped out of the carriage, Angelo, who was already there, smiled brightly and offered a paper bag. I knew what was inside. It would be financiers.

“Thank you.”

I smiled, received the bag Angelo gave me, and handed it to my knight. He immediately accepted my suggestion to go boating, saying he was very excited.

‘If only Ethel and Ian had been as positive as Angelo…’

I smiled bitterly and turned my head to look at the surroundings. This enormous lake, which appeared right after leaving the capital, sparkled as if welcoming us, and the surrounding area was protectively enveloped by small rocks, grass, and trees.

And Ethel, standing in front of it, was glaring at me while holding a bouquet, as if demanding an explanation. I had clearly only said that there would be no time spent alone with Ian, but it seems she really thought Ian wouldn’t come here.

“That gift is a bit strange,” Ian chuckled, seeing the paper bag held by the escort knight. He seemed to find it amusing that I only received bread, unlike Ethel, who received flowers.

“Sia prefers practical things over flowers.”

Angelo’s answer instantly brought back the past of Elicia’s original body. She blatantly showed her dislike for flower gifts from others, saying she preferred practical things. Of course, it wasn’t always that way. It was a habit she developed after her family’s fortunes declined following her mother’s death. Since Angelo was Elicia’s childhood friend, he must have cleverly remembered it. Even though it was someone else’s business, I was slightly moved. I smiled wryly for a moment, then snapped back to reality.

“Say hello. This is Miss Ethel, the new friend I made.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I am Ethel Marchetti.”

Ethel curtsied, holding her skirt, with a face like she’d chewed something bitter.

“I’m Angelo Leglorie. We’ve met at the academy, haven’t we? It’s nice to meet you.”

Unlike Angelo, who greeted her warmly, Ian kept his gaze fixed on me, as if he wasn’t interested. When I nudged Ian’s arm with my elbow, signaling him to greet Ethel, he only raised an eyebrow and ultimately did not say hello. At that, Ethel gave a light chuckle.

Let’s just give up on the introduction for now. I had no choice but to step up and introduce Ian myself.

“Allow me to introduce him. This is Erlian Bellocchio.”

I intentionally didn’t call him ‘my husband.’ Because he would soon be Ethel’s husband.

“Then, should we sit down and talk first?”

Ethel’s mouth was smiling, but her eyes seemed to be swearing at me. I nodded at her suggestion and said, “Our servants are preparing the seating right now. Shall we go that way?”

Over there, the Bellocchio family’s servants and maids were laying out mats and setting up refreshments in front of the lake. I had prepared this, hoping that Ian and Ethel would get to know each other while enjoying refreshments before starting the boat ride in earnest. She approached me with heavy steps, said she liked the idea, and linked arms with me.

“You said we would talk about the game, but the company seems a bit large?” Ethel spoke softly enough so that Angelo and Ian, who were following behind, couldn’t hear.

“It’s good to talk about the game and have some fun too, isn’t it?”

“Well, I don’t think the person in question wants to get close to me either.”

“The best romances start from bad blood,” I teased.

“Oh, I love those—when it’s someone else’s story.” She replied with her teeth gritted, as if she really disliked it.

We didn’t walk far before quickly arriving at the mat. Various fruits, cookies, and bread were prepared in the middle of the mat.

After Ethel sat down first, I slowly sat down across from her, then pretended to adjust my dress and stood up again.

“Ian, hurry up and come here.”

Next, I made him sit across from Ethel and sat down next to Ian. Actually, I wanted to seat Ian next to her, but it was obvious he would vehemently refuse because of his shyness around strangers. If they sat side-by-side, they wouldn’t look at each other, so I decided it was better to guide them to sit face-to-face. Ethel’s expression, having clearly figured out my intention, soured in real-time.

“I prepared this because I thought Miss Ethel was interested in bread. The Bellocchio family’s pastry chef is truly skilled.”

“Thanks for the gift.” When I handed Ethel a chocolate muffin, she took a rough bite.

“The reason I arranged this meeting is… because all three of you attend the same academy, even though I don’t, and I hoped you could become friends.”

“Sia, you’re truly kind.” (Angelo)

“Well. I’m busy studying.” (Ian)

“I’m busy with my bread research.” (Ethel)

See? They love each other, so their answers are similar. I was convinced, looking through my self-imposed ‘delusional shipper’ lens.

‘But the quest clear window hasn’t popped up yet…’

Ian was utterly uninterested in his future partner right in front of him. I forced a smile and just made random comments about the bread tasting good or the weather being nice. The only person who responded actively to my words was Angelo. Unfortunately, Ian and Ethel did not speak to each other. They even kept their gaze fixed on me, as if something terrible would happen if they looked at each other.

I have no choice. I must use the final method.

“Let’s go boating!”

As I jumped up and suggested it, the three of them slowly stood up as well. As I, the first to stand, put on my shoes, I swayed, and Ian, noticing this, tried to grab me, but I was faster.

“Sia, are you alright?”

“Yes, thank you.”

I deliberately leaned my body toward Angelo, and he held my arms to steady me. Angelo looked down at me and smiled. Unlike his usual subtle smile, he looked incredibly happy.

‘Now that I think about it, Angelo said before.’ That he was so happy just by touching me. This reminded me of easily clearing the quest to spend happy time with Angelo. But this was no time to be lost in memories. I whispered only to him.

“Pretend you can’t ride the boat.”

He might have been upset that I called him out for boating only to tell him he couldn’t go, but he nodded slightly without even asking why. That was certainly a characteristic ‘pushover’ action.

“Step back a little.”

As Ian’s voice was heard from behind, Ian’s arms touched both my shoulders and neck, and my body tilted backward. And Ian’s upper body touched my back.

“This is a bit…” I was embarrassed by the accidental posture, as if Ian was hugging me from behind. Ethel was raising the corners of her mouth, watching us, seemingly pleased with the situation.

‘This is awkward.’

Too embarrassed, my heart started beating fast, as if I had been running. I reached out to remove the arm wrapped around my shoulder, but this time his action was quicker. For some reason, he firmly held my hand with his. At this, Ethel covered her mouth and started watching us.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

I tried to shake off his hand, but I couldn’t easily push away Ian, who practiced swordsmanship every day. In the end, I had no choice but to pull Ian’s hand forward. Fortunately, he complied with this. Without hesitation, I bit the back of Ian’s hand, just hard enough not to hurt him.

“Get off.”

As Ian’s laughter was heard above my head, his arm disappeared from my sight. Feeling much freer, I stretched for no reason and met Angelo’s eyes. He, who always smiled when our eyes met, did not smile this time.

‘…Is he sulking because I stopped the boating?’

I patted Angelo’s back as if to comfort him and walked towards the boat.

After a few steps, a boat appeared before my eyes. It was a moderate size, neither too small nor excessively large like a cruise ship. The captain, who was waiting, greeted us politely upon seeing us.

First, Ethel boarded the boat with the captain’s escort. Just as I was about to take the captain’s hand to board the boat, Ian quickly snatched my hand.

“Board.”

“Thank you.”

I wish he would take care of Ethel like this… I licked my lips and got on the boat. And immediately, Ian lightly boarded the boat.

“Ian, you don’t get seasick, right?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then you can’t get off halfway.”

“Got it.”

Ian nodded at me. Then he turned his head toward Angelo. As Ian arrogantly gestured with his chin, as if telling him to hurry up and board, Angelo slowly opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry. My condition isn’t very good. I’ll wait here. You two go have fun.”

Angelo did not board the boat as I had requested. Ethel was already sitting in the front, and the captain, who had boarded last, was already holding the helm and slowly moving. Before others could see, I quickly took off my ring and threw it.

“Ah, my ring!”

The red-glowing ring rolled to the bow of the boat, to the captain’s spot, and Ian moved to pick it up. The moment Ian reached the bow of the boat, “Then you two have fun!”

I quickly pulled up my skirt to my calves and jumped down, escaping the boat. Since the boat had already started, I couldn’t land on the shore and fell straight into the water. Fortunately, it was the start of the lake, so the water level was only about my calves, and I was spared with only some splashes on my legs and the hem of my skirt.

“Be sure to come back as friends!”

When I smiled and waved my hand, Ian and Ethel looked at me with dumbfounded expressions. The boat carrying the two of them moved farther away, and I turned my back without regret and got out of the lake.

“I think coming boating was a really good idea.”

Angelo smiled, showing his teeth, as if he found the situation amusing.

‘It will take at least an hour for them to return.’

I had already given the captain extra money and asked him to go as far as possible and come back. I walked toward a bench with Angelo.

“I’m sorry. I called you out for boating only to stop you from riding the boat.”

“No. I like this situation better.”

His voice was noticeably excited, as if he was genuinely happy. We sat side-by-side on the bench and watched the boat moving away.

“I hope the two of them are friends when the boat returns.”

“They will come back as friends.”

Angelo confidently replied to my muttering.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Just my gut feeling?”

“W-well…”

They’re definitely going to come back not being friends at all. I only gave a soulless reaction to Angelo’s unbelievable assertion.

“I also genuinely hoped for those two to become friends, just like you, Sia.”

“Why do you?”

“I think Erlian tries to only be close with you.”

“That’s right. It would be nice if Ian got along well with everyone.”

It’s only because Ian is severely shy around strangers. Since his personality is much better than in the original story, it won’t be a problem caused by a morally corrupt personality.

“Sia, actually, I’m anxious about Erlian’s attention being focused on you.”

“…I hope he also makes more friends soon.”

Why do the people around me only try to be close with me? I sighed at their unfortunate interpersonal relationships.

“It’s not just a simple matter of friends. You promised. You promised to marry me.”

Come to think of it, Angelo, who had visited the Duke’s residence a long time ago, did say something like that.

“Sia said she would marry me, and I agreed, so I suppose you could call it an engagement.”

Angelo’s expression was quite serious, as if his positive response to Elicia’s original body’s marriage threat (?), which had tormented him so much, was actually sincere.

“Angelo, that was a promise made when we were children and didn’t know any better. I’m sorry, but you know I’m already married, right?”

“You’re going to divorce Erlian when you become an adult anyway.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I was told it was a secret.”

“By who?”

“It’s a secret.”

‘Did Elicia’s original body tell him?’

It was highly likely. Since it was an unwanted marriage, perhaps she, who had resolved to divorce before I started the game, had told Angelo.

“When did you hear that?”

“Not long after you got married.”

However, if it was after the marriage, it would be after I started the game, so it wasn’t Elicia’s original body. I never told Angelo either, so Ian must have said it.

‘Right, his Affinity went up when I said I’d divorce him when he became an adult.’

Ian must have been so happy that he told Angelo, who was the closest person to him besides me. And yet he pretends not to be close to him in front of me.

‘He said he didn’t want to be friends with anyone else besides me.’

I know it’s a fixed sequence that he’ll divorce me and end up with Ethel. But I don’t know why I feel sad. I needlessly stomped the ground with my sole.

“Sia, don’t be too sad, though.”

He must be trying to protect Ian, since they are friends. What a fierce friendship.

“I will never forget my promise to you.”

Angelo said with a voice full of conviction. Was he saying he would marry me as promised when he became an adult? That was certainly a pushover’s determination.

“You don’t have to. It was a promise made carelessly as a child…”

“It looks like they’re already coming back.”

Angelo lightly ignored my words and stood up. I clearly asked the captain to go as far as possible, but the boat arrived earlier than expected. Why?

I focused my gaze on the boat and approached quickly.

“The lady on the boat said she was seasick…”

The captain quickly explained, avoiding eye contact, as if feeling guilty.

“Really? She looks perfectly fine.”

Ethel, very much not seasick, called out coldly, “Lady Elicia Bellocchio, we need to talk.”

Was it because I arranged for her to be alone with Ian, contrary to my promise? Ethel, who looked simply angry rather than seasick, grabbed my arm and dragged me away. Contrary to her delicate appearance, she was surprisingly strong, and I had to be dragged along.

I gave Ian and Angelo a pitiful look. At that, Angelo took a step closer as if to help me, but Ian quickly stopped him.

“We’ll wait.”

Considering how well Ian and Ethel are getting along, aren’t they quite close? But regrettably, the quest clear window did not pop up.

I couldn’t resist anymore and was dragged away by Ethel. After walking a bit, we came to a bench located next to a large rock. Ethel and I sat side-by-side. I could see Ian and Angelo watching us from a distance.

“You said there would be no time alone with Ian.”

“That’s why the captain was there too.”

When I shrugged and said this, she let out a short sigh.

“You tried quite hard, didn’t you? To hook me up with Ian.”

“I’m sorry. I had to clear a quest related to the two of you. So, did you have a good conversation with Ian?”

“We did talk. About you, Miss Sia.”

That wasn’t bad. Starting with talking about a mutual acquaintance and then gradually broadening the scope of the conversation. I was worried they might just maintain silence, but it seems they had a pretty good time.

“Ian seemed uneasy about the increasing number of people around you, Miss Sia.”

“He’s very shy around strangers, so I’m his only close friend. Still, isn’t he much kinder than the Ian in the original story?”

“I don’t know about kind. Anyway, since Ian seemed uneasy, I advised him to pay more attention.”

Pay more attention to what…? I forced myself to suppress my anxiety and asked.

“What should Ian pay more attention to?”

“I told him to pay more attention to you, Miss Sia. That he should be careful of your surroundings since you seem like the type to be popular.”

“Why did you lie?”

“Because you tricked me too.”

Ethel was not an easy person.

“I wish Ian would become obsessed with you this time, not me.”

“No, he shouldn’t become obsessed, and he has to end up with you.”

“I told you I have no intention of seeing the happy ending in this playthrough. Though it seemed like even Lala wanted me to get close to Ian. A quest popped up when I was on the boat with Ian earlier.”

“What kind of quest?”

“The content was to raise Ian’s Affinity by 1 while on the boat. And the hint said to have a conversation related to swordsmanship, which Ian likes.”

Lala must have been incredibly frustrated. Why else would he give Ethel such an easy quest?

“But I only talked about you, Miss Sia. I don’t want to play a game where I fall in love with Ian this time.”

Ethel said with a very firm voice.

“Why do you hate it so much?”

“Because it seems like this game desperately wants that to happen.”

Is Ethel a contrarian? Can’t she just clear the happy ending this time too? I was a little annoyed but forced myself to hold it in and asked, “Isn’t that just a misunderstanding?”

“Do you know this? I’ve played this game so much. Most of the guides posted on the game community were posted by me.”

“Wow…”

In the <Girl in the Cage> game community, there was a user who posted various versions of guides, to the extent that you’d wonder if they did nothing but eat and play games. I was also able to achieve the happy ending by referring to her guides.

‘The veteran player is right in front of me…’

An internal camaraderie surged toward Ethel.

“Out of so many users, why do you think they brought me into this game? Because I can easily clear the happy ending.”

“Isn’t that jumping to conclusions too easily?”

“And there’s another reason. My hobby is Kendo.”

“Wow, that’s cool!”

“I started it because I couldn’t hit my boss. Anyway, that’s why Lala brought me in—because I actually know how to use a sword and know this game well.”

It made sense when I heard it. In the original game, you had to be good at swordsmanship to gain Ian’s favor. However, even if that were true, I had no intention of raising an issue with it. Ian and Ethel ending up together is my goal too.

“I can’t end up with Ian if I join the baking club. But when I chose the baking club, Lala kept making excuses to connect me with Ian, saying the game was updated.”

“If that’s true, it seems like Lala wants your happy ending, Miss Ethel. Why don’t you just help out?”

I don’t know why, but Lala seemed to be on my side. That’s why he gave the quest to talk to Ian when Ethel was on the boat.

“When people force me to do something, it just makes me want to do it even less. This isn’t work, you know.”

Ethel abruptly stood up, as if she didn’t want to talk to me anymore. She must be a very free spirit. Considering how much she hates following what others tell her to do.

‘Of course, I don’t intend to give up either.’

There is still time. And Lala is on my side. If I keep trying, Ethel’s mind might change. What’s more important now is clearing the quest to imprint Ethel’s existence on Ian.

‘What kind of conversation should I initiate…’

Judging by Ethel’s expression, she didn’t want to be with us anymore. I let out a small sigh, looking at her tightly sealed lips, as if she was about to say goodbye and leave. They even talked about me while on the same boat, so why wasn’t Ethel’s existence imprinted on Ian?

I pouted for no reason, and then a rustling sound was heard from behind. Ethel also turned her head, as if to check if I had misheard. The sound was coming from behind a large rock, and though the body wasn’t visible, a pair of long, grey ears that stuck out were showing their presence.

“Wow, it was a cute rabbit.”

“Miss Sia, step back.”

She picked up a thick wooden stick next to her with a determined expression.

“Why are you doing that to a rabbit?”

“That’s a monster. It’s a giant rabbit that often appears as training material when playing as the Fencing or Magic Department.”

Indeed, Ethel was not just a veteran, but a deeply seasoned player. To know it was a monster just by seeing the ears. The rabbit monster leaped up onto the rock.

“Wow…”

The monster looked about five times larger than a normal rabbit, and its eyes were unnaturally slanted. Unlike normal rabbits, whose pupils are almost all black, this monster had small black pupils. And the whites of its eyes were red, as if stained with blood.

Fortunately, I have the soundless stick that Lala gave me. I wanted to take it out and use it immediately, but I might get into trouble if Ian and Angelo saw it. I subtly glanced behind me. As if they noticed our situation, Ian and Angelo were running toward us from a distance.

“If we stall for a little while, Ian and Angelo will arrive.”

“We can’t wait that long. I can take care of it.”

“Don’t forget. What the lady is holding is a wooden stick, not a sword.”

“It would have been difficult with other monsters, but I can subdue that one.”

As soon as Ethel finished speaking, the rabbit monster leaped toward us, as if to attack. Unlike me, who flinched, she very quickly struck the monster between its ears with the wooden stick. The monster then flopped over.

“It’s knocked out, so it won’t wake up for a while.”

“Wow, a true veteran… No, you’re too good for Kendo just being a hobby, aren’t you?”

“It is a hobby… but I was lucky enough to win an award in an amateur competition.”

What, she’s completely naturally gifted. While I was marveling, Ian and Angelo had already approached us. They were quite far away, but they were here already… They must be very good at running.

Ian’s gaze was fixed on me, as if checking my condition. I wondered why I felt embarrassed whenever he worried. So, I unnecessarily cleared my throat.

“Don’t worry. She took care of it.”

She threw the wooden stick to the ground and smiled confidently. Right at that moment.

[Congratulations. You have completed ★Lala★’s Quest <Imprint Ethel’s Existence onto Ian>. Would you like to check the reward?]

 

▷ Yes

 

▷ No

Surprisingly, I had cleared the quest. My heart suddenly started beating fast.

‘Is this the beginning of love?’

The Ian in the original story was drawn to Ethel after seeing her excellent swordsmanship skills and her serious dedication to the craft. Was the current Ian the same?

The effort of hosting the boating get-together was worth it. But why? This was clearly the result I wanted, yet I wasn’t happy. It was obvious that Ian, who used to say he only needed me as a friend, would now become indifferent to me. I really didn’t like that.

[Ian’s Temperament Stat has increased by 5.]

 

[Ian’s Affinity has increased by 5.]

 

[The game difficulty increases.]

The quest clear was so overwhelming that I couldn’t properly check what rewards I had received.

The boating get-together came to a quick, anti-climactic end right after the rabbit monster incident. I said goodbye to Ethel and Angelo and returned to the Duke’s residence with Ian.

Because I was overly quiet, Ian misunderstood that I was in shock from seeing the monster. Ian’s gaze was fixed on me to the point of being overwhelming until I fell asleep.

***

‘I feel a bit better after sleeping.’

I felt good when the warm sunlight greeted me as I opened my eyes. Anna hadn’t come to wake me yet. So, I could lounge around more. I had no intention of getting up right away, so I lay still and just stretched out my arm. The red diamond on my right index finger sparkled.

“I was quite sad that you didn’t look for that yesterday.”

An familiar voice was heard near my ear. I turned my head and saw Ian lying next to me, looking at me. Now that I think about it, I had intentionally dropped the ring yesterday to make Ian and Ethel ride the boat alone, and quickly jumped off the boat while Ian was picking it up. After that, I forgot about the ring while talking to Ethel…

“I was going to keep it until you looked for it, but your finger looked bare, so I put it on for you.”

“When?”

“Earlier this morning.”

“What? Didn’t you sleep?”

“I woke up early.”

To prove his words, Ian didn’t look tired at all. I stared at his face and asked.

“What do you think of Miss Ethel, whom we met yesterday?”

“I just think of her as your friend.”

“That’s it?”

“What else is there?”

I liked Ian’s characteristic indifferent answer. Unconsciously, I started listening to Ian’s continuing words with my lips slightly curled up.

“When we were talking on the boat and seeing her subdue the monster, she wasn’t bad. It seems like you’ve made a pretty good friend this time.”

My slightly curled lips dropped again. Now, it really felt like Ian would start caring about Ethel more than me.

Of course, it’s not that I love Ian or anything. Perhaps because I had come to unconsciously rely on Ian after starting my life at the Duke’s residence after marriage? I just disliked that my best friend would gradually become neglectful of me.

“Yeah. I think it would be nice if you got along well with Miss Ethel too. You’ll be able to see her soon since you’re returning to the academy.”

“I’ll run into her. But I’m busy maintaining my top rank.”

Ian’s resolute answer made me laugh. Even so, he’ll eventually like Ethel. I don’t know why I know their fate even though I’m not a prophet.

I unnecessarily pulled Ian’s hair slightly and said,

“Right. Now is the time to focus on studying. Take it slow with romance. Maybe next year or the year after.”

“Romance? What romance? Did you forget we’re married?”

Ian raised his upper body and retorted.

“You might develop feelings for a girl at the academy.”

Of course, she would be Ethel.

“That won’t happen. There’s no way I would commit infidelity.”

“You never know what might happen…”

“You told me I have to live properly every day, and yet you talk about romance. Don’t think strange thoughts.”

Ian touched the tip of my hair. I glared at him, wondering if he was retaliating because I had pulled his hair, but he just played with it and didn’t pull.

Come to think of it, Ian was looking down at me again. It was somewhat okay last time because it was dark, but it was even more embarrassing to have him do this on a bright morning. I nimbly rolled to the edge of the bed and got up.

“Time to eat, time to eat!”

Ian’s laughter was heard from behind.

After that, uneventful days passed. I naturally thought Ian would send a letter to Ethel. However, perhaps because he was busy with various classes, he seemed to have forgotten the existence of Ethel.

As expected, he seems too shy to approach her first. But he probably won’t be impatient.

‘He’ll see her often at the academy, to the point of being sick of it anyway.’

I thought as I watched Ian getting into the carriage to return to the academy. Now that he would be meeting Ethel more often than me, wouldn’t his letters, which he used to urge me to reply to, become infrequent?

‘It’s a good thing, I was getting annoyed. He also needs to stay out of trouble.’

I smiled bitterly and saw him off.