Chapter 5

From the very day Isabella finally learned how to properly use her smartphone, the system uncannily began presenting additional features tailored perfectly to her tastes.

It started with internet access.

For the mere price of one krona, she could unlock a week’s worth of new content related to Haeyoon. There were fan essentials every idol enthusiast supposedly needed, premium social apps that allowed users to communicate with idols directly, and countless other temptations.

The paid services all began with inexpensive trial passes.

But once the trial periods expired, the prices skyrocketed to absurd levels.

For example, after three months, the fee Isabella now had to pay for internet access was—

『 Monthly Internet Service Fee: 1,000,000 Krona will be deducted. 』

You damned scammers! Do I look like an easy mark to you?!

After using the internet to research the standard telecommunications fees in South Korea, Isabella discovered that the system was charging her nearly ten times the average rate.

Her face twisted into a deep scowl.

They’re practically robbing me blind!

The fee was equivalent to an ordinary family of four’s monthly food expenses.

Every time she paid it, her heart ached.

Still, thanks to having access to the internet and social media, her Korean had improved dramatically. She no longer understood only standard Korean; internet slang and abbreviations came naturally to her now.

“Miss, what are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Hm?”

Isabella had stopped eating entirely and fallen into thought.

Watching her from nearby, Selly wore a worried expression.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I was just thinking how nice the weather is today.”

“Well, summer’s almost here.”

“That means Harta’s Night will be starting soon, too.”

Isabella casually agreed with Selly while organizing her future plans.

First things first, I need to complete the first mission.

The system had promised to reveal the second mission only after she successfully cleared the first.

She absentmindedly rubbed the smartphone hidden in her pocket.

Then she suddenly sensed someone approaching and quickly withdrew her hand.

“Lady Isabella.”

“What is it, Martin?”

“You have a visitor.”

“At this hour?”

Martin nodded silently.

His face was full of discomfort.

Apparently, it was not a guest he particularly welcomed.

Isabella immediately guessed who it was.

There was only one person who would arrive unannounced so early in the morning.

It seemed her declaration of breaking off the engagement had been far more shocking than she’d expected.

Letting out a long sigh, she said,

“Ask them to wait a moment. I’ll change first.”

“Yes, my lady.”

She turned to head back toward her bedroom.

Then suddenly stopped.

Selly and Martin, who had been quietly following her, watched as she stood there pondering.

Why bother dressing up for someone she intended to break off her engagement with anyway?

Looking down at her nightclothes, Isabella simply threw a robe over her shoulders.

“No, never mind. It’s not like I need to impress him. He’s in the drawing room, right?”

“Yes. He’s waiting there.”

“Don’t bring tea. He won’t be staying long.”

Making her intentions crystal clear, Isabella headed straight for the drawing room.

Inside, Ikanuel stood motionless before the window, seemingly observing the scenery outside.

Click.

At the sound of the door closing, he turned toward her.

Despite the early hour, there wasn’t the slightest trace of fatigue on his face.

As always, Ikanuel looked devastatingly handsome.

His perfectly symmetrical features seemed sculpted by a master artisan. His ash-gray hair shimmered beneath the morning sunlight.

Between slightly lowered eyes, his deep blue gaze settled upon her.

His firmly pressed lips parted.

A rich, low voice filled the silent room.

“Lady Redia.”

For a brief moment, Isabella’s body trembled involuntarily at the sound of his voice.

No. Why am I nervous? We’re breaking off the engagement anyway.

The thought helped calm her racing heart.

Meeting his gaze directly, Isabella strode forward and sat down first.

She gestured casually toward the seat opposite her.

As if inviting him to sit.

Today, no matter what happened, she would finally obtain a formal dissolution of their engagement.

Her eyes shone with determination.

Without a word, Ikanuel took the seat across from her.

His hands remained clasped neatly atop his knees.

Watching him, Isabella forced herself to speak.

A trace of sarcasm slipped into her voice.

“I’m curious what could possibly bring the Young Duke here so early in the morning.”

After all, you’ve never come to see me first before.

She swallowed the rest of her thoughts and clenched her hands tightly.

Even after her question, Ikanuel simply looked at her.

His normally cold eyes seemed strangely warm today, flickering like firelight.

Unclasping his hands, he reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a small box.

The hand holding it hesitated briefly in midair.

Uncharacteristically uncertain, he finally pushed the box across the table toward her.

As though it were a gift prepared especially for her.

“The reason I came this morning is because I wish to spend this year’s Harta’s Night with Lady Redia.”

“…What?”

Isabella stared at him in disbelief.

The man who had never once asked her to be his partner throughout their engagement had suddenly changed his mind.

Harta’s Night was the Bertus Empire’s grand summer festival.

Legend claimed that if two lovers prayed together within the Temple of Harta, the God of Summer, their love would last forever.

Because of that legend, countless people traveled from all across the continent each year to visit the empire and pray at Harta’s Temple.

And now—

He wanted to attend that festival with her?

The same woman who had already asked to end their engagement?

Isabella barely managed to suppress a sigh.

She seriously wondered whether he’d injured his head overnight.

For ten years he had ignored her.

Now he behaved as though they shared some intimate relationship.

The contradiction only confused her more.

“You haven’t forgotten what I told you a few days ago, have you?”

“I remember.”

“Then why are you making this proposal?”

A slight frown appeared between her brows.

Ikanuel tilted his head.

“Do we need a reason? We’re engaged.”

For a moment, Isabella felt as though her entire thought process had frozen.

She waved a hand through the air.

“Wait. Just… wait a second.”

As if willing to hear her out, Ikanuel silently nodded.

What on earth is wrong with this man?

Was he simply planning to ignore her request entirely?

If so, it meant he intended to force the engagement to continue.

His sapphire eyes remained fixed upon her.

Steady.

Quiet.

As calm as a still lake without a single ripple.

Not the day I asked for the breakup… but now? Now he’s asking me to be his festival partner?

Having finally regained her composure, Isabella glanced down at the small box before her.

If this had happened during the years she secretly loved him, she would have accepted it with joy.

But not anymore.

The gift stirred no excitement whatsoever.

If anything, it felt burdensome.

Maybe I should ask Selly to bring the jewelry box he gave me for my birthday too.

It was rare enough for Ikanuel to come personally.

This might be the perfect chance to return everything.

They had been engaged for ten years.

Over that decade, he had gifted her countless jewels and accessories.

Yet because he never attended events with her, every single item remained untouched inside her jewelry box.

The irony almost made her laugh.

A faint, powerless chuckle escaped her lips.

Then Isabella pushed the gift box back across the table.

Ikanuel looked genuinely stunned.

Meanwhile, she remained remarkably calm.

“No. I have no intention of spending Harta’s Night with you, Young Duke. And I certainly don’t intend to accept this gift.”

“Wait. Just a moment.”

Seeing such obvious panic on his face was rare.

But Isabella felt no lingering attachment whatsoever.

She rose from her seat.

Placing a hand over her chest, she bowed politely.

“I’m afraid you’ll need to spend Harta’s Night with someone else.”

“Isabella.”

For ten years he had stubbornly addressed her only through formal titles.

Hearing him suddenly call her by name felt unbearably awkward.

The corners of Isabella’s lips curved into a gentle smile.

But that was all.

The eyes that had once shone with countless emotions whenever they looked at him now held nothing.

Nothing at all.

The look in her eyes clearly signaled the end of their relationship.

On his knee, Ikanuel’s hand twitched.

There was no resentment left.

No affection.

Only a firm boundary separating them.

His lips remained tightly sealed.

“You don’t need to call me by my name.”

“…”

“When have we ever been close enough for that?”

Silence.

Then Isabella continued.

“You don’t even like me, do you?”

She knew leaving before a guest departed was terribly rude.

But what did it matter?

Once the engagement ended, she’d never see him again anyway.

Now that her turbulent emotions had finally settled, she felt strangely calm.

“These sudden visits are uncomfortable for me. Please give notice next time.”

She smiled politely.

“Have a safe trip home.”

“Isabella. Wait.”

Ikanuel reached out as if to grab her wrist.

But before his hand could touch her, Isabella stepped back.

“Oh, and please reconsider the engagement issue as well.”

Adding those final words to the still-silent man, she offered her farewell.

Then she turned and left the drawing room without looking back.

Outside the windows stretched an unusually clear morning sky.

Perfect weather for the beginning of a new day.

At that exact moment, a new notification appeared on the smartphone hidden inside her pajama pocket.

『 First Mission: “Remove the Contamination” is about to begin. 』

The system looks forward to seeing you utilize your unique player trait.