TONLWF | Chapter 5

Episode 5

Starting from the day Isabella properly learned how to use a smartphone, the system miraculously began displaying additional features that she might like.

It began with an internet connection.

By paying just 1 krona, she could enjoy limited access for a week to new content related to Haeyoon.

There were essentials for any idol fan like Tr**X, or even paid apps like BuX that allowed communication with idols.

The paid apps, which started with cheap trial passes, began to skyrocket in price once the trial periods expired.

For instance, three months later, the internet connection fee that Isabella had to pay now amounted to:

『 A monthly internet communication fee of 1,000,000 krona will be deducted. 』

‘You damned bastards, do I look like a pushover? Huh?!’

After using the internet to search the standard communication fees in Korea, Isabella discovered that the amount the system demanded was ten times the average fee, making her scowl deeply.

‘They’re ripping me off big time!’

Paying such an exorbitant fee—equivalent to the monthly food expenses of a typical family of four—made her heart ache, but thanks to using the internet and social media, she had now become proficient in Korean to the point of understanding not only standard language but also internet slang and abbreviations.

“Young lady. What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Hm?”

Worried by the sight of Isabella spacing out mid-meal, Selly, who was standing beside her, cautiously observed her expression.

“Mm. It’s nothing. I just thought the weather seemed really nice today.”

“Summer’s almost here~.”

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

Casually responding to Selly’s comment, Isabella steadily organized her upcoming plans in her mind.

‘First, I need to complete the first mission. That takes priority.’

They had said the second mission would be revealed only after the first was completed.

As she absentmindedly fiddled with the smartphone in her pocket, Isabella quickly withdrew her hand when she sensed someone approaching.

“Young Lady Isabella.”

“What is it, Martin?”

“You have a visitor.”

“At this hour?”

Martin nodded silently, his expression full of discomfort.

It seemed the visitor was someone he didn’t want to receive.

Isabella immediately guessed who the visitor was.

There was only one person who would show up unannounced early in the morning.

Apparently, her announcement of their broken engagement a few days ago had been quite a shock.

Sighing deeply as if the ground would cave in, Isabella said,

“Could you ask him to wait a moment? I’ll go after I change clothes.”

“Yes, young lady.”

Just as she turned to return to her bedroom, Isabella came to a sudden halt.

Selly and Martin, who had been quietly following her, stopped in place and watched her fall into thought.

What was the point of dressing up for someone she was going to break up with anyway?

Glancing at her pajamas, Isabella threw a nightgown over her shoulders.

“Never mind. It’s not like I have anything to impress him with. He’s in the drawing room on the first floor, right?”

“Yes. He’s waiting in the drawing room.”

“Don’t bring out any tea to the drawing room. He’ll be leaving shortly.”

Clearly conveying her intentions to Martin, Isabella headed straight to the drawing room.

Outside the mansion, or perhaps admiring the view through the window, Icanuel stood still in front of the glass.

Click.

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

Even in the early morning, Icanuel looked immaculate without the slightest puffiness, showing off his impeccable good looks as usual.

His perfectly symmetrical features looked as if sculpted with great care, and the morning sun made his ash-gray hair shimmer.

Between his slightly lowered eyelids, his deep blue eyes were fixed on her

His tightly sealed lips, beneath his sharp nose, finally parted.

A deep and resonant voice echoed through the quiet drawing room.

“Lady Ledia.”

At Icanuel calling her name, Isabella’s body shivered involuntarily, perhaps out of tension.

‘No, wait. Why am I getting nervous? We’re breaking up anyway.’

Changing her train of thought, her racing heart seemed to calm a bit.

Meeting his gaze head-on without flinching, Isabella took a seat on the sofa first.

Extending her hand calmly, she gestured for him to sit across from her.

No matter what, today she would get this pompous fiancé to agree to the breakup.

Her eyes gleamed with more determination than ever.

Icanuel silently took the seat across from her.

Without a word, he rested his clasped hands on his knees.

Watching him, Isabella forced her reluctant lips to move. A sarcastic tone slipped between her lips.

“I’m curious as to what reason the young duke had for visiting so early in the morning.”

Not once had he ever visited first before.

Swallowing the rest of her words, she clenched her hands tightly.

Even at her question, Icanuel simply stared at her without replying.

His cold eyes today seemed to waver with an unusual, hearth-like heat.

He slowly unclasped his hands and took a small box out of his coat pocket. His hand, holding the box, hovered uncertainly in midair.

Uncharacteristically hesitant, Icanuel soon placed the box on the table and pushed it toward Isabella, as if to say it was a gift he had prepared for her.

“The reason I came so early this morning is because I wish to spend this Harta’s Night with you, Lady Ledia.”

“…Excuse me?”

Isabella looked at him in disbelief, doubting her own ears.

The man who had never once asked her to be his partner since their engagement was now suddenly changing his tune.

Harta’s Night—the grand summer festival of the Bertus Empire—was famous for the legend that lovers who prayed together at the Temple of Harta, god of summer, would have their love last forever.

Thanks to that legend of eternal love, countless people from across the continent visited the empire around this time every year to offer their prayers at the temple.

And now, he wanted to attend such a festival—with her, the very person who had declared their engagement broken?

Isabella barely held back a sigh escaping from her slightly parted lips.

She seriously wondered if he had hit his head overnight.

Acting as if they were close, as if he had forgotten the ten years he spent ignoring her, only added to her confusion.

“You didn’t forget what I said the other day, did you?”

“I remember.”

“Then why are you making such a proposal to me?”

She furrowed her brow slightly, unable to understand his proposal.

After hearing Isabella’s question, Icanuel tilted his head instead and asked back.

“Do we need a reason to attend the festival when we’re engaged?”

“Do we need a reason to attend the festival when we’re engaged?”

It felt like her thought process had completely halted because of Icanuel, who was acting as if nothing had ever happened.

Isabella opened her clenched fist and waved it aimlessly in the air.

“Wait. Just a moment.”

As if he was willing to wait for her answer, he simply nodded once in silence.

Why on earth was this man acting this way?

Could it be that he intended to ignore her request for a breakup altogether?

If that was the case, it meant he planned to push forward with the engagement as is.

His navy-blue eyes, staring straight at her, were calm like a still lake, without even a fragment of emotion.

‘It’s not even the day I asked for the breakup. And he’s only now asking to attend as my partner?’

Regaining her composure with great effort, Isabella looked at the small box placed in front of her.

If it had been during the time she harbored unrequited feelings for him, she would’ve been happy to receive it.

But now, it was different. Isabella felt no emotion at the sight of the gift he had brought.

Rather, it felt burdensome.

‘Should I tell Selly to bring the jewelry box I got for my birthday while I’m at it?’

Since Icanuel personally coming to her like this was extremely rare, this might be the perfect opportunity to return everything.

They had been engaged for a whole ten years.

There were countless pieces of jewelry she had received from Icanuel during that time, but as they had never once attended a party together, all of them remained untouched in her jewelry box.

Finding the situation somewhat ridiculous, a faint laugh escaped her lips.

Isabella reached out and pushed the gift back toward him.

Icanuel looked utterly flustered at her unexpected action.

In contrast, Isabella remained calm as she continued speaking.

“No. I don’t intend to spend the Night of Harta with you, nor do I plan to accept this gift.”

“Wait. Just wait.”

Looking at his rare expression of panic, Isabella showed a face completely free of regret.

Rising from her seat, she placed a hand on her chest and bowed politely as she spoke.

“It seems you’ll have to spend the Night of Harta with someone else.”

“Isabella.”

After sticking to formal titles all this time.

Now, hearing him say her name in such a familiar tone felt far too awkward.

Isabella, who had kept a stiff expression in front of him this whole time, curved her lips into a soft smile.

But that was all.

The eyes that once sparkled with countless emotions toward him now held nothing at all.

At the gaze that seemed to declare the end of their relationship, Icanuel’s hands—resting on his knees—trembled slightly.

She was clearly drawing the line, leaving behind neither resentment nor affection.

It was as if her lips had been glued shut—they wouldn’t part.

“There’s no need to call me by name. It’s not like we were ever close enough to do that.”

“……”

“You don’t love me, do you?”

She knew full well it was extremely impolite to leave before the guest had gone.

But what did it matter?

She wasn’t going to see him again after the breakup anyway.

Now that her storm of emotions had completely settled, she was able to regain her composure.

“Your unexpected visit makes me uncomfortable as well. I’d appreciate it if you informed me beforehand next time. Then, please head back safely.”

“Isabella. Wait a moment.”

Icanuel let out his hand toward the air as if to grab her wrist.

But before he could even touch her, Isabella had already stepped back.

“Ah. And please reconsider the breakup, too.”

Adding that final remark to the still-silent man, Isabella bid farewell and turned around to leave the drawing room.

Through the window, the exceptionally clear morning sky filled her vision. It was the perfect weather to start a new day.

At the same time, a new notification window popped up on the smartphone inside her pajama pocket.

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

▶ We look forward to you utilizing your unique player traits.