~Chapter 14~
Ping—
System
Hidden Achievement Unlocked!
You received the reward: “I Can See Your Affection.”
“Mmm—. For some reason, the tea tastes better today.”
I stared at the notification window and sipped slowly.
This was my first reward, earned after successfully bringing together Sir Harbor and Lady Claire!
Even now, I couldn’t help checking it again and again—it made me proud every time.
“This time, the viscount brought in new tea leaves through the eastern merchants. How did you notice?”
“Really?”
I had blurted out something random, but somehow guessed correctly that the tea leaves were different.
Back when I worked at the café, I was picky about coffee beans and syrups.
‘But I don’t know the first thing about tea leaves.’
I just drank whatever was served here, assuming it was good.
“By the way, did the viscount and his wife not come home yesterday either?”
I casually asked about the Garnet couple.
New tea leaves and goods arrived every day, yet the owners of the mansion were never around.
“No. The butler said both of them won’t be back this week.”
“Again this week…”
Sometimes they didn’t return at all. Sometimes they left at dawn and came back the next dawn.
‘Is there some curse where I can’t run into them?’
Sure, they were busy managing their huge merchant group, but this was suspicious.
“But! They said they’ll be back next week.”
Sophia rushed to say that when she saw my serious face.
“Yeah. Hopefully, I’ll see them next week.”
I forced a smile. If they were truly busy, fine. But if they turned out to be villains in this story, it was better if they stayed out of sight.
‘They’re not the final boss… right?’
The thought gave me chills.
No—I had to search the mansion for clues.
“While they’re away, I should tidy the house a bit.”
“No, my lady! That’s our job. You don’t need to worry about such things.”
“It’s fine. I’ve got time until I meet Lysa at the palace. I’ll help too.”
“Not necessary, really… Oh! Instead of that, could you give me more advice?”
“Advice?”
That was sudden. Maybe she was just trying to change the subject—but I was curious.
“Before, you recommended clothes and accessories for me. Thanks to you, I got the best compliments of my life…”
“Ah.”
Right—I had forgotten Sophia was my first “personal color” client here.
‘No wonder she’s been following me around like a shadow lately.’
Her loyalty must’ve risen without me noticing.
“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to ask again this time.”
Her cheeks grew redder and redder.
“You’re going on another date with that childhood friend?”
“…Yes.”
She lowered her head, her voice stretching shyly.
When I turned on the emoji view, her heart wasn’t just bigger—it was pounding hard.
‘This isn’t just an ordinary date.’
“Of course I’ll help, Sophia.”
Other people’s love stories are the best.
After successfully pairing Harbor and Claire, this had become fun. And the more couples I helped, the more new abilities I could unlock—two birds with one stone.
“Really? Thank you so much, my lady!”
She had no idea about my ulterior motive and just looked sincerely grateful.
That made me feel guilty, so the least I could do was give her heartfelt advice.
“How much effort are we talking this time?”
“As much as possible.”
“Wait. Is he going to propose?”
Sophia nodded firmly.
If it was at the proposal stage, there was something important I needed to do first.
“We have to make sure that man can be trusted.”
That’s what these bonus abilities were for! I got excited just thinking about using the new one.
But—
“…Huh?”
Come to think of it, this cursed possession system never explained how to use new abilities.
Pop—pop!
A cute little noise filled the carriage.
I looked down at Omok, who was pressing my apple pad.
“All done! Now the window will show you how to use the ability.”
Omok crept closer, avoiding my gaze. He looked so rumpled from being rolled around earlier that I almost laughed.
But mistakes needed discipline—I forced myself to stay stern.
“W-Want to try it now?”
He flapped his wings politely, urging me on.
I tapped the back of my hand twice with my finger.
System
Hidden Achievement Unlocked!
You received the reward: “I Can See Your Affection.”
System
Usage: To check affection and ranking, activate the “thinking” emoji, look at your target, and wink. (0ω<)☆ …more
“…A wink? Seriously? Who designed this?”
It was embarrassing enough that I couldn’t use it earlier, but now I had to wink like some fool?
‘And that lazy emoji! I’m going to find out who made this.’
“The simpler, the better!” Omok chirped. “Oh, and to apologize for leaving it out, I added an extra option.”
“Extra option? Where?”
“There, press ‘more.’”
He pecked at the corner of the window.
Only then did I notice the faint ‘more’ button.
System
Extra Option – In the affection list, you can select a person to view more details.
Unlocked info level: 1
Progress to next stage… (1/3)
So there were levels—more couples I matched, the more private details I could unlock.
“The number in brackets is how many couples you’ve made. To reach the next stage, you need that many more.”
“So I need two more couples.”
“Correct! And by stage 3, you’ll unlock really private info.”
“Private info? Now that’s tempting.”
“That’s my skill!” Omok puffed proudly.
“Fine, fine. It’s useful, I admit. But how do I select a person? Do I tap the screen?”
“No—you wink as many times as their number!”
“…You wink-obsessed little—”
Knock, knock.
I was about to strangle him when someone tapped the carriage window.
“My lady, we’ve arrived.”
Eric, who followed me everywhere, announced our arrival at the palace.
I let go of Omok and reached for the carriage door handle.
“Try it when you get there!”
Omok vanished in a flash after that warning.
‘Next time I’ll roll him until he turns black.’
I made the vow silently and walked toward the knights’ training ground.
“Wow.”
At the entrance, two large flags stood tall.
On the left—the 1st Knight Order’s flag. On the right—Lysa’s full name and the Mediniel crest fluttered in the wind.
So much for a “small event”—the “Night of Duels” clearly honored the champion with grandeur.
“This is what fangirling is all about.”
My favorite knight was also the strongest of all. How could I not admire her again?
“But really, what a pathetic little display.”
I was smiling to myself when a mocking voice came from behind.
