Chapter 39

Today, Alec had been thinking all day about how to subtly exploit Louise’s weaknesses.

While they strolled by the riverside, watching people boating, he carefully observed Louise’s face.

‘I want to ride a boat too.’

Her eyes held a hidden longing to immerse herself in that picturesque scene.

But why didn’t she suggest going on the boat herself?

They had been walking by the riverside for quite a while now.

“Alec.”

“Since your motor skills have improved…”

“Does that mean you can also… do things with me at night now?”

She had once been so direct that it had flustered him greatly.

Contrary to that, Louise might actually be hesitant to take the initiative.

‘Hmm.’

Touching his lips thoughtfully, his eyebrows slightly arched sharply.

It was the perfect time to suggest a boat date to Louise.

It wasn’t a difficult thing to do.

Yet, asking a woman out on a date for the first time felt strange.

‘Hahaha. Haha.’

The clear laughter of children on passing boats scattered like transparent foam on the water’s surface.

There were also infants nestled in their parents’ arms.

Louise looked at those families with a warm gaze.

However, it was Louise herself, watching those families, who painted the most beautiful picture.

“…Louise, may I take you on a boat ride?”

Still gazing at the river, Alec took a silent breath and spoke as if tossing out the words.

“What?”

Startled by his sudden suggestion, Louise turned to look at him with a surprised expression.

Alec, still not looking at her, ran a hand through his hair and replied.

“Since we’re here, I’d like to take you on a ride.”

“Ah…”

Louise, having stopped in her tracks, looked up at him silently for a moment. Gradually, her eyes brightened.

She didn’t seem displeased at all.

Maybe it would be a good idea to buy a boat in the future?

As he pondered this, Louise’s voice reached his ears.

“In fact, I haven’t enjoyed boat rides much because of the potential splashing, but I’m looking forward to it since you’re taking me.”

‘…Ah. She didn’t like it.’

His guess had been wrong.

She had seemed to gaze longingly at the people on the boats…

Just then, Louise raised her hand slightly and spoke.

“Then, may I trouble you?”

Alec looked down at her elegant, gloved hand.

He realized that she was asking for an escort.

“Understood.”

Alec lightly grasped Louise’s delicate hand.

Her hand felt so fragile and soft that it seemed it might slip away.

As he held her hand, Louise’s eyes sparkled even more sweetly.

Alec stared intently at her face. Even riding horses together hadn’t increased her affection.

Could he finally touch her heart this time?

Having rented a boat, Alec donned the gloves he had prepared and grabbed the oars.

Perhaps he could gradually become bolder without startling Louise too much.

He didn’t hesitate in front of a boss monster.

‘Objectively speaking, I can’t imagine any woman not being charmed by this face and body.’

Even now, he could feel the curious and heated glances from noblewomen in other passing boats.

Usually indifferent to such attention, even he could sense how blatant and intense their looks were.

Louise, however, sat peacefully, admiring the clear scenery and watching the children around her.

Didn’t she care about the other women openly ogling her husband?

Well, seeing him daily for three years might have dulled her excitement.

‘Or maybe Alec never utilized his assets properly.’

Though he had never seen it with his own eyes, he could tell.

Despite being naturally endowed with extraordinary looks, Alec seemed to have never made good use of them with his wife.

It wasn’t just their marital relationship; he felt Alec had been entirely useless beyond that.

Shutting out the blatant gazes, Alec focused solely on Louise, rowing meticulously to avoid splashing her with even a single drop of water.

After a lengthy boat ride, they went to ride the hot air balloon.

Even then, he didn’t hear any success notification for the quest.

He couldn’t resort to cringeworthy, artificial seductive lines, which would undoubtedly backfire.

Next to him, Louise looked thrilled, enjoying the view below the hot air balloon, but Alec’s mind was preoccupied with the quest.

‘Is leveling up from 1 to 2 supposed to be this difficult?’

He sighed inwardly.

Killing just a few low-grade orcs would quickly raise his level to 2.

It seemed only fair that they should give a level 1 player a key to an orc subjugation gate.

Time passed as he ate his sandwich and cotton candy, and soon it became dark around them.

In the end, he and Louise went to fetch their horses to go home.

He felt that this quest was a failure.

At that moment, Alec recalled the scene from earlier when Louise was mounting her horse at home.

The horse was much bigger and taller than her, so she had struggled.

However, Louise’s riding skills were top-notch, fitting for someone from this era.

“Let me help you up. Hold on.”

Alec mounted his horse first and extended his hand to Louise.

“What?”

But Louise didn’t seem to understand his intention immediately, alternating her gaze between his face and his hand.

As the awkward silence continued, Alec leaned slightly towards her.

He grabbed her by the sides and lifted her up.

Though Louise flinched in surprise, she soon settled into the saddle.

Alec carefully set her down without causing her any discomfort, then dismounted himself.

Only the journey home remained for the day.

As he spurred his horse forward, an alert sound chimed.

[Congratulations!]

[Quest Completed.]

[~Impress Louise with your first horseback riding date~]

[Quest Rewards]

[Affection increased by 1.]

[Experience increased by 10.]

[Trust increased by 3.]

“……”

Succeeded?

Alec couldn’t take his eyes off the status window before him.

Even as he began riding, his mind was buzzing.

He had given up hope, not expecting to succeed in the quest.

So far, his affection has increased three times.

The first was when he had personally cooked her a delicious meal, the second when he had stopped her from cutting her hair.

The third was just now, right after he had helped her onto the horse.

Of course, spending the entire day riding horses, boats, and hot air balloons together must have contributed to the quest’s success.

Now he only needed 20 more experience points to reach level 2.

As they rode down a path in the middle of the forest, he sensed something trailing them from the shadows of the trees.

The movements were quick and stealthy, yet also very quiet and covert.

Only someone as trained as Alec in survival could detect them.

‘What is this, an assassination squad?’

Why were they targeting him?

Though he didn’t know their intentions, it was clear they weren’t following with good intentions.

Alec considered summoning Gideon to deal with them all.

He wanted to find out why they were following him, but with Louise present, he didn’t want to get involved with such dangerous individuals.

‘Gideon.’

He summoned his familiar mentally.

[Grumble.]

He heard Gideon’s response almost immediately.

Alec gave his orders mentally.

‘Put them all to sleep. Don’t let them see you.’

[Grr!]

He felt Gideon move with a bright response.

Since Gideon was currently invisible, neither Louise nor anyone else could see him.

At that moment, an alert sound chimed again, and a status window appeared.

[Sudden Quest Occurred!]

[~Defeat the Grave Mercenaries and gain experience!~]

[For every member whose health is fully depleted, experience will increase by 5.]

[Quest Rewards]

[Affection(?). Experience(?), Trust 10]

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories