The Goddess Is Obsessed With Me

The disaster had begun just a few minutes ago.

*Knock, knock, knock*

The clear knocking sound echoed after a brief pause, followed by a brief silence. A calm voice came from behind the door.

"Come in."

Only after verifying the emotionless, cold, and serene voice did I dare to grasp the door handle.

*Creak...*

The door opened with a sound that felt both old and melodious, adding to the tension.

"Mother, it's me."

Erina, too, swallowed hard, her face tense as if she was sweating cold beads, finally speaking the words she had held back.

The door fully opened to reveal a woman in view. Her appearance was off-putting, making one wary just by looking at her. She resembled Erina strikingly, but her distinct sharp eyes, maturity, and the youthful appearance of someone in their mid-30s (given the era's early marriage culture) set her apart.

"My daughter, you look impressive. It's been a while. What brings you to me?"

Upon seeing Erina in her current dress, her mother responded with a faint smile. But there was a gravity to her, making the atmosphere feel heavier with each word.

"There's an unfamiliar man standing next to you, the one I saw at the entrance, right?"

She briefly glanced at me, who was standing next to Erina, pondered for a moment, and then seemed to remember me.

"May the man beside me enter with us? Is that okay?"

The excessive formality made me wonder if they were genuinely related, and it was hard to keep a straight face.

"Whether it's okay or not, it must be tiring to keep standing. Come in and sit."

Her unexpected kindness was a bit puzzling, but the lingering sense of wariness couldn't be easily shaken off. For the time being, I took her offer and sat opposite her, waiting for one of the two to speak.

After a brief silence, it was Erina's mother who spoke first, hinting at something significant.

"Erina, you are a noble. Our family has long been close to the royal lineage and values the country's long-standing traditions. You might find it boring, but you must put aside your adventures and take on the dignity of a woman."

It seemed she had anticipated Erina's intent, countering even before Erina could express herself.

Erina, however, was filled with conviction and desperately wanted to persuade her mother through words.

"But I desire a journey... I have a dream to become a kind and strong hero in the tales, along with my partner."

Erina pled with her hand on her chest, but her mother closed her eyes and shook her head.

"I'm sorry, but as a mother, I cannot support that wish. Unlike your brother, an adventurous and overly active girl can't capture the hearts of noble men."

It seemed that in her mother's mind, an adventurous woman couldn't be attractive to men.

"I don't want to marry any nobleman!"

Unable to contain her anger, Erina raised her voice, and her mother's tone also became harsher.

"The most crucial thing for a noble lineage is to continue the bloodline! You must marry a suitable man!!"

There seemed to be some philosophy within her, but her insistence on Erina's marriage was palpable.

"If I can't get cooperation without raising my voice, then I'll proceed as I see fit."

With that, she pulled out a pile of photos from under the desk, spread them out, and glared at Erina with even sharper eyes.

The photos were all of men adorned in gold and treasures. Seeing them, Erina's eyes widened in shock, realizing what her mother was showing her.

"These are the sons of the dukes we've already discussed. At the very least, let her choose whom she will marry."

At those words, despair began to cloud Erina's eyes. The shock was so great that she couldn't even close her mouth, leaving it agape.

"Choose."

"What do you mean, Mother...?"

A voice filled with lost hope echoed slowly throughout the room. All that could be felt from Erina at that moment was despair and anxiety.

"I said, choose."

She asked again, wondering if she had misheard, but the cruel reality was reaffirmed.

"I don't want to..."

Mustering her last bit of courage, Erina barely managed to utter those words. However, her mother sighed deeply, exasperated.

"Sigh, even if you don't choose now, it is inevitable that you will marry one of these men in the photos. You can delay it, but you cannot escape it."

With that, any remaining courage she had evaporated. She looked as if she had lost her spirit, reminiscent of her powerless self before her abilities had awakened.

Seeing Erina's state, her mother washed her face dryly and lamented, "I truly can't understand why you look so broken. I'm giving you the freedom to choose, so why such a devastated face? Quickly, make a choice."

Now sounding as if she was sinking into a void, Erina desperately pleaded, "Please... don't do this... I want to decide who I share my destiny with..."

"So..."

Sounding as if she was tired of repeating herself, the mother spoke with utmost clarity, "Choose a suitor from these pictures. How many times do I have to say it?"

Now Erina felt as if she couldn't even argue.

"Choose quickly; I will respect whoever you pick."

In this completely unyielding conversation, there were no victims, only mutual frustration. Both felt misunderstood and twisted their feelings in frustration.

*Squeeze...*

Suddenly, Erina felt a strong grip on her right arm and turned to look...

"!"

With a heart-wrenching expression, Erina gazed up at me pitifully. Though no words were spoken, I could feel her emotions vividly. She had told me she liked me. But in the current conversation, which focused on her choosing a marriage partner, it seemed unbearable for her to choose another man while her loved one was right beside her. Erina, having already lost her confidence, couldn't say anything. As her companion, I felt I had to speak.

"Um...?"

But just as I was about to speak, Erina's mother caught the atmosphere between us, raised an eyebrow, and posed a question.

"You... may I ask your name?"

She suddenly asked for my name.

"My name is Harold Wicker."

Without any further explanation, I responded concisely.

"Ah, then I've just heard about you from Elbert. He said you care deeply for Erina."

When did she talk to Elbert? Did they converse while I was speaking with Erina? And what exactly did they discuss?

Regardless, sensing an opportunity, I spoke confidently, "Yes, Erina is a precious companion with whom I've overcome countless challenges."

Hugging Erina to my side and giving a determined look, she seemed to be deep in thought. Erina's eyes widened in hopeful anticipation.

"Do you have any power or influence?"

"Unfortunately, I don't. But I wish to continue our adventures with Erina."

"Hmm... in that case..."

Holding her chin in thought, she mumbled something too quiet to catch. But somehow, I felt a glimmer of hope, and deep down, my heart fluttered in anticipation. Erina, perhaps feeling the same, let a faint smile show on her face.

"Alright, Harold."

She cheerfully uttered my name as if expecting a favorable response, then smiled with a hint of amusement.

Could this be...?

"I'll give you a chance."

The atmosphere became more positive. If my memory served me right, this line seemed to come from a game scene, where a challenge was given to set off on an adventure.

I don’t know how it happened, but reality is unfolding just as I had hoped. If things continue this way, it would be perfect. Probably, as I expect, Erina would be asked if she wants to go on an adventure, and some quests would be prepared. I can't help but smile as everything seems to be going so well.

"You two have something to do."

The statement sounded like a declaration of victory, lifting my once drooping spirits.

Yes, we're almost there...!!

If we can now accept this challenge, complete it, and overcome every crisis, we can continue our adventures.

"Sort out your feelings for each other by tonight."

In that instant, an eerie and chilling silence enveloped my world.

"L...?"

My shocked voice echoed in the room.

"No... it can't be..."

Erina, who had once again lost hope, lowered her head.

"There's nothing more to say. Go back and spend time together."

It felt like a death sentence, and I was left stunned, retreating into a silent state.

"It seems that the dream of you and Erina going on an adventure together will have to be folded up."

Why isn't the dialogue I had hoped for being spoken?

"You can't be allowed on this journey."

Where did things go wrong...?

"You've been discussing for a long time."

I was sure I knew how this should go, so why did it turn out like this?

"Why are you just standing there? Leave this room quickly."

The reality hit me, leaving only despair...

Everything had gone awry.

Time passed, the sunset faded, and the orange hues of dusk gave way to the dark night.

In Erina's room, on the balcony, we sat side by side in the very spot where we had tea earlier, gazing at the moonlight.

"Harold..."

Erina had been leaning on me since earlier, without any intention of pulling away.

It made sense, considering today might be our last day together...

'Sort out your feelings for each other by tonight.'

Was it because I wasn’t a nobleman? All I received from Erina's mother were words of despair.

"I don't want to break up..."

She shed tears, which I couldn't count, and pleaded with me in a sorrowful voice.

"Is the pain of parting from me greater than giving up on your dream?"

Our future seemed predetermined, and having almost resigned to it, I uttered words filled with regret.

"In the end, it seemed I failed to convince her mother. We're laying out all our feelings because of the words about sorting out our emotions."

"Yes... If I were the old me, I would have been devastated by the fact that I can't fulfill my dream of adventuring... But now that I've met you, it's different."

At first, the weight on my heart felt unbearable, but as time went on, it gradually got better.

Now, it was regrettable and bittersweet, but I could almost accept the reality.

"All I have now is you... The fact that I might not fulfill my dream hurts less than the idea of being separated from you and possibly ending up with someone else..."

She pulled me closer, wiping away her tear-soaked eyes.

"I hate the idea of being with anyone but you... I want to be with you, I wish everything I'm facing was a lie..."

She still couldn't accept the situation and denied the reality, but it was irreversible.

"Harold!!"

Suddenly, she jumped into my arms, pouring out all her emotions with a loud cry.

"I don't want anyone other than you... even if we're trapped in this mansion forever, it's okay, as long as I'm with you..."

However, no matter how much she cried out here, the truth wouldn't change. Erina, who knew this better than anyone, couldn't finish her sentence.

"I don't want... another partner..."

Knock, knock, knock.

In the end, a weak voice was the only thing echoing at that moment.

Suddenly!

Someone knocked on the door.

Without waiting for a response, the door opened, revealing...

"Erina? Why are you crying?"

It was Elbert.

"Brother...?"

She wiped away her tears and cautiously called out to Elbert.

"I just spoke to Mother."

He seemed somewhat uncomfortable, probably knowing to some extent the situation we were in.

"So, you have to give up being an adventurer?"

At his words, she nodded slightly and hung her head in defeat.

"It hasn't been long... It's sad enough not being able to do the adventure work I loved so much and, as a result, not being able to achieve my dream..."

Elbert, albeit missing the main point, looked at her with sympathetic eyes.

It was such a gloomy situation... But amidst all of this...

The entire atmosphere shifted with Elbert's next words.

"What...?"

"At least you got engaged to Harold, the one you love, so cheer up."

Stunned by Elbert's cheerful words, Erina's eyes widened in surprise, and seeing her reaction, Elbert's face turned to one full of questions.

"Brother, what are you talking about?"

Erina, who suddenly perked up, directed her question at Elbert, who now looked flustered and responded with another question.

"W... What do you mean...?"

"Engaged to Harold? What are you talking about?!"

Huh?

Elbert, seemingly urging for an answer to end the confusion, revealed a truth we misunderstood.

"You said you wanted to be with Harold, right? I heard that Mother confirmed Harold's feelings and recognized your relationship."

What on earth is he talking about...

She acknowledged our relationship?

There was nothing of the sort in the conversation Erina and I had just shared...

What is he saying?

As my head got filled with such questions, Elbert's next words sent chills down my spine.

"Mother told you that you can choose who you want to be with, as a final act of respect for stopping you from adventuring."

I realized the true intent behind the words Erina's mother had spoken.

"So she gave you two this time alone, right? To check and sort out each other's feelings."

Erina's mother wasn't forcing us to part ways.

Her words might have been clumsy, but she was actually leading Erina and me towards engagement.

"She did tell you, didn't she..."

The words we might have misunderstood flashed across my mind.

'Make your choice quickly, I'll respect whoever you choose to be with.'

'Sort out your feelings for each other by tonight.'

Realizing these words actually supported our marriage, I was filled with goosebumps.

"Right,

Didn't I test Harold earlier today? Regardless of him not being a noble, if he's skilled enough to beat me, the kingdom's strongest knight, anyone would accept him. And the hidden truth that Elbert was leading to, I remembered the words he told me after I won our duel earlier today.

'I can trust Erina with you.'

All of his actions and words were explaining what Erina's mother meant.

Didn't she tell you? I just talked to Mother and came to congratulate your engagement..."

Elbert, scratching his head and avoiding eye contact, seemed a bit embarrassed.

"Erina...?"

Suddenly, I had a bad feeling and quickly turned to look at her.

"So, in reality, Mother hopes that Harold and I get married?"

With a growing smile and talking to herself, the atmosphere around her became ominous.

"So, the possibility that Lady Mori mentioned was this?"

Recalling seemingly unrelated past events and making connections,

"Our future together..."

"The fact that a happy life without fulfilling dreams... was what she was talking about...!!"

She kept asking herself questions and answering them, and the atmosphere got more twisted. The growing tension was making me uneasy.

And soon, she lifted her head as if she had realized everything she had longed for. Erina looked at me, reviving the atmosphere from when her powers first awakened. Her slightly out-of-focus eyes, reddened cheeks, and even a crazed smile brought back memories of a past trauma that I had tried to forget.

"Erina?"

Thud!

Suddenly,

Unable to overcome the growing unease, I cautiously called her name again.

Suddenly, my wrists were roughly seized by both hands, and I was overpowered, unable to resist. By the time I regained my senses, I found myself in Erina's grasp.

"Harold!!"

Something's not right... I'm not sure exactly what's happened, but my instincts are screaming a warning.

Erina, who had suddenly become animated, looked as if she had cast aside all her worries, wearing a refreshed expression. She then beamed with more happiness than ever before and exclaimed to me,

"Let's get married!"

While we thought Erina's mother was unfriendly, in reality, she was a supportive mother.