062. The Original Story (5)

In *The Flower of the Empire*, it was much later in the story that ‘Bella’ went to the North to establish the ‘Shield of Protection.’

This was a narrative that appeared toward the end, where Bella traveled to the North with Owen and Kyle, and the romantic tension between the three unfolded.

It was in this chapter that Bella finally made up her mind.

It was at the ‘Forest of Mist,’ where she realized her true feelings.

That the person she loved was Owen.

‘But the original story is already ruined.’

However, the original storyline had long since vanished.

The fact that she had messed up from the beginning and that her repeated attempts to fix it had been in vain proved it.

This was the world of *The Flower of the Empire*, but ultimately, it was also reality.

She needed to accept this reality now.

The original story had disappeared without a trace, Owen had changed, and Kyle liked Owen instead of Bella.

The only things that remained unchanged in this world were the minor supporting characters and extras.

And Lucia.

‘If only Lucia had changed too.’

Honestly, it was disappointing.

If Lucia had been a bit softer than in the original, Bella wouldn’t have had to focus on Owen or Kyle but rather on her.

That would have been the most efficient method.

If only Lucia didn’t desire Owen, then nothing else would matter.

“So what you’re saying, Saintess, is that you intend to establish a barrier.”

While Bella was deep in thought, the Emperor’s voice rumbled low.

She bowed her head and answered calmly.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

If the original story was ruined, then it was better to use everything she knew.

Fortunately, Bella knew quite a lot about *The Flower of the Empire*.

The ‘Shield of Protection’ was one of those things.

“If you create this barrier, will all the monsters disappear?”

“No, they won’t disappear. But they won’t be able to leave the forest. They won’t be able to pass through the barrier.”

“I see.”

The Emperor tapped his armrest thoughtfully before finally granting his permission.

“Then so be it. As the ruler of the Empire, I welcome and appreciate it. If there is anything you wish for regarding the journey to the North, even if it’s unrelated, feel free to ask.”

He added the words she had been hoping for.

Bella smiled and bowed deeply.

“I am honored, Your Majesty. All I desire are companions for the journey. The forests where monsters dwell are dangerous, after all.”

“Will the Imperial Knights suffice?”

“The Imperial Knights are excellent, but… The North is best known by the Mage Tower Lord and Duke Verdun. I would like to have them accompany me.”

In truth, she wanted to go with Owen alone.

But if she suggested that, Owen would likely refuse and instead send his family’s knights.

The Verdun Duchy’s knights were well-known for their ability to wield aura, and the knight commander even used an aura blade, so the Emperor wouldn’t be able to refuse.

“The Mage Tower Lord and Duke Verdun, is it? Very well. I will relay your wishes to the two of them.”

“Thank you.”

Given the situation, Bella thought it might be best to make a show of offering her help to Kyle.

If she explained it just right, Kyle, who didn’t know much, might fall for it.

“We will arrange the journey to the North once this incident is resolved. Is there anything else you wish to say?”

“No, there isn’t. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Do so.”

After giving her final bow, Bella turned and walked away.

The sound of her heels echoed on the marble floor of the banquet hall.

Click, click.

After exiting the hall with that rhythmic sound, she soon came to a stop.

“Greetings, Your Holiness the Saintess.”

Someone was still in the central palace, whom she had thought was empty.

Though his brown hair and eyes seemed ordinary, his features were striking.

Bella immediately recognized him as one of the main characters.

“I am Edward Selyd of the Marquess of Selyd.”

“Lord Selyd. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The young Marquess of Selyd had been briefly mentioned in the story.

Lucia’s former fiancé.

He was the brother of the Lady of the Marquess of Selyd, who supported ‘Bella.’

“The banquet has ended, but did you perhaps leave something behind?”

Bella asked, pretending to be unaware, even though it seemed like he had something to say.

She instinctively realized it.

This man had a dark heart.

His cold and inscrutable eyes were proof of that.

“No, I simply wanted to meet with Your Holiness the Saintess, so I waited.”

“With me?”

“Yes.”

Without showing much expression, he nodded with a plain face.

Then he spoke in a tone filled with conviction.

“I believe I can be of assistance to you, Your Holiness.”

“….”

It was similar to the words she had spoken to Kyle earlier.

And to what Lucia had whispered to her.

“What I want and what you want may be different, but I believe that’s why we can stand on the same side.”

‘Lucia was the one who broke off the engagement first, wasn’t she?’

Recalling the events, it was Lucia who had notified the young Marquess of Selyd of the broken engagement.

Was it a blow to his pride?

Like his sister, the Lady of the Marquess of Selyd, had he become upset because their family was slighted?

And so he… regarding Lucia…

“What do you think?”

He asked as she was connecting the thoughts in her mind.

Bella put on her best confused expression.

One cannot ally with someone whose thoughts and intentions are unknown.

That would be a reckless move.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re trying to say, Lord Selyd.”

Even if she played innocent and pretended not to understand, this man likely already knew.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked her like this.

But it didn’t matter.

Even though all the nobles had left, the Imperial Knights were still standing guard in the banquet hall.

Moreover, the temple carriage that had brought her to the palace, along with the Holy Knights, would be waiting for Bella.

Even in front of them, the young Lord Selyd wouldn’t dare cause a scene.

“What I desire is the peace and stability of the Freyon Empire. I only wish for the happiness and well-being of its people.”

“….”

Edward Selyd remained expressionless and silent.

He clearly didn’t believe her, but Bella maintained a cheerful smile.

“That is my duty as a Saintess.”

It was all just hollow words.

Bella herself felt that way.

The peace and stability of Freyon?

The happiness and well-being of its people?

Nonsense.

It was all selfish drivel.

For Freyon’s peace, the peace of other nations must be shattered.

For the happiness of the Empire’s citizens, the tranquility of others must be destroyed.

To gain someone’s perfect comfort, someone else must pay the price.

That’s how the world works.

The sacrifice of the many for the benefit of the few is far from beautiful.

“It’s late. You should return, Lord Selyd. I must also head back to the temple, so I should be going.”

But what choice did she have?

She was part of that ‘few.’

Bella was more than willing to destroy others’ comfort and happiness for her own.

This world was built that way, after all.

“His Grace.”

She was about to offer her farewell and turn away.

If only Edward Selyd hadn’t brought up Owen.

“He said he loves the Lady.”

No names were mentioned, but she knew.

He was talking about Owen and Lucia.

That Owen loved Lucia.

“….”

It was something she had already suspected.

After meeting Owen a few times, she could tell.

She couldn’t ignore the way he looked at Lucia.

Trapped in the story of *The Flower of the Empire*, Bella had been in denial, but now she realized it fully.

She should have known during the hunting tournament.

She could have realized it when he ran straight to Lucia, but she had been too slow to accept it.

“Did you know?”

Edward Selyd seemed slightly surprised.

Bella ignored him.

It was a story she already knew, so she just wanted to move on.

Hearing it again wouldn’t change anything.

“Then, do you know that the Lady also loves him?”

“…What?”

However, she couldn’t ignore the next words.

They were too shocking and difficult for Bella to believe.

“It seems you didn’t know. That’s strange. It was more obvious on her side.”

“The Lady… The Lady only desires to possess him.”

“Did she say that?”

Edward Selyd asked without any hint of surprise.

When Bella nodded, Edward responded as if he understood.

“She doesn’t know because she’s never experienced love. When she brings someone close, she always says it’s because she wants to possess them.”

“Well, that’s true in some cases…”

“There may have been times when that was the case, but it’s not always so.”

“….”

Bella couldn’t refute Edward Selyd’s words.

It was only natural.

She had been watching Owen for a long time, long enough to think she knew him better than anyone else.

If Edward had been watching Lucia for a long time, the same would apply to him.

“The Lady easily loses interest in mere possessions. You can tell by how she rarely sees those she took in as maids, servants, or knights after acquiring them.”

“….”

That was a detail she hadn’t known.

She had never been interested in Lucia Edelte.

“She keeps those she cherishes close. Her personal maid is one, and His Grace is another. If she still keeps them close after possessing them, it’s because she likes and cares for them.”

It was true.

It was true, and Bella felt herself stiffen.

‘So, if Lucia also loves Owen… that means they’re both in love with each other.’

It was inevitable.

If Owen loved Lucia, and Lucia loved Owen, their relationship was mutual.

Right now, Lucia might mistakenly think her feelings were merely possessiveness, but once she realized the truth, it would be irreversible.

Even dealing with mere possessiveness was challenging enough, but if it turned into love…

“Has your perspective changed now?”

Edward Selyd asked the same question again.

Bella felt irritated, as if she had been caught in his scheme, but she had no choice.

If they loved each other, they would soon realize it unless separated.

“…I’ll invite you to the temple soon.”

It seemed her plan needed to be revised.

Using Kyle to change her relationship with Owen was important, but it wouldn’t be enough.

She would have to do something about Lucia as well.