085. The Forest of Mist (3)

With Bella’s final words, silence fell over the carriage.

The group traveled quietly until the carriage stopped for a meal. Afterward, Kyle and Owen opted to ride their horses instead of returning to the carriage.

The knights accompanying them exchanged uncertain glances, wondering if an argument had occurred, but none of the three said anything to explain the shift.

For the next three and a half days, the atmosphere remained heavy with unspoken tension until the group arrived at the Taylor County estate.

* * *

“Welcome, Your Grace the Duke of Verdun, Mage Tower Lord, and Saintess. It’s been some time since we’ve seen you.”

The Count of Taylor greeted them personally as they entered the castle.

The count bowed excessively to Owen and Kyle, yet maintained an awkwardly formal demeanor with Bella, despite their technical parent-child relationship on paper.

“It’s been a while, Count,” Bella replied, her tone polite but distant.

Her bright smile as she addressed him as “Count” instead of using a more familiar term reinforced the obvious divide between them.

“I hear you’ve come to set the protective barrier. Please, let me show you to the manor first.”

Unlike in the original story, the Taylor Count didn’t berate Bella, demand money, or make any other unreasonable requests.

He simply bowed and acted as an obliging host.

Owen watched the scene with unfamiliarity in his eyes, clearly noticing the difference.

As Bella passed him, she commented, “You’re not the only one who can change the story. Keep that in mind.”

It was an unmistakable warning.

Just as Owen had used his knowledge of ‘The Flower of the Empire’ to alter events, Bella was making it clear she could do the same.

With that, she walked past him, leaving Owen staring coldly ahead before following her alongside Kyle.

The group was led to their rooms, which had been prepared by the count’s staff.

* * *

To establish the protective barrier, they first needed to survey the Forest of Mist. This would take roughly two days to complete, as they had to study the forest’s structure, identify areas where monsters frequently appeared, and set up a large array at each of the forest’s entrances.

Thus, the group accepted the count’s hospitality and stayed at his manor. It was an imperial command, so even if the count had been unwilling, he had no choice but to comply.

“Once you’ve had lunch, you may begin surveying the forest. The meal is already prepared,” the count said, clasping his hands together after assigning the group their rooms.

“Shall we, then?” Bella asked the group with a pleasant smile.

The knights and maids accompanying them all agreed, even though they would eat separately.

In the Empire, where the class system was rigid, it was unthinkable for commoners and nobles to dine together unless the circumstances were extreme, such as during war or covert missions.

“Yes, Saintess.”

“As the Saintess wishes.”

“We’ll follow your lead, Your Grace.”

The knights and maids echoed their assent, and Owen and Kyle signaled their agreement as well.

The Count of Taylor led them to the dining area, appearing delighted to host such distinguished guests.

* * *

The Taylor estate was expansive, with three separate dining rooms to accommodate different groups.

The knights and maids were sent to the largest dining room, while Owen, Kyle, and Bella were taken to the second-largest, where the count himself would join them.

Inside the dining room, the Countess of Taylor and the young Lady of Taylor were already present, having arrived ahead of the group.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace the Duke of Verdun and Mage Tower Lord. Saintess, it’s been some time.”

The countess greeted Bella with formality, just as the count had.

However, the young lady, who was being groomed as the heir to the Taylor family, addressed Bella more casually.

“Sister, it’s been so long!”

“Yes, it has, Countess. And you too, my lady,” Bella replied with a polite but distant tone, maintaining a clear boundary.

Despite Bella’s coldness, the young lady smiled brightly, unfazed.

“It’s really been ages! How have you been?”

“There’s always something to keep me busy. You must know why, given your attendance at the imperial banquet.”

Although they referred to it as a long time, Bella had last met the Taylor family in August—barely a month ago.

During the imperial banquet, Bella had deliberately avoided them, and the event had ended prematurely, leaving little opportunity for interaction.

“Oh, I heard! People said some awful things happened to you.”

“Yes, it’s kept me occupied,” Bella replied curtly.

The young lady’s curiosity was boundless, fitting for her age of sixteen. However, her nosiness was beginning to grate on Bella’s nerves.

Cutting the conversation short, Bella turned her attention to Owen and Kyle.

“Your Grace, Mage Tower Lord, the meal is ready. Shall we eat?”

Her impeccable manners and formal tone were almost comical, given the context, but she delivered them with precision.

Kyle raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, while Owen, used to Bella’s theatrics, calmly took his seat without reaction.

The table was a long oval shape. On one side sat the count, the countess, and the young lady of Taylor, while on the opposite side sat Kyle, Bella, and Owen in that order.

Bella was positioned between the two men, facing the Taylor family.

“It’s a modest offering, but please enjoy. You’ll need a hearty meal before venturing into the forest,” the count said with a beaming smile.

The forced cheerfulness was difficult to take seriously, but no one commented on it.

The servants and maids began placing the prepared dishes on the table, pouring drinks into the glasses already set. Lemon water filled the water glasses, while aged wine from a famous establishment was poured into the wine glasses.

“Your Grace,” the young lady of Taylor began suddenly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Owen, who had been silently sipping his water, raised his head at her unexpected call.

“I heard you’re engaged to the Lady of Edelte!”

The question came out of nowhere.

Owen wasn’t sure how to respond, so he merely nodded slightly.

That small gesture was enough to satisfy the young lady, who smiled as if she had received confirmation of some exciting news.

The young lady of Taylor exclaimed in a cheerful voice, “You two are such a perfect match! I’ve been rooting for you ever since three years ago. Congratulations!”

Owen felt awkward at the unexpected praise from a stranger but gave a polite nod in acknowledgment.

The Taylor Count and Countess, caught off guard by their daughter’s abrupt remark, began fumbling with attempts to redirect her attention, suggesting she eat or drink something instead.

And, of course, Bella…

“….”

She remained silent, downing her glass of wine.

Her silver eyes were cold, the chill directed solely at the young lady of Taylor.

“Saintess.”

Kyle, unable to overlook Bella’s intimidating demeanor toward the young girl, softly called her name.

Bella quickly shifted her expression, turning to Kyle with a practiced smile.

“Mage Tower Lord, is there something you’d like to say?”

Her cold gaze remained, but her face was composed and gentle. Her talent for acting was on full display.

“…I was going to suggest we finish our meal quickly. It looks like it might snow soon, and it’d be best to inspect the forest before the weather worsens.”

Kyle’s awkward delivery betrayed his discomfort with Bella’s masterful facade.

Kyle had no aptitude for acting, nor did he understand the need for it.

He found the lifestyles of nobles—laden with masks and performances—suffocating and difficult to comprehend, much less emulate.

“Oh, you’re right. The sky does seem to be turning completely white with clouds,” Bella said, glancing out the window before picking up her fork to stab a piece of steak.

Blood seeped from the rare-cooked meat as she brought it to her lips.

“We should indeed finish eating quickly and head to the forest. If we delay, we’ll miss the opportunity and risk postponing our departure.”

“Yes,” Kyle replied curtly.

“Although, even if we hurry, delays might still happen. That would be very troublesome.”

Bella exchanged a brief comment with Kyle before turning her gaze to Owen.

“Your Grace, I understand your engagement ceremony is in two weeks. Is that correct?”

“…Yes.”

“If we’re late returning, it might cause all sorts of problems, won’t it…?”

Her voice trailed off, feigning concern and regret. But the emotions beneath her words were different.

“If a snowstorm were to hit, the roads might be blocked entirely. We might end up delayed even further.”

Her tone dripped with mockery, a taunt laced with the satisfaction of planning something disruptive.

“That won’t happen,” Owen retorted curtly.

“The North is always cold, but snowstorms don’t start until November.”

“Yes, that’s true. You have nothing to worry about, Saintess,” the Taylor Count chimed in, eager to align himself with Owen.

It was obvious how hard he was trying to gain Owen’s favor.

“But last time…”

Bella began again, unwilling to relent despite the count’s reassurance. Her expression carried a mixture of concern and guilt.

“Last time in the Forest of Snow, didn’t something sudden happen?”

She was referring to the incident during her supposed awakening—a narrative widely believed, though it wasn’t the truth.

“The entire forest had to be burned, and then it rained to extinguish the fire.”

“That was an unavoidable situation,” Kyle interjected, his tone firm.

“But it’s not the same now, is it? Surely the Saintess isn’t as inexperienced with her holy power as she was back then.”

Kyle’s blue eyes met Bella’s silver gaze, coldly challenging her.

Bella, smiling faintly, tilted her head.

“…Of course not,” she replied smoothly, though the lack of conviction in her voice was apparent.

“It’s been several months, after all.”

Bella was not “Bella.”

While Owen was gradually merging with his counterpart, Bella had gained nothing from hers—not memories, experiences, or even thoughts.

Unlike Bella from ‘The Flower of the Empire,’ this version of the saintess had no real experience or skill as a holy figure.

Yet, simply by being “Bella,” the original had knowledge and abilities the current occupant lacked.

“It seems I was overly worried. I apologize for bringing it up unnecessarily.”

Her tone betrayed her frustration, but she masked it with politeness. It didn’t matter much, anyway.

In truth, her lack of skill was advantageous.

It would only serve to prolong the process.

‘No, actually,’ Bella thought, a sly smile curling her lips.

The longer it took, the better. Delays played perfectly into her plans.

 

 

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