099. The Wicked (3)

“…I know that too.”

Bella responded with an incredulous expression, her voice sharp with frustration. She knew all too well about choosing drivers who could keep their mouths shut—it had been the same back on Earth.

Still, she sighed and continued walking.

The three stopped only when they reached the center of the field.

From Kyle’s fingertips, a wave of blue magic unfurled, radiating with immense power. It was far greater than the magic he had used earlier, surging like a tidal wave across the open field.

In mere moments, an enormous magic circle materialized on the ground, its intricate, ancient designs sprawling outwards. The runes etched into the circle were in an ancient script, their complexity and elegance unmatched.

The magic circle was as large as a house, completed in seconds.

“Step in,” Kyle instructed.

Bella hesitated, taking a deep breath.

If the magic circle malfunctioned or deviated even slightly, it could lead to catastrophic consequences.

But it was Kyle.

He was hailed as the greatest mage in history.

Reassuring herself with that thought, Bella stepped onto the circle.

The blue energy seemed to cling to her ankles, as if reluctant to let her go. She shook off the oppressive force and made her way to the center.

“Owen.”

The thought hit her like a wave: *This is really the end of this world.*

She turned to face him, a farewell lingering on her lips.

Kyle focused on maintaining the circle, while Owen stood silently, watching.

At Bella’s call, Owen’s indifferent black eyes shifted toward her.

Bella met his gaze and spoke.

“You know the original story is OwenBella, right?”

If this was her final argument, so be it.

If she was to leave this world, having achieved nothing, she needed to remind herself of what waited on the other side.

There wasn’t a person in that world who would be waiting for her, so all she could count on was *The Flower of the Empire.*

Though the novel had been completed long ago, the webtoon was still ongoing.

At least she’d have that to enjoy.

“That will never change.”

And with those words, Kyle activated the circle.

The blue magic surged upward, engulfing the magic circle and Bella herself in a brilliant blaze.

The energy spiraled into the air, swallowing her whole as it consumed the surrounding void.

“Yeah,” Owen said.

“Goodbye.”

It was his parting greeting.

“I hope you return safely,” Kyle added, his voice calm yet resolute.

With that, Bella squeezed her eyes shut.

The blinding light consumed everything, rendering her vision a pure white.

“……”

Time seemed to stretch endlessly.

The blinding blue light, which had once seemed powerful enough to swallow everything, gradually faded. The massive magic circle disappeared from the field, leaving only silence behind.

Bella opened her eyes, staring at her hands. Slowly, she clenched and unclenched her fists, as if processing her reality.

Her fingers moved with ease. Reassured, she brought her hand to her neck.

“Ah.”

At the sound of her voice, a radiant smile spread across her face.

Her expression was pure, bright, and unclouded.

Bella, the rightful protagonist of this world, had returned with a smile that could have been lifted straight from ‘The Flower of the Empire.’

“Thank you, Tower Lord.”

Spinning on her heel, she beamed at Kyle, her gratitude evident in her tone.

Under the sunlight, Bella’s smile was dazzling, full of life.

“…Ah, yes, well,” Kyle stammered, blinking in apparent fluster.

He looked away briefly, his voice unsteady.

“It wasn’t anything much….”

His composure cracked further as his ears turned red.

Owen, watching Kyle’s awkward reaction, tilted his head slightly before bursting into laughter.

“You were so certain this wouldn’t happen,” Owen teased.

“Shut up.”

“You owe me for mocking you, Kyle.”

Still laughing, Owen lightly prodded Kyle with his words, then turned to Bella.

“It’s the first time we’ve formally met. Welcome back, Saintess.”

Bella was back.

The true ‘Bella.’

And the one who had dreamed of this world was gone, returned to her own.

What remained were people who could understand and support one another.

The world would find its peace.

Just like the happy ending described in *The Flower of the Empire.*

With one key difference:

Lucia was part of that happy ending now.

“Thank you for your help,” Bella said warmly.

“It wasn’t much,” Owen replied.

“It was a great help to me,” she insisted, smiling.

“Then I’m glad.”

And that was enough.

If Lucia could find happiness, and if everyone else could laugh without pain or sorrow, then it was a perfect ending.

Owen smiled as he turned to leave.

The journey was over, and it was time to move forward.

What awaited now was the beginning of a long, peaceful happy ending.

* * *

“I like it.”

Lucia sat casually on the sofa in Owen’s study at the Verdun Duke’s residence, as she often did these days.

Since the imperial banquet the previous week, she had made a habit of visiting without prior notice, and her visits had become even more frequent after the engagement ceremony.

At this point, she was practically there every day.

The household staff had even suggested setting up a dedicated bedroom for her, saying it would be less troublesome if she just lived there.

Though tempted by the idea, Lucia couldn’t bring herself to agree.

After all, she and Owen were still just engaged, not married.

“I’d heard black pearls were beautiful, but this is even better than I imagined,” she murmured, admiring the engagement ring on her finger.

Owen, who had been scanning through documents, glanced at her.

“If I’d known you’d like it this much, I would’ve bought out the entire stock of black pearls,” he said with a hint of a smile.

“Gasp, is there really that many?”

“Enough to fill a drawer, at least.”

Lucia’s curiosity only grew, even as Owen contemplated buying more pearls just for her. She had grown accustomed to his unfiltered sincerity toward her.

“Next time, I’ll gather them all.”

“Hmm, I don’t need them all—just about a quarter would be perfect.”

“Is that enough?”

“Of course. It’ll be just right for making earrings and a necklace,” she said cheerfully.

Owen nodded without hesitation, finishing his signature on the document before rising from his desk.

“It’s already November. Do you have anywhere you’d like to go?”

October, with its engagement ceremony and Bella’s departure, had come and gone. November was already here, its crisp weather turning leaves red and yellow before scattering them to the ground.

Though the chill wasn’t biting yet, true cold would arrive soon.

“You mean for your birthday trip?” Lucia asked with a knowing smile.

Owen’s birthday was on November 23rd, while hers was on December 3rd.

They had planned to travel together on his birthday, leaving on the 23rd and returning on the 3rd.

However, Logan had suggested extending the trip to make the most of it, and they’d adjusted their plans accordingly.

Now they were set to leave on the 18th and return on the 9th—a nearly three-week-long escape from the capital.

“Should we go to your estate?”

Lucia’s suggestion took Owen by surprise.

“My estate?”

“Yes, the Verdun duchy lands.”

The Verdun estate lay at the easternmost edge of the empire, bordering the frontier. It boasted fertile farmlands alongside towering mountain ranges.

Though the estate was vast, the mountainous terrain took up a third of its area, making it less ideal for leisurely retreats.

“It’s not exactly a vacation destination.”

Owen’s skepticism was understandable. The Verdun estate lacked the attractions of bustling markets or scenic leisure spots—beyond its agricultural fields, rivers, and mountain ranges, there wasn’t much to see.

“I just want to see it. It’s your land, after all.”

At her earnest reply, Owen allowed himself to be tugged down beside her on the sofa.

As was her habit, Lucia lifted a hand to brush his cheek before threading her fingers through his soft, ebony hair.

“Besides, I’ll be the co-owner of that land with you next year,” she added, her voice warm.

Owen blinked slowly, the long lashes of his dark eyes fluttering briefly.

“True.”

“I wish next year would come sooner. I can’t wait to leave Edelte behind and officially become a Verdun,” she said, openly expressing her disdain for her current title.

Lucia shared her innermost thoughts with Owen without reservation, a candidness he deeply appreciated.

“April will come soon enough. That’s when we’ll get married,” Owen said.

During October, they had set their wedding date for April, the month when cherry blossoms would be in full bloom—the same month they had first met.

“It still feels so far away,” Lucia sighed, shaking her head before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

“I’m not the only one waiting impatiently, am I?”

“…I’m waiting too. But…”

Lucia leaned in, closing the gap until their breaths mingled.

“But?”

Before he could finish, she kissed him lightly.

Though it was a fleeting touch, Owen’s ears flushed red, his reaction as innocent as ever.

Lucia burst out laughing.

“You’re still not used to this?”

The frequency of their physical affection had increased as much as Lucia’s visits.

Hugs, hand-holding, and kisses had become daily occurrences, with more intimate moments happening occasionally.

Yet Owen still blushed like it was their first time, a reaction Lucia found endlessly charming.

“You’re adorable,” she murmured, tracing the shell of his ear with her fingertips.

Owen exhaled softly before pulling her onto his lap, his arms encircling her waist.

“I’m waiting for our wedding just as much as you are. But I enjoy these moments with you too.”

He ran his fingers through her hair, the vibrant red as striking as the day they first met.

“…You always say things that leave me speechless,” Lucia muttered, feigning a complaint.

Owen chuckled softly, tilting his head to place a kiss on her forehead.

“I love you, Lucia.”

Though he said it almost daily, the depth of his emotion never failed to reach her.

“I love you too,” she replied, her smile full of contentment.

With that, Owen kissed her again.

Their lips met and parted, breaths intertwining until the air around them grew warm.

When they finally pulled apart, Owen spoke.

“As you wish, we’ll visit the estate.”

Lucia nodded, her breathing steadying.

“Let’s go. I want to see the land that will soon be mine.”

And with that, she kissed him again, sealing their agreement with a lingering touch.

What followed was a long night, their shared warmth carrying them into the early hours of dawn.

When the moon set and the sun began to rise, they finally drifted off to sleep, their hearts at peace.