Side Story 7. Saints and Wizards (4)

“…I said I loved you,” Kyle admitted now, his voice soft but steady.

Bella’s eyes widened at the unexpected confession.

Kyle, ignoring the pounding of his heart, met her gaze and said it again.

“You confessed that you liked me, and I told you I loved you in return.”

“…Oh.”

Hearing about her forgotten confession left Bella blinking in surprise.

“I’ve loved you since the moment I first saw you,” Kyle continued, his voice low but certain.

“When was that?” Bella asked, trying to maintain her composure despite her racing heart.

Kyle’s answer would determine everything. If his “first moment” referred to the time when someone else had occupied her body, it would mean he had fallen for someone else, not her.

“After the other person left your body and you fully returned as yourself,” Kyle clarified.

Relief washed over Bella, and a smile spread across her face.

“Though, we met before then, didn’t we?” she teased, recalling the chaotic encounter during Owen and Lucia’s engagement ceremony.

Kyle nodded. “We did, but I was too distracted to think of anything else.”

“I understand. I was overwhelmed myself,” Bella said with a soft laugh.

As their laughter subsided, Bella leaned in, pressing a brief but tender kiss to Kyle’s lips.

“Let’s date,” she said, her voice filled with confidence.

Kyle, sensing her unwavering determination, reached up and pulled her closer, causing her to fall fully onto him.

And with that, he kissed her again, pouring every ounce of his affection into the embrace. When they finally parted, he whispered softly, “Take responsibility for me. I’ll do the same for you.”

* * *

The news of Kyle and Bella becoming a couple spread like wildfire throughout the empire, reaching every corner with astonishing speed.

Bella had expected some gossip in the social circles, but she hadn’t anticipated the entire empire taking an interest in her love life.

“Well, you ‘are’ the Saintess,” Emily Watson, a renowned painter and the head of the Watson Viscountcy, explained with a wry smile. “And your partner is the Mage Tower Lord.”

The connection between Emily and Lucia began when Emily was commissioned to paint portraits of Lucia and Owen. That project became the start of a lasting relationship.

The reason their bond endured was simple: Lucia adored beautiful things, and Emily had the talent to capture that beauty on canvas.

Though Emily excelled at painting portraits, her independent works had a charm that captivated audiences. Lucia, having attended an exhibition of Emily’s work, was so enamored that she expressed her desire to purchase and support the artist. From that moment, their relationship flourished.

Emily, while not particularly fond of painting people, enjoyed capturing Lucia’s likeness because of her striking and elegant appearance. This mutual appreciation quickly led to a close friendship.

Initially, their relationship was that of patron and artist. Over time, however, they became trusted friends.

Bella’s involvement in their dynamic began after she and Lucia grew closer. Lucia, sensing that Bella and Emily would get along well, arranged for them to meet. Her intuition was spot on.

Bella’s kind, warm nature meshed effortlessly with Emily’s, and the two formed a swift and genuine friendship. Bella admired Emily’s paintings and held the artist herself in high regard.

As the bond between Bella and Emily deepened, the trio began to meet frequently, becoming a well-known group within high society. The three women were as prominent and influential together as Owen and Kyle were in their circles.

Lucia Verdun, the Duchess of Verdun and the most powerful figure in high society; Bella Taylor, the Saintess with unparalleled divine power after two centuries; and Emily Watson, the empire’s most celebrated painter—each of them carried significant weight in the empire. Together, they were a formidable presence.

—

“Still, love is an entirely separate matter,” Bella said, her expression uncertain.

She was aware of the importance of her role as the Saintess, especially as someone born once in two centuries. But she struggled to see how that had anything to do with her personal relationships.

“People are simpler than you think,” Lucia replied, a knowing smile on her lips. “They blend everything together. That’s just how they are.”

“Do they really think love makes people lose their reason?” Bella asked, her brow furrowed. She remembered losing some self-control after drinking too much but had since been entirely rational.

“Not always,” Lucia said, her voice tinged with amusement. “But there are plenty of foolish people who act like it does.”

Emily adjusted her glasses and shook her head, noticing Bella’s moment of introspection. “Some people use love as an excuse for their misdeeds. They shirk responsibility, behave recklessly, and then blame it all on love.”

She spoke plainly, giving examples that ranged from her own parents to scandals that had dominated the social scene.

While Bella and Kyle didn’t fit the mold of those who would act irresponsibly under the guise of love, Emily voiced another concern.

“What people really fear is what happens if the two of you were to break up. The harmony between the Temple and the Mage Tower could fall apart, and the resulting fallout could harm innocent bystanders.”

Although Bella and Kyle’s relationship had softened the historical tensions between their respective factions, those ties were fragile. A breakup could easily reignite old hostilities, dragging others into the fray.

While Emily and Lucia spoke pragmatically about these concerns, they both agreed on one thing: Bella and Kyle’s relationship didn’t seem likely to follow such a destructive path.

“They’re too devoted to each other for that,” Lucia remarked with a smile.

Kyle and Bella shared a bond that was as genuine as it was deep. Even if their relationship faced obstacles, both were too conscientious to let personal issues affect their responsibilities.

“Duchess, the Archduke is here.”

“Saintess, the Tower Lord has arrived.”

The voices of a knight from the Verdun household and a temple knight interrupted their conversation. It seemed their time together had come to an end.

* * *

Outside the greenhouse, Bella spotted Kyle and immediately ran toward him, her dress trailing behind her. She threw herself into his arms, and Kyle caught her without hesitation.

“Have you been waiting long?” Bella asked, her voice bright.

“No, I just arrived,” Kyle replied calmly, as if accustomed to her enthusiasm.

Nearby, Owen had been quietly watching Lucia. She turned toward him with a faint smile as their eyes met.

“Were you with the Tower Lord again?” she asked.

“Yes, just as you were with your friends,” Owen replied smoothly.

“Back to the Mage Tower today?”

“No, we’re heading to the Verdun estate.”

As they exchanged lighthearted remarks, their hands naturally intertwined, a display of elegant affection.

Kyle and Bella, noticing their interaction, paused to watch. Kyle appeared mildly exasperated by the meticulous decorum of noble etiquette, while Bella’s wide-eyed admiration made her emotions clear.

The honesty of Bella’s expression brought a faint smile to Owen and Lucia’s faces.

“See you soon,” Owen said, breaking the moment with a casual farewell.

Kyle nodded in acknowledgment, his expression relaxed.

As Owen and Lucia turned to leave, Bella called out, her voice ringing with warmth.

“See you at the banquet!”

Lucia chuckled softly and replied, “Yes, I’ll see you there.”

* * *

After watching Kyle and Bella board their carriage, Lucia and Owen entered their own. As the carriage began to move, Lucia glanced out the window and spoke with a cheerful tone.

“I never thought we’d grow so close. Bella truly is a wonderful person.”

“You seem to have a good relationship,” Owen remarked.

Lucia nodded. “She adores me, you know. Emily does too.”

Owen raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye. “Adores you?”

“Platonically,” Lucia clarified with a grin. “Are you jealous?”

“Perhaps a little.”

Lucia laughed, leaning into the lighthearted banter. Their carriage filled with soft laughter—a sound full of warmth and happiness as they headed home together.

 

 

 

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