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Chapter : 26
Before leaving, Bella asked one last question. Since her life was also at stake, she had to be cautious. She didn’t want even a shadow of doubt lingering in her mind.
“Suppose… he isn’t really a Swordmaster?”
“Even so, he is a talent worth nurturing. He will become a strength for Cyern.”
“And if he insists on returning to Luikaron in the end?”
Reyvan fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly. His gaze was dark, heavy with despair, resignation, and emotions too complex to express.
“Then… we’ll have to consider another way.”
Bella didn’t ask what this “other way” meant. She didn’t want to know. That would be a matter after he was beyond her control. She stood up.
“I’ll rest first. I’m exhausted from coming without a break.”
“Yes. Rest well. Tomorrow will be busy.”
As Bella opened the door to leave, Reyvan called her again.
“Bella.”
“Yes?”
“I am truly sorry.”
Bella smiled sadly.
The door closed, leaving Reyvan alone. He let out a heavy sigh and looked out the window. The horizon in the distance was tinged red by the setting sun.
He didn’t feel comfortable entrusting the Empire’s fate to a stranger from afar. How he wished he could become a Swordmaster himself… but…
‘It’s alright, Reyvan. If this is the fate of Cyern, it is meant to be. The Sea Goddess wills it.’
He would never forget the deep despair in the Emperor’s eyes when he spoke those words. Reyvan realized the weight of the expectations and hopes that rested on his shoulders. The Emperor had willingly embraced both him and Bella, who had lost their parents early.
Now it was Reyvan’s turn to repay that grace.
No matter the sacrifice.
Returning to her own room after a long time, Bella collapsed onto the bed. Her reflection in the mirror looked haggard.
“A Swordmaster…”
Though she had graduated from the academy as an excellent student, her title and degree offered no help against the weight she bore. Even graduating as the top of her class in Great Monster Studies would remain just a badge.
But Bella decided not to harbor resentment any longer. She just wanted to wash away the stiffness and sweat from her long carriage journey. Her fate, like the restless sea, was turbulent. She wanted to forget it all.
The night deepened, reflecting Bella’s restless heart.
The next day.
Bella waited tensely in the reception room. According to Reyvan, today she would meet the Luikaron knight. Though she had only heard rumors, she had no knowledge of him firsthand, which made her nervous.
‘What kind of person will he be?’
If Reyvan’s hopes were correct, she would be bound to this person by fate. Imagining Kaisa in her mind… she honestly wasn’t impressed. He had been adrift from Luikaron for over two months. A man who survived the harsh sea could hardly be different from other knights.
Always sweaty, wearing a tattered shirt, probably.
‘And on top of that, we don’t even speak the same language.’
Bella sighed. Teaching him Cyernese wouldn’t be easy, and dealing with such a rough man made her uneasy. Having only interacted with intellectuals at the academy, she doubted she could ever grow fond of this stranger.
The door opened. Milena entered first—a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. She greeted Bella politely.
“Hello, Miss Caster. My name is Milena.”
“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard about you from Reyvan.”
Milena glanced back.
“Kaisa, come in.”
And then he entered.
Bella blinked—once, twice, three times.
‘Really… Kaisa?’
He was completely different from what she had imagined. His naval uniform, freshly cleaned, suited him perfectly. Bella had never imagined someone could wear a naval uniform so well.
And he was handsome.
Despite having seen countless wonders in the capital, she could not deny that Kaisa’s appearance was exceptional. His features were delicately sculpted, his cold violet eyes striking. Even his indifferent expression was picture-perfect.
‘A pirate? No… he’s a perfect noble.’
Kaisa stopped and looked at Bella. Every movement, even without words, radiated elegance. His grace and poise were likely innate.
He was born to be a ruler.
Bella blushed without realizing it.
“Uh… hello.”
Kaisa tilted his head slightly. Milena translated.
“Miss Caster says hello.”
In a low voice, Kaisa replied briefly:
“Hello.”
His pronunciation was awkward, but that voice alone… Bella bit her lip.
For some reason, Milena standing beside Kaisa bothered her. She seemed to know everything about him. Bella’s lips twitched in irritation.
Instantly, Bella scolded herself for thinking that way. She collected her thoughts and emotions to keep them in check.
Bella gathered all the Cyernese she knew. She wanted to communicate directly with Kaisa without Milena as an intermediary.
“Then, starting today, I’ll teach you the Cyern language. Please sit comfortably.”
Kaisa sat on the sofa, posture straight, back unleaning, spine erect.
“You may leave now, Milena. I think I can manage alone.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Once Milena left, Bella focused all her attention on Kaisa. She noticed the marks of someone who had handled a sword for a long time, but his nails were clean, and his clothes neat.
She wanted to hear him say her name. There was a small selfish wish in her heart.
“Let’s start with the basics. My name is Bella. Bel-la.”
Fortunately, he could manage that level of Luikaron language. Kaisa repeated seriously.
“Bella.”
“Good! Your pronunciation is accurate.”
Bella smiled. A faint smile appeared on Kaisa’s lips as well. At that moment, her heart skipped a beat.
During the lesson, Bella was amazed. Kaisa was focused, and his will to learn was clear. Why hadn’t he learned a language until now? It seemed strange.
“Water.”
“Water.”
“Book.”
“Book.”
When she came close to correct his pronunciation, she noticed a subtle scent of soap.
Strangely, it displeased her.
After about an hour, they took a short break.
Kaisa picked up his teacup. Even that simple motion was elegant. Bella observed him and thought:
‘He’s definitely hiding something. Not an ordinary man.’
She observed Kaisa differently from Reyvan. He was clearly from high nobility. That much etiquette had to come from upbringing.
Bella decided not to rush. Reyvan wanted Kaisa’s identity revealed quickly, but rushing could ruin everything. Time was sufficient. She could learn gradually.
“Let’s stop here for today. See you tomorrow at the same time.”
Kaisa bowed politely and left the reception room.
Bella stood by the window, watching his retreating figure. To be honest, she liked him. Kaisa exceeded any man she had met before.
