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CHAPTER 08
At that moment, it felt like time had stopped.
The sound of my heartbeat echoed loudly in my ears, and my mouth went completely dry.
“What are you talking ab—”
“Lady, your recent behavior has been a bit suspicious.”
Bella stepped back slightly, but her sharp gaze did not waver.
I took a deep breath and forced a natural smile.
“Bella, don’t you think your imagination might be a little too rich?”
I spoke slowly, adding elegance to my tone. I fanned myself lightly with a lace-gloved hand and let out a soft, sighing laugh.
“I understand that my actions might seem strange. But… I think you’re going a bit too far.”
I tilted my head slightly, a faint smile on my lips.
“That level of sharp observation sounds almost like a court novelist. An interesting interpretation.”
With graceful movements, I averted my gaze slightly and continued softly.
“If you have such wit and observational skill, you would certainly attract attention at court.”
Bella blinked a few times, as if considering my words.
Perhaps because my tone was ambiguous—half praise, half sarcasm—her sharp gaze softened slightly for a moment.
I didn’t miss that opening and quickly shifted the conversation.
In this small psychological battle, gaining even a slight advantage was important.
“More importantly… could you deal with that annoying stalker first?”
I sighed deeply, rubbing my temple in frustration as I pushed my hair back. Lavender-scented strands scattered in the wind.
“He’s my escort knight, but you saw it, right? The moment anyone tries to speak to me, he threatens them with his sword.”
I deliberately added irritation to my voice so it sounded like a simple complaint.
“I feel like I’m going insane. How am I supposed to have a normal conversation with someone like that?”
Bella looked flustered.
“Ah… you mean that knight?”
“Yes. You saw how suffocating Leon is, didn’t you?”
As I spoke as if venting my true feelings, I could see Bella slowly relaxing.
When her magic had enveloped my hand earlier, I had seen her differently.
Delicate, yet powerful. Strong enough to be trusted. The fact that she could use high-level magic like teleportation so naturally… she really was a great mage.
And she was sharp—observant, intelligent enough to be suspicious.
…Yes. Someone like Bella might actually be better kept on my side.
And conveniently, Leon was the perfect excuse.
Right. I should change my plan.
She was too valuable to treat as an enemy, but too dangerous to leave alone. And now that she had begun to doubt me, it would be better to bring her to my side.
If I missed this timing, things would only become more complicated. She would keep watching me with suspicion.
I looked directly into Bella’s eyes and lowered my voice, adding sincerity and urgency.
“Bella, I’ll be honest.”
At my words, her expression stiffened again, her breathing slightly quickening.
“If we can get rid of that annoying knight and have some time alone… I’ll tell you everything you’re curious about.”
Bella’s eyes widened in shock, her lips parting slightly.
Her breath became uneven. My words were practically an admission of all her suspicions.
“Do you… really mean that?”
Her voice trembled slightly with excitement and disbelief.
I couldn’t let myself get exposed here. Leon could appear at any moment, and others might be nearby.
I quickly scanned the surroundings and whispered carefully,
“But this narrow alley is dangerous. Someone could be listening…”
And just as if the world wanted to prove my concern right—
“Lady! Where are you?! Lady Lillian!”
Ah, that stalker again!
“It seems he’s already here…”
Bella tensed upon hearing Leon’s voice.
“Lady Lillian! Please answer me!”
His voice was getting closer. If this continued, we would be discovered.
We both turned toward the sound. At the corner of the alley, the silhouette of a knight in black armor was about to appear.
If that happened, how was I supposed to get rid of him this time…?
Before I could think further, Bella suddenly nodded with determination.
“Alright.”
Her brown eyes burned with resolve.
“Let’s go north. I know a safe place there. Even that knight won’t be able to find us.”
The moment she grabbed my hand, it was cold—and trembling with something between fear and excitement.
“Hold on tight.”
Once again, the world spun violently.
Teleportation magic wrapped around us, and the stone buildings and narrow alley blurred into nothing.
The last thing I heard was Leon’s desperate voice calling our names.
When I opened my eyes, an entirely different world unfolded.
Cold, refreshing northern wind brushed my cheeks, and the deep scent of pine filled my lungs. Compared to the city’s suffocating air, it felt like another world entirely.
We were in a quiet northern region. Distant snow-covered mountains stretched endlessly into the sky like a painting.
“Wow…”
A breath of admiration escaped my lips.
Bella looked at me seriously.
“Now… please tell me the truth. Your real identity.”
Her voice no longer held doubt—it held certainty.
I exhaled deeply, white breath rising into the cold air.
How far should I tell her? I couldn’t tell her everything.
That this world was a novel. That she herself was just a character created by someone. That would be too cruel.
But if I said nothing, I would never gain her trust. I needed a balance—truth mixed with lies.
I had already gone too far to keep lying. She was too close to the truth now.
After biting my lip in thought, I finally found a believable explanation—something not entirely false, but something this world could accept.
“Actually…”
I spoke carefully, my voice slightly trembling.
“I can see the future.”
Bella’s eyes widened even more.
“You can see the future?”
“Yes. It’s probably a divine revelation given to me as a saint.”
Her face turned pale. She stepped back, looking at me with fear mixed with awe.
“Then… does that mean…”
“I’ve already seen the downfall awaiting Lillian Floris. The tragic ending of this body.”
I spoke calmly, heavily—like someone truly chosen by divine revelation.
“So I’m trying to change it. The fate that has been decided.”
Bella held her breath, staring at me.
“If that’s true…”
She couldn’t continue.
But I couldn’t stop here. I needed to add something more specific.
“The High Priest, Aebric Adelant.”
At that name, Bella flinched.
“You even know his full name…”
“I saw him turning me into an immortal vessel. Without my consent. Calling it ‘salvation.’”
Bella went completely pale.
“That… horrible thing…”
“That is the future I saw, Bella. If I do nothing, that is what will happen.”
I looked directly into her eyes.
After a long silence, she finally spoke carefully.
“But… why are you telling only me this?”
There was curiosity in her voice—not doubt.
I paused, then answered honestly.
“Because I want to trust you.”
Her eyes trembled.
“I felt your magic. It was delicate yet strong. You’re intelligent enough to question things, to search for truth.”
I stepped closer.
“If someone like you stays by my side… I think I can change this terrible fate.”
Bella remained silent, staring at me. But the suspicion in her eyes had almost disappeared.
Instead, something more complicated swirled there.
Awe. Fear. And… pity?
“Lady…”
She called my name with a trembling voice.
“Is that really all?”
I hesitated.
Her gaze was too sharp, as if it could pierce through every lie.
“…There’s also the tower lord, the Crown Prince, and that escort knight. But if I tell you everything, I feel like you’ll end up hurting in my place.”
Even I could barely believe what I was saying. A flimsy excuse, thin enough to tear at any moment.
Bella watched me quietly.
Her gaze did not waver.
It was the cold analytical look of a mage—reading every gap in my words.
“…I see.”
She sighed, but not in acceptance.
Rather, it was the sigh of someone who lacked enough information to decide.
She lowered her gaze briefly, as if organizing her thoughts.
In that short silence, doubt and partial disbelief mixed together.
Then she looked back at me.
“I think… I understand that you’re lying.”
I instinctively held my breath.
But Bella continued slowly.
“But I also think there is truth in it. So for now… I won’t ask further. I believe there is a reason you must lie.”
It wasn’t acceptance.
It was postponement.
A promise that she would ask again someday. A warning not to run away.
She gave a faint smile. But there was sadness and caution hidden inside it.
“Just promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
“One day… tell me the truth. I’ll be ready.”
I couldn’t respond.
She hadn’t trusted me—she had decided to wait.
“Alright.”
A brief silence followed. The cold northern wind rustled through the pine trees.
“…Are we staying here?”
I tried to change the subject.
“Even if it’s beautiful, it’s not the duke’s estate.”
Bella thought for a moment and nodded.
“It’s too cold here. And you might catch a cold in that dress. The duke would be sad if you fell ill.”
…Sorry, Bella, but your “duke” is probably more worried about you disappearing.
“I’ll take you back to the south—House Floris. It’s warmer and safer there.”
I almost agreed, but stopped.
The disappointment in her eyes pierced my chest.
The moment her hand touched my shoulder, the world twisted again.
Teleportation again.
When I opened my eyes—
We were already standing in front of House Floris.
Moonlight reflected off marble stairs and red carpets. Roses and lilies shimmered softly in the garden.
The overwhelming pressure from before remained—but now, something else weighed on my chest.
Tension.
“…Haa.”
I exhaled deeply.
The mansion gates slowly opened.
“Bella.”
I spoke seriously.
“Someday… I’ll tell you everything about the future.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“But not now. It doesn’t feel like the right time yet. When the time comes… I’ll tell you everything honestly.”
Bella blinked in surprise, then smiled softly.
“Thank you, Lady. That… is enough.”
She gently held my hand for a moment, then released it and turned away.
I finally tried to relax—
“Lady!”
A voice shattered the quiet garden.
Leon.
His face was twisted with anger like a storm about to break, his gaze locked not on me—but on where Bella had disappeared.
“I’ve been searching everywhere! That suspicious woman was the problem after all!”
I shouted instinctively.
“Bella! Run!”
But it was too late.
Bella vanished into the air like she had been swallowed by moonlight.
“…Haa.”
I collapsed to the ground.
Madness wrapped in the name of love. A dangerous gaze that looked capable of killing without hesitation.
Why did every emotion in this world become such poisonous obsession?
Changing one despair only led me into another.
A new shadow fell over me.
Leon extended his hand with a falsely gentle expression.
“Please stand, my lady.”
Before his hand could touch me—
“My fiancée seems to be in trouble.”
A low voice like thunder split the night air.
I turned my head.
At the end of the moonlit garden stood someone who should not be here.
Prince Iris Hiver.
His black cloak fluttered in the night wind like a painting come to life.
And his eyes—cold as a frozen lake—pierced straight through Leon.
