DOTD Chapter 23

Bella turned her gaze to the window where the curtains fluttered and touched the earring on her earlobe. She felt the hard gemstone.

 

“And even now, it’s saving my life in real-time.”

 

Somehow, thanks to this magic, I was able to receive divine mana and survive Louis’s attack, although this wasn’t my intention.

 

‘But isn’t it good that I survived?’

 

I laughed softly, but no one else joined in.

 

The atmosphere seemed to grow even heavier, making me uncomfortable.

 

“I don’t understand.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Not Bella, but the Tower Lord.”

 

“…”

 

“No matter what, how could you do that to someone precious…”

 

“Evan, how many people could just stand by and do nothing if someone precious was dying before their eyes?”

 

“That’s…”

 

“I’m not defending this magic. I just want to say that it’s not Adrian’s fault.”

 

At that moment.

 

“Of course not.”

 

Someone burst through the door and responded to my words.

 

I opened my eyes wide and turned my head towards the door to see a familiar face.

 

“Yzmel?”

 

Red long hair resembling Adrian’s. His furrowed brows, seemingly very angry, caught my eye immediately.

 

🦋

 

“…Let’s talk for a moment.”

 

Yzmel, who looked like he was about to pour out a flood of words, hesitated and then spoke.

 

Bella, understanding that he meant for them to leave alone, glanced at Evan and Rowan.

 

It was likely a conversation better had with fewer listeners.

 

‘But I shouldn’t be too far from Evan…’

 

While Bella was pondering, Yzmel spoke again.

 

“You better not think about running away. It wouldn’t be easy anyway.”

 

Naturally, the meeting discussed the treatment of Evan and Rowan, concluding that they wouldn’t be imprisoned but would be closely watched without lowering their guard.

 

The decision made against those who had attacked the Tower Lord out of the blue was exceedingly lenient, but Adrian’s reasoning was simple.  

 

He figured that since Bella wouldn’t run away, Evan would have no reason to act out. 

 

Of course, he was also confident that even if Evan did try something, he could easily handle it.  

 

‘It seems there’s no particular punishment? I thought Evan would be dealt with harshly, but Adrian is surprisingly lenient.’ 

 

Bella thought Yzmel’s mention of ‘you all’ included her, but she was actually outside the scope of surveillance.  

 

This was the result of Adrian’s influence.  

 

Thanks to Adrian’s strict orders not to touch Bella, no one dared to even open their mouths. 

 

Fortunately, no one was tactless enough to ask who that suddenly appearing mage was.  

 

Having seen the emotional side of the Tower Lord for the first time, everyone instinctively knew they shouldn’t intervene.  

 

“We won’t run away.”  

 

Evan answered calmly. His gaze lingered on Bella for just a moment before shifting away.  

 

Yzmel crossed his arms and silently stared at him with sharp eyes, not seeking further confirmation. He then led Bella out of the room.  

 

Yzmel signaled the mages waiting outside to enter. They were there for surveillance.  

 

Bella, who had been quietly observing the process, followed Yzmel as he moved and softly spoke up.  

 

“I don’t know if you’re aware… but I can’t go far.”  

 

“I know.”  

 

“Did Adrian tell you?”  

 

Yzmel didn’t answer immediately. Hearing Adrian’s name come so casually from Bella’s lips felt oddly uncomfortable to him.  

 

“…I don’t know the details. He didn’t even tell me who you are.”  

 

“Ah, he didn’t tell you. Adrian can be a bit unfriendly sometimes. I’m…”  

 

Yzmel, who had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped.  

 

Bella, flustered, stopped as well.  

 

“Don’t speak carelessly about the Tower Lord.”  

 

“Oh, right… sorry.”  

 

Bella awkwardly apologized. She had noticed before, but Yzmel seemed extremely sensitive when it came to matters related to Adrian.  

 

‘I thought revealing my connection to Adrian would ease their wariness, but it seems like I’m being disliked even more…?’  

 

Could it be jealousy?  

 

As she pondered whether Yzmel was that much of a devoted disciple, she followed him until they arrived at a secluded spot.  

 

Judging by how quickly they arrived, they hadn’t gone far.  

 

Bella and Yzmel stood facing each other.  

 

“What did you want to say?”  

 

“Well…”  

 

Yzmel pointed at Bella’s earring without using any specific words.  

 

“Ah, this. Right… do you know what kind of magic is tied to this…”  

 

Bella had no choice but to stop speaking.  

 

Yzmel, who had been listening to her, stiffened his expression and quickly made a gesture for her to be quiet.  

 

“Shh.”

 

His demeanor suggested that even mentioning it was something to be cautious about.  

 

Given this level of reaction, it was obvious…  

 

‘He knows what kind of magic it is.’  

 

Then, it must have been him who told Evan and Rowan, who likely wouldn’t have known about the magic…  

 

“It was you, wasn’t it? You’re the one who told them, right?”  

 

“…Yes. It was a mistake. I shouldn’t have done it.”  

 

Yzmel bit his lower lip, blaming himself.  

 

“Why?”  

 

“If it gets out…”  

 

Yzmel furrowed his brows and hesitated, falling into thought for a moment.  

 

A dangerous magic that must not be known to have been used.  

 

The only way to ensure safety after using such magic would be to eliminate all evidence of its use, wouldn’t it?  

 

Yzmel, lost in extreme thoughts without considering the consequences, looked at Bella. More precisely, at Bella’s earring.  

 

Bella felt a chill run down her spine at his gaze.  

 

“Your eyes look strange… What are you thinking?”  

 

“Can I destroy that?”  

 

“You really are thinking something scary… No, you can’t.”  

 

“Why not?”  

 

“It would put my life in danger.”  

 

After letting out a deep sigh, Yzmel spoke, “What’s your relationship with Adrian?”  

 

“Huh? Oh, we’re friends.”  

 

“Then, for his sake, you’d do anything, right?”  

 

“…Anything?”  

 

“Yes. Even if it means risking your life.”  

 

“…You know, I don’t think you really understand the definition of friendship, do you?”  

 

Bella took a slight step back, distancing herself from Yzmel as she spoke.  

 

Risking your life? This goes beyond just being a devoted disciple, doesn’t it?  

 

Yzmel’s serious expression didn’t seem like he was joking at all.  

 

“I know. Friendship is about trusting each other and enjoying each other’s company, right?”  

 

“You know it well… Then, what am I?”  

 

“A follower of Adrian?”  

 

“A follower…”  

 

So that’s how he sees it.  

 

‘I wasn’t even being acknowledged as a friend from the start!’  

 

Even though the term ‘follower’ suits him better.  

 

People tend to struggle to accept things they don’t understand and make judgments based on what they do know.  

 

For that reason, Yzmel thought Bella might just be a follower claiming to be Adrian’s friend.  

 

To him, the term ‘Adrian’s friend’ sounded incredibly awkward.  

 

“There’s no way you’re friends…”  

 

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”  

 

“Your magic skills aren’t that great, are they?”  

 

Although Bella had suddenly gained an enormous amount of mana, her innate mana capacity was originally very low, so her proficiency in magic was lacking.  

 

Yzmel had figured out that, despite Bella being a special-type mage, her pure magical abilities were mediocre.  

 

“…Is that the issue?”  

 

“It’s important. If you’re not as exceptional as Adrian, you can’t be his friend!”

 

‘This is so childish!’

 

Bella sighed, seriously contemplating whether she should stoop to the same level as this kid or not.  

 

Her deliberation was brief. When having a conversation, it’s essential to meet the other person at their level to communicate effectively.  

 

“I knew Adrian before you did.”  

 

“I knew Adrian as soon as he became the Tower Lord.”  

 

“We were friends before that.”  

 

The eye-level communication tactic worked perfectly. Yzmel understood Bella’s intention clearly.  

 

Though reluctant to admit it, he accepted the possibility that she might truly be Adrian’s friend.  

 

Yzmel frowned and muttered under his breath.  

 

“Honestly, I don’t like it.”  

 

“Who said you had to like it? You’ve been brutally honest this whole time. It’s okay to be a little less honest now.”  

 

Bella shot back with a sour expression.  

 

“I can’t allow it.”  

 

“Allow what?!”  

 

“Anyway, no!”  

 

‘Why is this kid suddenly acting like this?!’

 

“If anyone hears this, they’ll think I’m marrying Adrian or something!”  

 

Feeling unfairly put in a position where it seemed like she was seeking permission to marry, Bella shouted.  

 

And at that moment, someone suddenly intruded into the space where only the two of them were, catching every word of her outburst.  

 

“Marriage…?”  

 

Adrian, who had appeared as if changing the flow of the air, stood tall and muttered softly.  

 

Only after his low voice swept through the room did the two notice his presence, startling them.  

 

“Ah, Adrian!”  

 

“Tower Lord!”  

 

Bella panicked and covered her mouth, but it was already too late.  

 

‘It wasn’t that strange of a thing to say, right?’

 

She was internally reviewing her words, but Adrian’s reaction made it clear that it wasn’t as innocent as she thought.  

 

“Marrying me…?”  

 

“Th-that’s not what I meant!”  

In Adrian’s ears, only Bella’s voice echoed like a reverberation, repeating the words, ‘I’m marrying Adrian.’