Chapter 107

“But… I’m worried. If I confess and he rejects me, wouldn’t it become too awkward for us to stay the way we are now?”

 

Roseanne said she kept hesitating because she feared things would change for the worse after a failed confession.

 

“Mm, I understand what you mean. But if you keep hesitating because of that fear, won’t you lose even the chance for things to go well?”

 

At Enria’s words, Roseanne’s face darkened a little.

 

“Think about it, Rose. What if you keep putting it off, and Lord Tearen ends up with someone else…?”

 

“N–No! I don’t want that!”

 

Roseanne shouted in panic, cutting her off.

 

Enria nodded slightly, saying of course she wouldn’t want that.

 

“I don’t want to see you lose your chance with Lord Tearen just because you hesitated.”

 

“……”

 

“They say opportunities only come to the brave. Sure, love has its exceptions… but I think if you take courage, your relationship with Lord Tearen will definitely change.”

 

Roseanne fell into deep thought, her gaze slowly shifting. Then she suddenly voiced the deeper fear she’d been holding back.

 

“What if he says he can’t because… I’m my brother’s friend’s little sister…?”

 

“Then you grit your teeth and work harder.”

 

“…Grit my teeth…?”

 

Roseanne tilted her head, confused.

 

“Yeah. Because that’s not a feeling you can just stop because he turned you down once.”

 

Roseanne’s eyes widened.

 

It was true.

 

Her feelings had already grown so much that no reason Tearen gave could make them disappear.

 

“If it were me, I wouldn’t give up. I’d try again and again. If you chop at a tree ten times, it’ll eventually fall—so if you keep trying…”

 

Enria stopped mid-sentence.

 

She pressed her lips together, suddenly aware of herself.

 

She wasn’t only encouraging Roseanne for Roseanne’s sake—part of her said those things because she herself wanted the reassurance.

 

‘Saying ‘a tree falls if you strike it ten times’… how easily am I saying things.’

 

She knew better than anyone how painful repeated rejection was for someone in a one-sided love.

 

Yet because the situation wasn’t hers, she’d spoken too lightly.

 

Guilt—and a bitter self-reproach—washed over her.

 

“Enri…?”

 

Roseanne called her name, confused by her expression.

 

“Rose.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“The confession is yours to make. I can only listen and support you. You don’t have to be swayed by anything I say.”

 

“Ah. Of course, that’s obvious.”

 

Roseanne tilted her head, as if wondering why Enria was even saying such a thing.

 

After a moment of hesitation, Enria asked quietly: “Should I… try to see how Lord Tearen behaves when you’re together?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Roseanne blinked.

 

Enria explained she could help make sure Roseanne wouldn’t feel anxious when confessing.

 

But Roseanne shook her head after a moment of thought, smiling warmly.

 

“Your care means a lot… but I’ll do it myself. Like you said, the confession is my responsibility.”

 

Enria nodded with a soft smile.

 

“If things go well, we could double-date.”

 

“Double… date?”

 

The unfamiliar term made Roseanne look puzzled.

 

Enria explained that lovers could go out together with another couple—picnics, festivals, that sort of thing.

 

“It’s fun when you go places as a group of four.”

 

Roseanne’s eyes sparkled.

 

“That sounds fun.”

 

“Right?”

 

The idea of a double date felt exciting to Roseanne as well.

 

“Then I really need to work hard for that.”

 

She laughed brightly, happy at having a new thing to look forward to.

 

Enria smiled back, then muttered that she hoped she wasn’t pushing her too much.

 

Roseanne responded with a gentle smile.

 

“You’re not pushing me. You’re giving me courage. And since I don’t feel pressured, it’s fine.”

 

“…Thank you for saying that.”

 

Enria gave a slightly awkward smile.

 

“Alright. I’m going to confess. Right now.”

 

Roseanne clenched her fists in determination.

 

“If he tries to dodge with some excuse, I’ll at least ask him to think about it before rejecting me.”

 

Enria shook her head—Roseanne was already assuming rejection.

 

“You won’t know unless you try. And honestly, judging from how he’s been so far, there’s a good chance Lord Tearen likes you too. So just go for it.”

 

“Mm! I’m going for it!”

 

Her cheeks flushed red as she thought about confessing, her heart pounding.

 

Enria looked at her warmly.

 

Roseanne was so sweet, so lovable—how could Tearen possibly reject someone like her?

 

She hoped deeply—selfishly, perhaps—that the two would face no hardships and simply fall in love.

 

But since Roseanne wanted it too, maybe her selfishness wasn’t such a bad thing.

 

 

***

 

 

After finishing her talk with Roseanne, Enria went to see Belona.

 

Belona sat on the bed, her whole demeanor heavy and subdued.

 

Enria quietly closed the door.

 

Belona looked up at the sound, her eyes widening slightly.

 

“Enria.”

 

Her voice was faint, but she smiled—though the smile looked heartbreakingly sad.

 

The sight made Enria’s chest tighten.

 

“How do you feel?”

 

Belona said she was better, then apologized.

 

“I’m sorry, Enria. I… was rude to you.”

 

“Oh, no, I wouldn’t say that…”

 

“I’m sure you’ve heard. I was shocked too—shocked that my subconscious wanted that.”

 

She turned back toward the window.

 

Enria sat in the chair beside her.

 

“I understand. I mean… I can’t say I understand everything. But I do love someone too.”

 

Belona let out a bitter laugh.

 

“Then I’ve been a burden to you before as well, haven’t I.”

 

She met Enria’s eyes.

 

“You and your lover saved my life. I am grateful.”

 

Enria watched her quietly before asking gently: “Are you all right now?”

 

“…I don’t know. I’m surprised I tried so hard not to accept Groen’s death. But I finally understand now that he’s truly gone. I won’t mistake anyone for him again.”

 

Belona wet her dry lips before continuing.

 

“Roseanne’s words hit me hard. I’m sure others have told me the same… but for some reason, it only sank in now.”

 

She gave a faint, self-mocking smile.

 

“Maybe Groen saw me from above and nudged me into my senses because he felt sorry for me. He wouldn’t have wanted this either. Realizing that… I finally felt I had to pull myself together.”

 

Her eyes glistened.

 

“I’ve accepted it now. …His death. And the meaning of my life from here on.”

 

She said she accepted it, but the pain was still evident.

 

“Half my soul is gone. It wouldn’t be strange if I died any day now, right?”

 

“Ah… it’s not quite that extreme…”

 

Enria explained: yes, losing half her soul reduced her life force, but she wouldn’t just collapse tomorrow. Every being had signs when nearing death.

 

“Your healing magic can’t tell how long I have left, can it?”

 

Enria looked troubled, then nodded.

 

“No… I can’t know that. Only whether you’re in good or bad condition. And right now… you’re much better.”

 

“…I see.”

 

Belona nodded and turned back to the window. After a moment: “I’m going to focus solely on revenge for Groen now.”

 

She would dedicate everything to killing the black mage who caused his death—who killed Groen’s father, the Tower Master, controlled Groen like a puppet, and ultimately caused his death.

 

“That’s the only reason I have left to live.”

 

Then she turned to Enria, her expression strangely refreshed.

 

“So please help me, Enria.”

 

Enria smiled brightly.

 

“Of course, Belona.”