Yes, I Loved Him

"Isabel... do you like Iver?"

Shafiya asked earnestly.

The first time, Shafiya did not address Isabel as Your Highness.

Because at this moment, she regarded Isabel as her junior... even as her child.

Isabel also keenly sensed this layer.

She gently closed her eyes, lightly touched her chest, and whispered, "Yes."

The memories of the past flowed through Isabel's heart, and just thinking about them warmed her soul.

"When... when did it start?"

"Shafiya asked in a low voice."

Upon hearing this, Isabel paused slightly and widened her eyes.

...yes.

Come to think of it, when did I start liking Iver...?

Was it when he freed him from the succubus's control? Was it when he helped him through the ordeal of his Grandmother's death?

Was it because he helped her break the death curse that had plagued the royal family for over a decade? Or was it because he changed her personality and helped her make friends...?

... No, none of those are true.

Isabel remembered the magic painting she had drawn for Iver.

She had already fallen for him long before all of this. It's just that she wasn't even aware of it at the time...

Looking back now, I realize that the moment I truly remembered this name and could never forget it was at the very beginning.

It was the very first Promotion Ritual... when no one thought they could pass safely, and even Professor Yanis just wanted to give herself a chance to fail.

He genuinely praised himself, saying, "Thanks to you," and "You're amazing."

Without hesitation, he earnestly declared, "I will save Avalon and this world from peril," a truly impressive statement.

When she said, "You don't need to save me," he refused without hesitation.

He saved himself, he saved Sherlock. Then, holding the knife, he silently died outside.

—Just because dying in the house, "Lu Lu will be scared."

Perhaps it was in that instant.

Isabel felt a strong "temperature".

It was like someone about to freeze in the cold wind suddenly being basked in the warm sunshine. She was almost in tears.

She craved that warmth so much, yet she was completely unaware of it. Because she subconsciously chose to avoid it, and only much later did she understand her own heart.

Although she said things like "You don't need to save me" and "I'd rather die," she really hoped someone would come to save her.

Her heart was crying out, "Who will save me?" and "Who will stay with me?"

But after receiving no response for a long time, these voices could only echo helplessly in their hearts.

—Until she met Iver.

So enamored with the warmth of the sun... once touched, it's impossible to let go. That is the most poisonous and addictive thing in the world.

hope.

If she had never had hope, she could have endured all of this. But having felt that confidence, strength, gentleness, and intensity, she could never return to that cold wind.

"From the very beginning."

Isabel opened her eyes and answered firmly, "I've fallen in love with him."

It wasn't because of what he did for himself, nor because he was handsome or outstanding.

It was because from the very beginning, his soul had been drawn to him—for no reason at all.

There may be many people who are suitable for him, but there is only one person who is suitable for him. Only Iver can redeem his soul.

"... Do you know what love is?"

Hearing this, Shafiya couldn't help but laugh, "You're still so young... you've never been exposed to anything before."

Upon hearing this, Isabel, without hesitation, uttered the words Iver had only said once, yet which she had firmly etched in her heart. "Two different hearts, two souls yet to overlap, are like two exquisitely carved gems. When they intertwine, face the sunlight, and turn slightly, they can reflect countless different lights on the wall..."

This is something Isabel would never dare to say in front of Iver.

But now, in front of Shafiya —this simulated Shafiya —she could speak her heart without reservation, "When two people shine together, their brilliance surpasses that of countless stars. I think that's love."

"Yes, I love him."

"... I see."

Shafiya looked at her and nodded with some emotion. "That's true... Love is harder to hide than murder, like the midday sun shining in the darkness."

"—I will help you, Your Highness Isabel. Once I've delivered you to the Theocracy, I'll go back to him."

"We've been gone for so long, is he in danger?"

"Concern leads to confusion, Your Highness. It's only been two days—"

Shafiya explained helplessly, "The main force is on our side... We've defeated so many enemies, how many more could possibly reach Glass Island?"

Two days... They didn't ride the griffins, but instead arrived at the port and chose a ferry... The enemy's main force is gathered here... Iver is still on Glass Island and hasn't taken any action...

Isabel heard the keywords she wanted to know. Without revealing her identity, she actually gained more information.

So she said goodbye to Shafiya and sat back down on the bed to start thinking seriously.

If that's the case, then two days must have passed by now, and it should be the night of the third day or the early morning of the fourth day.

So much had happened in between, yet he hadn't been exposed at all. This meant the ritual was probably still functioning normally, only temporarily out of control. If only he had lost control and Iver had retained his sanity, he would surely have left him some kind of backup plan to help explain things.

Thinking back to the dream I had...

It's probably not that I've lost my memory, but rather that something went wrong with the Promotion Ritual.

As a transcendent being on the Path of Beauty, Isabel has great trust in her intuition.

...broken.

Isabel's heart skipped a beat.

She and Iver agreed to arrive in the Theocracy at dusk the following day, and Iver would complete the Shadow of Avalon Ritual before then.

If everyone skipped the two middle days... then half a day has already passed since the agreed-upon ceremony time. Did Iver actually perform the Shadow of Avalon Ritual?

They're not communicating at all now. Not only is it impossible to make phone calls on the ship, but she also doesn't know where Iver is.

Although he was accompanied by Sherlock...

But Sherlock is the enemy! Just as Isabel was starting to panic, she suddenly heard a sharp and hysterical laugh.

—Someone's identity as a promoted individual has been discovered by the "native inhabitants"!

Isabel immediately realized this.

But based on this, she quickly thought of another point.

Could this person be Sherlock? No, impossible.

The consultant seemed shrewd. He might have panicked at first if everyone had skipped the middle two days, but he should have calmed down quickly.

Given his personality, he wouldn't betray Iver if they were together. He's a rather rigid and proud person, and with Bishop Moriarty as a priest, he would likely become a protector. Because he can't bear to stand behind a healer.

Considering this, Iver wouldn't kill him immediately.

Isabel's mind raced as she quickly analyzed each person's personality.

She wasn't very good at logical things, but she could see through the essence of everyone. Her main task this time was the trials of "playing the role."

From this perspective, she could completely put herself in everyone's shoes and consider what the other person should do.

"What if I were Iver?" This thought suddenly popped into Isabel's mind.

If I were Iver, what would I do? She suddenly felt an unusual stimulation—not even based on life and death or crisis, but on "understanding" and "love".

She doesn't know Iver's position, Iver doesn't know her side of the intelligence either.

They couldn't contact each other, and Isabel had to ensure that Iver arrived at the Theocracy as quickly as possible after he began the Shadow of Avalon Ritual —faster was better than slower. If he was too fast, at worst Iver wouldn't complete the ritual; but if he was too slow Iver's life could be in danger.

Given Isabel's personality, she would definitely want to go to the Theocracy as soon as possible. But since Iver wants to complete the ritual, she will choose to support him.

She must know Iver well enough to anticipate his every move; similarly, Iver must know her well enough to realize that she can receive the messages he sends.

—Now the problem is.

Does she really know Iver well enough? In this situation, is it only now that she can guess Iver's every move?

"If I were Iver..."

Isabel's gaze gradually cleared. "I will kill ' Sherlock ' when the ritual begins."

"Because he must also realize that we lack the means to connect with each other. The only thing that can overcome all these obstacles is the ' Death Knell ' and 'mockery.' So he won't kill Sherlock prematurely."

—But what if someone dies along the way and disrupts the message? This thought popped into Isabel's mind.

"If I were Iver ... I would kill Sherlock the moment I realized someone had died. Since there's no fighting to the death during the Full Moon Ritual, it's illogical for two people to die in quick succession. If I heard that signal, I would know he wasn't ready..."

She pondered deeply, feeling both anxious and expectant.

Waiting for the answer on the day of the lottery draw.

On the other side...

As he heard the laughter, Iver spoke with Sherlock while a thought flickered in his mind.

"... Laughter broke out. Now we have enough people, only six left. Now everyone just needs to complete their own tasks; there's no need to fight each other anymore."

"Although I can't get in touch with Isabel... if she hears this mocking laugh, she'll probably realize something."

Iver believes that the Isabel of today is completely different from the little Princess he first met.

She is not a burden, but a reliable teammate.

How can two people achieve perfect communication when there is absolutely no communication and the plan is completely scrapped?

Iver glanced at the "advisor" playing Sherlock, and a thought struck him.

"Once I've prepared the Shadow of Avalon Ritual... perhaps I can obtain information by killing the advisor."

If she realizes that the death was completely unnecessary and abrupt, she will probably understand that this is the message I want to convey to her.

—But what if someone dies along the way? Iver cautiously considered another possibility.

Then kill the advisor beforehand to alert Isabel—

If that happens, the simultaneous tolling of two funeral Death Knell would indicate "the next day," and the time could be changed to dusk!

Could she have imagined this? The Shadow of Avalon ritual is extremely dangerous... If she doesn't handle it properly, she might die here. Without her teammates' support, it's like bungee jumping without a safety rope—it's tantamount to suicide.

Is it really a gamble that Isabel will understand his intentions? — No, it's not a gamble.

A deep red flame gradually ignited in the depths of Iver's gaze.

That is understanding... and trust.

Iver knew that Isabel was adept at perceiving the true nature of others and understanding their inner thoughts. This was a characteristic of the Path of Beauty, and as All-rounder, she excelled at it.

If it were you...

You can probably guess what I'm thinking right now, Isabel.

Iver thought to himself.

"If I were Iver..."

Isabel closed her eyes slightly, and her confidence gradually grew stronger.

"—I will believe Isabel."

She murmured to herself.

Update complete!