Bella Belinder, who became highly aggressive the moment she fixed on a target, possessed an initiative unlike that of any other Witches Shade had encountered. He had no idea why what had originally been just a dance had become so intimate.
The crimson birthmark between the Witch's brows, paired with the amethyst forehead ornament, gave every smile and frown a charm unlike her usual self. She did not even need to divine or read Shade's heart; merely seeing his slightly reddened ears was enough to tell her what he was thinking.
"Don't worry. I won't underestimate them."
The Witch continued softly. From the corner of her eye, she saw people from The Church arrive as well, but when one of the Church's Ring Arcanists met her gaze, he merely nodded before looking away. It seemed that The Church would no longer suspect her of being a Witch from the Witch Council for some time.
"Although it has been confirmed that I am the only Ring Arcanist among the Seven Great Families in this era, I won't underestimate the strength of the other families because of that. Just as I believe I cannot lose because of my identity, others will make the same judgment based on their own trump cards. I believe in Destiny, so I would never think that strength alone guarantees victory."
She had definitely deliberately breathed softly against his ear, making it turn even redder.
"I hope this limited cooperation can bring us new clues."
"It definitely will."
She laughed beside Shade's ear, but this laugh was entirely different from the laughter of "her," who was usually at his ear.
"Don't be fooled by how they were all making excuses just now. No one knows whether that was an act too. Everyone has their own thoughts, but in