17. A Considerable Time Had Passed Since Necromancer Ian Was Kidnapped
A considerable amount of time had passed since Necromancer Ian was kidnapped. In the interim, negotiations had taken place with the count, exchanging Ian's safe return for a settlement. Fortunately, neither the count nor Behena had been overly greedy; they agreed to split the territory evenly, bringing the armistice to a close. As a bonus, Ian would be returned unharmed, without a single hair out of place.
If Ian returned with even the slightest injury or had endured any mistreatment, Bella, Ju Cheong-ah, and Dina had made it abundantly clear they would hold everyone responsible—from the count down to the lowliest culprit—and slaughter them all.
After a long wait in Behena's office, Bella's patience was fraying at the edges.
"Argh, this fucking bullshit. When the hell is your royal family gonna stamp that damn seal? Why's it taking so goddamn long?"
"I'm sorry. I have no idea either. I've heard the Durumil royal family's bureaucracy is slow, but I didn't think it'd be this slow..."
Bella felt a pang of guilt seeing Behena flinch and shrink back, eyes darting nervously. She scratched the back of her head. Yeah, what'd this girl do wrong? The real problem's that worthless royal family dragging their feet on the seal.
"Sigh. Sorry. Wasn't trying to snap at you. I'm just pent up lately—super on edge. You get what I mean, right?"
"Pent... Oh. Y-yes, I understand."
Behena's face flushed crimson at Bella's crude innuendo. Pent-up desires...? How can she say something like that so casually? Is it really okay for a princess of a nation to talk like that? It struck her as odd, but what did it matter? They were alone in the room, just the two of them.
Seemingly oblivious to Behena's inner turmoil, Bella stretched languidly, working out the kinks in her body.
"Nngh... Anyway, whatever. They still haven't shown up today, huh?"
"Yes, Lady Bella."
"Lady, my ass. Call me sis."
"P-pardon? B-but..."
"Whatever, forget it. I'm heading out."
"Ah, yes...! Take care."
"Yeah."
Bella left the office, waving off Behena's farewell. Starting from the day after Ian's kidnapping, she now closed doors with both arms again and strode down the corridor.
"Tch. Feels weirder having two arms now."
Since when did I even have two arms...? Of course, she hadn't been born with one arm; she'd lost it fleeing her kingdom, severed by her uncle. Even so, for years until meeting Ian, she'd adapted to life as a one-armed woman.
Then she'd reunited with him. In just under a year, his ability had regrown her arm, and she hadn't spent a single day without it since.
—Nah, why? One arm's inconvenient; you'd have to adjust. I'll fix it right now. Huh? It's not a hassle? I'm fine with it—using the ability doesn't burden me much. If I don't activate it even for a day, it's like thorns grow in my mouth or something.
He'd throw a fit and kiss her on the spot.
"Heh heh... That little shit just wanted to kiss me."
...Not that I minded. After the first time, he could've activated it without kissing, but he always insisted—lips locking, tongues entwining. She'd heard the risks of using his ability, worried he'd refuse or find it uncomfortable, but he'd brushed it off with bold assurances.
It halves the capacity of the body part transferring the ability, right?
Even how he'd deliberately trained his right arm harder for her sake.
Kisses like a fucking pro, too.
Bella absently touched her lips—dry after so long without.
"Weak-ass punk. Getting himself kidnapped."
As she walked, Bella veered toward a window in the corridor. Outside, in one corner of the garden, a black-haired woman swung her sword—Ju Cheong-ah—while Dina watched from the sidelines.
"...She's really putting in the work."
Bella muttered and quickened her pace toward the garden.
§
Without Ian, Cheong-ah had naturally lost the partial sight he'd granted her. Having been blind from birth, she'd initially dismissed it as no big deal. It'll go back to normal soon enough. Not like I'm really losing anything.
She'd gone temporarily blind before, during Ian's absences. This was nothing. She'd manage. It was just temporary...
That naive assumption proved a grave mistake.
She hadn't realized what gaining sight truly meant: that she could never return to that pitch-black void of her past.
One day, two days. Movement was inconvenient, but tolerable. She'd adapt quickly. She'd lived blind her whole life, after all...
She'd only had sight for a year and half. She'd readjust in no time. It was just shock from the sudden loss.
Three days, four. She could endure. Her body just needed time. It was better than yesterday or the day before—fewer stumbles, fewer collisions from misjudging layouts.
She'd get used to it soon. Darkness was familiar, after all...
A week, two weeks...
Ju Cheong-ah had not.
"Dina, sorry, but could you help me again today?"
"Of course, grump. Ask as much as you need. This body shall aid you anytime."
"Thanks, Dina. I'll rely on you again today, then."
She hadn't adapted to the darkness. No—couldn't adapt.
Ian, her husband, had etched something vast and radiant into her soul. A life without his light was unimaginable.
She could've grown accustomed long ago, but Cheong-ah refused this darkness.
Bella had laughed it off incredulously—Ian's not dead; he'll be back safe soon. Why the fuss?—but still.
"Worry not. Until Yeonja returns, this body will be your eyes and right arm, grump. Is that not atonement to you and the beast?"
Dina thumped her small chest with a tiny fist.
"Atonement? What do you have to atone for...?"
"A grave sin, no? This body grew complacent, letting Yeonja be taken. How is that not my fault?"
"We said it couldn't be helped. Even Bella or I couldn't have stopped it back then."
"Still..."
Before the dejected Dina, head bowed, could continue, Cheong-ah cut her off.
"Dina, enough of that. More importantly, I want to head to the garden now."
"Ah, right! Let's go."
With Dina's guidance, they reached the garden.
"Then step back a bit, Dina. Can't judge distances without sight these days. You know."
"I do. Worry not."
Cheong-ah drew her sword; Dina retreated quietly to the corner, hugging her knees as she watched.
"...Mm."
Seeing Cheong-ah blind and Bella one-armed again stirred guilt in Dina's heart.
It ached less than weeks ago, thanks to daily contact with Ian. Cheong-ah and Bella always reassured her it was fine, and Ian himself had told her not to feel so guilty—he was okay.
But the heart doesn't bend to reason. Despite their words, Dina's remorse lingered.
She buried her face in her drawn-up knees.
"Hey, pretties over there."
A familiar voice. Looking up, Dina saw Bella approaching, waving her left arm.
"Bella, you're here?"
Cheong-ah paused her swings, turning toward the voice with a welcoming tone.
Bella nodded.
"Yeah, training again?"
"Yes. Can't afford a single day off."
"You're relentless."
After chatting with Cheong-ah, Bella approached Dina, pressing down on her head.
"Hey, kid. Why the long face again?"
"...Don't press my head."
"Oh? Aren't you sorry? If you're sorry, suck it up."
"..."
Dina pursed her lips. This one, too...
Bella's expression soured briefly before brightening.
"Kidding, kid. Anyway, time to move."
"Where to?"
"Where...? Really?"
The two women tilted their heads. Bella sighed in exasperation.
"Argh, you two lost track of time now? It's about time to comm with Ian."
"Ah, already?!"
"L-let's hurry!"
Just moments ago, Cheong-ah had seemed lost in her unyielding blindness, Dina drowned in guilt and self-reproach.
Now, eyes sparkling, they bolted toward the crystal orb—neither leading.
"...Wow, those two."
Bella stared in disbelief for a beat, then chased after.
"Wait up, you bitches! I'm coming too!"
This was the day before the royal seal arrived, acknowledging the negotiations.