Chapter 35: Isabel is mine

The plaza of Luminous Garden.

“Isabel is… working here…?”

After asking around, Layla learned that Isabel was working at the Luminous Garden Cathedral.

‘He must be there…’

Layla touched her cheeks, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

“…Isabel, I’ll see you soon.”

She followed the distant sound of the bell tower.

“There it is…”

Layla walked towards the cathedral.

To meet the Saint, one had to surrender all weapons.

Layla had no weapons on her.

And as the marchioness of the Mistrenge family, meeting the Saint was easy.

She just had to show her family crest.

She was quickly granted access and escorted by Knight-Captain Rebecca.

“A noble guest from the Mistrenge family…”
“My family is nothing but a shadow of its former self.”
“…Why do you wish to see the Saint?”
“I’d like to receive a prayer and… some counsel.”
“What kind of counsel?”
“I’m looking for someone…”

Layla smiled faintly.

Rebecca smiled back.

“I see. If only our assistant priest was here… he’d be better suited for this…”
“…Him?”

Rebecca realized her slip-up and apologized.

“Forgive me. That was inappropriate.”
“It’s alright. What kind of person is he? For the Knight-Captain to use such language… he must have done something terrible…”
“He did… he abandoned us and ran away.”

Rebecca’s voice turned cold as she thought of Isabel.

“That
… just wait until I catch him.”
“He wronged you deeply?”
“N-No… he just… left without taking responsibility.”

Layla chuckled wryly.

“We have that in common. I’m also looking for someone who ran away irresponsibly…”
“A man?”
“Yes… someone very precious to me.”

‘And the man I love…’

She wanted to say it, but she was too embarrassed.

Rebecca stopped walking and took Layla’s hands.

“I understand how you feel! I hope you find him, sister!”

Layla nodded.

“Thank you. You’re very kind.”
“It’s nothing! Anyway, we’re here.”

Rebecca knocked on the door.

A guard opened it, and Rebecca gestured for Layla to enter.

“Please, come in.”
“…Thank you.”

Layla stepped inside.

She saw other followers, chatting amongst themselves.

‘I’ve seen her somewhere before…’

A beautiful woman with long red hair.

Layla looked closer and realized who she was.

‘Seraphina Fires…?’

The countess and lord of Grace Field, the most prosperous village.

A famous noble. Not knowing her would be like being a spy in this continent.

“He… ran away?! That
ran away?!”
“…He promised to return. I’m waiting for him.”
“That
…”

Seraphina clenched her fists and muttered, “Just wait until I get my hands on him…”

Belladriel looked at Seraphina, a serious expression on her face.

“What is your relationship with our assistant priest…?”
“We’re in love!”

Belladriel’s eyes widened, and Layla was taken aback.

Belladriel maintained her composure.

“I see. May God bless you…”
“Blessing, my
… Anyway, tell him Seraphina… no, tell him his servant is waiting! Then…”

Seraphina turned to leave, her eyes meeting Layla’s at the door.

They exchanged glances before Seraphina walked out.

“…”
“…”

Three seconds of silence.

‘She’s in love with Isabel…?’

Layla couldn’t believe it.

Such a preposterous claim. She felt a mix of disbelief and unease.

Did the countess know something?

She had to find out what their relationship was.

“Sister? Is something wrong…?”
“No, it’s nothing. I’ll visit again, Saint.”

She’d talk to Belladriel later.

Layla hurried after Seraphina.

A deserted alley.

Seraphina sensed she was being followed.

This alley was perfect. No people, quiet.

…Time to find out who it was.

She turned around.

“Are you going to follow me all day?”

She crossed her arms, addressing the empty air.

Layla stepped out of the shadows.

“…”
“My, my, a young lady stalking me?”

Seraphina narrowed her eyes and smiled.

Layla remained expressionless.

“You’re Countess Seraphina Fires, correct?”
“And you are?”
“Layla Mistrenge, of the Mistrenge family.”
“Mistrenge…”

Seraphina scoffed.

“The fallen Mistrenge marquisate?”
“…Yes.”
“Why would the daughter of a marquis stalk me?”

Seraphina’s expression turned serious.

“…You seem to know Isabel.”
“Isabel…?”

The honorific “-nim” bothered her.

‘What is this girl’s relationship with Isabel?’

Seraphina raised an eyebrow, her eyes sharp.

“What’s your relationship with Isabel?”
“…He’s the man I love.”
“What…?”

‘The man she loves?’

Seraphina chuckled.

“Sorry, but… Isabel is mine.”
“He’s not an object. He doesn’t belong to anyone.”
“Look at this child…”

Seraphina was amused by Layla’s boldness.

“Yes, yes, he’s the man you love. But… Isabel worked for me. I haven’t fired him yet. And… you might love him, but… he loves me.”
“…What?”

‘Isabel… loves that ill-tempered, red-haired woman?’

‘No, that can’t be…’

Layla denied it vehemently.

“That’s a lie!”
“It’s true. Isabel said he loves me. Not a child like you.”
“A child…?”
“You’re a child, aren’t you? You look so small and young.”
“What?! I’m not a child…! I’m over 20!”
“…Huh?”

Seraphina looked Layla up and down.

“W-What are you looking at?”

Layla blushed at Seraphina’s gaze.

Seraphina chuckled and sighed.

“Your body says otherwise.”
“I-I’m not…”

Layla wanted to retort, but…

She couldn’t deny Seraphina’s superior physique.

The tattoo on her ample bosom, her slender waist, her mature and curvy figure.

Compared to her, Layla was just… thin.

Short and small-chested.

She felt a pang of defeat.

“You’re quite cute…”
“I’m not a child to be called cute…!”
“I’m a countess, you should show some respect.”
“…Then act like an adult.”
“Act like an adult…?”

Seraphina grinned and stepped closer to Layla, looking down at her.

“Fine, I’ll act like an adult. So, little girl, why are you here? State your business.”
“…Where’s Isabel?”
“Isabel? I don’t know. I’m looking for him too. That
… I’ll find him and make sure he never leaves my side again.”
“I feel the same way. But Isabel is mine…!”
“Yours? Is Isabel yours?”
“Yes! He’s my man!”

Layla declared confidently.

No one could love Isabel more than her.

Even if Seraphina had a better figure…

“Hmm…? Is that so…? Then… we’ll have to settle this.”

A sudden rivalry over Isabel.

Seraphina and Layla glared at each other.

A tense silence hung in the air as they continued their silent confrontation… when…

–It doesn’t matter what you say, Isabel is our man.

“…?”
“What…?”

A voice echoed from the distance.

They looked around and saw two more women approaching.

Belladriel and Rebecca.

“…The Saint?”
“The Knight-Captain?”

Rebecca and Belladriel stopped before them.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but… Isabel is our husband. Stay away from him.”
“Your husband…? Isabel is your husband? Are you crazy…?”

Seraphina chuckled, incredulous.

“Are you… cult members…?”
“How dare you call our Saint a heretic…?!”

Rebecca reached for her sword, but Belladriel stopped her.

Seraphina sighed, looking at the impertinent knight.

“…Put your sword away, or you’ll die. Want to try me?”

She smiled coldly, a chilling aura emanating from her.

But Rebecca was no pushover.

She glared back, her fighting spirit burning.

“…What did you say? I’m a knight-captain. I’m not afraid of a countess like you…”

As Rebecca’s competitive spirit flared, Belladriel raised her hand.

“…Stop it, Rebecca.”

Seraphina shook her head.

“A saint and a knight-captain… acting so foolish.”
“What did you say!?”

Rebecca was about to attack, but Belladriel held her back.

“We can’t fight here…”
“But… Saint!”

‘I should just kill her…’

Rebecca was frustrated by Belladriel’s restraint.

Seraphina looked at Belladriel.

“You said Isabel was ‘your’ man… what is your relationship with him?”
“That’s right…! Why is he your husband?!”

Layla joined in, and Belladriel smiled faintly.

“He’s our husband. He proposed to us…”

‘Even more ridiculous.’

Seraphina narrowed her eyes, incredulous.

“That’s… nonsense…!”
“…Nonsense?! Listen here, little missy…!”

Layla bristled at Rebecca’s words.

‘Little missy?’

She yelled, “I’m not a little missy! I’m an adult! And what kind of proposal are you talking about?!”
“Well… we showed him our… embarrassing sides…”

Belladriel blushed.

Rebecca did as well.

Their “embarrassing sides” referred to the maid outfit and the revealing dress.

To Belladriel and Rebecca, that was equivalent to a proposal.

“What’s so embarrassing about that?”

Seraphina, who’d been listening quietly, was dumbfounded.

“I… wore a maid outfit in front of Isabel… and the Saint wore a revealing…”
“What?! I’ve shown him more than that!”

‘That’s ridiculous.’

She’d shown him a lot more.

And so had Layla.

“I’ve shown him too! So I’m engaged to him too!”

Belladriel was taken aback by their responses.

‘Other women showed themselves to Isabel too?’

She was confused.

Rebecca glared at Layla.

“Little missy, stay out of this!”
“I’m not a little missy!”

‘She keeps calling me that.’

‘What makes me a little missy?!’

‘My height?’

‘My chest?’

Layla was furious.

‘I’ll get a job, just you wait…’

‘Ugh,!’

Layla cursed inwardly.

“…Very well. Let’s do this.”

Belladriel, seeing that the argument would never end, addressed the group.

“Let’s share our special moments with Isabel. Who wants to go first?”
“Me!”

Layla raised her hand eagerly.

The other women turned to her.

“Isabel and I almost eloped! We were going to run away together, but my father stopped us…!”
“What a joke.”

Seraphina scoffed and shook her head.

“What, what?! What did you do?!”
“Me? I went beyond eloping. Isabel became my servant, swore to make me happy, and promised to stay with me forever!”
“W-What?!”

Layla was stunned. It seemed Seraphina had progressed further than her.

Seraphina felt a surge of pride.

“Don’t make me laugh…! Isabel lost a wager to me, and he’s going to be my servant! Do you know what that means in Luminous Garden? It means he’ll be my husband!”

Rebecca countered Seraphina’s claim.

Layla and Seraphina looked at each other, surprised.

Then Seraphina retorted, “So what?! I can wear a maid outfit too!”
“M-Me too!”
“This is ridiculous! Did you wear it in front of Isabel?!”
“What does it matter?! I can show him later!”
“Me too!”

Chaos erupted.

Belladriel smiled triumphantly and crossed her arms.

“…It seems I’ve won.”

Everyone looked at her.

She declared confidently, “I bathed with Isabel. Can any of you top that…?”
“B-Bathed?”
“What?! You… bathed with him?!”
“W-With… Isabel…?”

Seraphina, Layla, and Rebecca.

They all thought the same thing.

‘She bathed with Isabel?’

‘I lost…’

‘But I can still win him over.’

They glared at each other.

Belladriel’s words had sparked a new rivalry.