In Ishtar's palace, the atmosphere was heavy, but Tammuz was more preoccupied with his own thoughts than with the activities of others. For several days, he had been watching Bell with particular attention. This strange boy, who seemed to have gained the trust of several influential members of the familia, intrigued the sub-captain.
Sitting in a secluded corner, he mentally reviewed everything he had seen.
"This Bell… he's different. His actions, his motivations… nothing about him seems entirely honest, but he doesn't act like a classic manipulator either."
Tammuz remembered following Bell discreetly. He had seen him train with a high elf, struggling to master a sacred magic. Then he had watched him return to Ishtar's palace, exhausted but determined. And finally, he had seen him heal Aisha, ending cursed wounds that no one had been able to treat before.
He had seen it all, but he still couldn't fully fathom Bell's intentions.
—A noble goal, he muttered to himself. But is there something else behind it?
Tammuz hadn't shared his observations with Ishtar. Not yet. Something held him back, like an instinct that told him Bell might be useful… or dangerous.
Tammuz continued to eye Bell warily. Although the latter was officially a member of their familia, his behavior and motivations remained an enigma to the sub-captain.
In a corner of the courtyard, Tammuz watched Aisha's movements. He had noticed that her injuries had disappeared, but that was not what concerned him the most. What intrigued him was the connection between her and Bell.
"Why would this boy learn sacred magic, such a rare and difficult skill, just to help Aisha? What is he really looking for?"
Tammuz frowned. He couldn't afford to let such an unpredictable element into the familia without understanding his intentions.
Aside from that, Aisha was having a hard time focusing on her work. Every time she looked at her hands or touched the skin where the injuries had been, she thought of Bell and what he had done for her.
His words still haunted her, but even more so, the image of his tired face, yet carrying a disarming sincerity.
Meanwhile, Bell, still exhausted from his recent exertions, tried to conceal his condition from the other members of the familia.
Sitting in a corner of the palace garden, he stared at the night sky, thoughtful.
— Bell! Aisha called, her cheerful voice breaking the silence.
Bell jumped slightly and turned to see her approaching. She wore a bright smile, but there was something in her eyes that betrayed a certain embarrassment.
"Are you hiding here?" she asked, sitting down next to him.
— Not really, he answered softly. I was just thinking.
A silence fell, but Aisha quickly broke it.
—Thank you, Bell, she said suddenly. For everything.
Bell blushed slightly, looking away.
— It was normal.
Aisha smiled, amused by his embarrassment.
— Nothing is normal about what you did. You trained like crazy, you put your body through its paces… just for me. Why?
Bell hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Because you mean a lot to me," he finally whispered, avoiding her gaze.
The words echoed in Aisha's mind, but she just smiled softly at him, choosing not to push him further.
Tammuz, hidden at a certain distance, observed the scene attentively.
"He's not as innocent as he seems," he thought. "He's playing a game, but what game?"
The sub-captain was convinced that Bell had ulterior motives, even though his actions seemed noble.
The next day, Tammuz decided to confront Bell directly. When he saw the latter in a corridor of the palace, he called out to him.
— Bell.
The young man turned around, surprised by Tammuz's authoritative tone.
- Yes ?
Tammuz approached, his gaze piercing.
"Why are you really here?" he asked coldly.
Bell frowned slightly, keeping his tone calm.
— I don't understand the question.
Tammuz crossed his arms, staring at him.
— Don't play dumb. You're training in secret, getting closer to Aisha… What are you looking for?
Bell was silent for a moment, analyzing Tammuz's emotions through Ethereal Vision. He could sense the sub-captain's latent wariness and aggression, but he also detected a hint of curiosity.
"I'm not looking for anything," he finally answered, his tone calm but firm. "Aisha is very important to me, that's all."
Tammuz narrowed his eyes, searching for a lie.
"You think you're smart, don't you?" he said curtly. "But if I ever find out you have another agenda, believe me, I won't hesitate to arrest you."
Bell didn't answer, just held his gaze.
"He's suspicious of me, but he doesn't know what to think," Bell analyzed inwardly. "Perfect. As long as he remains in doubt, I can continue."
For her part, Aisha had heard, and was disturbed. Bell's words, "Because you matter to me, Aisha is very important to me" were still running through her head, but that wasn't all. Every time she looked at him, she remembered his last words after he healed her: "Because I love you."
"Did he really mean it? Or was it just a moment of weakness after exhaustion?"
But one thing was certain to her: Bell was not like the other members of the familia.
And that's what made him so irresistible.
To be continued...
Chapter 62: A Meeting Under the Stars
The next morning, Bell left Ishtar's palace, making sure not to run into Tammuz, whose distrust was growing heavier and heavier. He had a promise to keep, and this time, nothing would stop him.
Aiz Wallenstein was waiting for him at the agreed upon spot, a quiet clearing on the outskirts of Orario. The sun was slowly setting, bathing the place in a golden glow.
Bell arrived out of breath, but his face lit up when he saw Aiz's silhouette.
"You came," he said, catching his breath.
"Of course," she answered simply, her calm gaze fixed on him.
A comfortable silence settled between them before Aiz spoke.
— It's been a long time since we last spoke.
Bell nodded.
— Yes… Things have become complicated on my side.
Aiz tilted her head slightly, curious.
— Complicated?
Bell hesitated, considering how he could respond without revealing his true motives or the situation with Ishtar.
— Let's say that... the familia I'm in is not the simplest.
Aiz observed Bell carefully.
—You seem to carry everything on your shoulders, Bell. But you're still here, still standing. That's something I admire.
Bell blushed slightly, looking away.
— Admire? Me?
Aiz nodded sincerely.
— You fight for what you care about, even if it puts you in danger. Few people have that determination.
These words struck Bell right in the heart.
—Thank you, he murmured.
A silence fell again, but this time it was tinged with tension.
"Why did you want to see me?" Bell asked, breaking the moment.
Aiz hesitated for a moment, then replied:
— I heard about you in the city. I saw your evolution last time when you were fighting in the dungeon that you constantly surpass yourself. I wanted to know… why?
Bell froze. He knew he had to answer carefully.
"I have goals," he answered softly. "And to achieve them, I must become stronger."
Aiz nodded, instinctively understanding that there was more behind his words than he was willing to admit.
—If you want to get stronger, why don't you train with me? she suddenly suggested.
Bell's eyes widened in surprise.
— Train… with you?
— Yes. You have already progressed, but I can help you go further.
Bell surprised. Training with Aiz, was an opportunity he never imagined, to improve quickly.
—I… I would be honored, he replied.
Aiz gave a slight smile.
— Then it's decided. We'll start tomorrow.
Bell nodded, a mixture of joy and nervousness mingling within him.
As they parted ways, Bell felt a surge of determination. If Aiz could train him, he couldn't afford to fail.
But deep down, he knew that this new training would not only bring him closer to his goals… It would protect Aisha, Hestia, Lili and Haruhime who were counting on him.
"I have to keep moving forward, no matter what."
To be continued...