Chapter 411: Burden Of Friendship (2nd Bonus)
Ethan had to come forward again, before asking calmly. "Are you saying there’s absolutely no way to undo this?"
Dark Bella immediately threw both hands into the air. "Whoa, whoa, whoa."
She looked around at everyone. "Why is everyone suddenly looking at me like I’m the bad guy here?"
She pointed towards herself in disbelief. "I wasn’t the one who decided to save the girl, and it’s hardly my fault I’m nowhere near as powerful as I used to be."
"If anyone’s to blame, blame those idiots at the celestial court who tried to kill me."
Ethan simply stared at her, completely unsure how he was even supposed to respond to that.
Dark Bella, meanwhile, casually turned back towards Bettie as though nothing had happened. "Oh, and one more thing... I’d advise you not to let anyone know you’re one of my Blessed."
"Because, you may or may not end up being hunted by other deities...or by their Blessed."
"So consider that my little favour to you, or an early warning."
Bettie’s expression only became more confused. "Why would they even target me?"
Alter Bella sighed. "Long story short...The others don’t particularly like me. In fact...most of them would very much prefer to see both me and every one of my Blessed wiped from existence."
She pointed towards Bettie. "So if I were you, I’d keep that little detail to myself."
It was also at this point that Ethan finally understood why Norman had been so relentlessly fixated on pursuing Isabella during their battle.
Alter-bella glanced around the room afterwards before wrinkling her nose.
"Oh well." She stretched lazily. "My work here is done."
"This whole place is weird anyway."
As soon as those words left her mouth, the dark veins around Isabella’s eyes gradually receded. The darkness faded from her irises, and she blinked several times as her usual gentle expression returned.
Bella eyes met on Bettie’s flustered face, and right then, an apologetic expression immediately crossed her own.
"I’m so sorry, Bettie."
Bettie stared in complete bewilderment for a second, then shook her head. "I...I don’t even know what’s happening anymore."
She picked up her purse from the couch before hurriedly making her way towards the front door.
Ethan immediately called after her. "Wait...Bettie!"
But Bettie continued walking towards the front door.
He then turned to Isabella, while pointing at Bettie who just walked past the door. "I need to know she’s okay."
Isabella nodded meekly before Ethan hurriedly went after Elizabeth.
Hayley then walked over to Isabella, who now had a sad look ln her face. She gently rested a hand on her shoulder in comfort.
-
"Hold up, Elizabeth!" Ethan called again.
But she kept walking.
With a burst of smoke, Ethan disappeared from behind her and instantly reappeared several metres ahead, blocking her path.
"Elizabeth...wait."
Bettie lowered her head a bit. "Please, Ethan...I need to go."
She was trying desperately to keep herself together, but the sadness in her eyes was already beginning to show.
"Just hold on." Ethan said softly.
"Why?" Her voice trembled. "Why, Ethan?"
She looked at him with eyes that had already begun filling with tears. "Why does it feel like being your friend comes with..."
She gestured helplessly around herself, searching for the right words. "...all these burdens?"
Ethan’s eyes widened a bit. That actually hit him differently but he said nothing at this time.
"Why am I always the one who ends up at the receiving end of everything?"
She took a shaky breath.
"I was kidnapped because those people thought I knew you."
She laughed bitterly through her growing tears and added, "Somehow, I found myself fighting one of your enemies, only to end up with blood on my hands."
"Now all of that is out there, and everyone looks at me differently."
"The academy I worked out, sacked me."
The tears she had been trying so hard to suppress finally spilled down her cheeks.
"My own father...My own brother. They don’t even look at me the same way anymore."
"All they see is a murderer...A murderer they know I was never supposed to be."
She wiped at her eyes, but more tears continued falling.
"And...if your wife is right, then somehow even gods might come after me."
She shook her head. "I got all of this just from being your friend...from being good to you, Ethan"
"It’s too much....It’s too much for me. All I’ve ever wanted was a simple life."
Ethan opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out.
No matter what he wanted to say, none of it felt like it was going to be enough to sooth her hurt.
Bettie looked at him for a few more seconds before shaking her head.
She then wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, stepped around him, and continued walking.
This time, Ethan didn’t stop her.
He let out a sigh as he watched her reach the gates, until she was finally out of sight.
Ethan remained there for several moments before eventually turning around and walking back into the house.
The moment he stepped inside, he was met by Isabella’s saddened expression. Part of her face had gone red, and the guilt in her eyes was unmistakable.
She looked as though she blamed herself for what had just happened.
Ethan sighed softly. "Oh, come on, babe." He gave her a small smile. "Don’t be like that."
He walked over before opening his arms towards her as she stepped forward and buried herself on his chest.
Hayley quietly stepped aside, giving them the space.
"I’m so sorry..." Isabella whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Ethan wrapped both arms around her and gently rubbed her back. "Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault."
Isabella held onto him a little tighter as Ethan rested his chin lightly against her head.
He let out another sigh. And for a moment, it was all quiet.
———-
In a different part of town...
A series of knocks echoed through the front door of a modest, yet elegant home situated within one of Grayforte’s upper-class areas.
The sound drew footsteps from inside the house . A moment later, the door opened.
Miss Bernadette stepped out while absentmindedly tying the knot of the robe she had thrown over herself.
Then she looked towards the visitor and froze at the sight.
Standing before her was a man she wasn’t certain she would ever see again.
Nathan.
His horns had been concealed by magic, and he was dressed neatly in a three-piece suit.
For almost a minute, neither of them spoke.
Then Nathan said, "Hello, Bernadette."
She simply stared at him. As though trying to convince herself that he was truly standing there.
Then, almost inaudibly... "...Nathan?"
He gave a nod. "Yeah."
She closed the distance between them in hurried steps before throwing her arms tightly around him.
Nathan smiled softly as he returned the embrace.
Bernadette’s eyes squeezed shut as a tear slid down her cheeks.