074. Intersect (2)
Owen fell silent.
It was a positive meaning.
“No way, that’s insane…. What is this….”
As soon as Bella grasped the fact of affirmation, she began to curse again.
“This isn’t some kind of soap opera… What’s the deal with this…? Who the hell is this possessed bastard.”
As the level of cursing escalated, Owen quietly pushed his chair back.
The personality of the possessed person was more intense and fierce than expected.
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“No… It might not be a god but a damn devil. Otherwise, how could such wicked deeds be done….”
Listening with one ear and letting the words flow out with the other, Owen absentmindedly toyed with the teacup.
It was full of water inside, so he couldn’t even drink from it.
Simply wasting time by stroking it gently was all he could do.
“Hey…. I’m ‘Black Wolf’.”
Owen immediately understood Bella’s words.
‘Black Wolf’ was a famous named fan on fan cafes and social media.
Supporting Owen and Bella’s official relationship, with Owen being her ultimate favorite.
“So you’re the one who was active on the fan cafe and Twitter with the name ‘ForLucia,’ right?”
“…Probably.”
“This is driving me crazy.”
Curses were spat out once again.
Bella touched her forehead and groaned.
“You…. You’re ‘ForLucia,’ right?”
‘ForLucia.’
That was the nickname Owen used on social media and fan cafes.
As Owen nodded, Bella let out a groan.
“Why are you the one among so many fans who’s inside that body….”
“…This is really what I wanted to say.”
“Things are really messed up. You won’t be convinced, will you?”
Upon Bella’s continued words, Owen fell silent once again.
This was another sign of agreement.
Realizing the meaning of the silence, Bella asked with a bitter face.
“So are you planning to get engaged to Lucia, marry her, and live like that?”
Owen nodded slightly in response to this question.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, he could sense his ears growing warm.
“Oh damn. Don’t make that face with that expression…. No, it’s kinda cute. That’s the bigger issue….”
Not knowing what to do, Owen wore a puzzled expression.
Seeing that, Bella sighed once more and said,
“So, if you’re going to do all that with Lucia, are you okay with everything? I’m not biased or anything, but being inside a man’s body must be uncomfortable. Are you okay with that?”
“…I think you’re misunderstanding. I was originally a man.”
Owen corrected Bella’s misunderstanding.
He seemed to understand why she had misunderstood.
In the romance genre, especially for fan fiction writers, there were usually many female readers.
“Oh…? Really? …Well then, I guess I can’t even convince you of that.”
Bella looked bewildered once again.
Owen just looked down at her and said,
“Maybe giving up would be quicker.”
“Say something reasonable. Do you think you could do it if you were in my shoes? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“…”
He was at a loss for words.
As Owen, he also agreed with that.
“To be honest, I really want to bring you out as you are and see the real ‘Owen.’ No, if you don’t give up willingly, I’ll really find a way.”
Bella warned in a serious tone.
This must be her genuine feelings.
Looking into her silver eyes, Owen replied,
“You should know better than anyone that I won’t give up.”
“…Yeah. That’s the problem. So, what’s ‘Owen’ up to? Why don’t you ask that?”
Muttering with a sigh, Bella changed the subject.
Narrowing his eyes, Owen responded.
Whether it was this way or that, it seemed like a similar situation, so he couldn’t understand why she was asking that.
“Just staying put. Passing on memories and experiences.”
“…What?”
He casually replied, thinking it was just a thought.
Bella let out a startled cry.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
In a sudden movement, she sprang from her seat, not just thumping the table.
Due to this reflex action, teacups rolled onto the carpet, but Bella seemed unfazed.
Owen spoke as he watched the yellowish tea spill onto the carpet.
“Why such a reaction? You seem clueless.”
“I… I am, of course…”
Bella’s words trailed off at the question.
Owen, narrowing his eyes, quietly pondered her situation.
“It seems like ‘Bella’ isn’t pleased with something.”
The situation appeared somewhat similar yet different from Owen’s perspective.
Unlike Owen, Bella seemed reluctant to share memories and experiences.
It made sense.
Bella was just beginning a new life.
As Bella, she probably saw no reason to abandon her path for someone else’s life.
Owen and Bella were different individuals.
“…Of course. I took over her body and stole it. Why would I just give it back willingly?”
“Usually that’s not how it goes.”
“You act like it’s nothing… No, wait. Explain that statement you made earlier. What does it mean?”
Bella began to challenge Owen.
Owen calmly responded to her inquiry.
The other side needed to understand the current situation.
“It’s literal. ‘Owen’ is willingly passing on memories and experiences, and I am receiving them.”
“Is that even possible…? Then you might end up taking over her body completely…”
“Exactly, that’s the point.”
With a brief reply, Bella’s expression twisted in anger.
“Are you planning to kill Owen right now?”
“No. It’s not killing, it’s more like absorbing the soul.”
As Owen explained, Bella looked stunned.
“You’ll merge with his soul. It doesn’t mean Owen will disappear, right?”
“…”
Owen couldn’t respond to her probing question.
It was the truth.
Becoming one entity could also be seen as annihilation, not just fusion.
“So, if Owen disappears, it’s the same thing. What have you done, really?”
“Nothing.”
“If you did nothing, why would he come forward and do such a thing?”
It was understandably baffling to Bella.
It’s rare for someone to give up their life.
Especially in a form where souls merge.
To others, it might seem like a one-sided sacrifice.
“You know well what kind of life he’s had.”
“No matter how tough a life he had, that doesn’t justify such a choice.”
“But that’s what he chose.”
That was all Owen could say.
That was Owen’s perspective.
“…Selfish bastard.”
After a short silence, Bella’s words rang out.
Since it was also true, Owen didn’t deny it.
According to Bella, Owen was selfish.
“He’s being greedy even though he knows he’ll disappear, trying to stay here.”
“Exactly.”
“Do you really want to stay in this world so badly?”
“As much as you do.”
Bella fell silent at the response.
Her silvery eyes glared with venom.
“Why are you going to such lengths? I just don’t understand.”
“You don’t necessarily need to understand.”
“Fine, just tell me. Do you want Lucia?”
Cutting off Owen’s rebuttal, Bella posed the question again.
Owen exhaled before answering her question.
“No.”
“Trying to be honest now? You seem just like me. If I was sincere with Owen, weren’t you with Lucia?”
“I was.”
He affirmed the returned question.
Because Owen was sincere with Lucia, despite what she said.
“But why not then?”
“Because what I want is something else.”
“What nonsense.”
“I want Lucia to be happy.”
Bella looked puzzled at his following words.
Then, with a forced laugh, she said, “So, you’re not happy about Owen being associated with Bella, but you have similar thoughts to ‘Bella’?”
“That was only because of Lucia. If Lucia didn’t want Owen, that wouldn’t have happened.”
“Thinking selfishly and pitifully about it.”
Bella mocked Owen.
She seemed to not understand why he would go to such lengths to stay in this world by swallowing ‘Owen’ with a selfish heart for such a reason.
“Think what you want.”
“You think you can be a savior? If you’re deluded into being a savior in Lucia’s unhappy life, stop it. It’s ridiculous.”
“You’re the one deluding yourself. Rude.”
Owen cut off Bella’s sarcastic words.
Then, with a firm voice, he said, “I don’t entertain such absurd thoughts. I just wanted to give her everything she desired.”
“…Are you insane?”
Owen smoothly laughed at Bella’s muttering.
The raised crimson lips bore a striking resemblance to Lucia’s smile.
“That’s not entirely wrong, is it?”
“If Lucia wants something, you’d do anything for her now.”
“Correct.”
“What does that mean to you?”
Bella didn’t grasp the fundamental aspect.
It was somewhat natural.
Owen found happiness in making his beloved happy, while Bella found satisfaction in doing what she wanted.
Owen and Bella were people with completely opposite personalities.
As different as ‘Owen’ and ‘Bella’ were in the same situation.
“I can bring joy to Lucia.”
“So, what does that mean to you…”
“Lucia in herself means something to me, isn’t that enough?”
“…”
Bella bit her lower lip with deep black eyes.
With a disgusted look, she muttered, “You’re insane.”
Owen looked at her with a rather indifferent gaze.
To him, being considered abnormal like that didn’t bother him.
“You’re in love with a character from a novel? Otherwise, how could you do such…?”
“Do you realize it now?”
At Bella’s belated suspicion, Owen looked puzzled.
He had shown it so clearly, how did she not know?
Did she not know, or did she want to pretend not to know?
Such thoughts crossed his mind.
Or perhaps, she didn’t realize that she was thinking like this because she knew that it wasn’t ‘Owen’ who was thinking.
Ordinary people don’t just fall in love with characters from novels.
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“I thought you would have figured it out. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have dared to interfere with the Count of Seldon’s illegal activities.”
“…How did you know that?”
Owen dropped his gaze to the floor.
Teacups lay scattered on the carpet.
“That little secret. One of the illegal activities the Count of Seldon is involved in.”
“You work pretty hard in this area, don’t you?”
“Of course, I’m dedicated to this side of things.”
As Owen replied with a smile, Bella furrowed her brow once again.
“Don’t pretend to be Owen.”
“Didn’t you give up?”
“The tone is a different issue.”
“Anyway, someday he and I will become one.”
“Are you trying to provoke me now? You’ll regret it.”
A sudden voice cut through.
Owen looked down at the person, Bella, and smirked slyly.
“What am I here for.”