"Freya holding hands with a child?"
Such a scene was practically scandalous for the gods inside the Grand Casino.
In formal settings, Freya would only ever hold the hand of her guardian, Ottar. Seeing her with another child was almost unheard of.
Looking around, there was no sign of any of Freya's usual children nearby.
How strange. Freya never went anywhere without at least one of her followers watching over her.
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you two doing, getting all lovey-dovey over there?"
Loki turned her head—only to be greeted by a sight that made her blood boil.
There stood Bell, frozen like a statue, while Freya clung to his arm with a teasing smile.
Normally, Loki couldn't care less about that lovestruck woman flirting around. After all, Freya was the type who enjoyed toying with hearts but rarely got serious.
But this time? This guy? Absolutely not.
Loki could swear that lovestruck woman was dead serious about Bell.
And if Freya actually managed to win him over? That would be a disaster!
Almost instinctively, a stubborn, indignant voice rose within her, condemning the shameless goddess's behavior.
Loki stormed over to Bell's other side and grabbed hold of his free arm.
"Lovestruck woman, try having a little decency for once!"
"Oh~?"
Freya's lips curved into a faint, icy smile as she shot Loki a challenging look—her gaze lingering on the hand that was holding Bell's arm.
"And how exactly is what you're doing any different from me?"
"I'm helping the Shorty and Hephaestus keep an eye on this kid. Someone has to make sure he doesn't get tricked by you."
"Tricked? Isn't deceit your specialty, 'Godnesss of Lies'?"
The tension between the two goddesses crackled, leaving the onlooking gods utterly stunned.
"I… what the hell!"
It took them several long moments to process what they were seeing.
Two of Orario's most powerful goddesses were practically clinging to some unknown boy. Their brains stalled at the absurdity of the sight.
"Loki and Freya… fighting over a guy? What the hell is happening? Who even is that kid?"
Even as they tried to clear their heads, the scene before them remained strange—because no matter how hard they looked, they couldn't make out the boy's face.
"Huh?"
Something was off.
No matter how keenly they focused, his features stayed blurred, as if hidden behind a veil. It was impossible to discern his full appearance.
This immediately sparked curiosity among several gods nearby.
"That's odd. Is it some kind of special magic or skill? Why can't I see his face…?"
"You too? So it's not just me who can't make it out."
"Magic or skill? That'd be quite a stretch."
Even though their divine power was sealed, their perception and insight as gods remained sharp. There was no way a mortal's magic or skill should be able to fool them.
Yet, every one of them experienced the same thing.
Which made it obvious—the issue lay with the boy himself.
After exchanging glances, the gods seemed to reach the same conclusion.
"No wonder he's involved with Loki and Freya. Must be Freya's next target."
Given the boy's apparent uniqueness, it made perfect sense that he'd draw the attention of both goddesses.
"Freya, sure—that fits her nature. But Loki? That doesn't add up."
One god couldn't help but voice what they were all thinking.
"...True enough. Freya acting like this makes sense, but Loki... no way."
Watching Loki bicker with Freya over a man was beyond strange in the eyes of the male gods.
Freya's behavior was expected. Loki's? Not so much.
The surrounding deities all exchanged bewildered looks.
"Yeah, Freya I get. But why's Loki getting involved too?"
"Isn't she always obsessed with her 'Sword Princess'?"
Everyone in Orario knew Loki's reputation.
She was a shameless flirt, teasing nearly every woman in her Familia, and she spoiled her 'Sword Princess' above all others.
But seeing Loki clinging to a man? For most gods, it was like witnessing the impossible.
"Wait… don't tell me Loki's been turned straight?"
"...."
The gods stared at each other, swallowing hard.
If this rumor ever got out, the entire city of Orario would be in shock.
But the one suffering the most right now was none other than Bell—trapped between two affectionate goddesses.
His gaze lingered on Loki, faintly conflicted.
'I never thought Loki would actually have feelings for me. I always assumed it was just my imagination—hallucinations from being mentally exhausted.'
Until today, Bell had never once taken the idea of 'Loki liking me' as anything real.
But now, he could no longer deny it.
'When did I become so… charming?'
Bell knew himself well enough. He was selfish, pragmatic, not great with people, a little lecherous, a little greedy.
From any perspective, he didn't seem like someone who'd attract a god's affection.
Honestly, if he met someone with his own personality, he'd probably find them unbearable after a single glance.
So why would Loki, of all gods, take an interest in him?
It couldn't be for looks.
Compared to the small but sharp-featured Pallum or the strikingly handsome Werewolf, he was at best average.
His personality wasn't exactly appealing either—low-key, cautious, and introverted. No matter how he looked at it, there was no reason he should've caught anyone's eye.
Which was why, faced with this situation, Bell was genuinely stunned.
"What? Is it that unpleasant for you that I like you?"
Loki could see exactly why Bell had gone so stiff.
"...It's just a little unexpected."
Bell didn't bother hiding his surprise—or the rare trace of panic in his voice.
"After all, I thought the one Loki liked was supposed to be the 'Sword Princess.'"
"I like both men and women. Is that a problem?"
A faint blush crept across Loki's cheeks. Truth be told, even she hadn't expected herself to fall for this brat standing before her.
'Tch! This brat's been nothing but a pain, always arguing with me. How the hell did I end up liking him?'
Even Loki herself didn't know when it had started.
She'd denied it for so long—vehemently, even.
But now, thanks to Freya's provocation, the truth had been dragged out of her.
Because if she didn't care about him, Freya's actions shouldn't have bothered her at all.
And yet, they did—so much that she'd been on edge ever since, her irritation boiling over.
That alone was enough for Loki to admit it to herself. She truly cared about Bell—too much, in fact.
Enough to call it affection.
When Freya saw Loki openly admit her feelings for Bell, her expression darkened, her mood sinking.
Loki noticed it immediately, and the corners of her lips curved into a sly smile.
"What's wrong, love-struck woman? Feeling a little bitter?"
The heaviness in Freya's expression faded slightly, replaced by her usual poised smile.
"Loki, your reaction really surprised me."
Freya's voice carried both amusement and a hint of irony.
"I only meant to use you a little, but I didn't expect that one move would turn you into my true rival."
Meanwhile, caught between the two goddesses, Bell could only feel his heart tremble in confusion.