Let's be real, Hess has no idea how Kael feels about her. She's a fan who thinks she has zero chance and just wants to help, period. She drew a hard line. What Kael needs to do is tell her how he feels straight up and keep at it until she gets it. But Kael is just going for subtle and doesn't air out what he feels ‐ even the balcony incident was just brushed off. I mean hello??? Just tell her!!! So far, Hess has been the one guessing and airing out Kael's complicated emotions (outside of love for her anyway) but she really isn't a mind reader. Also, I can understand why she's "stuck in the past". She's mentioned multiple times that she doesn't consider herself part of the world and Kael has also mentioned multiple times how Hess looks dead in the eyes unless she's looking at him. She's basically a doll outside of Kael who is her whole reason for being. And nothing has come knocking at her soul to wake her up.
P.S. Saint Diana has the facial expressions of a villain and the delusions of a crazy.
Hestia bowed out way too easily for that Duke deal. The negotiations going well is for the Empire's sake and not just Kael's. She could've threatened Helios with that or her future predictions, or whatever. Sure, she was at fault for not checking the contract well and got that ace pulled away but... Still, she just let him win too easily.
Finally but why is there no next chapter? Oml please just put me out of my misery from all these cliffhangers!