Standing in front of the mirror, Bellver twisted his whole body while avoiding eye contact with his reflection.
No matter how many times he looked, it didn’t seem like him, yet it moved exactly as he did, making him feel incredibly awkward.
While wondering if this was really his body, he caught himself admiring how pretty he looked, realizing it wasn’t good for his mental health.
Bella, who had transformed Bellver into this state, nodded her head approvingly.
“Why are you blushing again?”
“It’s too girly.”
Bellver honestly expressed his feelings, grabbing the pristine hem of his skirt and swaying it from side to side.
The skirt fluttered gently like a fairy’s wings dancing in the breeze.
This innocent and pure appearance was proving to be a great trial for him.
“Look at what I’ve done. If you go outside now, some people might not even recognize you. I completely changed your style from usual.”
“You didn’t have to do this… Lady Bella, why are you so good at makeup…?”
“Makeup is a basic skill for women. You’ll learn soon enough.”
“But I’m a guy?! I don’t care!”
Bella smirked at Bellver’s flustered expression while admiring her handiwork.
He knew it was his own body, yet looking at it felt strange.
Was it because she usually wore dark, comfortable men’s clothing but now had on a pure white dress?
Or maybe because instead of her usual heavy makeup, she now had light, fresh makeup that made her face glow?
Perhaps it was Bellver’s naturally innocent and pure aura?
Whatever the reason, a girl had been born who could make any man fall in love at first sight.
The subtle blush on his embarrassed face only added to the effect.
Bella whispered with a sly smile, “Do you secretly like it?”
“Stop teasing me!”
“It’s natural. Don’t be like that since I went out of my way to help you.”
Bellver hated himself for slightly liking how purely beautiful he looked right now.
Even worse, the macho voice inside him saying it was okay made him feel even more depressed.
Shouldn’t the voice inside be angry that he’s becoming such a girl?
Ultimately, Bellver rationalized it to himself.
This isn’t really him but Bella’s body, so finding this beautiful appearance appealing is natural for a man.
It’s only normal for a man to like pure and beautiful women.
After rationalizing it this way, he felt a bit better.
But as he moved his body, the sensations from his chest and hips shattered his logic.
“Do you have underwear too…?”
“Be patient. It has an enchantment so underwear won’t show anyway.”
“It’s about how I feel. Let’s go out now. I’ve taken up too much time.”
“Alright then. It’s getting close to evening anyway.”
With a gloomy expression, Bellver left the room.
Bella wondered if someone who’d lived as a woman her whole life would really feel reassured by just having an internal invisibility enchantment.
From the perspective of wearing it, this black and revealing lingerie was practically showing everything under the thin dress.
She’s far too carefree.
If only she could empathize and get him different underwear.
But Bella completely missed Bellver’s hints.
There was definitely something she didn’t know.
Bella had never worn that revealing lingerie, let alone the crisp dress.
So she’d never worried about the lingerie showing through the thin dress.
Not knowing, she couldn’t empathize.
“Let’s casually eat out while walking around today. Since we’re at the academy, we should enjoy ourselves.”
“Yes! I like that!”
With a bright smile perfectly matching those words, Bellver agreed.
He wanted to directly experience all the things he’d only known theoretically.
Among them, wandering street vendors was something he particularly wanted to try.
It’s such an everyday, common experience.
He wanted to feel what it’s like to walk down the street chatting with a friend and share food bought from a street vendor.
Though not really friends with Bella, this qualified as similar enough.
He restrained himself from immediately grabbing and dragging her along in excitement.
“Hurry up.”
“Yes!”
Bella saw through Bellver’s unusual urgency.
It was rare to see him express emotions other than anger, injustice, or embarrassment.
His feet were bouncing without him noticing.
Seeing him so innocently hopeful made it awkward to tease him.
There simply weren’t any good teasing points anyway.
“Since there are so many people, please hold my hand.”
“Ah, yes. Un.”
“Why? Don’t you want to?”
“No… It’s embarrassing…”
As people started gathering, Bella took on Bellver’s role while he became hers.
Though Bellver was often willful, he still used honorifics.
Becoming aware of this, Bellber realized Bella had switched roles.
This side was extremely pure and shy, yet didn’t use honorifics.
Holding hands to avoid getting lost in the crowd, Bellver thought:
Is it okay to be this openly attached?
Just two days ago, hadn’t she insisted he maintain appearances?
Judging by her usual standards, it was already too late, so had she given up?
Regardless, Bellver liked this situation.
If he still had the notebook he used on Earth, he would have definitely erased one line.
“Let’s rest a bit.”
“Yes!”
After following Bellver as he ran around everywhere, Bella sat on a bench to take a break.
Sitting there, she watched Bellver eating a skewer nearby and felt curious.
He was clearly a commoner whom she considered beneath her.
Yet why did he know less about street culture than her?
Noticing her gaze, Bellver tilted his head and offered her the skewer.
Apparently she had been watching because she wanted to eat it.
Bella accepted it and took a bite.
He happily continued eating small bites.
“No, it’s because you look cute when you eat well.”
“It’s not cute! Compliment me by saying I look cool.”
“That’s right. Our young lady looks cool.”
No matter how many times she looked, Bella couldn’t see Bellver as an ordinary commoner.
An ordinary commoner would tremble upon hearing she was a noble lady.
Not boldly asking for what they wanted like this.
Judging from his usual posture and attitude, he clearly came from a wealthy family.
What stuck out though was that there wasn’t a single imperial aristocrat whose name Bella didn’t know.
Where had he come from?
He definitely seemed to have a story.
Deciding it wasn’t the right time to ask yet, Bella held back her curiosity.
Still, she would need to inquire about his circumstances later.
Not out of ill intent, but simply because she was curious.
Who was this person who had swapped bodies with her?
Unaware of the intense red gaze observing them nearby…
*
Roho encountering them was purely coincidental.
He had come out to enjoy the commoners’ culture when he spotted them holding hands affectionately.
There was no way he could just pass by after seeing that.
“Is that really Bella? Definitely her, but…”
That was Roho’s conclusion after trailing them.
It was definitely the Bella he knew, yet it didn’t feel like her.
The fundamental essence of the person was different.
Though the reason seemed absurd, it was the only explanation.
The commoner in the rumors of Bella suddenly falling in love – the same commoner currently standing by her side.
Indeed, for a commoner, he was quite handsome.
To be so relaxed with the illustrious Bella…
Even managing to bring out such a girlish side from her…
Even Roho, who had tried every possible way to get closer to Bella and failed, felt envious.
“I envy that guy.”
Roho sincerely envied the commoner.
At the same time, he thought it was a positive change.
The always sharp Bella had become much softer thanks to this commoner.
She hadn’t ignored him during lectures either.
He could sense the change starting from then.
He looked forward to the next tea time.
Now that she was softer, he could approach her in various ways.
He had participated out of obligation before, but this was the first time he actually looked forward to it.
“So she can make expressions like that too.”
Roho continued observing Bella.
Every single action was alien to him.
She smiled innocently like a celestial maiden and sat demurely, nothing matched the Bella he knew.
Her face was always beautiful, but closer to majestic and seductive rather than this pure and cute appearance.
Her movements were so graceful and demure, contrasting sharply with her usual efficient and disciplined demeanor.
“Bella is a girl after all. Seeing this girlish side makes me realize that. Even more so than my acting skills. This will be useful reference.”
Roho muttered words that would have caused Bellver to have a seizure if he heard them, continuing his observation.
Then he blushed after seeing something.
Thankfully, he possessed eyes that most people didn’t have.
He decided to keep what he just saw regarding the black fabric scraps until tea time.
