Chapter 11

Arriving in front of the meeting place, Bellver grabbed Bellatrix’s sleeve with his trembling hands.

Time passed and passed until teatime finally arrived, yet the anxiety remained the same.

What if I cause an accident when I go in there? What if I accidentally bite my tongue and make a mistake?

But to Bellatrix, Bellver just looked unbearably cute.

“You don’t need to be so nervous. The rumors have already spread as much as they’re going to.”

“That’s exactly the problem! What if we get caught like this…!”

Bellatrix honestly couldn’t understand anymore.He’d been asking what to do every hour for nearly a week now.She’d simply told him each time: make no expressions, say nothing, and just stay still.

“Just stay expressionless and silent, that’s all.”

“But that’s not easy! How can I not respond when someone talks to me?!”

Bellver was now on the verge of tears, clinging desperately.Perhaps it was because they’d been meeting and wandering around every day for a month.Though small mistakes were embarrassing, he’d figured out they could be forgiven as cuteness.

Even though he was still scared, the thought of getting caught during teatime scared him more.He wished Bellatrix would somehow fix things.

But Bellatrix didn’t know what he kept asking her to do when she couldn’t even participate.She’d already told him everything he should and shouldn’t do.Now it was all up to Bellver.

“Then let’s make a deal. If you cause trouble, I’ll make you play pranks with me all day on a day of my choosing.”

“What do I gain from that?!”

“Wouldn’t you try your best not to cause trouble just to avoid that?”

“You’ve got a point. Thanks to you, I now have a reason to avoid causing trouble.”

Because of this, Bellver felt an immense courage – though whether it was due to or despite it, he wasn’t sure.If he only received encouragement, that would’ve been the end of it. But now, if he caused trouble, he’d be teased all day.No matter how many times he endured her pranks, he never got used to them, which made him steel himself even more.

Meanwhile, Bellatrix was already planning what kind of prank to pull while watching Bellver’s serious expression.She hadn’t even considered that he wouldn’t cause trouble.It wasn’t just Bellver who had learned about his counterpart over the past month.

“If you cause trouble, you’ll have something to look forward to.”

“I definitely won’t! Then, I’ll be back soon!”

“Take care.”

Bellver tried to act cool as he stepped out of the carriage but stopped, then quickly approached Bellatrix.His courage had drained at the last moment.He wanted her to boost his confidence.

Bellatrix smirked upon understanding Bellver’s intentions.Every single one of his actions and intentions was adorable.

“You’ll do fine.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Bellatrix patted his head gently without ruining the hairstyle she’d carefully arranged, then saw him off.Seeing him cheer up so easily from a little praise warmed her heart.She was still amazed that she could feel such emotions.She’d thought they’d frozen over and disappeared forever.

“Trying to be manly isn’t working. You’re clearly a girl at heart.”

No matter how she looked at it, Bellver should’ve been born a woman; clearly, God had made a mistake by making him a man.

*

Stepping into the meeting place, Bellver closed his eyes and muttered softly.Since no one seemed to be here yet, he needed to prepare mentally.The courage he’d gained from Bellatrix’s praise had already vanished just by entering.

“I can do this.”

“What can you do?”

“Kyaa?!”

The issue was that he couldn’t react to unexpected shocks.As soon as Roho spoke from behind where he’d silently approached, Bellver let out a chick-like squeak.

Realizing the situation after making the sound, Bellver knew it was too late.

He calmed his startled heart and took a step back to confirm the source of the voice.There, Roho was grinning with her face right next to where his had been.When had she come?

“I picked some flowers on the way. You’re early.”

“Yeah, I’m early. Is that a problem?”

“Not at all. I’m actually glad we met like this.”

Bellver responded as he imagined Bellatrix would.It was too late to remain silent as instructed.Although he’d unintentionally made a cute and charming sound that Bellatrix never would, he was fully aware it was too late.Still, he decided to push through boldly as Bellatrix would.

“Shall we sit down?”

“Sure.”

Roho confirmed during their brief exchange.This Bellatrix had changed considerably.The woman who once seemed carved from eternal winter frost had transformed into a sunflower girl of spring.

Firstly, the venomous tone was gone, replaced by softness.Emotions began to flow visibly in those once emotionless eyes.And most importantly, she’d become incredibly cute.Her softened state combined with her usual speech patterns made her especially adorable.In reality, the person inside had completely changed.

“What’s your relationship with that person? Are you lovers?”

“Who?”

“The man you’re always seen with.”

“Oh.. we’re not related at all.”

He hadn’t expected Roho to outright ask if he was dating Bellatrix.Bellver was grateful he hadn’t taken a sip of tea.Had he done so, he would’ve surely sprayed it everywhere in surprise.While they occasionally gossiped subtly due to the difference in status, no one directly asked questions.Simultaneously, realizing they were perceived as lovers made his face turn bright red.

Seeing his sudden blush, Roho momentarily doubted if she was seeing correctly.The mask that resisted Bellatrix’s sharp words had almost slipped.She thought this was truly a remarkable change as she continued speaking.

“Really? For someone who claims no relation, you two seem quite cozy.”

“It’s unavoidable.”

“Hmm.”

Clearly, she didn’t believe him.Bellver wanted to bang his chest in frustration.The pain of carrying a secret he couldn’t reveal was truly excruciating.It wasn’t like he disliked or hated Bellatrix after spending a month together – aside from her teasing – but it would be disrespectful to her.

Sighing heavily in his mind, Bellver realized how painful it was to carry secrets.During his academy days, he’d rarely conversed with anyone other than Bellatrix and the maid.

“What do you like about that person?”

“I don’t like anything about them.”

“Don’t lie.”

“I’m telling the truth.”

He didn’t cave under Roho’s persistent questioning.Though he’d discovered countless good qualities while getting to know her, Bellatrix would undoubtedly deny them all.That he almost admitted something was a secret.

Thinking he wasn’t answering meant he was doing well, but in reality, Roho was steadily gathering information.Each question created cracks in his fortress-like voice.Whenever she asked about the mysterious man, his voice trembled slightly, the corners of his mouth twitched wanting to rise, and his cheeks flushed faintly.

‘Falling in love really changed her.’

Roho couldn’t imagine that the person inside had actually changed.It made more sense that love had reformed her.She looked exactly like a girl in love, lending credibility to the idea.

“Ahhh, I want to go back.”

Exhaling deeply, Bellver enjoyed the brief respite after the relentless questioning.He was exhausted from resisting the urge to answer absentmindedly.It was frustrating not being able to admit something was good.

He almost wanted to openly acknowledge their assumed relationship.Not in a romantic way, but in a friendly sense – it was still good.

If he hadn’t already messed up once, he might have said something by now.It was only because he’d already made one mistake that he was holding back.Making several mistakes might escalate her pranks beyond simple teasing.Still, he didn’t want to lie about not messing up, so he remained cautious.

“How did the two of you meet?”

“We met by chance.”

“Such a fateful meeting.”

Bellver subtly checked his mouth with his hand.Fortunately, his poker face remained intact.He wasn’t sure, but he seemed to have avoided the “hehe” smile Bellatrix constantly warned him about.

The problem was feeling dragged into Roho’s rhythm.She kept nodding knowingly and smiling satisfactorily, making him uncomfortable.It wasn’t like he was being ignored, but it was the gaze one gives to something cute.

He started pondering what he could do to change this perception…Until the sound of the door opening and a loud shout reached his ears.

“Kyaa?!”“Where’s Salazar!!”