Chapter 17

Bellatrix drilled Bellver with instructions before sending him off to Roho.Since it was her most despised human, she went harder than usual.

Just how intense was it? Even Bellver, who always listens without complaint, internally screamed, “That’s enough already!”

Ever since he mentioned meeting Roho yesterday and wanting to meet again today, she hasn’t stopped nagging.

Bellatrix herself realized she was overdoing it and decided this would truly be the last warning—though stopping entirely wasn’t an option; there had to be one final lecture.

“Peasant. If he starts acting weird, don’t hesitate to slap him. Got it?”“He doesn’t do that kind of thing! I’ll talk to him properly.”“I’m worried. He’s got a black hole for a heart.”

Bellver understood perfectly.Yesterday, while spending time together, he kept getting dragged into Roho’s pace. Today, he came prepared after a preemptive lesson from Bellatrix. Different methods, but both equally manipulative in their own ways. Only difference being, every time it ended with explosions and lectures. In reality, it wasn’t preparation—it was just more punishment beforehand.

“Right. Be on guard; it’ll come soon.”“That’s s*xual harassment!!”“I warned you. Don’t cling and cry like last time.”“Just go already!”

Bellver blushed furiously, recalling the day he first experienced menstruation.Back then, he cried uncontrollably in Bellatrix’s arms when it happened out of nowhere. He didn’t want such a terrible day to return.

Living as a man all his life, discovering he could bear children felt oddly surreal. His suppressed femininity seemed to surface somehow, even though having kids was absolutely impossible for him. Plus, whenever it started, his mind grew foggy, and his behavior became strange—something he disliked immensely.

“Ugh. I barely forgot about it.”

Walking toward the spring garden, Bellver grumbled inwardly at Bellatrix for bringing up those painful memories. He knew his period was coming—he’d been informed by her last time—but mentioning it knowingly felt like teasing him subtly while treating him like a girl.

He was certain now: judging by her cheerful smile, she definitely did it on purpose to mock him as a “girl.” Bringing up menstrual topics amounted to harassment! Shivering with dread over the approaching fear and despair, he sighed deeply.

“Why are you sighing again?”“Huh!”“Oh! You managed to hold back this time?”“Stop it already.”

Walking unhappily, Bellver suddenly noticed Roho had silently appeared beside him. This was the third time Bellver fell victim to this trick but managed to suppress his inner scream better this time—”Sshh!” instead of “Pee-YOWK!” Showing some progress, albeit still succumbing eventually, Bellver shot a glare filled with resentment.

Roho simply smiled brightly, delighted by the situation. Despite knowing full well what schemes lurked behind that smile, Bellver couldn’t bring himself to scold him. Not someone who’d spit at a smiling face—or if he did, he’d immediately apologize and clean it up.

“What should we do now? Any plans?”“Nope.”“Then follow me. Let’s attend a lecture. You haven’t been showing up much lately.”“Should we?”“Yeah. Students need to attend lectures, right? I go even though I know everything already.”

Coincidentally, Bellver also wanted to attend the lecture, so he nodded enthusiastically. Though the previous session wasn’t particularly insightful, learning new disciplines intrigued him. With midterms approaching, he anticipated some entertainment. A radiant smile lit up his face.

Roho watched Bellver’s warm smile and felt genuinely happy inside. It warmed his heart knowing they could walk together now instead of him being alone all the time. Magic academy students treated Roho like an authority figure, leaving little room for friendship.

Among fellow tower heirs, only Bellatrix existed within the academy besides him, making genuine friendships scarce. After countless failed attempts to bond, finally finding someone approachable made Roho reflect thoughtfully:

“Love is truly magnificent. Such a simple emotion can transform people beyond magic or miracles. Perhaps love itself is the miracle.”

Deep down, Roho thanked Bellver for becoming Bellatrix’s lover. He mistakenly believed Bellatrix had opened up because of this development—a perfect illusion benefiting everyone involved.

Bellatrix enjoyed not being bothered by Roho, Bellver gained a friend, and Roho found companionship too. No one felt left out.

Listening to Roho’s one-sided chatter about daily life, they arrived at the lecture hall unnoticed. Upon entering simultaneously, the atmosphere froze instantly. The sight of harmony between Roho and Bellver baffled everyone used to their cold rivalry. To scholars devoted to mysteries, this scene remained forever unexplainable.

“Do you like high places?”“If you keep staring, no one will look at me.”“Am I allowed to look then?”“You’ll look anyway if I say no.”“I won’t if you tell me not to.”

Bellver panicked when Roho genuinely focused solely on the chalkboard. Acting tough mimicking Bellatrix, he secretly enjoyed conversing. Their continuous dialogue brought unexpected joy, sending shivers down his neck. He feared upsetting her.

Of course, Roho observed everything. Revenge for past rejections disguised as playful teasing. Bellatrix’s withered social skills appeared endearing rather than annoying.

“Fine…you can look…”

Summoning courage, Bellver extended his hand despite embarrassment. Breaking his own rule felt mortifying. His voice sank lower like ants burrowing into their anthill.

No reason for Roho to refuse. She turned her head sharply, agreeing with a bright smile. Too cute. Was this really the same Bellatrix who glared daggers at anyone daring to glance her way?

“Still no softness?”“Yeah.”

Other students eavesdropping pondered curiously: What exactly am I witnessing here? Most nobles in the magic department were aware of Bellatrix and Roho’s strained relationship. Yet seeing them interact affectionately—or rather, seeing Bellatrix pulling someone closer instead of pushing away—confirmed rumors of love-induced changes.

“Skip the lecture?”“I already know everything, so watching Bellatrix is more fun.”“You said students must attend lectures.”“Aren’t I listening now?”

Bellver lost his words. Like claiming ownership over something lost, Roho twisted logic ethically wrong yet grammatically correct, leaving no room for rebuttal.

This side of Roho remained unknown. Previously perceived as perpetually cheerful but secretly exhausted from pretending, why did he reveal his mischievous true self now?

Please put the mask back on. Teasing from Bellatrix alone suffices.

“I’m going to listen.”“You already know everything. Why not chat casually with me as background noise?”“No.”

Bellver wanted both—to listen attentively and gossip casually. Thus, he played hard-to-get while continuing the conversation, fulfilling his childhood fantasy of goofing off during class with friends.

“What do you think about what the professor is saying?”“Not bad.”“Right? He’s from our Crimson Tower.”“Oh.”“Wow, you’re completely different. Would I become like Bellatrix if I fall in love?”

Focusing intently on helpful content, Bellver nearly maintained concentration until Roho’s random comment startled him. Sweating nervously under the implication of change, Bellver squirmed uncomfortably. Though merely metaphorical, Roho accidentally hit the mark.

“How much do you love her? Answer honestly.”“No.”“Please~”

Given their non-romantic relationship, estimating affection levels proved tricky. Still, answering vaguely seemed necessary to stop further questioning. Love extends beyond romantic feelings—considering friendly admiration, Bellver cared deeply for Bellatrix.

To gauge his feelings, Bellver conjured an imaginary Bellatrix in his mind. Carefully observing her details and reflecting on his emotions…

“?!?”

Suddenly, the imagined Bellatrix moved independently, lifting Bellver onto her lap and cradling him while petting his head affectionately. Shocked, Bellver frantically shook his head to dispel the vision, flushing crimson from unintended desires manifesting visually. Attempting to recreate the image resulted only in revisiting the embarrassing scenario repeatedly.

Watching silently, Roho concluded answers unnecessary after witnessing Bellver’s reaction. How much love mattered little compared to visible devotion. Hoping earnestly the other party wasn’t a villainous type.

“Inappropriate things aren’t allowed…”“It’s fine. I understand now. No need to explain further.”“Inappropriate things aren’t allowed…”“Yes…?”“Pornographic acts lead to execution…”

Curiosity peaked regarding the couple’s private life, yet Roho preferred ignorance.