“Since I was wrong, please forgive me.”
“No. How could a commoner be at fault? It’s all my mistake.”
Bellver wanted to answer ‘you’re right’ but transcended that urge with an otherworldly patience.
If he truly believed it was his fault, he wouldn’t be so obviously pouting.
Every step she took closer, he moved further away. Every time she spoke, he claimed it was all his fault. He was definitely up to something.
Even though he knew, it was hard to say.
This was giving in too much.
The reason Bellver exploded was clearly because Bellatrix wouldn’t stop teasing him.
He merely went into shock but didn’t faint for long.
‘I’ll give in this time. I’m the ultimate manly man—I can indulge her tantrums a bit.’
Bellver ultimately decided to fall for Bellatrix’s wicked scheme.
He thought this was the path of growing as a cool, manly man.
He didn’t realize he was being played.
“Lady Bellatrix, I’ll grant you one wish if you stop being mad.”
“Really? Anything?”
“Really! You’re still not satisfied! If you keep teasing me, I’ll get angry too!”
“Sorry. So anything, right?”
“Yes. But this is just this once. Got it?”
Bellver raised his index finger and declared firmly.
He would only give in this one time.
From now on, he’d clearly state when he was wrong.
If there’s no apology, he’d really get mad.
If worse comes to worst, crying might work.
Huh? Bellver shook his head violently at his own thoughts.
Making Bellatrix uncomfortable by crying wasn’t something a manly man should do.
That sounded more like something a little girl would do.
He nodded and firmly vowed never to think such thoughts again.
Bellatrix couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore after watching his determined nod following his sudden sulking fit.
How adorable could this creature be?
It was harder than trying to suppress laughter during her childhood audience with the Emperor.
His restless approach while trying to placate her obvious pout was irresistibly cute.
She almost ruffled his hair right there in the crowded street.
‘Is it okay to do it? Rumors have probably spread already.’
Bellver’s unexpected actions had already been witnessed several times, and earlier that morning, he openly showed favoritism.
People must assume they share some close relationship.
They probably think Bellatrix has fallen for some unknown commoner.
It felt too late to hide everything.
Could she use this somehow?
There were a few ideas, but none were feasible for her current situation.
At least, she needed more influence and power.
For now, she should focus on Bellver beside her.
“So, will you go on a date with me tomorrow?”
“A date…?”
“Yeah. I’ve always wanted to date someone of the opposite gender if I ever became someone else. A man with women, a woman with men.”
“You seriously think about stuff like that? Then changing forms was…?”
“If it were possible, would I even be here at the academy? I’d be fine as long as I wasn’t Bellatrix. So, are you in or out?”
Bellver stared at Bellatrix who was throwing tantrums yet demanding without giving anything in return.
Still, he didn’t pry further since he understood the desire to become someone else.
Everyone has their reasons.
And he suppressed asking if she was herself right now—it was too rude a question.
Bellver realized there was only one answer.
Why did he end up switching bodies with such a capricious person?
He couldn’t help wondering what it would be like if she were more composed.
“Sure, I’ll do it. Since you won’t say anything else.”
“Of course. Do I look like someone who would say that?”
“Yes, you do.”
“I agree. Still, you’ll do it, right?”
“No way I’m doing it!”
Bellver tensed up.
She was clearly planning two-faced tactics.
How could someone be so shameless?
Being someone who never lied despite hiding parts of himself, this was shocking.
Her matter-of-fact tone assuming he’d comply made things worse.
What did she think of him?
He should reject her outright and verbally dismantle her.
A real man rejects decisively.
He needed to recognize her attempts to manipulate the mood naturally.
He couldn’t relax until tomorrow.
“This is the classroom. Act properly inside. Don’t talk. Got it? I don’t have manners.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll behave.”
“Oh my, the commoner thinks of me like this?”
“Eek! Let’s just go in!”
Was it impressive how she kept teasing until the very end?
Bellver resisted squealing and lecturing right outside the classroom door.
How could someone be so carefree?
Leaving the grinning Bellatrix behind, he opened the classroom door.
Of course, his stoic imitation began.
Though he followed her instructions perfectly, talking was strictly forbidden.
‘I want to go back to the dormitory…’
Bellver resisted going back upon feeling the gazes as soon as he entered.
She must know many people since she’s famous.
Sneaking a glance at her, Bellatrix calmly handled the attention.
Despite entering together and receiving similar or even more stares, she remained unfazed.
He found the highest seat avoiding most eyes.
Would a noblewoman blatantly turn around and stare?
“You’re doing well. Keep it up.”
“Yes.”
Responding to the whisper, Bellver sat straight and looked ahead.
He was curious about magic lectures in this fantasy world.
Bellatrix only teased him instead of teaching.
Recalling the dorm incident, Bellver glared at Bellatrix.
She nonchalantly received his glare with a sly smile.
What good would glaring do against someone like her?
He sighed inwardly and looked forward again.
Feeling distracted made him feel drawn into her schemes.
Then his eyes met a woman staring openly from behind.
Who dared to openly observe a noblewoman?
Upon returning her gaze, it was someone noteworthy—the heroine of this story and Bellatrix’s rival, Roho.
The second daughter and next head of the Crimson Tower.
‘What should I do now?’
Bellver faced a difficult situation.
Roho immediately waved happily upon making eye contact.
Clearly delighted to see him, Bellver wanted to wave back since he liked her too.
But such behavior wasn’t fitting for Bellatrix.
She despised Roho intensely.
Thus, Bellver shouldn’t appear happy either.
How should he handle this?
“What’s wrong?”
Bellver tapped Bellatrix under the desk while keeping his eyes on Roho.
Noticing the situation after a quiet inspection, Bellatrix responded awkwardly.
“Young lady, what are you thinking?”
Whack! Bellver’s face turned red with embarrassment.
Her “helpful” action caused great damage—she forcibly turned his head toward her.
While the action itself wasn’t problematic, sitting so close made it awkward.
They were extremely close now.
He saw his own face quite clearly.
Wanting to lecture her again for such immodest behavior, he restrained himself and said,
“Don’t do this outside.”
“Yes, if that’s what Lady wishes.”
That smug smile while turning her head!
If he were born male, he’d definitely make women cry.
Now he unintentionally made someone cry but in a different sense.
“Let’s begin the lecture.”
The professor started perfectly on time.
*
“Was it helpful?”
“No, not at all.”
The two-hour basic magic theory lecture offered nothing new.
It only discussed theories Bellver already knew with no practical exercises.
This lecture seemed unnecessary.
He was disappointed after expecting much.
Ultimately, he’d have to learn from Bellatrix.
Whether she’d teach properly was questionable though.
Would she just play around again?
“Let’s go back.”
“Yes.”
“Can we talk for a moment?”
Just as they were leaving, Roho approached.
Alarm bells rang in Bellver’s head as he quickly glanced at Bellatrix for help.
This was a real emergency.
One wrong move and their secret would be exposed.
“It’ll just be a moment.”
