~Chapter 105~
It wasn’t just the conversation.
Bella didn’t even seem to understand why she was here.
Her confused face reminded Camilla of a moment from the past.
Two years ago, it was the same.
That was the day Camilla had helped Bella escape from the Rohiltern mansion at Lady Hilton’s request.
Camilla had thanked her for that day, but—
“Did we meet back then?”
Bella hadn’t remembered anything. Even after Camilla explained the whole situation in detail, Bella still couldn’t recall.
At first, Camilla had let it go. She thought Bella might just be embarrassed, avoiding compliments.
But now—what if Bella truly had forgotten?
Camilla told herself she might be overthinking. After all, it wasn’t unusual for someone to lose memories after extreme stress.
Yes… Bella had overdone it today, after all.
Even now, though Bella was somehow standing, her complexion hadn’t fully returned.
“You should really rest.”
Bella only nodded blankly.
She didn’t add her usual words, like ‘Shall we check over there too?’
Camilla swallowed her unease.
Yes, it’s better this way… better than pushing herself until she collapses.
For the next few days, Bella did not go outside.
Camilla had insisted she rest, and Bella agreed.
But she wasn’t just lying in bed doing nothing—there was a guest at the mansion.
“Truly, you eat so well.”
Richard acted like a grandfather who had missed watching his granddaughter grow up.
Every day, he went to the kitchen and tried making all kinds of snacks.
He spent hours wrestling with the oven, and everything he baked ended up on Bella’s table.
“But… there’s still some left from yesterday…”
“Apple pie was Sara’s favorite snack. I used to bake it once a week. It’s been so long, I can’t control the portions well anymore. If you don’t like it, just throw it away—don’t worry about this old man.”
How could she say, ‘Alright, I’ll throw it out’ to his face?
So Bella smiled awkwardly, took a bite of the apple pie—then her eyes widened.
“How is it?”
“It’s delicious…! You didn’t buy this, did you?”
To her surprise, everything he made suited her taste perfectly.
Is this what they mean by ‘blood is thicker than water’?
Even after decades apart, could family naturally share the same tastes?
Armians sat nearby, watching grandfather and granddaughter together. The way they broke a pie in half and stuffed it into their mouths looked exactly the same.
Honestly, he wanted to join in. If he slipped into that space, maybe he could finally feel like Bella’s family.
He had even tried once—
It was the day Richard made Mont Blanc, the chestnut cake.
“I heard you don’t eat desserts… Will you be alright with this?”
“It’s fine. I actually like sweet things.”
“…Is that so?”
Richard was doubtful.
Armians, wanting to prove himself, boldly shoved the cake into his mouth.
“…!”
So… sweet!
The overwhelming sweetness made his eyes shoot open, but he quickly forced his expression back under control.
Act like it’s delicious. Act like it’s delicious.
“It tastes very good.”
He managed a smile.
But Richard’s reaction was:
“If you’re upset with me, please just say it honestly.”
After that, Richard avoided Armians whenever possible. Apparently, he now thought of him as a strange—or even scary—man.
Armians wanted to make up for it, but didn’t know how.
The Avelons were powerful and wealthy. Trying to show off money would mean nothing.
Bella never cared about my wealth either.
He remembered when he took Bella shopping in the city. Far from being impressed by his wealth, she had looked uncomfortable.
He even asked Bella for advice—
“How can I get closer to your grandfather?”
Her answer was crushing.
“Actually… he finds Your Highness overwhelming, so… maybe not now…”
Everything he did only seemed to backfire.
So Armians wandered around near the dining room, unable to give up completely.
“What are you doing here again? Spying? You know that’s a crime.”
Beryl clicked his tongue after sneaking up.
“Why not just go in naturally and ask for a bite? Clearly, there’s plenty.”
But that was the problem—Armians wasn’t sure he could endure even one bite.
“Or you could give him a gift while he stays here. Clothes, shoes, something new. Since he’s not an Imperial, he might appreciate it.”
“…It’s not that simple.”
“What’s so hard about it? Money buys favor.”
“I don’t want to buy favor.”
“Then what?”
“…You wouldn’t understand.”
Even Armians himself didn’t fully understand his feelings.
Whenever he ran into Richard, he fussed over his clothes.
Whenever Richard was with Bella, he wanted to look impressive.
Sometimes he wanted to pat Richard’s shoulder like family. Other times he wanted to boast: ‘See? I can do this much for Bella.’
But Richard never gave him the chance.
The reality stung. Still, Armians kept thinking of ways to break through.
He doesn’t seem like the type to build walls. He opened up to Bella so quickly after decades apart. Maybe he just needs the right key…
Was there a key somewhere?
“Master…!”
A servant rushed in from the first floor with news that might change everything.
Camilla Aphella had come to see Bella.
Camilla’s purpose was clear—
She had come to deliver the Rohiltern family seal.
Normally, such a seal was given by the Emperor when a new noble swore loyalty to him. It was one of the Empire’s most important ceremonies, proof that all nobles were subjects of the Emperor.
It was also meant to protect the weakening Imperial authority.
But now, that process had been skipped.
“So… His Majesty is still unconscious?”
“…Yes.” Camilla nodded.
Bella toyed with the seal, marveling at it in her hand.
Everyone looked on with warm smiles, until Camilla added:
“Off the record… would you consider taking on a dukedom as well? Duke Durnar still carries the adoption papers.”
“Haha…” Bella gave an awkward laugh.
Armians raised an eyebrow.
“What… what is this nonsense?!”
Richard nearly fainted.
This was the first he had heard of it.
Armians seized the opportunity. He quickly explained the situation in simple words.
“A… a granddaughter thief!”
Richard reacted just as Armians hoped.
Armians placed a fist to his chest and bowed slightly, as if making a solemn vow.
“Yes. The world is full of thieves, but I swear to take responsibility and bring your granddaughter happiness—”
“That thief includes YOU, Your Highness!”
Richard’s roar shook the reception room ceiling.
Armians, who had hoped to earn some points, drooped miserably.
