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Episode 14 

I shrugged like it was no big deal and got ready to leave the study.

As I was slowly walking out, I heard Frederick’s voice behind me.

“You… really have a talent for driving people crazy.”

I turned my head slightly to look at him. The flickering firelight from the fireplace reflected on his face, making it look mysterious.

“…”

I didn’t say anything and just walked out of Frederick’s bedroom. For some reason, it left a bitter feeling in my chest.

As I climbed the stone stairs, I couldn’t help but smile.

‘Charlier will definitely write again. There’s no way she’ll let go of a guy this easy. And hey, I didn’t even ghostwrite the reply and still got 1,000 Luke? This job’s the best.’

I walked onto the third-floor hallway. But then, I saw a blurry shape in front of me.

“Huh? Bella?”

I called her name and waved my arm big and wide.

“Miss!”

Bella called out and ran toward me down the hallway.

“Bella? How long have you been waiting here?”

The hallway made of stone walls was more than just chilly—it was freezing. I reached out and grabbed Bella’s hands.

“Whoa! Your hands are like ice.”

Bella’s face was full of guilt. Honestly, she looked like she was carrying a huge burden.

‘Huh? What’s wrong with her?’

But there was no time to think about that. Not just her hands—her whole body felt freezing.

I held her hands tightly and opened my room door.

“Bella! Come sit by the fireplace and warm up.”

I dragged a small armchair close to the fireplace. Bella glanced at me nervously before sitting on the chair.

“Here, take this blanket too.”

I grabbed a big blanket and tucked it around her up to her neck. Wrapped up like that, she looked especially small and fragile.

‘What happened to her? Why does she look so down?’

I sat on the sofa beside her and looked at her closely. Bella looked really discouraged and scared.

“Bella, what’s wrong?”

“Miss… I made a mistake.”

“…?”

What mistake?

I didn’t get it. Bella had never done anything wrong to me. Even if she had, I couldn’t imagine her feeling this guilty.

“Bella, what happened?”

Bella looked down, her lips pressed tight. Her chubby cheeks were turning pink.

“So… I accidentally told the Young Master your secret.”

“My secret?”

What secret? Did I even have one?

I waited for her to explain.

“Um, I accidentally told him why you broke up with Master Leo.”

Ah, so that’s what it was. That explains how Frederick knew earlier.

“Oh, that? It’s fine. It’s not really a secret.”

Bella looked surprised and stared at me with wide eyes.

“Really?”

Then her face fell again.

“But the other maids scolded me. They said I shouldn’t repeat other people’s business. They told me that to be a good maid, I have to keep things to myself.”

“Really? Well, it’s not a secret anyway. Lots of people know already. And yeah, it’s not great to gossip, but you’re just a kid. Kids say stuff. It’s no big deal.”

Bella still looked scared. There was real fear in her eyes.

‘Ah, poor thing.’

Seeing a child so scared, watching adults’ reactions like that—it hurt a little.

I moved closer to Bella and gently took her now-warming hands.

“Don’t worry about that. I seriously don’t care. I don’t even think you did anything wrong. It’s normal to say things without meaning to.”

Bella grabbed my index finger with her tiny hand. Her puffy pink cheeks were full like she was trying not to cry.

“But I still feel really sorry, Miss.”

“If you really want to make it up to me, then just tell me one thing.”

Bella nodded slowly.

“It’s about Frederick.”

Bella’s round eyes sparkled.

“Frederick doesn’t go outside… is it because of Lady Charlier?”

Bella made a troubled face. She wasn’t sure if she should answer or not.

That unsure look told me everything I needed to know.

‘So it’s true. That explains a lot. I mean, in this novel, Charlier is the main heroine, after all. And with her looks… yeah, it makes sense.’

It made sense. Frederick was abandoned by Charlier and the shock kept him from going outside. The only thing I didn’t know was why Charlier dumped him or when. Bella was probably too young to know that.

“…”

Bella slowly nodded.

“Thanks, Bella. That means you’re completely off the hook. You didn’t do anything wrong. You told Frederick something he wanted to know, and you told me something I was curious about. So no more feeling sorry or guilty, okay?”

“Bella…”

Bella spoke in a clear, strong voice this time.

“Bella really wants you to stay here for a long time. The maids said that Lady Charlier never even wrote to Frederick when he had no money. And they said she didn’t like him because he came from a Baron’s family.”

“Oh, really?”

Bella nodded.

“Bella doesn’t like Lady Charlier.”

She puffed up her cheeks and made an angry face.

She was so cute I couldn’t help but poke her puffy cheek with my finger.

Bella clenched her little fists in frustration.

“They said Lady Charlier stopped contacting him after the trade ship sank. That was when Bella’s parents and Frederick’s parents died together far away.”

“Oh…”

A quiet sigh came out of my mouth. So, Charlier pulled away right after the ship accident? Even if she had her reasons, that timing was just cruel.

And now I understood why Bella didn’t like Charlier.

After all, isn’t it human nature to want someone by your side when you’re at your lowest?

‘It makes sense. Frederick lost his parents and got dumped right after. That must’ve felt like total abandonment. Poor guy.’

“Frederick protected Bella when she was all alone! That’s why she could grow up here! But Lady Charlier went and met Leo right after!”

Bella’s face was full of both anger and sadness. It was surprising how a kid that young could feel such deep emotions.

‘Well, Bella’s life hasn’t been easy either.’

I didn’t know what to say. I just nodded slightly while Bella huffed and puffed in frustration.

‘It all fits. This world is built around Charlier. For her to shine, side characters like Frederick have to suffer. That’s how stories work. The main character always survives while the others fall apart over the smallest things.’

I understood it, but that didn’t mean I felt okay about it. I gently brushed back the soft curls that had fallen over Bella’s forehead.

‘I really should stay here for Bella’s sake. Please, Charlier… please be as selfish as I think you are. Please.’

I remembered the bet I made with Frederick earlier. If Charlier didn’t write again within two weeks, I’d have to leave this house.

‘Please, please. Let Charlier be the heartless ex-friend I think she is.’

Staring at Bella’s puffy cheeks, I silently prayed that Charlier would be the awful person I suspected.

Turns out, Charlier wasn’t very patient. You could say she was straightforward, or more accurately, she just saw Frederick as an easy target.

A few days later, Charlier sent another letter.

When I entered the study, Frederick was clearly in a completely different mood. He looked like an excited kid who just got candy. He was glowing.

‘Wow, he really does love her. It might be one-sided, but it’s real love.’

Frederick was beaming so brightly, even the usually gloomy study felt cheerful and warm.

He stood at the desk, holding the letter with both hands, eyes glued to it.

“Young Master, sit down already.”

He finally noticed I was there and sat down with an awkward smile.

He really looked like a loyal puppy reunited with an old owner who had abandoned him—still loving her just the same.

“It’s here! Charlier sent another letter!”

Frederick handed me the letter with both hands like it was something precious. He looked so sincere, it was almost heartbreaking.

‘Push… over…’

Well, if that’s what you want, fine. Life’s short. Do what makes you happy.

Even though I felt a little uncomfortable, I reminded myself of our deal and took the letter to read.

Frederick, are you busy? I’ve been waiting for your reply.

‘Huh? What? Is this… a guilt trip?’

This felt like a text message, not a letter. It was so short. Is this seriously what she sent?

I checked the envelope carefully. It had been sent by express mail.

It was rude. No greeting, no names, no signature. Just one line pressuring him to reply.

“…”

I looked up from the letter and slowly turned toward Frederick. He was staring at me with the happiest expression on his face.