PHATFO 11

[Chapter 11]

Lately, strange things kept happening—it was all too suspicious.

But Bella was still just… Bella.

“Are you okay, Charlotte? Your face looks pale.”

Saying something like that with her usual clueless look.

“Yeah. I just got nervous all of a sudden.”

Charlotte turned to look at the marquis with a sorrowful expression.

“I appreciate your kindness and the offer, but I don’t think I can accept it. Honestly… I’m not in the right condition to paint. If I were to try now, I’d probably just ruin whatever I draw.”

“If that’s how you feel, then there’s nothing we can do.”

Her response was exactly what a distressed artist might say after seeing their prized painting destroyed. The marquis didn’t question it further.

“Then would you like to head home, or stay until the auction ends?”

Her answer was obvious.

“I’m grateful for the invitation, but I’d rather rest somewhere peaceful and calm.”

She just wanted to get away from this place as soon as possible—she was scared her secret might be exposed.

“Understood. I’ll have your carriage brought around.”

“Thank you. Let’s go, Bella.”

But just as Charlotte reached out her hand, Madam Hilton stepped in front of them.

“Hold on!”

“What is it?”

“Isn’t Lady Charlotte the only one who needs rest? Why is this young lady going home with you?”

Madam Hilton rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

“Or is that rumor… actually true?”

“Rumor? What rumor are you referring to?”

“Well, since you’re asking—I heard that the count and countess treat the daughter of the former count, who was registered for the sake of title inheritance, like a maid.”

“Honestly… you seem to have a real interest in meaningless gossip. Or maybe you’re the kind of person who believes all rumors are true.”

“I thought it was just gossip too… but based on what I saw from you earlier, I’m starting to think it might not be so exaggerated.”

“You’re seriously meddling in something useless—”

“I-I’ll stay!”

Before their argument could escalate, Bella jumped in loudly.

“That settles it, right? You can go home by yourself, can’t you, Charlotte?”

Dragging Bella away by force now would only make it look like Madam Hilton was right.

“These wretched women…”

Normally, Charlotte would have snapped. But she realized that one wrong move would land her on the public’s chopping block—and that wouldn’t end in her favor.

Suddenly, it hit Charlotte.

All the people she had casually stepped on and dismissed… had grown strong enough to trip her up.

“Fine! Whatever you want!”

She huffed and turned sharply away.

Before leaving, though, she gave Bella a chilling look—a short but intense warning:

“Don’t mess this up.”

Bella nodded nervously, clearly intimidated.

That scared look gave Charlotte a bit of relief.

No matter how far she fell, as long as Bella was even lower, she wouldn’t be alone at the bottom.

Exactly four hours later—just as the auction ended—Bella returned to the mansion.

Charlotte had been waiting and immediately dragged her to her room.

“What did you do? You stayed quiet like I told you, right?”

“Uh-huh. I just answered whatever people asked.”

Bella’s face looked the same as always—kind of blank and harmless.

‘Right. Like you could ever actually do anything.’

Charlotte held back a laugh and leaned back on the sofa.

“What’s that in your hand?”

“It’s another invitation… I thought you should see it.”

An invitation?

“Another apology gift?”

“Yeah. The marquis said he felt responsible for your painting getting damaged, so he gave this to you. He said it could be a really great opportunity.”

Marquis Arkad was a fair man. If he said it was a good opportunity, it probably was.

So why did Charlotte feel so uneasy?

She opened the envelope—

“The… Aether Exhibition?”

Her breath caught when she saw the gold-lettered text.

The Aether Exhibition—also called the Aether Art Fair—was less of a regular show and more like a live painting contest.

The key rule? You had to paint on-site in the assigned art studio. No bringing in a pre-made piece.

It was for fairness—because wealth could affect the quality of paint and brushes, everyone had to use the same supplies provided there.

The studio halls were even guarded by imperial soldiers to prevent any sabotage or theft.

Meaning: no ghost painter could come in with her.

Her secret would be exposed—it was just a matter of time.

“No…”

While Charlotte was breaking into a panic, Bella smiled.

“Isn’t this the event the Emperor himself attends? This is great—you’ll be able to show off your skills to everyone—”

“Are you insane?!”

Charlotte couldn’t take it anymore and screamed—

SLAP!

Bella’s head snapped to the side from the force of Charlotte’s hand.

Meanwhile…

Ahfwyn clicked his tongue as he looked at the small window near the ceiling.

‘She’s not coming again today…’

Dawn had arrived. That meant another day had passed—and the woman still hadn’t shown up.

Even though she’d said she would come again, this made three days in a row.

He stared toward the passage she used to come in, then scoffed and turned away.

‘Well, I guess it doesn’t matter.’

To her, he was probably just a worthless slave.

Not that she was the only one.

[“Why would I worry about you?”]

She had snapped at him once, saying they weren’t close enough for concern.

So her not showing up now made sense.

Still, he couldn’t help feeling bitter.

He realized he’d grown attached to her, seeing her appear at the same time every day.

In his mind, she always smiled brightly—

[“Wait… are you actually worried about me?”]

She had looked flustered and hopeful.

Back then, he’d pushed her away because he didn’t like confirming her hopes—but now he regretted it.

‘Damn it…’

Realizing he was actually feeling regret, he swore under his breath.

And he hated how often he kept thinking about her.

That woman. He didn’t even know her name, and yet she occupied his thoughts. He couldn’t understand it.

Being trapped in a dark room alone must have made his heart soft.

‘Just forget it.’

He sighed loudly and rolled over.

But he couldn’t fall asleep. He just stared at the blank wall.

How long had passed?

Tap, tap, tap.

Footsteps echoed in the distance.

Charlotte and the woman walked differently—Charlotte wore high heels, making sharp, clacky sounds. The other’s steps were soft and quick, like a small animal.

This was the second type.

‘Could it be…?’

“Have you been well?”

The moment he heard that familiar voice—

He sat up instinctively, forgetting how he’d told himself to stop caring.

He felt like a guard dog wagging its tail, but he couldn’t help the joy.

“Why didn’t you come—?”

Then their eyes met.

And he saw the swollen mark on her cheek.

“What happened to your face?”

His expression darkened.

“Did… did she hit you again? The young mistress?”

“Well, yeah. Sort of.”

She tried to laugh it off. Clearly not wanting to talk about it, so he changed the subject.

“By the way, what’s your name?”

“My… name?”

“Yes. We’ve just been making small talk, but we know nothing about each other. For trust’s sake, I think we should at least share names. Don’t you want to know mine?”

“Ahfwyn.”

“……”

He fell silent, and the girl looked apologetic.

“I heard it from Charlotte.”

His mood soured.

“Isn’t that unfair? Why am I the only one who doesn’t know your name? Or is it that you don’t give your name to slaves? Should I call you ‘master’ or—”

“It’s Bella!”

She shouted like it was a scream.

“Bella, huh.”

Bella… Bella… Bella… Bella…

It was definitely the first time he’d heard it. But it rolled off his tongue so easily, he repeated it several times.

Saying her name out loud felt like he was keeping a faint, blurry image of her close by—and it made him happy.