PHATFO 20

[Chapter 20]

Standing by the carriage and watching Lady Hilton step down, I began to notice whispers and stares. It was the mansion’s servants. That’s when I realized—I still looked like someone who had been beaten up by the Countess.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I lowered my head—only for a shadow to fall in front of me. It was Lady Hilton.

“She is my guest. A precious guest. You must treat her with utmost care.”

“Huh? Ah, yes, ma’am.”

“If you understand, then open the door.”

Lady Hilton’s voice was kind, but there was strength behind it.

The servants nervously grabbed the doorknob and opened it. Lady Hilton didn’t even look at them, but the moment she entered the house, they all bowed their heads.

They weren’t just scared of her—they respected her. She was clearly the true master of this household.

Lady Hilton led us to the parlor and then turned around.

“Wait here, please. I’ll go bring a dress suitable for a young lady.”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Soon after she left, a maid came in pushing a cart full of food.

“Madam told me to serve you a meal while you wait.”

“Just how long are we waiting…?”

Camilla muttered in disbelief, then waved the maid away as she approached.

“We don’t need any help. Please leave us to eat quietly.”

“Yes, honored guest.”

The maid tiptoed out, and silence filled the parlor.

I glanced around, unsure what to say, then tried taking a bite of food.

At first, it was just to break the awkwardness—but the moment the perfectly grilled fish touched my tongue, I realized how hungry I was.

I started with the fish and moved on to bread and stew, eating everything within reach. Eventually, I looked up and saw Camilla smiling.

She looked at me fondly, like someone watching a baby bird being fed.

“Seems like the food suits your taste.”

“Yes, the chef here really knows what I like.”

But I didn’t eat for long. Eating alone while she just watched felt awkward, and my stomach wasn’t exactly large.

Eventually, I put down my spoon, and silence returned completely.

Still, the door Lady Hilton had exited through didn’t open again.

“Um, by the way…”

As I finally spoke, Camilla immediately looked up.

“About what you said earlier…”

Even though I trailed off, Camilla seemed to know exactly what I was getting at.

She placed her hands neatly on her lap, leaned forward, and looked at me.

“You don’t remember?”

“Huh?”

“What happened five years ago.”

Five years ago… Besides Camilla becoming a knight and my debut in society with Charlotte, I couldn’t recall anything special.

“Did we meet back then?”

“Yes.”

She stared straight at me and added,

“You don’t remember, do you.”

“Um… I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. That day may have been a turning point for me, but it might not have meant much to you.”

She looked calm, which gave me a bit of courage.

“If you don’t mind… could you tell me what happened that day?”

“It’s not difficult.”

Camilla crossed her legs and leaned back on the sofa.

“That day, Count Aymond hosted a party. I came with my parents, but before I could greet the host, I was dragged to the garden. My brother and his friends were playing a prank. They mocked me there.”

“Why…”

“My brother hated that I learned swordsmanship. More precisely, he hated that I was more talented than him. After he got the heir’s ring, he admitted it. He said he was afraid I’d take his place.”

“He’s a pathetic man. You should improve yourself, not tear others down.”

At that, Camilla’s lips curled into a long smile. As if she’d been waiting for this.

“You said the same thing back then.”

I froze, mouth hanging open. Then I asked again,

“I… really said that?”

Sure, I was relaxed now. But saying something like that in a crowded ballroom back then? Me?

But Camilla’s face showed no doubt. It wasn’t a lie.

And the shocking part wasn’t over.

“Then you started throwing stones.”

“Pardon?”

“You kept throwing them until my brother and his friends ran off.”

“Wait…”

I really did that?

I was too stunned to close my mouth.

“The other guests couldn’t tell who it was. It was too dark, and no one could see who was throwing stones from the balcony. But I saw it. Through the curtains—your silver hair shined clearly.”

“Um, sorry to interrupt, but… doesn’t that mean it might not have been me?”

Surely, I wasn’t the only person with silver hair.

“Among all the guests that day, you were the only one with silver hair.”

Still… I’m telling you, it wasn’t me!

But no matter what I said, I couldn’t break through Camilla’s firm belief.

My head began to ache, and I pressed my fingers to my forehead, when—

“I’m back—oh, what happened here?”

“Nothing…”

Lady Hilton had returned. I lowered my hand and sat up straight.

“I was just glad to see you again, that’s all.”

Then it struck me—there was no need to correct Camilla’s memory.

After all, my end goal was to escape to a place far from Rohilton’s reach.

There, I’d abandon my noble status, my name, everything—including the name Bella. There’d be no reason to meet Camilla again.

Thinking that way eased my heart.

“If I’d known you were waiting, I’d have come quicker. But I had a hard time choosing. You’re so beautiful, I couldn’t decide what would suit you best.”

She said there was an empty room upstairs and led me there.

As I looked around at the vintage but unused furniture, a strong-built maid entered, her arms full of dresses. She laid them out one by one on the bed.

Then came the maids carrying jewelry boxes—one after another.

“It never ends.”

Just as I was starting to feel overwhelmed—

“Now, stand over here. Yes, in front of the mirror.”

Lady Hilton gently pulled me over to a full-length mirror.

“Surely you’re not planning to keep wearing that torn-up thing?”

She meant I should take it off. I looked at myself, then at the maids approaching to help—and slowly nodded.

Nothing could be worse than this, after all.

As the ruined clothes came off, the bruises and wounds were revealed—and everyone went silent.

In the stillness, one maid whispered:

“…Shall I call a physician?”

“Yes, do.”

“Um—”

“Don’t refuse, my lady. You’ll be trying on so many dresses, standing for three or four hours. You can’t do that with an injured knee. Actually, no need to stand at all.”

Lady Hilton told a maid to bring a chair.

“Thank you…”

I tried to bow, but a hand stopped my shoulder.

“Don’t thank me. I’m just bad-tempered.”

…Huh?

“I can’t stand seeing my tools broken.”

Tools.

Even with the maids around, she openly referenced our deal.

It wasn’t carelessness. If she were careless, she wouldn’t have chosen Camilla as her companion when visiting the Count’s estate.

Seeing the maids’ calm reactions, I realized—they were her closest aides, trusted with all her secrets.

“In that case…”

There was no need for me to be cautious, either.

“Then as your ‘tool,’ may I ask something?”

I glanced at the maid holding a cream-colored dress against me and got to the point.

“For my next plan, I’ll need to use your name. May I have your permission?”

Lady Hilton, who was checking if the cream dress suited my body type and whether the mermaid cut worked for me, smiled slyly.

“Charlotte’s tears probably haven’t even dried yet in Mihloon, and you already have your next plan ready?”

“The Countess seemed troubled by that. I thought it might comfort Charlotte if we sent you down too—to keep her company and ease her loneliness.”