PHATFO 53

~Chapter 53~

We spoke almost at the same time, then stopped and looked at each other.

“Yes?”

“You’re already beautiful… but if you dress up like this, how many men will start eyeing Bella?”

“Uh… you’re joking, right?”

Did he mean it as a compliment?

But Armin looked quite serious. Serious enough to make me feel awkward for asking back.

“Um, Your Highness.”

“Do you have something else to say?”

“…Actually, I spent quite a lot of money while having the dress made.”

Only then did Armin pick up the invoice.

From the side, I couldn’t read his expression as he looked at the endless string of zeros.

Everyone stayed silent. Even Viola swallowed nervously.

Armin finally put the paper down.

“Are you… okay with it?”

I met his eyes with an awkward smile. I had already guessed why Viola had suggested I get the clothes tailored.

‘She probably wants to make me look like a wasteful woman so Armin will dislike me.’

I didn’t know Armin’s past two years, but I knew what Viola believed—that Armin hated extravagance.

“What does it matter?”

But Armin showed no reaction.

Even I was surprised at how calm he was, knowing the amount written there.

‘That much money could open 200 pharmacies like mine…!’

“These are clothes you’ll only wear for a short autumn season… and it’s not even my own money.”

“What are you saying? Between a husband and wife, it’s shared property.”

“…Wait…”

I was suddenly speechless.

“So, you mean it feels burdensome.”

Armin smiled.

“Then, would you come here?”

When I hesitantly approached, he gestured again.

“Closer.”

He managed to seat me beside him, then tilted his head and rested it on my shoulder.

“Your Highness.”

“Just for a moment… let’s stay like this.”

Like a child finding comfort, he closed his eyes and breathed evenly.

“You must be tired.”

“A little.”

He looked as if he might fall asleep, but suddenly opened his eyes wide.

“That’s it for now.”

“…What?”

“Let’s call this payment.”

“Yes?”

“It means you don’t have to look so uneasy around me. Bella, you might not know, but I’m rich. I didn’t say this because it sounds like bragging, but in the capital, you can count on one hand the people wealthier than me.”

“Still…”

“Even if Bella wore a new outfit every day and threw it away after one use, I wouldn’t go bankrupt.”

No matter how rich, wasn’t that a bit much?

“Then let’s add an extra condition.”

“Yes, that might be better. I’ll work hard to rep—”

“No need for that.”

Armin’s smile turned mischievous.

“Just give me one kiss.”

“!!”

“With two kisses, I’ll include winter clothes too. How about it?”

He even tapped his cheek with his finger.

I stared at him in disbelief, then jumped up.

“I-It’s late! You must be tired, please go rest.”

“Oh, it didn’t work.”

It seemed Armin had only been teasing, as he stood up without regret.

“Alright, see you tomorrow.”

The door closed.

Since it was late, even the maids had left.

Left alone, I stared at the empty room, lost in thought.

‘Does he like me?’

I still couldn’t answer that question.

What was certain was that the more time I spent facing him, the weaker my desire to leave became, and the more tempting it felt to stay here.

‘What am I thinking? Get a grip.’

Sitting in a seat that’s not mine would only bring punishment. Charlotte’s case had proven that well enough.

‘I have to leave this place.’

I slapped both cheeks with my hands.

But my heart kept feeling restless.

“….”

It wouldn’t calm down easily.

Viola, realizing making me seem extravagant wouldn’t work, quickly changed her plan.

“The master likes having snacks on an empty stomach. How about making one for him?”

“That’s not a bad idea, but… I’m not very good at cooking.”

When I hesitated, Viola pushed more.

“If it’s from you, the honored guest, the master will love it. Because he loves you.”

“Uh… really?”

“Of course. Don’t worry about the seasoning—just make it sweet with sugar.”

Ah, so Armin must hate sweet food.

In that case, of course I’d use it.

I poured a whole bag of sugar into the cookie dough and even stuffed it with chocolate chips to maximize the sweetness.

Later, I ran into Armin in the hall and handed him the cookies.

“What do you think?”

Armin looked at the cookie carefully.

“Doesn’t seem like the chef made this.”

“I made it.”

“Really? Now I’m curious.”

The moment he took a bite, his expression turned strange.

“….”

His jaw didn’t move even though the cookie was in his mouth.

“Is it… not good?”

“….”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll take it back.”

I added cheerfully, “There might be someone out there who likes this taste.”

He swallowed the cookie at last.

“There’s no such person.”

The way he said it while taking the basket annoyed me.

‘Is it really that bad?’

I had tasted one myself—it wasn’t poisonous. Other than being too sweet, it wasn’t terrible.

He must’ve found my pouting funny, because Armin chuckled quietly.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant, there’s no one else this cookie is for except me.”

He glanced around—at Butler Morgan, the knights, and a retainer who’d come to give a report.

“Right?”

Their shoulders all twitched at once.

“Of course, we don’t deserve the luxury of snacks like this.”

“Yes, the master does everything for us. We’re just coat racks.”

Their lips said they didn’t need cookies, but their tone sounded more like “stingy.”

Anyway, the cookies had reached Armin.

“That’s all I had for today, so I’ll get going.”

“Bella.”

“Yes?”

The moment I turned, he pulled me closer.

“…!”

His lips briefly touched my fingertips—still dusted with sugar.

It was only an instant, yet it felt unforgettable.

“Thank you for the snack.”

“….”

“I’ll treasure it.”

“…Yes.”

Still dazed, I nodded slowly.

Viola was in the hallway—she didn’t have permission to enter the office.

When she heard the door open, she brightened.

“How did it go? The cookies? Did you give them to him?”

She bombarded me with questions when she saw I was empty-handed.

“….”

I couldn’t answer—just covered my face with both hands, trying to calm my flushed cheeks.

Viola had torn the dress Bella planned to wear, made her prepare a snack opposite to the Duke’s taste, and even told her the wrong meeting time—two hours early—so she’d stand in the hot sun.

She just wanted Bella to show irritation toward either her or the Duke.

But Bella didn’t get angry.

“You were… waiting for me?”

“It just happened that way… yes.”

“Next time, come later. I’d rather be the one waiting—it’s more comfortable for me.”

The Duke liked her even more.

‘What is this!’

All her schemes failed, only strengthening their relationship.

The servants, knowing the master’s affection could turn into power, started paying close attention to where his interest lay.

Naturally, they noticed the Duke’s special gaze toward Bella.

Opinions began to change depending on their positions.

[I think she’s nice. She’s a little scary, but if I make a mistake, she corrects me kindly. And she praises me right away when I do well!] — maids like Marina.

[One more mistake toward the honored guest, and no matter what the master says, I’ll throw you out. Understand?] — Catherine, already acting like Bella was the lady of the house.

Even the servants who didn’t meet her often spoke well of her:

[She’s fair enough.]
[She doesn’t nitpick unnecessarily.]
[If the master likes her, that’s already the end of the game, isn’t it?]
[True enough!]

The knights agreed as well:

[So when’s the wedding?]
[Don’t be silly, he hasn’t even proposed yet.]
[Why not! He should hurry and make it official.]
[I agree. Where else will you find a woman who can handle the master’s personality?]

It had only been a month since Bella came to the Duke’s mansion, yet—

‘No…’

If this kept up, they’d have no choice but to welcome her as the lady of the house.