CHAPTER 017
"Did Lewis badmouth me?"
Hmm... Lewis did badmouth you, unlike Mikael.
But if I tell her that, Bella will go straight to Lewis. I don't want to see that.
I quietly shook my head.
"No, it's just..."
Bella looked at me with a puzzled expression, then lowered the intensity of her initial reaction and asked,
"What happened?"
"I'm really glad you're my friend."
"Suddenly?"
Compared to Bella, I lack both courage and strength.
But still... I can be someone Bella can rely on. We are friends, after all.
And I was grateful.
Despite the gloomy memories, she was holding a party just for me.
"I feel like I know how much you care about me. I will never forget it."
"Well, that's nice to hear."
Bella smiled as if pleased, without asking any more questions.
* * *
I wonder how many will come this time.
As Lewis predicted, Bella was worried about whether the invited guests would attend.
Her miserable 12th birthday was truly a horrible memory.
But she didn't regret suggesting to invite people to Selina's party.
"Selina is like family to us!"
She wanted to boast about that to others.
Selina, who had been with Lewis, approached Bella with a gloomy face.
She suddenly said it was fortunate to be friends, but that probably wasn't the reason for her gloominess.
There was definitely something going on.
Not the type to hold back, Bella went to find Lewis that evening.
"Why?"
"What did you say to Selina?"
"Nothing much."
Lewis shrugged.
"Lewis, you idiot!"
Bella glared at Lewis fiercely before sitting down.
"I knew it. Selina feels bad because of you!"
The moment she heard Lewis' story, Bella realized Selina was feeling guilty towards her.
It wasn't her intention to make Selina feel burdened.
"Don't you also dislike it when Selina feels burdened?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. Then why did you make her worry by talking about it?"
Lewis looked at Bella silently.
Even though he told her when she asked, he didn't like seeing Selina upset.
But Bella knew about his feelings? This was something he hadn't considered.
"Don't talk about me carelessly again."
When Lewis didn't answer, Bella's eyes flashed coldly.
"If this happens again, I'll kill you."
After threatening Lewis, Bella returned to the mansion.
Selina, who had been waiting in her room, seemed to have heard the footsteps in the hallway and opened the door suddenly.
"You're back quickly!"
Selina was smiling, but it looked somewhat awkward.
From that, Bella realized,
'She knows I went to Lewis.'
Even though she had only said she was stepping out for a moment and quickly came back.
Anyway, Bella decided to pretend she didn't notice.
"I finished my errand quickly."
"Ah, I see."
Selina nodded awkwardly.
I kept quiet to avoid making her worry. Bella inwardly cursed Lewis.
But she decided not to show it openly.
What's the point of showing it?
Selina looked like she had a lot on her mind, but this time, Bella chose to ignore it.
* * *
What should I do!
Every conversation with Bella felt strained.
I told her not to worry, but I couldn't help worrying...
I know she saw me going to Lewis, so how can I act nonchalant?
Maybe I shouldn't have asked Lewis about Bella...
Last night, Bella asked me about the people I wanted to invite, and I answered.
'Who should we invite?'
'Hmm, let's start with Lady Hose...'
I picked the ladies I had a decent relationship with. They wouldn't refuse the invitation.
I have no idea who those young ladies who refused Bella's invitation in her childhood were.
Why did they hurt our Bella like that?
Despite any worries, our relationship was as usual.
Today, we went out together. We went shopping as always and then went to a restaurant for lunch.
"Excuse me for a moment."
Bella placed our order and briefly left the table.
I was alone at the table, looking around.
It was just a casual glance, but I saw a familiar face in the large restaurant.
Isn't that the Pattinson Marquis' daughter?
She had two friends with her.
The Pattinson Marquis' daughter was someone Lady Hose didn't like. "She acts so arrogant just because her family has a bit of money!"
Such people usually have a bully-victim mentality. They naturally don't get along with someone weak like me.
Since we weren't close enough to greet each other, I turned my gaze out the window.
But a few minutes later, I heard someone calling me.
"It's been a while, Lady Elsner."
I turned around and saw the Patinson group. They must have been leaving after their meal.
"Hello."
I greeted them too.
I thought it would be just a brief exchange, but they continued talking unexpectedly.
"I heard there's going to be a party at the Croft mansion?"
"Oh, yes."
It's a party to celebrate my stay at the mansion.
I smiled lightly and gave a short reply, but they kept talking.
"It's been a long time since people gathered at the mansion."
"Right, since that time, isn't it?"
The last comment was from the Pattinson daughter to her companions.
Since that time...?
While I was wondering, she explained to me.
"I attended Lady Croft's birthday party a few years ago. I can't remember exactly when though..."
"You went to Bella's birthday party?"
"Yes. Only once though."
So, it was you!
"I wonder how many will come this time."
At that remark, the companions chuckled.
...Are they laughing at Bella? Do they think Bella is a joke?
I felt a surge of anger and was about to say something, but they ended their chatter before I could speak.
Bella returned to the table.
"Selina? What's wrong?"
I motioned toward them.
Although they couldn't outright ignore the Croft family, they fell silent when Bella appeared.
So petty, considering they can't even speak up properly!
Looking at them in disbelief, I answered Bella.
"They were curious about our party."
Sure enough, the ladies flinched at my words, as if feeling guilty.
But then something unexpected happened.
Bella's expression hardened.
Even in front of Lewis, Bella didn't flinch!
"..."
"...Bella?"
Bella didn't say anything. She just stared at them quietly.
Even with a neutral expression, her stare was quite intimidating.
Unable to withstand the gaze, the Pattinson daughter and her companions avoided eye contact.
"We'll be going now."
They hurriedly left, almost running away.
They couldn't say anything in front of Bella, yet they acted all high and mighty!
While I clicked my tongue inwardly and watched them leave, I noticed Bella looking distressed.
"Uh... Bella...?"
Bella seemed upset, her face contorted with frustration.
The mood for laughter and chatter was completely gone.
"Let's go back, Bella! Let's return to the mansion and rest."
Forget about eating, let's just go back!
Bella silently followed me.
She looked like she was holding back something, her eyes burning with rage.
As soon as we got back to the mansion, Bella headed to the training ground. She went there to practice swordsmanship, her hobby.
I went to my room, but when Bella didn't return after a long time, I went to the training ground to find her.
The closer I got to the training ground, the clearer Bella's voice became.
"Die! Die, I said!"
"Yikes! Please calm down, my lady!"
What's happening?
Terrified by the frightening sounds, I ran to the training ground.
"Bella!"
In the training ground, Bella was wildly swinging her sword at a knight.
As soon as he saw me, the knight collapsed as if he had been saved.
I'm scared of Bella when she's like this too... I cautiously approached Bella.
"Are you okay?"
"Of course, I'm fine."
Despite having been panting moments ago, Bella quickly caught her breath and answered.
"I'm not angry."
Of course, it wasn't a believable statement.
Seeing Bella like this made me worried.
How can I soothe Bella's feelings? It pains me to see her so upset...
As her friend, I was really concerned about Bella.
But no easy solution came to mind.
"You weren't coming back, so I came to check. Let's call it a day and go rest."
I gently coaxed Bella and left the training ground with her.
After making sure Bella went to her room, I headed to mine.
"What should I do...?"
I spent a long time in my room, thinking.
How can I soothe Bella's feelings? What would be the best thing to do?
That evening, Lewis came to see me because of the noise. He habitually held my hands and commented.
"You look troubled."
It's because of Bella...
Bella was asleep in her room, unaware of Lewis' visit.
"Is it because of Bella again?"
"Ah... yes."
Lewis was spot on.
"What happened?"
He asked.
Should I tell him? As I hesitated, he added.
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