Chapter 114
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Scene 114 Salvation
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Eek.
Wendy buried her face in the blanket after setting down the newspaper.
How was she supposed to go to school from now on?
She couldnt lift her head out of sheer embarrassment.
Hehehe. Youve become quite the celebrity.
Bella watched her with an amused smile.
The newspaper on the bed featured a massive photo of Tristan holding Wendy with flames raging behind them.
The paper had gone all out in its exclusive coverage of his heroic exploits, perhaps a bit excessively so.
It was probably a pro-Ruelverta outlet. Theyd been the first to report when Tristan joined the Seven Stars last time, too.
As soon as Bella heard about the incident, she read the article over and over.
What an utter fool of a man.
Rushing into an unknown barrier to save the studentssuch reckless bravery.
He had to be the most foolish man among all men.
And to think shed fallen for a man like that how idiotic could she be?
Bella sighed inwardly. She composed herself and spoke in a calm voice.
Im glad he looks better than I expected. I was so worried.
Y-Yes Its all thanks to the Count
I hope you recover soon so I can see you at school. Id love to check out your swordsmanship, too, Miss Wendy.
Eek!?
Im kidding.
Bella covered her mouth as she laughed, then spoke as if something had just occurred to her.
By the way, is this the Counts bedroom?
Y-Yes He told me to stay here until I recover
Hmm.
Bella scanned every corner of the bedroom with her eyes.
Since there were no classes today, shed come to the Counts mansion to visit the patient. To her surprise, Wendy was recuperating in the Counts own bedroom.
She hadnt intended it, but Bella now had a chance to tour Tristans private quarters.
How extravagant
That was her first impression.
Having lived a life of luxury in her youth, Bella could tell.
Nothing in this room was cheapnot a single item.
It might just be the most expensive bedroom in the world.
Tristans bedroom was quite spacious.
Various artworks were artfully arranged throughout the vast space.
Bella didnt know it was just the original Tristans ostentatious decoration from the story.
He still has that nasty habit of flaunting his wealth with money.
As she leisurely surveyed the room, Bella paused in front of the wall hung with paintings.
Her eyes narrowed upon spotting that painting.
Artistically, it was superb.
A hyper-realistic depiction of beautiful women frolicking in a field, framed perfectly.
The colors, compositionflawless.
The only odd thing was that all the women were nude.
Trash.
Bella flipped the painting around with magic and hung it back on the wall.
Hanging such lewd art in his bedroom.
Had he lost his mind?
Once she started, there were more than one or two paintings that grated on her.
Bella snapped her fingers, flipping over each one she disliked.
She flipped the nude painting.
She flipped the cleavage-heavy one.
She flipped the short-skirt one.
She flipped the immodest one.
She flipped the one with women in it.
By the time she snapped out of it, most of the paintings were reversed.
Wendy, who had watched the whole process, cautiously called out to her.
Um Lady? Are you okay?
Ahem The Count has no eye for art. I just selected the decent ones for him. Anyway, thats it.
Bella cleared her throat, suddenly coming to her senses, and walked over to Wendys bed.
Now that I look, this bed is ridiculously huge. Whats the point of a bed this big for one person?
It was an enormous bed, far larger than anything sold in markets.
Bella casually lay down next to Wendy.
Indeed, two people could sleep here comfortably.
Y-Yes! Its so bigeven four could fit easily!
Four?
Bella flinched at the words.
Shed criticized it as wasteful, but Tristan always spent with reason.
Besides, shed heard men harbored such fantasies.
So it wasnt entirely impossible.
Unaware her lips were pouting, Bella muttered.
Hmm Maybe thats why he has such a big bed. Hes a man, after all. Honestly
Y-Yes?
No, its nothing. Its fine if our sweet Miss Wendy stays innocent. Come here.
Eek?!
With that, Bella hugged Wendy and lay down.
The bed was incredibly soft.
Tristans bed offered the utmost comfort she could imagine.
And the faint scent from the pillows and blankets.
Its really nice
Bella murmured dazedly without realizing it.
If she hadnt been hugging Wendy, her relaxed expression might have been caught.
Wendy squirmed in her arms, unsure what to do.
L-Lady
Shh. Youre supposed to call me sister when were alone.
Uw S-Sister.
Good girl. So obedient. Our Wendy Stay like this a little longer, okay?
Wendy nodded meekly.
The sight was so adorable that Bella couldnt help imagining.
Someday, if we marry
Shed wake up to his sleeping face first thing in the morning.
She could whisper good morning into his ear.
Hed kiss her with his tousled morning face.
Just thinking about it brought a smile to her lips.
And if they had a cute daughter like this, living happily togetherhow wonderful.
No
Bella knew.
As things stood, that future would never come.
When Tristan rescued her from the kidnapping, hed confessed his hidden truth.
Those who inherited Ruelverta blood could never escape the congenital curse of lacking mana.
To end the Ruelverta curse passed down through generations, he couldnt marry.
Bella had been unable to respond.
But
No man who doesnt want to marry proposes so romantically
Bellas chest tightened.
Thinking of Tristan determined to stop the curses inheritance. His lonely voice. His solitary back.
And that day, when her lips touched his cheek, the complex expression on Tristans face.
He had wavered, undoubtedly.
Her feelings had shaken his heart in the end.
That was enough.
Lying in Tristans bed, Bella thought.
Her path was now clear.
She had to defy the fate that stood between them.
!.
!.
...
She had to defy the Ruelverta curse.
Ill break the curse binding him.
Just as he saved her, she would save him from the darkness.
She would never let go of his hand.
Time to head back, miss.
When Blanche opened the bedroom door, there was no reply.
Miss?
Wendy and Bella had fallen asleep on the bed.
The two sleeping figures looked utterly peaceful.
She pondered for a moment.
It was the appointed time, but the Count showed no sign of returning from school.
He must still have much to do there.
In that case, leaving the two a bit longer wouldnt hurt.
Blanche left the room and quietly closed the door.
She spoke right after.
What business do you have with me?
The sun was setting in the Ruelverta mansion corridor.
Only Blanche and her shadow stood there.
I know youre hiding there. Come out.
My apologies.
As Blanche stepped back one pace, a figure rose from her shadow.
Blanches eyes shook as she recognized the intruder.
Black Dog.
Yes.
Before her stood someone in Aslan uniform.
But instead of Aslans signature lion mask, he wore a wolf mask.
The Ruelverta familys private army, Aslan, had a unit for assassinations and covert ops. Nicknamed the Black Dogs.
It was where Blanche had spent the longest during her days as a Ruelverta assassin.
Shed never imagined they were still active.
Unaware of her thoughts, the masked Black Dog spoke.
I bring a message from the Count.
Message?
Work.
Blanche was shocked once more.
The voice from the Black Dogs mouth was identical to Tristans.
But she realized it was mere magic mimicking his voice.
Work, you say?
The Black Dog nodded at her question.
Then, in emotionless tones mimicking Tristan, it delivered the notice.
Time to repay your debt.