Chapter 77
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Patrick
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The timing wasn't good.
As soon as we entered the store, the first person I ran into happened to be Patrick Wolfbert.
Even though Tristan wasn't small by any means, Patrick was tall enough that I had to tilt my head up slightly to meet his gaze.
On top of that, muscles that couldn't even be concealed by his formal attire writhed visibly.
It was the body of a true bodybuilder.
My eyes met Patrick's.
His feral gaze glared at me like it wanted to devour me whole.
But that only lasted a moment. Soon enough, he ignored me completely and knelt before Bella.
It's an honor to see you, Lady.
The instant Patrick lifted his head to kiss Bella's hand, his face went rigid.
He had spotted the ring on her ring finger.
Hehe I'll just accept your feelings.
Bella swiftly hid her hand.
For her, it was a way of refusing the hand kiss, but there was no telling how it looked in Patrick's eyes.
Patrick rose from his spot, visibly awkward.
You look beautiful today as well, Lady.
Thank you, Patrick. Did you just arrive?
Yes. I've been waiting for you, Lady.
How kind of you.
Bella gave a shy smile with her eyes.
The fact that she could flash such a pure smile even at an unwelcome suitor proved she was a total pro.
Only then did Patrick pretend to finally notice me and offer a greeting.
Well, if it isn't Lord Ruelverta Count?
Uh
Wasn't it our first meeting at the previous ball? But somehow, I didn't notice you've lost quite a bit of weight?
Patrick wore an expression of sudden realization.
No wonder.
Ever since becoming Tristan, I'd been on a brutal diet.
Jogging at the crack of dawn every day, plus muscle training that pushed beyond human limits thanks to 'Patience'.
Day by day, I could feel my body transforming.
...
Sharper facial features and a lean stomach. Stamina that barely fatigued no matter how much I moved. Drastic weight loss to the point where I had to swap out my pants size every week.
These days, when I looked in the mirror, there was no trace of the Pig Count left.
Just a guy who'd nailed all but one number on the lottery.
Even so, Patrick let out a mocking chuckle.
Haha So the Count has finally discovered the joys of exercise. Health is the greatest treasure, isn't it?
His mouth smiled, but Patrick's eyes gleamed with the shine of a predator.
As if questioning why I was here.
But what brings the Count to a place like this? And with the Lady, no less As far as I know, the Count wasn't invited to this gathering, was he?
I asked him to come along.
The Lady did?
Yes. I figured it'd be lonely attending a gathering all by myself as a woman.
At Bella's brazen words, Patrick's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
Suspicion, no doubt.
Until just recently, Bella had been ice-cold to me, yet here she was bringing me along as her escort.
'I need to back her up.'
Nothing for it but to show him with actions rather than words.
I naturally wrapped an arm around Bella's waist.
She didn't resist.
If anything, she leaned into me like she'd been waiting for it.
A real pro.
Even so, Patrick kept up his smiling facade.
Ah When did the two of you get so close?
Hehe We've known each other for quite a while, after all.
Bella subtly took hold of the hand I'd placed on her waist.
She even looked like she was genuinely enjoying the situation.
But for Patrick, watching it all, it had to feel like his insides were burning.
I see I heard the Lady rejected the engagement.
That's right. But I'm thinking it over a little more. This man's passion for me it's not so bad, actually.
Hahaha If it's passion, this Patrick won't back down. Oh, rightlet me show you what I prepared.
Yes?
At Patrick's flick of the wrist, his attendant placed a massive gift box in front of Bella.
This is?
A gift that represents my feelings. I heard the Lady likes cute things.
The attendant unwrapped the package, revealing
A bear doll?
Yes. Isn't it cute?
It was a bear doll the size of a person.
And it wasn't just one.
As the attendant unpacked the rest, more bear dolls emergedbig ones, small ones, one after another.
Bella stared at the scene in utter disbelief.
How many did you even bring?
As many as my passion for you, Lady.
Bella gazed at the dolls with a complicated expression before speaking up.
Hmm Patrick was rightthey're all cute.
Exactly! Every one was custom-made by renowned artisans. One-of-a-kind in the whole world!
Patrick boasted proudly.
No need to confirm it with my traits 'Tycoon' or 'Calculation'.
Just as Patrick said, each bear doll exuded luxury and rarity.
It was a gift he'd clearly put real effort into.
And since Bella had a weakness for cute things, it was bound to be effective.
But
It's a problem.
Yes?
Bella's answer was already set in stone.
With a look of sincere regret, she said,
I've had one bear doll I've been taking care of for years now.
A bear doll?
Yes. I'm the type who sticks to just one for life Sorry, Patrick. I can't accept these bears.
Bella slowly shook her head.
It was a blatant rejection.
The her, who usually couldn't bring herself to turn down others' goodwill, had successfully refused this time.
Even Patrick seemed stunned; he fell silent for a moment.
His mouth finally opened after a brief pause.
I see Understood.
I'm really sorry, Patrick.
No, if anything, I should apologize. I had no idea and brought something you didn't need Haha Talk about being a nuisance.
Patrick stroked the bear dolls.
Was it regret? Pity?
Having such a carefully prepared gift rejected must have left a huge sense of loss.
But he kept smiling all the same.
If you don't need them, I'll have them cleared away right now.
...!
The moment I spotted the mana flickering in Patrick's eyes, I swiftly pulled Bella into my arms.
...
Ahh That was truly delicious.
Luna gracefully dabbed at her mouth with a napkin.
Sia did the same, setting down her fork with elegant poise.
It was the sort of movement steeped in upper-class etiquette.
Wendy, who had been sneaking glances, imitated them and finished her meal.
To think a place this delicious is closing down
Sia muttered despondently, staring at her empty plate.
Perhaps she'd heard the rumors from the newspaper. The restaurant buzzed with more students than ever.
Luna gazed at the scene with pity and spoke up.
The chef denied it vehemently, but it's a lie, isn't it? He's probably in despair right now.
Despair?
Yes. Do you see that face?
When Wendy turned her head, she saw the muscular chef standing at the serving counter.
His face, as he greeted each student one by one, looked utterly carefree to the world.
Luna spoke with utter conviction upon seeing it.
Wendy. That's the expression only someone who's lost everything can wear.
Eh?
To the chef, this restaurant is everything. You can tell just from the foodhow much love and passion he poured into it. But that man destroyed it all.
I see The chairman.
Sia, who had been listening to Luna, nodded slowly.
I completely agree with Luna. The chairman is exactly the type who'd do something like that.
Sia and Luna quickly fell into easy rapport.
The two strangers bonding so fast was all thanks to their shared topic: Tristan.
Sia in particular, usually so reserved, turned positively chatty whenever the chairman came up.
That man wouldn't hesitate to ruin someone else's life. He's a genius at infamous villainy, after all. Right, Wendy?
Eek?! Th-that Y-yeah?
But it put Wendy in an awkward spot.
If her connection to Tristan got exposed, she'd be in trouble.
So all she could do was pretend to go along with the negative opinions about her master.
Of course, the guilt was entirely Wendy's burden.
'Uuu S-sorry Lord Count'
'Heh heh They're not totally off-base, so why not join in and curse our disciple freely?'
Myohail, now in hairpin form, whispered via telepathy.
'N-no! I couldn't do that'
'What does it matter? The Count won't know anyway.'
'Uu It's a matter of my heart'
'Tsk tsk. Our cute disciple sure knows her principles when it counts.'
While Wendy reflected inwardly, Luna addressed her.
By the way, what do you think of the chairman, Miss Wendy?