---

The situation of being alone in the office with Bella, who was wearing an almost bare outfit, was truly awkward.

Bella and I were sitting on a two-seater sofa. I was turning my head, but I couldn’t help but be aware of her.

And it seemed Bella felt the same way.

“…Why aren’t you saying anything? It’s embarrassing.”

“Do I have to say something?”

I answered calmly, but I didn’t know what to say or where to look.

If I said she was pretty, it might sound like harassment, and if I looked at her, it might seem like assault.

The best I could do was hide my agitation with ‘patience.’

“Can’t you at least give me your thoughts?”

“I feel energized.”

“You already said that earlier.”

“I think I might catch a cold.”

“Really, you… Why do you keep being so cheeky?”

Bella was trying to pull out my thoughts. I decided to change the subject before she could press further.

“Where did you get that outfit? It looks like our casino’s uniform.”

“I asked your head butler for a set. I got it through my own efforts, so don’t think about scolding him.”

“I see… But why are you wearing that?”

“Well, you know…”

“Did you do it to cheer me up?”

Bella’s face turned red as if I hit the nail on the head.

“Why, why? Are you embarrassed because a beauty like me is paying attention to you?!”

“It seems like you’re the one who’s embarrassed, not me…”

“Shut up! It’s weirder not to be embarrassed wearing such a revealing outfit!”

Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.

Honestly, Bella in a bunny girl outfit was incredibly provocative.

Considering she’s praised as the most beautiful character in this world, wearing the bunny girl outfit seemed to transcend the limits of charm.

“Alright, I get the outfit, but where did this alcohol come from?”

I pointed to the wine on the table.

“Oh, that’s some wine my father hid. I secretly brought it. I thought he sold it all, but he had one bottle stashed away.”

It seems she brought Duke Fred’s emergency stash… no, emergency alcohol.

“It’s a specialty from the Senferi region. They say it’s good for your health… It’s a precious drink, but my father doesn’t need it, so I’ll give it to you, Count.”

“Hmm…”

Honestly, I’m a bit skeptical about the ‘health’ part.

Since the ‘tonic’ he gave me before turned out to be an aphrodisiac, it wouldn’t be surprising if this was something similar.

“Do you want to try a glass now?”

“No. I’m fine.”

I quickly stopped Bella as she was about to pour the wine.

Her eyes narrowed at my reaction.

“Hmm… So you’ll drink with your bodyguard knight but not with me?”

“…What did Helga say?”

“Who knows? Why? Feeling guilty?”

Could she have told her about us drinking and sleeping together?

Surely nothing happened, but since I blacked out, I have no way to prove my innocence.

I could feel cold sweat running down my back.

“Ugh…”

But then Bella suddenly clicked her tongue and placed her hand on her hip.

“What’s wrong?”

“The outfit is a bit tight…”

Does it not fit? The high-leg outfit definitely seemed to be squeezing her chest and thighs.

Seeing her slim waist and navel exposed, the outfit seemed to fit too snugly.

“Count…”

“?!”

Oops.

Suddenly, I made eye contact with Bella.

I thought I was going to get scolded again, but her words were different from what I expected.

“Did you think I gained weight…?”

“…No.”

“You’re lying. I can tell by your hesitation.”

“I’m not lying.”

“Hmm… Then what were you thinking?”

Another awkward question.

But Bella’s lips were twitching.

Was she planning to tease me from the start?

“Achoo!”

Luckily, it seemed like she was just about to sneeze.

No. Not lucky.

“Ugh… It’s cold…”

“Tsk… Didn’t I say you might catch a cold?”

Clicking my tongue, I tried to take off my coat to give it to her.

But as soon as I slipped one arm out of the sleeve, Bella snuggled into my chest as if she had been waiting.

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean? It’s warmer this way.”

Bella smiled with a twinkle in her eye. It seemed like we were sharing my coat.

A pleasant scent wafted from her. A subtle fruity aroma, perhaps. It felt like the scent of all the sweet things in the world mixed together.

“Hehe… Get closer. I’m cold.”

Bella giggled and pressed herself even closer to me. Seeing this, I realized that everything from the sneeze to now was all part of her plan.

Her goal was to see me flustered. She probably wouldn’t stop her persistent skin contact until she saw me agitated.

But I am Tristan.

My high pride and ‘arrogance’ wouldn’t allow me to be swept up in her pace.

‘Then… how about this?’

I naturally placed my hand on Bella’s waist.

“?!”

Bella flinched in surprise.

Her waist, without an ounce of fat, was felt through the smooth bunny girl outfit.

But contrary to my expectations, Bella didn’t get angry or scold me.

“……”

She just averted her gaze and clung to me even tighter.

Huh? This isn’t the reaction I wanted…

An awkward situation ensued. We sat there for a while, pressed close together.

Her fragrant scent wafted from beside me, and my hand felt the soft touch.

It took considerable self-control to suppress a man’s instincts.

Then, Bella spoke.

“Are you worried?”

“…What?”

It was a sudden question, but it felt like she hit the mark.

“I noticed you’ve been out of it all day.”

“……”

I couldn’t respond to Bella’s observation.

I had unconsciously focused on training to avoid showing my troubled feelings, but it must have made me look like I was out of it. I’ll have to be more careful next time.

“Hmm… Count. This isn’t like you.”

“Is that so…”

“Well, being the overall commander of the northern expedition must weigh heavily on your shoulders.”

Bella nodded as if she understood.

Since she didn’t know I was aiming to become the Demon Lord, it made sense for her to think that. It was a relief.

“I just had a lot on my mind.”

“I’ll be with you, so what are you worried about?”

Bella leaned slightly against me as she spoke.

“Even if we fail to reclaim the north, don’t worry. His Majesty will punish us, but if it comes to that, I’ll share the punishment with you.”

“You’ll share the punishment?”

“Yes.”

“…Why?”

“In short, you don’t have to bear all the responsibility alone. No matter how great you are, you’re not a god, right? You can’t be certain about everything… I and the heads of the Seven Stars are also participating in the expedition. The responsibility should be shared.”

Bella poured out the words she had been holding in.

I realized she not only worried about me but also supported me.

“Does that mean you acknowledge me as the overall commander of the northern expedition?”

“Hmph. I haven’t fully acknowledged you yet. If you prove unreliable, I’ll immediately join forces with the other heads to impeach you.”

“I’ll have to be careful then.”

“Yes. Always stay on your toes. If the Count doesn’t perform well, what will happen to my reputation? Hehe…”

Bella giggled, and I couldn’t help but chuckle too.

Somehow, all the worries I had felt foolish now.

Bella was truly Bella. Always positive, consistently radiant, and dazzling. She was more than worthy of being the main heroine of this story.

“You… are truly consistent.”

“Only now you realize that? I’ve been like this since the first time we met…”

“The first time we met?”

“Hmph… You don’t need to know.”

Bella turned her head away, a slight blush on her cheeks. With her bunny ears perked up, she looked incredibly adorable.

“Ahem… It suddenly feels a bit hot, so let’s move apart.”

“No.”

Bella, who could no longer endure, tried to move away, but I didn’t allow it.

Earlier, she tried to fluster me, but now it was my turn.

I grabbed her wrist as she tried to push me away.

“What, what are you doing?”

“You asked for my thoughts earlier.”

“Huh?”

“You’re beautiful.”

“?!”

Bella looked up at me.

My eyes almost went to her ample chest, but luckily, I managed to look straight into her eyes.

“…Why are you suddenly like this? Are you drunk?”

“You know I haven’t had any alcohol.”

“You’re sober and acting like this? Then have a drink and get a grip.”

“No. I don’t want to see your face with a clouded mind.”

“What are you talking about…”

Bella turned her head away sharply. I placed my hand on her chin.

“Look this way.”

“I don’t want to, you jerk.”

“I said you’re beautiful.”

“Jerk.”

“You’re pretty.”

“Jerk.”

“And lovely.”

“…Jerk.”

Bella, who had been continuously scolding me, finally turned her head to look at me.

Her appearance was that of a rabbit, but inside, an untamed cat resided.

“The outfit suits you well.”

“I knew it. You jerk… You probably imagined me in such an embarrassing outfit back then too.”

“Yeah. So what will you do about it?”

“…You’re not even denying it now? Mr. Jerk.”

“Even if I denied it, you wouldn’t believe me, so I’m affirming it.”

“Hmph… You know me well. Ah…!”

As my hand touched her nape, Bella flinched.

“Ah, that tickles!”

“Quite a cute reaction.”

“Calling me cute… Stop teasing me.”

“Even that reaction is cute.”

“What are you talking about… Really…”

Bella averted her gaze, still maintaining her haughty attitude.

Even after all this, she still held onto her pride.

Seeing her blush, it had an effect, but it wasn’t enough to change her attitude.

After a moment of thought, I whispered in her ear.

“By the way, do you know the effects of the medicine you sent me?”

“Huh…?”

For a brief moment, Bella’s eyes wavered.

I didn’t miss it.

“Well… I just heard it was good for the body…”

“That’s strange. If it’s such a precious medicine, you should know its effects.”

“No. I only heard it was a precious medicine. I didn’t hear about its effects…”

“So you gave me a medicine without knowing its effects?”

“Well…”

Bella, who had been so confident earlier, started to hesitate. Seeing her face flush, it seemed she knew the ‘tonic’ was actually an aphrodisiac.

“I only heard that it’s something men absolutely need…”

“Hmm… Then what do you think men absolutely need?”

“Don’t ask me that! You jerk…!”

She asked for my thoughts on the bunny girl outfit but told me not to talk about the aphrodisiac.

Feeling amused, I spoke.

“Really? Then it’s fine if you don’t answer. I found out that the dried Siltevia leaves you sent me…”

“Eek!”

Bella quickly covered her ears and screamed.

“Jerk! Jerk! Don’t say such dirty things to me! You jerk!”

So she did know.

I whispered into the ear of the blushing, crouching Bella.

“Bella. Did you know? The outfit you’re wearing now has better effects than that medicine.”

“~!?!”

Seeing Bella’s ears turn bright red, I felt more satisfied than ever.

 

---