Chapter 308
It was such a nostalgic item.
The bear doll I gave Bella as a birthday gift during the first trial. She had kept this doll with her all this time.
To Bella, Dmitri was essentially her feelings for Tristan.
On the day I gave Dmitri to Bella as a gift, I vaguely noticed. That she had harbored favorable feelings for Tristan since childhood.
Through countless repetitions with Tristan and Peter, I came to understand Bella’s character. To her, Tristan was a distant old love, akin to a sweet first love. That’s why, even after so much time had passed, she still kept him in her heart.
Just like William, Tristan changed by realizing ‘wrath.’ Seeing her first love transform into someone else overnight, Bella was left in confusion.
Later, as the Izakhel Family fell into ruin and she was forced into an engagement under the weight of massive debt, she grew to hate Tristan.
‘But…’
I looked at the worn-out Dmitri in my hand.
While Bella’s frugal nature might have played a part in her not discarding this doll, the reason she couldn’t throw it away even when it was falling apart… was because it represented her first love. It was her old heart, unable to let go despite all the hatred.
When I became Peter, Bella refused the proposal for this very reason.
“Do you remember Dmitri…?”
“Yes. I even named it myself. Can I use this?”
“Huh? Sure… It’s fine, but…”
Seeing Dmitri, which seemed to mirror her wounded heart, I couldn’t just leave it be. I grabbed some bandages from a first aid kit in the corner and wrapped Dmitri up, giving it emergency treatment.
“…Done.”
Dmitri, now looking like a mummy due to the large tears, was handed back to her.
“For now, let’s leave it like this. When we return to the capital, I’ll have it properly repaired. I’ll introduce you to an excellent repairer.”
“……”
But Bella just stared at the Dmitri I handed her, looking utterly dumbfounded.
What? I thought she’d say thank you…
Maybe she’s upset that I repaired it without asking.
‘I didn’t plan to go this far…’
I cleared my throat and moved Dmitri a bit.
“…I know there have been many things that disappointed you. Princess… no, Countess.”
“?!”
Bella flinched and our eyes met.
Yes, I know. This behavior doesn’t suit Tristan. I could already feel ‘pride’ struggling within me.
But the ‘pride’ that had been swallowed by ‘despair’ could now be suppressed without ‘patience.’
Of course, it still stung like something was stuck inside…
Having lived through hundreds of Tristan’s lives, this level of embarrassing acting is nothing to me.
This is not just for this round but also an apology to all the moments I’ve shared with her across all the rounds.
Bella was taken aback but soon started to play along with my act.
“…Are you asking for my forgiveness? That’s impossible. Dmitri.”
“Can you tell me why?”
“You insulted me and my family. Not only did you force an engagement, but you also left me with scars that can’t be erased. And yet… you shamelessly ask for my forgiveness?”
“Yes… Shamelessly, I will ask for your forgiveness.”
“It’s too late. We… have come too far to turn back.”
Bella shook her head and averted her gaze. Yes… She must have built up a lot of emotions over time.
“…As you said, we’ve walked a long, arduous path to get here. The journey was never smooth. Just like my appearance now, your heart must also be full of scars.”
My hand gripping the bandaged Dmitri tightened.
I let out a quiet sigh and finally spoke the words I had been holding back.
“I have always admired your righteousness and sense of justice.”
I recalled her scolding me, who would stop at nothing, on the day before the battle with the player.
“Even if it’s an ideal far removed from reality… I know it stems from your kindness.”
I remembered her resisting to the end, even when she knew the player was an unbeatable opponent.
“Thinking about it, you always tried to do the right thing. Even if it seemed nearly impossible, you never gave up. You never bent your beliefs until the very end. At first, I didn’t understand you… but now I understand your heart.”
“……”
“I, too, now hold such unrealistic ideals…”
“Liar.”
Bella hugged the blanket in front of her and spoke.
“Dmitri. Have I ever fallen for your lies? You’re a liar. Everything that comes out of your mouth, except your breath, is a lie.”
“You’re right. I’ve lived a life of lies. Not even knowing who I was, I believed that the life given to me… was all I had.”
I sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her.
“But seeing you made me realize it wasn’t so. Every time I failed, you were always there. You became a beacon whenever I lost my way in the fog. The reason I could come this far… was all because you showed me the way.”
“…Dmitri?”
“I am merely a villain, a supporting character. But every time I met you, I could become the hero I thought was impossible, even the protagonist.”
I carefully grabbed her wrist and made Dmitri kiss the back of her pale hand.
“You are the only truth in my life of lies… Princess.”
Bella seemed at a loss for words for a moment.
She probably couldn’t even halfway understand this round’s version of herself. But whether it was due to the influence of the Dummy World or she thought it was part of the act, she didn’t press me further.
Instead, she had something else to say.
“Hmm… My Dmitri didn’t have such an arrogant attitude, did it?”
“…Let’s just overlook the small details.”
“Pfft…”
Bella finally burst into laughter, unable to hold it back.
“I didn’t know you had such a cute side.”
“……”
“Hahaha… Since it’s come to this, could you do it one more time?”
“…There won’t be a second time.”
It was truly embarrassing, but I was glad Bella’s heart seemed to have softened.
Bella laughed, covering her mouth. Seeing that beautiful smile, I thought enduring this level of shame was worth it.
“Kukuku… I thought you had completely forgotten… but I guess it was just my imagination.”
It wasn’t her imagination. It was something I experienced in the Dummy World, one of my many mistakes.
Though the past is the past, it felt like some of the lingering guilt was finally being resolved.
“So, did you come to tell me this, Count?”
“Yes… That’s about it. We’ll discuss the meeting once you’re feeling better. Rest now.”
Bella must have been exhausted from working in my stead. She needed time to rest.
Feeling bad for keeping her any longer, I got up to leave, but she called me back.
“Wait a minute, Count. Could you stay with me until I fall asleep?”
“…What?”
Was this the price for playing along with the doll act?
“If that’s the case, why not ask Blanshe?”
“No. Since you interrupted my rest, you should take responsibility till the end.”
“Can’t you sleep alone?”
“Of course not. I’m punishing you.”
“The punishment is already…”
I stopped myself from saying it wasn’t necessary.
Bella smiled softly, though her eyes weren’t smiling at all.
Feeling the silent pressure, I eventually agreed to her request.
“…Alright.”
“Haha… You’re so kind.”
I looked for a place to sit while she slept, but Bella chuckled.
“Goodness. What are you doing? Come here.”
Bella, lying on the bed, patted the spot beside her, as if telling me to lie down next to her.
After a moment of hesitation, I decided to do as she wished.
“Excuse me.”
“Arm pillow.”
“What…?”
“I said, give me your arm as a pillow.”
“…There’s a pillow right there, why—”
I pointed to the pillow at the foot of the bed, but Bella kicked it to the floor.
“Where’s the pillow…?”
The answer to that question was already decided.
“…Here it is.”
“Hmm… Not a bad pillow.”
Bella, satisfied, rested her head on my arm as if it were a fine pillow. Her head ended up right under my chin, close and snug.
“…Do we really have to sleep like this?”
“The North is cold.”
“But you can use magic to stay warm.”
“Even with magic, it’s cold.”
“Then the blanket—”
“It’s cold.”
“…Fine.”
“Since it’s cold, snuggle closer. Like you’re hugging me.”
At this point, it was more like asking for a hug than an arm pillow, but I decided not to argue.
After all, arguing would only lead to my defeat.
I gave up and hugged her slender body. She buried her head in my chest as if she had been waiting for this.
But at that moment…
“…Huh?”
“…?”
“Do you feel… magic power?”
Bella looked up at me from my embrace. Her eyes were filled with surprise and shock.
“Count, could it be… the curse is broken?”
*
“…That’s all that happened while you were resting, Count.”
“I see… Good job.”
“Not at all.”
Blanshe, having finished her report, shook her head politely. Her loyal demeanor put me at ease.
“What are the forest tribes doing now?”
“Yes. They’re still driving out Aaron’s remaining forces. At this rate, soon there will be no place for them to set foot in the Demon Forest.”
“I see. I was worried about being away for so long.”
“It’s fine. While you were absent, Muiry and Cynthia have been leading them well. However…”
Blanshe suddenly hesitated.
“Is there a problem?”
“No. It’s just… I wasn’t sure if Wendy should hear this…”
I realized my mistake.
Wendy now knew about how I became the Demon Lord and my plans. I hadn’t informed Blanshe about this, so her confusion was understandable.
“I, I’m fine! I already know about it…”
“Ugh…!”
“Ah. Hey, be quiet…!”
“Ugh!”
“Good, good?”
Wendy, flustered, shook the baby rattle in her hand. She was trying to calm the baby in the cradle… Helga.
“Ugh…! Ugh!”
Helga, with a pacifier in her mouth like a muzzle, was tied up in the narrow cradle. Dressed in a baby hat and apron, she tried to speak but couldn’t.
She was being punished for what she had done to me earlier. Additionally, I gave Wendy the chance to get back at her for teasing her before we went to the border count’s castle.
“Shh, shh… Be good…”
“Ugh!”
“Hiii…!”
Wendy, terrified by Helga’s glare, didn’t seem to think of this as an opportunity.
On the other hand, Blanshe looked down at Helga with a bored expression and muttered.
“Same as usual.”
Having seen Helga’s antics many times, this was nothing new to her.
“Ugh…! Ugh!”
I wanted to put her in a diaper too, but I held back. Partly because it was troublesome, but also because dressing a grown woman like this gave me an inexplicable sense of guilt.
“Act like a baby if you’re going to be one. Helga.”
“Ugh!”
“Hiii… Count… I, I can’t do this…”
Wendy, on the verge of tears, pleaded with me. Wendy’s kindness was truly a problem. Even with my orders, she couldn’t bring herself to torment others…
I patted Wendy’s head, who had been taking care of Helga all this time.
Well, there’s no helping it now.
“Blanshe. Sorry, but could you calm her down?”
“Huh?”
“It’s about time to feed the baby.”
I handed Blanshe a bottle of milk.
“Since it might lose its meaning as a ‘punishment’ if I do it… How about you feed her ‘plenty’?”
“……”
Blanshe, holding the bottle, looked back and forth between Helga and me. Helga desperately shook her head. She glared at Blanshe, as if telling her to hand the bottle to me.
But Blanshe wasn’t the type to be swayed by such things.
“…If it’s an order.”
“Ugh?!?”
Helga’s eyes widened as if she had heard a death sentence. Ignoring her, I took Wendy with me and asked.
“Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
Wendy, her face pale, replied.
“A-Anything but milk…”
