Chapter 77
The timing wasn’t great.
The first person I ran into as soon as I entered the store was none other than Patrick Wolfbert.
Even though Tristan wasn’t exactly small, Patrick was tall enough that I had to look up slightly to meet his eyes.
On top of that, his muscles were bulging in a way that even a banquet outfit couldn’t hide.
He had a body like a bodybuilder.
Patrick and I made eye contact.
His wild, beast-like gaze seemed like it wanted to devour me.
But that was only for a moment. Soon, he ignored me and knelt before Bella.
“Greetings, Princess.”
The moment Patrick raised his head to kiss Bella’s hand, his face stiffened.
He had noticed the ring on her ring finger.
“Hoho… I’ll just accept your kind thoughts.”
Bella quickly withdrew her hand.
To her, it might have been a way to reject the hand kiss, but who knows how Patrick interpreted it.
Patrick, looking awkward, stood up from his position.
“You look as beautiful as ever today, Princess.”
“Thank you, Patrick. Did you just arrive?”
“Yes. I was waiting for you, Princess.”
“Please, be kind.”
Bella smiled shyly, her eyes curving into crescents.
Seeing how she could flash a clean smile even to someone she was avoiding, she was clearly a pro.
Patrick finally pretended to notice me and greeted me.
“Who do we have here? Isn’t this Count Ruelberta?”
“Hmm.”
“Is this our first time meeting since the banquet? But I must say, you’ve… lost a lot of weight, haven’t you?”
Patrick looked puzzled.
And for good reason.
Ever since I became Tristan, I’ve been on a strict diet.
Early morning jogs and muscle training that pushed the limits of human endurance using ‘Patience.’
I could feel my body changing day by day.
Sharper facial features, a slimmer stomach, and stamina that didn’t tire easily no matter how much I moved. Even my pants size had to be changed weekly due to the rapid weight loss.
Now, when I look in the mirror, the image of the “Pig Count” is nowhere to be seen.
Only a man who’s one number away from winning the lottery remains.
Yet, Patrick smirked sarcastically.
“Haha… It seems the Count has finally discovered the joy of exercise. Health is the most important thing, after all.”
Though his mouth was smiling, Patrick’s eyes gleamed like a predator’s.
It was as if he was asking me why I was here.
“But what brings you here, Count? And with the Princess, no less… As far as I know, you weren’t invited to this gathering, were you?”
“I asked him to accompany me.”
“The Princess did?”
“Yes. I thought it would be lonely for a woman to attend such an event alone.”
At Bella’s sly remark, Patrick’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He must have been suspicious.
After all, just a short while ago, Bella had been cold toward me, and now she had brought me as her companion.
‘I guess I need to step up.’
Actions speak louder than words.
I naturally placed my hand on Bella’s waist.
She didn’t resist.
In fact, she leaned toward me as if she had been waiting for it.
A true pro.
Yet, Patrick’s smile remained unchanged.
“Aha… When did the two of you become so close?”
“Hoho… We’ve known each other for a long time, after all.”
Bella subtly took my hand that was on her waist.
She seemed to genuinely enjoy the situation.
But for Patrick, watching this must have been agonizing.
“I see… I heard the Princess had rejected the engagement.”
“That’s right. But I thought I’d give it a little more consideration. I don’t dislike the passion this man has for me, after all.”
“Hahaha… When it comes to passion, I, Patrick, won’t be outdone. Here, let me show you something I prepared.”
“Huh?”
Patrick gestured, and a servant beside him placed a large gift package in front of Bella.
“This is…?”
“A gift that represents my feelings. I heard the Princess likes cute things.”
As the servant unwrapped the package, what appeared was…
“A bear doll…?”
“Yes. Isn’t it cute?”
It was a bear doll as big as a person.
And it wasn’t just one.
As the servant unwrapped more packages, more bear dolls of various sizes kept appearing.
Bella, looking at the scene, spoke in disbelief.
“How many did you bring?”
“As many as my passion for you, Princess.”
Bella stared at the dolls with a complicated expression before finally speaking.
“Hmm… They are as cute as you said, Patrick.”
“Of course! Each one is a unique creation by a famous artisan, the only one of its kind in the world!”
Patrick boasted proudly.
Even without using my traits of ‘Tycoon’ and ‘Calculation,’ it was clear that the bear dolls were luxurious and rare.
It was a well-thought-out gift, no doubt.
And since Bella couldn’t resist cute things, it was undoubtedly an effective gift.
But…
“This is awkward.”
“Huh…?”
Bella’s response was already decided.
She spoke with a regretful expression.
“I’ve had a bear doll that I’ve been raising for a long time.”
“A bear doll, you say?”
“Yes. I believe in raising only one for a lifetime… I’m sorry, Patrick, but I can’t accept these bears.”
Bella slowly shook her head.
It was a clear rejection.
Even though she usually couldn’t refuse others’ kindness, this time she succeeded in saying no.
Even Patrick, as composed as he was, seemed shocked and fell silent for a moment.
He finally spoke after a brief pause.
“I see… I understand.”
“I’m really sorry, Patrick.”
“No, it’s I who should apologize. I brought unnecessary items without knowing… Haha… I’ve caused quite a nuisance.”
Patrick stroked the bear dolls.
Was it regret? Or disappointment?
Having his carefully prepared gift rejected must have been a huge blow.
But he still maintained his smiling face.
“If they’re not needed, I’ll have them removed right away.”
“…!”
The moment I saw the magic power in Patrick’s eyes, I quickly shielded Bella.
*
“Ah… That was really delicious.”
Luna gracefully wiped her mouth with a napkin.
Sia also set down her fork with dignified poise.
Their movements exuded the etiquette of the upper class.
Wendy, who had been sneaking glances at them, finished her meal while mimicking their actions.
“It’s such a shame that such a delicious place is closing down…”
Sia muttered dejectedly as she looked at the empty plate in front of her.
Perhaps due to the rumors she had heard through the newspaper, the restaurant was more crowded with students than ever.
Luna, who had been watching the scene with a pitiful expression, spoke up.
“The head chef insisted it wasn’t true… but it must be a lie. He must be in despair.”
“Despair…?”
“Yes. Can you see his face?”
When Wendy turned her head, she saw the muscular head chef standing at the serving counter.
His face, as he greeted each student one by one, looked completely carefree.
Seeing this, Luna spoke with a confident voice.
“Wendy. That’s the expression of someone who has lost everything.”
“Really…?”
“For the head chef, this restaurant must have been everything. You can tell just by looking at the food. How much love and passion he poured into this place. And now, that man has destroyed it all.”
“I see… It must be the Chairman.”
Sia, who had been listening to Luna, nodded slowly.
“I completely agree with Luna. The Chairman is more than capable of doing something like that.”
Sia and Luna quickly got into the conversation.
The two, who had just met, became close so easily, all thanks to the stories about Tristan.
Especially Sia, who was usually quiet, became talkative whenever the Chairman was mentioned.
“That man wouldn’t hesitate to ruin someone’s life. He’s a genius of evil deeds, as everyone knows. Right, Wendy?”
“Uh… Y-yes…?”
But for Wendy, it was an awkward situation.
If her relationship with Tristan were exposed, it would be troublesome.
So she had no choice but to pretend to agree with the negative opinions about her Master.
Of course, the guilt was entirely Wendy’s burden.
‘Ugh… I’m sorry, Count…’
‘Haha… They’re not entirely wrong, but our disciple is just going along with the slander?’
Myohail, who had become a hairpin, whispered through telepathy.
‘N-no, I can’t do that…’
‘What does it matter? The Count won’t know anyway.’
‘Ugh… It’s a matter of my conscience…’
‘Hehe. Our cute disciple is more stubborn than me when it comes to this.’
While Wendy was reflecting inwardly, Luna spoke to her.
“By the way, Wendy, what do you think about the Chairman?”
