Chapter 14
“Yeah, this isn’t going to work….”
After finishing his shower, Belver raised a hand with his eyes tightly shut, then let it drop limply.
After yesterday’s tea party, he’d planned to get revenge on Bellatrix for what she’d done to him.
Not by touching himself as part of washing up for the first time, but simply by feeling her breasts for no reason at all.
But the higher he raised his hand, the more he felt like he was committing a crime, and he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
He was also mortified beyond belief.
He was ashamed of himself for having such creepy thoughts as, They must be soft!
In the end, his revenge never even got off the ground.
Bellatrix fondled his body as if it were her own, but for some reason, he could barely bring himself to lay a finger on it.
He wanted to touch every part of this beautiful body and get his revenge, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Truthfully, Belver didn’t even feel that way.
It would be like groping his own body.
Belver believed he should love and cherish his body, so teasing it himself like that was out of the question.
The maid straightening Belver’s clothes tilted her head.
Whenever he raised a hand, he let out a deep sigh and dropped it again.
She wondered if he’d had a fight with his lover.
“Haa… I really hate her.”
“Did you two have a fight?”
“No. It’s just… something.”
No matter how she looked at it, the maid thought they must have fought.
If they hadn’t, there was no reason for Belver, who’d been smiling brightly ever since meeting her, to look so gloomy.
How dare someone fight with our young lady?
The maid wondered if the man dating her was completely heartless.
How could a man with a heart make their young lady, who’d become even more beautiful since falling in love, look so downcast?
“I’ll be off now.”
“All right. Be sure to make up.”
It was a misunderstanding, but since neither of them intended to speak their true feelings, things simply carried on that way.
Belver had no idea that anyone looking at him would think he was sulking after a fight.
He was just proud of himself for being unable to commit such a minor, improper act of rebellion—and frustrated about it.
“You’re here? Let’s go.”
When he opened the door and stepped out, Bellatrix was waiting as usual.
The moment she saw Belver, she gave him a lascivious smile.
Belver barely stopped himself from reflexively wrapping his arms around himself.
He could feel her gaze roaming over his entire body.
Normally, he would have lectured her about not looking at a girl like that, but he didn’t.
Today was the day he’d be subjected to her teasing all day as punishment for yesterday.
Belver couldn’t understand his past self for wagering an entire day just to muster up a moment’s courage.
Bellatrix boldly snatched Belver’s trembling hand, which he wanted to use to shield himself from her gaze.
The small, impossibly soft hand, without a callus in sight, fit perfectly in her grasp.
“Ugh. Everyone’s looking…?”
“That’s the point. The more they look, the more embarrassed the commoner gets.”
“You have such awful taste…!”
“Maybe it’s time to change things up?”
“You have awful taste…!”
Bellatrix acted as if boldly declaring him hers, and every girl nearby blushed.
Belver, meanwhile, was practically dying.
First, it was unbearable that the girls around them were looking at him as if he were their lover. Second, Bellatrix was much more popular than he was, even though she was in his body.
Belver was a man, too, and he wanted to know what it felt like to be popular with women.
He was so jealous he could hardly stand it.
If he were in his original body, he’d never give off that kind of captivating aura.
Why was she so much more manly than he was?
He felt a jealousy he was far too embarrassed to tell anyone about.
Belver took a very timid revenge.
He slyly poked her in the side.
That was the biggest revenge he could manage.
“Ow. Why?”
“I just got jealous. Hurry up.”
Today, he was going to watch Bellatrix’s morning training session for the first time in a while.
She’d said she’d use him as a practice dummy for about a week after the day she’d been picked on, then told him not to come watch anymore. What was going on?
Belver couldn’t figure out why she seemed so cheerful.
She’d gone off on strange tangents so many times that he’d stopped trying to figure her out.
“Go sit over there and rest.”
Bellatrix had been looking forward to today more than anything.
That was why she hadn’t brought Belver along until now.
She wanted to show him how impressive she could be.
He had the air of a little sister she wanted to protect, though she’d never felt that way before. She wanted to show him she no longer needed protecting.
Her heart, which rarely beat fast—not even when she demonstrated new magic at the Mage Association—was pounding with nerves.
Was it because she was in Belver’s body?
That didn’t seem likely, since Belver’s heart, inside her body, beat wildly every single day.
She was surprised to realize she was nervous.
How long had it been since she’d felt this way?
She was more nervous than when she faced her family.
She glanced over at Belver and saw him watching her intently.
“Are you going to be okay?”
“Of course. Who do you take me for?”
“I’ll be looking forward to it. You’re our only hope.”
Bellatrix chatted casually with a friend she’d made while training, then focused on her practice again.
She had to stay alert for what was about to happen.
“I hope she doesn’t get hurt.”
Belver sat in the stands, keeping an eye on Bellatrix.
The more he watched, the more her expression looked as if she’d steeled herself for something.
His palms grew sweaty and his hands clenched tight, even though all he could do was watch.
It was obvious that something was going to happen today.
‘She has a friend…?’
While he was getting nervous alongside her, a cute little complaint popped into his head.
That was because there was a man chatting familiarly with Bellatrix.
Belver had never met him, but he knew who he was.
Maybe because she was in the protagonist’s body, she’d already made friends with one of the protagonist’s companions from the original story.
He was so jealous he could hardly stand it.
He didn’t have a single friend of the same sex right now.
“What was I thinking?!”
Belver was startled by the thought that had unconsciously crossed his mind.
He’d been thinking of a same-sex friend, yet wanted a female friend.
When had one of his same-sex friends become a woman…?
He felt like he’d been letting his guard down lately.
He resolved to remind himself of who he was more often.
Forgetting who he was was truly embarrassing.
First, he shook his head vigorously to drive that impure thought from his mind.
It made him dizzy, but at least he got rid of the thought completely.
The side effect was that he ended up slumping over, completely drained.
“Is your girlfriend going to be all right…?”
“She’s fine. She’s cute, isn’t she?”
“She is cute, but… never mind. You handle it.”
“Of course I will. It’s about to start, so watch closely.”
“Sure.”
Bellatrix had been startled all by herself, shaken her head wildly, then slumped over from exhaustion—and seeing that made her nerves fade away.
There was no doubt he’d been thinking something strange while watching her.
Once her nerves had eased, things she hadn’t been able to think about before came to mind.
“Why was I nervous about someone like that? Who do you think I am?”
Once her nerves were gone, her opponent seemed insignificant.
The great Bellatrix had been nervous about some extra? Absurd.
She trusted the effort she’d put in and the body she’d trained.
She was sure she could easily overpower him.
“Belver and Alonso de Miscellaneas, come up to the dueling platform.”
Belver, who’d been slumped over, jolted alert at the professor’s words.
He’d feared this might happen, but he hadn’t expected a duel.
Bellatrix had only been holding a weapon for a month. There was no way she should be facing someone in a mock duel during class instead of an actual practical exam.
On top of that, Belver hadn’t seen her train once during that entire month.
She’d always been with him, teaching him various subjects and magic.
Her opponent was an extra villain, but a noble scion who’d trained enough to qualify for a lower-ranking order of knights.
What on earth had made her ask for a duel?
As if she’d read Belver’s thoughts, Bellatrix waved at him with a confident smile.
She was certain she couldn’t lose.
She spoke softly, unsure if he could hear her.
“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely win.”
Bellatrix climbed onto the dueling platform with an easy air.
The guy who’d been getting on her nerves was already there.
He looked just as relaxed.
Neither of them said a word.
Belver stared at the dueling platform, where the atmosphere was practically murderous.
He clasped his hands tightly together as if praying to God.
Even if she didn’t win, he just hoped she wouldn’t get hurt.
“Begin.”
The two clashed as soon as the professor gave the signal.
Belver could see the paths of their swords, but he couldn’t understand them.
He knew nothing about swordsmanship.
So he had no idea who had the advantage.
All he could see was Bellatrix being pushed back.
“Please. Let Lady Bellatrix win.”
Belver prayed even harder.
Please, let her not get hurt—and if possible, let her win, too.
Did his feelings reach the heavens, or did they reach Bellatrix?
The one who’d been under pressure seized the initiative and began pushing her opponent back.
Just as Belver’s face brightened, Bellatrix’s wooden sword sent her opponent’s wooden sword flying far away, then pointed at his throat.
Bellatrix had won.
“Winner: Belver.”
As the professor declared the match over, Belver ran over to Bellatrix, who was catching her breath, and hugged her tightly.
He’d been so worried, and he was already so proud of her for beating her first villain.
All those feelings together made it hard for him to control himself.
He simply hugged her, beaming with joy.
He was so caught up in the moment that he didn’t even realize how many people were watching him.
“I did well, right?”
“Yes. You did so well…!
“But wouldn’t it be better for the commoner to let go now? I’m giving you serious advice.”
“Why?”
Belver didn’t understand what Bellatrix meant.
He was hugging her despite his embarrassment because he was so happy. Why was she telling him to let go?
He wondered that, then glanced to the side and saw people.
People other than the two of them.
Only then did he realize where they were.
He was proudly hugging Bellatrix in a place full of students.
“What, not leaving?”
“How am I supposed to leave now…? I’m too embarrassed to open my eyes…!”
“Can’t be helped. I like how soft the commoner is, so maybe I’ll hold you like this for a while.”
“That’s sexual harassment…!”
Belver was caught between his options, clinging to Bellatrix while making a timid protest in a voice quiet enough that no one else could hear.
Even if he tried to fight back properly, he was too embarrassed to run away on his own.
And he’d decided not to do that today.
He just wished everyone would please disappear.
Bellatrix savored the feel of Belver in her arms and hands, then lifted him up with ease.
Since she was in a good mood, this was special service.
She’d decided to carry him all the way outside instead of leaving him standing there.
“Professor, may I take him outside and come back?”
“You have my permission. I’m proud to see how much you’ve grown already.”
“It’s thanks to you. And thank you for understanding.”
Belver, who’d been holding tight to her with his eyes squeezed shut, felt relieved when he heard the two of them talking.
He’d thought he’d stopped a growth event, but it seemed the two of them had somehow met anyway.
He was so proud of her that he found the courage to try again.
“You did really well…!”
Belver kept his eyes closed, but lifted a hand and gently patted Bellatrix’s head.
It was praise as timid as his resistance.
Even that made his heart feel like it would burst, so he quickly placed his hand demurely on his stomach.
Bellatrix smiled at the sight of him curled up and trembling like an adorable squirrel.
He was so cute.
She thought she’d have to work even harder if she wanted to stay with Belver like this for a long, long time.