Chapter 76

Chapter 76 – I Can’t Stand It

“…I just want to see you.”

“The inside is well decorated. It looks luxurious, but even small things like this show the dignity of the Duchy.”

Shuri quickly spoke to Bella.

“Thank goodness… There was so much to prepare.”

“Your dress looks a little big, is that ok?”

As Bella turned on the spot, the soft dress danced and flew gently, and she replied, “It’s a little big. It’s my first time wearing something like this.”

While she was doing so, the chest part was about to go down so she hurriedly grabbed it.

“Ah…”

Then, she stepped on the hem of her dress and lost her balance for a moment.

“Oh no!”

Perhaps, it was because she sprained her ankle earlier, or maybe it was because of the high shoes she had been wearing for the first time after a long time, Bella helplessly slipped and fell forward the next moment.

“Are you okay?”

Fortunately, Kiehl was holding Bella’s arms and waist.

“Ah… Wh-why is the dress so uncomfortable! I just need to change clothes.”

Bella uttered, stiff like a book.

“Can I help?”

“I can do it myself!”

At that, she shyly walked into the room next door, waving her arms stiffly. How loud was the slamming sound?

Kiehl covered his mouth with the yellow bouquet Bella had given him.

‘Why is everything so cute no matter what?’

It’s not something to be ashamed of.

Seeing that, Shuria coughed a couple of times. He was a person who always hid his emotions in him, so she was so mesmerized by his smiling face, which looked rather unfamiliar.

“Your Highness can see her alone as you wished.”

“…Did you hear me?”

“Please, be careful. I know the whole situation, but it’s uncomfortable to watch.”

“I’ll be careful.”

* * *

The twins were not used to social parties like this.

Both of them spent their school days at the magic school, and after graduating, they stayed by Kiehl’s side. Moreover, by the time they entered the Imperial Palace, the factions of nobles their age were already established.

It was difficult for Rinee, who has an outspoken personality, and Rio, who seemed to be lacking at times, to intervene.

‘I can’t help but go…’

They came here because the Demon King invited them as if it was a threat. They didn’t know there would even be Shuria Cruelle and Juan Cruelle.

‘Damn… I’d rather do a magic experiment.’

‘I should just look at the documents.’

What to do with this uncomfortable position with two new employees in front of the director, the president, and the vice president? In addition, for the first time in their lives, they witnessed a bizarre party…

“This tea is an oolong tea that is said to be highly praised by the king of Flower Kingdom.”

Bella was smiling as if her facial muscles had stiffened as she strained her shoulders. So much tension could be seen in her eyes.

“It has a lot of fruity flavors, so I prepared this teacup.”

Even the gesture of pointing to the teacup was awkward, unlike a movement of this world.

“Isn’t the flower painting impressive with an exotic design? Blancache Ori…”

Bella bowed her head slightly, and then she lifted it again.

“It’s Blinche Orimaru… It was a collection specially presented to the imperial family in the 1200s of the imperial calendar.”

Then, she lowered her head again before glancing at the paper. She could see that it was written, ‘Blanchahe Orimanjour.’ Furthermore, it was not 1200, it was 1020… 1200 had not come yet.

“Bling hash… Ori mandu…”

“….”

“Bran—”

“Bella, it’s okay if you don’t explain it like that.”

Bella let out a sigh of relief as Kiehl, who sat next to her, reluctantly dissuaded her. Even though she’d done a lot of intimidation and bullying, this was the first time she’d done anything social.

“But the book says to explain all the tea, refreshments, teacups, and flowers you have prepared?”

“Take that book away.”

Besides, no one explained it while reciting it so hard.

Then, Juan gazed at Bella.

“There is much pretentiousness in the nobles’ manners. Take it easy, Miss.”

The expression on his face was the most uncomfortable.

“How does the Animal Kingdom have a tea party?”

“There is no such thing as a tea party, but there is a party of blo—”

She could hear the twins holding back their laughter.

‘Sh*t.’

She had to hide that she was a demon. It was such an obvious word. Meanwhile, seeing Bella in trouble, Kiehl spoke up first.

“It’s unique because it’s a tea from a foreign country.”

Bella remembered that she had gone to the Flower Kingdom a long time ago.

“I think it’s a little different from what I drank in the Flower Kingdom.”

“Bella, have you been to the Flower Kingdom?”

It was only then that she was able to catch up on the talk.

“Yes. It was a pretty impressive place. I thought the Kingdom was just sand, but it wasn’t.”

“It’s pretty hot there, isn’t it?”

At that, she thought for a moment and nodded her head.

“It was too hot. Iwer was wearing almost anything. Pur whines every day that she is hot because of her fur.”

Juan asked, imagining it in his head.

“Did you all go with the cute Animal Kingdom family?”

Even though he sat on the other side of the room, why did he keep asking questions? No matter how he asked a question, Bella didn’t seem to like Juan.

“They aren’t cute.”

“Haha. Is that so? They’re cute in my eyes. Everyone was obedient to you very much.”

Her expression darkened slightly before she replied, “It’s more about obsessing than obedience. They make me go crazy.”

Hearing that, Juan raised an eyebrow.

“Aha. You don’t like being obsessed, don’t you?”

“What kind of person would like it?”

“You don’t like obsessive men too.”

“Yes. I hate it so much. So…”

‘…So, please don’t keep asking me questions!’

“So that’s how it is, Your Highness.”

However, Juan also swerved her words like a fox.

‘This bastard, I’m going to have to crush him today.’

While Bella ground her teeth, Kiehl’s tea felt more bitter. As he had seen in the Demon Realm, the demons loved her too much. He thought they’d be loyal to her by instinct. He also knew that she hated it.

If she knew that he had been looking for her for so long…

‘…Will she laugh? Or will she despise me?’

He bit his lip as the melancholy that was ready to swallow his whole heart approached.

‘Let’s not fall for that provocation.’

After reading the strange mood, Shuria glanced at the three people in turn, and a smile appeared on her lips. She asked Bella, who was sitting right next to her, elegantly.

“Did you even buy that flower pot from the Flower Kingdom?”

Bella glared at Juan, then turned her gaze towards her window.

“Ah, that cactus. It is a specialty of the capital city.”

“Oh, was it a cactus?”

“Yes. It is a difficult plant to grow. One day in the shade and one in the sun.”

“It’s tricky.”

“Instead, when the flowers bloom, wishes come true or something.”

Kiehl quietly sipped his tea while spying on Bella.

‘I didn’t know you cared for it so much…’

Even though it was a cactus whose life had already died out at first glance, she was taking care of the cactus every day.

“So, what is your wish?”

At that, Bella paused for a moment. It was not something Juan knew, but for some reason, he seemed to only ask questions that offended her nerves.

“It’s a secret.”

“What do you mean?”

It was a secret. Why ask again?

At the question, Bella frowned slightly though Juan continued his words with ease, “Now that we are a family, I’d like to make your wish come true. instead…”

“Mr. Juan Cruell.”

Bella thought it was time.

Just as Shuria said, politely and modestly decline him.

“That’s something I don’t know yet.”

She continued waiting for this moment and uttered her prepared words.

“I don’t know yet… if I will treat you like a family or not.”

He seemed to like to speak a lot, so she tried to say it with longer words. At the same time, the twins were motionless on their faces, but inside, it was hard to hold back their laughter.

‘That… Is that an insult?’

It seemed like an insult, no matter how many times they heard it.

Should he be happy or unhappy? It was the first time Juan had ever heard of such a thing, and he seemed to think he was a family member.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Moreover, Juan increasingly liked Bella’s attitude. When she came in as an adopted daughter, she stood on top of power as if she was the mistress.

“What kind of family will it be?”

She felt more burdensome by those eyes.

‘…Did he not even understand it correctly?’

He did not allow even a moment of silence and spoke to Bella again.

“Anyway, I’ve been told that the Miss is working pretty hard to get used to the Cruelle family.”

‘What are you trying to say?’

Bella just cut it off and answered.

“It’s not that I’m working hard to adapt to the Cruelle family.”

“Ah…”

“I’m just working hard because I’m afraid that Kiehl will be insulted if I don’t.”

Then, she corrected herself again.

“That… His Highness Kiehl.”

Then Rio opened his mouth with a slightly startled look.

“Isn’t that because Grandpa Jen was ignoring you?”

“Well, there are things like that…”

She wanted to hold onto the newly acquired opportunity more firmly.

“I have to be good to be by your side, right?”

…That way, she could watch his happiness until the end of the novel.

When Bella met Kiehl’s eyes, he kept his face expressionless. However, on the inside, he was overwhelmed with emotion.

‘…I didn’t know.’

If it were just the two of them right now, he would be able to hug her tightly without saying a word. In the meantime, Juan immediately asked Kiehl. Perhaps he didn’t like the strange air current.

“Oh, by the way, when will His Highness go back to the Imperial Palace?”

“….”

“You’re not here because of this lady, right?”

Although Pur sometimes meddled in the middle, Kiehl couldn’t stand Juan’s cheeky behavior.

“Huu…”

“Are you being witty to our Kiehl now?”

Bella looked at Juan with contempt as Kiehl was about to open his mouth. She then gripped the teacup and ground her teeth.

“Even if I put up with everything else, I can’t stand tormenting Kiehl.”

She couldn’t stand it any longer.

Crash—

With a sound, the teacup in her hand shattered.

Juan’s lips twitched.

“Haha. What could you mean witty? How could it be? He’s like a real brother to the Miss, so he can stay as long as he wants.”

“Hmph.”

“A letter came from the Imperial Palace, so I asked. There is a contest for the Crown Princess’ position while His Highness is here.”

Bella said nothing.

‘…The time has come already.’

Now, as Bella Cruelle, all that was left was to watch Kiehl’s happiness.

‘I’ll have to ask for my heart back, too.’

Meanwhile, Juan smirked and covered his mouth with his hand, holding back the laughter as he continued.

“But, what good is a contest?”

At those words, Kiehl slowly raised his head and met Shuria’s eyes. She looked surprised, too.

“Broth—”

“Wait a minute…”

“After all, the Crown Princess is Shuria.”

Kiehl really hated Juan.

“For taking the Miss as the adoptive daughter, she was promised to be the Crown Princess.”

He’d rather Juan be sarcastic, rather than ruining his plans like this.