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Chapter : 32
2:00 PM, the drawing room of the Kester estate.
Bella adjusted her hair while looking in the mirror. Today marked her ninth lesson. By now, she knew that Kaisa’s skills hadn’t improved at all—but that was no problem. In fact… perhaps it was even better.
‘This way, I can keep having lessons like this.’
Knock, knock, knock.
Besides, she saw it as a chance to slowly get to know Kaisa, so nothing felt like an issue. Moreover, Kaisa had already proven himself capable in other areas. If she wanted to communicate with him more smoothly, all she needed was to improve her Luikaron language skills.
And Bella excelled in that.
The door opened, and Kaisa entered, wearing his naval uniform perfectly as usual. Only Kaisa could make that cumbersome attire look so fitting.
Kaisa nodded slightly.
“Hello, Hada.”
She had grown accustomed to his tone of speech. Bella burst into a smile.
“Hello, Kaisa. I look forward to today’s lesson.”
Bella smiled brightly. As Kaisa sat down, a faint scent of soap wafted through the room. Even after daily training, he still carried that subtle fragrance. Bella spoke gently.
“Shall we review the words we learned yesterday?”
She opened her textbook.
“Do you remember what ‘water’ was?”
Kaisa opened his mouth but said nothing, frowning slightly.
“That’s okay. Take your time,” Bella said softly.
Even his struggling expression seemed attractive to her.
Kaisa tried to speak again but couldn’t. His jaw tensed firmly. His memory had faded, and his mind had forgotten what he learned yesterday.
‘Ugh.’
It was truly an infuriating limitation. Kaisa gave a small, bitter laugh.
“Does your throat hurt?”
Bella moved her chair slightly closer, concerned. The distance between them lessened. Luikaron words came naturally as she wanted to get closer to him.
“Would you like some water?”
Bella handed him a glass of water. At that moment, their fingers brushed slightly.
Bella’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly withdrew her hand.
Kaisa drank the water expressionlessly, yet Bella observed every subtle movement. Each gesture carried new meaning to her.
“Feeling a bit better?”
Kaisa gave a brief nod.
“Then shall we continue? No rush, take it slowly…”
While speaking, Bella noticed Kaisa’s collar slightly askew.
“Wait a moment.”
She instinctively reached out to adjust his collar. Kaisa paused mid-motion.
“Your collar was crooked.”
Bella smiled shyly. Their proximity was very close. His violet eyes looked down at her.
“Thank you, Hada,” Kaisa said flatly. But to Bella, those words sounded sweet.
“It’s nothing,” she whispered, returning to her seat. Her face was slightly flushed.
“Well… shall we practice again?”
Kaisa nodded. Though still silent, Bella didn’t mind in the slightest.
‘To have moments like this every day… it’s wonderful.’
She thought only of that. The studious girl, once consumed by academic pursuits at the academy, had discovered a new world. She could not help but fall for it completely.
As Bella moved absentmindedly, she lost her balance slightly and wavered.
At once, Kaisa’s hand steadied her by the waist.
“Are you okay?”
His voice came right by her ear. Bella felt her breath catch. His face, his lips, so close.
“I… I’m fine,” she answered, her voice trembling. Kaisa’s hand remained on her waist.
“Careful.”
Kaisa straightened her up and withdrew his hand.
“Thank you,” Bella said, her face now completely red.
Later, Bella peeked out from the study into the hallway. The servants were busy in the afternoon. Marta was among them.
Marta was one of the longest-serving maids in the Kester estate. Bella had known her since childhood, and Marta had the special trust of the matriarch, Lady Elizabeth. Anyone who wanted detailed knowledge about Bella and Raivan would naturally turn to Marta or Lady Sophia.
Bella had heard that, by Raivan’s order, Marta had gone to Kaisa’s residence. She had already been there three times, so she likely had stories to share.
Bella swallowed nervously and called out to Marta. The passing Marta paused.
“Marta.”
Marta, carrying the laundry basket, turned her head.
“Oh, Miss. You’re awake.”
“Marta, can you come in for a moment?”
Marta set the basket down in the hallway and entered Bella’s study. Bella’s expression showed a hint of tension.
“Sit,” Bella said, gesturing to the sofa. Marta cautiously sat down. Bella’s expression was hard to read, even though she had watched this woman for years.
“How have you been? And the matriarch?”
“The matriarch… has become much weaker than before. Her memory also fades more frequently.”
Marta’s voice was subdued. Having served the matriarch for so long, it was naturally a sad thing to witness.
“I see… I heard Milena has been taking care of the matriarch recently.”
“Yes, that’s correct. She is from Luikaron, and she serves the matriarch with great devotion.”
Marta’s face brightened, a change Bella noticed immediately.
“What kind of person is she? Tell me in detail.”
“Well… how should I put it? I suppose the matriarch was worried at first. Since she was a stranger, the matriarch was cautious. But after observing her for a few days, it became clear she had a truly kind heart. Even if the matriarch scolded her, she never became annoyed. If the matriarch repeated something a hundred times, she listened a hundred times.”
“Is that so?”
“And more importantly…”
Marta hesitated briefly before continuing.
“The matriarch really likes her. Lately, she has been asking for Milena all day long.”
Bella’s lips tightened slightly. It felt oddly uncomfortable to know her grandmother liked someone else so much. Perhaps it was because the protagonist of the story she had read was Milena.
“But the man who came with her… is a bit difficult.”
Marta’s shoulders slumped noticeably. Bella straightened in her seat, alert.
“Kaisa? In what way?”
Anything regarding Kaisa piqued Bella’s curiosity. It was a desire and thirst she had never felt before. Perhaps she had fallen at first sight. This had to be that intense fever of affection people talked about.
Marta sighed.
“You know, Miss, I’ve worked at the Kester estate for over twenty years. I’ve served all sorts of difficult people… but Kaisa… really…”
Marta bit her lip tightly. Even that reaction fascinated Bella. She had never seen this side of Kaisa.
“How so?”
“He’s obsessively meticulous.”
Marta’s voice revealed her exhaustion. She recounted all the events and complaints she had witnessed Sunday afternoon, embellishing them as she spoke. First to Raivan, now to Bella, the story gained momentum.
Bella set her teacup down, listening intently.
