PHATFO 51

~Chapter 51~

The last words sounded like a whisper. That made them stick in my head even more.

It was practically a declaration to himself, no different from a vow.

Armin, who had been clenching his teeth so tightly no air could pass between them, relaxed the wrinkle in his brow and took a deep breath. His hands, which had been gripping my shoulders, let go.

“Ah…”

It was strange to feel the heavy pressure on my shoulders vanish. It also left them a bit sore, so I rubbed the area with my hand.

Armin pushed my hand away with a worried look and checked my shoulder.

“Sorry. Did it hurt a lot?”

“Oh, no.”

“I should have controlled my strength… you might bruise. Bella’s skin is delicate.”

“I’m not exactly healthy, but I’m not made of paper. I won’t bruise from something like this.”

But it seemed Armin wasn’t listening.

“Morgan!”

When he shouted, heads popped up all around the garden from people I thought weren’t there.

There were knights, and also the three maids he had assigned to me.

Among them, the only one allowed to speak, the butler Morgan, strode over and stood beside Armin.

“What is it?”

“Bella’s injured. Call the physician.”

After the butler rushed off, Armin called the maids closer.

“You, support Bella.”

“Um…”

“I want to take you myself, but I’m worried I won’t control my strength again. Just this once, please accept the maids’ help.”

It was just my shoulder, my legs were fine—

But Armin kept pressing firmly.

“Please go, honored guest.”

And of course, the maids were on Armin’s side.

With no choice, I pretended to accept their support and went back to my room.

Even without me saying anything, the bath was already filled with hot water.

Since I had ordered a bath every time I came back from a walk, it seemed “walk → bath” was now engraved in their heads.

Catherine stayed quiet as always, Marina kept glancing at me nervously, while—

“Something loud happened. Did something happen to you?”

Viola went straight to asking questions.

“Viola.”

Marina gasped, Catherine sent her a warning look, but she didn’t care.

“What? Everyone’s curious. It’s the first time I’ve seen the master so angry.”

“Leave, Viola.”

Catherine pointed to the door.

Viola pouted but stood up. Catherine must be the highest among the three.

Then it would be better to show her some respect.

“Catherine. I’m fine, so don’t worry. Viola, you can come back.”

“See? She said she’s fine, why are you acting like that?”

Viola smiled slyly and stood near me.

“So what happened?”

At first glance, it was just curiosity, but underneath, there was clear hostility.

“It was nothing.”

I left out anything about my memory loss and only emphasized the part where I said I might not suit being beside Armin.

“So that’s why the master got angry…”

Viola thought for a moment, then said:

“The master was too much. Of course you’d feel uneasy. Honestly, an engagement can be broken any time, and you’re not the official wife. He could still promise himself to another woman.”

“Viola!”

“I didn’t say anything wrong. Right?”

She raised her voice in protest, then smiled awkwardly at me.

“I hope you’re not upset. I’m only thinking of you…”

“I know.”

I understood her shallow sincerity.

“But my head’s a bit full right now, so I want to be alone. Could you all leave for a while?”

“Alright.”

“Then we’ll wait outside.”

Catherine, who had her hands politely folded in front of me, turned and smacked Viola’s back.

Of course, Viola protested, “Why are you doing that?”

Once the bathroom was quiet again, I sat with my body curled up, only my face above the water, lost in thought.

Does Armin really like me?

I had tried to gauge that on the walk earlier, but couldn’t tell.

Feelings are subjective, and I hadn’t known him long enough to fully read him.

This wasn’t just about Armin—people are always hard to read.

That’s why I had always tried to guess others’ desires.

If I knew what someone wanted, I could predict their next action.

Lady Hilton wanted revenge on Charlotte, so I asked for her cooperation.

The ghost painter wanted fame, so I pushed him to testify.

Until now, I thought Armin’s desire was to erase the past. I believed keeping me close was part of that goal.

But if I was wrong—

What does he want?

If what he wanted… was me—

What would he do next?

That’s where my thoughts got tangled and stopped moving forward.

Not knowing. Not being able to guess. Having to rely on luck frightened me.

The world had mostly been cruel to me, and luck was never mine.

Luckily, I had always survived somehow in a world full of variables.

I can do it again this time.

When my head is clouded and I don’t know what to do, the first step is to separate truth from speculation. Only then can I see what’s most important.

What’s certain is that he has no intention of sending me away.

I had also learned from scouting that the mansion’s security was tight and vast enough that I couldn’t see it all at once.

I only knew a part of it, so leaving alone was impossible.

Fortunately, I might be able to get a useful helper.

I shook the bell by the bath.

“I want to stop the bath now, could you dry me? If I stay in, I might fall asleep.”

“Yes, honored guest.”

“What did you say?”

“I said I want to make Viola my exclusive attendant.”

“What…?”

Why?

Morgan barely kept himself from clutching his head. This was a guest of the Duke’s house—possibly even the future lady.

“With all respect, she’s not suitable to serve you. She volunteered and she’s skilled, yes, but…”

Morgan glanced at me, afraid that saying this might make him seem incompetent.

“She has presumptuous thoughts. So if you must choose—”

“That’s exactly why.”

“…What?”

Morgan looked at me before quickly lowering his gaze.

“I plan to give her a task only someone like that can do.”

For a moment, his chest felt heavy, as if my calm face had already known everything.

“So, is it not possible?”

Morgan looked out the window at the distant hills.

Armin was simply frightening—he kept people close if they were useful, but otherwise the best case was a scolding, worst case was death.

Bella, however… she was hard to read.

She seemed generous to subordinates yet strict in some ways; she let people in easily but also pushed them away.

Someone like this trusts no one, keeps people only when needed, and doesn’t give affection easily. She seems unpredictable, but it’s because she trusts her own instincts and judgment.

Morgan worried Viola didn’t understand this.

He studied me again, but I was meeting his gaze as if wondering what the problem was.

In the end, Morgan gave in.

“Understood. I’ll have it arranged starting tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Chief Butler.”

The bright smile I gave him hid emotions he couldn’t read, which scared him.

He could only hope this wouldn’t turn into trouble.

I had already known what Morgan meant by “presumptuous thoughts.”

Viola liked Armin. Given the precedent of Charlotte, it was obvious.

Every time Armin appeared, a shy smile touched her lips; if he so much as glanced at me, she twisted her body like she didn’t know what to do.

And then there was the jealousy she occasionally let slip toward me.

So careless.

If I were truly Armin’s fiancée, I would have driven her out by any means—no one keeps a love rival nearby.

But I’m not.

I want to leave this mansion.

And Viola likely wants me gone too.

We share the same goal, so maybe we could be allies.

At least, as long as she’s satisfied with just getting me out.