Actually, there had been more than a few idiots who’d mistaken me for a girl. Back when I was younger and even slimmer than I was now, it happened at least once a month.
But why did it suddenly feel so irritating now? Maybe it was because Kalz’s attitude flipped completely once he realized I wasn’t actually a girl. My uncomfortable expression seemed to send the wrong signal, making Leon turn pale with misunderstanding.
“I’m sorry. It was rude of me to abruptly ask your name without proper introductions.”
If you put it like that, then what about me, who shamelessly asked for your name as soon as we met? Am I some ill-mannered jerk?
Hiding my sour mood, I flashed a dazzling smile and said in an intentionally high-pitched voice, “I’m Bell.”
Let’s see how long it takes you to figure it out.
“Screech!”
“Thanks, Gold. We’ll go for a walk later.”
I thanked Gold as he held open the door, stepping outside with my hands heavily laden with a tea set and refreshments.
“Why’d he insist on sitting outside, anyway? Such a hassle.”
I’d tried leading him to the parlor, but Leon had blushed furiously and stubbornly refused to come inside. Who knew what he was imagining? These innocent-looking ones were always the most trouble. Because of that, I was now forced to lug Butler Squawk’s carefully prepared tea out into the garden.
Jack, standing at the corner of the garden, had been frozen in place, playing his usual statue act. As our eyes met, he playfully winked at me. At this point, it wouldn’t surprise me if Jack genuinely enjoyed pretending to be a statue. Knowing the truth now made the whole scenario oddly hilarious.
“Ah! Please, allow me.”
Noticing me from afar, Leon rushed over to take the tray. He quickly placed it on the table and hurried back to me.
“The ground here is slippery. Please be careful.”
“Thank you.”
Awkwardly grasping Leon’s smoothly offered hand, I couldn’t help but think:
This guy sure knows how to play it smooth, huh?
Ever since he’d snapped back to his senses, Leon had displayed astonishingly polished manners. In just a short time, he’d offered me more gentlemanly gestures than I could count.
Not forced gestures aiming to impress, but sincere manners that came naturally to him.
In short, he was a real pro.
Thanks to that, I found myself sitting on a handkerchief spread out by a man for the first time in my life. After demonstrating my refined lady-like charm through some casual small talk about the weather, I quickly got down to business.
“So, Leon, what brings you here exactly?”
“Oh!”
Leon’s eyes widened with surprise. He’d clearly forgotten his purpose entirely. Looking sheepish, as though he’d committed some embarrassing mistake, he cautiously explained:
“Well, you see, there’s been an odd rumor spreading in the village lately. It sounds absurd, but I came here to investigate just in case.”
“A rumor?”
“Yes. They say something inhuman is living in the old castle deep in the mountains.”
“Pffft—!”
I spat out the tea I’d just sipped. Leon, unfortunately, took the brunt of it, droplets of tea dripping from every strand of his brown hair.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry!”
Panicking, I quickly grabbed the handkerchief Leon had laid out for me and frantically wiped his hair. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my own, so I had no other choice. There was no way I’d use my apron for this, and honestly, I didn’t even want to.
Even though he was clearly aware that his own handkerchief was getting drenched in tea, Leon didn’t get annoyed. Instead, he offered me an understanding smile.
“It’s alright, really. It’s understandable you’d be startled by strange rumors about your own home.”
“Oh my, aren’t you understanding?”
He was practically a saint. Really, how could anyone be this understanding?
Was this all because of my stunning looks? Beauty truly is a sin.
“But if it’s not human, then…are you talking about ghosts?”
“No, not ghosts. People are saying there’s a monster. But again, it’s just a rumor.”
“Oh, I see.”
What? That wasn’t what I’d expected. The tension that had stiffened my shoulders immediately melted away. My mind drifted back to that strange night under the full moon.
I still had no idea how I’d gotten back to my room. When I woke, I was safely in my bed as usual, making me wonder if the whole thing had been a dream. I would have believed it, too, if Butler Squawk hadn’t been acting oddly cautious around me the next day.
Butler Squawk had just sternly warned me never to leave my room at night again.
So something had definitely happened.
Still, Leon wasn’t here to investigate ghosts, so my interest quickly faded.
If the rumor was just about a monster, that would obviously refer to the Beast. Honestly, it was a miracle such rumors hadn’t surfaced sooner, given they’d been here nearly a century. At this rate, the secret would leak without me even needing to break any confidentiality clauses. I wondered what would happen then.
Frankly, I didn’t care what happened to our brutish master, but the others concerned me. I couldn’t let curiosity or fear disrupt the peaceful lives of my adorable coworkers.
“Oh my, people sure come up with strange rumors. As you can see, this place is just a bit old, nothing special.”
“That’s true. Though it’s oddly quiet. Are you perhaps living here alone, Belle?”
“Of course not. There are enough people here to maintain the mansion. They’re probably just busy working somewhere out of sight.”
“Oh, I see. It must be quite demanding to manage such a large place. But I’m relieved you’re not alone.”
I’d only said that so he wouldn’t keep visiting, but Leon’s sincere concern made my conscience prick a little.
Well, at least I’d found out the reason for his visit. Now all I had to do was make sure he never wanted to come here again. Then my special mission would be over.
“Could you please tell everyone in the village the castle is empty? I’m worried that unwanted visitors might try to come. Aside from me, everyone else working here is elderly and frail.”
“Ah, you’re right, that could be dangerous. I’ll make sure to spread that around.”
“Thank you. Oh goodness, look at the time! Since your curiosity is satisfied, I really must get back to work now.”
“I apologize for taking so much of your time. If possible, perhaps next time—”
“Oh, right. Your handkerchief—I’d love to wash it and return it, but today is actually my last day working here.”
Before Leon could suggest visiting again, I quickly fed him a convenient lie about leaving my job. Now he wouldn’t have a reason to return just to see me.
“You’re leaving? Where are you going?”
“Back to my hometown. It’s a small village about a week away.”
“Then…does that mean we won’t be able to meet again?”
“I suppose it does.”
Leon’s face looked genuinely hurt. I felt a bit guilty, but it was better this way. Crushing impossible feelings sooner rather than later was kinder.
But there was something I hadn’t anticipated.
With sudden resolve, Leon dropped down onto one knee, raised the other, and gently but firmly took my hand.
“I must apologize first. I know this is terribly abrupt, especially on our first meeting, but if I miss this chance, I might never have another. Please forgive my boldness.”
“What…?”
Caught completely off guard, I was speechless as Leon boldly declared:
“Lady Belle, would you please consider entering a courtship with me, with marriage in mind?”
Oh my god.
This guy was the definition of hopelessly lovestruck.
“Pfft—!”
From far across the garden came the distinct sound of suppressed laughter breaking loose. Without even looking, I knew exactly who it was. Jack, who’d clearly heard every word while pretending to be a statue, finally couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Damn it.
At this point, pretending ignorance wasn’t an option. Pulling my captured hand away, I pressed my palm to my forehead in utter disbelief.
“Leon, I think you’re misunderstanding something.”
“No, my feelings are not a misunderstanding. Of course, I understand if you think I’m being reckless, confessing my feelings after such a short time, but—”
“No, no. I’m not debating whether love at first sight exists.”
How could I break this to him gently? That the person he had just proposed to at first sight was actually a man, just like himself?
I decided to give Leon one more chance to realize it himself. I removed my chef’s hat and apron, placing them on the table, then looked directly at him. But even after clearly seeing my short hair and dark trousers, Leon’s expression remained earnest and unchanged.
“Then, what exactly is the problem? Are you perhaps already married?”
“No, that’s not it.”
This guy wasn’t just lovestruck; he was stubbornly single-minded. Once he believed something, he held onto it no matter what.
It seemed I had no choice but to lay it out plainly.
“What I’m trying to say is, same-sex marriage isn’t legally recognized in the Empire yet, so marrying me is literally impossible.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m saying I’m a man.”
Leon laughed awkwardly, as if I’d told an unfunny joke, then murmured sadly:
“You don’t have to say something so absurd just to reject me. Do you really dislike me that much?”
Even after spelling out the truth, he refused to believe me. I’d expected this might happen. Well, if words didn’t work, I’d just have to prove it directly.
