“Miss Aphrodite.”
Miss Bella handed over the Invitation. “This is for the Celebration Banquet, to thank you for resolving the Beast Tide Incident earlier.”
Miss Aphrodite took the Invitation but returned it to Miss Bella without even looking at it, her face full of reluctance. “Bella, can I just skip this?”
Bella seemed to have anticipated this reaction, a knowing smile appearing on her face as she took back the Invitation.
“Of course, my lady. You… um, often aren’t around, and you’ve received plenty of similar Invitations before. Most were politely declined by Bella on your behalf, citing your ill health. If you don’t want to go this time either, I’ll handle it just like before.”
Miss Aphrodite let out a relieved sigh. “That’s good. I’ll leave it to you.”
Not having to deal with those troublesome social occasions was truly a relief.
“However…” Bella’s tone shifted, and a slightly troubled but gentle expression crossed her face as she unconsciously twirled a loose strand of hair with her fingertips.
“This time, after all, it’s Miss Elia personally sending someone over. It’s different from the usual trivial Invitations. If we simply decline like before, it might come off as impolite, or even spark unnecessary speculation…”
Bella quietly lifted her eyes and looked at Miss Aphrodite with those watery violet eyes. “We might need you to draft a formal Reply Letter yourself, with appropriate wording to explain the situation… perhaps saying you need a Rest Cure or something like that?”
The moment Miss Aphrodite heard “personally” and “Reply Letter,” her head started to ache as she involuntarily recalled her days working for the demon clan.
Annoyed, she scratched her head. “Why does it have to be so complicated?”
Seeing this, Bella took a small step closer. “I know you don’t like handling these kinds of documents, so I can take care of it for you, but…”
“But what?” Miss Aphrodite asked, though a shiver ran through her.
Every time this girl said that, it was never good news!
“But I have a small favor to ask of you, my lady.” Bella’s fingertips still twirled the strand of hair, but her eyes sparkled. “Actually… I need to go to the Central District to buy some Necessary Items for you and take care of a few things. If you don’t mind…”
“How about you accompany me? We can take a little walk and get some fresh air, just like we used to sometimes.”
At the mention of “taking a walk,” Miss Aphrodite immediately got distracted. “A walk? Well… that’s fine… better than staying cooped up at home…”
She suddenly stopped and looked at Bella cautiously. “You don’t have any other weird requests, do you?”
No sooner had she spoken than Bella lowered her eyes slightly, her long lashes shadowing part of her expression, and her voice softened. “I see… I’ve put you in a tough spot again, haven’t I?”
She gently shook her head and gave a somewhat forced, understanding smile. “It’s okay. I’ve indeed made a lot of requests recently. It’s normal if you don’t want to agree. I can handle things myself. I’ll prepare the letter now and then go alone…”
Miss Aphrodite was overwhelmed by this subtle retreat tactic. She knew Bella was most likely doing this on purpose, but seeing the girl’s lonely retreating figure made the “absolutely no softening” principle she had just set up inside her waver again.
“Hey—wait.” Miss Aphrodite blurted out, resigned. “I never said I wouldn’t go. I’ll go with you, alright?”
Bella immediately stopped and turned around, a gleam of triumph flashing in her eyes, but her face showed only gentle delight. “You mean… you agree to go with me?”
“When have I ever really refused you?” Miss Aphrodite rubbed her forehead, helpless at her own lack of resolve.
Bella just pursed her lips and smiled quietly, not answering directly, but naturally continuing, “Then it’s settled? Mainly for shopping, and just… to get some fresh air.”
“Mm, agreed.” Miss Aphrodite nodded, looking at her with that “mission accomplished” but still trying to look innocent expression, and couldn’t help adding,
“If there’s any Dainty Desserts you want, you can buy them. As for other little requests… as long as they’re not excessive, it’s fine.”
Bella’s eyes lit up instantly, and she immediately seized the opportunity. “I didn’t say that… but since my lady is so generous…”
Miss Aphrodite raised an eyebrow, half-smiling at her. “Oh? Is that so? If I didn’t say anything, wouldn’t a certain little glutton ‘accidentally’ wander over?”
Caught, Bella wasn’t embarrassed but chuckled softly. She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice. “Then… if Bella really likes the desserts from a certain shop… would my lady feed me?”
Miss Aphrodite flicked Bella’s forehead lightly with her finger. “You’re already a mature and composed lady, Bella. You can’t make such requests.”
Although she fed Bella quite a bit when they were kids, imagining that scene now felt a little odd.
“Then… just… try them together?” Bella rubbed her forehead where it had been flicked, choosing to settle for second best.
“That’s acceptable.”
“Then it’s settled.” Bella stood up straight, fully satisfied. “Please wait a moment, my lady. I’ll prepare the clothes for going out right away.”
With that, she turned elegantly, her steps noticeably lighter and more joyful, the skirt hem tracing a happy arc in the air as she walked toward the Dressing Room.
Miss Aphrodite watched her retreating figure and sighed quietly, knowing full well she was being led by the nose again without realizing it.
But strangely, she didn’t feel the expected annoyance. Instead, there was a hint of… well, seeing her so happy didn’t seem so bad after all?
Forget it, no more thinking.
One of the reasons she came back here was to properly reward Bella. Indulging her a little wouldn’t hurt.
That said, wasn’t she supposed to be heading to the Washroom just now?
“Ahem, Bella,” Miss Aphrodite cleared her throat, trying to sound calm and matter-of-fact. “Wait a moment.”
Bella, already at the corridor’s corner, stopped gracefully and turned back with a lingering cheerful smile. “Yes, my lady? Do you have more instructions?”
Maintaining her composed expression and straightening her back slightly, Miss Aphrodite asked seriously, “The Washroom… which direction is it again?”
There was a brief silence.
Bella clearly froze for a moment, those beautiful violet eyes widening as if caught off guard.
Then she seemed to realize something, a sly and knowing smile quickly flashing in her eyes, her lips curving into a faint smile, but she quickly lowered her head and lightly cleared her throat to cover it.
When she looked up again, her face had returned to the usual professional and gentle Maid expression. “Bella was negligent. I should have taken my lady to the Washroom before thinking about changing clothes and going out.”
Watching Bella’s “I fully understand and am happy to serve” look, an inexplicable feeling welled up inside Miss Aphrodite.
Tch, I shouldn’t have asked.