ILOIML 12

Chapter 12

“Ma’am, did you hear the news?”

Amy asked me while fixing my hair.

“You need to tell me what it is first so I can answer.”

I looked at Amy through the mirror and asked back. She looked a bit scared.

“There’s a big commotion because a group of orcs appeared near the northern border of Aster.”

So that’s why Leon’s close aides, except for Kalsen, had disappeared for the past few days.

I’d heard that you might run into monsters deep in the mountains or deserted places if you were really unlucky. But even Amy said it was her first time hearing about monsters gathering and coming to places where people live.

Amy and Mary kept talking nervously, and I just listened quietly. Then Mary looked at me strangely and asked,

“Aren’t you scared at all, ma’am?”

“Hmm… Of course I’m scared.”

Actually, I wasn’t that surprised. I already knew the story from the novel. But unlike my words, my reflection in the mirror looked way too calm.

‘So the monsters have finally started moving into human territory.’

This was the beginning of the era of great monsters.

Before things got really serious, should I find a few more holy relics the Saintess will be looking for? Some of them might be helpful to me. A few items that once protected Cassia from monsters came to mind. If I could get those, maybe I wouldn’t even need Leon’s help.

‘Cassia has divine power, and Leon will protect her, so she’ll be fine, right?’

I felt a little guilty toward Cassia. But my own life was important too. She could protect herself and had someone strong to help her. I didn’t have that.

Even while we were eating dessert, Leon looked totally distracted. Since he couldn’t lead the troops himself, he must’ve been extremely frustrated. I had told him I wasn’t feeling well and would eat alone, but he insisted we eat together anyway.

While we were eating dessert, an imperial decree arrived.

Because of the orc attack in Aster, a special emergency noble meeting was being held, and Leon was ordered to attend. If he went, it would be the first time the Duke of Aster officially attended such a meeting.

“No way, I’m not going! I won’t go!”

Leon yelled so loudly that the imperial messenger who brought the decree looked away in shock. Then, as if his job was done, he quickly ran off.

But even after the messenger left, Leon kept freaking out. Kalsen silently looked back and forth between Leon and me. He clearly wanted me to step in.

I remembered how nervous Leon had been the last time we went to the capital, so I didn’t think this was just an act. He really didn’t want to go.

But skipping such an important meeting, especially one that would mark the beginning of everything, would definitely make the imperial family angry. The imperial power was still strong.

Maybe I should act like the perfect wife for once?

“Leon, sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do. A person with great responsibilities doesn’t easily show how they feel.”

I felt proud of myself as I looked into Leon’s eyes. I was being so mature, wasn’t I?

“Then come with me.”

Leon looked straight at me and said.

“What?”

I answered automatically, without thinking.

“I mean—what did you just say, Leon?”

I quickly added, watching his expression.

“Come with me. I don’t know why, but when I’m with you, I feel calm.”

Leon smiled mischievously.

I looked at him seriously, then nodded reluctantly.

“Fine. But on one condition. If we can’t come back today, I want to stay at a hotel. I don’t want to go to the Marquis’ house.”

“…”

Leon, who had been smiling playfully, suddenly went blank. I tilted my head, wondering why. Then he grinned again and nodded.

“I don’t like the marquis either. He looks scary.”

Scary? The marquis actually has a very handsome and friendly face…

But if Leon says he’s scary, then okay.

“But if you don’t stay at the marquis’s house, he’ll be very sad,” Kalsen said.

He probably wasn’t worried about the marquis being sad, but rather about causing trouble.

Normally I would’ve agreed with Kalsen, thinking of Leon, but I really didn’t want to go to the marquis’s house.

“Do what Bell-bell says!!”

Leon yelled, glaring at Kalsen with scary eyes.

* * *

Since we’d decided to go, we didn’t waste time and quickly got ready to head to the capital. It was Leon’s first noble meeting, and even Kalsen looked nervous.

Once we arrived, we checked into a fancy hotel with a good view of the palace. Leon tried every excuse not to go to the palace, but in the end, Kalsen basically dragged him there.

Left alone, I sat on the sofa for a while, then went out to explore the capital with Amy and Mary.

The streets were busy and colorful. Mary looked around wide-eyed, more excited than usual. But Amy, like last time, didn’t seem impressed.

“Don’t you think this place is amazing?”

Amy stared at me quietly at my sudden question.

“I don’t like crowded places.”

I saw a flicker of anger on her face. Not just simple emotion, but the kind of anger and fear I once saw in Leon. Maybe Amy had a deeper connection to him than I thought.

If she followed Leon from the capital all the way to Aster, then he really did place someone important with me. And she kept quiet about that incident at the temple. Maybe her feelings toward me have changed?

Suddenly, I found Amy kind of adorable.

“Amy~”

I clung to her arm playfully. She looked disgusted and pulled her arm away, giving me a strange look.

“Your Grace, there are more people around than usual today. For safety, why don’t we go back to the hotel?”

One of the knights guarding us asked.

I didn’t want to take any risks either, so I agreed.

We turned around to go back when—

“Bella!”

I froze and turned toward the voice calling me.

A sharp-featured handsome man was looking at me. When I looked back at him, he smiled and walked toward me. His sharp features instantly softened.

‘Who is that?’

As he came closer, I instinctively stepped back. The knight moved in front of me.

“Step aside.”

“You move. Bella won’t just stand there and do nothing.”

He kept peeking around the knights to talk to me.

‘What is he doing? Is he a mole or something? I don’t even know who you are!’

I turned around and walked away quickly.

“Be—Bella! Bella, where are you going? It’s me, Lucas!”

Lucas? I don’t care if you’re Lucas or Bacchus—I don’t know you.

“Bella, come on! You and I—we were something special…”

“Wait!!”

I quickly cut him off and signaled the knights to step aside. I had to stop him from saying what he was about to say. Everyone was staring now.

Please don’t say anything weird, Bella.

“Come quietly.”

I told him in a low voice. He looked satisfied and nodded.

I brought him to the small sitting room connected to my hotel bedroom and sat across from him. Up close, he really was sharply handsome.

“So, what kind of ‘something’ did you and I have? Say what you were going to say earlier.”

“Bella, you’re so different now. You couldn’t even look at me before.”

That’s because I’m not that Bella. Hurry up and talk.

“Do you really not remember? Or are you pretending because I turned you down?”

What? A confession? Suddenly, my neck tingled and my vision spun. Why are bad feelings always right?

Did you seriously fall for someone like him instead of Leon? Bella, what were you thinking?!