ILOIML 14

Chapter 14

“This is driving me crazy.”

What is there to prepare? We’re just holding hands and sleeping, right?

I was forced into a bathtub filled with so much scented oil it made me dizzy. Leon must’ve gone through the same.

I tried to understand why we needed to bathe if we were only going to sleep while holding hands, but I already knew too much—and my face burned with embarrassment.

“It’s gross to smell bad while sharing a bed. That must be it.”

I tried to convince myself and calm down.

“Wait, this kind of negligee is seriously not okay.”

I was shocked when I saw myself in the mirror and quickly wrapped my arms around my body.

“My lady, we didn’t expect you’d be spending your first night together here, so we rushed out to get something from the shopping district.”

“I have my usual pajamas. Didn’t you pack them? I’ll wear those.”

“…We didn’t bring them.”

Mary looked away and hesitated—I was sure she was lying.

“Then at least give me a robe. Leon will be so shocked he’ll run away.”

Amy helped me into a robe. I was relieved to at least have that.

But when I saw how loosely Amy tied the robe and noticed the dim, romantic lighting in the room, I let out a small, bitter laugh.

“Have a lovely night,”

Amy and Mary said with meaningful smiles before leaving. I quickly turned off the lights and tied my robe tightly so it wouldn’t come undone.

I sat beside the bed in the dark, my legs shaking nervously even though I’m not usually like this.

Finally, the door opened, and Leon walked in shyly.

Moonlight from the window let me see him. He looked around the room with a blank face and walked toward the bed.

He was wearing a robe too, but I could see his bare chest through it.

What the heck—why isn’t he wearing anything underneath? Is he crazy?

No, I told myself not to blame Leon. It’s clearly Amy and Mary’s doing. I mean, they bought see-through sleepwear for me, too.

Leon hadn’t noticed me sitting by the bed at first, but when he did, he gave a quick smile that disappeared.

His red eyes sparkled strangely.

I checked my robe again, sighed, then forced a big smile.

“Leon! Come lie down.”

I jumped into bed, pulled the blanket up to my chin, and held it tightly.

“Bell-bell , I thought my skin was going to melt.”

He talked with a babyish tone and lay beside me.

I stared at the ceiling, only moving my eyes to peek at him.

*Why… is he turning his back to me?*

As he lay down, a strong woody scent filled my nose.

So, you bathed in the scented oil too, huh?

There was a strange sense of connection, but when I saw his back, it just annoyed me.

“Leon, give me your hand.”

I said, sounding a bit grumpy.

Leon didn’t respond at first but slowly turned over and moved closer, sliding under my blanket.

I could feel his hand coming toward me.

Stop right there!

I quickly grabbed his hand. It felt awkward between us.

We didn’t say anything. I couldn’t even look at his face and just stared into the air.

My heart was pounding loudly in the silence.

I worried he might hear it and get the wrong idea, so I glanced at him—and nearly died of shock.

He was staring right at me. His face looked pale in the moonlight.

He didn’t look away. Instead, he opened his mouth and asked,

“Is it true that holding hands while sleeping makes a baby?”

His deep, low voice sent a tickling feeling through my chest.

It felt like the tickle was moving up my throat, so I gulped.

“Are you drooling?”

He teased as he got even closer.

His hot breath and intense red eyes made me freeze and shut my eyes tightly.

I felt like I’d get burned just looking at him.

“But Bell-bell , why are you sticking your lips out?”

“…What?”

I opened my eyes in surprise. I swear I didn’t do that.

Leon was grinning playfully.

“I never did that! When did I ever?!”

I shouted, let go of his hand, and turned away.

“Huh? Bell-bell , your hand.”

“We held hands once, that’s enough. Go to sleep.”

“But you said we have to hold hands to sleep…”

Come on, you know that’s not true. Let’s just end this here, okay?

I didn’t want him to see how red my face was.

Time passed.

Eventually, I heard Leon’s steady breathing behind me.

Only then did I turn around and sigh in relief.

I looked at his black hair, his smooth forehead, sharp nose, and soft lips.

It didn’t feel like I’d be sleeping anytime soon.

* * *

The next day, I had so many thoughts that I stayed up and only fell asleep later.

I finally woke up when the sun was high.

“Why didn’t anyone wake me up?”

I stretched and asked Amy, who entered the room.

I looked beside me—Leon was gone.

“You looked so peaceful, the master told us not to wake you.”

“Where is Leon?”

“He woke up early and went to another room with Sir Kalsen.”

He probably didn’t want to deal with me and let me sleep in.

“Tell him I’m awake.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Mary left to get him.

A little while later, she returned with Leon.

He smiled happily and suddenly reached his hand toward me.

I pulled back, surprised.

His hand was headed for my stomach.

“Our baby is growing well, right?”

Are you teasing me right now?

I gently pushed his hand away and rubbed my belly myself.

I didn’t answer his question.

I’d learned the hard way yesterday—not to overreact.

“Leon, when are we going back to Aster?”

“I want to go too, but Kalsen says no. We still have to see the Emperor Uncle. Scary.”

He sounded so serious I softly held his hand.

Leon held mine with both of his hands. We looked at each other with trust.

“…Bell-bell , who’s Lucas?”

Leon asked with wide, innocent eyes.

My vision went blank at the name.

I glanced sharply at Amy standing nearby.

I told her not to mention him…

But Amy and Mary showed no reaction.

I tried to silently blame Amy, but she just lowered her head and looked away.

I sighed and smiled awkwardly.

“Who knows?”

Leon tilted his head.

“Well, of course I don’t know.”

I didn’t know either!

We’d have to ask the old Bell-bell la from the past.

But I couldn’t explain that to Leon. It was driving me crazy.

“He was just someone I used to know. Not really a friend—just someone I met once.”

“Hmm…”

He made a strange sound and stared at me. His red eyes looked darker.

“Leon, he’s not worth thinking about. He’s just a headache.”

I tapped my head to show him.

Please let it go, okay?

Leon let out a soft puff of air and smiled. Then he rubbed his head and laughed.

“No wonder my head hurts. I was thinking too much today. Hehe.”

“Yes. Thinking is tiring. Clear your mind. Think of smoothing out the wrinkles in your brain. I’ll do the thinking for both of us.”

Leon’s lips twitched—then he burst out laughing.