ILOIML 32

Chapter 32

After returning from the villa, I stayed in my room and didn’t come out.

No one, not even Leon, asked me why.

Strangely, everything stayed quiet.

I waited anxiously, hoping to hear any news about the Marquis family.

On the third day after my return, I finally heard something.

Two investigators sent by the Imperial Palace came to Aster’s castle.

Leon was running around the parlor, distracting them like crazy.

He probably thought they came to watch him.

But the truth was, they came to see me.

“Hello, Duchess. I’m Count Cayton, sent by the Emperor for this investigation. These are Inspectors Cairo and Jude.”

They greeted me politely, and I nodded.

They already looked tired, probably from dealing with Leon.

“Bell-bell! Uncle Emperor sent people again!! They came to check if I’m okay! He said he misses me every single day!”

Even though he spoke cheerfully, Leon’s eyes were sharp.

“…Your Grace, we’re here to meet the Duchess,” said one investigator carefully.

“Bell-bell? Why? Talk to me and play! Bell-bell only knows how to shop anyway.”

“Leon, they said they need to talk to me. Please leave for a moment.”

“No! I’m sticking with my Bell-bell forever!”

Leon sat next to me and clung tightly to my arm. I shook him off.

“Leon? Just give us a minute…”

“I said no.”

‘What’s wrong with him today?’

I didn’t want him to know what this was about, but he wouldn’t budge.

I sighed deeply and closed my eyes.

“Just speak. Go ahead.”

Count Cayton cleared his throat.

“Let’s begin.”

He gave a signal to the investigators.

Cairo and Jude pulled out documents and started flipping through them.

The only sound in the room was the rustling of papers.

Leon, who was clinging to me, gulped loudly.

“The Marquis of Sweden has passed away.”

I nodded calmly.

I wasn’t surprised by the news.

What I really wanted to know was what happened to Walter.

“The Marquis was murdered.”

The person who reacted most strongly was, of course, Leon.

He let go of my arm and stared at me and Count Cayton in shock.

“What did you say?”

Worried that he might forget to act like a fool, I pulled his arm closer to me.

“We heard you visited the Marquis’ villa a few days ago. That’s why we’re here.”

“…Yes, I went. Who’s the killer?”

Count Cayton looked at me and said,

“You don’t seem too surprised.”

His eyes were sharp.

“I am surprised. A lot. But my mother already told me he didn’t have long to live.”

We weren’t even close, I added silently while meeting his gaze.

The Count nodded to the investigators.

They understood his signal and one of them asked,

“Please tell us everything you did at the villa.”

I nodded and looked at the air before I spoke.

“I went as soon as I heard my father was in critical condition. Right, Leon?”

“Uh-huh? Yep. Bell-bell left me behind! I had to eat a big steak all by myself!”

I nodded and continued.

“When I arrived, my father was lying in bed. My mother said he was unconscious and told me to wait until he woke up. I rested in my room, then had dinner with my mother and Walter. But Walter and I had a big fight. I got angry and left the villa without seeing my father. You can check the portal travel records for proof.”

The investigator nodded at the Count.

Their findings must have matched mine.

I let out a breath of relief.

I could feel Leon’s arm shaking in my hand.

How should I explain all this to him? I was already worried.

“We’re just here to confirm if your story matches our investigation.”

“What about my mother and Walter?”

“They’ve both been moved to the central prison.

The Marchioness claimed that you were involved.

However, the young marquis, Walter, strongly denied it, and the Marchioness seems to be mentally unstable.

We’re still checking what’s true.”

So she really tried to drag me down with her.

I expected it, but hearing it still stung.

My heart felt heavy with bitterness.

“I’m sorry, but would you come with us to the capital for questioning?”

Count Cayton asked very carefully.

But his words really meant: We want to take you in.

Silence filled the room.

Then Leon suddenly jumped up.

“No way!! What are you saying? I can’t sleep without my Bell-bell! She sings me lullabies and holds my hand!”

“Your Grace, but still…”

“I don’t care! Get out!”

His tantrum was ridiculous, but I was honestly grateful.

He even stomped his feet while yelling.

The investigator looked away awkwardly.

I smiled weakly and pulled Leon to sit next to me again.

“As you can see, this is how things are. Isn’t that enough for your investigation?”

Leon sat down and stared at me, but I ignored him and stayed calm.

“I have nothing else to say. If you need more from me, please make an official request.”

I spoke clearly and firmly.

The investigators looked troubled.

No matter how foolish Leon acted, he was still a Duke.

Without evidence, they couldn’t just drag me away.

Count Cayton sighed and signaled the others.

The investigators began packing up the documents.

“We understand. Thank you for your cooperation. We’ll take our leave now.”

They bowed and left the parlor.

Once the door closed, silence fell again.

Leon and I sat side by side, holding hands tightly.

I could feel his fingers trembling.

“Thank you,” I whispered softly.

Leon flinched and looked at me.

He must have so many questions.

After all, I was acting very differently since returning from the villa.

He probably thought I knew something.

But Leon didn’t ask.

We just stared into space, holding hands in silence.

My eyes began to sting.

I didn’t want to cry again. I bit my lip and tried hard to hold it in.

“Bell-bell, your nose is running. Gross.”

His silly comment broke the mood—

And I ended up crying anyway.

* * *

“The Marquis of Sweden was murdered.”

“What? Is that true?”

Kalsen was shocked when he heard Leon’s words.

Even John, who was usually quiet, spoke up.

“Stevan did report that something strange was happening with the Marquis’ side.”

Leon glared at him.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well, the young lady of the Sweden family…”

“Who are you calling the young lady of Sweden?”

Leon shouted furiously.

John glanced at Kalsen.

Kalsen quickly shook his head as if to deny it.

“Sorry. That slipped out. I thought the lady was going to the villa because of the Marquis’ illness.”

“Why are you judging things on your own? Is there anything else you’ve kept from me?”

“I’m sorry. No, there isn’t.”

“Don’t leave out anything related to Bella. Report everything to me!”

Leon slammed the desk in frustration.

He couldn’t understand why Bella’s tears hurt his heart so much.

That only made him angrier.

He flung the window wide open, hoping the breeze would help.

But no matter how cool the wind was, his frustration only grew deeper