ILOIML 35

Chapter 35 

We returned to Aster right after coming back from the prison.

The cold night air of Aster, now entering winter, greeted us. Amy quickly wrapped a shawl around my shoulders.

‘They say winters in Aster are really cold…’

Suddenly, I remembered what Leon had said back then.

“Is that offer still valid?”

Leon was clutching his thick cloak tightly, his lips trembling. Despite his big build, it seemed he didn’t handle the cold well.

“What offer? What do you mean?”

“I’m asking if you still want to go to Palanuvo.”

“Oh… Palanuvo.”

Leon didn’t answer right away. His eyes just darted around.

What? So it was just something he said casually.

I couldn’t hide the disappointment from my face and let out a small laugh.

“Never mind. It’s cold—let’s go inside.”

I walked past Leon quickly and went inside.

‘Why am I acting like this again?’

Why was I feeling so sulky?

Even though there had been a small misunderstanding that made me think he followed me for other reasons, Leon had still come all the way to the capital for my sake.

My family was ruined, I couldn’t even protect myself, and I had nothing to be proud of.

Did I even have the right to get upset just because he hesitated when I asked if he wanted to go on a vacation with me?

I stopped walking and let out a deep sigh.

“Bell!”

Leon came running after me, calling my name in a rush.

“Let’s go! Let’s go to Palanuvo.”

Leon added quickly. At his words, I felt ashamed of myself.

It’s only after moments like this that I realize how selfish I am.

If we went to Palanuvo, Leon would have to stay with me all day, pretending to be someone else the whole time.

It would be uncomfortable for him.

Not to mention, even if he acted like a fool on the outside, he was actually managing most of Aster’s affairs behind the scenes.

He couldn’t just leave all that to his assistants and go on a trip. I knew that.

I shook my head.

“I was joking.”

I said with a wide smile, trying to cover my guilt. Leon looked at me for a moment before quickly turning his head away.

“W-What? You got me all excited for nothing.”

His face didn’t look excited at all. Was he pretending to say that just so I wouldn’t feel bad?

I smiled softly and said,

“It’s late. Get some rest and let’s have breakfast together tomorrow, okay?”

“Alright.”

When I held his hand, Leon suddenly pulled away and started running.

“Why is he acting like that?”

I stood there, confused, watching him run off.

* * *

After returning, checking the front page of the imperial newspaper every morning had become a routine.

‘Did Walter use the information I gave him properly?’

There weren’t any major articles yet, but the fact that all the gossip about me and the Marquis of Sweden suddenly disappeared from the papers seemed promising.

A week later, I grabbed the paper tightly when I saw a huge headline.

[Marquis of Sweden dies of illness. Marchioness and Young Lord are cleared of charges!]

So the Marchioness was included too.

‘That was up to Walter’s decision.’

I felt bitter, but I had to accept it.

Walter could never abandon the Marchioness.

I turned to other news.

There was also a fairly big article about a newly discovered gold mine on land owned by the Emperor.

The information I gave Walter all came from the novel I had read.

It included things like the Emperor’s future gold mine, an invasion by the Kingdom of Kart, and other minor details I didn’t need.

These were things people in Aster talked about after the world had turned upside down.

I didn’t want to help the Emperor, so I’d ignored that info until now—but it turned out to be quite useful.

For the first time in a while, I was able to put the newspaper down with a light heart.

* * *

After reading the newspaper, Leon set it down on his desk.

He leaned back and rested his arm on the armrest.

“Kalsen, what do you think?”

“You mean about the article on the Young Lord of Sweden?”

Leon nodded.

“Obviously, I think it doesn’t make sense. No one would believe this article unless they were a fool.”

“You’re wrong. If the Emperor says it’s true, then it is true.”

“Why the sudden change? Why would he go out of his way to protect the Young Lord? Do you have any guesses? Because I do.”

Leon figured Kalsen was thinking the same thing as him. He nodded.

“What could she have done? The Marquis of Sweden was one of the Emperor’s closest allies—if he had been executed, I would have believed it. But when we left the Emperor, there was no sign of this outcome.”

Just then, there was a knock, and John entered.

“Sir, we received a message from Stevan. He said he wants to report to you directly and brought a communication stone.”

John placed the glowing communication stone on Leon’s desk.

“What’s this about?”

Normally, non-urgent reports were delivered through John.

“Your Grace, I’m reporting directly regarding the Young Lord of Sweden. His succession ceremony is scheduled soon.”

Leon raised an eyebrow.

If that was the only reason for the call, he was ready to be annoyed.

“After meeting with Madam, the Young Lord requested a private audience with the Emperor.”

Of course. Bella was involved.

Leon nodded, knowing his guess had been correct.

“And?”

“After the meeting, the Emperor’s side became very active. Did you notice the article next to the one about the Young Lord?”

“What?”

Leon picked up the newspaper again.

“A gold mine?”

“Yes. The Young Lord must have tipped off the Emperor about it. Until now, that land had been neglected because it was thought to be barren.”

“A gold mine, huh? Does that mean Bella gave that information to Walter?”

“…It’s hard to say for sure.”

“Then where did Bella get that information?”

“She’s so ill-tempered, she doesn’t have close friends in the capital…”

“She’s not that bad. Watch your words.”

“…I apologize.”

“Keep a close eye on the Young Lord. If anything happens, report it to me directly.”

“Yes, sir.”

Leon pressed a button, and the communication stone’s light flickered out.
He looked up at Kalsen.

“A gold mine, huh? Did Bella really know about it?”

Kalsen stared at him silently, then slowly spoke.

“I’m not sure. Maybe it was just a coincidence.”

“Coincidence…”

“Well, there have been a lot of coincidences lately.”

Leon leaned back and ran a hand through his hair.

Lately, the word “coincidence” seemed to follow Bella around.
She sometimes acted in ways no one could predict.

Leon glanced over at the sacred sword Aisar, which he valued more than his own life.

Knock knock.

There was a knock at the door.

“Sir, Madam is here.”

* * *

“Bell-Bell!!”

As soon as the door opened, Leon’s loud voice rang out.

His tone was unusually high today. Was he trying too hard? That must be exhausting.

“I was looking for you to go on a walk together. They told me you were here.”

Leon was lying on the center sofa.

“I’m so sleepy I feel like a worm just lying here.”

“A worm? That big?”

I tilted my head and looked at him.

“Bell-Bell, you look happy today.”

Leon squinted his eyes and asked.

“Hmm… do I?”

I scratched my temple with my finger.

“So you’re saying you don’t want to go on a walk with me today?”

“No! Who said that?”

Leon suddenly sat up straight.

When I nodded, he jumped up and came to link arms with me.

‘That’s strange. Why is he acting like this?’

I walked with Leon into the garden in front of the palace.

“The weather’s warm today.”

Leon looked up at the sun, squinting hard. I just nodded.

Even his tone was too cheerful. Why was he like this today?

“Looking directly at the sun hurts your eyes. Stop staring at it.”

“Okay. But it was sparkling so beautifully.”

“Sparkling and beautiful? Doesn’t it hurt your eyes?”

I didn’t know he liked the sun. Didn’t he complain about the glare before?

“I like shiny things.”

“Oh, really? You like shiny things?”

“Of course. If I had something like a gold mine, I’d be so happy I’d fly into the sky.”