ILOIML 20

Chapter 20

When I turned toward the noise, I saw Leon waving his arms wildly at me.

Leon came running loudly with heavy steps.

I let out a sigh like a mom watching her son misbehave.

“Leon! Don’t run so loudly!”

At my words, Leon started tiptoeing.

‘Sigh, he has no in-between.’

I shook my head.

“Everyone’s busy because the new leader is coming. I’ve been abandoned.”

“You haven’t been abandoned.”

More like he ditched his aides to come play.

“To be precise, they’re the ones who got left behind.”

“Then what do you call this?”

“Sir Kalsen sent you to me.”

“Oh… you’re right. Sometimes Kalsen is really great!”

Hearing him stress the word “sometimes” made me feel sorry for Kalsen.

“I was just about to go on a walk. Come with me, Leon.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

I started walking beside Leon.

The weather was especially nice.

Walking side by side with Leon in the morning made me feel really happy.

I even laughed at myself for thinking like this.

Why was I thinking this way?

Under the bright sunlight, his red eyes looked even more vivid as they stared at me.

I looked at his face and admired it silently.

“Bell-bell.”

If only he didn’t talk, he’d be the perfect creation made by God.

But the high and annoying voice ruined that peaceful moment.

I quickly hid my frown without realizing.

‘I hope Leon didn’t see that.’

“What is it, Leon?”

“Do you know who the new commander is? Guess!”

“Hmm…”

If Leon’s asking, it must be someone I know.

Of course, not the emperor.

Maybe Marquis Sweden?

I shook my head. Probably not him either.

I thought about all the nobles I saw at the last party.

But sadly, no one stood out.

“It’s that Lucas guy! The one you said was your old friend, but totally didn’t feel like one!”

Why is he describing it so dramatically?

Also, that name came out of nowhere and totally caught me off guard.

I never imagined it.

Did he really have the strength to lead the Emperor’s guard?

Wasn’t he just a lazy flirt?

I pursed my lips and nodded.

Suddenly, Leon’s face was right in front of mine.

For a second, our eyes met, and I felt like my heart stopped.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

I quickly stepped back and shouted.

Leon’s face turned red in surprise.

His shaky eyes looked lost.

He scared me. What was he trying to do?

My heart was pounding hard like it wanted to jump out of my chest.

‘Wait… Did I just yell at Leon? Am I crazy?’

I covered my mouth and opened my eyes wide.

My mouth had acted before I thought.

I smiled awkwardly and said,

“Le… Duke, I was just really surprised…”

Thankfully, the red color on his face slowly faded.

“Wahh!! Bell-bell yelled at me and told me to get lost!!”

‘You little… Don’t exaggerate so much.’

I smiled sweetly and stepped closer to him.

We were close again.

A gentle breeze brushed Leon’s messy black hair.

The wind carried his scent to me.

Leon’s scent.

Smelling it made me feel calm for no reason.

I stood on my toes and brushed the hair off his forehead.

“I did yell, but I didn’t tell you to get lost. And I’m sorry for yelling. I was just really surprised.”

Leon grabbed my hand from his forehead and looked down, then started walking ahead.

He always got flustered when I played along after he surprised me.

Watching his back made me smile.

“You’re kind of cute, you know.”

I mumbled to myself and followed behind him.

* * * 

Lucas, the new leader of the Imperial Guard, arrived at Aster just before evening.

I was lying in the parlor next to my bedroom, lost in random thoughts.

I didn’t want to meet him and hear his nonsense.

He wasn’t even my guest.

Since when had Lucas been close to the emperor?

Didn’t he have a scandal with the princess?

And yet the emperor trusts him enough to send him here?

Was the emperor super open-minded or what?

‘It was some divorce scandal, right?’

I never looked into that rumor.

I just thought he had nothing to do with me.

He didn’t even appear in the original novel!

And now he suddenly shows up in Aster?

It gave me a bad feeling… like he came because of me.

I’d rather believe he came because he was close to the emperor.

“Madam, may I come in?”

I heard Amy’s voice with a knock.

“Yes.”

Once I gave permission, Amy came in.

“Madam, the master asked you to come to the reception room.”

Me? Right now, when Lucas is here? This felt bad.

“Didn’t I tell you to say I’m not feeling well if Leon calls me?”

“I did, but he said it would be just a short greeting.”

I had no choice and went downstairs to the parlor.

As soon as I opened the door, I made eye contact with Lucas, who stood up with a big smile.

“Greetings, Duchess.”

Lucas walked over confidently and bowed.

I gave a stiff nod and walked past him to sit beside Leon.

Leon, who had been looking at us with a blank face, smiled brightly when I sat next to him.

‘Did I just earn some points?’

His harmless smile made me feel happy too.

“Bell-bell, this guy… this uncle said he really wanted to say hi to you. I’m sorry if you were resting… My baby needs peace, right?”

“Baby?”

Lucas looked confused and asked shortly.

Neither Leon nor I replied.

Don’t ask more.

We didn’t want to explain anything.

“You said he used to be your friend. No wait, someone you barely knew?”

I nodded and looked at Lucas.

He tilted his head and looked at me in disbelief.

“And you said he wasn’t even worth thinking about.”

Please stop.

Is this couch covered in needles? My seat was starting to sting.

I wish he wouldn’t say things like that in front of me.

“Did I say that?”

Leon’s eyes suddenly turned cold.

I quickly added,

“You really are a genius, my duke! Such a great memory!”

“Hehehe.”

“Duchess, do you know why I came to Aster?”

Nope. Don’t wanna know. Please don’t say it.

A bad feeling crept over me. I wanted to disappear.

“I personally asked the Emperor to let me come. Ever since we met in the capital, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”

‘Are you seriously saying that in front of Leon? Ignoring him completely? You’re doomed, buddy.’

My lips trembled.

I wanted to shut him up somehow.

“How did Bell-bell get inside your head? Is she stuck in there now?”

Leon tilted his head and asked innocently.

“No, I’m right here.”

“Should I crack open your skull and rescue her?”

To say something so scary with that innocent face…

I suddenly remembered part of the original novel.

[He never forgave liars. He punished them without mercy. He smashed Hanes’s head…]

Let’s stop thinking about that now.