ILOIML 21

Chapter 21 

I touched my head without realizing it.

It felt like I was the one lying, and my heart grew cold.

‘But Leon is the one lying.’

I was just playing along with his lie.

Still, was Lucas reacting to Leon’s words out of jealousy? That can’t be, right?

I turned my head and looked at Lucas.

His eyes had turned sharp. In his dark black eyes, a strange hatred appeared.

‘No, I have to just smile. I need to, for your sake.’

But of course, Lucas couldn’t hear my thoughts.

The situation was very bad.

Lucas was smiling, but the hatred in his red eyes was clear.

I bit my lip and thought hard about how to fix this tense moment.

“Sigh… It’s not even worth listening to, so I’ll let it go.”

Let it go? That wasn’t even directed at the right person.

I could only hope Lucas didn’t take it seriously.

Lucas didn’t care about my nervousness and continued speaking.

“Since the Duchess seemed to forget, I brought the letter you gave me back then.”

No! That’s not okay!

Lucas was now completely ignoring Leon, treating him like he didn’t exist.

I could feel my face turning pale.

‘Absolutely not.’

There was no way I’d let this crazy guy drag me into a death flag.

I jumped up and rushed toward Lucas.

I tried to snatch the letter from his hand.

But Lucas quickly moved his hand behind his back, and I failed.

“Give it to me! What are you doing? I told you not to come in front of me again!”

I looked desperately at Leon, who now stared at me with cold eyes.

“It’s not me, it’s him.”

Leon pointed at Lucas with a blank face.

Why am I begging Leon like this?

My vision became blurry.

Lucas met my eyes and waved the letter.

“Wow, a letter. I love letters. Should I read it?”

Leon walked quickly past me and stood in front of Lucas.

He didn’t look excited at all.

I didn’t even know what the letter said.

But I was sure of one thing—Leon must not read it.

“Can you even read?”

Lucas said with a mocking smile.

“Lucas! Stop joking around and leave right now!”

Seeing that smirk made me want to punch him.

“Then I’ll read it for him.”

I gave up trying to take the letter and instead grabbed Leon’s arm.

“Leon, let’s go. Didn’t we have something to do today?”

“Go ahead.”

Leon ignored me and looked serious.

“Go ahead with what?”

I stomped my feet in panic.

Everyone else was calm—only I was freaking out.

“Lucas, when I first saw you, I fell in love at first sigh—”

“Stop!!”

I threw myself at Lucas and tackled him hard.

He didn’t expect that and fell backward with me.

I quickly got up and grabbed the letter from his hand.

He tried to hold on, but I somehow found the strength to win.

Lucas started laughing out loud like this was funny to him.

“Your Highness, one of my buttons came off.

I even wore something I thought you’d like. Aren’t you happy?”

He pointed at his chest.

His shirt was open under his uniform, showing off his chest muscles.

I looked there by accident, frowned, and quickly turned my head.

‘What’s wrong with this psycho? Leon’s muscles are better—wait, what am I saying?’

I was losing it too.

“Lucas Anderson! You’re completely ignoring the Duke and me!

How will you take responsibility for this rudeness?”

I shouted while tearing up the letter.

I kept ripping it, but my anger didn’t calm down.

Lucas slowly lost his smile, maybe realizing how serious I was.

“Well done, Bell-bell. Nice job.”

Leon cheered with his hand raised.

“I’m going to tell His Majesty myself.

You made a joke out of the Duke and me.”

“Grand Duke.”

Leon corrected me quickly.

I nodded and corrected myself.

“The Grand Duke and me.”

Lucas stood up, fixed his clothes, and shrugged.

“That wasn’t my intention, but if it felt that way, I sincerely apologize.”

He didn’t sound sincere at all, but he bowed his head.

“Then die to show you mean it!”

Leon leaned his head beside mine and said.

He was tall enough already, but he still did it to tease.

Still, behind the joke, I could feel the truth in his words.

Lucas slowly lifted his head.

His sharp eyes were filled with anger toward Leon.

“I came with the Emperor’s orders.

Please calm down and let me do my job so I don’t shame His Majesty.”

I looked at Leon.

He scratched his head, then laughed loudly.

“Right. He’s not even worth thinking about. I wasn’t bothered at all.”

I heard Lucas give a quiet, fake laugh.

“Then I’ll look around the troops now. Can I join you both for dinner?”

“No. I’m eating alone with Bell-bell. That’s an old tradition here.”

Since when?

But if Leon said so, then okay.

I nodded beside him.

After Lucas left, I let out a big sigh.

“Bell-bell… do you really like guys with muscles like that?”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Leon turned away quickly and walked to the window.

Bright sunlight poured in through the big window.

Leon squinted but still watched Lucas walk away.

I went behind him and gently touched his shoulder.

“Leon, want to do a puzzle together?”

It felt like things turned out okay in the end.

My heart had pounded so hard earlier, thinking I’d hit a death route.

Smiling, I looked at Leon.

He suddenly turned around.

He looked serious—and his shirt was unbuttoned all the way to his belly.

“You said you like this…”

“Ahhh! What are you doing?!”

I almost screamed, but I quickly covered my mouth and shook my head.

“You said you like this…”

Don’t act shy like that!

Also, I don’t like it!

But my face was burning.

I glanced at his chest and started buttoning his shirt.

“Leon, whatever Lucas said… don’t listen to it.

It’s not worth hearing.”

I looked up at him.

I was so nervous, I breathed hard through my nose.

Worried he’d notice, I turned my head quickly.

“Got it.”

Leon said in a cold voice and walked straight toward the door.

Why is he acting like that?

“Leon, what about the puzzle?”

“Not doing it!!”

Leon opened the door wide and left.

“How could I just smile like an idiot?

Seriously, who can stay calm in that situation?”

I stared at the empty room and sighed.

It was like a storm had passed.

Anger boiled up again, and I marched to the window.

“Hey, you jerk! You’re dead meat!!”

Lucas must’ve heard me because he stopped and looked back.

He must’ve forgotten everything I said before, because he happily waved at me.

‘Is this guy seriously a psycho?’