ILOIML 33

Chapter 33

Two days after the investigators left, the front page of the Empire’s newspaper reported the death of the Marquis of Sweden.

It also said that the killers were the Marchioness and the young Marquis.

The entire country was in shock.

For several days, the news articles also mentioned suspicions about me.

But not even one article talked about the abuse Bella and her family had suffered.

The day before the news came out, Leon kept begging me to go with him to Palanuvo, a resort city in the south.

At first, I thought he was trying to comfort me because he expected the article to come out.

But according to Kalsen, Leon simply hated the cold northern weather and would go to Palanuvo whenever he had time.

‘It’s easy to misunderstand when the timing is like this.’

“Let’s go another time. Now isn’t a good time.”

I knew he wasn’t saying it for me but just because of the cold.

Still, I was really thankful to him.

Strangely, I kept feeling anxious.

Of course, it was because of Walter.

The heavy feeling in my chest kept growing day by day.

Even I couldn’t understand my own emotions.

In the end, I decided I had to see him, even if people stared at me uncomfortably.

“Leon, I want to go to the capital.”

Leon, who had been smiling, suddenly froze.

“Why?”

He asked shortly, but his voice carried strong pressure.

I was speechless.

Then he quickly changed his face and pouted.

“Why? Why??”

He suddenly acted cute, totally different from before.

That made me relax a little and smile.

It’s times like this when I realize—Leon is the one who makes me smile.

He didn’t always look at me kindly, but just the fact that he looked at me was enough.

“I’m going to see Walter.”

“Then I’m going too.”

He said it without hesitation.

In my head, I planned to go alone—but my heart got in the way.

I couldn’t say no. I just looked at him silently.

“Can’t I come?”

He asked carefully, watching my face.

I smiled tightly and didn’t answer.

I knew he hated going to the capital, and I felt bad.

“Will you come with me?”

Leon nodded right away without any hesitation.

Since I had decided, there was no reason to delay.

We headed straight to the capital.

We decided to stay at the same hotel as before.

I don’t know if I was being watched, but the moment we arrived at the hotel, the two investigators from before showed up.

I wasn’t surprised.

I had planned to meet them anyway to find a way to see Walter.

In fact, I was glad they came.

But Leon seemed to feel differently.

He smiled foolishly in front of them, but his eyes looked angry.

Worried he might forget to play his role, I handed him the small teddy bear on the sofa.

Leon frowned slightly but then began playing with it, pretending to talk to the bear.

“This doesn’t feel good. We didn’t tell anyone we were coming, so how did you know we arrived?”

“Sorry if it upset you. But since the case isn’t closed yet, we’ve been monitoring portal travel records.”

They weren’t lying—they were just being honest.

At that moment, Leon threw the teddy bear straight at one of the investigators’ faces.

It hit him directly, and he frowned.

But then he looked at me, smiled awkwardly, and gave the bear back to Leon.

“You’re probably wondering why we came to the capital, right?”

“…Sorry, it’s an order from above.”

“Let me meet Walter. I came to see my family. He’s my blood relative.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s not allowed. The Emperor has forbidden any outside contact.”

The teddy bear flew again toward the same investigator.

He tried to dodge, but it hit him right in the face again.

“I’m going to see Uncle Emperor! Let’s go, Bell-bell! Come on, let’s go!”

Leon stomped his feet and shouted to me.

The investigator, who had been frowning, lowered his head when he saw Leon throwing a tantrum.

They glanced at each other, struggling not to laugh.

‘Is Leon… really going to see the Emperor for my sake?’

“Hurry, let’s go, okay?”

I hesitated.

If meeting the Emperor was the only way to see Walter, then I had no reason to hold back.

The problem was, Leon really hated the Emperor.

But now, he was clearly trying to help me.

“…Then I’ll go to the Imperial Palace and ask His Majesty myself.”

The investigators exchanged troubled looks.

But I wasn’t asking for their permission.

“Anyway, are you going to just stand here? If you have any questions, ask now and leave. Our Duke gets nervous around strangers. Next time, it might not be a teddy bear flying at you—it might be a flower vase.”

“N-no, it’s fine. We just came to let you know that if you have anything to say, you can always contact us. If not, we’ll leave now.”

“I have nothing to say.”

They bowed politely and left.

As soon as they were gone, Leon stood in front of me, fuming.

“Leon didn’t throw anything!! Why are you making me sound like a crazy person? Bell-bell, you framed your husband!”

He was so angry his shoulders were bouncing up and down.

But something about his words felt oddly sharp.

“Then who threw the teddy bear? Who started it?”

“Hmph.”

Leon turned his head away.

He didn’t answer since it wasn’t in his favor.

I shook my head and stood up from the sofa.

“I’m going to the palace now.”

As I stood, I spoke to Leon.

He quickly turned his head and looked at me.

“Then let me come with you.”

He always trembled at the idea of seeing the Emperor.

So this must have taken real courage.

I held his hand and gently stroked it.

“This is a family matter, so it’s better if I go alone. I really can’t give in this time. Just coming this far with me has already helped me so much.”

Leon didn’t reply. He just looked down.

After a while, he looked up with a pouty face.

“Why are you rubbing my hand like that?”

I threw his hand away and looked serious.

He started spinning around me playfully.

“Oh no, here we go again.”

I sighed and muttered to myself, hoping he wouldn’t hear.

“Then come with me to the palace. If not, I’ll keep spinning all night long. Around and around and around!”

“…I didn’t mean for you to hear that.”

I replied in a tiny voice, feeling awkward.

Leon stopped and leaned close to my face.

“Liar. You said it loudly on purpose so I’d hear it.”