ILOIML 34

Chapter 34

The Emperor was waiting for us.

We greeted him.

He had been staring at us blankly, but suddenly, he burst into loud laughter and walked toward us with big steps.

Then, he hugged Leon tightly.

“Come, have a seat.”

He grabbed Leon’s shoulder firmly and led him to the sofa.

I followed behind, watching their backs.

Leon was much taller than the Emperor, but there was a strange pressure from the Emperor that made Leon shrink back.

It wasn’t because Leon was weak—he was scared of the Emperor deep down.

“Got caught up in a troublesome matter, I heard?”

The Emperor glanced at me as I sat down and asked casually.

So, the death of a loyal servant was just a ‘trouble’ to him?

I didn’t care much about the marquis either, but I was still shocked that he talked about a person’s death like that.

“Is it really true that the Grand Duchess had nothing to do with it? That’s what I heard.”

He looked at me with a teasing expression and a sly smile.

I stared him straight in the eye and answered,

“Just as you know, I have absolutely nothing to do with it.”

I had to be someone completely unrelated to them.

Just one meeting with Walter had led me to this moment.

“I heard you went to the villa because you heard he was sick?”

“Yes. That’s right. But I later heard that he had already died. I came back without even seeing him.”

“You should’ve taken Leon with you. A son-in-law should be there at the end…”

He clicked his tongue in a regretful tone.

I frowned.

What if Leon had gone to the villa?

The Emperor would’ve used any excuse to drag Leon into it.

That thought sent chills down my spine.

This man had killed his own brother and his family for power.

He was no ordinary madman.

“By the way, why did the Grand Duchess want to see me?”

“I want to meet Walter. I heard Your Majesty has forbidden any outside contact. So, I came to ask you directly.”

The Emperor stroked his chin and looked up at me.

“Why do you want to meet him?”

“I just… want to say goodbye. It might be the last time.”

“Haha, you really cut ties coldly. Saying it might be the last time… You sound like you’re sending him straight to the execution ground.”

He scratched his chin and then glanced at Leon.

“Even without the Marquis, I hope you’ll do your part well.”

He lowered his voice and said this to me.

I nodded.

I understood exactly what he meant.

I could feel Leon looking at me, but I couldn’t look back.

“Well, Leon treats me like a father. I hope you do the same, Grand Duchess.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Since it’s your special request, I’ll allow you to visit the young marquis. Case only!!”

He called his attendant and whispered something.

The attendant nodded and left the room.

“Are you going to see him right away?”

“Yes. If you allow it, I’d like to.”

“Alright. I’m a busy man, so if you have nothing else to say, you should go. Take care of Leon for me.”

He smiled warmly and patted Leon on the shoulder.

“You jerk!”

Leon suddenly shouted.

I froze just as I was about to stand up from the sofa.

Oh no.

I collapsed back onto the sofa, weak from shock.

“Bell-bell said it’s okay to talk like this between close friends. I’m close with Uncle Emperor!”

When did I ever say that?! Don’t drag me into this!

The Emperor glared at me with sharp eyes.

Our eyes met exactly.

He quickly hid his glare and smiled kindly again.

“So this is how the Grand Duchess normally treats the Grand Duke?”

Me?! I waved my hands in panic.

No, no, that’s not true!

“Still, go easy on him.”

He grinned slyly and said.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

The more time we spent with the Emperor, the worse it felt.

I stood up and pulled Leon with me.

Leon stood up, letting me drag him.

We said goodbye to the Emperor and quickly left the room.

His laughter echoed behind us as we walked away.

We got into the carriage and headed straight to the prison.

In the carriage, I stared at Leon with sharp eyes.

Leon looked away, pretending to stare at nothing.

“When did I ever say you can talk to him like that just because you’re close?”

“Huh? Didn’t you, Bell-bell?”

“You jerk!”

He flinched and frowned at me.

“Then I can talk to you like that too, right? Since we’re close?”

“Hehe, then I’ll talk like that to you too.”

“Stop it.”

I said firmly.

But the important part was that Leon didn’t deny we were close.

I had secretly made myself one of his close people.

“But we’re not even that close.”

Fail.

“Aren’t we kind of close? Friends protect each other’s lives, right?”

Leon quickly shook his head and looked out the window.

I sighed. We still had a long way to go.

The carriage started to slow down.

“I’ll go meet Walter alone.”

Leon nodded.

“Come back quickly.”

I said I’d be quick and went into the prison building.

The air felt cold and eerie, making me hunch my shoulders.

The stone walls were freezing.

“This way.”

I entered a small room with just a table and a chair.

Walter was already there, waiting.

His hands and feet were chained.

He looked like a different person.

His lips were covered in dried blood.

His cheeks were sunken.

His skin was pale and rough.

I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath.

“…Why did you come?”

He asked without emotion.

“I heard Mother tried to get you involved.”

“I haven’t seen her since I came here. I’m sorry. I really am.”

“If this keeps up, we’ll both die. It might sound cold, but one of us has to survive—especially the one who’s innocent. Dying like this is pointless. No one’s going to be touched if you die for her crimes. You’ll just die in vain.”

“I’ve killed Father in my mind over and over. I’m a murderer.”

“Then I’d be long dead already. Why are you trying to act all noble now? Enough. I didn’t come here to argue.”

“Then go. Don’t come again.”

“I’ll find a way to save you.”

“Stop. You’ll get hurt too.”

He frowned deeply.

“We don’t have much time. Wrap it up and leave.”

A guard knocked on the door and shouted.

I felt rushed.

We didn’t have time for long, meaningless conversations.

“I’ll tell you a few things. Don’t ask how I know.

Make a deal with the Emperor. I don’t like it, but it might even save Mother.

It depends on how well you persuade him. Think carefully.”

Walter looked stunned but listened quietly as I spoke in a low voice.

When I finished, his eyes widened in shock.

“Bella, how do you know all this…?”

“I told you not to ask. From now on, it’s up to you.

Either die, or survive and figure it out.

But don’t you think our lives have been miserable enough?

Do what you can while you’re still alive.

I’m leaving now.”

This was my final favor for Walter, who had protected me in his own way.

I stood up.

Walter looked at me with mixed emotions.

I looked into his eyes for a moment, then turned away.

The guard knocked, telling me to come out.

“…Thank you.”

Just as I turned away, Walter said in a trembling voice.

I didn’t answer.

I opened the door.

The guard looked past me at Walter.

I walked past him and left the prison.

Leon was waiting outside, waving his arm.

“Bell-bell, over here!”

I waved back at him with all my strength, hoping the heavy feeling in my heart would disappear.