ILOIML 39

Chapter 39

The sweet winter vacation had ended, and we returned to Aster.

We never found the beast that had appeared in front of me.

Maybe that’s why Leon seemed to be in a bad mood when we left Palanuvo.

Aster greeted us with even harsher cold.

“Can I stay in Palanuvo this winter?”

As soon as I got off the carriage, I asked Leon.

He laughed awkwardly but never actually said yes.

We hurried into the castle.

Thankfully, the heating magic tools had been activated inside, so it was warm.

I swore I wouldn’t move around like a restless ghost inside the castle this winter.

The first thing I did after returning to Aster was send a short letter to Cassia.

I wasn’t sure if she would allow it, but I said I wanted to see the holy relic I received in Esta.

And the very next day, I got a reply from Cassia.

[To the Grand Duchess of Aster,

We would like to invite Your Grace to the New Year’s Lantern Festival at the Temple of Rianus.

If you are not too busy, we would be honored by your presence.

May the blessings of the god Rianus always be with you.

– From Cassia –]

“Amy, do you know about the New Year’s Lantern Festival at the Temple of Rianus?”

“Of course. Watching all the lanterns rise into the sky at once is always breathtaking.”

“So you’ve seen it?”

“…No, it’s always in the Empire’s newspapers.”

I nodded. It had appeared in the novel too.

It wasn’t the exact same lantern festival, but there was a scene where all the residents of Aster, surrounded by monsters, released lanterns into the sky filled with hope.

Of course, those lanterns drew more monsters to Aster, but it didn’t matter. Leon and Cassia were there.

“This isn’t even a real answer, she didn’t say anything about showing the relic.”

I sighed and flapped the letter from Cassia.

Besides, I didn’t really want to go to the capital.

“Do you think it’ll be warmer there?”

“Maybe warmer than here…”

Amy trailed off, then looked at me nervously.

I nodded at her.

Yeah, it’s exactly what you’re thinking.

If it meant escaping Aster’s cold, maybe going to the capital wouldn’t be so bad.

Even if there’s no family warmth, maybe I could see Walter if there’s time.

I stopped writing my reply to Cassia.

I should ask Leon first, right?

Until now, I’d only ever informed him one-sidedly.

So I asked Leon to come have a snack with me, and he quickly came down to the parlor.

“Bell-bell, did you miss me that much?”

Leon came in smiling brightly.

Maybe he was tired of teasing me these days—or maybe it was just cold—because he had buttoned his shirt all the way up to his neck.

Not that I minded, of course.

“The Temple of Rianus invited us to the New Year’s Lantern Festival. Do you want to go together?”

Well, not “us” exactly—just me.

Leon’s bright expression darkened slightly.

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for his answer.

He looked at me with deep, quiet eyes.

‘He won’t want to go for something like this.’

For Leon, the capital was a place he only went to reluctantly—not for attending some event.

That’s what I assumed.

“It’s fun going around with Bell-bell… and I’ve done the New Year’s Lantern thing when I was a kid.”

His eyes looked sad.

I regretted bringing it up, wondering if I’d stirred painful memories.

“…I’ll go with Bell-bell. They say if you write a wish on the lantern, it comes true.

Back then, I wrote ‘I want to be alone’ because my mother scolded me—and it actually happened.

This time, I’ll write a different wish.”

Leon’s calm words made my heart ache.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Even though it wasn’t his fault, everything had fallen on his shoulders.

I closed my mouth and quietly hugged him.

This time, he didn’t push me away.

I held back the tears and barely managed to speak.

“Let’s go together. You can even use my wish lantern.”

“…Really?”

“Of course. Have I ever lied to you?”

“…Mm.”

I shot him a cold glare.

He just had to ruin the mood, always.

* * *

We arrived in the capital just in time for the New Year’s event at the Temple of Rianus.

There was no reason to arrive early and attract attention.

Naturally, I thought we’d head to the same hotel as before.

But the carriage stopped in front of an unfamiliar mansion.

“I begged Kalsen to find us a house. I did good, right?”

“Huh?”

I got off the carriage, confused, and stared at the mansion.

Leon proudly spoke next to me.

‘I wish he gave that money to me instead… Why buy a house in a world going to ruin?’

While I trembled at the waste of money, Leon scratched his head shyly.

He must have thought I was trembling with joy.

I sighed deeply, but I couldn’t show it.

I forced a smile.

“Wow, what a nice house.”

“Uwaah…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Bell-bell just insulted the house with her eyes.”

“Wh-what are you talking about? Honestly, I’d be happy even in a cave if I’m with you.”

Leon pouted and turned his head dramatically.

“But houses in the capital are really expensive… You didn’t buy it, right?”

“I’m rich. Kalsen said it’s mine now.”

I staggered and grabbed my forehead.

I closed my eyes and tried to calm my chest, which was about to explode.

‘Leon’s money is not my money. Leon’s money is not my money…’

I had repeated that like a spell whenever I felt tempted to think otherwise.

What’s the point of me being thoughtful and discussing things if he just buys whatever he wants without asking?

“But Bell-bell, I’m kind of upset.”

I felt like I had to speak up this time.

“Why?”

“Well, I asked you before deciding to attend the festival. But look at you—doing whatever you want without discussing anything… Maybe I should start wandering around alone too.”

Leon covered his mouth, trying to hide a laugh.

What was so funny?

“Bell-bell, you’re the same! You left me and stayed in the capital for months! You even went to the temple without me!!”

Leon fired back rapidly.

He wasn’t wrong.

But I wasn’t the one who stayed for months—still, there was no way that argument would work on him.

As I was trying to find what to say, Leon suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Sorry. I was wrong. I’ll talk to you from now on.”

I looked up at him.

There was sincerity in his eyes.

I couldn’t help but nod.

Who wouldn’t give in when he looked at you like that?

We looked around the small mansion together and unpacked in our own rooms.

“Before the evening event starts, I’ll stop by to see the saintess.”

In my reply to Cassia, I’d also asked if I could see the holy relic from Esta again.

Her answer was why I was heading to the temple before the event.

“Okay, come back soon.”

Leon saw me off.

His disinterest in the saintess strangely pleased me, but I also felt a bit guilty.

I told myself it’s still before the original story begins, to ease that guilt.

The front of the Temple of Rianus was already crowded.

Maybe thanks to Cassia’s arrangements, the holy knights recognized my carriage and escorted me inside.

As I walked through the temple’s corridor, I couldn’t stop my mouth from hanging open at the grandeur and beauty.

It was on a completely different level from the Temple of Thea.

Now I understood why the Temple of Thea was so desperate for funding.

In a small, luxuriously decorated reception room, Cassia was waiting for me.

Bathed in the temple’s golden light, Cassia looked like holiness itself.

Without realizing, I straightened my back and lifted my chin.

“Grand Duchess, it’s been a while. Welcome.”

Cassia greeted me with elegance, though her tone wasn’t exactly friendly.