ILOIML 42

Chapter 42

“Are you serious? Really?”

I nodded.

I was worried he might doubt my sudden change, even though I had already shared my thoughts with him before. I also feared he might suspect that the information I gave him came from Leon. But looking at Walter’s expression, it was clear he had no such thoughts.

“Yeah. Seeing my brother smile again after looking like he was dying makes me feel relieved.”

“Really? Did I look that bad? Thanks, Bella. Seriously, you…”

Walter hesitated, then lowered his head deeply.

“If you’re that thankful… if the world ever goes crazy, come find me in Aster.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just… something like that.”

Instead of telling him to come to Aster no matter what, I asked him to come save me. I thought he would only come if I said he owed me a debt.

“Then, I’m going now. Leon’s waiting for me.”

As I stood up, Walter got up too.

“Already? Then let me take you.”

“It’s okay.”

“I heard rumors the Duke of Aster bought a mansion in the capital.”

“Yeah, it’s true.”

“Let’s go together. I’ll just say a quick hello to the Duke and leave. Just like you said, I’ll try to look at your husband without any prejudice—from today onward.”

I was about to shake my head but paused and thought about it. What he said actually didn’t sound too bad. If it was just a quick greeting, there should be no problem.

“That sounds like a good idea.”

At my words, Walter’s slightly downcast face lit up like someone turned on a spotlight.

We left the tea house and got into my carriage together, heading to the mansion. When we arrived, Walter got off the carriage with a slightly stiff expression, glancing around the house before following closely behind me.

I asked Amy, who handed me my coat, where Leon was.

“Master is painting in the bedroom right now.”

“Then we’ll wait in the drawing room. Please let him know Walter is here and ask him to come.”

“Yes, Madam.”

After giving Amy those instructions, we went into the drawing room and sat down to wait for Leon.

“This is a very small mansion.”

Walter commented with an unimpressed look.

“Well… yeah, but we probably won’t be in the capital often anyway.”

“Is that so?”

Walter nodded, though he still seemed dissatisfied as he looked around the drawing room. Just then, there was a loud crashing noise outside the room, and the door burst open.

“Bell-Bell!!”

Leon came running in, shouting my name. Walter stood up at the same time. Leon approached me cheerfully, but his expression changed when he saw Walter.

“Who’s this?”

‘Is this their first time meeting?’

Didn’t they at least see each other at the wedding? And Amy must’ve told him Walter was here.

I looked between Leon and Walter with a flustered face.

“Your Grace, this is Walter Sweden.”

“Oh, Walter? Wal-wal.”

Leon made a barking sound like a dog and started laughing, holding his stomach.

Walter’s face turned completely stiff at that. His eyes quickly filled with hostility as he glared openly at Leon.

“Wal-wal!”

Leon barked again, then burst out laughing once more.

Walter, seemingly lost for words, glared at Leon with his mouth slightly open, then scoffed. He turned to me with a look of disbelief.

‘Is this relationship ruined?’

My head felt like a mess. Whose fault was this?

Leon clearly had been touched when Elizabeth called him ‘Le-Le’ yesterday.

Even if he wanted to joke around…

I shook my head hard, wanting to deny the whole situation.

“Enough. You said he’s rich and kind even if he’s a total fool, right…?”

“Walter!!”

No!!

How could he say that in front of Leon? What an idiot!

My head spun, my heart pounded uncontrollably, and my fingers trembled.

I barely managed to turn my frozen head to look at Leon.

He was staring at me with a cold sneer.

I had thought Leon neither liked nor disliked me.

But now, seeing the contempt and hatred in his eyes, I realized something.

He had been looking at me kindly all this time.

There was a reason Bella had been foolish—it was genetic. I wasn’t the only idiot.

“Leon…”

I called his name desperately and grabbed his arm, hoping for a last chance.

But Leon coldly pulled his arm away.

“Let go.”

Leaving only that cold remark, he turned and walked out of the room.

I sat down on the floor, stunned, watching the door he disappeared through.

“This is so strange. Why is he acting like that?”

Walter shook his head and stepped toward me.

“Go!! Just leave. You’re the real fool here. I don’t want to see your face!”

I screamed at Walter with all my might. I was so upset that I couldn’t even cry.

The phrase ‘repaying kindness with betrayal’ came to mind.

He had smeared filth all over the path I had carefully paved.

“Bella.”

Walter called my name with a panicked face.

But I couldn’t hold back my anger—I jumped to my feet and shouted at him again.

“Get out!! Just leave already!!”

“Bella, I’m sorry. I messed up.”

I left him in the drawing room and ran up to my bedroom.

More than everything I had worked for falling apart, what hurt more was the way Leon looked at me.

“Give Walter a carriage and tell him to leave. Tell him not to contact me unless I reach out first.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“And where is Leon?”

“Master said… if Madam comes looking for him, we should absolutely not tell her where he is.”

Amy said cautiously, watching my reaction.

I closed my eyes and bit my lip hard.

“I want to be alone. Everyone out.”

After the maids left, I collapsed onto the bed.

The white ceiling felt like it was twisting.

And I felt like I was sinking endlessly through the cracks in it.

* * *

I couldn’t sleep all night.

With dark circles and hollow eyes, I sat curled up on the sofa, hugging my knees.

“Madam, are you really going to skip breakfast?”

Mary asked again with a worried face. I didn’t even want to answer and just nodded.

Amy carefully opened the door and stepped into the room.

“Madam, the Master said he doesn’t want to do anything together with you anymore. He shouted that he doesn’t even want to run into you. He asked us to make sure you know that.”

I rested my head on my knees again and stared at the bracelet on my wrist.

‘Should I test this more before I’m sure? If this really is the Goddess’s Torch, I don’t need Leon to survive. I might get kicked out of Aster, so I should build a small but strong shelter nearby and survive on my own.’

I lifted my head sharply, forcing strength into my eyes.

My heart hurt so much, but I didn’t have time to drown in those feelings.

First, I had to survive—then I could get divorced or fall in love.

I buried my head in my knees again.

‘But… I don’t have any money.’

Suddenly, Walter came to mind.

‘Come to think of it, he should have inherited the marquis family’s fortune… so why hasn’t he contacted me at all?’

I quickly began getting ready to go out.

Just as I finished and was about to leave the room, Mary came in urgently.

“Madam, the Master is going back to Aster.”

“What? Now? Without even telling me?”

I lifted my dress and rushed out of the mansion.

People were busily loading luggage onto the carriage.

And Leon was leaning against the carriage, looking at me.

As soon as our eyes met, he turned away coldly and quickly got into the carriage.

“Leon!!”

Just as he was about to close the door, I grabbed it.

“Wait a minute.”

At my words, Leon raised his red eyes.

His eyes looked filled with sadness.

Was it just my own sorrow that made it seem that way?

“Lady Bella Sweden. I’m not interested anymore.”