ILOIML 43

Chapter 43

He didn’t call me Bell-bell, or Bella Aster, but Bella Sweden.

His words felt like the sky was falling. My lips trembled. His cold gaze made my heart freeze.

“Leon, go back safely to Aster. I’ll follow you soon.”

“Come or don’t. I don’t care.”

As I let go of the carriage door with a bitter smile, Leon slammed it shut.

I stood there for a long time, watching his carriage disappear.

“My lady, when are we leaving?”

Amy and Mary, who hadn’t joined the group returning to Aster, looked at me with anxious faces. They were scared, thinking they wouldn’t be allowed to return to their home in Aster, especially seeing how things were between me and Leon.

“Let’s just meet Walter and then go.”

Only then did Amy and Mary sigh in relief.

I headed straight to the Sweden Marquisate. I really didn’t want to go, but I had this sudden urge to meet Walter. I didn’t get out of the carriage and asked a servant to inform him that I was here.

When Walter came rushing out, I stepped down.

“Bella, I was so worried after how we parted yesterday. Let’s go inside.”

“Do you think I came because I’m no longer mad? Saying such rude things in front of people — you were the worst.”

“I’m sorry. I guess I thought the Grand Duke wouldn’t care. He usually doesn’t. I really didn’t expect him to get that angry.”

“Even babies can tell if someone likes or hates them just by the tone and face. And calling His Highness just ‘Grand Duke’? Is he your buddy? Do you always speak so carelessly? I’m leaving.”

“No, Bella. I’m sorry. If you give me a chance, I’ll properly apologize.”

“Forget it. That issue needs time. Because of you, Leon doesn’t even want to see me. I actually came here to talk about the inheritance.”

“Inheritance?”

“Father’s gone. Isn’t it natural to divide his inheritance?”

“Uh… I didn’t think about that. In the Empire, the heir just inherits everything from the Marquisate.”

“Then give me the title. Honestly, I’m the one who saved this family.”

“…Do you need money?”

“To be honest, yes.”

It didn’t feel right to hide it, so I told the truth. Walter laughed in disbelief.

“You still haven’t come to your senses?”

“What fun do I have in Aster, with no friends except Leon? If I can’t spend money, life is just miserable. You know I got married without a dowry, penniless.”

Walter didn’t deny it and nodded.

“You didn’t have friends here either… Anyway, I’ll discuss it with the aides.”

I shook my head. Why is he trying to think things through now, when he always says whatever comes to mind?

“Walter. Think about what I’ve done for this family. I believe I deserve at least 50%.”

“You’re right. But if it were my personal wealth, I’d give it to you right away. This is the family’s estate. Just give me a little time.”

He patted my shoulder and ran back into the house. I stood awkwardly in the garden while unfamiliar servants passed by and greeted me. It seemed many staff members had changed.

Walter came out soon after with a large pouch.

“Here.”

He handed it to me. It was heavy, and I placed it on the ground.

“No way…”

Heart pounding, I opened the pouch in a hurry. Just as I expected.

It was even more than I’d imagined — filled with 1-sola gold coins.

“Walter…”

If he had something like this to give, he should’ve done it sooner.

I looked at him with misty eyes. No, now wasn’t the time to get emotional. I glared at him.

“…Do you need more?”

Huh?

“Well… not really, but the more I have, the more confident I’ll feel.”

“Did they treat you badly for not having a dowry?”

“No, Leon isn’t like that.”

He does get sensitive about my spending though. I quickly packed the money and held it tight. Just thinking about Leon made me anxious.

“I’ll leave now. I think I need to go back to Aster.”

“Wait. Let me prepare more.”

“No, it’s fine. Give it to me next time.”

“Next time? Okay…”

“And make sure to discuss the inheritance and let me know.”

I hugged the money pouch and got into the carriage. Just as I turned away from Walter waving at me, I had a strange feeling that someone was watching me from the window.

I looked again, but no one was there.

If someone really was watching, it was probably the Marchioness. That was her room after all.

What was she thinking as she watched me?

They say she’s mentally unstable. Could she even recognize me?

I wondered briefly, but quickly shook off thoughts of the Marchioness.

Leon alone was enough to make my head explode.

I hugged the pouch like it was treasure, biting my lip.

When I arrived back at the mansion, the maids were already waiting and began loading the luggage.

I stayed inside the carriage, just staring out the window.

‘Is showing up in front of Leon making things worse?’

Suddenly I lost all confidence.

Was going to Aster even the right decision?

Hundreds of thoughts swirled in my head.

“My lady, everything is ready. Shall we go?”

“Wait a moment.”

I stopped Mary and Amy from climbing in, afraid I’d change my mind.

They looked at me with worried eyes. I felt sorry for them.

“I want to stay in Palanuvo for a few days.”

“What? All of a sudden?”

Mary dropped her small bag in shock.

I nodded.

Maybe if I stayed away for a while, Leon’s anger would cool.

Zeus made me uncomfortable, but…

“Alright. Send messages to Aster and Palanuvo. Let’s take a short break, then head to Palanuvo.”

I got out of the carriage. Amy and Mary followed behind me, sighing deeply.

I felt bad for them, but I just couldn’t face Leon.

It was cowardly, but I wanted to avoid the situation.

As if the sky understood me, a lonely winter rain began to fall.

* * *

Leon hadn’t been in a good mood since returning from the capital.

When he heard Bella wasn’t returning to Aster but going to Palanuvo instead, no one dared approach him.

Only Kalsen stayed quietly by his side.

“Kalsen, if Bella comes back to Aster, should I go to Palanuvo?”

Kalsen looked up from the papers he was reviewing.

“Is that necessary? You could avoid running into her in the castle if you really wanted to.”

“I didn’t know Bella at all.”

Kalsen silently looked into Leon’s shaking eyes.

“Were you expecting something?”

“What?”

“…”

Kalsen didn’t answer.

Leon scoffed, leaning his chin on his hand, half-closing his eyes.

“Expecting? I did enjoy the time together. It felt like we were a real couple.”

“Then just keep going like this. Honestly, you could’ve just pretended you didn’t hear anything. As long as you don’t expect anything more from her.”

Leon stood up with a troubled face and walked to the window.

The cold outside air had frosted the glass.

The blurred window felt just like his heart.

Bella’s smiling face flickered on the frosted glass — and vanished.

His eyes darkened.

He felt like punching his chest.

He always knew Bella wasn’t being genuine.

At first, he played along to see how far she’d go.

Sometimes, he wished her actions were real.

But then he heard she called him a fool, and that she was only nice to him for his money.

It hit him hard.

Was it just the betrayal that made him feel so heavy?

Leon clenched his fist.

‘I wish I’d never heard it.’

His resentment turned toward Bella.