ILOIML 49

Chapter 49

‘My… wife?’

My face instantly turned red.

Leon cleared his throat as he stared into the air. My heart was pounding, but I quickly calmed myself down. I knew better than to get carried away by this feeling.

‘Still… that was touching.’

Without realizing it, I looked at him with eyes full of affection. When I stayed quiet, Leon slightly turned his head. Seeing my gaze, he flinched and his shoulders jerked up.

“You don’t have to be that surprised,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

“When did I say I was surprised? Anyway, about that sword…”

Leon spoke while carefully watching my expression.

‘I must avoid this conversation at all costs.’

I quickly covered my mouth and let out a big, fake yawn. “Maybe I was nervous because the Saintess came. I feel tired now. I want to rest in my bedroom.”

“I’ll rest with Bell-bell too.”

Leon’s eyes looked more serious now, as if he planned to question me about Aisar while we rested together.

“Hmm, no. It’s polite to let someone rest properly when they say they’re tired.”

“Is that so? Or maybe not? Ugh, I’m confused.”

Even that look of his seemed cute—as long as he didn’t ask about Aisar.

Just hearing him say “my wife” made me forget all my worries about the future.

“…I’m going to write a letter too. I’ll ask the temple to change my sponsor to Bell-bell.”

…Can I still forgive him?

My distorted reflection became clear in the glass of the parlor’s window.

* * *

Unlike Cassia’s warning, the next few days were very peaceful.

My luggage from Palanuvo arrived safely in Aster, along with my money.

And on the day I got my money back, a chest full of jewels and gold coins arrived under the name of Marquis Sweden.

There was a letter from Walter too.

He wrote that he was sending the wedding gifts he hadn’t managed to give before. He wanted to deliver them in person, but didn’t because I hadn’t allowed him to visit. He also said the issue I had mentioned about the inheritance was still not settled.

‘Well, I guess it’s complicated. Hang in there, Walter.’

I silently cheered for him and opened the jewelry boxes one by one to look at the gemstones he had sent.

That’s when—

“Bell-bell!!”

Leon showed up like a ghost.

He swung the door wide open and his sparkling eyes scanned my treasures.

“Duke, this is my bedroom. Could you please knock next time?”

“Duke? Are you mad at me again?”

“I just want a little space right now.”

“Wow!!”

Leon ignored my words and began admiring each piece of treasure with excitement. I let him enjoy himself—after all, they were mine. I sat elegantly on top of the chest filled with gold coins.

After a while, Leon looked between me and the chest I was sitting on.

“Get off.”

“Why?”

“What’s that?”

“Just a chair. I bought it.”

He squinted his eyes and looked at me with suspicion. I shrugged and avoided his gaze.

“Bell-bell!”

He suddenly called my name with energy. I got startled and sat more firmly so I wouldn’t be pushed off, then looked at him.

Leon held out a small box to me.

“What… is this?”

Was it a bill?

“I bought it. Since you got so many jewels, I came to see if mine is prettier. Open mine first before looking at anything else. Hurry.”

He pushed the box closer to me.

I took the box without thinking and opened it carefully with slightly trembling hands.

Inside was a very beautiful and expensive-looking bracelet.

‘A bracelet?’

I glanced down at the one I was already wearing.

“Take off that dirty thing and wear this.”

“…”

I want to take it off too, but I can’t.

As I stared blankly at the bracelet and then at Leon, he reached out and took the box back.

“Hurry and try it on. You don’t like it?”

His eyes started to look slightly droopy.

No, it’s not that I don’t like it.

I looked back and forth between the dirty bracelet on my wrist and Leon’s clean, beautiful one. Cold sweat began to form on my back.

“…It won’t come off.”

I said in a whisper.

“What?”

Leon opened his eyes wide in disbelief and stared at my bracelet.

“I said I can’t take it off.”

I repeated with more force.

Leon gave a short laugh and grabbed my hand.

He reached for the bracelet with the other, then frowned.

“Ugh, it’s gross.”

I got offended and quickly pulled my hand away.

It’s dirty, yes, but it’s the bracelet that’s protected my life.

“Give it to me.”

Leon smiled and grabbed my hand again.

Then he pulled on the bracelet.

It came off easily, like it had been greased. I was ready to scream if it got stuck, but surprisingly, it slid right off. I blinked in disbelief. But yes—the bracelet was now in Leon’s hand.

“What just happened?”

“Gross things are no good. Trash. You should throw it away.”

“No!!”

I quickly snatched the bracelet back from him.

“This may be dirty, but it’s precious to me.”

Leon pouted and stared at me before pointing his eyes toward the box with his gift in it. He wanted me to wear it.

So I put my old bracelet in the box and took out the one Leon gave me.

I carefully put it on.

It fit perfectly, like it was made just for me.

I lifted my arm and held it up in front of Leon’s face.

“Isn’t it pretty? Thank you.”

I admired the bracelet while thanking him.

So that’s why he came in with those sparkling eyes—just to give me a present?

I thought he was after my treasure again.

But… why did Leon suddenly give me a bracelet?

“Happy birthday.”

He said it in a small voice.

“Birthday?”

He even knew my birthday? Was today Bella’s birthday?

I stared at Leon silently. Under my gaze, his face turned red.

Why is he blushing like that? He looks so cute.

“Oh, right. Today’s my birthday.”

So Walter must’ve sent all these jewels today on purpose? He could’ve mentioned it in his letter at least.

“What? Bell-bell, you didn’t even know your own birthday? Are you dumb?”

“…I take back what I said about you being cute.” “You think I’m cute?”

“Nope.”

I turned my head away, pretending to sulk, but I was smiling on the inside.

I took the chance to hug Leon tightly.

I leaned my face against his strong chest and wrapped my arms around him.

“Thank you. Bell-bell is very happy.”

Leon didn’t say anything for a while.

I looked up at him.

He looked down at me, then quickly pushed me away and cleared his throat.

While I was smiling and relaxed, he swiftly moved and opened the lid of the chest I had been sitting on.

Sunlight from the window shone down, reflecting off the gold coins.

“Wow, it’s Leon’s favorite thing! Give me some. I gave you a bracelet!”

Leon said cheerfully, without any hesitation.

I had thought earlier that maybe I was wrong to think he came here for the treasure—but I wasn’t wrong.

I stared blankly at him for a moment, then quickly shook my head.

“Duke, what day is it today?”

“…I don’t know. I forgot. Leon has a good memory, but forgot. Leon isn’t dumb!”

“Let me remind you then. Today is Bell-bell’s birthday. All of this was sent for Bell-bell.”

“…”

“It’s really bad to take someone else’s birthday presents, you know.”

“Okay…”

Leon answered in a sulky voice.

“Since today’s my birthday, can I eat whatever I want for lunch?”

“You do that every day. What’s so special today?”

I ignored Leon’s muttering and closed the chest lid. It’s hard to resist when treasure is in front of you.

“Then how about we—”

“My lady!!”

Mary suddenly burst into the bedroom, breathing hard.

She didn’t even catch her breath before speaking.

“Someone from the Rianus Temple in the capital has come to see you!”