ILOIML 03

Chapter 3

“Not the duke’s wife, but the Grand Duke’s wife. To be exact, the Grand Duchess. Do I really have to explain this to you? Who was she again?”

“Oh my, you’re so funny.”

I’m not joking. I really don’t know.

“Robin, can you help unload the luggage?”

I learned his name from a middle-aged woman who politely greeted me.

“My lady, why have you gotten so thin?”

Her eyes welled up with tears. I didn’t know who she was, but seeing those tears she shed for me made me emotional too.

“Grand Duchess, the Master and Madam are waiting. Please come.”

Before I could even take in the moment, she urged us along. Leon and I got into the prepared carriage of the Marquis’ family.

Ever since we arrived in the capital, Leon had been gripping my hand tightly. But once we were alone in the carriage, he abruptly let go. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.

“Duke, what’s wrong?”

“Not Duke. Grand Duke. I’m scared of meeting people. I was nervous.”

Wow, he really knows how to use things he learns.

“Alright then, Your Grace.”

“Can you not call me titles like Duke or anything? Just call me Leon, like Bella does. Please? Please?”

“……”

Seriously? Doesn’t this hit you too?

I held back my laughter and looked out the window.

The scenery of the capital passed by quickly. Once I calmed down, I turned back to him.

“Okay, fine. Leon.”

“Again.”

“Leon.”

“Wow! I’m so happy! Leon feels good. Bella makes Leon happy~”

I held Leon’s hand again while he talked unclearly.

And I could feel his hand trembling in mine. Was the great Leon really scared?

After all, he witnessed his parents and siblings being murdered right in front of him at the imperial palace. The trauma must be unimaginable.

My own parents passed away before I could even process grief, so I can’t even imagine what he feels.

Thinking of my parents made my eyes sting.

“Bella, are you crying?”

“No, not at all. Something just got in my eye. Don’t worry. Even if you’re scared, I’ll always be by your side.”

“……”

Leon stared into my eyes for a moment, then suddenly let go of my hand and turned his head sharply.

“Look over there. What’s that?”

He asked as he looked out the window at the passing scenery.

I had just said something heartfelt, and he dodges it like this? Sigh. I should stop trying.

Still, maybe things like this will stack up like life savings and help me later.

But I’ve never been here either. How could I explain anything?

“Hmm… What could it be? Try guessing!!”

After a few answers like that, Leon stopped asking questions. His expression didn’t look great either.

Luckily, just as I noticed the shift in his mood, we arrived at the Marquis’ estate.

“Your Grace the Grand Duke, and Grand Duchess. We’ve been expecting you.”

A very handsome middle-aged man greeted us. I could tell from his familiar face that he was my father.

Next to him was a sharp-eyed woman who gave me a big smile when our eyes met—she must be the Marchioness.

“Thank you for the warm welcome. Have you been well?”

“I thought you’d come back to the capital quickly, but you’ve held out well.”

The Marchioness hugged me and whispered softly in my ear.

I didn’t know what to say, so I just smiled.

She looked at me strangely for a moment, then turned her head.

We were shown to the rooms prepared for us.

“Young Lady—no, Grand Duchess—you’ve become even more beautiful!”

A maid who had come in to unpack our things clasped her hands to her chest like she was moved.

“Right… Katie.”

“Huh? I’m Joanne.”

“Sorry. I confused you with someone from Aster’s estate.”

“Oh… that’s understandable.”

For a second, I thought I saw a smirk on her face. But maybe I imagined it, because after that, the maids treated me very politely and served me well.

“But was there really a maid named Katie?”

Leon suddenly asked me,

“I’m not good at remembering people’s names.”

I just smiled awkwardly, but unlike me, Leon’s gaze was cold.

Just then, the Marquis and his wife called us to the drawing room, so I took the chance to distract Leon’s curiosity and went downstairs with him.

Drinking tea with the marquis couple was peaceful.

The Marchioness occasionally looked at me with a blank expression, but it quickly disappeared.

They were polite and kind.

“Is it really true that Bella is the child of this household? Aside from being born outside the family, everything seems fine…”

If the Marchioness had given birth to Bella herself, she would have strongly opposed sending her to marry the Grand Duke.

But this level of treatment wasn’t uncomfortable—it was actually just right.

“And Grand Duchess, could we speak in private for a bit? A father and daughter should catch up.”

The Marquis said gently.

“No, no! Bella has to stay with me!”

Leon clung to me, and I looked awkwardly between him and the Marquis.

I had just thought this family seemed okay… Now I wanted to confirm whether I was right.

I gently took Leon’s hand off mine and tried to make him feel calm.

“Leon, can we be apart just for a little while? I’ll ask Father to bring you lots of candy and chocolates. Would that be okay?”

The Marquis eagerly nodded.

Pouting, Leon reluctantly agreed and returned to our room.

“You should leave us too.”

“What? Me too?”

The Marchioness asked in surprise, but the Marquis, now with a colder gaze, nodded firmly.

Once she left and it was just me and the Marquis in the drawing room, he finally spoke.

“You think this is funny? You really believe you’re the Grand Duchess or something?”

Before I could react, he suddenly stood up and slapped me hard across the face.

Still angry, he threw sofa cushions at me again and again.

“You ran away saying you didn’t want to live with the Grand Duke, and after I convinced you to go back, didn’t I tell you to report to me about him every day?”

What… What was happening?

My mind went blank.

This was my first time experiencing something like this.

I almost laughed from how ridiculous it all was.

I had just thought this was a good place.

Now I felt oddly relieved.

If they had been good people, I would’ve felt guilty for wanting to distance myself. But thankfully, I didn’t have to.

Convinced her to go back?

I didn’t need to know the details to feel disgusted. My body trembled.

“Didn’t I promise you’d live in luxury once that brat dies if you just played your part well? But if you keep acting like this, you’ll get nothing.”

What is he talking about?

If anyone’s going to die first, it’s him before Leon.

With the great demonic age coming, the world will collapse.

Staying close to Leon is the safest place to be.

This man talks like he knows everything, but he can’t even see what’s coming.

I couldn’t stand to look at him anymore—I needed to get out.

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how to deliver news to you…”

“What? That’s your excuse? …Well, thinking about how stupid you are, it’s believable.”

He spoke sharply, then nodded like he agreed.

“You were never good at sitting still in front of a desk. I’ll get you a communication stone before I go back to Aster. Don’t make me raise my voice again.”

Just how much of a fool did Bella live as before?

“Yes.”

Once I sensed his silent permission to leave, I rushed out like I was escaping.

If I stayed any longer, I might’ve actually had a breakdown.

Outside the drawing room, the Marchioness was waiting for me.

Now what?

“Bella.”

I tried to pass by her, but stopped when she called my name.

She came closer and gently fixed my messy hair.

“You should take chocolate and candy with you.”

She gestured to a maid, who handed her a small basket.

“Let’s go together.”

She took the basket and led the way.

I followed her quietly.

“Bella, have you thought about my offer?”

“Huh? Um… well…”

“Good. Think carefully. Here, take the basket.”

She placed the basket in my hands.

Offer? What offer

She looked at my confused face for a moment, then turned and disappeared down the hallway.

I stood there, staring after her for a while, then finally went into the bedroom where Leon was waiting.