ILOIML 10

ILOIML

Posted by William, ? Views, Released on April 15, 2026

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Chapter 10

“What did you say?”

I jumped up and pushed past Amy, running out of the bedroom.

As I rushed toward the study where Leon was supposedly studying, I thought about our relationship before I left for the temple. We had been doing okay, hadn’t we? At least, it looked that way on the outside. So what changed? Why am I running like this?

I realized I was afraid everything I had built with him would fall apart.

“I’m sorry, but we were ordered not to let anyone in.”

“What? I’m Leon’s wife. I outrank all of you.”

Leon’s guards were blocking me in front of the study. I had a good idea why, but I wasn’t going to back down. I already suspected what Leon was “studying” inside. The person with him, Sir Brook, didn’t seem smart—he just had muscles.

“I’m sorry,” the guards kept repeating without even thinking of telling Leon I was here. They wouldn’t budge, no matter how much I begged or threatened them.

Just as I was about to turn away in frustration, I heard the study door open. Sir Brook peeked his head out to see what the noise was.

“My lady, good day to you,” he said confidently, though he looked nervous.

“Leon’s inside, right?”

“Yes, but… the master said he doesn’t want to see you. I’m sorry. Please leave now.”

Just as Brook was about to close the door, I threw myself forward—and the door swung open as I rolled inside. The guards quickly shut the door behind me.

Really? They closed the door instead of helping me up?

As I got up and looked around, I understood why. This wasn’t an ordinary study. It was huge—like a training arena. Definitely a suspicious space for any outsider.

Leon was sitting shirtless in a chair, wiping sweat from his body. He froze the moment he saw me. My eyes stopped on his well-built chest. At that, he jumped up and hid behind the chair.

Brook ran to hand him a shirt.

Just as I thought—he was really fit…

“Uwaaah! Bell-bell, you’re so mean!”

Leon shouted while struggling to put on his shirt. His flailing arms left me stunned.

Should I pretend nothing’s wrong? Wouldn’t that be more suspicious?

“Leon, what were you doing here? And why is this room so big?”

“…P-Playing hide and seek?”

That voice… even he didn’t believe it. But fine, I’ll let it go just once.

“Well, this place is perfect for that. But sweating this much? That’s too much. I came back after a whole week, and you didn’t even come to welcome me?”

Leon slowly stood up from behind the chair.

“Do you really not know why?”

My heart dropped. Did he find out the truth?

He took a step toward me, and it felt like his red eyes were piercing through me.

My heart pounded harder.

“You went to the temple without me!! Leon’s mad!! I’m not playing with Bell-bell anymore!”

“…”

Seriously, this kid…

I felt instantly calm again.

“Leon, you’re still upset about that?”

“But Bell-bell turned into a cactus!”

I couldn’t tell him I lost my appetite from stomping around the temple having tantrums.

“I was so worried about whether you were eating properly that I couldn’t even eat well myself. That’s why I wanted to have dinner with you as soon as I got back. But fine. I’ll just go back to my room and skip dinner until your anger goes away. Enjoy your hide and seek.”

“Nooo! Bell-bell!”

“Your Grace, I’ll leave you two alone,” Brook finally spoke. He looked like he’d been dying to escape. Leon gave him a sharp look, and Brook quickly ran out.

“Let’s eat dinner together. I’ll ask them to make your favorite… um, a huge steak!”

“Just because I enjoyed a few pieces doesn’t mean you have to go overboard.”

His words were kind of pointed.

“Hm?”

“You’re not still mad at me, right? I became all prickly just to pray for you for a whole week…”

“Uwaaah, sorry, Bell-bell! Leon was bad! Leon is a bad guy!”

“Hey! Don’t say that. Leon is a good boy. It’s okay.”

I patted his back. Since I kindly forgave him, we ended up having dinner together.

We gave the order for dinner, then went to the sitting room where I got to enjoy Leon’s drama that had built up over the week.

“Oh right, I have a gift for Leon! He’ll be so surprised!”

I told Amy to bring the sword I had kept. Amy looked unhappy. She clearly hated touching the dirty thing again.

She handed it to me with a grimace, and I took it with both hands, smiling brightly as I gave it to Leon. But he just stared at it with a blank face, not accepting it.

“Leon, I met someone at the temple while praying. I was kind to them, and they said they wanted to gift me this sword.”

“A sword?”

Leon’s eyes sharpened at the word.

Nice—he’s interested. He’ll be even more surprised soon. I barely kept from smirking.

“Yes. It’s supposed to be a really good sword. They say it has the goddess’s divine power and works best for the right person.”

“…But it’s dirty.”

Leon frowned, not even knowing what it was. I ignored him and kept going.

“Even I, who knew nothing about swords, could tell it was amazing. But I couldn’t just accept it for free as the Duchess, right? So I gave them a promissory note for 10 Solas in my name. Great deal, right?”

Leon rubbed the back of his neck and looked up.

“…You got scammed, didn’t you?”

He whispered it, but I heard it clearly.

Go ahead, complain.

I unwrapped the cloth to reveal a plain black scabbard. I drew the sword. The sharp blade gleamed with a holy light.

I looked proudly at Leon.

…Huh?

Leon was staring at the sword, shaking all over.

I narrowed my eyes. His reaction was intense. Maybe I underpriced it. With that face, I could’ve asked for 50 Solas—or more. My big mouth ruined it.

Leon looked like he couldn’t wait to grab it.

“Don’t go swinging it at people, okay?”

“Of course not! Bell-bell, you’re the best! Sword fights sound fun!!”