After that, Lucas continued to provoke me several times.
I tried to ignore him and not respond, but his behavior gradually crossed the line.
Then one day, when he interrupted my precious picnic time, I exploded, shouting harsh words at him.
But no matter how harsh words or threats I said, Lucas still didn't care.
I felt increasingly exhausted, and finally decided to leave the palace temporarily.
At this particular time, the temple priests told me that there was a pastoral event taking place in the city of Esta near Esther, in the Temple of Thea.
The Esta Temple was usually not open to the general public, but rather was intended for the training of official priests.
But they announced that it will open in conjunction with the sponsorship event.
When I enthusiastically expressed to the priests of the Temple of Esther my desire to visit him, I received an invitation from the Temple of Estha.
In fact, I didn't have as much money as they thought.
But thanks to Leon's donations to the Temple of Esther, a rumor quickly spread that the Grand Duchess was donating huge sums of money.
The rumors must have gotten a lot bigger, especially since letters asking for donations started arriving from temples I had never heard of before.
Perhaps, as is rumored, they believe that the foolish husband and his stupid wife are a couple who can be exploited for great gain.
There was another reason I decided to visit Esta Temple.
‘In Esta is the sacred symbol known as the Ruler’s Torch.’
It was not an important sacred symbol.
According to Cassia's story, it was a torch that could be lit with the power of a holy saint, would never go out, and prevent monsters from approaching its surroundings, making it a personal protection item.
But the important part was the ‘Saint Saint Power’, so it was of no use to me.
However, I was hoping that if I got it, maybe the saint who would join Esther later would take pity on me and bestow her holy power on me.
I remembered Cassia's cold tone and her looks.
If I find Mishal Al-Hakim, will you come after me again?
I shivered a little.
Having Cassia hate me was a worse feeling than I expected.
In any case, Esta's visit was a double opportunity to avoid Lucas and obtain the sacred symbol.
After I decided to go to Esta, I hesitated a little about how to tell Leon.
When I went to the Esther Temple earlier, Leon looked annoyed.
I don't know if that's honest or not.
“Leon.”
I called him gently as he ran towards me like a puppy.
Lately, it's become a habit to button up his shirt when I see him.
Why does he do this?
At first, I used to blush and avoid looking at him, but now I can close his buttons skillfully and calmly.
“You were looking for me?”
I nodded as I carefully buttoned it up.
“Of course, I had something I wanted to say.”
"What is it?"
After I finished closing the buttons, I took a step back.
His eyes were full of anticipation.
Not what you expect, Leon.
I was sorry to say I was going alone.
But hearing Lucas' nonsense made me feel like I might do something really crazy.
“I was invited to the pastoral event at Esta Temple, and I will be going for about a week.”
The look of anticipation disappeared from Leon's eyes in an instant.
He looked at me silently for a few seconds.
Will he refuse?
“Okay, have a good time.”
"Really?
Can I go?"
“Yes, pray a lot there.”
What is this?
Is it that easy?
Is that all?
But, oddly enough, I felt more frustrated.
“Last time when I went to the Temple of Esther, you insisted on accompanying me.”
“So, shall I go with you?”
This is the natural response.
“Hmm… I was hoping you would come with me, but the Duke has to guard the palace, right?”
Then I refuse.
This is how the scene should be for me to feel comfortable.
“Bill Bell, you better leave now.
There is an evil demon living here now.”
He said in a whisper, lowering his voice, pointing his finger to his lips.
Sometimes, when he talks like this, he sounds as innocent as a child.
“Leon, you seem to have read a lot of fairy tale books.”
"I'm serious.
That over there..."
He extended his finger, pointing to the window.
I approached him and looked where he pointed.
Lucas was talking to the unit's deputy commander.
I looked at Leon after checking with Lucas.
Leon was watching my reaction, and when he met my gaze, he quickly turned his head.
“Leon, who is Lucas?”
“Someone not worth thinking about.”
“Well done, Leon.”
I laughed and nodded, but I was worried that Leon, who was staying here, would lose patience with Lucas's provocations and make a mistake.
“Leon, why don’t we go to Esta Temple together?”
"Me too?"
He scratched his head.
As before, it seemed that he had no intention of going despite his words.
“But I have to protect the palace, and there are duties that I did not finish yesterday...”
Leon muttered.
'How arrogant he is in his refusal.'
I was hoping a little, but his polite refusal hurt me a little.
Sometimes, I forget my situation and sink into the role of wife, but in such moments, I realize reality.
He was just focusing on acting, wary of me getting too close.
"Fine, as you wish."
I couldn't restrain myf, so I unconsciously spoke sarcastically.
Am I crazy?
“Sometimes, I don't understand what you're thinking, Belle Belle.”
Leon remembered the scene of Bella mocking him and then suddenly running with wide eyes, and said to Calsen: “You started calling the lady Belle Belle naturally.”
Kalsen rubbed his chin, ignoring the rest of Leon's words, and just muttered this sentence.
“Sometimes she's nice to me, then she gets angry, then she's nice and makes fun...
Are you starting to get bored of me?”
“Did you feel hurt?”
“Why do I feel hurt?”
Leon remembered Bella, his face relaxed for a moment, but Calsen's words made his eyes sharp again.
Leon laughed sarcastically and shook his head as he fiddled with papers on his desk.
It was absurd and meaningless.
He quickly let go, propped his chin and sighed deeply.
“How long do I have to keep playing the fool?
Isn’t that humiliating?”
“Instead of seeing it as insulting, think of it as temporarily lowering yourf for the future.”
“If I lower myf twice, won't I have to dance naked afterward?”
“If you want, I will strongly support you.”
Kalsen spoke seriously.
His serious attitude towards such nonsense was admirable.
“You really…”
A slight smile appeared on Kaltooth's rigid face and then disappeared.
It was a smile that only Leon could see.
As an illegitimate son of a family, Kalsen endured all kinds of contempt and humiliation.
The only person who reached out to him and sponsored his education was Leon's mother, the former Empress, his only sister.
His father had completely ignored him, making him an outcast, but it was this neglect that ironically saved his life.
Kalsen could not be happy that he was alive.
After the death of his sister, who was his only family, he decided to dedicate his life to his nephew, the only survivor.
Kalsen appeared before Leon, who was left alone in the world, hiding the fact that he was his family, and was willing to endure anything to protect him.
How did Leon feel having to play the fool in front of his enemies?
The more Kalsen thought about it, the more he felt as if a wound was being added to his heart.
Unlike the other kids, Leon was mature from a young age, he had to be.
But recently, Kalsen has noticed a youthful freshness in Lyon that suits his age.
Although the Grand Duchess was a mysterious figure and still disliked him, seeing these aspects of Leon because of her had been a small pleasure for Calsen recently.
"Maybe I should have gone with Belle Belle…Bella.
For no other reason, just wondering what her intentions were…but why go with her?"
Calsen looked at Leon, who was muttering randomly, and smiled softly without responding.