The Beast Who Has Returned Obsesses Over Me - Chapter 12

Yvonne, stepping outside, paused for a moment.

He had clearly misunderstood while pondering, thinking that she was going to buy new things for the mansion.

If this were the old Leon, he would have scolded her severely for even thinking about spending his money.

Yet, Leon’s voice remained gentle throughout. He didn’t scold her. He didn’t throw anything. Of course, he was in no condition to get out of his chair, but he could have said something if he was displeased. This continued to be a positive development for her. If only it could last….

It was strange that even though Leon was in the mansion, she didn’t tremble with fear as she used to. She realized now that the servants, too, were no longer walking on eggshells around her.

The atmosphere in the mansion was no longer anxiously subdued as it used to be.

She knew one thing for sure. Despite the almost-misunderstanding, a faint smile bloomed on her lips.

However, her good mood was short-lived. In the afternoon, an unwelcome guest arrived. It was Luke, Leon’s older brother.

The moment Luke stepped into the mansion, the air grew heavy. It felt like a weight had settled on everyone’s shoulders. Luke always had an imposing presence.

Luke’s eyes, as he glanced around the mansion, were sharp. His gaze was undeniably disapproving. Of course it would look shabby compared to the magnificent Duke’s mansion. Please don’t compare them. Still, this is my mansion.

Just as the atmosphere in the mansion was starting to improve, Luke seemed to be throwing a wrench in the works.

Yvonne, too, couldn’t muster a pleasant expression.

As she led Luke to the bedroom where Leon was resting, she quietly closed the door behind them. Luke had requested some time alone with Leon. It was actually more convenient for her, as she didn’t have to bring in a tray of tea.

It seemed Luke would continue to visit as long as Leon was here. Luke was a kind brother to Leon. So, he would probably continue to visit out of concern. It was another inconvenience added to the list.

“So you ran away to save your life, and this is all you could manage?”

The door was old, and Luke’s words that he spat out carried clearly to her. His voice was filled with anger.

“You’d rather die than be away from Yvonne?”

She took a few steps back. Not wanting to eavesdrop, she hurriedly moved away from the door. She wondered what Leon had done to provoke Luke to the point of speaking like that after returning to the Duke’s mansion. Yvonne, who had never seen Luke so sarcastic, couldn’t help but think that way. Then again, she didn’t know how they usually spoke to each other when they were alone. They might be different behind closed doors. He was a brother who had always been generous, even when his younger brother was being difficult.

There was nothing urgent for her to check on right now. The servants knew what to do. She just had to confirm everything later. She sat down on a chair at the end of the hallway.

The sunlight streamed in beautifully through the old window.

It seemed their conversation was going to be longer than expected.

She hoped Leon wouldn’t be too hard on Luke. Luke had done his best for his brother. He was the one who had given Leon a grand funeral when they thought he was dead.

A year after Yvonne’s father and the Duke’s twin brother had gone to war as commanders, only Luke, the elder twin, had returned alive. Her father and Leon had died valiantly in battle. Unofficially, she had heard that Leon had met a gruesome end, his head severed by the enemy. She had cried when she heard the news.

When Leon’s coffin arrived from the battlefield, the funeral was held immediately. Luke had quickly arranged a grand ceremony. He had also secured a prime spot for Leon’s grave in the Duke’s family cemetery, a place bathed in sunlight. Even without words, his grief for his brother was palpable. Luke had stood there, stoically accepting the condolences of those around him, while Yvonne, standing a little distance away, had to endure the same words of comfort. Everyone had thought that was the end of it.

But now that Leon had returned alive, Luke’s shock must have been considerable. Though not as much as hers, of course.

She wondered how much Leon must have angered Luke for him to speak to his brother like that, but it was their business.

She lifted her face towards the sun and began to bask in its warmth. What a beautiful day it was. The sun, at least, remained constant no matter what.

But then, a loud voice erupted from the bedroom.

“Eve! Eve!”

What a voice! From the sound of it, he seemed fully recovered. Leon was calling for her repeatedly from inside the room. Luke, beside him, would surely think Leon was calling out for her because he missed her. That’s how desperately he was calling her name.

Heaving a sigh, Yvonne rose from her seat.

Why was he suddenly calling her ‘Eve’ again?

Leon was known for his fickleness. He was a man who would discard something he liked in the morning by evening. It wasn’t easy to please him. Of course, since his return, he had been behaving so differently that she couldn’t understand him at all.

But being called ‘Eve’ in that broken voice triggered a wave of resistance within her.

Yvonne quietly opened the door and entered. Unaware of what had transpired inside, she stood still by the door.

Leon was on the bed, his chest heaving as he fumed, while Luke stood beside him, calm and steady like a rock.

Luke turned away without a word and walked towards her with heavy steps. Everything about him was heavy. He was a weighty and intimidating presence.

As she turned to see him off, Luke’s broad back seemed infinitely unsettling.

She closed the door gently behind him and turned around, only to find Luke standing right there, blocking her path. His eyes flickered, revealing a glimpse of the anger he couldn’t quite conceal. It seemed his conversation with Leon hadn’t gone well.

He seemed to have something to say, but Yvonne felt incredibly uncomfortable standing face to face with him.

“I apologize for the trouble.”

She was honestly surprised to hear Luke say such a thing.

Was he truly… sorry? If so, shouldn’t he take his brother back to the Duke’s mansion? Instead of saying such things. But she couldn’t utter a word. Luke, however, continued to stare at her. As if he still had something to say.

She wished he would just finish what he had to say. Yvonne avoided his gaze.

“Did Leon say anything to you?”

Yvonne looked back at Luke, who had posed such a question. What did he mean by ‘say anything’? He had said a lot of things, but she didn’t think there was anything she needed to tell Luke…

“Not really…”

Unsure of what he was asking, she just mumbled vaguely.

Luke’s sharp gaze began to scrutinize her face.

As his eyes scanned her, a flicker of relief crossed his features. She didn’t understand what he found so relieving.

“From now on, Leon…”

When Luke was about to continue speaking, Leon’s voice suddenly called for her from inside the room. It was certainly not a pleasant tone.

“Yvonne.”

She heard him calling for her again.

Sometimes Eve, sometimes Yvonne.

Well, it didn’t matter what he called her.

“We’ll talk later.”

Fortunately, Luke withdrew. She nodded and quickly turned around. Luke wasn’t important to her right now. If she didn’t go in quickly, Leon would get angry. Yesterday’s events would likely end with yesterday. Leon’s mood must be quite twisted because of Luke. When things don’t go his way, Leon turns into a fierce beast. Just because he had changed for a few days doesn’t mean she should let her guard down.

She even felt resentful toward Luke who remained behind. When he stirred things up like this and left, she would have to be the one to suffer the consequences.

“I’ll be back.”

Luke spoke toward Yvonne’s back as she hurriedly entered through the door. His eyes, which glared at the now-closed door, were sinking into darkness.

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