“You can stop taking the medicine except when it’s really bad, and just make sure you disinfect the wounds properly. Don’t move around too much yet……”

The doctor’s cautions continued, but Leon only half-listened. He knew his own body well. He knew how much effort he was putting into recovering quickly. He could now walk with crutches. He could finally go outside without relying on that damned chair. The weather was nice, so he should go for a walk.

His face darkened as he recovered so quickly. He thought of Yvonne’s words about postponing the marriage. How could she postpone it when there were so many problems? Considering most of them would be solved if they just got married?

He was hurt and puzzled as to why she wouldn’t rely on him.

Still, he was pleased that Yvonne had stood her ground. It meant that she was less afraid of him now.

Leon slowly made his way out into the garden, using his crutches. It wasn’t so much a garden as it was a wilderness. It was wide open all the way to the foot of the mountain.

But there, where the forest began, someone was lying face down. Even from a distance, he could tell it was Emil. His blond hair glinted in the sunlight.

He had nothing better to do, and he was curious, so he slowly made his way towards him. It took longer than he thought it would because he was still getting used to the crutches.

This was……

As he approached, a rabbit that had been hiding in the grass and munching on something ran away in an instant. Emil looked up, disappointed. Leon’s expression turned sheepish as he realized belatedly that Emil had been drawing the rabbit on a small piece of paper.

“Sir Leon. Is it okay for you to come this far?”

He knew what kind of child Emil was. He had learned a lot from his visits to the Count’s estate. He had heard countless times how bright and innocent the child was, and had seen it for himself. Emil was a child who saw everything in a positive light. He was so pure that it made Yvonne envious.

Even now, there was no sign of him blaming Leon for interrupting him. It wasn’t that he was trying to hide his feelings; he simply didn’t have them.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you.”

Emil shook his head and held up the small sketchbook he had been drawing in. He then flipped through it page by page, showing Leon his drawings of rabbits. He was quite good. It was the first time Leon had seen Emil’s drawings.

“I have so many. I can draw more next time, and I can finish this one from memory.”

“You’re very talented.”

It was a heartfelt compliment. Emil had captured the rabbit’s clear eyes perfectly.

Leon sat down with Emil. It had been a long way here. It was farther than he thought.

Emil started drawing something again on a piece of paper. He tilted his head up at the sky and drew quickly. Watching from the side, it looked like he was drawing clouds…… He drew them very well, three-dimensionally, like balls of cotton.

It was even more amazing to see him draw in person. And he drew so quickly. His powers of observation were also impressive. He seemed to have a different eye than others. Leon found himself drawn to Emil’s drawing.

“Sir Leon.”

Emil spoke without hesitation. He didn’t seem to find Leon intimidating or scary. He was different from Yvonne. When would Yvonne be able to do that?

“Even if you don’t like me, I don’t hate you.”

Had he disliked Emil? It was a rather uncomfortable thing to say in such a gentle voice, but Leon didn’t mind. Perhaps it was Emil’s strength. Even words like that sounded candid coming from him. Perhaps it was because he spoke so plainly, without a hint of malice.

“I’m twelve years old now, so please don’t treat me like a child anymore.”

He still looked young, but Leon couldn’t bring himself to say it. He just nodded.

“Then I’ll talk to you man to man.”

Leon struggled to keep his lips from twitching. It would be rude to laugh in front of Emil’s innocent face and bright purple eyes.

“I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t make Eve…… I mean, my sister unhappy.”

It was an unspoken rule among noble children that they had to protect their sisters. Emil was still young, but he seemed determined to fulfill that role.

“People usually say ‘make her happy’.”

Emil’s phrasing was a little peculiar.

“My sister often had an unhappy look on her face. Especially when she was with you.”

Emil’s voice, devoid of judgment or reproach, had a way of commanding attention. It seemed to be a natural gift. His voice was soft and clear, but there was a firmness to it. And yet, that firmness wasn’t annoying or offensive. He was a strange child.

“You’re not just saying that because you’re jealous, are you?”

Emil puffed out his cheeks and wrinkled his nose. He seemed to be trying to express his anger, but Leon almost laughed again. He was so cute. Leon had the urge to poke his finger into those puffed-up cheeks.

“My sister is the least jealous person I know.”

Right, right. Leon nodded, but Yvonne was good to her brother, so Emil probably didn’t know any better. Only the people involved know what goes on between a man and a woman. Actually, nobody knows.

“My sister told me herself. She said she doesn’t even wish for happiness, she just hopes she won’t be any more unhappy than she already is. So please do that. Promise.”

Emil held out his pinky finger to Leon. Leon chuckled and linked his own finger with Emil’s small, white one. Now that he was looking at him closely, he realized how much they resembled each other. He looked so much like Yvonne when she was little.

Emil, his face finally relaxing, began to study Leon’s smiling face with sparkling eyes.

***

“You’re so lucky.”

The next day, Luke’s voice was strangely twisted as he paid Leon an unexpected visit.

Leon had just brought a chair out to the garden to enjoy the sunshine when Luke showed up uninvited. Leon gave him a frosty look.

“Who said you could come and go as you please?”

Leon’s voice was low and laced with displeasure.

“Since when do I need your permission to go anywhere?”

Luke completely ignored Leon’s words.

“How do you manage to look better than me when I’m the Duke?”

“Get your facts straight. You’re not the Duke yet.”

Luke responded with a snort. It was the same difference. He would be soon enough. As soon as his father died.

“You look much older.”

Leon’s words were barbed.

It was the busiest time for Luke. He was so busy with work that he had to cut back on sleep. It was only natural that he had dark circles under his eyes. So of course he wouldn’t be happy to see Leon relaxing and enjoying himself.

“What brings you here?”

His voice was heavy with annoyance. Luke was an unwelcome guest, interrupting his peaceful day.

Luke, who had come with a question, forced himself to be patient with Leon.

Still, Leon answered his question directly and honestly. They had made a deal, and Leon would keep his word. Luke was satisfied.

“Anything else?”

“That’s all.”

“Then get out.”

Leon closed his eyes. Luke’s breathing grew heavy at his blatant rudeness.

“You’re not even going to offer me a cup of tea?”

“Get out if you want my help.”

Leon cut him off before he could say anything else.

Luke didn’t leave right away. He changed the subject.

“Flower baskets keep arriving at the Duke’s mansion.”

They weren’t just coming from women. Noble families were sending flower baskets one after another.

Luke had also returned alive from the war, but Leon had been presumed dead and had returned alive, so he was being treated even more like a hero. He was receiving even more attention than the successor, which was what the old Leon had always wanted.

“Go hug them yourself.”

Leon’s tone was indifferent.

Luke chuckled cynically and told Leon something important. Leon’s expression changed instantly. Shocked, wasn’t he? Now he would have something to worry about. He wouldn’t be able to rest so easily in the future.

With their conversation over, Luke turned on his heel. Leaving Leon, who was no longer relaxed, behind, he walked towards his waiting carriage with his usual measured steps.

***

Yvonne saw through the window that Luke had come. But he left after talking to Leon. This had never happened before.

It was common courtesy to greet the owner of the house when visiting, even if it was the Count’s estate. She wondered why he would only meet with her brother and then leave without a word. Luke wouldn’t do that, would he? But Yvonne’s suspicious gaze was directed at Leon, who was resting comfortably in the distance.