How angry did he make him?

He must have been so angry that he thought it would be more polite to leave than to stay. Luke, the epitome of nobility, would never commit such a blunder.

In any case, she was glad that she didn’t have to offer tea to someone she didn’t want to see.

***

After dinner, Yvonne was having a fragrant cup of black tea with Leon for dessert in the dining room.

“You fight all the time, but he still comes often.”

Frankly, she wished Luke wouldn’t come. But more than that, she brought it up because of the awkward atmosphere. She felt even more uncomfortable after what had happened with Leon. She was more conscious of him and his mood. He hadn’t said a word yet. It was excruciating.

“He’ll come even if I tell him not to.”

Leon’s voice was laced with amusement. Luke was an adult who came often to see his brother.

It wouldn’t do any good to provoke Luke……

[Just shut up and enjoy what you have.]

She recalled the old Duchess’s warning to Leon.

But Leon didn’t seem to care. He’d do what he wanted.

Yvonne stopped paying attention to that. Perhaps because he was reminded of what had happened in the study, Leon didn’t say anything else. He remained silent. It made her very uncomfortable.

He was eating very well. He seemed to be eating better than before. As if he was trying to recover faster.

So…… did that mean he was going to postpone the marriage talk until he was fully recovered? He had said he would listen to her, so she wanted to believe that was the case. But he wasn’t saying anything, which was frustrating.

Strangely, the black tea tasted bitter in her mouth. It left an astringent taste in her mouth.

Yvonne let out a small sigh without Leon noticing.

***

She put on her gloves with Eva’s help. She had to go down to the village today to meet with the representatives of the villagers. They had asked to meet with her first. Ugh…… She knew exactly what they were going to say. They would ask her to deliver them from poverty, to come up with a solution. She didn’t have any bright ideas yet. She wanted to give them some hope, to show them that things were getting better in the territory, but she didn’t have anything concrete to tell them yet.

It was going to be a difficult meeting. But it was unavoidable. It was her duty and responsibility as acting lord.

As she went down the stairs of the mansion and headed towards the carriage waiting outside, she saw Leon coming back, probably bored.

“Where are you going?”

He seemed to be full of curiosity, having nothing better to do.

“I have to go to the village.”

She was about to get into the carriage that looked the least worn out when Leon approached. She thought he had something more to say…… Huh?

He was getting into the open carriage without her permission. With that body of his.

“What…… what are you doing?”

“I’m bored, so I’m coming too.”

She was speechless at the sight of him casually sitting down in front of her and propping up his crutches. What was so interesting about going there in his condition? He might be bored and have nothing to do, but this was too much.

“Why? Is there a reason why I can’t?”

“It would be better for you not to overdo it in your condition.”

Besides, if she had to give a reason, it was that she wanted to go alone quietly to a place that was already giving her a headache. But she couldn’t force him out after he had made the effort to get in and sit down.

Eventually, the carriage started moving. It seemed like she would be carrying an extra burden.

She looked away from Leon’s face as he stared out the window absently, oblivious to her concerns. His face showed not even a trace of worry. For some reason, she envied him for being able to live like that.

Yvonne turned her gaze to the opposite window with a heavy expression.

The fact that she couldn’t say anything good to the villagers made things even more complicated for Yvonne. How could she overcome this difficult situation? A sigh escaped her involuntarily.

She didn’t notice Leon’s glancing gaze at her. Lost in her own thoughts, Yvonne’s eyes grew increasingly clouded as she stared out the window with a darkened expression.

***

She was facing the representative and other territory residents at the village square, behind a makeshift screen. Knowing their hardships well, her heart felt heavy.

Their grievances began to pour out.

“How long must we survive on just potatoes?”

“Shouldn’t you at least distribute seeds for us to plant?”

“Please lower our taxes.”

“When will there be a solution?”

“Is there even a plan at all?”

Their demeanor was more agitated than last time. Yvonne sat silently before them, just listening. The territory’s poor management stemmed largely from the Count’s poverty.

Even if they tilled the land, she couldn’t provide them with crops or seeds to plant. With nothing to harvest, they grew weak from hunger, making it impossible to work the land further.

It was a vicious cycle. A poor count and hungry residents of the territory. They remained trapped in poverty, the two factors perpetually feeding into each other.

All she could do was sigh. Though she knew what kind of meeting this would be, she couldn’t help but sigh. In the distance, she could see Leon standing idly. His leisurely pace as he walked across the barren land somewhat irritated her. She knew. That this situation had nothing to do with Leon.

Even earlier, as the residents made their demands, they kept glancing at Leon standing far away. They seemed to recognize him despite the distance. These people were aware of Leon’s presence. She already knew what they would whisper about.

“I’ll try to have more hopeful news next time.”

Yvonne slowly rose from her seat. Despite her words, their expressions showed little expectation. The residents’ gaunt faces and bony fingers pained her heart.

“Um…… Miss.”

One resident carefully addressed her as she stood.

“When will you…… get married?”

That single question suddenly changed the atmosphere. Hope began to shine in everyone’s faces. Yvonne bit her lip hard. They were hoping for money that could become available after marriage, given Leon’s position. It seemed they had interpreted her promise of more hopeful news next time in that way. As the second son of one of the wealthiest ducal families in the kingdom, she couldn’t blame them for their wishes. But it hurt her feelings. Very much so.

“There are no plans yet.”

Watching hope fade from their faces again, Yvonne turned away, pushing aside her hurt feelings. She felt suffocated from all directions. It felt as though even the territory residents were crying out that she alone wasn’t enough.

Once in the carriage, she barely managed to steady her ragged breathing. It had been an emotionally draining schedule. She wanted to return quickly. Waiting for Leon, who hadn’t yet arrived, was becoming increasingly difficult.

“Already finished?”

She turned away from Leon, who belatedly entered the carriage.

What could have been so interesting about that barren land that he hadn’t even noticed the meeting was over? Moreover, he didn’t even apologize for showing up late.

She was just uncomfortable in various ways. It seemed beneficial to pretend she was alone in this carriage.

Leon briefly looked over her as she turned away. Then he remained silent for the entire journey back to the mansion.

While the inside of the carriage was quiet, her inner thoughts were far from peaceful. The problems piling up before her kept growing. The slight jolting of the carriage felt like her future. How much more would it shake?

Heavy sighs repeatedly escaped from Yvonne’s lips.

***

“Eve. Are you alright?”

Emil asked worriedly in the dining room where he had arrived first. Indeed, Emil’s eyes couldn’t be fooled. She wasn’t fine at all, though she was pretending to be. But she couldn’t say that.

She just nodded and sat down without looking at Leon, who was entering with crutches on both sides.

Once again, guilt washed over her as she thought of the territory residents who couldn’t eat well while sitting before this splendidly prepared table. The fact that they were eating so well with Leon’s money made her increasingly uncomfortable. Her appetite vanished completely.

“Sir Leon. Thank you so much for accompanying my sister in my place.”

Emil knew where she had been.

“I’m still too young, so my sister has to work hard. I wish I could grow up quickly.”

Yes. I hope you eat well and grow up quickly, Emil.

Affection overflowed in Yvonne’s gaze as she looked at Emil.

“You don’t know how reassuring it is. Thank you.”

If someone else had said those words, it would have seemed like they were subtly pressuring the irresponsible Leon. But this was Emil. He truly meant what he said.