Emil. That Leon doesn’t even know what being reassuring means. He only fills his own stomach. He has no interest in our affairs. So don’t have any expectations at all. That way you’ll be less hurt.

She regretted not being able to tell Emil so plainly. She couldn’t hurt Emil’s values. She wanted to protect Emil, who was pure in a way different from others.

She saw Leon, sitting across from her, respond with a slight smirk.

Huh? Perhaps because her nerves were on edge, she had thought about him as she used to. The changed him…… had helped fill our stomachs too. He had shown interest in our affairs too. No. Even so, it’s still better not to have expectations.

Leon glanced at Yvonne, who wasn’t eating well like before, then cut a large piece of meat, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly as if savoring it.

“The meat tastes even better today.”

All his words irritated her today. She just…… she wished he would eat quietly.

Her head throbbed with pain. Yvonne silently stared down at her plate, just waiting for the meal to end. Looking at her plate that seemed particularly slow to empty today was becoming torturous.

“Are you a dove? Why are you eating like a bird?”

Leon finally snapped irritably. He was staring at her with furrowed brows.

Though his tone was somewhat harsh, it suddenly sounded like he was concerned about her not eating well. His concern for her could be felt in those blunt words.

Concern…… His concern wasn’t exactly welcome. But it wasn’t unpleasant either.

“At least pretend to eat in front of me.”

At those words, she forced herself to move her fork. She struggled to eat though it wasn’t going down well.

Her feelings were quite complicated. This feeling that wasn’t good but wasn’t bad either confused her.

***

In the study of the Duke’s mansion, Luke was receiving the elderly Count Marka.

Count Marka, skilled in business tactics, needed to be handled carefully. Luke was already doing fabric business with the Count.

“Luke. You said you’d think it over, have you decided now?”

A few days ago, the Count had proposed increasing fabric production and contracting with a new factory. At that meeting, Luke had said he would think about it and give an answer. The Count had visited again to hear that answer.

“I agree to increasing the fabric production.”

The Count’s eyes smiled with satisfaction at Luke’s response.

“However, we’ll keep the current factory. There haven’t been any complaints.”

The Count’s eyes suddenly sharpened at Luke’s firm words. It was surprising to see Luke now showing such a firm expression when he had seemed uncertain just days ago.

“Still, I think changing would be better.”

The Count pushed back with an equally firm voice.

“No. The factory stays as is. Agreed?”

Luke was immovable. The Count’s eye twitched slightly. Had he investigated in these few days? It was too short a time for that.

“Count. If you keep being swayed by bribes like this, we might have to terminate our partnership.”

Gasp. The Count froze before him, caught off guard. How did he find out? This wasn’t something that could be discovered through investigation in such limited time. How did this happen?

“We’ll end here for today. I look forward to seeing you with a smile next time.”

Faced with Luke’s commanding presence, the Count had no choice but to rise from his seat without another word.

After the Count left, Luke sank back into the sofa. He had avoided it well.

A very, very satisfied smile spread across Luke’s face.

***

The Count’s mansion hall was noisy from early morning.

“The state of this mansion…”

He had finally arrived. Despite strong opposition, Uncle Wesley Heywood had ignored it and visited. Unlike her deceased father, her short uncle with his protruding belly started spewing unpleasant words as soon as he entered the mansion.

“Just looking at it makes me die of shame. You’re determined to ruin our Heywood family. This is why I had to step in.”

So what can you do about it? Did you bring any money? Aren’t you just rushing here because you’re still poor but covet the Count’s title?

She only trembled before Leon but thought and acted properly in other matters. Now she could even say what she wanted to say in front of Leon. Though she still trembled. But this was significant progress.

Yvonne stood quietly before her uncle as she greeted him, gathering her patience to finally speak.

“You’ve arrived?”

Though he wasn’t a welcome person, she had to greet him. If he had arrived before the thorough cleaning that had made the mansion spotless, it would have been an absolute disaster given how he was grumbling even now.

“Emil. Why are you so small even at 12?”

Wesley completely ignored Yvonne and approached Emil, spewing only complaints. The maids’ gazes toward him were not very friendly. Wesley’s words implied that Emil being so small meant he needed to become the guardian sooner.

To reveal his self-interest so blatantly as soon as he arrived.

Yvonne was a daughter and Emil was young. How little her uncle thought of them both was being clearly revealed. Even without this incident, she wasn’t unaware of his true intentions, but facing it directly made him an even more unpleasant relative. Between Leon and her uncle, it was simply depressing.

“Where is my room?”

Their uncle’s gaze, which was unfavorably scanning the mansion, did not sit well with Yvonne. 

Yvonne left the guidance to the servant. She needed to get away for a while. The problems she was carrying were weighing her down more and more. And they would only get heavier. 

She had prepared herself, but it was always overwhelming to face them head-on. But no matter what other problems there were, she would never back down when it came to Emil. 

With a stuffy heart, Yvonne went outside the mansion. She felt like she needed some air for her breathing to return to normal. 

Ugh.

Far from normal, an even greater frustration pressed down on her chest. It was because she saw Leon’s figure lounging in the distance. In this place where nothing was going right, Leon was the only one who was at ease. Leon in front. Her uncle behind. 

Oh, dear.

What kind of life is this?

Is there no future where I can live peacefully for even a day? 

I don’t think so. 

Yvonne turned her back on the mansion. She just moved her feet in any direction where she couldn’t see Leon, heading towards the backyard of the mansion. Although it was called a backyard, it was just an empty field, but it would be better to breathe here than there. 

Her walking figure, her whole being slumped over heavily, caught Leon’s eye. 

Is it finally starting?

[I’ll do it on my own. Don’t interfere.]

Her assertive words came to mind. Haa……She could rely on me. 

Leon’s gaze towards Yvonne began to gradually shift with worry. 

***

Four people were sitting in the dining room at dinner time. 

“At least they prepared a good meal because I came.”

Their uncle, already salivating, was the first to speak. He then glanced at Leon sitting in front of him. 

Wesley was quite nervous. This man was clearly Leon Clift. His most powerful rival. If this man married Yvonne and became her guardian, he would lose the position of guardian. So he couldn’t help but be nervous. 

Before leaving for this place, he had gathered all the information. Especially about this Leon. 

He was a man who lived life on his own terms and had little power as the second son of the Duke’s family. In short, he was an existence that the Duke’s family found bothersome. Moreover, because he was freer than the heir to the family, he had quite a few women around him. So, if this man got tired of it and broke up with Yvonne, the position of guardian would automatically fall into his hands. But he didn’t know he would appear in front of him so soon. Did Yvonne ask for his help in a hurry because he came, so he came here like this? The man’s face clearly showed a feeling of being dragged here against his will. The indifferent and unconcerned look on his face was very pleasing. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duke Wesley. I am Leon Clift.”

His voice alone made Wesley nervous. No. Don’t be fooled by that voice. No matter how much he was the second son of the Duke’s family, Wesley was not someone who would be defeated by that much. 

“I knew. It’s nice to meet you.”

After a light greeting, Leon quickly averted his gaze and began to eat. 

Wesley smiled inwardly in triumph. His appearance was quite handsome, and his physique was so good that he was actually surprised when he first saw him. He was so good-looking that it made him wonder if Yvonne had fallen for the second son of the Duke’s family’s outstanding looks and clung to him. But now, he wasn’t showing much interest in this situation. It was consistent with what he had investigated.