His attitude was more serious than when he first proposed engagement. 

 She found herself nodding unconsciously at his very solemn demeanor. If things really went as he said, it would be an ideal marriage…… though whether it would actually turn out that way….. 

 “It looks like it might rain again, I wonder where Emil went……” 

 Feeling awkward, Yvonne muttered to herself. Since Emil had run away, he might be up in the mountains somewhere between trees, maybe fallen into wild grass again drawing pictures. She needed to hurry and find Emil before it rained. 

 Yvonne stood up to look for Emil. 

 “Emil is on the second floor.” 

 “What?” 

 It was strange yet fascinating how Leon kept giving exactly the answers she wanted. 

 “Look in your uncle’s room. He’ll be there.”

Impossible. Emil stupidly…… Wait. No. This was exactly like him. Everyone would be looking for Emil outside. Wasn’t she doing the same just now? 

 Yvonne couldn’t help but smile at him. Thinking of Emil always made her smile like this. Unexpectedly, Leon also had a mischievous smile. It seemed like that kind of smile. Her eyes were drawn to his curved lips. She quickly looked away. 

 Ugh. She didn’t even want to think about it anymore. She needed to leave quickly. 

 Feeling like she had stayed too long, Yvonne hurriedly left the room. She headed towards the stairs, trying to shake off Leon’s sticky gaze that had followed her until she disappeared. 

 Ugh. My first kiss….. 

 It was taken like this. 

 It was difficult. Yes. Dealing with his changed self was too difficult. 

 She paused while climbing the stairs to the second floor. Even climbing was difficult. The wedding in two weeks… She needed to hurry with preparations. She didn’t have many people to invite or call on her side. But even if Leon was treated like an outcast, he was still the second son of a Duke’s family. They needed to maintain proper formality. 

 Yvonne lifted her legs again. Let’s hurry and find Emil. He might have crawled under a bed and fallen asleep. That would be just like him. 

 Just thinking about finding Emil gave her strength she didn’t have before. This was what Emil meant to her. 

 She had solved all problems for Emil. That’s all she thought about. Her own future was a matter for later. 

 Indeed. Emil was fast asleep, lying flat under her uncle’s bed. The complete opposite of herself, who sometimes became sharp-nerved. Though that was what made it better. 

 “Emil. Let’s go to my room. It’s okay now.” 

 “That was…… quick……” 

 Looking down at Emil who followed her holding her hand with a sleepy face, Yvonne praised herself. She did very well. She even endured that terrible kiss. 

 She squeezed Emil’s hand tighter and smiled at him. 

  Wesley was on his way back after relieving his frustrations. 

 Though it had been a year since he visited this tavern, the woman who used to serve him recognized him and approached. 

 It was like a vacation away from family after a long time, and it wouldn’t be manly to return without properly relieving his pent-up desires. 

 This tavern, which he used to visit occasionally with his late brother, was quite decent. The second floor had lodging facilities — he would go to a room with a woman while his brother would go to a room where people gathered for gambling. 

 Having properly refreshed his body and mind, Wesley regained some confidence. Before leaving, he had felt intimidated by that Leon guy. Though it hurt his pride to have practically fled outside, he thoroughly enjoyed himself since he was out anyway. 

 Wesley’s face gleamed even more from how good it had been. 

 The paperwork could be finished tomorrow. He just needed to subdue that bastard. He had been needlessly scared — thinking back, that guy hadn’t said much and just stared. He seemed to have just stood there blankly with his crutch. Perhaps he had backed away after feeling intimidated all on his own. Yes, that must be it. With a renewed confident smile, he entered the mansion. 

 Since he returned in time for dinner, the mansion was quiet. But soon the big smile playing on his lips gradually faded. 

 Entering the dining room, it seemed Yvonne, Emil, and that Leon were all seated, quietly waiting for him. The atmosphere felt heavily weighted somehow, making him needlessly tense. But he immediately scolded himself for being overly sensitive. 

 Why should I care about them when they should be mindful of me? I’m clearly their elder. 

 Wesley sat down without saying anything. The maids began bringing out excellent dishes. 

 No one opened their mouths. The dining room became very uncomfortable with only the clinking of cutlery breaking the silence. But no matter how he looked around, everyone just ate silently, none of them paying attention to this atmosphere. Look at them. No matter how you try to push me like this, you can’t do anything to me. 

 Wesley smiled leisurely, recalling his pleasant time earlier. 

 The food was still incredibly delicious. Things he could never eat at his own home were laid out. Wesley’s eyes curved pleasantly at the thought that soon his family would be able to enjoy all of this too. 

 “Ah. That was delicious.” 

 Wesley, having finished his meal satisfyingly, spoke first as the eldest, praising the food. 

 “Go to bed early today and tomorrow, Yvonne and Emil, come to the study. Let’s be careful not to have incidents like today again. It’s embarrassing in front of the employees.” 

 Uncle’s tone had already changed annoyingly as if he were already a count. Who had caused the embarrassing incident in front of the employees? His constantly smiling face after coming back, as if something good had happened, made it even more unpleasant. Yvonne waited until the meal was finished. It was time to speak up. 

 At that moment, her eyes met Leon’s. He gave her a slight smile. Her lips became firmly set. 

 “Uncle. We’re getting married. In two weeks.” 

 At Yvonne’s quiet declaration, Wesley’s face turned pale instantly. 

 “What?” 

 Surely I must have heard wrong? Certainly that guy….. 

 “We’re getting married in two weeks. Since we’ll have to start preparations tomorrow, I don’t think we’ll have time to go to the study.” 

 Yvonne glanced at Leon, who was still quietly sitting in his place drinking fragrant tea. Though she had received Leon’s help, she would definitely send her uncle away. 

 “What are you…… you two didn’t seem to be getting along well.” 

 “That…… was just a temporary fight. It happens sometimes.” 

 Yvonne shrugged her shoulders and naturally brushed off the comment. Then Wesley shouted fiercely, not at Yvonne but at Leon. 

 “You. Isn’t this different from what you said?” 

 [I have no intention of continuing to live in such a shabby place.] 

 He definitely said that. So what’s this about marriage? 

 “What I said is true.” 

 Leon answered quietly with a bored expression. 

 “Am I the only one who can’t understand what you’re saying? What on earth do you mean?” 

 Unlike Wesley who was bearing down aggressively, Leon slowly set down his teacup with elegant movements. Just that action alone made Wesley tense again. This tension was blood-curdling. 

 “I wonder why you seem so enraged about our marriage, uncle.” 

 Leon’s slow manner of speaking carried an invisible force. This…… guy suddenly changed. I dismissed what happened earlier as nothing, but if it’s like this….. Wesley became sharply alert. 

 “Enraged…… what. I just asked because I was so surprised.” 

 “I see.” 

 Leon maintained a bored expression as if discussing the weather. 

 “As you said, uncle, I have no intention of living in such a shabby place.” 

 “Then…… did you receive another mansion from the Duke’s family?” 

 So you’re planning to leave with Yvonne after marriage. Not interested in being a guardian. That’s even better. Yes, much better. I got worked up over nothing when they mentioned marriage. 

 “No.” 

 No? Why can’t I properly understand this guy’s words? It’s not like he’s using difficult language. 

 “Then?” 

 He found himself pressing again. Wesley took a deep breath to calm himself, trying not to get caught up in that guy’s pace. 

 “I’m going to completely renovate this place. With my own money, of course.” 

 What…? 

 At Leon’s words, not just Wesley but Yvonne too looked at him in great surprise. So that’s what he meant. But Leon would pour his own money into this old mansion? Why? The money he had received already was bewildering enough, but this was talking about spending tens of times more than that. 

 “Ah…… well…… if that’s the case, I’m all for it. What kind of state is this mansion in? It’s too shameful for a count’s residence. If it can get proper form thanks to you, that would be wonderful.”

That was exactly what Wesley wanted. Having obtained the title of count  without money, the shabby state of the mansion was indeed a problem. Even if that guy married Yvonne, he hadn’t mentioned anything about becoming a guardian yet. The best outcome for him would be to become guardian himself while using that guy’s money to renovate the mansion. If that happened, there would be no reason to refuse. He would welcome it with open arms. 

 “Jack. Come in.” 

 Suddenly, Yvonne called in the old servant who had been waiting at the dining room entrance. Wesley couldn’t understand why she suddenly called him. 

 Jack quickly ran over and whispered something in her ear. Wesley couldn’t hear it well. When she immediately nodded, Jack headed back outside. He had no idea what they were up to. 

 “Uncle. If you’re done eating, please get up.” 

 “Why?”