Oh…… he said for you who will be my wife. It felt strange. His expression was bright, like he’s truly looking forward to the marriage. She became increasingly awkward under his deep gaze.
“Those wood pieces would make good charcoal if we burn them.”
It was Emil indeed. As the atmosphere seemed to sink somewhat awkwardly, Emil made an angelic comment to brighten the mood. As expected, that made Leon smile with a snicker.
“Then I’ll be going.”
Leon stood up and gave a clean farewell. It was unexpected that he would withdraw right away instead of making more empty courtesies.
“I strained myself, so help support me to my room.”
It wasn’t…… clean. His gaze looking at Yvonne was deep. Suddenly her heart started pounding. That meaning…… seemed to say it wouldn’t end with just support. No. She couldn’t do that. She would rather die than have such excessive contact again.
“Emil. Shall we support him together?”
Saying okay, Emil scurried over to Leon. Yvonne also slowly approached him and offered her shoulder. Leon placed his hands on both of them who came to his sides and started walking. Of course, his face was filled with a displeased expression.
No matter how much help she received just now, that much wasn’t possible.
When they reached Leon’s room, he whispered softly in her ear.
“Coward.”
When his breath touched that spot, it burned hot. This reaction of her body felt unfamiliar.
Yvonne ignored his words while trying hard to maintain a normal expression. After quickly letting him in and closing the door, she finally let out a sigh of relief. She would absolutely never be alone with him in this room. Absolutely.
Such an intense…… kiss…… once was enough. She didn’t even want to think about it.
“Eve. Why is your face so red?”
Huh? Emil’s question caught her off guard for a moment.
“Just…… feeling hot.”
“When you think good thoughts, your heart gets warm and you feel hot.”
Emil was smiling sweetly. Even though he didn’t say it knowingly, those words stung enough to make her flinch.
Good thoughts? Heart getting warm? That’s not it. Absolutely not, Emil.
It was completely the opposite.
“Eve. You were so cool.”
“Ah……”
She immediately felt embarrassed. Emil. I’ll step up more from now on. If it’s about protecting you. Anyway, Leon saying he would take the position of guardian gave her great strength in this matter.
But…… that kiss…… just thinking about it made her head spin.
Her cheeks remained flushed pink the entire way back to her room.
***
Once alone, Leon pressed hard against the deepest wound in his chest. Having overdone it, throbbing pain arose.
When he asked Yvonne for support, it wasn’t a lie.
He very much liked how Yvonne dealt with Wesley. He had never seen this side of her before. She did extremely well.
He also thought it wasn’t bad to show his fierce side to Wesley once. Wesley had too much of a habit of looking down on people. It had been quite irritating.
So he deliberately threw the chair. Above all, he absolutely couldn’t tolerate Wesley ignoring Yvonne’s words, who would become his wife.
He approached the small table, downed the medicine placed there, and took a brief rest. The pain would stop soon.
Sitting deep in the sofa, Leon unconsciously let out a snicker.
He recalled Yvonne’s thoroughly flushed face from just before they parted.
Lost in different thoughts, Leon raised one hand and gently traced his lips.
A slight smile bloomed on his lips.
***
The next day, sitting at the desk in the study looking over documents, Yvonne shook her head.
Even though uncle was gone and things had returned to how they were before, here she was like this. The documents she was looking at wouldn’t register in her eyes.
Kiss.
Why did that terrible kiss keep coming to mind?
Even though it just gave her goosebumps, it would suddenly pop up. Maybe it was because she was completely inexperienced with such kisses. But it definitely wasn’t something she could forget.
Even though she had no experience in that area, Leon seemed good at kissing. That must be why he was popular with women. She acknowledged that. She could tell instinctively from her first kiss with Leon.
How could Leon kiss like that when they couldn’t stand each other? Unless he was out of his mind. Leon kissed like a beast.
Leon had gone out somewhere since morning. He only used one crutch. That meant he had recovered that much. It would be easier for him to move around. So he probably wanted to go out. He must have many people he wanted to meet.
Though Leon had mentioned his duties as a husband, she didn’t believe his words. Such words weren’t very trustworthy. So she decided not to care what he did.
There was so much work to do now. She needed to narrow down the invitation list and calculate the wedding budget. So let’s work.
The black cat Toto was lying against her legs under the desk. When Emil went outside, he would stick to her like this. The feeling wasn’t bad, and that small warmth seemed to give her strength.
After petting the cute Toto once, she began to focus on work.
***
Luke threw a displeased look at Leon who barged into the Duke’s mansion study again without notice.
Though they had the same face, Leon looked more comfortable than usual today.
“The wedding will be held in 2 weeks.”
Is that so? Luke tried hard to put on an impressed expression.
“Congratulations.”
It was a congratulatory message without a hint of sincerity.
“Skip the greetings. I’ll leave my wedding preparations to you, so make sure it’s grand and well-prepared.”
“Shouldn’t you control your greed?”
Luke shot down Leon who seemed somewhat excited.
“Why are you like this? Don’t you know everyone’s talking about me right now?”
So he knows. Since Leon had been secluded in the Count’s mansion, Luke thought such rumors hadn’t reached his ears.
“For the first time, I’m getting more attention and being treated as a hero than you, the heir. Think how many people would want to attend. Invite them all. Treat them properly.”
It was natural for people’s attention to focus on Leon who had returned alive after even having his funeral.
“People might think the heir is getting married.”
Leon gave a crooked smile at Luke’s words.
“We have something else to negotiate, don’t we?”
Yes. He knows well. That when Leon marries, there’s property he should rightfully receive as the Duke’s second son. He knows the exact amount too.
“Of course. 500,000 gold.”
This money was more than enough to revive that small territory and have some left over.
“No. That’s just the amount set by this family.”
He couldn’t tell what this guy was trying to say now. He had a bad feeling.
“Don’t you have money to pay me?”
Luke’s expression twisted severely as if saying what nonsense is this.
“The debt you owe me. Why are you acting like you don’t know?”
Luke’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily. He was starting another negotiation or threat like last time. He needed to stay sharp.
“So…… how much more do you want?”
Leon smiled disgustingly with an expression that said ‘you should have come out like this earlier.’
“1 million gold.”
Gasp. Only a gasp escaped from Luke’s mouth.
“You’ve finally gone mad.”
“Am I the only mad one? You’re worse.”
Leon wouldn’t back down a single word. Luke gritted his teeth.
“No matter what, how can that make sense?”
“Why make such a fuss over mere money?”
There was no use talking with Leon. That money could buy a magnificent mansion like the Duke’s and still have plenty left. He was planning to live in luxury and comfort.
“Let’s end it with 1 million gold. Clean and simple.”
As if he had said everything he needed to say, Leon sat leisurely on the opposite sofa with a relaxed expression. He pressured him with a look that said just hurry up and give it. It was quite a talent how he could convey his words precisely even through his eyes and expression.
“Listen carefully, Leon. This is the end. There will be no more money. Understand?”
Leon grinned at Luke’s words.
“Then load it in the carriage right away. I’m rather busy, you see.”
Though Luke’s hands were trembling, he still tried to maintain a generous expression. Leon had been a lifelong burden to him.
“I’m meeting the princess tomorrow.”
Still, he needed to warn Leon.
“And?”
Leon showed an expression of little interest.
“When I marry the princess, you won’t be able to act like this anymore. So my leniency ends here. Keep that in mind.”
Luke looked at Leon with an even more solemn expression than usual.
Do as you please. With an indifferent expression, Leon rose from his seat. As if he couldn’t care less who married whom.
Meanwhile, after getting in the carriage, Leon let out a snicker. Because he knew exactly what Luke was thinking right now.
Soon after, several sturdy metal boxes were loaded into the carriage. They were taken from the vault located in the ducal mansion’s basement. That vault could only be opened by the current heir, Luke.
Well then. Time to head back. Business here is done.
Leon leisurely stroked the boxes in the departing carriage. He had many places to go from now on. A smile naturally bloomed on his lips.
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Zootsuitscoot
I need to know what this guy’s deal is!
Does he have amnesia or did the brothers switch places?
Has it actually been Luke tormenting Yvonne this whole time? Why the 180??? I want answers!