He scooped more jam with the spoon he had just licked and offered it to her. She hesitated a little. Then she shrugged and leaned forward to lick the jam on the extended spoon. It was indeed sweet. The fruit flavor was more intense too.

She felt like a child who had snuck down to the kitchen behind her nanny’s back to cause mischief. Laughter kept escaping her.

“Sometimes it’s fun to do things you’ve never done before. Don’t you think?”

Well… it wasn’t bad. Though it was something trivial, his more relaxed demeanor didn’t seem strange. Rather, it seemed more honest. She came to know that he had this side to him as well.

She watched as he used that same spoon to scoop more jam and put it in his mouth. It was the spoon she had just put her lips on… It seemed a bit strange that they were eating with the same spoon. But Leon’s expression as he savored the taste was even stranger. What was he finding so enjoyable?

“This one tastes even better?”

The atmosphere was starting to change strangely. Yvonne immediately became serious. Reading her change in expression, Leon quickly changed the subject.

“Shall we come back here with Emil next time?”

Immediately, Yvonne’s eyes lit up with life and sparkled.

“Really?”

That would be wonderful. Emil would have so many things he’d want to draw here. How happy he would be.

“I promise.”

As expected. He got to see Yvonne’s happiest face since coming here. Yvonne only made such a happy expression when it was related to Emil. Moreover, her gaze toward him had become soft and warm.

For now, that was enough to satisfy him.

Yvonne’s blonde hair changed color every time it moved. Becoming lighter, then darker. Occasionally, darker blonde strands caught his eye. It was torturous to resist reaching out his hand. He had just barely broken down her tension and sensitivity, and there was no need to make her shrink back again.

Leon also wore a happy expression. If he could just suppress one thing, everything would be happy.

Desire.

It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t something he couldn’t control either. Right now, it was more important for Yvonne to feel comfortable in his presence.

Whether she was looking around with her purple eyes wide open, pursing her lips in deep thought, or like now, tilting her head up to look at the sky, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He felt hot somewhere. His hand twitched with the desire to caress her face. His heart raced with the desire to press his lips against hers.

But he endured it. He had to endure.

Which was harder—enduring like this when Yvonne was his wife, or watching and enduring when she wasn’t his wife?

Only he knew the answer. That now was much less difficult.

Wife. My wife.

This was becoming his greatest strength.

When he first saw her, she was a shy little girl.

To think that such a girl would grow up like this.

Suddenly, he recalled his most despairing memory on the way here. It was the most difficult moment of his life.

That memory was vivid, but now… Yvonne was sitting in front of him. As his wife. It felt like a dream.

As he had promised her, he planned to approach her slowly from now on. So as not to startle her or cause her to feel aversion. To unlock her firmly closed heart.

Leon gazed endlessly at Yvonne’s profile and sighed quietly without her noticing.

* * *

“Good night, Yvonne.”

As they parted in front of her room, Leon couldn’t turn away. He carefully reached out his hand and gently stroked her bright blonde hair. She didn’t show much resistance.

He quietly tucked a few strands of blonde hair that had fallen behind her ear. She smiled faintly. But tension was visible behind that smile. It was time to step back.

Leon quickly took a step backward. He confirmed that the tension in her eyes was gradually easing.

“Good night, Leon.”

Yvonne gave him a night greeting. Her voice made him feel good. But it was also words that complicated his feelings.

As he turned and returned to his room, there was bitterness on Leon’s lips.

Thinking he wouldn’t fall asleep quickly tonight either, he took a glass of wine and sat in front of the fireplace. He had given strict instructions to the two maids who had come with them.

“If anyone finds out about the current situation, I will consider it was you two who told them.”

He had to ensure their silence about the bride and groom using separate rooms even on their honeymoon. The two maids said not to worry and obeyed his orders. Just by looking at their eyes, they seemed like maids who would keep the secret. He had a knack for reading people.

As he gazed at the quietly burning flames, Yvonne’s face appeared in his mind again.

He believed that although things were like this now, they would get better with time. Yvonne originally had a gentle and kind nature.

So he just needed to restore her to that state. The flames in the fireplace were gradually diminishing. The night was growing deeper as well. Leon drained the remaining wine and got up from his seat.

Tomorrow would be another day. He would make it so.

Still, lying alone in the large bed felt lonely.

* * *

Before returning to the count’s mansion after ending their honeymoon, the couple first stopped by the ducal mansion. They carefully selected gifts while browsing the shopping district at their honeymoon destination. It felt strange to buy things so freely without worrying about money. She had always lived with financial concerns.

“You must have enjoyed that place. I can tell by how good you look.”

The old duchess addressed Yvonne. They were exchanging greetings over a cup of tea when Leon moved to the study with Luke.

Leaving her alone with the old duchess and departing… Though the old duchess who always favored the heir had encouraged it, Leon’s action still seemed inconsiderate. Even though she was a grandmother he found difficult, Yvonne didn’t like being left to handle her alone.

“Did Leon cause you any trouble?”

“No. He didn’t.”

She answered honestly. At least during the honeymoon, there had been no such incidents. Far from causing trouble, it had been a meaningful trip where she discovered an entirely new side of him.

“You…… would say there wasn’t any even if there was.”

The old duchess didn’t seem to believe her words. Still, Yvonne didn’t bother explaining further. Once the old duchess reached such a conclusion, no one could change her mind.

“I’ll give you one piece of advice. Don’t do anything that would bring shame to the ducal family. Just remember that.”

She wouldn’t do such a thing. And Leon…… if he remained in his changed state, it seemed unlikely he would either…… though she couldn’t be certain. Still, the old duchess’s words didn’t sound particularly kind. It felt more like a warning. She could barely breathe and just wished for this meeting to end quickly.

* * *

Upon entering the study, Leon glared fiercely at Luke, who had dragged him here saying he had something to discuss. When Luke had asked him to come to the study for a moment, Leon had initially wanted to refuse. Leaving Yvonne alone with his grandmother? Unthinkable. How uncomfortable that woman made people feel. But his grandmother had preempted him by telling him to go ahead. Unable to defy his grandmother’s wishes, he had moved his feet, but concerned about leaving Yvonne behind, he kept looking back several times.

“What is it? Get done with it quickly.”

His heart was already rushing back to Yvonne.

“You seem to have enjoyed yourself. Your complexion is remarkably good.”

At Luke’s words, Leon turned away mercilessly. He hadn’t come here to listen to such nonsense.

“Whoa, whoa. Why are you like this? I asked you to come because I have something to ask.”

At Luke’s urgent words, Leon turned back.

“Make it quick.”

Leon’s heart grew impatient. So he asked the important matter right away.

Luke finally opened his mouth.

“You could have asked about that later. Why drag me here specifically now?”

Leon’s anger surged.

“Because I’m going to visit again this afternoon. Otherwise, would I be doing this?”

Anger was boiling in Leon’s eyes. Even though he had decided to make efforts to bring Yvonne back to him, something was welling up inside him.

“That Marquis Henel. Crush him.”

Speaking harshly unlike himself, Leon added those words. Seeing this, Luke was inwardly surprised. But immediately, Leon turned his body to leave the study.

“Um…… don’t you have anything else to say to me?”

Something to ask about. Or…… surely there must be something to question him about.

Of course, even if Leon questioned him, Luke had already prepared his answers. But it was strange that Leon was trying to leave without saying anything. He had called him here with firm resolve.

Come to think of it, when they met in the living room, Leon’s eyes hadn’t been that fierce either. Strange…

“No.”

Throwing just that word, Leon left the study almost at a run. This is not the time to deal with you. Just wait a little. Leon’s eyes blazed.

Knowing nothing, Luke couldn’t help but wonder about Leon’s behavior that defied his expectations. He had been prepared for a confrontation when Leon returned from his honeymoon. He had even been looking forward to it somewhat. He had prepared his answers, but a small laugh escaped him.

Soon, Luke cracked his fingers with a sound and smiled ominously.

Marquis Henel. Well. Let’s start with you.