Since there were watching eyes, he walked leisurely. As he turned the corner and came to a quiet street, he didn’t forget to raise his hand and tousle his front hair. On days he came here, he dressed more modestly than usual.

With his coat buttons undone, Luke changed from a neat appearance to a free-spirited one.

Luke entered a building with unhurried steps.

Several hours later—

Boarding the carriage returning to the Duke’s residence, Luke increasingly frowned. Throughout the return journey, he was lost in thoughts about Leon and Yvonne. Especially about Yvonne.

Upon arriving at the ducal residence, he felt terribly thirsty.

“Harold. Bring me a large glass of cool lemon water.”

Returning directly to his study, he began his work as heir as if nothing had happened.

* * *

Yvonne finally moved into the newly renovated mansion.

Yesterday, she toured the garden while holding Emil’s hand. Of course, Leon stood guard beside them.

After walking through the garden where spring flowers were blooming, they sat at a prepared table. Tulips of various colors delighted the eyes. It was hard to believe this was their garden. Emil’s eyes were dancing with joy too. It felt like visiting a new place. It was unbelievable that this was the same mansion they had lived in all this time. A completely different landscape unfolded before their eyes. Emil looked like he wanted to open his sketchbook and draw right away.

“Eve. This tea is so delicious.”

The three sat together, leisurely drinking tea as if on an outing. The sunshine was warm, and the gentle breeze caressed their hearts peacefully. As Emil expressed his admiration again while drinking the orange-tinted tea, her mood brightened further.

Yes. The aroma is nice and…… wait.

It was a familiar aroma and taste.

When she glanced at Leon, he just grinned mischievously. This was definitely the tea she had drunk during their honeymoon. The one she had praised as delicious.

“I thought Emil would want to taste it too.”

When she asked with certainty, that was his answer. He seemed determined to be a considerate husband. Regardless, it was true that her heart was gradually softening as he took such good care of Emil.

Finally, when they entered the mansion, everyone was left speechless. The employees were the same.

Although she had chosen the structural changes and materials, the completed appearance exceeded her imagination.

First, the hall had become very spacious. By repositioning the staircase and removing her father’s room while keeping only the study, the space had opened up significantly. The spacious hall, large enough for any party, made their eyes widen. No one could speak.

In the center of the ceiling hung a dazzling chandelier. In place of that hideous chandelier, a splendid one reflecting light enhanced the elegant atmosphere of the place. The majestic chandelier with white jewels that seemed to flow down elevated the dignity of the mansion. The floor was covered with gleaming marble, making it an even more dignified residence.

“It’s magnificent, Madam.”

Eva and Nora rushed to the kitchen first. They seemed most curious about how it looked.

Everyone was busy going around to see various places, exclaiming in admiration. On a day like this, she allowed everything.

Emil entered the newly decorated study and gasped in admiration. In place of the old fireplace was an impressive one, and the spacious study was divided by bookshelves—one side for reading and relaxation, the other as an office. The wide central area was a reception room for guests, and the thick carpet on the floor with elegant patterns created a stable atmosphere.

Money is indeed good.

While she admired everything, she didn’t forget that all this was Leon’s money.

“Is this my place?”

Leon approached and sat at the area arranged with a table and chair for reading. It looked very comfortable.

His expression seemed to admire that a place had been made for him too. The roles were reversed. This reversal between him and her was now so common that it no longer felt strange.

With his money, they could decorate like this, yet he was admiring just that one spot.

But then he got up slightly and approached the bookshelf that separated her office space, moving the books around.

She was enjoying the garden view through the clean window when his movement seemed suspicious. What is he doing…

When their eyes met, Leon grinned again.

“I moved some books so I could see the office desk from where I sit.”

See the office desk?

Slowly approaching, she saw that several shelves were empty, creating an opening through which her office desk was clearly visible.

She didn’t ask why he did this. If her guess was correct, he wanted to be able to see her working from where he sat.

If she were a normal wife, she would have been extremely pleased at this point. Still, she couldn’t help her face to slightly blush. The extent of Leon’s feelings for her was immeasurable. Still, she decided not to dwell on it. She reminded herself of her decision to just go with the flow.

Emil ran out to see his room, and now only the two of them remained.

“You did well.”

Leon praised her as if he was very pleased with the changed mansion.

“It’s all thanks to you.”

Facts are facts.

“Still, you’re the one who made these changes. Good job.”

Leon was acting like a truly affectionate wealthy husband.

“Well then, it seems my wife will be very busy from tomorrow.”

“Huh?”

What is he going to ask me to do now? Why would I be busy?

“I plan to give my wife money to use for a year.”

Surprised by those words, she could only gape like a fish out of water.

Regardless of her expression, he placed another money pouch on the desk.

“What money are you giving me now?”

After spending so much, what would I need more money for? That’s not right. I have a conscience. I never once wished for even this much. This is already excessive. So I intend to decline.

“As my wife, you need to maintain a certain standard befitting your position, so naturally, as your husband, I should provide money.”

Leon seemed to enjoy using words like wife and husband. It was written all over his face.

“I don’t want to take that.”

It kept becoming burdensome.

“Just take it. You can use it however you want.”

How…ever I want? I don’t understand why he keeps tempting me with money. Still, I shook my head. I don’t need anything now, nor do I want to buy anything. Buying unnecessary things to maintain dignity… I never had that before, and now even less so. What I had now was more than enough to be grateful for. What I newly acquired was already sufficient to maintain dignity.

“I won’t ask what you spend it on.”

She glanced furtively at Leon. You won’t ask?

“You can use it however you want.”

I’m not sure to what extent I can use it freely.

“Then… can I use it for the territory?”

She had no intention of spending money on herself, but it was different for the territory. There were many uses for it. Still, she needed to confirm if that was allowed.

“If you don’t tell me, I won’t know.”

Ambiguous. Does that mean I should spend it without Leon knowing? No, that can’t be right.

“Use it however you want. But.”

Right. I knew there would be some condition. Perhaps he’ll say that since it’s money for maintaining dignity, I should only use part of it for the territory.

“Spend it all.”

What?

Leon’s puzzling way of speaking—when would she ever get used to it? She couldn’t understand what kind of condition that was.

“You have to spend every penny of it.”

So he’s saying to spend all this money within a year? He won’t ask where I spent it. He’ll pretend not to know if I use it for the territory. So spend it all without leaving a penny, no matter where I use it. Is that what he means?

Just like the day Leon first came to the Count’s residence, she approached him with a dazed expression. More precisely, she approached the money pouch placed in front of him. She needed to know exactly how much was in it to even begin thinking about it.

Yvonne opened the leather money pouch and immediately became expressionless. That expressionless face that comes when you’re too shocked.

This man… is he… insane? Even for a whole year, this much? She had never encountered this much money in her life.

“Can I really spend all of this?”

Leon slowly nodded and added a comment.

“If you have any left over.”

Left over?

“I won’t give you any next year.”

It seemed it would take time to catch up with Leon’s way of speaking that was difficult to understand immediately.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to say he wouldn’t give money next year if she spent it all lavishly? Instead, he’s saying he won’t give money if she doesn’t spend it all. And he’s saying he’ll give more next year?

Yvonne gulped. Am I not tempted by this money? No, I am tempted.

For the sake of maintaining her own dignity, she would refuse this money. But for the territory, for the people of the territory, she desperately needed funds, and this could be the foundation to revitalize it.

Her eyes suddenly began to sparkle.

“If I… accept this… what do I have to do for you?”