As Yvonne resumed her work, she glanced through the open bookshelf at him quietly reading a book. Despite the late hour, he remained there without any complaints, quietly keeping his place even though he could have gone to the bedroom first. Not pacing around as if trapped somewhere.

The old Leon had always been like that. When he came into the study, he acted like a beast trapped in a cage. While she understood that he was a man with nowhere to feel at ease, she resented him because she was the victim. She resented him for taking out his anger on the weakest person.

He used to only use books for throwing, so it was awkward to see him reading for hours like this. But somehow it suited him well.

Several times, she told him to go up and rest first, but he said he had nothing else to do and would just stay here. Yet Leon used to be someone who enjoyed spending time alone leisurely. In any case, he had changed a lot.

When she finished her work and stood up, he immediately noticed, neatly put the book he was reading back in its place on the shelf, and approached her.

May this life last long. Please.

As she went up to the bedroom with him, Yvonne found herself making that wish inside. Yet at the same time, she couldn’t shake off her anxiety.

Right. Let’s worry about tomorrow when it comes.

Entering the new bedroom, as they had agreed, Leon lay on the sofa while she lay on the bed. The new sofa was spacious, so it would be less uncomfortable than before.

“Good night, wife.”

He kept saying the same goodnight greeting.

“Good night.”

At her response, his low laughter pleasantly echoed from the sofa. Yes, this was the life she had wanted—ending the day with laughter. She achieved it today. Praying that it wouldn’t just be for today, Yvonne closed her eyes with a light heart.

* * *

“Jack, what are you saying?”

As Leon had requested last night, she made time, and Jack entered the study. Nora followed, carrying a tea tray. Leon didn’t say anything about Nora’s presence. So she thought it was just a light tea time. She never expected Jack to make such a report. It was completely absurd.

Jack reported that Leon had visited Rose House three times since returning from their honeymoon.

“Without asking your permission, I told Jack to keep watching Rose House.”

When did he order such a thing? It seemed Jack had carried out the order since he was under Leon’s command. The day before the wedding, she had told Jack to stop doing that.

“Is that… true?”

“Yes. I saw it clearly with my own eyes.”

Jack kept glancing at Leon, seemingly uncomfortable making such a report in front of him. Jack also appeared puzzled as to why Leon had ordered such an embarrassing task. Having worked at this mansion for a long time, Jack knew what kind of person Leon was. Yet for over a month, Leon hadn’t mistreated any employees or caused any problems. Jack briefly glanced at Nora, who was quietly preparing tea nearby. In fact, he had asked Nora to come with him because he was afraid to go in alone.

Nora pretended not to hear anything, staying quiet while observing the situation. When Jack asked if she could come with him because he had to make a report, she had readily nodded. But hearing Jack’s report, she was also shocked. It was strange. Jack might not know since he left early in the morning, but Nora had seen the couple leave together in the carriage every day this week. Did they separate somewhere and meet again before returning?

It seemed like the two were about to fight. Leon’s expression hadn’t changed yet. But the Miss—no, Madam—looked very surprised.

When the couple left for their honeymoon, she had talked with Jack.

“I hope nothing happens.”

“Well……”

No employees in this mansion knew Leon better than these two. So they couldn’t help but worry about the Miss.

“But hasn’t Leon changed a bit?”

Jack carefully shared his opinion. Despite his intimidating appearance, Jack was someone who faithfully carried out his duties.

“I suppose so.”

Nora had also tilted her head in confusion at times. At first, she thought he was quiet because he hadn’t recovered physically, but even after recovering, Leon hadn’t laid a hand on the Miss. He hadn’t lost his temper either. Usually, the air would change when Leon appeared. The anxious, unsettled air would suffocate the employees. But that hadn’t happened yet.

“The war… really changes people in strange ways.”

“Then that’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

Jack was as gentle and innocent as Emil, with whom he got along best. People just didn’t approach him because of his scary appearance.

“It is good. I’m just still anxious.”

The two had such a conversation. But now, the precarious peace that had somehow continued seemed on the verge of breaking. Nora also couldn’t understand why Leon had ordered Jack to do this.

“That’s enough. You can go now.”

At Leon’s voice, Jack looked at Nora. He was worried that if they left now, the Miss—Madam—might suffer again.

“You too, Nora.”

The two had no choice but to leave the study with anxious steps.

Nora cast a worried glance at the Madam, silently conveying that she would be right outside.

Thud.

Finally, the door closed, leaving only Leon and Yvonne. She still couldn’t get over this unbelievable report.

“What’s going on? Jack wouldn’t lie.”

“I asked Jack because he’s the most trustworthy person. So you would believe him.”

On their wedding night, when he mentioned knowing about her visits to Rose House, Leon must have realized who had discovered it. Yet he never once scolded Jack or her for conducting such an investigation.

“But you… were with me all week.”

At her words, Leon wore an extremely satisfied expression.

That was true. Since returning from their honeymoon, they hadn’t been apart for a single day. No, Leon had never left the mansion alone. They did go out every day, but always together.

“Then how could this……”

Wait. The answer came immediately.

Perhaps he had deliberately stayed close to her to reveal this. It seemed that way. To prove his innocence.

[Let’s postpone our wedding night. Until I prove that I’m clean.]

He had clearly said that on their wedding night. How surprised she had been. She was so nervous that she worried she might have misheard.

But what was this? It felt like being struck by lightning. Yet Leon simply smiled at her and leisurely sat down on the opposite sofa.

Then he picked up the teapot Nora had prepared and casually poured a cup for her.

“I think an explanation is needed.”

Of course, she had an idea of what had happened. If Leon hadn’t gone to Rose House, the culprit was obvious: Luke. But knowing Luke well, she couldn’t readily believe it. That ascetic and meticulous Luke doing such a thing? Luke, who was held in high esteem by people? She needed Leon’s explanation.

“I’ve never been there.”

He seemed to be saying he hadn’t gone since returning from their honeymoon. It also sounded like he was saying that while he might have done wrong in the past, he wasn’t doing it anymore.

“I can introduce you to people who can prove where I was before the marriage. On the days Jack said I went to Rose House. I was quite busy personally.”

That would mean he hadn’t gone to Rose House even after returning from the war.

If he had made this claim on their wedding night, she wouldn’t have believed him at all, and a big incident would have occurred. How much courage it had taken her to clench her fists and confront him then.

His behavior at that time hadn’t made sense, but now she seemed to understand.

He had stepped back until he could prove it conclusively. To think Leon had such a side to him. She had said this so many times that she was getting used to it. How many more unknown aspects of him did she need to discover? But his action was wise. Moreover, it must have required tremendous patience and self-control. It was another moment of surprise. To think he had even controlled his burning desire.

“Then… are you saying Lord Luke is really going there?”

Leon nodded carefully. Even though his words were certain, she still couldn’t believe it.

“At Rose House, they think it’s you, Leon, who’s visiting…… So Lord Luke has been pretending to be you.”

That greatly respected Luke? Who was even being considered for a royal marriage… Anger rarely seen in Yvonne’s eyes rose up. Not at Leon, but at the ducal family, specifically at that bloodline.

On the surface, Luke carried himself with undue gravitas, while behind the scenes, he engaged in disgusting behavior. That bloodline was truly terrible. At least in the past, Leon had openly frequented Rose House. But Luke was disguising himself as Leon, deceiving others while visiting that place. In that respect, Leon might actually be better.

It was truly pathetic. Seeing it this way, Luke was worse than Leon. What’s the use of saying anything? She had been wrong all along. How could he deceive people so perfectly? Was this also a talent? Is this what they teach in the ducal household? Perhaps they learn how to become perfect con artists. Luke was one level above Leon.

“Will you believe me now?”

Despite being falsely accused, Leon’s voice remained calm.

“I swear I won’t go near such places anymore.”