My Sister’s Man - Chapter 38

After the luncheon, after discussing the garden with the attendants, Larne returned to her room and had a late dinner.

Should I have said I’ll take care of the mansion until we divorce?

She knew it was too late to say now, but when she returned to her room after tending the garden, it seemed time had flowed meaninglessly.

At that time, I was preparing for a banquet…

Thinking of the people in the mansion who must have worked harder to fill the 2-week hiatus  made me feel a little bit sad. After lightly washing and changing clothes, Larne faced the serious problem that befell her.

Come to think of it—where will we spend the night?

Usually, there was a separate room for married couples to meet on their designated evening, but Larne and Leandro did not live like other couples. Not only were Larne’s and Leandro’s bedrooms far apart, but there was no shared room. She realized this only as she began to make her way from her room to his after she prepared for bed. She was glad she wore a thick robe over her thin nightdress.

Knock, knock.

Larne had been to the office before, but this was the first time she’d been to Leandro’s bedroom.

I’m so nervous.

Larne waited for his response. After a while, the door opened.

Leandro appeared in the doorway undressed to the waist, the lower half of his body covered with a towel.

“Ah! I’ll go!”  Larne backed away in surprise at his unexpected appearance. “I’m sorry for coming to you so suddenly.”

Leandro took her by the wrist as if she was about to fall and pulled her into his arms. She could feel his damp skin even through the heavy robe. It felt strange. As she was trapped in his arms, her heart thumped and beat strongly at the smell of Leandro right in front of her.

Larne, who came to her senses first, whispered, “Please…please let go of me.”

“What are you doing here?” Leandro let go of her as he realized why she had come. He sighed. “Come in at once.”

Leandro took her hand. The bedroom door closed behind her.

“Wait here.” Leandro left her alone in his bedroom to dress.

Larne looked around the room while Leandro dressed. Befitting his personality, his bedroom had only what was necessary—a desk, chair, and bed. The minimal lamps lighting the room were desolate.

It was a completely different atmosphere from Larne’s lavishly decorated room, with its canopies, curtains, rugs, and dressing tables.

Leandro’s bedroom was too simple a room for a hero who accumulated enormous wealth and honor after the end of the war.

Larne suddenly felt strange. The inside management of the mansion was done by the hostess. The dreariness of Leandro’s room was partly her responsibility.

“I think it’s too late to make a couple’s bedroom now, but what do you think should be done?”

Hearing his question, Larne turned her head.

Leandro, wearing a long robe with unbrushed wet hair, was different than she than his usual appearance. She felt his relaxed appearance keenly.

Maybe it’s because I’ve only seen him as perfect. 

“Wouldn’t it be better to make it now, even for later?” Larne asked. The bed was much too small. She didn’t have the confidence to lie on that narrow bed with Leandro.

My heart beats like crazy just knowing that we’re here alone. If we lie down together then… 

Leandro, who had come closer, stared at Larne’s face. “Your complexion isn’t good.”

Larne was restless at the close distance. She felt as if she would suffocate at the smell of Leandro’s clean body. “I-I’m fine.”

“Once you go to sleep, what do you think about tomorrow? Even at luncheon anyway…”  Leandro stopped talking and gently pulled Larne’s arm. He laid her down on the bed and covered her with a blanket.

“I am not very sleepy.”  To be honest, there was no way she could fall asleep with these feelings and moods. Her heart beat too quickly.

“Go to sleep anyway.”

Larne turned her eyes to the ceiling. A flickering candle lit up the room. As she lay down, she saw more of the desolate room with nothing in it. She knew it was pointless meddling, but since it had already started bothering her, she couldn’t bear it.

“By any chance, can I decorate your room? I will also prepare a couple’s bedroom. The bed is too small for two people to sleep in.” Larne sat up and looked at the bed she laid on. If Leandro were to lay down next to her there, he would have no choice but to touch.

I can hardly stand it? I’m so nervous just being in the same space.

It was clear that his heart would explode if Leandro lay next to him.

“I think you’ll be tired if you don’t sleep well…” Larne hesitantly lengthened his words.

There was no reply from Leandro. Has the attitude of caring about my bedroom been trodden on? If that’s not the case, does the fact that they’re trying to make a bedroom for couples and do something make it look like they’re hesitating about getting a divorce?

“I don’t get tired just because I haven’t slept for a few days.” Leandro’s tone became noticeably colder. “You don’t have to mind my bedroom. If it’s because you don’t feel comfortable using my bedroom, use yours. Now you want a couple’s bedroom?” A low sneer resounded coldly in the room. “We’re not lovers who just started a relationship, so why start with a new mindset?”

“I didn’t mean that. When you divorce me and marry someone else…”

“Why do you care about that?”

At the words that came back sharply, Larne grabbed the hem of the blanket. It was uncomfortable to the touch. She didn’t think the atmosphere was bad until a moment ago. She realized she shouldn’t have brought up the couples bedroom.

Leandro’s kindness made me forget the subject for a moment. 

“I’m sorry for meddling,” she whispered.

“I have work to do, so go to bed first.”

After that, there was no further conversation. Larne forced her eyes to close.

*

When Larne woke up the next morning, Leandro was already gone.

She couldn’t even remember when she fell asleep, and hardly knew if Leandro slept next to her or not. Even though she was exhausted, Larne got up because she couldn’t bear to be in the room without the owner any longer. Maybe because she was still nervous, she didn’t feel like sleeping.

When she came out in her pajamas, Calvary, who was waiting in front of the door, let out a cough.

“Ah!” Larne tucked away her half-undone robe.

“I will present a suggestion to his Excellency.” Calvary said. “Even if it’s for a short period of time, I think you will need a couple’s bedroom.”

This must have been twisted because Larne made a fuss about not cooperating at the beginning of the marriage.

Even a house that doesn’t look like a married couple living in it.

I think I did this in preparation for when I would die… 

It felt like her blood was running cold, Larne lowered her head like a criminal.

“Sorry to bother you.” She stared at the floor as she spoke. “You don’t have to worry about it. It’s not like I’m staying for long, it’s only two months.”

She’d gone through a lot of things in a short period of time, and now her head was affected by shock. Larne couldn’t understand why she was so cruel to Leandro. Larne’s family did the wrong thing, so why did Leandro get the punishment?

“Lunch will be prepared a little later. I will also tell His Excellency, so please feel free to call me when you are ready.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Calvary greeted her politely and escorted Larne to her bedroom.

As soon as she arrived at the room, Larne was tormented by Lexi.

“No, how can I send you to lunch in this state?” The affectionate gaze contained resentment.

“There’s no time! I can’t wash here and attend lunch on time.” Larne smiled comfortably at Lexi. The maid was the only one who took her side even in the desolate mansion.

Since we’re about to divorce, there’s no reason to care. 

Lexi sighed, “I should have gone to pick you up.”

Larne felt her heart warm at the words full of regret. “Because it’s okay. Rather than that, I need to get ready to go to luncheon, can you help me?”

Calvary said he was delaying the luncheon, but Leandro was a busy man. Busy enough to work all night.

Larne moved quickly.

***