My Sister’s Man - Chapter 39

Calvary informed Leandro the luncheon will be slightly delayed. Normally, if the luncheon was delayed, he would be late for the imperial palace, so the meal together with Larne would have to be postponed to dinner. Leandro was lost in thought.

I should have woken you up.

Larne, who had been tossing and turning all night as if the unfamiliar bed was uncomfortable, let out the sound of even breathing only after a considerable amount of time had passed.

Leandro told her to sleep first because he had something to do, but, wasn’t true. Once, in the past, they had slept together. Larne didn’t seem to remember it, and Leandro was loath to remind her. The memory of that night haunted him. Even now he was so excited by her soft body that Leandro couldn’t lie down right away in bed.

How can I be excited about such a skinny and ungainly body?

Leandro thought it was abnormal to feel an attraction for someone he loathed. This wasn’t the first time he felt strange.

In fact, since the banquet, Leandro had the feeling that something had gone wrong with his self control. Obviously, it was Leandro himself who said divorce, but whenever the word ‘divorce’ came out of Larne’s mouth, he became nervous and irritable.

‘No, I didn’t want to apologize to the point of hurting you. I think it’s my greed. Also, if it weren’t for that, I think it would be better to divorce quickly.’

‘If this is the case, when we get divorced…’

Leandro had to wonder if she had another lover. Even though he had asked her for divorce first, he was angry that she talked about divorce every time they faced each other. The plausible reason for her behavior was another man, it had to be that. He had to know for sure. There was no other way other than to force her to attend the banquet. Her stamina was low, but if he insisted he thought she would agree. The only risk was her physical collapse might delay the divorce.

Leandro forced the issue and she came. Throughout the evening, Leandro followed the trail of Larne returning to the VIP room assigned to them. He gave himself reasons to help her but Leandro hated seeing himself pay attention to her when it was so obvious she was already pursuing a new lover.

The rumors about her in the social world were clear—Larne’s appetite for love was insatiable. All of these actions were to protect her reputation and his own. He was merely keeping an eye on her to avoid embarrassment until the divorce was complete.

No, that wasn’t it either. He wrapped his reasons up in plausible words, but Leandro himself knew best that that was not all. He ran a hand over his face and sighed.

What’s the matter with me?

The meaning of such actions was clear, although Leandro struggled to deny it.

He told himself over and over, he wasn’t interested in her.

Sharing a bedroom when you don’t have to come every day, Leandro knew Larne wouldn’t come due to her frailty.

Will she come tonight?

I just want to see her. It’s crazy.

The thought brought only one emotion.

Leandro didn’t want to believe it. No, he couldn’t believe it.

But there was no other explanation for why his body was so excited when he laid next to her that he couldn’t sleep. Her thin clothes were covered by the heavy robe, only a little bit of her body could be seen. He was overly conscious of it, so Leandro laid Larne down and covered her with a blanket. That wasn’t enough, so he’d stayed up all night with his eyes open, and in the early morning, he left the room at dawn on the pretext of training.

Leandro rubbed his forehead, feeling his eyes stiff from fatigue. His head was pounding.

Have I forgotten my first love so quickly? Or did I mistake the emotion in the first place? Leandro could not stand the ridicule.

“Okay, call me when luncheon is ready.” Leandro dismissed Calvary with the wave of his hand.

Even though the business was over, Calvary remained at his post. Hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke. “How about making a bedroom for a couple…”

I thought the story was over. Did she pressure Calvary to get her own way?

Leandro narrowed his brows.

‘By any chance, can I decorate your room? We will also prepare a couple’s bedroom. The bed is too small for two people to sleep in.’

Decorating, or not decorating, his bedroom didn’t bother Leandro. He was more concerned about her suggestion regarding the bed.

Too small a space for the both of them.

That was right. The bed was small and uncomfortable even for sleeping alone. Even the slightest touch made him excited, but he felt that way for no reason. Obviously, she did not feel the same way.

I wonder if you don’t even want me to touch you.

“You say that woman asked for a couples bedroom?”

I think I expressed my intentions clearly, but did I not hear her properly? However, it was only a bed. Why does it bother me so much?

“It’s not what the madam asked for.” Calvary paused, then added, “It is bothersome Madam must walk down the aisles in thin clothes in the morning.”

Leandro frowned as he recalled Larne visiting his bedroom last night.

She wore a thick robe with nightclothes underneath. But no matter how thick the robe was, it revealed the delicate material of her underclothes.  Didn’t Leandro also see the thin clothes that showed through the gaps? Thin clothes that couldn’t even count as underwear?

Thinking of Larne walking down the hall in that condition made Leandro’s blood rush to his head. The thought someone might see her like that made him sick to his stomach.

“By the way, His Excellency sleeping in the master’s bedroom…”

Perhaps Larne’s bed is much smaller than mine.

“The lady said it was okay. Because she cares.”

Calvary looked at Leandro and lowered his head.

“Ha, call the technician.” Leandro dismissed Calvary with an irritated sigh.

*

The luncheon was held at the scheduled time.

“Yesterday…”

“Yesterday…”

Larne and Leandro’s lips opened at the same time. Their eyes met.

Larne looked down. “You talk first.”

“I’ve been thinking about a couple’s bedroom, but I think it would be better to make one. What would you like?”

Larne blinked at Leandro’s words. “I’m OK with the way things are. You don’t have to pay attention to what Calvary said.”

“There’s a clause that says that during the deliberation period, each other should do their best. I think it would be appropriate to make a couple’s bedroom. What was it you wanted to say?”

At Leandro’s words, Larne only smiled.

I tried to say sorry for bothering you. But you talked about it first, I’m speechless.

“I want to apologize because I seem to have been too careless about the couple’s bedroom.” Leandro paused.

Larne, who was hesitant, raised her head and faced Leandro.

What is he saying?

“I think I was indifferent. Calvary said you walked back to your room in your pajamas…” Leandro abruptly broke off what he was saying then continued roughly, “The technician is due to come today, so I think you’d better move your bedroom. You can use my room while it’s redecorated.”

“Yes?” At the rapidly pouring words, Larne couldn’t help but ask back like an idiot. “Do my nightclothes bother you? Moreover, what you just said…’

Leandro’s brow furrowed in an instant.

“What, again? You want me to sleep in your bedroom..?” (Larne)

“That’s right. Isn’t my bedroom good enough for you?” (Leandro)

Larne’s face turned white because he didn’t know it would go this fast. What’s more, you’ll be using Leandro’s bedroom during construction.

“I-I’m fine. I don’t think there is a need for a couple’s bedroom. It’s too cumbersome to even require construction.” Larne urgently tried to dissuade Leandro. “If I had known that such a big project would be needed, I would not have mentioned it.” Larne, who held back Leandro’s choice until the end, changed her mind.

“Can’t you decorate my room to your comfort for the duration of your stay?”

It must have been an insensitive statement thrown without much meaning, but Larne was fascinated by the words.

I can decorate Leandro’s room.

“Then where are you going to sleep in the meantime?” Larne asked. “If there is a guest room, I can sleep comfortably there.”

“There is no guest room.”

Larne blinked at Leandro’s helpless words. “By any chance, are you going to sleep in the office?”

Leandro didn’t answer.

Realizing that her guess was correct, Larne’s expression turned into shock. “How will you sleep in your office?”

“I can sleep on the sofa.”

“Then I won’t move.” Larne poured unfamiliar firmness into her words. “We don’t even need a marital bedroom. The word is unnecessary…It’s only two months.”

Leandro avoided Larne’s gaze.

“It’s too late. The work has already begun.”

Larne was at a loss for words.

***