My Sister’s Man - Chapter 41

The bathroom Leandro used was larger than the one attached to Larne’s bedroom. When I entered the bathtub that Leandro usually used, Larne felt strange.

This is where he undresses. This is where he bathes.

She looked around the room and tried to clear her impure thoughts. No matter how special the situation is, it was a bit strange. Larne tried to think of something else, but the memory of this morning was too strong. Whether it’s strong arms or strong chest muscles—

I must be crazy.

Strange places make people strange. Larne’s face was visibly red. After a quick wash with the coldest water she could draw, Larne got ready to go to luncheon.

Have I lost my mind due to the rustling scent of spring? 

I keep forgetting that I am preparing for a breakup because I am distracted by him. I must stop. I must make myself stop.

After getting ready, Larne came out into the hallway earlier than usual. The soft sunlight lifted her mood like a cloud.

When she arrived at the dining room, Leandro was already there. The sunlight illuminated him like a painting. “You came out early.”

Originally, Larne wouldn’t have thought of talking to him first, maybe it’s due to the relaxed atmosphere? Or did people become like that because the season called spring was soft?

“You came early too.”

“Oh, I have something to do.” When Larne pulled out a chair and sat down, the attendants brought out food.

“I heard you called the merchant today.” (Leandro)

“Yes, I’m trying to decorate your room. I want to do well.” (Larne)

“Can I expect your best? Can I expect your eyes?” Leandro’s usually somber face broke into a grin.

At Leandro’s playful words, Larne smiled.

Leandro’s pupils widened slightly, and then the corners of his eyes softened. Seeing him smiling at her, along with the conversation that went on smoothly after that, Larne came to have a misunderstanding.

That perhaps Leandro wouldn’t want to divorce her either. No, maybe the divorce itself was a lie in the first place?

Even though she knew it was an absurd idea, she thought that way.

After a pleasant luncheon, Larne met the merchant called by Calvary. Larne, who received the catalog from the merchants, said, “I guess you can’t see the furniture being made.”

Curtains, bedding, and a rug on the floor were quickly chosen, but the furniture was a little difficult.

As Calvary said, we had to choose the wood first, not just the design. Larne, who didn’t know a good deal about furniture or wood, found it difficult. Calvary, who was watching Larne, seemed to feel that Larne was in trouble, and added a low voice.

“Tell us how you feel, and we can help. It may be difficult at first because the wood that can be used for each piece of furniture is different.”

Even when she was tending the garden, it took Larne a while to figure out this and that. Every time she got stuck on this little thing, her sense of inferiority rose up.

If I want to take care of the family’s internal affairs, I must know those things as basic things. Even if I accept his help, it will only be a burden to everyone. 

Larne swallowed a long sigh, folded the catalog and handed it to Calvary. Then, she got up and checked the wood sample the merchant had brought.

Even in the light, she couldn’t tell the difference between the samples.

Finally Calvary offered, “If you tell me what new furniture to make, I will help you choose the hardwood.”

“Thank you.” Larne visibly relaxed.

“Also, while matching the furniture, I think it would be a good idea to make a new bed for the couple’s bedroom. Is this also yours to choose? As for the bed—” Calvary made several suggestions, but from Larne’s point of view, who didn’t know anything, it sounded like a foreign language.

Roughly, he glossed over it, but Calvary seemed to already know what was best.

“Shall we ask His Excellency?” Larne still didn’t know what to call Leandro. It was difficult to call him by his first name, even if he was her husband. It was the same for him.  Usually, Leandro also called Larne ‘you’, just as much she referred to Leandro in the same way.

“It’s not urgent, so wouldn’t it be okay to take it slow?” Calvary seemed uncomfortable with the suggestion.

When Larne bluntly avoided answering, Calvary made another suggestion. “Then, how about going to look at the furniture when we go out together?”

“That’s not a bad idea, but if you don’t mind, let’s go see it now.” Leandro’s voice came from behind them causing Larne to jump and smile in surprise.

When did you come to the drawing room? 

“Aren’t you busy?” (Larne)

“Since the banquet is over, I don’t have to go to the imperial palace for a while, so I have some time to spare.” (Leandro)

Larne nodded as if possessed.

To be honest, she was curious. She had never seen the streets other than from the carriage as they traveled from the mansion to the imperial palace.

“I can start right away, how about you?” Leandro was more friendly than usual.

Larne warmed to him, impulsively agreeing to the outing. “I’m fine too.”

That’s how they impulsively left. The streets they rode in were crowded with people. The bustling streets were full of overflowing life.

As Larne looked at the people with curious eyes, Leandro murmured quietly. “It’s amazing, like someone seeing it for the first time.”

“Yes, this is my first time on the street.” Larne couldn’t take her eyes off the people as they walked along the road. She had never seen so many in one place. They all seemed to have somewhere to go, something to do.

“First time?” Leandro asked in disbelief. “Wouldn’t you have come out at least once when the festival opened? Or to go shopping? Haven’t you gone out to do that?”

“Ah—” Larne caught the mistake too late. “I haven’t been feeling well since I was a child. How could I come out if I was too unwell?’ Larne closed her eyes and waited for the scorn to return. Imagining the contempt in advance and getting scared was a reflex for her. She waited for Leandro to ask if she was still going to make that absurd excuse but it never came.

“Are you well enough to go out now?” The reaction of Leandro who came back was more friendly than she expected.

“I’m all right, now.” Larne was cautious.

“If this is the first time you’ve been shopping, isn’t it a pity to only use it to go to a furniture store? Is there anything else you want to do? Or see?”

Larne looked up at Leandro. “I didn’t know you would believe me.”

“What can I not believe?” He shrugged. “Is there any reason for you to lie to me when we are already getting a divorce?”

It was a very rational answer, but Larne felt the cold sharp recoil of waking from a dream.

It must have been because the end has been decided. That’s all. 

There wasn’t another reason for him to be kind. 

It was as if Larne’s mind that had been floating around all day was stuck on the floor.

“Let’s order the furniture.” She met Leandro’s gaze then dropped her eyes. “It’s okay to go to the place I want during the next trip. There’s plenty of time.”

She set aside her adventure along with all the other “next times” that would never happened. Now that she realized the truth, she moved on. There was nothing to mourn when it was the truth. Only two more months then she would be gone from his life. To dwell on it was to be maudlin. Larne set her disappointment aside and focused on the adventure she had before her.

As they walked through the workshop, she realized looking at the furniture in the store was more fun than she expected.

It was amazing to see the same design gave off a different atmosphere depending on the wood. More than that, Larne had not expected there would be a different atmosphere with Leandro standing by her side.

“How do you like this design?” She deliberately picked out a few oversized and opulent pieces she knew he wouldn’t hate. She may have forgotten their married life but she remembered their early moments together well. Leandro was a simple man with straightforward taste. The gaudily carved posts inlaid with gold were decidedly not his cup of tea. Larne laughed sweetly at Leandro’s distorted expression. To the eyes of everyone in the store, they seemed an ordinary married couple.

“It doesn’t look very good in my room. Is it right that I can trust your eyes?” Leandro made a face and laughed at her small joke.

Larne was astonished to discover they had fun together. To the point where she felt sad when the sun went down.

When they left the shop, Leandro gestured to a restaurant across the street. “Should we go in and have dinner while we’re out?”

I don’t think I’m the only one who regrets that the day is over so soon. 

Larne nodded. “Yes.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“It’s okay.”

“If it’s difficult, don’t hide it, just say it.”

Larne’s heart trembled at Leandro’s kind words. This time, she could stop her trembling heart with the conviction that the end of the marriage was in sight and there was no reason to hope for something already gone. Her heart calmed and left her with only a small regret—that this memorable and special day came just before the breakup.