As Leon strolled alone through the garden, the evening breeze ruffled his hair. Edwin had been called away, leaving him to wander on his own. He took in the fading sunlight and the scent of blooming flowers, enjoying the rare solitude.
Suddenly, Cecily's voice cut through the quiet. "Hey, you!"
Leon turned, startled to see the young woman striding toward him, her eyes sharp with determination. "Yes?" he replied, a little puzzled by her intensity.
"You—" she began, then hesitated, her confidence faltering. "Why are you always with Edwin? You're practically glued to his side."
Leon tilted his head. "He's my brother," he said simply. "Why wouldn't I be close to him?"
Cecily's eyes widened in shock. "Brother?" she echoed, blinking rapidly. "But... Mondell?" She felt a sudden rush of embarrassment as the realization dawned on her. "You're the youngest Mondell?"
Leon gave a small, amused smile. "Yes, that would be me."
Before Cecily could fully process the revelation, Edwin appeared, his expression darkening at the sight of Cecily confronting his brother. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of protectiveness.
Cecily took a step back, flustered. "I—I didn't know he was your brother," she stammered. "I thought he was… someone else."
Edwin's gaze softened as he looked at Leon. "Go inside, Leon. I'll take care of this." Then he turned back to Cecily, his expression hardening. "What exactly did you think you were doing, approaching him like that?"
"I didn't mean any harm," Cecily mumbled, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I just... thought you were interested in someone else. I didn't know he was your brother."
Edwin sighed, his protective stance easing. "You shouldn't jump to conclusions. Leon is important to me, but not in the way you thought."
Leon hesitated, glancing between Edwin and Cecily. He wanted to say something to defuse the tension, but he knew when to step back and let his brother handle things. With a small nod, he turned and walked away, though he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for causing any misunderstanding.