Ivy couldn't stand still after Xander took Leo away. Within seconds, she was sprinting toward the study, only to find Butler Rupert already standing outside the door.
"How's the situation inside?" she asked without thinking.
Rupert, clearly not expecting her, turned and offered a calm smile. "It seems fine, Miss. The young master hasn't stormed out yet."
Ivy blinked at that, but noticing how composed Rupert was, she allowed herself to relax a little.
"By the way… are they always like this? Giving each other death glares?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
She had never seen anyone as competitive as Leo—especially not a child who wasn't even slightly intimidated by his own father. If anything, it made her realize just how similar the two were.
Rupert chuckled softly. "Not always. In fact, they can't stay away from each other for long. But I suppose the master must face the young master's wrath this time… for hiding you from him."
There it was again.
Ivy had heard Leo say it before, and it still lingered in her mind.
"About that… what really happened?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Why would he hide me from Leo?"
Rupert pursed his lips, clearly hesitant. It wasn't his place to discuss family matters. But after seeing how gently Ivy had handled Leo earlier—and how she had promised not to leave—the old man felt he could trust her, at least for now.
"All I can say is… the master had his reasons," Rupert said carefully. "But it seems the young master has already sensed something, and that is what upset him."
Ivy listened quietly and nodded.
Does this mean Xander doubts me?
It was the only explanation she could come up with. There was no other reason for him to keep Leo from meeting her.
This is… interesting, she thought, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
Time passed as both Ivy and Rupert waited outside.
Finally, the door opened.
Leo stepped out first.
The moment his eyes landed on Ivy, his previously serious expression lit up.
"Mommy, were you waiting for me?" he asked, rushing over and grabbing her hand.
Ivy smiled, about to answer—
But then another figure stepped out behind him.
Xander.
"Butler Rupert, prepare dinner for us," he instructed.
"Yes, Master," Rupert replied immediately before excusing himself.
Ivy's gaze shifted back to Xander, only to find him already looking at her—his expression as cold and unreadable as ever.
"Come, Mommy, let's go eat dinner together. Daddy said he would behave," Leo chirped happily.
Xander shot his son a sharp look.
Leo met it without flinching, his eyes just as piercing—before breaking into an innocent smile for Ivy.
Xander exhaled quietly, clearly choosing not to argue further. Without another word, he walked past them, heading to his room to change.
Meanwhile, Leo tightened his grip on Ivy's hand and began dragging her toward the dining area.
"Come on, Mommy," he urged, as if nothing had happened at all.
***
Twenty minutes later, Xander joined Ivy and Leo in the dining area. But the moment he noticed his son completely avoiding him, his expression turned grim.
"Mommy, try this. It's my favorite," Leo urged, happily piling food onto Ivy's plate while eating with enthusiasm himself.
His excitement knew no bounds. Even with Xander sitting there, clearly being ignored, Leo didn't seem to care in the slightest.
"Butler Rupert… is it just me, or do you feel the difference in the air too?" Freda whispered under her breath.
She was used to her master's cold and aloof demeanor. But seeing him almost glaring at Leo made the atmosphere feel even heavier.
"Wow… I think I need to get out of here," she muttered, clearly overwhelmed.
Rupert, on the other hand, felt the same tension—but unlike Freda, he didn't voice it. Despite the stress in the air, seeing Leo so happy with Ivy put his heart at ease.
As for Xander… Rupert couldn't help but feel a little pity for him. For the first time, he had to share his son's affection with someone who had quickly become just as important.
The three continued their dinner.
Ivy occasionally stole glances at Xander, noticing how left out he seemed. But every time his gaze flicked toward her, even briefly, it kept her on edge.
I need to set things straight with him, she decided, finishing her meal.
Once dinner was over, Leo hopped down from his chair and turned to Ivy with excitement.
"Mommy, come on! Let's go back to our room."
Leo had never shared his bed with anyone except his father. But Ivy… she was an exception.
The moment he decided to move into her room, he had already made a long list of things he wanted to do with her.
Ivy smiled at him, then bent slightly to meet his height. "Leo, why don't you go ahead and get changed first? Mommy needs to talk to your dad."
Leo's smile faltered.
Slowly, he turned his head toward Xander. "Don't scare her," he warned, his brows knitting together.
Then he leaned closer to Ivy and whispered, "Mommy, if Dad tries to bully you, just call me. I can handle him very well."
Ivy's eyes widened at his words, while Rupert and Freda struggled to hold back their laughter.
Xander, on the other hand, simply arched a brow.
Once Leo finally left, his playful presence disappearing down the hallway, Xander's gaze shifted back to Ivy—sharp and unreadable.
Now standing face to face with him, Ivy didn't hesitate.
"We need to talk," she said.
***
Seated across from each other on the couch, Ivy and Xander held each other's gaze in a tense silence.
After a moment, Ivy casually crossed one leg over the other, her posture relaxed as she finally spoke.
"It wasn't my idea to move Leo into my room."
"I know."
Xander's response was immediate—blunt and unwavering.
Ivy frowned. "Then why am I the one getting death glares?" she asked, clearly unimpressed. "The way you've been looking at me… it's like you want to peel my skin off."
Xander, who had been watching her calmly the entire time, let a slow smirk form on his lips.
"Why?" he asked, his tone smooth. "Does that make you uncomfortable?"
The question caught Ivy completely off guard.
For a split second, she blinked at him, not expecting that kind of response—especially not delivered with such a straight face.
And that only made it worse.
Because he didn't even look like he was trying to flirt.
Yet somehow… he still was.