How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 360

Leonhard came and easily lifted the Titiana in his arms.

 

“Were you still awake because you were playing with Mommy?”

 

“Nooo! Titi studied!”

 

As if upset at being misunderstood, Titiana squirmed in Leonhard’s arms, kicking her feet.

 

“Studied?”

 

“Mhm! Right?”

 

Titiana turned to look at me, and I thought the timing was perfect. I picked up the encyclopedia I had left open and showed it to Leonhard.

 

“Here, explain this to Titi in a way she can understand.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“She says there are too many difficult words to understand. Explain it with simpler words, in a way that’s educational for a child.”

 

Leonhard’s eyes trembled slightly as he looked over the encyclopedia entry.

 

Strong like her father, Titiana grabbed Leonhard’s clothes and climbed up his chest in big strides, conquering his shoulders.

 

“So high! Kyahaha!”

 

Just as she seemed ready to climb all the way onto his head, she grabbed a fistful of his golden hair. Leonhard quickly caught her and settled her back into his arms before beginning his explanation with a serious expression.

 

“Titi, a few days ago you thought a raisin cookie was a chocolate cookie, and you were very disappointed, right?”

 

“Mhm. Titi was betrayed.”

 

‘Who taught her the word “betrayed,” anyway?’

 

“Wingcats are like raisin cookies pretending to be chocolate cookies to lure people in, so you have to be careful. Do you understand?”

 

I was so surprised by his fresh and creative explanation that I could only stare with my mouth open.

 

Meanwhile, Titiana opened her mouth too and nodded as though she had achieved some great enlightenment.

 

“Ruby is… raisin…”

 

“No, Ruby is chocolate. But all the other Wingcats are raisins, so you mustn’t reach out to them carelessly. Got it?”

 

“Mhm! Ruby is choco!”

 

‘…Was this explanation really okay? Did Titiana actually understand?’

 

Apparently I was the only one doubtful. Holding Titiana in one arm, Leonhard picked up the encyclopedia with his other hand and carefully read it aloud to her.

 

Until Titiana’s eyes slowly drooped shut and she eventually fell asleep, nodding off.

 

“You’re more talented at parenting than I expected.”

 

After laying the sleeping Titiana in her bed and walking back toward our bedroom, I whispered those words.

 

Leonhard replied in a serious voice.

 

“Do you think I’m doing well?”

 

“Of course. Both Noah and Titi like you.”

 

The fact that Leonhard didn’t make a doubtful expression at those words was perhaps the greatest proof that he was a good father.

 

“And as a husband?”

 

His eyes sparkled expectantly as he waited for an answer.

 

That question must have come from confidence that he’d hear the answer he wanted.

 

Suddenly feeling mischievous, I forced down the corners of my twitching lips and said,

 

“Close your eyes.”

 

Without hesitation, Leonhard closed his eyes and subtly puckered his lips.

 

He clearly believed without a doubt that I was about to kiss him.

 

Instead of meeting those expectations, I pinched both of his cheeks with my thumbs and index fingers and pulled them outward.

 

‘Wow, he’s still handsome even like this.’

 

Unaware that I was admiring his looks once again, Leonhard looked at me with a shocked expression.

 

“Am I not doing well…?”

 

With both cheeks stretched to the sides, his words came out slurred.

 

Giggling, I gently rubbed his slightly reddened cheeks.

 

“If you were a bad husband, do you think I’d joke around like this?”

 

“A frog can die from a stone thrown in jest, my lady…”

 

“You’re the Iron Ajas.”

 

“That’s only physically. My spirit is more fragile than thin ice.”

 

“Oh, please. You’re lying.”

 

“I’m serious. Just like you do for Titi, hurry and blow on it for me, my lady.”

 

And he could say things like that with a straight face while claiming his mental fortitude was more fragile than thin ice?

 

‘What a crybaby.’

 

I blew gently on his cheeks, which had already returned to their normal color.

 

As if to say *not there* Leonhard tilted his head and lightly pressed his lips against mine.

 

He looked slightly surprised, as though he hadn’t intended for our lips to touch.

 

But then he smiled, cupped my cheeks with both hands, and kissed me once more.

 

“I thought you were getting revenge on me.”

 

“Revenge? …Ah.”

 

As though finally understanding what I meant, Leonhard gently pinched my cheek with his thumb and index finger.

 

“Like this?”

 

“Yes, like that.”

 

“How could I ever dare lay a hand on my lady?”

 

“Hm? That’s strange. I seem to remember you laying your hands all over me just last night.”

 

When I looked at him with a gaze that clearly said, *If you have a conscience, you shouldn’t say things like that,* Leonhard gave an awkward smile before suddenly scooping me up into his arms.

 

“So you thought I’d take revenge on you, my lady? I suppose that means I’ve failed to earn your trust as a husband.”

 

“That sounds like a very ominous introduction…”

 

Sure enough—

 

“It seems I haven’t fully carried out my duties as a husband until now, so starting today, I’ll diligently fulfill them.”

 

Even as Leonhard pressed a kiss to my cheek, he strode toward the bedroom.

 

His legs were so long that we reached it in no time.

 

As he lowered me onto the bed, I wrapped my arms around his neck, refusing to let go.

 

“And what exactly do you mean by fulfilling your duties as a husband?”

 

“To cherish and love my wife, of course. You were the one who taught me that—have you forgotten already?”

 

“I think back then I’d never been married before, so I didn’t really know any better. A husband’s greatest duty is putting his wife to bed early.”

 

“I’ll do my best.”

 

You have no intention of doing that! Empty words!

 

Leonhard silenced my protest as though there was nothing left to argue about.

 

In the end, though, he did succeed in putting me to bed early.

 

The only problem was that I was so utterly exhausted that I fell asleep as if I’d passed out.

 

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