Arens gentle hand lightly brushed against the one Damian had extended. She didnt choose Cassadin, but him. Assured of this fact, a smile began to inch its way onto Damians face.
Your Grace.
Her voice was clear, reminiscent of a tranquil sea. It resonated in his ears, a sound as clear and serene as her blue eyes.
Perhaps it was due to her profession as a healer, but Arens voice was undeniably pure and lucid.
Cassadin is not a beast.
Her voice held a certainty, as though she were stating a fact. However, the content of her response caused Damians raised lips to slowly falter.
Slipping out of Damians grasp, her hand intertwined with the beasts. A faint smile on Arens face appeared after holding Cassadins hand.
As Aren smiled, the evening sun sank into the windows, causing her platinum hair to sparkle like gold in the sunlight.
Damians hand, having lost its destination, began to tremble. What was the reason? Why had she chosen him even after learning everything?
Cassadin gazed down at Aren, his eyes filled with deep obsession. Watching these two made Damian feel as if his insides were churning.
His heart must have perceived the anger its owner was feeling, for it also decided to rebel against him. Damian took several deep breaths to alleviate the pain.
Managing to force a smile onto his face, Damian turned to question Aren.
I must ask the reason.
Why have you taken that beasts hand instead of mine?
Perhaps she had gone insane from their absurd ga of make-believe. Damian repressed the words that were threatening to co out of his mouth.
The words that had finally left Arens mouth were sothing he would expect to hear from a saint.
Why should there be a reason?
Whether Cassadin is family or not doesnt change the fact that he is now soone I trust.
Aren then smiled, her grin as radiant as the sunlight illuminating her hair. It was a smile born out of absolute trust. For reasons unknown, Damian found himself unable to look away from it.
My deepest apologies, Your Grace. However, its getting late, and I must be on my way.
Youre leaving then.
Yes, my father awaits . Moreover, it would be inappropriate for to keep Your Grace engaged when you are not in the best of health.
Her voice bore genuine concern for his health, but Damian knew the truth. Aren simply sought an escape from this uncomfortable situation.
Aren turned around with a gentle smile, without any hesitation. A large jacket, twice the size of her small fra, rested on her shoulders.
And Cassadin followed behind her, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He gently enclosed Arens petite hand in his large one.
Damians expression contorted sharply as he watched the two depart.
His mind was troubled.
The woman had initiated the interaction, and now she fled as if escaping from him.
Unknowingly, he extended his hand towards Aren, who was receding into the distance. But Damian instantly pulled back his arm.
Regardless of whether Cassadin is family or not, the fact remains that hes soone I trust now.
If Aren had been just as ordinary as the others who passed by in the streets, he wouldnt have been so perturbed.
However, Aren was a woman sufficiently intelligent to morize the entire Boundary of Good and Evil in detail. She would have grasped the true significance of the venomous butterfly analogy he used for Cassadin.
So how could such a knowledgeable woman be absolutely certain that she could trust a man who was hardly better than a beast?
Soone I could trust, you say?
Damian pondered over the words Aren had spoken. Until his heart condition was completely healed, he had to treat Aren with kindness.
In that context, Cassadin posed the greatest challenge to Damian.
Then, I just need to ensure she loses her trust in Cassadin.
Damian had innurable people under his direct command.
His notable streak of victories in every single Swordsmanship Competition he had participated in, coupled with an inherent elegance that naturally emanated from him and his handso looks, could not be ignored.
Though Damian was of mixed royal blood, he exuded nobility more than anyone else. As a result, people consistently sought him out, even when he showed no interest in attending banquets and other gatherings.
Moreover, Damian was highly skilled at manipulating those around him. He had transford his supporters into puppets, ready to do anything for his sake.
But Aren was entirely different from anyone Damian had encountered before.
Its because I healed Tuules tongue.
It had been her who had pushed him into the slave, for her then to suddenly reveal her weakness and answer him boldly.
Her reasons for entering his residence, oblivious to the potential dangers, had been unbelievably absurd.
He initially believed she was there to ask for sothing from him, but the terms she proposed in exchange for her healing abilities almost rendered him speechless.
Let us forget about the past and reconcile.
Her sole aim was to reconcile with him. That was the bargain she proposed in return for curing his heart condition.
Initially, he thought she had been deceiving him, but the healing capabilities that she demonstrated were genuine.
In the beginning, Damian was purely fixated on how to exploit her healing powers, but subsequently and imperceptibly, he developed a sincere interest in the individual nad Aren.
She seed to be within his grasp, but then escaped just before he could catch her. Like the sand in an hourglass that gradually sinks when flipped, like a mirage in the desert.
It was in human nature to desire things that they couldnt obtain.
This applied even to Damian, who had once viewed others only as tools for manipulation.
Aren was no longer just a tool for Damian.
She was a human, just like him.
She appeared as a human.
I returned to my father after my conversation with Damian, with Cassadin following close behind. My father looked at us in confusion.
Cassadin released my hand and greeted my father.
Sir, may I escort Aren to the carriage?
My father blinked several tis, surprised by Cassadins formal behavior, before responding.
Ah, thank you, sir. However, I do not believe that will be possible.
My father must have felt awkward speaking formally to Cassadin, as he continued to scratch his head. Conversely, Cassadin respectfully bowed his head to my father.
I have been assigned to one of the fiefdoms in the capital. I will make sure to visit from ti to ti.
Considering your new role as a Marquess, you may beco quite busy. It may be difficult for you to visit
As he heard my fathers voice trail off, Cassadin offered a warm smile and responded.
It is my desire to do so.
In the end, Father relented and nodded his head, after which Cassadin escorted both and Father to our waiting carriage.
I was on the brink of giving Cassadins jacket back to him when he gently shook his head and spoke up.
The weather has grown rather cold, so please keep it with you. You can return the jacket to the next ti we encounter each other.
Are you certain? Wait, are you really okay with this, Sir?
Unable to decide whether to address the now Marquess Cassadin formally or informally, I ended up using both modes of speech. In response, Cassadins eyes crinkled into charming creases.
I am fine. And please address in whatever way Sister prefers.
Its quite challenging to switch to formal language all of a sudden.
Theyre both lovel
Realizing his slip-up, Cassadin glanced warily at Father, then coughed awkwardly as he stepped back.
Then, I wish you a safe journey ho.
At last, the carriage that Father and I were in began to move. When I quickly glanced back, I noticed Cassadin waving goodbye to us. His lips were moving as he radiated calmness, seemingly trying to convey sothing to .
But there was no sound, only the movent of his lips.
I?
It was only after squinting and closely observing Cassadins lips that I deciphered the words he was attempting to communicate to .
I love you.
Upon grasping its significance, a smile gradually crept across my face. It was as though my heart, which had been disturbed by my encounter with Damian, had instantly thawed.
The autumn landscape visible through the carriage window appeared particularly exquisite. The golden wheat fields basking in sunlight, and the children darting playfully around the streets, all ca vividly into view.
Cassadin was no longer my family, but I still found myself capable of trusting him.
Perhaps my joy at the fact had caused to lose sight of reality. I had naively assud that nothing worse could possibly occur than encountering Damian.
Yet, unhappily, disaster tends to strike at the least expected monts.
As I descended from the carriage, I noticed an unknown woman standing in front of the mansion, seemingly awaiting soones arrival.
The womans light pink dress perfectly complented her vermilion hair that cascaded down to her shoulders.
However, the problem was that her face was hidden behind her hair, making it impossible for to identify her.
Why is she standing in front of our mansion?
Excuse , who are you?
Upon hearing my question, the woman shifted her gaze toward .
As I caught sight of her face, my eyes widened in shock.
How could I possibly ever forget her?
While her hair was shorter than I rembered, I recognized her imdiately.
She was Damians lover, Lilian, who had tornted in my past life.
Lilian, why are you here?
My elation rapidly plumted.
Upon making eye contact with , Lilian tucked her hair behind her ear.
As she did so, the turquoise earrings hidden behind her hair glinted in the sunshine.
Her attire, from head to toe, gave her the appearance of a noblewoman rather than a commoner.
Her skin was clear and pale, a striking contrast to her glowing ginger hair.
Moreover, she was adorned in an expensive pastel pink dress and turquoise earrings, items that could not be acquired at a low cost.
Had I not known Lilian was a commoner through the mories of my past life, I, too, would have mistaken her for a noblewoman.
As I continued to quietly observe her, her round, pink eyes narrowed into crescents.
Hello.
With a bright smile, Lilian greeted . I didnt return the greeting, rather, I looked at her skeptically.
Why is she here?
I was the daughter of an Earl, and Lilian was a commoner. To , Lilian was nothing more than an intruder.
However, if I revealed that I was aware of Lilians status, she would undoubtedly beco suspicious of .
I wasnt certain of her reason for coming here, but I was positive it wasnt for any good cause.
After all, she was the one who had tornted with unfathomable sches in my previous life.
Upon seeing Lilian, mories of my past life ca rushing back.
What is this on your arm? Are you injured?
When Damian noticed a fresh bandage wrapped around Lilians arm, he asked her in evident irritation.
This, its a burn from hot tea
Who did this to you?
It was
Im asking you, who dared to harm you in my house?
Lilian, on the verge of tears due to Damians intense questioning, glanced towards my rooms door.
The mont she turned her gaze towards , Damian strode towards the door behind which I was hiding.
Did you tornt Lilian again?
I hadnt done anything, yet I was blad for the injury to Lilians arm.
I didnt do anything.
I told Damian the truth, but he didnt believe .
So, not only did you burn Lilians arm, but now youre lying too?
Instead of responding to Damian, I looked past him to where Lilian was standing.
Tears were welling up in her wide eyes, yet a smile was unmistakably drawn across her face.
It seems you would rather believe her than your own fiance.
I smiled, though the taste was bittersweet.
Youre suggesting that Lilian invented a scenario that never occurred. So how would you explain the scar on her wrist?
Have you actually seen it?
What?
Did you physically see a wound underneath the bandage shes wearing?
Upon hearing that, Damian raised his hand and struck across the face. The sharp sound of his hand making contact with my cheek caused my head to jerk sideways.
I did not shed a tear but instead bit down hard on my lower lip.
That was likely the first ti Damian had ever hit .
Perhaps it was because of my past mories, but I could not view Lilian objectively.
Hadnt she been the one to play the victim in the incidents she herself had caused?
Feigning ignorance of Lilians identity, I decided to probe her intentions.
Judging by your appearance, you seem to be of noble birth. If its not too rude, may I ask what brings you here?
Lilians face lit up at my question, her mood inexplicably brightening.
She didnt correct when I referred to her as a commoner.
Maintaining her smile, Lilian courteously lifted the hem of her dress in greeting.
Actually, Im looking for soone.
Soone?
Feeling a sense of oddity, I queried Lilian.
Who might this soone be that youre referring to?
I have heard the rumors about this years Founding Day festival winner. Apparently, he has beco a Marquess?
Lilian tilted her head to the side, her coral hair swinging with her movents.
When she bestowed another gentle smile, the passersby all blushed and repeatedly stole glances in our direction.
On the other hand, I could not bring myself to smile.
Because the reason Lilian had journeyed all this way here
I have co to et Sir Cassadin.
was Cassadin.
Reviews
All reviews (0)