“Butler, why did you let Ariel ride the swing so dangerously?”
His voice carried a different kind of danger from his gaze earlier. This was the tone he used when he was truly angry.
“It seemed like the lady was reminiscing about her childhood… I’m sorry. It was my mistake.”
Kasion glared at the butler with a fearsome look. Then it was my turn.
“Ariel, get down.”
“Yes.”
I obediently hopped off the swing. As soon as I got down, Kasion’s arm slipped off the swing.
“Huh?”
The rope of the swing had slightly snapped. It seemed that the old, worn-out rope couldn’t support my weight and was gradually tearing. Even though I had swung gently, it had been enough. If I had been a little slower, the swing would have snapped, and my fragile body would have been thrown to the ground.
That was close.
“Thank you, Kasion.”
“Don’t mention it.” He responded as if it were no big deal. “Butler, tell the gardener to replace the swing.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After sending the butler away, he turned to me.
“Why did you come all the way here?”
“Because you didn’t keep the appointment time, Kasion,” I answered him with a slightly displeased look. He had a shameless expression, not looking the least bit sorry.
“The knights’ training took longer than expected. Maybe it’s the aftereffects of the war, but the sparring wasn’t going well.”
Judging by the state of his clothes, it seemed that was true. His white shirt was soaked with sweat, making it almost transparent. As a result, his muscular upper body was clearly visible. The shirt clung to his well-defined muscles.
“My apologies.”
But was this man always someone who made such detailed excuses? And an apology? That didn’t seem like Kasion at all.
“Was that why you were late last time too?”
“…Something like that.”
He casually lifted his arm to run his hand through his hair. For a moment, I couldn’t hear what he was saying. It was because my eyes were fixated on one spot.
He was definitely built differently from Serhen. Kasion had broad, straight shoulders from the start.
But doesn’t he usually wear armor during training? And why was he wearing such a small shirt? He had plenty of loose clothing. It seemed like his muscles would burst through the fabric with the slightest movement.
“What are you staring at?”
“N-Nothing! I wasn’t staring!”
He caught me looking, and my face flushed red. I must have been staring at his body too intently.
“Why? Is there something you desire about my body?”
“Oh my! The same person who used to emphasize the dignity of nobility to me is being so frivolous…”
I quickly turned my head away from him. My face was burning, but I couldn’t fan myself with my hands. It would feel like admitting to what he said.
“You said you wanted Serhen to start strength training, didn’t you?”
How did such information even get out of the marquisate?
“If you need help, I can assist.”
“The marquis’s guards can teach him just fine.”
“Really? They probably won’t even reach half my level of muscle.”
…That seemed accurate. With Serhen’s naturally slender frame, there was no way he could match up to such an imposing man…
My eyes wandered back. Even though I turned my head and body, I kept sneaking glances at him out of the corner of my eye. Suddenly, he laughed.
“I’ll go wash up.”
“I have somewhere to be this afternoon. Please return quickly.”
“Got it.”
For some reason, he didn’t argue with me. He simply turned and walked back toward the building.
As Kasion left, the scent of his sweat mingled with the smell of apples in the air.
But why? Normally, he’d throw all kinds of snide remarks at me before leaving. Yet today, he so easily listened to what I said.
I couldn’t figure out his intentions. Perhaps it was because of the nonsense Selvia had spouted earlier.
* * *
When I returned to the garden, the table was already filled with my favorite cookies. The butler began pouring hot water into the teapot to brew the tea. The fragrant scent of black tea quickly wafted around my nose. But the tea’s aroma was soon overpowered by a stronger smell.
“Are the preparations complete?”
Kasion had returned much more quickly than before. But his hair was still wet.
Today, Kasion wasn’t wearing loose clothes. He was dressed in a shirt with a proper cravat, although without a vest or coat, so his build was still clearly visible.
“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll serve the tea to both of you now.”
“Serve Ariel first.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The warm tea poured into the pretty teacup with a soft sound. The birds nesting in the garden sang sweetly. The crickets, excited by the autumn weather, chirped noisily. Meanwhile, the humans there merely sat in silence, breathing.
“If you need anything else, just call.” After serving the tea, the butler stepped back, leaving Kasion and me alone.
Kasion silently sipped his tea. I stared into the light brown liquid, swirling my teacup around.
“It’s not poisoned.”
He had a knack for saying such irritating things.
I brought the teacup to my lips. The tea carried the fragrant apple scent from the garden. Though, I couldn’t fully enjoy the taste because of the citrusy smell coming from Kasion.
“So, what color should we coordinate for the banquet?”
“Haven’t you already finished preparing your dress?”
Of course. Since the date of the banquet was set in advance, everyone had prepared their dresses accordingly. I was no different. So, the idea of coordinating outfits was… just one of Kasion’s ploys. I knew that coming in, but I didn’t expect him to lay the truth out so plainly.
When I frowned, he put his teacup down. “Since the Mellin family color is blue, and you’ve always prepared something blue for important banquets, I’ll just match that.”
That’s true. He didn’t call me here just to state the obvious, though.
I looked at him with suspicion. “Then why did you call me here?”
At my probing question, he pulled out a box from his pocket. It was a familiar one. The box containing the necklace he had intended to give to Lireania last time.
Could it be? Is he planning to send it through me because she rejected it?
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
I didn’t really want to. But with his yellow eyes persistently watching my hands, I reluctantly opened the lid.
“This is…”
It was a brooch. It had the same pendant he had meant to give Lireania.
What is this? Did he change it because he thought she would accept it if it wasn’t a necklace?
“You said you wanted it. But you also said you’d feel strangled if you wore it as a necklace, so I had it made into a brooch instead.”
“It’s… mine?”
“Yes.”
I blinked in surprise.
Was this a bribe? I did pester him a lot that day. Although I had never asked Kasion for anything before…
“Why?” Feeling uneasy accepting his gift, I asked.
“Because it was yours from the start.”
After finishing his words, Kasion took another sip of tea. His Adam’s apple moved noticeably as he swallowed. His nose was wrinkled, as it always was when he was annoyed. The back of his neck was also flushed.
Is he angry because I didn’t accept it right away after pestering him so much? But his intentions seemed so suspicious.
“But… you insisted on giving the necklace to Lady Lireania, even after I asked for it.”
“…”
Kasion paused, seemingly struck by my pointed remark. After taking another sip of tea, he sighed. Then he leaned in closer to me. His scent cut through the tea’s fragrance and imprinted itself on me.
“If you don’t want it, I’ll give it to Lady Soler.” He reached out his large, rough hand to take the box.
I quickly snapped the lid shut. No way. Even if it’s now a brooch instead of a necklace, it’s still a symbol of his obsession with Lireania.
“No! Thank you! I’ll take good care of it!” I swiftly pulled the box into my arms.
Kasion’s lips then curled into a smile.
…Why did that smile feel so unsettling?
“Good. Then you can wear it to the banquet.”
“To the banquet?”
“Yes. That way, we’ll look like partners, just like Serhen and Lady Soler.”
It made sense.
In the novel, people gossiped a lot when Lireania and Kasion entered together. They even started ridiculous rumors, like Serhen being abandoned. But right now, something else was bothering me.
[“Oh my, doesn’t she look better than standing with Marquis Mellin?”
“Indeed. Even if someone told me they’re lovers, I’d believe it.”
The gossip echoed directly into Serhen’s ears. He disliked hearing people compare him to Kasion, so he took Ariel to the terrace.]
The atmosphere that Lireania and Kasion would create if they stood together—that worried me. They were the protagonists after all.
“Alright. I’ll do that.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to it.” Kasion smiled.
Why do I keep feeling like I’m being played? And why does this still feel so unsettling?
“And about the dance at the banquet…”
Oh no, that sly smile again.
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Thank your for translating this novel! I can’t wait for new chapter!