[To Kasion.
Kasion, did you return home safely?
I haven’t been feeling well since what happened earlier. When I said you were scary, I meant it the same way a daughter feels scared when her strict father scolds her. It’s not that I hate or despise anything you’ve done, not at all. I know better than anyone how hard you’ve worked. It’s just that sometimes when your eyebrows are set straight or you’re expressionless, it can be a little intimidating.
As for the no-confinement pledge, I mentioned it because of the novels the maids have been reading lately. Of course, I’d still appreciate it if you wrote it up for me.]
It was full of long, drawn-out excuses, and yet she still asked for the no-confinement pledge at the end. Kasion couldn’t help but chuckle at that. Somehow, it was endearing. And it made him feel guilty.
Thinking about how much Ariel must have been startled by his narrow-mindedness made Kasion’s heart ache. He should have gone to see her right after talking with Serhen’s partner. Then Ariel wouldn’t have been so anxious.
[I’m sorry for all the unnecessary excuses. In the end, I know this was entirely my fault.]
That one line was what he appreciated most. He liked Ariel because she was the kind of person who could admit her mistakes so honestly.
[So, can I invite you over tomorrow? I’d like to name the puppy together.]
Of course, he would say yes. That was exactly why he had given her the puppy in the first place—just as Serhen’s partner had advised, it would give them something in common.
Kasion reached for his quill, ready to write his reply.
“Don’t push too hard. A proper amount of waiting is necessary.”
But Lireania’s words crossed his mind, making him hesitate. She had warned that if he pushed too much, Ariel might run away.
“Is that today?”
Kasion furrowed his brow for a moment, then dipped his quill in ink. He wasn’t sure if now was the time to push or pull. Still, he didn’t want Ariel to continue feeling uncomfortable until tomorrow. If he delayed his reply any longer, she would spend the whole day feeling uneasy.
Kasion carefully wrote his response and immediately called for the butler as he stepped outside. “Send this letter to Ariel at once.”
The butler hesitated briefly after receiving the letter.
The sun had already set, and sending a letter at this late hour might irritate the marquis, who had recently been particularly strict with his staff.
“The marquis might—”
“Give this to Serhen as well.”
Would it be better to send them together?
The butler still hesitated for a moment, glancing at his master’s face. The darkness that had been there earlier was gone, replaced by a brightness he hadn’t seen in a while. It had started the moment a letter from Lady Mellin arrived.
It wasn’t often that Kasion expressed his emotions like this, and he wasn’t even trying to hide them now.
“Yes, understood.”
“And do we have a decent picture frame ready?” As Kasion turned to leave, he suddenly looked back and asked the butler.
“Yes, there’s one in storage. Did a painting in one of the rooms get damaged?”
“No, I don’t need a large frame.”
“Then… Ah, do you mean like last time?”
“Yes, secure the letter Ariel sent and place it beside my bed.”
The butler tried to remember when this had all started. When had Kasion begun to treasure everything related to Ariel, never able to throw anything away? Kasion treated each of her letters as if it were a precious treasure.
“I’ll prepare a frame with plenty of blue decorations.” The butler’s aged eyes crinkled kindly.
* * *
The next morning, I watched Serhen carefully. He was a bit on edge because of the letter he and I had received yesterday.
“Brother, are you heading to the merchant guild again today?”
“Yes, Lireania and I are supposed to go on our trip after the wedding, remember? There’s a mountain of work I need to get through before that.”
In this world, a high-ranking noble’s honeymoon usually involved a tour of their lands. But because of business with the merchant guild, Serhen and Lireania had planned to delay their trip. However, I had strongly encouraged them to go, even helping to plan the trip.
Back then, I had thought Kasion was after Lireania, and I wanted to keep them as far away from him as possible. But now, I regretted it a little. The walls I had built to protect those dear to me had been erected in the wrong place. Perhaps… over my own grave?
“Your skin will get rough… Are you even eating the things I told you to?”
“I’ve been eating so much of it that even the chefs at the merchant guild have started cooking it for me.”
Still, the ‘boost Serhen’s vitality’ project was ongoing.
“I’ll be off, then.”
Serhen approached and kissed me on the forehead. I looked at him in surprise.
“What’s wrong?”
“Uh… Didn’t you hear yesterday that Kasion is coming over?”
“So?”
“I just thought it was odd that Brother didn’t say anything. Lately, you’ve been opposed to me meeting with Kasion.”
Serhen’s eyes flicked toward the far end of the hallway as if my question had hit the mark. He glanced at the window at the end of the corridor.
“With him around, things should be safe for a while.”
“Safe?”
“Yes, Ariel. Don’t go to your house today, and don’t let anyone else visit either, aside from Kasion. Until the wedding, you should only go out with me, Lireania, or Kasion.”
What did he mean by that?
“I’d cancel the honeymoon if I could.”
“You can’t do that, Lady Lireania would be so disappointed.”
“You’re right… so for now, I’ll have to rely on the duke’s help.”
Serhen’s sudden shift in tone made me tilt my head in confusion, and then a name popped into my mind.
“Could it be… uncle is back?”
Serhen nodded.
“Ah… I understand. I’ll be careful.”
“That’s my good little sister.” Serhen raised his hand and gently patted my head.
The worried look on his face made me a little nervous too. Uncle had done so many awful things to us. Especially when he tried to take over the merchant guild and blackmailed Serhen by… using me.
“Hmph…”
“Ariel, are you okay?”
“Ah, yes. I just swallowed wrong.”
I tried to hide my anxiety. If I let my nerves show, Serhen wouldn’t be able to focus on his work. I had seen it happen too many times growing up, so I had learned to keep these feelings hidden. Of course, Serhen always scolded me when I did that, but…
“By the way, Ariel, about the second prince…”
“Huh? Why are you bringing him up now?”
“Do you like him?”
“What? Where did that come from?”
I felt a bit betrayed by his sudden question. Had Lireania told him? We had promised not to mention it.
“I’m asking if you’d consider accepting a marriage proposal from him.”
“Who said that?”
“Well, the prince was very kind to you at the imperial palace. He helped you avoid the crown prince. You owe him a favor, don’t you?”
Serhen had shown a lot of interest in Prince Dertis that day. Was this the reason?
“I’ve already told you I want to live as a Mellin for the rest of my life.”
“I know. But if you ever do find someone you’re interested in, you have to tell me, okay?” Serhen repeated his request several times before heading to the merchant guild.
* * *
That afternoon, I finished preparing tea in the parlor. I had considered hosting it outside but decided against it.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Viscount Kainum. Although we had blocked all the secret passages into the estate, I still felt like that man would sneak his way in somehow.
“When will Kasion get here?” I stroked the puppy’s head as it slept comfortably on a cushion while I waited for Kasion.
I hadn’t expected Kasion to accept my apology, but the fact that he had sent a reply right away put me at ease. At times like this, he seemed like such a kind and generous person…
But then I remembered the erotic novel the maids had been reading, and I felt uneasy again. Why was the book I had read still nowhere to be found? None of the maids had any idea what it was about. It was starting to feel like some sort of mysterious prophecy book.
I wished it had just been the maids’ fantasies. At least then, my recent fluttering feelings wouldn’t be so troubling. But unfortunately, it was definitely the same novel I had read in my previous life.
“Haaa…”
I glanced out the window, wondering if Kasion had arrived. There seemed to be some commotion at the front gate.
“So he’s here…”
Serhen’s warning had been right. Viscount Kainum was causing a scene, trying to force his way inside.
“Milady.” The butler approached me with a troubled expression.
“Didn’t Brother tell you to throw him out? You don’t need to report to me.”
“Yes, that’s true, but…” The butler still looked unsure.
“What? Did Viscount bring an imperial decree or something?”
“No, it’s not from the emperor.”
“Then what?”
The butler sighed at my question. He was normally as resolute as Serhen when it came to dealing with Viscount Kainum, but even he seemed powerless against this particular individual.
If it’s someone with less authority than the emperor but still too high-ranking for the marquis’ servants to refuse…
“He’s invoking the name of the second prince. He brought a letter he claims was sent by the second prince.”
This was an unexpected turn.
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