Chapter 17
I nodded slowly in response.
“Yes, a little…”
“What about hosting banquets?”
“…Pardon?”
“In the past, you used to host banquets almost every day, inviting people to the estate. I’m asking if you’re planning to hold one.”
Charlotte blinked, caught off guard.
Wow, the original Charlotte really had the energy to spare.
She vaguely recalled the novel mentioning this part—how Charlotte had constantly thrown banquets, eager to show off Cassius as her husband.
On the other hand, Cassius had been too busy to attend such events even once, which only deepened Charlotte’s sense of loneliness.
But as for me, I wasn’t a fan of such gatherings. It was too awkward for me to host such events, and it also took too much effort. Anyway, those social events are like jungles where everyone wears fake smiles on their faces and plays polite while gossiping behind each other’s backs.
Cassius’s reaction to my hesitation was… odd.
“…Is it necessary for a Duchess to host banquets?”
“What?”
Cassius let out a small laugh, setting down his utensils as if he had finished eating. As he crossed his arms, the muscles of his arm became apparent. His build was striking.
Stop staring, Charlotte. I quickly shifted my gaze back to my plate.
Oh, right. Wasn’t there a line in the novel about Cassius being a ‘walking, sexy dynamite’?
Suddenly, she could almost understand why the original Charlotte had been so obsessed with chasing after him.
Clearing her throat, she tried to refocus.
Ahem.
“Mm, mm. If it’s really necessary, just tell me. I’ll hold a banquet.”
“No.”
His response was firm.
“If you don’t want to, then don’t do it. You used to do it because you enjoyed it, right? But what’s with the talk of a Duchess’s duties?”
I glanced at Cassius. He didn’t look upset, just confused.
“I just don’t feel like doing it. But since you asked, I was wondering…”
“…Ha.”
Cassius rubbed his face with his hand.
Now that I looked more closely, he seemed utterly drained. Was he not sleeping well? He looked thinner, as though he wasn’t eating properly either.
“So, I don’t have to hold any banquets?”
“Right. As for the dress…”
“I don’t think I’ll wear it, so I’ll fill the closet with new clothes.”
“…I see.”
“But Cassius, are you very busy these days?”
Cassius stared at me in surprise. This was an unusual reaction for him, who normally gives me nothing but a cold, distant look. He asked in return.
“What?”
“I asked if you’ve been busy lately. You don’t look well…”
Did I ask something wrong? Why is his face like that?
“You’ve never asked me that before.”
Well, that explains his surprise. The original Charlotte had likely never shown any concern for others.
Charlotte smiled awkwardly.
“Well, I’m asking now.”
Come on, Charlotte, it doesn’t hurt to check in on people, especially if they look tired or unwell. What were you even doing all this time?
To be honest, I was the one who felt awkward. The way people react when I do something—it’s like they’ve seen a ghost. It makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want to live like Charlotte, causing trouble just to make myself feel something.
I’ve decided to live according to my own nature. Eventually, people will get used to me. And they’ll say, “Charlotte has changed!”
“You seem really tired. No matter how busy you are, you need to eat and sleep properly. Your health is the most important thing, Cassius.”
For now, most of my energy was focused on Theo. Even if Cassius got sick, I wasn’t sure I could do much to help.
As far as I remember, nothing major was supposed to happen around this time. So why did he look so worn out?
“…I’ll keep that in mind. And Charlotte.”
“Yes?”
“Take good care of Theo. And… thank you. I feel like I haven’t properly expressed my gratitude.”
Oh… hearing such words was awkward. It felt like I was allergic to praise. I tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in my chest and nodded.
“Yes, Cassius. You don’t have to worry.”
I answered firmly. Cassius had directly asked me to take care of Theo. Does this mean Cassius truly trusts me now?
I felt a sense of relief.
The reins in his hand tightened. Cassius furrowed his brows slightly. His assistant, Giverny, who had been nervously watching him, called out to him.
“Your Excellency.”
“…”
“Your Excellency?”
“Oh, were you calling me?”
“You seemed lost in thought. Is something the matter? Does it relate to the young master, perhaps…?”
There was only one thing that could make the Duke space out like this, and that was Theo.
Cassius quickly shook his head.
“No.”
He denied it firmly, but his thoughts lingered elsewhere.
He shook his head. He wasn’t thinking about Theo; he was actually thinking about Charlotte, the Charlotte he had eaten breakfast with that morning. the expressions she made, the way she gestured, the words she spoke.
Wasn’t she acting like an ordinary wife?
Cassius’s life had always been like standing alone on a cliff, exposed to the harsh winds. He had endured loneliness and loss since he was fourteen.
One day, just like any other, his father had gone out for a light patrol with his mother. Since his mother was also a knight from the Order of Irtesia, it was something they were both very familiar with. At that time, his mother was pregnant. Having already passed six months, the baby was stable, so his father had taken her out to relieve her discomfort.
However, that day was the start of all tragedies. For some unknown reason, there was a magical explosion, and his father died on the spot. His mother, despite being injured, managed to lead the knights and return after defeating the snow beasts. But she had been exposed to magic, and just two days after Theo’s birth, she passed away.
<Cassius, I’m sorry. We’re so sorry.>
Those were her last words. After that, Cassius never heard anyone speak to him so kindly again. And, strangely, he became familiar with that silence.
From that point on, every single day of his life had been a relentless struggle. Becoming a duke at the age of fourteen was no easy feat. He had to endure jealousy, envy, and endless pressure. Not only did he have to defend his land against the snow beast, but he also had to bear the weight of the family name.
If he hadn’t been a swordmaster, the imperial family might have deposed him long ago, replacing him with his uncle.
Cassius’s life had always been a struggle.
And even after marriage, life had not grown easier. It was as though the northern curse had not yet lifted.
Charlotte’s family had fallen into ruin after a business failure, and it was only through Cassius’s intervention that they managed to save a single estate.
On top of that, Charlotte had become incapable of bearing children. Misfortunes came one after another, leaving both of them deeply worn.
In the end, Charlotte lost her sanity, and Cassius grew colder and more distant. Their marriage gradually fell into ruin.
“…Be careful out there, Cassius. And make sure to eat something.”
Cassius let out a hollow laugh, running a hand through his hair. It was absurd how such simple words could shake him. Yet he couldn’t help it.
Shaking his head, he brushed away his thoughts. Now wasn’t the time for such distractions. They were about to cross the boundary.
This border was an unspoken agreement between Irtesia and the snow creatures. Once they crossed it, any deaths, regardless of the cause, would happen. If he wanted to survive, he needed to stay sharp.
Cassius spoke in a low voice.
“Stay sharp! We’re nearing the border!”
“Yes, my lord!”
Gripping the reins once more, he steadied himself. Today, they planned to venture deeper than they had yesterday. Faint howls of beasts echoed from deep within the forest.
Cassius urged his horse forward, quickening its pace.
