DSMBL Chapter 29

Chapter 029

“She hasn’t done anything yet?”
“No, Your Grace. She hasn’t touched the Duke’s family’s funds or used the royal seal,” Sebastian, the head butler, reported in a low voice.

There were more than a few people tracking the nanny’s actions. This wasn’t something Cassius could handle alone.

Cassius frequently left the castle, and while he was away, others kept an eye on the nanny.

“I’ve heard they’re looking for a tutor for young master Theo,” Sebastian added.

“A tutor?” Cassius raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, since young master Theo is now eight and has gotten healthier, they believe he should start learning basic arithmetic and literature.”

Cassius frowned. “That’s strange.”

Until now, Janice hadn’t shown any interest in Theo’s education. Of course, Theo had been sick, but still, Janice hadn’t cared about his learning, or most things, for that matter.

While Janice was away, other maids took care of Theo. So why was she suddenly concerned about his education? Especially at a time when things were tense between them.

“Keep an eye on it,” Cassius ordered.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Cassius narrowed his eyes. Inside the Duke’s estate was the nanny, and outside lurked monsters.

He massaged his temples, lost in thought. They still hadn’t found the monsters. If only they could find a gate, things might improve, but there was no sign of one yet.

They’d successfully tracked the snow beasts’ migration paths, but he couldn’t get close to the ones who had lost their young. Right now, the snow beasts were too sensitive and aggressive, making it difficult to assess the situation. Once spotted, they appeared more frequently.

The monsters hunted indiscriminately in the forest. Corpses of animals, snow beasts, herb gatherers, and woodcutters were found scattered everywhere.

Cassius’s worry deepened. They needed to eliminate the monsters before things got worse.

But this situation was entirely different from dealing with a basilisk.

Adding to his troubles, they still hadn’t found any trace of the smaller monster. If only it had disappeared for good.

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Thanks to Charlotte’s obsession with parties, she was able to get a lot of help from Luna in preparing for the banquet.

Decorations, food, and everything big and small were coming together.

The preparations were nearly complete. Luna and Chouette told her that the northern region was buzzing with the news of her hosting a party after so long.

“Is this enough?” I muttered.

Today was the day of the party. I felt nervous—this was a first for me. I never imagined hosting such an event in my life.

The hall was already set up, and food was being arranged.

“You seem unusually tense,” a voice suddenly said.

Startled, I turned to see Cassius standing there.

“Cassius?”

“Is that a new dress?”

“Oh, thank you, Cassius. I heard you arranged for it.”

He looked at me with a somewhat dazed expression.

“Cassius?” I called again.

“It’s different from what you usually wear,” he remarked.

He wasn’t wrong. Charlotte’s usual style was flashy and revealing, designed to draw attention, emphasizing her figure.

This dress, however, was different—light on embellishments, focusing on elegance, as Chouette had mentioned.

“Does it look strange?” I asked.

“No. It’s much better,” Cassius said plainly.

I let out a sigh of relief. “Why?”

“Everyone else said it looked fine—Luna, Chouette, even Theo.”

“And?”

“You’re the most rational person I know,” I replied.

Cassius raised an eyebrow.

“I thought you’d give a more accurate opinion. Without holding back.”

Despite receiving plenty of compliments, it was Cassius’s words that truly put me at ease.

He chuckled softly, as if amused. “It suits you perfectly.”

Thanks to him, my confidence soared. I looked around the hall, feeling much better.

“You didn’t go out today?” I asked.

“I made time. You wanted me to attend,” he replied in a low voice.

“I did?”

“You wanted me to accompany you to the party,” he clarified.

That wasn’t what she wanted. It was what Charlotte wanted. Charlotte had always wanted Cassius to prove something to her.

She wanted to prove she was the Duchess, that he wouldn’t abandon her no matter what.

With the fall of her family, Charlotte had nowhere to go. And, since she couldn’t bear children, she was in a desperate situation.

Charlotte had unloaded all her losses and fears onto Cassius.

She could now somewhat understand the mess Charlotte was in. When I read about it in a novel, I thought Charlotte was just weak.

She still had wealth, a house, and family.

I had nothing. To me, it seemed like the complaints of someone who didn’t know real hardship.

Now, she understood, but she didn’t want to live like Charlotte.

“I’m fine now.”

“Hm?”

“I won’t pressure you, Cassius. If you’re busy—”

“Are you saying you don’t want me to attend now?” He interrupted, tilting his head.

“What? No, that’s not it.”

How should I explain this?

“Um.”

Should I say that now, as someone who isn’t Charlotte, I no longer feel insecure without you?

What nonsense.

Scratching my cheek, I tried again. “It’s just… I’ve come to understand you!”

Yes, that sounded better.

As someone who had observed Cassius, Charlotte, and Lorencia as a third party, I understood better than anyone why he had to keep leaving the castle.

Cassius had a duty to protect the North. His responsibilities lay outside the castle—fighting snowbeasts and keeping the monsters in check.

Now, I respect that.

It was still before the original story began.

Lorencia’s debut would be in winter, during the snow beasts’ breeding season. And following the storyline, Charlotte’s exit would come in the fall.

If things were progressing according to the original plot, this was when the monsters would start appearing. The seeds of a catastrophe, one that would surpass even the basilisk that once devastated the North, were already growing here.

Cassius was likely tracking its traces.

He wouldn’t have time to spend on a side character like me, someone destined to fade away.

So, saying I understood him fit perfectly at this point—it was a solid excuse.

“I understand what you’re doing, Cassius. As the lord of the North, I now see what you must prioritize.”

And I understood his current predicament, though it wasn’t my place to say so. Unless I planned to outright declare that I knew the future.

Fortunately, the knights of the north would overcome all these crises and successfully hunt down the monsters.

Lorencia would take care of the chaos in the north and become the Duchess.

I had read countless times about their strong love in the novel. I do not disagree with the original storyline.

I didn’t want to interfere or get involved. What if I messed things up and caused a rift?

“I will continue to support you and will never interfere with what Cassius does.”

Did he understand what I meant?

“There are more important things for Cassius than a banquet.”

He looked at me with a strange expression.

Yeah, I’ve grown up a bit.

“Not just today, but in the future too, I…”

I stopped mid-sentence when I faced Cassius, who was smiling gently.

It was a refreshing smile, one that made him look his age.

It was beautiful, like a flower in full bloom.

In that moment, I finally understood why Charlotte had been so restless and why Lorencia had fallen for him at first sight.

He smiles like that.

“…Thank you,” he said.

“Huh?”

“This is the first time anyone has ever told me they understand me.”

Cassius touched the corner of his mouth, as if unfamiliar with his own smile.

“I always thought I was alone.”

“Cassius…”

Wait, am I walking the “This is the first time for me to meet someone like you, you’re charming” route?

No, that can’t be it. Not at all.