Chapter 9
“You… really…”
Cassien leaned his forehead against my shoulder with a clear, cheerful smile after seeing my expression.
I was seriously angry, and yet Cassien looked like he found it all amusing, as if nothing I did mattered. That attitude made me so frustrated.
So I blurted out a lie I hadn’t planned.
“I have a boyfriend now.”
I really had no intention of telling such a lie. But seeing him act so unaffected even in this mess, I just couldn’t let him walk away so easily. I had to see that arrogant face twist with discomfort at least once.
So I made up a believable lie.
“I fell in love with him. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to you.”
“I’m sorry, Cassien.”
I was a bit worried he might smile again like nothing happened, but this time, Cassien face crumpled. I could feel the strength in the arms wrapped around my waist weaken slightly. I took that moment to quickly step out of his embrace.
“If you understand what I’m saying, then please leave.”
I turned away without hesitation and marched toward the door. I reached for the doorknob, but just as I was about to turn it, Cassien caught my hand, stopping me. The doorknob rattled and returned to its place.
I struggled to free myself from his grip, but he didn’t budge.
“Let go. Cassien, move your hand.”
I tried to pull my hand away with all my strength, but Cassien ignored me and continued talking.
“Okay, I know you’re angry. I’m sorry, Loelle. I can see how upset you are… and it’s okay to be angry… But please don’t lie about having another man.”
Was he hurt by the thought that I, who had once been in his hands, had done the same thing he did? His voice trembled slightly.
This man, who didn’t even flinch when I cried and begged, now seemed shaken by a simple lie. That made me feel oddly satisfied.
“Why would I lie? Right, Cassien? You know how scared I am of my mother.”
Hearing my words, Cassien, who usually wore a faint smile, clenched his teeth and barely held back his anger.
“So please, Cassien, just go now. No matter what you say, I’m not going to get engaged or marry you.”
Cassien didn’t reply. His facial muscles just twitched. I ignored it and tried to turn the doorknob again.
But suddenly, his grip tightened, and the doorknob returned to its original position.
“Cassien, seriously, stop it now…!”
“Who is it?”
“Who’s the guy?”
“That’s…”
I hesitated just for a moment. I opened my mouth to answer, but Cassien laughter came first, trickling down from above my head.
“So it was a lie.”
“It’s not.”
“Really? Then tell me who it is, Loelle.”
“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know him…”
“Ah, Loelle.”
Cassien let out a quiet sigh and suddenly hugged me tightly from behind. He rested his forehead on my shoulder and couldn’t stop smiling.
“I knew it. There’s no way you could leave me.”
“No, I…”
Knock, knock, knock—!
An urgent knock quickly shattered the rising tension.
Cassien frowned, and I took that chance to pull away from him.
The door creaked open slightly.
“Loelle…! Ah, there you are.”
I thought it was a servant, but the person who opened the door was my mother, Peria.
She never came to check in even when Cassien visited the estate. What’s going on…?
“Cassien, I have something important to discuss with Loelle. May I borrow her for a moment?”
“Of course.”
Cassien answered with a bright smile, and Peria quickly pulled me out of the room.
She led me far from the infirmary, finally letting go of my hand after turning a corner.
“Mother, what’s going on…?”
“Loelle. The Duke of Rochester is here to see you.”
“What?”
The Duke of Rochester?
There’s only one duke in this empire… I kept telling myself that couldn’t be, but Peria grabbed my arm tightly and pressed me harshly.
“Did you… do something wrong to the Duke?”
“W-What? No! Of course not…!”
“Then why else would he come to the Count’s house looking for you? Think carefully! Maybe you made a mistake and forgot!”
She questioned me nervously, but all I could do was shake my head.
We did run into each other at the palace, but would Reus really make a personal visit over something so minor?
No way.
Reus didn’t like me, but he never made it obvious, never insulted me directly. So I didn’t think he came to the Ivelle estate because of that.
Unless… it was about what happened in the Forest of Silence last week…
Thankfully, judging by Peria’s reaction, she didn’t seem to know anything. But that didn’t stop the panic rising in me.
Still confused, I let Peria push me forward.
We arrived outside the drawing room some time ago, but I had been hesitating to go in.
And no wonder—Reus, that Reus, had come to the Count’s estate in person!
There was no reason for him to do that unless it was about the incident in the forest.
‘How did he even find out?’
Even with his abnormal vitality, could he really recognize me?
I had lost consciousness in the forest and didn’t even remember how I got to Anas. If he remembered anything, it would’ve been when he briefly regained consciousness in Anas… and even then, he only barely blinked with blurred vision.
Nervous, I even started biting my nails—something I never did.
Time kept ticking by. After pacing back and forth for a while, I finally made a decision.
‘If I wait any longer, it’ll look suspicious. Just… go in.’
Calm down, Loelle.
Even if he brings it up, just pretend you don’t know. There’s no proof. Deny it, and you won’t die.
Besides, he’ll lose interest quickly.
‘He always reacts indifferently to everything anyway.’
I took a deep breath and cautiously opened the door.
The drawing room was so quiet it felt empty.
When the sound of the door closing echoed, Reus finally turned his gaze toward me.
But to my surprise, he looked exactly the same as always.
‘What…?’
If he had come because of that day, even if he hated me, shouldn’t he at least show some gratitude… or maybe even pretend to be happy to see me?
But there was no change.
That typical arrogance found only in people who’ve never had to bow to anyone. That cold, expressionless face. It was all the same.
Especially his indifferent eyes—they were almost tiresome to look at.
Naturally, I started wondering:
‘Maybe he didn’t come because of that day…?’
Full of questions, I decided to greet him first.
“Greetings, Your Grace.”
Reus gestured with his eyes for me to sit, as if that was enough of a greeting. I cautiously took the seat across from him.
I waited to see if he would speak first, but of course, he didn’t.
As always, it was up to me to break the silence.
“Have you been well, Your Grace…?”
Instead of answering, he looked at me with an unreadable expression. Then he tapped his finger lightly on the table and finally spoke.
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“Sorry?”
“I mean, I’ve been doing okay.”
Usually, it was hard to get even a yes or no out of him, but somehow the conversation continued.
His behavior almost made it seem like he wanted to talk. That made it even harder to guess whether he was here because of the incident a week ago, or if it was just one of his whims.
I didn’t even notice my brows furrowing as I started wondering.
Had I made a mistake I forgot about? Did I somehow offend him without realizing? Or could it really be…
‘Could it really be because of that day…?’
Just then, Reus stopped tapping and firmly pressed his finger on the table.
When our eyes met, he tilted his head slightly.
“Lady Ivelle.”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“You haven’t asked why I came so suddenly.”
“Is it because you already guessed why I’m here?”
I couldn’t tell if he was musing, questioning, or accusing. I panicked but tried not to show it.
“No… Not at all.”
“I thought you already knew.”
“W-What do you mean…? I was just waiting for you to tell me, that’s all…”
Reus raised one eyebrow and slowly nodded. It felt like he was saying, I thought so, and it sent chills down my spine.
Honestly, if he was going to act so cryptic, it might’ve been better if he just brought up that day directly.
‘Then I could deny it and get him to leave!’
But of course, Reus didn’t do what I wanted. Without a word, he pulled something from his coat and placed it on the table.
