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Chapter 3
“Quite a novel method this is.”
When the neat forehead of Cassian Sarkis wrinkled, Damia Ponti swallowed nervously without realizing it.
Even though he was still a young duke, his presence was strong.
“You said you are Lady Ponti, right? Do you have a lifelong dream of talking with me? You even speak nonsense like a mad person.”
“Eh? I could never have such a dream…”
“Then?”
A mocking smile, not fitting a young duke, appeared on his handsome face.
“Oh—ah, yes, you are right. It was my greatest wish in life. Just to make eye contact with Your Highness once.”
Damia, who had tried to frown in disgust between her brows, quickly changed her answer as if realizing something late.
“Well, it’s common. I understand a young lady’s feelings. How desperately you must have wanted my attention…”
Even though Damia’s sudden change was probably awkward, Cassian did not seem to doubt her words.
“Hmm….”
The young duke’s excessive confidence felt a little unpleasant, but she could not exactly deny it.
Indeed, even at this moment, his face was so remarkable that one could admire it unconsciously.
“Because you are brave, I will listen. Continue speaking.”
If she failed to gain the interest of Cassian Sarkis, there would be no more chance in the future.
Damia’s violet eyes shone with determination.
“I know that Your Highness is terminally ill and will not live past adulthood.”
“I am… terminally ill?”
“And from the moment you were born, Your Highness’s heart has been slowly freezing day by day.”
Cassian’s cheek, which he tried to keep calm, stiffened coldly.
“You… where did you hear such ridiculous rumors?”
“No, Your Highness. I didn’t hear it from anywhere. I saw it myself.”
In her past life, Damia lived longer than the boy in front of her.
And she already knew why Cassian had to die young.
The founder of the Sarkis ducal family killed a dragon, and as the dragon died, it cursed the family.
The seal of the curse that barely held began weakening with Cassian’s generation.
“Sometimes, when I was young, what I saw in my dreams would happen in reality. Not often, though.”
Damia straightened her thin back.
Saying “dream” sounded more believable than talking about a past life.
“Hah, you saw it in a dream? You expect me to believe that?”
“You must believe me. I have a way to temporarily stop the dragon curse that torments you.”
When the dragon curse was mentioned, Cassian held his breath briefly. Shock appeared in the boy’s red eyes.
‘It’s understandable. The ducal family is desperately hiding the fact that the curse seal is weakening.’
There was a medicinal herb found in Damia’s past life at the very end of Cassian’s life.
It was already too late then, so it did not show great effect.
‘It was a herb that slowed the hardening speed of Cassian’s heart. Even if it wasn’t a perfect solution, it could at least buy time.’
That purple herb grows only in the old flowerbed behind the Ponti viscount mansion.
It was mistaken as a weed and still left unattended.
“Don’t lie.”
“I am not lying, Your Highness.”
Cassian warned her in a tightly controlled voice.
Though he tried not to show it, a ray of hope flashed in the boy’s eyes.
“So you want me to become your betrothed in exchange for telling me the method?”
“Yes. But during the engagement period, even if Your Highness meets other young ladies freely, I will never interfere.”
“What? Why?”
“I can slow the progress of the curse, but I cannot solve it completely. So I don’t wish to demand your heart as well.”
“So you can buy time, but the rest is my responsibility.”
“Yes, that’s correct. Anyway, there will be no other fiancée as useful as me.”
The boy’s deep eyes narrowed slightly.
“Then what does the lady gain from this deal?”
“You asked before. Whether speaking with Your Highness once was my lifelong wish. Yes, that is it.”
“Lady Ponti.”
“I love Your Highness that much. I would be happy just to stay by your side for a little while.”
It was a shameless confession that felt neither excitement nor embarrassment.
Cassian laughed weakly as if speechless.
“Is that the attitude of someone confessing? Do you expect me to believe that?”
“Eh? I was really nervous…”
Damia opened her eyes wide as if surprised.
“I am truly sincere. Actually, I am a little pressed for time.”
“What?”
“My father is trying to sell me as the second wife of an old count.”
“That’s… what kind of disgusting thing is that? Where in the world are parents like that… Well, I guess there are.”
Cassian, who had strongly tried to deny it, lowered his tail belatedly.
Silence suddenly fell between them.
“Ah, Your Highness.”
Damia felt extremely uncomfortable with the awkward atmosphere.
It was true that she was desperate, but she did not want to look pitiful.
So she quickly pulled out a small glass bottle from her chest.
“Even if you want to apologize, there is no need. Here, please try drinking this.”
“What is it?”
“A proof that everything I said is true.”
“What makes me believe you and put something suspicious in my mouth?”
Cassian glared at the purple liquid inside the glass bottle.
“It is Your Highness’s choice. Well, you probably have no other method right now. Why not just close your eyes and swallow it?”
“You…”
“It will surely work.”
Damia firmly placed the glass bottle into the gloved hand of the boy.
Perhaps because of frequent training, his hand was large and firm, unlike a typical young duke.
“Then please send a message to the Ponti viscount house.”
She was pretending to be calm, but Damia’s small heart was pounding wildly.
‘Even if I cling desperately, that proud young duke will not do something he doesn’t want to do.’
It might be better to act as if she had nothing to lose.
Make him move out of curiosity.
Damia quickened her steps as she left.
“Ah, Lady Ponti. This is the first time seeing you in person.”
The father had finally brought the old Count Pavron into the house.
The old count’s large build almost filled the small reception room.
“Ugh….”
Damia pressed her temple, barely holding back a groan.
‘Cassian Sarkis didn’t look for me.’
Several days had already passed, but there was no contact from Cassian.
Should she have forced the medicine into the young duke’s mouth?
If she had done that, she would not have had to face this old count again in this life!
“I am Joel Pavron.”
Damia reluctantly shook the count’s hand.
His thick, fleshy hand was already damp with sweat.
“…Hello, Count.”
Damia knew how violently this gentlemanly-looking hand could turn.
Remembering her past life when she lived like a decorative object made her feel nauseous.
“I heard the lady’s hobby is reading? Quiet girls are pleasing.”
“I am honored, Count.”
At the count’s generous praise, Damia’s father kept bowing.
Her father seemed willing to become shameless if it meant gaining connection with the wealthy count.
“Growing sprouts need sunlight and nutrients…”
Count Pavron slowly scanned the old, narrow mansion of the viscount family.
Then his gaze fell on Damia’s thin shoulders and frayed sleeves.
“How about moving your residence to my estate in advance?”
“…Count?”
“I promise to treat you with utmost care. I will make you into a perfect lady, equipped with all the etiquette a noblewoman needs.”
“….”
“It is a pity to see a raw gem like you wearing rags when you are so thin. Now, answer me.”
