TLWM 33

Chapter 33

Cassian didn’t ignore my anxious behavior.

“If it comes to that,” he said calmly, “I’ll call for you — and I’ll make sure your beloved overtime pay comes with it.”

That’s… not what I’m worried about right now, Your Highness.

We’re talking about a situation that could risk not just my life but also those of you and my precious ★friend★ Wilhelmina!

…Although, if you’re actually offering the pay, I’ll still take it.

Cassian saw that I still didn’t look reassured, so he reached out and gently touched my cheek.

Even though it was spring, the nights were still chilly — and his large hand was warm.

“At least when it comes to work, I’ve never disappointed you, have I?”

“No, I know that.”

“Then trust me this time too. Enjoy your vacation with Lady Wilhelmina. I like seeing you happy — especially when you’re surrounded by the things you love.”

He made it sound like I was some kind of greedy person obsessed with money and luxury.

…Not that he’s completely wrong.

He escorted me all the way back to the villa’s entrance, still watching me with quiet concern.

“Is something bothering you?” he asked softly.

His tone was gentle — so soft that it made me want to tell him everything.

It was the kind of voice that said, You can leave the scary parts to me.

“Even if it’s nonsense,” he added, brushing my cheek lightly, “if it’s coming from you, Rose, I’ll always listen.”

“…This is just a what-if,” I began carefully.

There was no real connection to the story I remembered from the original novel, but I couldn’t shake off the uneasiness.

“I just… hope Wilhelmina doesn’t get dragged into this.”

Even though, right now, there didn’t seem to be any sign that she would be.

But if there was one person I could share this uneasy feeling with, it was Cassian — my devil of a boss who overworked me, yes, but who never ignored what I said.

“The Lady Lopez, you mean,” he said, confirming.

“Yes.”

He didn’t brush it off or make light of it — which was why I trusted him.

“Alright,” he said simply.

Just that one word — but hearing it made all the tension in my shoulders melt away.

And then, of course, he ruined the moment.

“…Still, I can’t help feeling jealous.”

“…What?”

Cassian gave me a teasing smile.

“You’re always so protective of Lady Wilhelmina. I’m starting to think I’ll need to keep an eye on all the noble ladies just to protect my fiancée.”

“That’s not—”

My words cut off as he suddenly leaned closer.

Those violet eyes filled my vision — playful and daring — and then,

Smack.

A soft kiss brushed against my cheek, dangerously close to the corner of my lips.

“So please forgive this little act of rudeness, my lovely lady,” he murmured.

His voice was low, intimate — so close our noses almost touched.

“Uh—um—”

And that’s exactly when I heard a shocked gasp behind me.

“Oh my goodness…!”

I turned around instantly.

Standing there was Wilhelmina, her face as red as a rose — and beside her, her maid, equally stunned.

“Ahem! We didn’t see anything! We were just out for a little walk!” Wilhelmina blurted.

I wasn’t sure what she thought she was denying, but it clearly wasn’t working.

“Yes, the air is chilly tonight,” she said in a panic. “Let’s go get our shawls and, uh, walk somewhere else!”

“But you already have one,” I wanted to say — she had a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, and her maid was holding a spare one meant for me.

“Wilma—” I began.

“Oh! Isn’t that pavilion supposed to be completely empty tonight after the repairs?” Wilhelmina interrupted loudly.

“Yes, my lady!” her maid replied right on cue.

And before I could explain anything, Wilhelmina turned her back and hurried away, dragging her poor maid along.

“…”

The silence they left behind was deafening.

I stood there for a moment, watching their retreating figures, then turned to Cassian with a glare.

“She misunderstood!”

He only smiled faintly and lifted my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles.

“Then perhaps,” he said smoothly, “I should make her expectations come true.”

My dear male lead had once again managed to ruin my friendship life.

Fortunately, Cassian didn’t tease me any further that night.

“If you quit your job after this, I’d be in real trouble,” he said. “So I’ll be a gentleman and head back quietly.”

If that was his idea of being a gentleman, I had serious concerns.

When I returned inside after seeing him off, Wilhelmina was waiting — and looking… disappointed?

“…Why did you come back so soon?” she asked, frowning slightly.

She’d been talking with the butler about something serious, but as soon as she saw me, her tone changed.

“We were supposed to have a late-night snack together, remember?”

“That’s not really important right now!” she said quickly.

“My promise with you isn’t important?” I asked, pretending to sound innocent.

Wilhelmina pressed her lips together tightly. “…That’s not what I meant.”

Cassian might have messed things up earlier, but I could fix this.

Smiling brightly, I approached her.

“I was really disappointed I couldn’t have dinner with you earlier,” I said honestly. “Weren’t you?”

“Of course I was! I’d been looking forward to it so much! I even made the restaurant reservation the moment I decided to bring you here—”

She stopped abruptly, realizing what she’d just revealed. Her cheeks flushed pink.

“…You’re teasing me, aren’t you?” she accused.

“Me? Tease you?” I asked innocently.

Okay, maybe a little.

But not this time — I really wasn’t.

Because, truthfully, there wasn’t anyone I valued more right now than my friend.

Wilhelmina lightly smacked my arm. “…I tried to help you, you know. So you wouldn’t be misunderstood.”

Her little pout was so cute that I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

She really was like a younger sister — awkward but earnest, and endlessly endearing.

“Ahem,” said the butler cautiously. “Then, my lady, shall I cancel the earlier order?”

“Earlier order?” I echoed curiously.

Before he could explain, Wilhelmina quickly stepped in front of me.

“Never mind that. Everyone can rest for the night.”

“As you wish, my lady,” the old butler said with a strangely pleased smile before leaving.

I stared after him, confused.

Wilhelmina, clearly avoiding my gaze, grabbed my hand and tugged me along.

“Let’s go have our snack! We can talk about books, too. My room’s warmer!”

“That sounds nice,” I said slowly, “but… what was the order you gave?”

“Oh, it’s nothing serious! You said yesterday you liked that dessert, remember? I just told the chef to try a different version of it.”

So that’s what that was about?

I was still suspicious but decided to let it go.

After all, teasing my friend would make me a terrible person — and I was no devil.

***

For the next three days, nothing out of the ordinary happened.

Cassian didn’t summon me for work, just as he’d promised.

He really let me enjoy my vacation with Wilhelmina.

Though… he still managed to visit once a day — sometimes at lunch, sometimes in the evening, and occasionally even at night.

No matter when he came, Wilhelmina was always thrilled.

“I’m so glad His Highness cares for you so much,” she’d say, smiling dreamily. “It makes me so happy to see it.”

I don’t think even my own mother would look that pleased on my behalf.

But seeing her so genuinely happy, I couldn’t bring myself to correct her — or tell her the truth.

After all, one of the main reasons I got engaged to Cassian in the first place was to protect her from his dangerous charm.

“Feeling a little less worried now?” Cassian asked one night — the last night before I was to return to the capital.

He’d come to the pavilion where I was sitting, overlooking the garden.

“…Is that why you’ve been visiting every day?” I asked.

“That’s one reason,” he said easily.

“And the other?”

“To make sure Lady Wilhelmina sees us together,” he admitted.

I knew it. I sighed and leaned against the pavilion railing.

“And the main reason?”

Cassian sat beside me, his violet eyes glinting faintly in the lamplight.

That look made me nervous.

Then he chuckled softly and said, “Because I missed you, Rose.”

“…Your Highness, do you find teasing me that entertaining?” I asked dryly.

He grinned. “I do. Especially when you look this comfortable with me.”

He brushed a finger along the edge of my ear, and my heart skipped a beat.

“When I first met you in the capital, you looked at me like I was some kind of monster.”

“Was it that obvious?” I muttered.

He smiled. “A little.”

“Are you heading back to the capital tomorrow too?” I asked.

“Not right away. I’ll stay another day or two — make sure things are in order here.”

I sighed. “Then by the time you return, there’ll be a mountain of paperwork waiting for us.”

“That’s true,” he said lightly — and then rested his head on my shoulder.

“I’m glad you’re with me, Rose.”

“…And I’m suffering because of it,” I grumbled.

His shoulders shook with laughter.

“For my overly cautious aide, I’ll send a messenger bird before you leave — just to reassure you that nothing’s happened.”

“Which means you’ll be busy tomorrow,” I guessed.

He smirked. “I want you to enjoy the rest of your vacation.”

Those words — simple, caring — somehow made my heart flutter more than any of his teasing.

I gently stroked his hair where it rested against my shoulder.

“I’ll wait for your message, then,” I said softly.

But the next day — despite everything he’d promised —

After I packed my things, said my goodbyes, and even waited an extra half-hour with Wilhelmina…

Cassian’s messenger never arrived.