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Chapter 14
I Should Protect Her
‘May I go get it myself?’
She was a woman with a surprising edge. Even while smiling innocently, she sometimes slipped in words that strangely pulled at him.
“Cough….”
After returning to the estate, Cassian was in a good mood.
He didn’t even lash out at his butler, Noah, which made Noah feel even more uneasy, afraid he might be fired for no reason. Rumors that “Cassian had changed” quickly spread through the mansion, and Lotte came to sit across from him.
“Why are you smiling like that? Don’t you realize how scared people are of you? The rumors about you are already all over the estate.”
Normally, Cassian would have snapped at that—he hated rumors.
But this time, he simply replied indifferently.
“…Ah. Hunting went well. It’s been a while. I think I’ll do well in the upcoming hunting competition. That’s why I’m in a good mood.”
He used hunting as an excuse.
But Lotte didn’t believe it.
“There’s definitely something else.”
Lotte crossed his arms and stared suspiciously at him.
Cassian was acting strange—like he had eaten something wrong. Or maybe… he was possessed?
“Did you ask that girl?”
“Ah…”
“Tch.”
Lotte sighed, watching Cassian’s oddly blank expression.
“Anyway, there’s something strange.”
Cassian said.
“What is it?”
“…A necklace. I’m not sure if it was ruby or another gem, but it was red.”
He called it ruby for convenience, but the red necklace was still bothering him.
“Why does that bother you?”
Lotte asked.
“She said it was a gift.”
“…So that’s what’s bothering you? Humans, honestly.”
Cassian shot him a look that said what do you take me for?
“No. There were red rash marks around her neck. And she looked uncomfortable talking about the necklace.”
Lotte chuckled, then grew serious.
“A rash… then it could simply be that the necklace doesn’t suit her skin.”
Cassian had considered that—but something still felt off.
“It’s also known that red is the symbol of the Krun race,” Lotte continued. “And also the color of death.”
Cassian nodded slowly.
That was exactly what made him uneasy.
A color that could represent both life and death.
Lotte went on.
“Ah, I’m not sure if it’s related, but I once heard something.”
“What?”
“That there are craftsmen who can place curses on accessories—or even suppress certain abilities. I don’t know where they come from, but they exist.”
“….”
Cassian’s expression darkened.
Sara hadn’t looked happy when she said it was a gift.
“If the necklace is suppressing her abilities, it could cause rashes.”
“….”
“And in some cases, it could even cause injuries all over the body.”
Cassian wiped his face, exhaling deeply.
“Then let me ask you this, Lotte. If what you’re saying is true—what happens to her?”
Lotte found it unusual.
Cassian wasn’t the type to care about others.
“If it’s true, then she’s probably in pain. More than we can imagine.”
Bang!
Cassian slammed the desk.
“Damn it!”
Lotte watched him quietly.
‘He’s changing. A few years ago he didn’t show emotion at all… now he gets angry, smiles…’
Lotte spoke calmly.
“Don’t interfere too much.”
“….”
“The social perception of Krun people is terrible. If others find out she’s alive, they’ll try to take her. Nobles especially like rare things. You know how selfish they are.”
Cassian slowly nodded while holding back his anger.
“The Count’s family probably knows she’s Krun. It’s both a weapon and a poison to them.”
“They’ll use her.”
“Exactly.”
“And they’ll hide it so she isn’t exposed.”
Cassian closed his eyes tightly.
“They would… hurt her. Train her into obedience.”
If that was true, Sara’s life must have been unbearable.
But she looked too pure for that.
Too bright.
Which meant they had all been fooled by appearances.
Cassian stood up abruptly.
Lotte warned him.
“Don’t do anything reckless. You are now of the Dayburn Marquis family. Remember that.”
Cassian looked out the window at the moon.
“Lotte.”
The warmth from earlier was gone.
“Find the craftsman who made that necklace.”
“…What are you planning?”
Cassian smiled faintly—but his eyes were cold.
“I won’t act recklessly.”
“….”
“At least… not yet.”
“I’ll just watch her.”
A few days later
Sara arrived at the marquis’s estate to return the handkerchief.
“Haa…”
She puffed out her breath, watching it turn into mist in the cold air.
Meiri was freezing beside her, trembling, but Sara was completely unfazed, playfully blowing clouds of breath into the air.
Soon, the butler Noah rushed over with the servants.
“We are honored by your visit! I’m terribly sorry for the delay—we had an issue arise. Truly, truly, I apologize!”
Noah bowed so low his forehead almost touched the ground.
Sara waved her hands quickly.
“No, it’s okay. Thank you for welcoming me.”
It was her first time properly visiting the marquis’s estate.
The manor was more beautiful than she had imagined.
The servants all bowed respectfully as she passed—none of them showing fear or disgust at her eye color.
Inside the reception room, warm fireplaces, tea, and desserts had been prepared.
“….”
Every detail reflected Cassian’s careful consideration.
Unlike her own family, she was being treated as a person here.
Something tightened in her chest.
Before she knew it, her throat felt tight.
“You’ve arrived, Lady.”
Cassian rushed in shortly after hearing the news.
He had known she would come, but because he had been out hunting, he had only just heard.
Concerned she might be disturbed by the scent of blood, he had even used perfume.
All of it… for her.
Cassian took her hand and kissed it lightly, smiling.
Sara’s cheeks turned red.
“Thank you for welcoming me… Cassian.”
Hearing his name made her shy, but she said it properly this time.
Cassian couldn’t hide his happiness.
“Wow…”
The servants blushed at the sight. Meiri did too.
But the two of them only saw each other.
Nothing else existed in that moment.
Soon, they went horseback riding together.
Their bodies were close—too close—and neither of them spoke much, feeling an odd tension.
Eventually, they reached a forested area.
“Do you usually hunt here?” Sara asked.
“Sometimes. I also train here. I usually spend time in these woods. The mountains of Dayburn feel cleansing just by existing.”
Sara smiled softly at every new thing she learned.
The mountains really did feel peaceful.
Being with Cassian made that calm even more enjoyable.
She took his hand and dismounted.
Ahead of them lay a valley covered in blue moss.
Sara gasped in awe and stepped forward.
Cassian watched her with a smile.
No one had ever seen the valley and not been amazed.
But then—
“Aaahhh!”
A scream echoed through the forest sky.
