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Chapter 20
“Seems the Young Viscount is really smitten with Damia.”
Viscount Ponti twisted his beard with his fingers.
“Recently, you seemed quite worried, so this is welcome news, Your Viscount,” the butler forced a smile, though the corners of his mouth trembled.
“They say even the Duchess favors Damia. At gatherings, it’s enough to make one’s shoulders naturally rise with pride.”
“Ahaha, that’s a relief.”
“Hmm… at this rate, we might not need to insist on Count Fabron after all.”
A chill ran down the butler’s spine. Ridiculous. His scheming mind spun quickly.
All those years spent bending to a penniless viscount, only to throw it away so casually—he could not allow that.
“But sir, without Count Fabron’s cooperation, the business you planned cannot even begin.”
“Hmm… once Damia settles in as Duchess Sarkis, there will be plenty of opportunities later, won’t there?”
Cold sweat trickled down the butler’s neck.
‘I can’t leave this be.’
The echo of Count Fabron’s angry voice came vividly to mind.
If he broke their promise, that ruthless man would never forgive the butler.
He clenched his teeth, swallowing his fear.
A few days ago, he had remembered a suspicious figure introduced by Count Fabron.
At the time, it seemed far too dangerous, but perhaps there was no room to be choosy about methods.
‘Riding again after so long really makes the difference feel even greater.’
The Sarkis family carriage was, unsurprisingly, incomparably comfortable to a hired coach.
“Thank you for all the gifts, Young Viscount.”
Cassian, leaning against the window, raised an eyebrow.
‘Just a moment ago, he was so desperate.’
As soon as they boarded, Cassian relaxed again, as if his goal had been achieved.
“When you send gifts to my home in the future, please only send things that cannot be converted to cash.”
“Ah, I see why you made that request… because of the Viscount?”
“Yes. He tends to be rather greedy.”
“So the payment for the remedies must still be taken without the Viscount knowing.”
“Yes, exactly.”
Damia hummed softly to herself.
Earlier, she had been tense at Cassian’s serious tone, but it seemed her act was meant to consider her father’s presence.
“What did you want to discuss in private? Are you going to finally be honest with me?”
“That’s right.”
“Really?”
“When we reach the ducal residence, follow me quietly. There’s someone you need to meet.”
‘Hmm? I thought it was nothing important.’
Damia’s eyes narrowed.
“I hope Mother doesn’t find out yet, so don’t show it.”
“Who am I meeting? You could just tell me directly.”
“My personal physician.”
“Huh? So the reason you’ve been unusually kind to me lately… it was because the doctor needed to examine you?”
Damia tilted her head in curiosity, but the young man did not offer any rebuttal.
Cassian led Damia away from the Duchess’s eyes to a separate wing.
The ducal family’s physician was already waiting.
“S-so… you say your heart rate increased after contact with your fiancée?”
The doctor, who had treated her on the day of the boating trip, had a kindly expression and graying hair.
“Yes. It sped up noticeably. There was no way to ignore it.”
“Then what kind of contact… exactly?”
“I held her hand. It must have been the first time we touched bare-handed.”
“Hmm…”
“When our eyes met, it beat even faster.”
Damia was stunned, doubting her own ears.
“Are you trying to confess to me right now?”
“What?”
“No matter how fond you are of me… it’s too embarrassing to say this in front of the doctor.”
Cassian frowned openly.
“Don’t misunderstand. This isn’t an exaggeration—it’s the truth.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. That’s why I brought you to the doctor. So you could understand clearly, without misunderstanding me.”
“Hmm…”
“This is a very important matter to me.”
Damia glanced at the physician in confusion.
“Are you really serious, Young Viscount?”
The doctor looked even more surprised than Damia.
“Truly… the Young Viscount’s heart…”
He glanced at Damia, unable to continue.
“It’s fine. Speak freely. You already know something is wrong with my heart anyway.”
“So… you two were that close?”
The physician’s eyes softened, friendly toward Damia.
He even nodded as if moved.
“No, wait! I really don’t understand what’s happening.”
“It’s exactly as I said. The moment I held your hand, my heart raced.”
“You mean on the boating day?”
“…Yes.”
“Then why hide it until now?”
Cassian’s red eyes wavered.
“Were you embarrassed, perhaps?”
“….”
“That your heart beats faster at the sight of me?”
“No, it’s not that…!”
Trying to explain hurriedly, Cassian suddenly shut his mouth.
“Of course, I do care deeply for Viscount Ponti’s daughter… yes, that’s right. She’s my fiancée, so naturally.”
Even with his cheek slightly contorted, his face remained handsome.
Apparently, he hadn’t explained the engagement to the doctor, or perhaps he was attempting to act.
But.
‘Why is his acting so awkward?’
And suddenly calling her “Viscount Ponti’s daughter”? He had just been calling her Damia… why the sudden distance?
I had better help him with this clumsy play.
“You agreed to let me call you Damia, didn’t you? Are you embarrassed in front of others?”
Trying to help, Cassian made a low groan, swallowing the sound.
“Whatever I call you now… it doesn’t matter… yes, it matters.”
Cassian’s tone, which had risen slightly, quickly softened as he checked the doctor’s gaze.
He sighed, and his black hair shifted lightly as he moved his hand from his forehead.
“Damia.”
Cassian’s voice sounded more mature than usual.
Even though she hadn’t been called by her first name before, her heart sank.
His unwavering crimson gaze fixed on her, and she bit her lip.
When she looked away, Cassian’s eyes also drifted momentarily.
“Ha… hahaha…”
The doctor watched them with a warm, grandfatherly smile, seeing them like a young couple in love.
They had only exchanged names, yet seemed unable to meet each other’s gaze.
‘No, that’s really not it…’
Embarrassed, Damia drew her toes inward, but couldn’t add a word.
Cassian had insisted on giving her the engagement contract, but there was a confidentiality clause, which made speaking even more complicated.
She turned away from the doctor’s overly warm gaze, only to see Cassian’s flushed cheek.
Huh? His face is red?
“Young Viscount! Put your hand on your chest now!”
“Put my hand on my heart? Why all of a sudden?”
“Your face is red! Your heart might be racing again.”
The awkward tension between them faded, but Damia didn’t care.
“It’s not racing for that reason.”
“Still, try it once. I’ve never seen your face turn this red before.”
Cassian moved his lips slightly and let out a long sigh.
Hiding no annoyance, he placed one hand gently on his chest.
“….”
Time seemed to pause.
Both Damia and the doctor watched him, almost hypnotized.
Damia swallowed dryly.
Cold sweat ran down her clenched fists.
“What exactly did you expect? Nothing happened.”
The doctor murmured beside her, but Cassian didn’t seem disappointed.
“No response. Still feels like my heart might stop at any moment.”
“Ah…”
“So, it wasn’t from being flustered or surprised…”
Cassian slowly removed the gloves from both hands.
“W-what are you doing now?”
“To hold your hand.”
