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Chapter 46
Damia led Cassian toward the backyard. He wanted to pick a fight with Arsen at the first opportunity.
“Why are you really acting like this?”
Cassian didn’t answer. He simply stared at the garden, which had become far more refined than it had been two years ago.
“Young Viscount!”
Only then did their eyes meet. He tilted his head slightly.
“Who are you to speak?”
“Pardon?”
“I just said what needed to be said.”
“Why does it matter whether Arsen is staying here or not? Even your father approved it in the first place!”
Cassian roughly swept his hair back, his displeasure plain on his face.
“What was the Fonti Lord thinking, letting that brat stay in his house so easily?”
“He offered to pay for his stay.”
“You let a grown man stay in the house just for that?”
“We’re childhood friends, you see.”
“That can’t be the whole reason.”
She was surprisingly perceptive about strange things.
It was something unimaginable in the past. His father had once looked down on Arsen, a commoner, with utter disdain.
‘Until I heard the rumor that titles could be purchased with gold in Rodion.’
Moreover, word came that Cadis had achieved considerable success in Rodion.
After that, his father completely changed his attitude. He even suggested that Arsen stay at the Fonti residence.
Since Cassian had personally overseen major renovations at the Fonti estate, his father began to overestimate Damia’s value as a prospective bride.
The confidence born of his father’s delusions reached the sky. Every move, every possibility of his only daughter’s life was scrutinized.
‘I can’t possibly reveal all of this to Cassian.’
Despite her father’s empty expectations, Arsen and Damia were truly just friends.
“Really, that’s all there is to it. He was allowed to stay because it helps the family finances.”
“If that brat comes and goes and rumors start spreading, you’re the one who’ll get in trouble.”
“Who would even pay attention to such a remote place?”
“I did.”
Cassian’s jaw tightened.
“Pardon? Are you saying you’ll start a rumor?”
“I am your fiancé.”
Cassian’s intentions were completely incomprehensible.
He looked visibly upset, yet no reason came to mind for it.
“Oh! You’re worried that bad rumors about your fiancée might damage your reputation?”
“Hah.”
Apparently, that wasn’t the reason.
“Then what exactly is the problem? I haven’t done anything against the contract.”
At that, Cassian’s face contorted.
“Contract, huh.”
Even though it couldn’t be, the word seemed to scrape across his chest.
“You’re the one skirting the boundaries of the contract! This is blatant interference!”
“Then are you saying that brat, your so-called childhood friend, counts as your private life? And I’m not allowed to interfere?”
Cassian’s red eyes trembled. Damia was now genuinely puzzled.
“Are you unhappy that we have a contractual agreement?”
“No.”
She had expected him to hesitate, given his strange behavior, but he answered immediately.
“Phew, that’s a relief.”
“What’s a relief?”
“For a moment, it seemed like you wanted to break the contract. I thought maybe you liked me so much that you were jealous.”
Cassian’s cheeks stiffened noticeably.
“It’s not that… so you’re relieved?”
“Yes, exactly.”
He looked as if he couldn’t believe it, almost shocked.
‘Huh? Why does he look so surprised?’
Damia sensed the unease, feeling her neck stiffen.
“…Young Viscount?”
“Yes?”
“You’re not really saying that you like me, are you?”
Cassian’s gaze was sharp, but a strange unease lingered within it.
“Of course not.”
There was stubbornness in his voice as he finally spoke.
“Then why are you reacting so strongly to Arsen?”
“That’s…”
Cassian’s Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably.
“That’s what?”
“I… I…”
Cassian’s red eyes shook violently. Damia unconsciously swallowed dryly.
‘Could he actually be confessing to me?’
Though he had denied it several times, if it wasn’t that, she couldn’t understand why he was acting this way.
“You… what?”
“You… see you as…”
He meant she looked like a woman? Was he seriously about to utter such a clichéd line?
Her pride soared; she thought there was no way he could like someone else.
“…like a little sister.”
“Pardon?”
Did she just hear that correctly?
Damia narrowed her eyes. Cassian moved his lips awkwardly, blushing.
“I said I see you as a little sister!”
Cassian shouted it again, almost like a declaration.
The unexpected statement seemed genuine, leaving her more bewildered.
“A… little sister?”
“Yes.”
Damia fell silent.
What on earth had Cassian just said?
“You think of me as a little sister? So… Young Viscount, you mean me?”
How was a mere seventeen-year-old supposed to make sense of this?
Of course, Cassian had no way of knowing about Damia’s experiences in her past life.
“Well… I suppose that could be possible.”
Damia tried to convince herself. Despite their two-year age difference, he often acted mature for his age.
Having lived as the sole heir of the Sarkis Ducal family for so long, he might naturally view peers as much younger than himself.
Being unexpectedly kind, he might feel an overbearing sense of responsibility toward someone like Damia, who was in a vulnerable situation.
“It even says in the contract. I’m practically your guardian.”
Noticing her hesitant reaction, Cassian added, almost defensively.
“So, in fulfilling that role, I ended up seeing you as a little sister… that’s what I mean?”
“Yes. I’m only trying to protect you.”
“From my one and only childhood friend?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“That brat barged into the house of a girl with a fiancé. His intentions are obvious…”
“So what if he does have intentions?”
Even if Arsen did have feelings for Damia, Cassian had no reason to care.
‘I should actually step aside in time and cheer him on, shouldn’t I?’
But Cassian seemed oblivious to the contradiction. Instead, he ran his hand through his hair in irritation.
“You’re not seriously thinking of him instead of me… damn it.”
He couldn’t continue, unwilling even to admit it.
“No, Young Viscount. This isn’t the time for that conversation.”
“Enough. In any case, I am your guardian. That’s a matter of contract.”
“Why are you acting like this today!”
“I have a duty to verify this so-called childhood friend of yours. You’re smart, but your judgment regarding men is probably lacking.”
“What are you talking about?”
They glared at each other for a long while. Neither showed signs of backing down.
“Alright, here’s what we’ll do.”
Suddenly, an idea seemed to strike, and a spark returned to Cassian’s red eyes.
“Rather than worry about it here, I’ll take him with me.”
“You’re not seriously talking about Arsen?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You mean you’ll take Arsen to the Ducal residence?”
“Yes. That way, there’s no risk of rumors, and it’s better in every way.”
Cassian smiled triumphantly.
“Are you really leaving just like this?”
Cassian was about to board the carriage carrying that infuriating Arsen Cadis.
At Damia’s exasperated sigh, Cassian set his jaw firmly.
“I truly can’t believe this, Young Viscount.”
Arsen added his own words.
“Are you serious? Really? Truly?”
Even Romi’s eyes widened.
He had been confident it was a good plan, yet the reactions were far from what he expected.
“You said you would. What else can be done?”
Damia shook her head, as if he had made a terrible decision.
“If you wish for it, Young Viscount, I’m not in a position to refuse. That’s really unfair.”
Arsen gave a sad smile, and Damia glared at Cassian.
‘That cowardly brat, really!’
Cassian clenched his teeth tightly.
