| Sia!
I’ve been waiting for your response. I know I could have just left, but I’m enjoying writing to you more than I expected so here’s a reply. I didn’t need to write letter when we lived close but I feel this has its own charm. I’ll probably arrive at Greze the day after you receive this letter. So much has happened here lately. I’ve got tons to tell you. Writing this makes me want to talk about everything. I’ll save the rest for when we meet. I’ll be seeing you soon. Your old friend, |
Cassia leaned against the headboard and the corner of her lips curved into a satisfied smile as she read Drian’s reply.
She was a little excited. Not because she was looking forward to see Drian, but because he reminded her of hometown.
In her previous life, she had thought about visiting her parents’ house, but she never had the courage to go. Even if she had ten bodies, she could barely manage the territory that Zester was neglecting so there wasn’t any space to visit. It would take a full week even if they ran the carriage without rest.
Her father, who was too busy trying to elevate the family name, had no time for his daughter that was sold off to a poor baron’s house. Unlike Cassia, who was married off without much gain, her younger sister, who was three years younger, had landed a match with a thriving Marquis, which had inflated their father’s pride considerably. That would happen in about three years. For now, he was likely deep in negotiations for her marriage.
Life, huh…
But Cassia had long since let go of resentment. She was happy enough just not working herself to the bone every day. If all she had to do was live idly and watch over the children later, that would be enough.
‘Dear God, is there anyone as selfless and kind-hearted as me? Please don’t abandon me for lounging around in this life. And when I die this time, can you please let me into heaven properly?’
After muttering a quiet prayer, Cassia reclined lazily against the headboard and prepared to take a nap. She used to like going on walks, but ever since she went back in time, she had changed. It was winter now, which was too cold, and she had realized how nice it is to be one with the bed.
Just then, a knock came.
“Madam.”
Paul’s voice followed.
Cassia, who was sprawled out for a nap, felt the interruption was a nuisance, but since she knew he likely wasn’t bothering her for no reason, she opened her mouth.
“Come in.”
She replied lazily but Paul hesitated to come in for some reason.
“Um, Madam… The master is with me. He says he has matters to discuss with you regarding the territory inspection…”
Judging by Paul’s hesitant tone, he was worried that Cassia might greet them too informally, like she did with him. The mention of Zester made Cassia reflexively start to sit up, then she paused.
‘Wait, what am I doing? It’s ridiculous that I’m still conditioned to get flustered when he comes around. Who is he to make me nervous anyways?’
She scoffed quietly at herself, then leaned lazily against the headboard again. Pulling the blanket neatly over her lap, she looked like she might fall asleep any second.
“Alright, come in.”
Paul opened the door and was startled. Despite the warning, Cassia was exactly how he feared: lounging in bed with a weary, indifferent expression. He glanced at Zester for a reaction, thankfully, he didn’t seem bothered.
“I-I’ll excuse myself, then.”
Paul, unable to bear the cold air between them, quickly fled the room.
Flustered by the sudden retreat of his reinforcement, Zester hesitated and awkwardly inched towards Cassia.
Can this man no enter my room without the butler’s escort?
Cassia recalled his more reckless behavior in her past life and it didn’t match this hesitant version at all.
“What’s the matter?”
“Uh…”
“Right, the territory inspection?”
Recalling what Paul had mentioned earlier, Cassia asked flatly.
Zester nodded and, once again, glanced at her for a reaction.
It had been quite some time since the territory gained a madam, and Paul had been urging him to do the territory tour. But when Zester said he would do it alone, Paul got very worked up. He insisted that this was a ceremonial inspection to introduce Lady Cassia to the territory’s people, and it would be meaningless alone, so Zester had no choice but to give up that plan.
But he wondered if Cassia, who looked reluctant to lift even a finger, would really come along with him. He had made peace with being rejected and only came to ask out of formality.
Cassia was troubled. Her initial plan had been to reject every duty expected of the lord’s wife. However, the person she hated was her husband, not the innocent and kind-hearted people of Greze. There were even a few faces that she wanted to see.
‘Now that I think about it, Mrs. Margaret will soon die of overwork, just like me.’
Cassia knew the circumstances of the few people in the small territory quite well. In her previous life, she had only learned after Margaret passed away that she had worked herself to death caring for a sick husband and raising five children. Cassia had forever regretted not noticing her cracked, overworked hands sooner.
‘Five kids in a row. I’m sure a little help would’ve made things easier.
Thinking of Mrs. Margaret’s face, Cassia gave a small nod to Zester.
“Alright. But you heard from Paul that Viscount Havelyn is visiting, right?”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“He will likely arrive tomorrow, so can we do the tour after greeting him?”
“Of course! Anything you want! Whatever you want is, uh, I’m good with that…”
Zester became oddly enthusiastic at her agreement, nodding a little too eagerly before trailing off in embarrassment. Cassia watched him silently then burrowed back under the covers.
“If that’s all, you may leave. I was just about to nap…”
Zester, who had come here thinking that maybe they could take a walk together under the pretext of the territory inspection, hesitated.
“Um… the weather isn’t too cold today…”
What now?
The way he said it, it sounded like he wanted to ask her to walk with him. Cassia simply smiled and turned her back.
“I’m sleepy.”
***
The carriage of Viscount Havelyn arrived at the Greze Castle. Zester, Cassia, and the few remaining servants stood in line to greet their guest.
“It has been so long.”
Cassia murmured excitedly as she watched the House Havelyn carriage approach. Zester, who was standing next to her, glanced at her face in a daze.
Cassia looked like a completely different person today. Except from the first day she arrived at the Greze Castle, her expression had always been same. A listless expression that said everything in the world was annoying. Just from her face, you couldn’t tell if she was a 17 or a 37-year-old woman.
But today was different. Her hair was neatly braided, her makeup was light, her flushed face was like flower petals on her fair skin and her softly smiling lips made her look like a girl of her age. It was nice to see her expression filled with anticipation.
“…You must be very close with Viscount Havelyn?”
But that anticipation-filled expression was for another man. A childhood friend, she said.
Zester was very bothered, but he feigned indifference and asked in a casual manner. Cassia replied with a chuckle.
“Yes. At first, I didn’t even know he was from a noble family. He was so rowdy when we played. Imagine my surprise when I found out he’s the young master of a Viscount House.”
“…I see.”
“He has a rough way of speaking which isn’t like your typical noble, but he’s still very kind. He’s always been a dear friend of mine…”
She trailed off, her eyes narrowing in fond memory, then she smiled again. Zester, watching her, frowned slightly. Paul, witnessing the whole exchange, broke into a cold sweat.
“You’re just friends?”
“…Pardon?”
It was a question with a strange nuance. ‘Just friends?’ he says. Cassia immediately frowned and turned toward Zester.
“If we’re not a friend, then what?”
“Hm.”
Cassia was dumbfounded. She wasn’t stupid so she knew exactly what Zester was implying. This same man who was fooling around with Vita behind her back while claiming she was a friend, had the audacity to be suspicious of her relationship with Drian when he hadn’t even met Drian before?
In her previous life, she hadn’t really done anything that would bother Zester, so she didn’t know but now that she had, his reaction was heaven defying. To think she never noticed that he was narrow-minded to the core. At this discovery of a flaw that she had never noticed before, Cassia shrugged her shoulders, looking unimpressed.
“I see. Then whatever you’re thinking is correct, Lord Baron.”
“W-What?”
“Why the reaction? What were you thinking?”
Cassia narrowed her eyes. Zester gulped seeing her look up at him defiantly with her hands on her hip.
“Well, as they say, people make assumptions based on what they’re used to.”[1]
Cassia shrugged again and shook her head. Once her words sank in, Zester flushed, and retorted.
“That’s not it.”
“What’s not it? I didn’t say anything.”
“…Haa.”
Now he had done it. Things had definitely gotten sour between them. From that disappointing first night to the misunderstanding about Vita. Perhaps this was only naturally, and he had done nothing but give his wife reasons to dislike him.
“My wife, regarding that, if you would just listen to me one more time…”
“Oh my, he’s here.”
Cassia’s cheerful voice drowned out Zester’s tiny protest.
The carriage of House Havelyn, which had been visible from afar, had pulled up at the entrance. The Havelyn crest gleamed majestically on the luxurious carriage. As the coachman with a stylish mustache pulled the reins, the horses raised their front legs and came to a dramatic stop.
The two well-groomed horse and beautifully decorated carriage gave quite the impression. Although not quite as splendid as the Ruberno carriage that brought Cassia to Greze. Still, it was on a whole different level from anything in Greze.
Zester sighed quietly as he was reminded of the lives of these prestigious Houses.
At that moment, Viscount Havelyn stepped out.
Zester, with his servants behind him, stepped forward to greet Viscount Drian Havelyn.
“Viscount Havelyn, thank you for visi…”
Zester watched where Drian’s eyes were going as he stepped off the carriage and trailed off mid-sentence.
Customarily, Drian should have faced himself, the territory lord and greeted him formally but perhaps because he was happy to see an old friend, Drian was looking at Cassia, who was standing behind Zester, with a wide grin on his face.
When Zester glanced back to look at Cassia, he was even more incredulous. The sight of her smiling softly and waving back was like an angel. For a moment, Zester was speechless.
She already looked so pretty in his eyes; wouldn’t she look just as pretty in this guy’s eye too…
Zester forced the corners of his mouth to lift and smiled, greeting Drian again.
“…Thank you for visiting. I have been looking forward to meeting you.”
“No, I should be the one thank you for this warm welcome.”
Since they were quite different in age, Drian greeted Zester very politely. Since Cassia said he was unlike most nobles, Zester thought he would act like a little brat, but Drian was a more dignified and formal man than he expected.
Not only that, but he was also very handsome. With fair skin like Cassia’s, bright golden hair and blue eyes, he had the typical noble build. Plus, he looked tall, and he was smiling…
Drian hadn’t even done anything yet, but Zester already felt terrible.
If Zester was like a wild boar charging through a snowy village, Drian was a graceful stag. A better match for angelic Cassia.
Zester smiled bitterly, thinking that all sorts of nonsense were running through his head.
“May I reunite with my old friend?”
Drian said, gesturing to Cassia, who was standing behind Zester.
Reunite, my foot. Just go in, unpack and stuff your mouth. Resisting the urge to speak curtly, Zester feigned calmness and stepped aside politely.
“By all means. My wife has been waiting eagerly for your arrival as well, Viscount.”
He purposefully said ‘my wife’ while acting like it was nothing but inside he was trembling with anxiety.
Drian had been very polite and courteous to himself so he assumed the man would be just as courteous to Cassia even if they were friends in the past…but he thought wrong.
Drian pushed past Zester, immediately rushed towards Cassia and pulled her into a hug.
“Sia! I missed you so much!”
Needless to say, Zester’s mouth fell open as he witnessed this absurd sight.
Ruby’s TL Corner:
[1] “People make assumptions based on what they’re used to”: She’s implied that he’s used to cheating so his mind only goes there.
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