Chapter 33
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33.
Cassian Artez didn't dismiss my symptoms lightly.
"If needed, as Rose suggests, I'll summon you along with your beloved stipend."
The stipend isn't what matters right now.
There's a chance that my life, Wilhelmina's—my dear ★friend★—and yours, my demonic superior, could all hang in the balance.
Of course, I'll gladly accept if you offer it.
Seeing my anxious expression, Cassian raised his hand and caressed my cheek.
Though spring had arrived, the nights still carried a chill, yet warmth radiated from his large palm.
"At least I don't think I've ever disappointed you in my duties."
"No, I know."
"Then enjoy your vacation with Wilhelmina Lopez before that. I like seeing Rose surrounded by desire and wearing a happy face."
He spoke of me as if I were nothing but material greed incarnate.
Though, well, that wasn't entirely wrong.
Cassian Artez, who had escorted me to the Mansion Entrance, gazed at my face still clouded with unease.
"Is there something troubling your mind?"
His tone was genuinely tender.
As if urging me to confess all my fears and entrust everything to him, he tickled my cheek.
"Even if it sounds absurd, I won't dismiss anything you say, Rose."
"...It's really just a hypothetical."
It was merely an event from the original story with no connection to my current reality, yet I couldn't shake the anxiety.
Even though I'd twisted and destroyed that narrative since childhood.
"I just hope Wilhelmina Lopez doesn't get entangled in this incident."
Even though right now there's not a single point of contact.
I thought I could confide this worry to him, at least.
Despite being a demonic superior who only ever imposed overwork.
"The princess, you mean."
"Yes."
He never let my words slip past him, so I couldn't help but trust him.
Keeping silent and brooding alone wasn't my preference either.
"Then let's do that."
Though he answered casually, there was sincerity in it, and the tension that had gripped my entire body began to ease.
"Actually, I'm growing jealous."
"Pardon?"
Cassian Artez wore a mischievous expression toward my relieved face.
"You're always looking after Wilhelmina Lopez like that, so I'm wondering if I should start monitoring the ladies to protect my fiancée."
"What do you—"
My words caught in my throat.
Because of his sudden approach.
Those violet eyes that filled my vision gazed at me teasingly, and then—
Smack.
A soft sensation brushed against my cheek near my lips, then withdrew.
"So please forgive this small rudeness, my dear."
His whisper from a distance where our noses nearly touched left my dulled mind struggling to process even slower.
"...Ah, um."
I hadn't noticed someone approaching to greet me.
"Oh, oh my, oh my...!"
At the startled cry from behind, I reflexively turned my head to find Wilhelmina Lopez standing there.
Her cheeks flushed crimson in perfect synchrony with her Attendant Maid's.
"Ahem, we, we saw nothing. We were merely taking a stroll."
What on earth was she making excuses for?
"It seems rather chilly out. Let's take another walk and fetch a shawl."
"Yes, yes, Miss!"
A shawl was already draped across Wilhelmina Lopez's shoulders, and the maid held an extra one in her hands as if she'd brought it to drape over me.
"Wilma—"
"Oh, that's right! The Pavilion over there finished maintenance today, and no one goes near it at night, correct?"
"That's right, Miss!"
I tried to explain myself to her, but Wilma turned away clumsily as if she couldn't see me, and began walking briskly.
"..."
Silence settled in the space where Wilma and the Attendant Maid had been.
I watched their retreating figures for a long moment, then turned my head toward Cassian Artez with an annoyed expression.
"So, shall I live up to the Princess's expectations?"
He, looking quite relieved, brought his lips to my knuckles.
The Male Lead was interfering with my friendship project once again.
*
Fortunately, Cassian Artez graciously withdrew without further teasing me.
"If Rose were to submit a resignation letter, that would be quite the disaster. I should return quietly now."
Though calling that gentlemanly behavior required a certain generosity of interpretation.
As I escorted Cassian Artez to the Mansion Entrance and returned, Wilhelmina Lopez surprisingly appeared disappointed.
"...Why are you coming back so soon?"
She had been speaking with the Estate Butler about something, her expression grave.
"Didn't you promise to have a late snack with me?"
"That's not what's important right now...!"
"A promise with me?"
At my casual question, Wilhelmina Lopez fell silent for a moment.
"Well, no, that's not it."
Whatever Cassian Artez might have done, I could simply smooth things over again.
I approached her with a cheerful smile.
"I was so disappointed that we couldn't dine together this evening. Weren't you?"
"How could I not be! I was looking forward to it so much! The moment I decided to bring you to the Villa, I made a reservation at that Restaurant—"
Wilhelmina Lopez's words tumbled out before her face flushed deeply, and she quickly adopted an indignant expression.
"You're teasing me, aren't you?"
"Me, teasing you?"
If I claimed otherwise, that would be a lie, at least in some measure.
But not now.
Because the love that dwells within me now—deeper than friendship—is genuine.
"...I was only helping you more earnestly so you wouldn't misunderstand me."
Wilhelmina Lopez tapped my arm lightly in frustration.
I laughed softly at the sight.
Though she was my friend, she reminded me so much of a younger sister—clumsy in many ways—and I found her utterly endearing.
"Ahem, then, Miss, would it be acceptable to disregard the instructions you gave just moments ago?"
The Estate Butler, who had been quietly observing our exchange, asked carefully.
"Instructions I gave just now?"
As I tilted my body curiously toward the butler, Wilhelmina Lopez desperately stepped in front of me and spoke.
"Yes, tell everyone to rest and not worry about it."
"Very well, Miss."
The elderly butler, watching us with a knowing smile, departed at a leisurely pace.
Since only Wilhelmina Lopez could provide an answer, I fixed her with a steady gaze, but she evaded my question by grasping my hand and pulling me along.
"We promised to have a late snack together! Let's spend time in my room today. I want to talk about novels too!"
"Yes, that sounds lovely, but what were those instructions...?"
"You said you enjoyed the dessert you had yesterday, so I asked the head chef to prepare something in a different style for a change."
So what exactly were those instructions?
I found it difficult to suppress my curiosity, but ultimately decided to let it go.
I couldn't be the sort of person who torments a friend—I'm no demon, after all.
*
For four days afterward, nothing remarkable occurred—Cassian Artez made no move to seek me out on official matters.
Whether his words about enjoying pleasant times with Wilhelmina Lopez had been sincere or not, he never carved out separate time as he had that evening.
Yet without fail, he visited me once daily—at lunch, dinner, or sometimes late into the night.
And the one who rejoiced most at each visit was none other than Wilhelmina Lopez herself.
"I cannot express how fortunate I feel that His Highness holds you in such high regard."
I doubt even my own mother cherishes me quite so deeply.
But when she spoke thus, her face shone with such dreamlike happiness that I found myself unwilling to correct her or shatter the illusion.
After all, one reason I had agreed to this betrothal was to shield her from Cassian Artez's grasp.
"Are you feeling less anxious now?"
On the night before my return to the Capital City, Cassian Artez came to find me, his words carrying a soothing tone.
"...Is that why you made time to visit me every day?"
"One reason, yes."
"And the others?"
"To show Wilhelmina Lopez the image of us together."
Just as I had suspected, I nodded slowly while perched on the railing of the Pavilion, recalling what Wilhelmina had mentioned before.
"But the most important reason is."
Cassian Artez settled beside me, his gaze fixed upon my face.
What was that ominous glint in his eyes?
As I braced myself, Cassian Artez let out a low, rumbling laugh.
"Because I wanted to see you, Rose."
"Does Your Highness truly find it so amusing to tease me?"
I no longer even bothered to feign surprise, having already discerned his intent.
Perhaps Your Highness should expand your repertoire of tricks?
"Yes, I find it delightful."
This pervert.
"The way you show me such an unguarded expression—it pleases me greatly."
Cassian Artez's knuckles brushed past my ear with a feather-light touch.
"When I first saw you in the Capital City, you looked at me as though I were a monster."
Was it truly that obvious?
I hadn't been so discourteous back then, surely. Though I suppose I am now.
When I protested with my eyes alone, Cassian Artez's expression softened with evident delight.
"You return to the Capital City tomorrow?"
"Will Your Highness not stay longer?"
"Yes, I believe I should remain for another day or two to attend to certain matters."
At those words, I exhaled deeply.
"The work awaiting you in the Capital City must be piling up considerably."
"Indeed."
Cassian Artez leaned his head against my shoulder with a soft thud.
"How fortunate that Rose is by my side."
"How much of a trial it is for me."
My shoulders trembled faintly at Cassian Artez's laughter.
"Before I leave, I'll send word to my worried aide that all is well."
"So you'll be busy tomorrow?"
It was an opportunity to appeal to Wilhelmina Lopez, yet he spoke in such a way.
"Because I want to protect Rose's vacation as much as possible."
It was sweeter than any words I had heard in recent memory, setting my heart aflutter.
I stroked the hair of Cassian Artez, who leaned against me, and replied.
"I'll wait for you."
*
Contrary to what he had said.
Even after completing all preparations for departure and waiting half an hour at Wilhelmina Lopez's request, Cassian Artez's messenger never arrived.
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