After Leon left, Cassel continued where he had stopped.
“Just being able to help you is enough meaning for me in this marriage.”
“How can that be meaningful? A contract should involve giving and receiving from both sides.”
“Have you not already given me a lot?”
Riena didn’t ask the foolish question of what exactly she had given him.
It was easy to tell that Cassel was talking about the things Riena had done for Cass when they were young.
“But anyone would have done that.”
“No. If it were someone else, they wouldn’t have. In reality, even your stepsister didn’t look upon me favorably, right?”
“That’s because it’s Bianca…”
“You may not understand what I’m saying because you are kind and warm. But, Riena, the world is not so simple. It’s not kind to a cowardly little kid who can’t even take care of himself properly.”
From Cassel’s flat words, Riena could glimpse a little into the life he had lived.
The process of the cowardly Cass becoming Duke Winkler, who overwhelms anyone, was definitely not easy.
“So please let me repay the grace that you and the teacher have bestowed upon me.”
“…Still, it’s too much.”
“As I said before, it’s not at all.”
Cassel was adamant. Riena had no confidence in persuading him.
‘I can just adjust and use it as I see fit…’
Even if there was no limit to the funds she could use, she could set her own limits on this side.
Riena decided to back down one step on this topic.
“Alright. Let’s do that for that matter. Instead, add one condition in the contract that you want from me. As it is now, I cannot sign this contract.”
Cassel made a low groaning sound in his throat.
The sound was similar to that of a large feline beast growling.
After pondering for a moment, he barely put forth one condition.
“I want you to be happy as long as this marriage lasts.”
“That won’t do.”
Riena rejected his opinion in a voice mixed with laughter.
“Even I can’t do anything about my own emotions. Even if I vow, ‘I must be happy!’, I may not be happy. Of course, I am happy now and I think I will be happy in the future, but that’s a different story.”
Cassel frowned but didn’t refute Riena’s words. Instead, he suggested something else.
“Then how about this?”
“What is it?”
“No matter what happens, I want you to never give up on yourself.”
“What exactly does it mean to not give up?”
“…”
“We need to clarify that to put it in the contract.”
This time too, Cassel closed his mouth. Riena didn’t rush him and waited patiently.
After a moment of thought, Cassel spoke.
“We don’t need to document this.”
This time too, he added before Riena could refute.
“You and the teacher have already done a lot for me. Even when I was at the Dyke estate, the teacher provided everything for me without any support from Winkler. So you don’t need to feel burdened.”
“…”
“And it’s okay if you forget what I said a moment ago. However, when you are truly struggling, just remember my words that one time. Also…”
He clenched both fists tightly.
“I also want to tell you that I will always be behind you. If by any chance something happens, even if you can’t tell others, I hope you can at least share your troubles with me.”
Riena was still dumbfounded.
Not only was it strange that Cassel put forth a condition that was hard to understand, but seeing him make that statement somehow made him look anxious, making even her who was facing him feel uneasy.
However, she could roughly guess what it meant to ‘not give up on yourself’.
It must mean to not make the choice of turning your back on the world no matter how hard it gets.
‘Is it because he lost many precious people?’
Count Dyke was a father Riena respected and loved, but at the same time, he was also Cassel’s one and only teacher.
There must have been times when he thought of him as more than just a teacher, but as a father.
The sudden death of Count Dyke was a huge shock not only to Riena but also to Cassel.
He was a man who lost his teacher not long after losing his biological father.
Moreover, when he was young, he lost his biological mother and older brother within less than a year apart.
Perhaps Cassel, no, Cass cherishes Riena who shares memories with him and doesn’t want to lose her.
There are many people who care for him.
Even the head maid Sandra, his daughter Amy, and many others in the estate all respected and cherished Cassel.
However, they were servants in status after all. They couldn’t comfort him from an equal position as Cassel.
But Riena was different.
Although there was a difference in the status of their families, she was still a noblewoman and the person who would be his wife for the time being.
Even if they got divorced, she could treat him as a childhood friend.
If even Riena disappeared, there would be no one left by his side who could treat him without reserve.
If that happened, Cassel would be completely isolated from the world.
Riena spoke with a sigh.
“Alright. I will accept your proposal, Duke. Although we didn’t document it, I understand the condition you mentioned well. So you can call Mr. Petel now.”
When Cassel rang the bell, Leo, who was waiting in the hallway, came inside.
“Have you sufficiently exchanged opinions?”
“Yes. Without any modifications as it is…”
Riena, who was about to pick up the quill pen, hesitated for a moment and then placed her hand on top of Cassel’s hand that was trying to take the documents.
She felt Cassel’s fingers stiffen rigidly.
“I also won’t document it, but there’s something I want to ask of you, Duke.”
“What is it?”
“When you have a hard time in the future, please tell me too. Just as you asked of me.”
Riena smiled brightly.
“And I hope you’ll be happy. I can’t do anything great for you, but I’ll at least make sure that when you suddenly think of me, happy memories will come to mind.”
Cassel said nothing. No, not only did he not say anything, but there was no change in his expression at all.
However, he soon covered his mouth with his hand that wasn’t held by Riena.
It seemed like he was experiencing various emotions in his heart, even if it didn’t show outwardly.
Riena smiled at him with her eyes once more and then signed the document.
Riena Dyke.
Next to that signature written neatly, Cassel also wrote his name.
Leo Petel smiled slightly.
“Congratulations to both of you. Then, Miss, I look forward to working with you from now on.”
“I look forward to working with you too.”
“And there’s something I want to discuss regarding the wedding date.”
“What is it?”
“How about having the wedding in the capital next spring? It takes a long time to prepare, and it seems we’ll have to go to the territory in winter. But if you have a different opinion, I’ll take it into consideration.”
“No, next spring is fine too.”
In fact, it would be more accurate to say that it doesn’t matter when the wedding is held.
‘Since we’re not really getting married, we don’t even need a wedding ceremony, but we’ll have to make it grand since there are eyes watching.’
Leo took the documents that were placed in front of the two and bowed.
“Then I will take my leave now. I am staying in the annex, so call me anytime.”
With those words, Leo left the office.
Riena felt a little awkward silently facing Cassel in this situation.
Saying they hope each other will be happy and that they will always be by each other’s side.
To someone who doesn’t know, it would sound like lovers whispering words of love to each other.
‘But these are words that can be said between friends too. Of course.’
Riena, who was pressing her slightly flushed cheeks with the back of her hand, stood up.
“I’ll get going too. You seem busy, so take care of your work.”
“I’ll escort you.”
“No! It’s okay. I just need to walk a little down the hallway anyway, so there’s no need for you to get up.”
In fact, she felt it would be awkward to walk side by side with him.
Riena waved at Cassel and then left the office as if running away.
She didn’t know that Cassel’s gaze lingered heavily on her back.
[This is the timeline separator]A few days later, Madam Lachapelle visited again. Along with the dress Riena had asked to be altered.
“We meet again.”
Madam Lachapelle, who greeted Riena with a kiss on the back of her hand today as well, smiled with delight.
“It must have been difficult since the time was short, but thank you for accepting my request.”
“Oh, this is my job. Shall we have you try on the dress to check the size?”
With the help of the staff Madam Lachapelle brought, Riena changed into the brightest dress.
The dress, which was slightly large and uncomfortable before the alteration, now fit Riena perfectly as if it had been made for her from the beginning.
It was hard to believe it had been altered.
“Your skills are really great. The size fits well and it’s comfortable. I don’t think I need to try on the others.”
“I’m glad you’re satisfied, Miss.”
At Madam Lachapelle’s gesture, her staff and the maids of the estate moved busily.
In the meantime, Riena commissioned new outfits from Madam Lachapelle.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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