Chapter 45

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Chapter 45

The world seemed to stop.

No, was it actually her own heart that stopped…?

Though hearing the sound of her heart beating in her ears, it did not seem like so. Opening her mouth, Ophelia then closed it right away. It was because she could not believe the current situation.

…How could someone like David Marquell propose to her?

To be honest, even David’s words that she heard a while ago seemed like hallucinations. However, the twinkling diamond ring in front of her was so vivid, and David’s voice proposing was also echoing in her ear.

“…Yes.”

Ophelia parted her lips.

Ophelia’s voice was trembling and choked, but fortunately, it seemed to be enough to convey the message to David.

“….!”

Because he hugged her tightly with a bright face.

​​

“Miss Ophelia…”

​​

David called her name in a melting voice.

“I can’t express how happy I am right now.”

“Me, too. I feel the same”

​​

Saying that, Ophelia’s cheeks were dyed red.

A proposal…

​​

Maybe, she could be David’s wife!

Of course, Ophelia was not a fool. It was not as though she did not know that it was very unlikely that she would become David’s official wife. Perhaps, she could be satisfied with being a mistress…

…Just like her mother.

‘…I do not care.’

Ophelia swallowed her dry saliva.

The only thing that mattered to her was the fact that she could be with David. Why does position matter?

Ophelia was very satisfied with her own life.

Even though she was a despised person, she has never been hungry and did not have to wander around the streets looking for a dry bed when storms hit.

So, she was fine.

Of course, it would break her heart if a woman other than herself stood by David as his wife…

Still, it will be fine.

Ophelia had learned to give up what she wanted from a very young age.

“Then, Miss Ophelia…”

David’s voice focused his gaze on Ophelia, who had been pensive in thought.

“Let’s go get my parents’ permission. Right Now.”

“Yes…?”

Ophelia asked back, confused.

“I’ve already invited them. They’re probably waiting in the drawing room by now. It will not be easy, but if we get their consent, I will formally put the request to the house of Count Garneid.”

“Pe… Permission?”

As she said that, she blinked her eyes rapidly. Her long eyelashes quivered.

“…Don’t say nonsense. Sir David’s parents wouldn’t accept me.”

“Then, why did you accept the proposal?”

​​

Her heart was pounded at the sound of David’s voice dripping with a pitiful expression, and Ophelia’s eyes lit up with tears.

“Miss Ophelia. I didn’t ask you to be my wife just to please you. Really… I asked for your hand in hopes that you would become my lifelong companion and the mother of my children. So… ”

David gazed straight at Ophelia.

There was a fire burning in his blue eyes, which had always seemed meek.

“Just once, can you trust me?”

In the end, Ophelia nodded her head as if possessed.

Could any woman in the world be able to reject a man who loves them so passionately?

I pouted my lips and got into the carriage.

In conclusion, it went as Cassius wanted.

It was because there was nothing for me to do as a maid, anyway, and there was no reason to object to the noble maiden’s visit to her fiancé’s house.

This was even more so if the fiancé was the successor of the Duke. Even the procedure was completed by filling out one simple document. Though I was not allowed to stay overnight because it was before marriage.

It was very fortunate.

“Don’t make that face.”

I frowned.

It was because the words of Cassius, who broke the silence, sounded completely nonsensical.

“What face?”

“…The face that even riding in the same carriage as me is awful.”

“Yes…?”

I blinked my eyes.

“I… Did I have that kind of face?”

“Yes.”

Replying to me, he then muttered in a low voice.

“I can’t stand it.”

“Ah… What is it now?”

In fact, I did not really understand what he meant, but I tried to change my expression. It was because my face was quite fierce, and if I did not manage my expressions properly, I would look bad.

I would have snorted in front of other people, but I could not do that in front of Cassius Brudenell.

“It’s still the same.”

“What about now?”

I forcibly raised the corners of my lips. At this point, it was almost at the point where I was about to get sick of this.

“…That’s all right.”

In the end, he turned his head away completely.

I tilted my head. My expression was the same as usual, or even more decorated than usual, so I could not quite understand why he was reacting like that.

Cassius murmured as he glanced out the window.

“Why am I the only one you’re looking at with that face…”

“I’m smiling.”

“I don’t mean that.”

He answered with his eyes still fixed outside the window. There was something missing in that voice.

“I’m not asking you to treat me, whom you dread so much, like how you did to your sister. However, can’t you at least think of me the same way you would an insect on the street?”

“Insects on the streets…?”

At this point, I was just stunned.

Of course, it would have been obvious that I hated him and was reluctant.

It is natural if you are human.

​​

​​But, he was now saying that he wants me to treat him like a creature worse than a bug, something insignificant…?

Even more absurd, Cassius looked very serious.

“Yes. It’d be less cold when you look at an ant crawling on the floor.”

“That… Lord, may I ask you one thing?”

“Please, ask.”

“In the past and now… I have the same thoughts on Lord.”

“I know.”

“So, my view of the Lord will be the same as before, and now.”

“You’re right.”

Hearing his words, I asked, strengthening every word.

“Then, why are you talking like this now?”

I was genuinely curious.

In the first place, I have always hated Cassius, both in the past and now. So, it was not like I suddenly became disgusted with him today and stared at him with eyes worse than a bug.

But, what the hell is he talking about right now?

“​​…I couldn’t stand it.”

Uttering that, he lowered his gaze to the floor. It was the first time I had seen Cassius so depressed.

​​

“From the moment I saw you with him… I just can’t stand it.”

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“….”

Silence enveloped us.

I licked my lips.

‘…Dangerous.’

Before his feelings for me deepened further, I had to somehow do something. Nevertheless, all of the methods I have used so far have failed. Everything was no use in front of Cassius Brudenell—pushing, pulling, or even making him fall apart.

I stared blankly into the air.

​​

Could Ophelia in the novel feel the same way?

It felt like I was dealing with a solid rock that would not even shake no matter how much I bumped into it. No, rather than that, I was more like a sinner in myths who had to watch the rock they worked hard to pull up to the top of the mountain roll down again.

I shook my head.

Nothing is going to be solved if I just keep agonizing over problems that I cannot help but groan over.

Still, I struggled to turn my mind in a different direction.

‘Ophelia… Is she doing well?’

Despite the fact that I immediately became the Empress’s personal handmaiden in order to escape from Cassius’ grasp, Ophelia’s well-being was always on her mind.

Yes, let’s go see Ophelia first.’

The thought of seeing my cute little sister brought a smile to my lips.

At about the same time, Cassius’s face crumpled up, but I did not notice.

How long has it been? Finally, the carriage reached the Duke’s mansion. Without giving him time to get off first, I jumped out of the carriage and strode towards the mansion.

‘…Will he follow me?’

Fortunately, Cassius did not follow me, perhaps because he did not intend to interfere with the meeting with Ophelia. He also seemed quite busy giving orders to servants.

​​

I was on my way to Ophelia’s room.

As I passed a servant who was carelessly sweeping the floor, a sharp voice echoed in her hallway.

“David, did we raise you like this? How could you bring a woman like this and marry her…!”

I stopped my steps abruptly.

‘Sir David? A woman…?’

I had an ominous feeling. As if possessed, my feet were moving in the direction of the voice.

“Why didn’t you bring a commoner instead? The woman who will later become Baron Marquell’s wife is such a vulgar illegitimate child? All socialites will laugh at our family!”

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My blood froze.

As far as I know, there was only one illegitimate child in the Duke’s residence. With that thought, I hurriedly opened the door through which the voice was flowing from.

​​

“….!”

​​A few pairs of eyes stared back at me.

What stood out the most were Ophelia’s purple eyes…

Weeping and trembling with tears.

At that moment, the patience, which had already been rapidly disappearing a while ago, had run out.

Ophelia was never a child who deserved to be treated like this. She was pretty, she was nice, she was smart. There was no reason why my little sister, who shines wherever she goes, should be treated like this!

“Baron Marquell and Baroness…”

I opened my mouth to a middle-aged couple with a strict impression, thinking about the best way to beat this human who made Ophelia cry.

“Why don’t you talk to me?”

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