Chapter 48

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Chapter 48

That evening.

I looked straight at the man sitting across from me at the long table.

Cassius insisted that I have dinner alone with him before returning to the Empress’s Palace. His golden eyes glistened as if showing off its presence even when the evening sunset was pouring.

“ I met Ophelia and Sir David today.”

“Is that so?”

He was not surprised at all.

“They wanted to get married.”

“Already?”

At that, one of Cassius’ eyebrows rose.

“Yes. Sir David already introduced her to his parents, and it seemed that they’re serious.”

“What do you think?”

“Well, there’s no reason to object, is there?”

I shrugged as I continued my words, “Sir David is a good man. He was prepared to be isolated from his parents for the sake of Ophelia.”

“Of course, you want to help them both.”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

“Sir David needs the permission of the Duke to marry Ophelia.”

“Yes.”

“Wonderful, please do your best.”

“Are you talking about me?”

Cassius asked back with a voice full of surprise.

“Yes. Sir David’s the commander of the Duke’s knights, though he’s no less than Lord’s right hand. If the Lord strongly sided with Sir David, the Duke would approve of him.”

“Hmm…”

He thought about my words for a moment. For some reason, the corner of her mouth looked like it was twitching… Did I imagine it?

“It would be better if they get married as soon as possible.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t that what you want, Evelyn?”

“Well, I…”

I was embarrassed because I could not understand his intentions. Of course, for me, the sooner this problem was resolved, the better. Besides, if Ophelia married David, she would also become a Viscountess.

‘Still, before her marriage… I wanted to be with Ophelia—’

I bit my lip.

It was because I realized that my desire to stay with Ophelia was nothing more than greed.

“That sounds good.”

Having made up my mind, I nodded again.

“As long as Sir David and Ophelia are all right, we’ll have the ceremony as soon as possible. The house will be bought by me as a wedding present. Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

Cassius smiled brightly.

“Do whatever you want.”

Seeing that, I gazed at him, a little surprised.

…So easy?

‘I thought there would be a condition…?’

Although it was a bit daunting, I had no reason to question it as it would be nice if he would acquiesce to my request.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I can put my mind at ease.”

Cassius’ lips drew a line.

“Don’t mention it.”

The night Evelyn returned to the Empress Palace.

“…Ha.”

Cassius let out a long breath. Obviously, dinner was sweetened to Evelyn’s taste, though the taste left in his mouth was bitter.

He did not want to let her go back if he could.

Putting shackles on her feet, he wanted to lock her in a room full of lavish things she liked. He wanted to make sure that she would never slip out of his hands again…

‘…But, there were results.’

As he pondered in thoughts, Cassius leaned back in his armchair.

Ophelia.

He had a good chance to get rid of Count Garneid’s illegitimate child from Evelyn… in a way that made her happy as well.

”David did something cute for the first time in a long time. I need to give him a reward.’

If only the illegitimate child disappeared, Evelyn’s attention would be focused on him. What was more, she would not even be able to visit her properly because she would not want to disturb the newlyweds.

Though he suddenly frowned, recalling Evelyn’s bright smile when she saw Ophelia.

It was so poignant that the woman so cold towards him was so affectionate towards her incompetent half-sister. Considering that Evelyn had no affection for her own parents either, she may not be particularly attached to her because of her bloodline.

In short, Evelyn loved Ophelia for no reason. That was what made Cassius hate Ophelia terribly.

‘She needs to get married as soon as possible.’

Even though it was a bit disappointing that it was sooner than his own marriage, it did not matter.

Marriage was only a formality.

He did not want to have Evelyn by his side as his wife by name only… He wanted to completely take possession of her body and mind in one way or another.

This was Cassius Brudenell’s ultimate goal.

Ophelia’s marriage went smoothly.

Exactly three months until the ceremony will be held.

In fact, Cassius wanted to finish the marriage in a haste in a week’s time, though it was opposed by Ophelia and David since they also need time to prepare and do other things. I also sided with them because I wanted to spend enough time with Ophelia before her wedding.

Naturally, he gave her a disgruntled look.

‘Really… You are always on the side of the illegitimate child.’

‘It is the child’s wedding. You have to let them do what they want.’

‘It is not necessarily limited to weddings.’

‘….’

What do I do then…?

I was speechless and seemed to be able to only muffle back at his words.

Cassius’ expression of emotions, which had become more frequent in recent times, had been embarrassing. I was even more embarrassed because I did not know the cause was me. Nonetheless, I had no intention of doing anything for him. The more I do that, the more his obsession with me would grow.

‘Yes, let’s not think about it for nothing.’

Thinking that, I shook my head and wrote an invitation to Ophelia. It was an invitation to the tea party at the Empress’s Palace tomorrow afternoon. In good words, the tea party at the Empress Palace would be hosted by me, and the guest was Ophelia.

At first, I was quite worried that the Empress would object.

Though she just smiled generously and said that I could invite her at any time, since she also had a half-sister herself.

‘I need to prepare a bunch of furniture catalogs. It’s a house I’m preparing, though it’s up to Ophelia to do what she wants to decorate inside.’

When I thought of Ophelia, who would be happy, my heart fluttered spontaneously. Still, my regretful emotions welled up. Once she gets married, the chances of meeting Ophelia would be much less than it is now…

‘Can we only meet at the ball?’

So, these times, which I could spend time with Ophelia without noticing anyone, these moments felt more precious than ever.

Two days after sending the invitation, Ophelia arrived in her lovely pink dress.

“Sister!”

As soon as she saw me, she smiled broadly and hugged me.

“I really missed you. How have you been?”

“I’m just the same. How are you? Is Sir David treating you well?”

“Yes.”

Replying to me, Ophelia blushed her face and added,

“I’m a bit busy, but… After three months, we’ll be able to see each other every day, so I’m holding it in.”

“Yes. And, I’m sure I’m not as good as Sir David, but you can meet me.”

“Hey, my sister is better.”

“…What?”

I asked back one beat slower.

Seeing my reaction, Ophelia laughed softly.

“Of course. My older sister has always been nice to me. I like David, but… My sister is more important for me.”

“…Thank you.”

Lowering my voice, I tried to speak casually and answered effortlessly.

“Let’s go and have some tea. I’ve prepared your favorite things.”

“Really?”

Ophelia’s eyes lit up.

“I also baked chocolate cookies that sister likes.”

“The Duke’s kitchen let you in?”

“Yes.”

She then nodded her head and continued, “Lord Cassius asked if I wanted anything… I asked him to let me use the kitchen.”

“Lord Cassius…?”

I frowned.

Ophelia lowered her voice at my reaction.

“Of course, I kept saying no at first. Though he kept asking, so I asked him to let me into the kitchen.”

“Good job.”

I gazed at Ophelia with an admired gaze.

To Cassius Brudenell, access to the kitchen was nothing. If Ophelia had asked him for something really big, it would have remained in my debt. So, she was clever enough to not be left in my debt.

“As expected, you’re my younger sister.”

“Sister…!”

We arrived at the tea party venue only after calming Ophelia, who was so moved by tears.

I will say it again.

The organizer was me.

There was only one guest, Ophelia.

It was a tea party for just the two of us, and the food and decorations prepared were comparable to the Count’s formal tea party.

‘It is worth living in the Empress’s Palace.’

I took a large bite of her chocolate cookie, which Ophelia had prepared, as I ordered the maids to come for tea.

“As expected, it’s delicious.”

“Right?”

Ophelia smiled brightly.

“Although I tried to bake more, I only baked a few because I thought there would be more delicious things in the Empress’s Palace.”

“Did you give some to Sir David?”

“No? It’s for my sister, why should I give it to David?”

At that, Ophelia asked again with an innocent face.

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