Chapter 9: I won't love you

I saw the maids looking worried, they ran towards me with medicine. They held my hands and cleaned it for treatment.

Then I eyed the man sitting in front of me has an indifferent expression on his face, even a bit of disgust. I bite my lips at his reaction.

'Did he think, I hurt myself to gain his attention? How delusional!'

"Did you injure yourself much? You don't seem well?" he asked like he didn't see the gush of blood flowing from her hands.

Even the maid who was wrapping my hands flinched at his cold words.

"The tea was a little hot, so I just exerted a bit more pressure to hold the cup, in case it falls from my hands." Using my paltry excuse I forced my gaze away. Ah, I hate him so much.

I took a swig of cold water to cool myself off. It didn't need to be said, but I wasn't too happy with him paying me a visit today. Even the maids and servants could feel the change in me then is he blind or just don't know the difference in me?

And for what reason was he trying to meet me from the past three days. It certainly was nothing good, if it came from this man.

"Your highness, may I inquire about the reason for your visit?" I asked keeping my bubbling anger in control and trying to sound as neutral as possible.

"I wished to speak with you, about the incident two days ago?" he asked staring me intently.

I fisted my injured hands at his declaration. The blood which was just controlled by Lina started again. She looked at me with worried eyes.

I gave her a warm smile which surprised the girl. But when I turned back to Cassius, my eyes were cold just like his. He also looked surprised as I saw a change in his calm expression fo a fraction of a second.

But he went back to his normal self then.

I nodded my head and asked, "so what do you want to know about it his highness?"

"I was informed that you were not breathing properly and was ill. Few maids even said that you died." He stopped his wording to gauge my reaction but my expressions were calm and serene.

Like he wasn't discussing about my death but weather. "do you remember what happened, because the head maid told me you were absolutely fine when she came in the morning."

Although he said like he was worried. But I could feel his tone is full of suspicions. I gritted my teeth again. But when I spoke my tone was still calm.

"I don't remember my lord. I slept at night and woke up in the morning as usual. I didn't feel anything different." I even gave a fake smile at the end.

Cassius lifted his head at my response and quietly stared at me before saying, "Do you remember that event by chance?"

"that event?" I asked tilting my head. The early memories of my marriage are hazy. As I was already in my 40s when I died.

"A month ago when you threatened me to eat poison." He replied disgustingly.

I concentrated hard on my memory trying to remember what he is talking about. It was the tea party organised by the empress and she was invited. She wanted him to go with her there to show everyone that their marriage life is not estranged, but he blatantly ignored me.

Not even cared to give me a response, as he can't even see me or hear me. I was so frustrated that I threatened him to end my life by eating poison. But he still didn't show an iota of concern.

If anyone would have seen the scene, they would have thought he was blind and deaf. As a single expression of his face didn't change at that time.

And now look at his guts, the way he is asking me. I laughed, "my lord, I thought that you didn't hear me that day."

"I said that in a fit of anger, but its all in the past." I cleared myself. I am not that Marianne anymore.

He looked at me as if I am telling him a joke, his piercing gaze tried to dissect me with his eyes. "You wanted my attention again, didn't you, Marianne?"

My jaw almost hit the floor, I was so unbelievably surprised. Does he seriously think I tried to kill myself? To be honest, I just landed here in the morning.

I don't even know what he was talking about? I couldn't deny that I did some crazy stuff in the past for his attention, but being suspicious for something I didn't know about is too much.

"I admit, I am guilty of some ploys to obtain your affection in the past.."

"A couple?" he asked mockingly

"a few.." I corrected

"A few?" he still pressed. Look at his nerves.

"nevertheless! This time that was not the case." I did my best to maintain an image of composure.

Even so, the man's eyes belied his utter doubt of sincerity behind my words. "no matter what you ploy, I will not be able to give you the love that you desire."

This is not the first time he had said these cruel words to me. But in the past, I always cried and asked back why the hell had you married me then.

But this time it's not the case, because now I am the one who won't love you no matter what you do.

In fact, I want to dump cold water on that stupid face of his. When did I ask for his love just now? It was like he was trying to pre-emptively dump me before I could confess. Go to hell!

"That would be a good thing, my lord. In that case, I do not desire your affections either." I replied with a bright smile.