Chapter 6: May I Sleep With You?

Chapter 6: May I Sleep With You?

I continued to watch Cassadin eat silently.

I had to remind myself what I was continuously watching every time I saw those long, white fingers move with a spoon in hand.

The elegance that poured out of Cassadin as he ate made one question whether eating could be such a graceful activity.

Ah, Im sorry.

Maybe I had been staring too much. Cassadin, who was moving his hand, suddenly apologized to me.

I should have waited for you to start eating, but I started first.

No, its okay. I wasnt that hungry anyway.

When I reassured him with a smile, he returned a faint smile as he said,

Youre such a kindhearted person.

To a degree, its much more than I deserve.

As Cassadin spoke, he picked up the knife and cut the steak into slices. He picked up a piece of the steak, perfectly cut to eat in one bite, then said,

I dont think I should eat alone after all.

He offered me the food, his eyes folding into a beautiful arch.

Eventually, when I accepted the steak he offered and began to chew, a satisfied smile spread across Cassadins face.

Its delicious. I think the food tastes better because you cut it.

Thank you.

But where did you learn your manners?

Cassadin suddenly froze at my question. But after looking at me with saddened eyes for a while, he gazed downward and opened his mouth.

I was forced to learn manners, so that the value of the object does not drop.

It was just one sentence. But from that one sentence containing a concentration of all his sorrows, I could tell how hard Cassadins life had been.

Im sorry. That wasnt entertaining at all, was it?

Trying to divert the awkward atmosphere that now surrounded us, Cassadin forced a smile to reassure me he was okay.

Why was it, though? His efforts to hide his deep scars overlapped with mine in my past life.

Im sorry.

pardon?

I should have taken you out of there earlier. I cant imagine how hard it must have been for you

Hearing that, Cassadin put down the knife he was holding on the table and responded,

Im fine.

Huh?

To be honest, it feels like a dream just to be here face to face with you. My only wish is that this dream never ends.

Upon finishing his sentence, Cassadin rose from his chair and knelt down on one knee. Looking up at me, he very carefully kissed the back of my hand.

Thank you so much, Sister.

His eyes curved in a cute manner as he spoke.

You have nothing to thank me for.

After all, the only reason I took you in was for my own sake.

Thinking this to myself, I gently patted Cassadins back as he kneeled in front of me. I could feel the firm muscles on his back through the tips of my fingers, toned from a long life as a gladiator.

Stand up now. The food will get cold.

Cassadin only got up once I gave him permission.

Then we continued the meal in a decent mood. Once we finished the meal, I dabbed my lips while asking him,

Do you need anything? Anything you like?

Something I need

He looked up at the ceiling for a while, as if in thought, before opening his lips.

I would like a sword. Any kind would do.

A sword?

Yes, Ive lived wielding a sword for so long that it now feels strange not to have one in my hand.

He repeatedly clenched and unclenched his hand. I observed his behavior as I spoke to him,

What else do you like, apart from swords?

Cassadin was silent. But I patiently waited for him to talk again.

Im sorry. Ive never once thought about what I wanted.

Why is that?

Unaware of this fact, other nobles spread ridiculous rumors about our family, saying we had a hidden mine or were committing tax evasion.

And on the day of the Crown Princes birthday banquet, I foolishly fell in love with Damian at first sight.

So all of the money our family had earned flowed straight into Damians pockets, and in the end, I was met with a pathetic end where I was stabbed with a sword.

While falling in love with him was entirely my fault, I was never going to forgive him for using me and then killing me afterward.

I was 20 on the day I first met Damian, and there was about a month left until the Crown Princes birthday banquet.

I read and reread the contents of the book without skipping over a thing. I couldnt miss a single word.

In order to confront the man who killed me, I had to know as much about him as possible. I had to know more than what I already knew.

It was only after I shoved the entire contents of the book into my head that I closed it and lay down in bed. The time was now early morning, and the full moon was still shining its light high in the sky.

I was lying there with my eyes closed when someone knocked on my door.

Knock, knock.

Sister.

A voice as low and clear as the morning air echoed from beyond the door.

I have something to say.

What could he possibly need to say at this hour? And why did he bother to come look for me when everyone else was asleep?

But I decided to play along with Cassadin.

Come in.

The door opened only after I gave him my permission.

Seeing his silhouette walking towards me from the doorway under the douse of the faint moonlight, he seemed more like a sculpture crafted from a spirit by God.

When he made eye contact with me, lying in bed in a sheer nightgown, Cassadin held a faint smile on his face as he carefully approached me.

The manner in which he sat on the edge of the bed felt incredibly careful and delicate.

I know very well in my head that its not proper to visit at this hour, but I just couldnt sleep

He explained, his head slightly dropping on timing. Not being able to sleep must be his excuse to visit me.

You said I could visit anytime, so I took the risk of being improper and came to you.

Who knew he would use my words in that way? What he was doing was rather cute.

If you cant sleep, do you want me to sing a lullaby for you?

!

Cassadins eyes widened noticeably, as if he didnt expect such a reaction.

Will you really do that?

If thats what you want.

He just stood there, blinking, after hearing my response, and then shook his head side to side as if trying to erase the shock.

No, its fine.

Seemingly trying to change the subject, Cassadin picked up something else.

What is this book about?

The book he picked up was the one I had been reading before Cassadin came.

Herbs of the North

!

How could a slave read? In the Seville Empire, slaves were not given the opportunity to learn or read. But how could he read it so fluently?

When he saw my bewildered expression, he lowered his eyes once again and said,

An objects value increases with rarity.

There were many things I was forced to learn in order to survive. In this empire, slaves are not people but mere products.

A dark shadow clouded his face as he tilted his head and grazed his hand over the book.

Why was it that the story felt like a sad tale to whoever heard it, but instead felt more like a lie to gain sympathy from me?

But I could more than understand why he was lying.

He hasnt known me for that long, so its natural for him to be wary of me.

There was no need to scold him for lying. I just had to play along with whatever he was saying. Empathize with his pain, heal the wounds in his heart, and become a good sister to him.

That really must have been tough. Having to learn things you didnt want to.

And to be treated as an object as well. Nothing like that will ever happen to you again, Cassadin.

And thats how I would tame him, little by little.

I cant sleep because Im too anxious, but if its okay with you, Sister.

Finally, the real reason he visited my room came out of his mouth.

May I sleep with you?