Chapter 12: There Is Someone I Dare To Carry In My Heart.

Chapter 12: There Is Someone I Dare To Carry In My Heart.

The Crown Princes birthday banquet.

It was the day I fell for Damian at first sight in my past life. The day exactly a month after I experienced death through his sword and regressed to my twentieth birthday.

This banquet was the first one held at the palace in a while, so it seemed like the maids who were accessorizing me were more excited than I was, who was the actual one going to the banquet. Especially Sasha.

Miss, you will definitely be the star of todays banquet!

Youre so beautiful. Im so envious of the person who will get to dance with you.

Sasha had the face of a girl in love as she looked at me. And I chuckled while watching the short-haired maid blush as she clasped her hands together in enthusiasm.

My reflection in the vanity mirror looked incredibly glamorous. My platinum hair reaching down to my waist shone brighter than usual, and I was wearing purple earrings that were the same color as Cassadins eyes.

Do you like the dress?

I looked down at the dress I was wearing. It was a blue dress that clung tightly to my body with a revealing neckline. The deep blue shade reminded me of the blue rose that Cassadin claimed resembled me.

Yes, I like it.

I was suddenly curious about what Cassadin was wearing. Cassadin was leaning against the wall, seeming to be done with his preparations, staring at nothing in particular as he pondered with a thoughtful expression.

Seeing him in that black uniform, I instantly knew that the star of todays birthday banquet wouldnt be the Crown Prince or me, but Cassadin.

Cassadin.

At my call, Cassadins eyes slid around to look at me. As our eyes met, his Adams apple bobbed noticeably.

Sister.

Cassadin approached me without taking his eyes off of me for even a second, taking my hand, then saying softly,

I thought an angel had just descended from heaven for a moment.

I just smiled back instead of replying.

Then we took a carriage to the imperial palace. Before getting on the carriage, I looked up at the sky for a moment. Just past noon, the skies were clear without a single cloud in sight. Just like the day in my memory.

Sister.

At Cassadins urging voice, I stepped into the carriage, still holding onto his hand. And as if it were the natural thing to do, my suspicious younger brother took the seat next to me.

And even after the carriage started moving, he seemed to have no intention of letting go of my hand.

You can let go of my hand now.

Cant I hold it?

Why?

Because I want to.

After saying that, Cassadin lightly rested his face on my shoulder. And a few strands of his silver hair that slipped down tickled my neck.

Theres an incredibly nice scent coming from you, Sister.

I wish time could just stop here. I think Ill be upset if the others at the imperial palace so much as look at you.

Here we go again. Where on earth did he learn to talk like that?

Cassadin, your joke is going too far.

Its not a joke.

why do you keep lying? My little brother.

I said, pulling my hand away from Cassadins.

It was only for a moment, but I felt Cassadin hold his breath.

Cassadin.

Im really curious why you keep lying to me.

I turned my gaze to the scenery outside of the carriage. On top of a large hill covered with reeds, children were frolicking around and laughing. Watching their peaceful interactions and scenery, I then added on,

But as you always have, you will likely not tell me why. Even so, if

I trailed off for a moment, then opened my mouth again.

If I wish for you to tell me the truth someday, is that too selfish of me?

Cassadin remained silent. Silence sometimes serves as an answer. In this context, his silence also meant that he admitted he had lied.

You dont believe what I said.

Did you know Cassadin? When you lie, a corner of your mouth curls up slightly. And your right eyelid trembles very faintly.

nice to see you, Lady Christine.

You remember me. Its an honor.

Well, of course, I remember.

Christine Ively, from an Earl family like mine, was known for her love of jewels. Her family had amassed their wealth through a diamond mine.

Countless people were sacrificed to mine those diamonds. And I heard that hundreds of slaves died just in that process.

She was also the one who spread the ridiculous rumor that our family had accumulated wealth through a hidden mine to hide that fact.

And the reason our family was targeted among many families was because I had a jewel that she didnt own.

Oh, but who is the person next to you?

Ivelys eyes sparkled as she looked at Cassadin, who was standing right next to me. And looking at the woman who was blushing at him, Cassadin opened his mouth.

Hello, Im Cassadin.

Oh my, how can his voice be so good as well?

It was a sight to see Ively with her mouth slightly agape and her cheeks a shade of bright red. Is that what I looked like to others when I fell in love with Damian?

He is my younger brother.

All of the noble ladies eyes glittered, including Ively. It looked like the other noble ladies, who had just been watching from afar, were now coming this way.

Your younger brother?

As far as I know, isnt Lady Serkia the only daughter of Earl Jigen?

That cant be!

One of the noble ladies, who had been quietly watching with a blushing face, suddenly exclaimed, clapping her hands as if she had made some amazing revelation.

So, was that why you havent been appearing in the social circle much? To monopolize your handsome younger brother?

Was that what they seriously thought?

Though I attended important banquets related to the imperial family, I never attended other events under the firm belief that social circles were a waste of time. I didnt want to waste my precious mental energy on their petty fights.

It was because I had to consume a considerable amount of mental energy when using my healing ability. The deeper the wound or illness, the more mental energy it consumes.

You should have told us if there had been someone like this.

How could you hide away such a stunning person?

Even his skin is unimaginably fair.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the young ladies all seemed to believe that Cassadin was my younger brother. No, they seemed to want to believe it.

Excuse me, but do you have a lover, Cassadin?

In order to take position next to Cassadin like such, that is. All the ladies didnt seem to have the slightest idea that he used to be a slave. And that in itself was a relief.

Wait, I was going to ask first!

Sir Cassadin, if its alright with you, may I invite you to our mansion later

Hey! Dont cut.

But then the ladies, including Ively, all started to fight amongst themselves over Cassadin. Who knew bringing Cassadin would attract so much attention?

I dont have a lover, but there is someone whom I dare carry in my heart.

Suddenly, when Cassadin opened his mouth, the ladies who had been glaring each other down went silent. I was also a little surprised because this was the first time Id heard of it. Eyes wide open, Ively nibbled her lower lip and asked him.

Who is it?

When Ively asked him straightforwardly, Cassadin suddenly squeezed the hand that was holding mine. When I looked up at him with a puzzled face, he drew a curved line starting at the corners of his mouth and smiled cutely at me.

That person was wearing a sky-blue dress revealing her collarbones on the day we first met. There was also a shiny sapphire necklace around her neck.

My goodness!

I couldnt take my eyes off her for a single moment. She was so beautiful that it felt like a sin to look away. I apologize to everyone, but my heart already belongs to that woman, so there is no longer any space left for another one.

At Cassadins answer, Ively and the other noble ladies let out a sigh of disappointment. But I was swept up in a strange feeling.

a sky-blue dress revealing her collarbones? A blue sapphire necklace?

Those were the clothes and necklace I wore when I first met him in the gladiator arena.

I looked at him, thinking that there was no way. When our eyes met, his eyes curled beautifully.

And I vowed to fix that mans attitude once and for all when we returned home.

By the way, whats the name of that person you carry in your heart?

Cassadins announcement just made things a lot more complicated. I tightened my grip on Cassadins hand and sent him a silent command not to speak.

But seemingly unaware of my intentions, Cassadin opened his mouth once more.