Chapter 17: Use Me Whenever You Must.

Chapter 17: Use Me Whenever You Must.

Cassadin didnt say anything. He just kept his face buried in my neck, breathing softly.

His heartbeat, which felt like it would never calm down, gradually regained its steady rhythm, but he still continued to stay in my grasp for a while, even after that.

And it wasnt until the carriage arrived at our house that Cassadin slowly pulled away from me. The spot where Cassadin had held my wrists had a defined red mark.

When I rubbed my wrists after getting off of the carriage, Cassadin stared down at my wrists. After what felt like a long silence, words of apology left his lips.

Im sorry, Sister.

Cassadins slender eyelashes cast downwards again. A shadow cast over Cassadins face as he turned away from the moonlight, and his expression showed that he didnt know how to take in this situation.

Why dont we talk a bit before we sleep?

Cassadin gave a timid nod to my suggestion.

I brought him to my room, and after sitting him down on a chair, I started brewing tea. Since it was late into the night, and I assumed Cassadin might feel uncomfortable enough to leave if I called the maid, so this was my own way of showing him consideration.

Finishing the brew, I placed tea leaves in the teacups. Then I put down the two hot cups of black tea on the table. Cassadin merely looked down at the cup in front of him, not uttering a single word.

The lamp wasnt on, so it was only the faint moonlight that illuminated our surroundings. And I patiently waited for him to talk. But he didnt open his mouth once, even until the steam rising from the tea disappeared.

Cassadin.

Once again, I was eventually the one to start the conversation.

The tea got cold.

I spoke as I brought the cooled tea to my lips. The tea I brewed was tasteless compared to the tea Sasha brewed. The aftertaste was bitter, and it seemed hers tasted better than this. I wasnt sure if it was because the current situation was so awkward.

After taking a sip of the tea, I looked at Cassadin, who was still persistently remaining silent. But it was only then that I realized something.

In the midst of the dark aura he was giving off, Cassadins shoulders were shaking faintly. He was still anxious. Was it the fear and anxiety about his real identity being revealed?

Well, it was understandable that he would feel as such, considering that the past he struggled to hide so much had been exposed. As I had never been in his shoes, I couldnt understand the full extent of his feelings.

But one thing was clear. If I were Cassadin, would I have kept the only person who knows my identity alive? The answer was no.

That was why I felt sorry for Cassadin, my younger brother.

The fact that he didnt kill me after being treated less than livestock and living only for revenge.

Without his mask, Cassadin seemed unstable, to the point that he could dissipate from this place at any moment.

Then I pointed at my teacup, where the tea leaves were floating.

Look at this, Cassadin. Lets say that this tea leaf is you, and this tea is the life youve experienced.

?

With a puzzled expression, Cassadin switched his gaze between my face and the hand holding the teacup. Smiling back at him, I then held the teacups handle and shook it gently.

Even though I only shook it lightly, the still surface of the tea became a big wave, threatening to swallow the thin tea leaves.

Lets say these waves are the hardships youve experienced.

Swaying helplessly along the relentless waves, the tea leaves seemed dangerously close to sinking. Just like the current Cassadin.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

I put the teacup back on the table. Then, just like that, the waves that were about to engulf the leaves disappeared completely.

What you did can be considered something that I also did because I was the one who brought you in and accepted you as family.

I easily brushed off his attacks. Seeing that, Cassadin looked at me with widened eyes, seeming to be at a complete loss for words.

If were judging right or wrong here, then my wrongdoing is greater. Im the one who has slashed open your wounds instead of tending them.

I smiled bitterly.

Im sorry. Cassadin.

Hearing my apology, Cassadin turned away, as if he couldnt bear it anymore.

Are you leaving?

Still having his back turned to me, Cassadin answered my question in a small voice.

yes.

Without looking back, Cassadin basically fled from my room. It was the exact opposite situation from when Cassadin visited my room each night under the excuse that he couldnt sleep from his nightmares of the people he slaughtered.

I took one glance at the table where the two teacups sat, then pulled the bell next to my bed. And soon after, Sasha entered my room.

Prepare some bath water.

Yes, Miss.

And

I paused mid-sentence and glanced toward Cassadins room. Then I gestured for Sasha to come closer, just in case. With a curious tilt, Sasha leaned in closer. I whispered into her ear as if telling her a secret.

Find out what happened to Grand Duke Damian. Also, look into the Hyran Kingdom that was destroyed eight years ago.

Understood, Miss.

With her quick wit, Sasha nodded her head, her brown eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Seeing her reaction, I let out a small laugh and asked,

Do you want more jewels?

Miss, please dont do that. Ive already gotten an entire jewelry box last time.

Sasha shook her head vigorously. And it wasnt just her head, but her arms as well.

I-Ill prepare the bath water right away.

Sasha must have been worried that I would hand her more valuables, as she bowed her head and darted out of the room like an anxious squirrel.

Shes a smart cookie.

After washing myself with the bath water Sasha prepared, I changed into comfortable sleepwear. Exhausted after the affairs with Cassadin, I was overwhelmed with drowsiness as soon as I laid down on the bed.

But just as I was about to close my eyes, I felt a presence lingering outside my room.

The person paced around my door for a while before finally making up their mind and lightly knocking on the door.

Knock, knock.

Theres something I have to say.

Cassadins deep voice echoed like the abyss.