MPGF 20

Chapter 20: It Seems Cassian Likes the Lady
Bonisa’s loud voice turned me around.

“Do you still have something left to do?”

“Can I just… leave?”

She asked hesitantly, and I answered without hesitation.

“Yes. Go.”

“Why… why?”

She looked like she couldn’t believe the situation. Just telling her to go home? Even I thought I was being overly generous.

“But I haven’t paid a single coin…”

“I told you. You paid with the tapestry you made.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. That tapestry’s worth is barely 20 gold at most, but the lady’s dress…”

Bonisa couldn’t finish her sentence. It seemed she thought I’d take back my offer if she said the actual value out loud. Her pitiful demeanor reminded me of myself before I transmigrated.

Of the anonymous benefactor who appeared one day while I was holed up in a hospital room and offered to pay for my surgery. I cursed them at first, thinking they were just throwing money around. But after the surgery, my feelings changed.

‘I really wanted to live.’

I thought I had to hold on just for the sake of the surgery cost. Even if it was just an excuse, it made me want to live sincerely.

“If you compare it by value, sure.”

“Then why…”

I just hoped this could be a turning point for Bonisa too. That was all.

“Think about it yourself.”

If she didn’t get it, then so be it.

But she probably did. After all, she had just cleared a debt she wouldn’t have been able to repay in a lifetime.

“I hear the place you’re marrying into is very cold. This will come in handy.”

I looked at the tapestry and added. Sorry to Hertian, but I’ll just say I saved someone.

“Please take me with you!”

Then Bonisa shouted. Her voice rang out loudly in the mansion’s lobby. Her eyes had completely changed from earlier.

“Please take me with you, to wherever you’re going!”

Her eyes were filled with longing.

Had she finally found some will to live?

“You said you’d rather die than be a slave. Now what are you following me around for?”

“Please let me work by your side. I’ll do anything diligently. Just trust me.”

I looked at her as she rushed over and gave a faint smile.

“Do as you like.”

A little gum stuck to me.

I apologized as soon as I met Hertian after a long time.

“I’m sorry. The dress you picked out for me got ruined.”

I felt so bad I couldn’t even look him in the eye. He asked in his gentle tone:

“How did it get ruined?”

“It was so pretty that I wore it around the house, and I slipped without realizing the floor was slick. It got so messed up I couldn’t wear it again.”

I kept Bonisa’s situation a secret. I had already taken care of it.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No.”

“Then that’s all that matters.”

He didn’t get angry or question me, just smiled warmly.

“If the lady enjoyed it, that’s enough to pay for the dress.”

Hertian really was an angel. My eyes grew misty from the overwhelming emotion.

“Don’t cry. I’ll make you another beautiful dress.”

“No, it’s okay. Really.”

He’s truly a good person. A solid one.

After that, we sat face-to-face and talked about the wedding. We finalized everything. Now, all that was left was the ceremony itself.

With everything done, I sat at my desk and pulled out a pale yellow piece of stationery. He stood beside me, watching what I was doing.

“What are you writing?”

“A letter to my friend. I want to tell him personally that I’m getting married.”

“If it’s uncomfortable for me to watch, I won’t.”

Upon hearing it was a letter, he politely took a step back.

“Um. My parents don’t even know yet, but since you’re on my side, I’ll show you specially.”

The only thing written on the paper so far was the recipient’s name.

“Cassian? Isn’t that the person you said was precious to you?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

“May I ask why? Why do you hold him so dear?”

“He’s my only friend. There were many who stayed by me during hard times, but he’s the one who remained with me until the very end.”

When Rian died, everyone offered sincere condolences, but no one stayed like Cassian did. I understood, of course. Truly empathizing with someone else’s pain is a difficult thing.

“So I’ve always felt grateful and sorry. I want to do everything I can for him, but he always says he doesn’t need anything. And we can’t even casually meet up for tea or anything.”

“May I read one of the letters?”

He seemed quite interested in Cassian lately.

“It’s mostly just everyday stuff, but sure.”

I handed him one of the letters I had within reach. He read through Cassian’s letter, and though there wasn’t anything odd, I couldn’t help but feel on edge.

“This person seems to like you very much.”

He said something strange. That Cassian liked me.

I chuckled and shook my head.

“No way. We’re not like that.”

“You may think so, but he might not.”

“Why do you think that?”

“No man would keep writing letters to someone he doesn’t care about.”

I was at a loss for words.

Are men really like that?

“But Cassian and I have never even met face-to-face.”

He let out a quiet laugh.

“He must have known you to send those letters.”

I stared down at the letters.

A whole pile of them.

‘Cassian… likes me?’

I had never once considered that possibility.

When I saw the letters in my locker, they didn’t feel like love letters, unlike those from other boys.

And in all the correspondence we exchanged, not once did the topic ever veer in that direction.

“He must be a very shy man, if you never even noticed. Very cautious.”

My face flushed with embarrassment.

So I’ve been exchanging letters all this time with someone who likes me?

“I-if what you said is true, then wouldn’t it hurt him if I sent him a letter saying I’m getting married?”

I stammered out the words.

“What about your feelings?”

To my confused self, Hertian posed a strange question.

“If he proposed to you, would you leave me?”

I couldn’t answer right away.

If Cassian, who likes me, knows my circumstances and says he’d willingly marry me, then I…

“I wouldn’t leave you.”

Even so, I would choose Hertian.

Because I have no lingering feelings for Cassian.

“…I see.”

Hertian replied curtly.

I had given him the answer he wanted, but his expression subtly twisted.

A grand, gloomy mansion loomed before me.

The deep violet of the outer walls and wallpaper reminded me of Violet’s hair under the evening shadows.

The Sharfenon Ducal Household.

This was the last place I visited before the wedding. I wanted to personally deliver an invitation to Violet, who had helped me.

“Lady Violet, how have you been?”

And the woman, perfectly suited to the mansion, came running toward me. She cheerfully took my hand.

“Lady Anette, have you been well?”

“Yes, thanks to you. Thank you for inviting me to your home.”

“I’m sorry for the late invitation.”

Though she was the duchy’s mistress, Violet’s status as an illegitimate child made it difficult for her to invite people over, so this invitation was meaningful.

“Come in.”

Her smile was as beautiful as a flower touched by morning dew.

If I were a man, I might have fallen for Violet.

‘She’s completely opened her heart to me.’

And nothing made me happier than that.

“I’m sorry I didn’t thank you sooner for lending me the carriage and helping me.”

I remembered the day I went to meet the Emperor.

Without her help, Serdis would’ve obstructed me from having a proper conversation with him.

“I only repaid your kindness, that’s all.”

Violet just smiled joyfully.

“Lady Violet. I actually have good news.”

I spoke brightly, trying to lift the mood.

“What is it?”

“Just a moment.”

I handed her the white envelope I had brought.

The belladonna seal in light pink was the crest of Count Leangberia. Violet accepted the envelope without opening it right away, waiting patiently for me to explain.

“I’m getting married, Lady Violet.”

Her beautiful eyes widened.

“What? Lady Anette, marriage? All of a sudden? I hadn’t heard anything…”

Given her lack of social connections, it made sense that she hadn’t heard.

“It’s a wedding invitation. Please open it.”

She probably had been hurt when she heard that Serdis liked me.

Even though she had a chance at becoming a princess due to her noble status, Serdis’s choice held more weight than that.

If he chose me, Violet would have no recourse.

But if I were getting married?

That would change things.

“A wedding invitation… This is unexpected.”

“It was a short meeting, but I realized this was the right person, so we’re having a quick wedding.”

Violet’s wavering eyes moved from my face to the invitation.

“Curious who it is? Go ahead and look.”

A maid brought a letter opener, and Violet neatly opened the seal and took out the pink invitation.

Sunlight seemed to fall gently on her face as she read it.

When she found Hertian’s name, she brought the paper closer to confirm.

“Duke Blandice?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“They say he was away at war for two years and only just returned.”

She sounded incredulous.

It was true. After receiving the dukedom, Hertian had been away fighting for two years and hadn’t stepped foot in the capital.

“It’s embarrassing to admit, but it was love at first sight.”

Lying came so easily now.

“…Ah.”

Violet let out a soft sigh.

I thought she’d be happy I wasn’t marrying Serdis. But she didn’t look that happy.

“Lady Violet?”

Sniffle…

Tears like little lilies-of-the-valley began falling from her eyes.

“I’m just so happy…”

Gone was the elegance from our first meeting. She sniffled and cried until her eyes turned red. I handed her the handkerchief I had with me. She hesitated, then pressed it to her face. After a long moment, she lifted her head.

“Please… please tell me your secret too. Marrying someone you fell for at first sight… Honestly, I’m jealous, my lady.”

Such an adorable young lady.