Chapter 81
Yulia didn’t stray far from the fountain. She simply planned to serve some tea and return as soon as the carriage came back, so she headed toward the coffee house across the way. The day was still a bit warm, but she deliberately chose a terrace where people passing by could easily see her. By being openly visible, she hoped to avoid unnecessary rumors.
“The coffee I drank back in the Casad Kingdom wasn’t even real coffee. The aroma is absolutely enchanting.”
Yulia didn’t know much about coffee, so she had the house owner recommend something for her, but Cain admired both the aroma and taste in detail. Watching him react even more enthusiastically than she did the first time she drank coffee, she couldn’t help but laugh, feeling tension melt away.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because you seem so genuine.”
“I hear that a lot.”
Hearing this made Yulia feel a definite sense of satisfaction. The word “satisfaction” suddenly reminded her of Caente, who had forced her to sit here before their marriage, insisting that spending money on her was worthwhile.
“You don’t need to worry so much. I’ll be leaving soon anyway.”
Realizing that this seat was exactly where Caente had sat back then, she shifted uncomfortably. Cain immediately noticed her mood and smiled gently.
“No one’s going to look at us strangely here.”
Every time Yulia saw Cain’s smiling face, she felt something strange. Even if she felt anxious, hearing him say that would oddly reassure her. It was similar to how Caente used to comfort her when she felt uneasy, yet different.
If Caente made it seem like he was willing to shoulder her burdens, Cain made it feel like she didn’t need to carry any at all. And which felt more comfortable? Definitely Cain.
Although she was grateful that the current Caente helped bear her family’s living expenses, it sometimes felt heavy. Perhaps because their marriage wasn’t based solely on personal understanding, she often felt the money Caente spent as a debt she would eventually have to repay.
“Or is there any reason you need to head home early?”
“Not none, I suppose.”
“What reason?”
“I have to practice the cello. His Majesty the Emperor requested a performance at an upcoming party.”
“You can play the cello?”
The mention of the cello snapped Yulia out of her thoughts. She nodded slightly, replying confidently.
“I’d say I can manage. I’m confident with the cello, at least.”
“You’re that confident? That’s exciting. I’ll have to make sure I attend the party. But why the cello, of all instruments?”
Yulia decided there was no need to explain that her family circumstances prevented her from buying a piano. She simply mentioned the most important fact:
“The sound of the cello is just so beautiful.”
“I like the sound of the cello too. Do you perform anywhere else? If you let me know, I’ll come listen.”
“Anywhere else?”
Yulia had nothing to tell him, so she laughed awkwardly. Cain, however, misunderstood and looked slightly troubled. He seemed to think Yulia was uncomfortable meeting him and was avoiding smiling for fear of prolonging the conversation.
“I thought that even if not in the Duchy, we might see each other and talk often in the Empire… but I guess that’s difficult.”
Difficult? To meet someone who listens to you and smiles at your words?
But Yulia couldn’t easily say that. She felt uneasy thinking Caente wouldn’t like her meeting Cain.
And yet, she also didn’t want to have to monitor every moment of interaction with someone she could finally laugh freely with, just to keep Caente satisfied.
From the start, their marriage had involved money, and she had been accumulating debt with Caente, but she didn’t want to continue living in a relationship where she would forever need his permission.
“How long do you plan to stay in the Empire?”
“At least three to four months. Since the last Imperial party, there have been many inquiries about the Pink Diamond, so I came to open a branch in the Empire.”
Looking into Cain’s eyes, which revealed no hint of selfish intent, Yulia made up her mind.
“Then… let’s take it slow.”
She would try becoming friends with Cain.
“Slowly?”
“Yes. If we spend time together, won’t there be opportunities to grow closer? You’ll attend multiple parties, and you’ll meet my brother often as well.”
She thought that Caente probably wouldn’t want a lifetime of having to seek someone’s permission to meet others.
What people exchange isn’t always something visible. Though hard to explain precisely, Yulia remembered moments when Cain had seemed considerate, unlike when they first met, and it gave her hope.
Caente had certainly changed, and if that change was because of her influence, it meant she wouldn’t always have to tiptoe alone. Eventually, they could stand side by side and walk together.
Another hope also grew for Yulia.
“Ma’am, something good happened?”
“Yes, it did.”
“What is it?”
On the carriage ride back after dropping off the Baroness, Yulia couldn’t stop smiling. It was because of what she had learned from Cain.
—If you earn money as a performer, once your name becomes somewhat known, a year of touring the continent could earn enough to buy a modest estate.
Cain had explained this when Yulia mentioned she didn’t hold her own concerts. The money a cellist could make was more than she realized. Even before the marriage discussion, she had heard that a famous music teacher could surpass nobles with substantial estates, but she hadn’t expected this much.
If she managed it well, she could fully support her family and even revive her family’s fortune. While performances in the Empire were limited to royal or noble venues, the Casad Kingdom had several concert halls. If things went well, she might be able to handle upcoming matters on her own.
“Even just playing the cello well could allow you to earn big by performing across the continent.”
“Really? But why earn big money? You’re already rich, ma’am.”
That’s Caente’s money, not hers. If she could live independently without relying on it, walking side by side with someone would seem closer.
Hiding the details of her situation, Yulia smiled and answered simply:
“I still… want to succeed with the cello.”
It was a sincere answer. While earning money mattered, knowing her performance held such value was even better.
Lucy, as if it were natural, encouraged Yulia’s words.
“You can do it. I don’t know much about music, but watching you practice the same piece dozens of times without losing patience and always making it sound beautiful…”
When Yulia returned to the mansion, she practiced the cello more diligently than usual, her heart light. Caente might not allow her to become a professional performer, but she planned to bring up the Emperor’s request for the summer party when the time came.
If she could do that, it might even help improve the strained financial relationship. At the same time, her dream of being a professional performer, previously abandoned due to marriage, began to bloom again in her heart.
“I need to buy more sheet music tomorrow. Ah, maybe I should rehire Mr. Stevenson…”
If the Emperor recognized her skill at the summer party, things might go more smoothly. She realized she needed to learn more pieces and considered whether to buy sheet music or rehire a music teacher. Time passed quickly as she continued practicing.
“Ah! You startled me! When did you get here?”
Her stomach growled, and when she looked up, it was evening, and Caente was standing at the bedroom door, apparently having been there for some time.
“You could’ve told me you were coming. I didn’t even realize it was dinner time… Shall we go eat?”
Yulia put away the cello and approached smiling, but Caente’s face darkened further at her smile.
“Who did you meet today?”
She hadn’t planned to tell him, but somehow he had heard.
