Chapter 5

“Fiancée? What do you mean by that, Young Duke?”

Damia’s father, Baron Ponti, opened his eyes wide in disbelief.

“So an old count is shamelessly trying to take a young girl as his second wife, and the girl’s own father is delighted at the thought of selling her off.”

Cassian’s quiet voice carried obvious mockery.

“Cough…”

Count Pavron cleared his throat awkwardly, his face turning red.
Baron Ponti rubbed his hands together nervously.

“I cannot stand by and watch such a disgusting scheme as her fiancé.”

“Fiancé? Since when have you been engaged to my daughter…?”

“From now on, any disrespect toward my fiancée will be considered a challenge to the House of Sarkis.”

Cassian ignored Baron Ponti’s muttering and continued speaking.

Perhaps because of the authority behind his cold warning, the two older men could only move their lips without daring to argue.

“It was a good thing I came to pick her up. Though I didn’t expect to witness something this disgusting.”

“Huh? You came personally because you missed me that much”

“…”

“I feel the same, Young Duke. I’ve been waiting for you!”

Damia spoke cheerfully and followed the boy out.

* * *

Cassian first led Damia to his carriage.

As expected of the carriage belonging to the Sarkis ducal family—the most prestigious family in the empire—it was extremely luxurious.

Neither her father nor the old count dared to stop him.

In the western region, no one could oppose the power of the House of Sarkis.

“Um, Young Duke… where are we going?”

The two of them sat facing each other inside the carriage.

Cassian leaned back against the seat and frowned slightly.

“So you really were about to be sold to that old count.”

“Did you doubt me?”

Seeing his somewhat sympathetic gaze, Damia raised her head proudly.

“There are countless noble ladies in this empire who make up all kinds of stories just to get my attention.”

“But you still came here personally, which means you realized what I said was true.”

“…That’s right.”

“The medicine worked, didn’t it?”

Instead of answering, the boy slowly brushed back his hair.

As his clean, handsome forehead appeared, Damia unconsciously held her breath.

He’s so handsome you could charge money just to look at him.

It felt like her eyes were being cleansed after being forced to look at that disgusting old count.

“What kind of trick did you use?”

“I can’t tell you that yet. You haven’t accepted my proposal.”

“You think I couldn’t threaten you and force you to tell me?”

“I believe you’re not that kind of person.”

“That’s unfortunate. Because that belief will probably break today.”

Cassian smiled sarcastically.

Damia’s slightly parted lips closed tightly.

What, is he planning to drag me somewhere and threaten me?

But in her previous life, Cassian Sarkis had never lost the dignity of a high noble, even when he was dying.

Even when Count Pavron tried to manipulate that herb in the previous life, Cassian only warned him and stopped there.

So she didn’t think he would do something truly dishonorable.

“No. I don’t think my belief will break today.”

“Why?”

“If you planned to threaten me, you wouldn’t have come here yourself.”

“You’re surprisingly perceptive.”

Cassian let out a quiet laugh and admitted it.

At that moment, the carriage shook slightly.

“Wait… did we already start moving?”

It had been so quiet she hadn’t noticed, but the carriage must have started moving a while ago.

“Let me ask again. Is what you want in return really an engagement with me?”

“Yes.”

“If you want to change your conditions, this is your last chance. I can give you anything you want.”

“All I want is to be engaged to you.”

Even if she received money or land, her father would simply take everything away.

Even if the Ponti family’s finances improved, her father would never stop selling her through marriage.

Even if it was better than marrying Count Pavron, she would still end up promising her life to a stranger.

I’ll secretly save money until the engagement with the young duke ends, then escape to another country.

For example, the neighboring kingdom of Rodion.

Rodion was famous for granting unmarried women broad rights as long as they had money.

“Why are you so determined?”

“I told you. I love you, Young Duke.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll be a convenient temporary fiancée. You can use me as an excuse to chase away annoying noble ladies.”

“Wait. Temporary fiancée?”

Damia nodded slightly.

“Yes. I thought about it, and it would be fine to set a time limit.”

“You said you wouldn’t interfere in my relationships, and now you’re even suggesting a temporary engagement?”

“Yes. I don’t want to become a burden. If you overcome the curse or reach adulthood, I’ll break off the engagement immediately. Of course, it will break my heart.”

“You say you love me, but you can do that?”

“Because I love you so much, I think I can cherish even a short memory for the rest of my life. I also know my place, so I wouldn’t dare hope for a real marriage.”

She didn’t want to repeat another marriage where one side held all the power and love didn’t exist.

But she couldn’t reveal that truth, so Damia did her best to act like a devoted girl deeply in love with her first crush.

“You…”

Cassian let out a quiet sigh.

His red eyes were complicated, as if he had many things he wanted to say.

“What? Ah, does this make you uncomfortable? If you want, I can pretend to be jealous too.”

“Why would I want that?”

Cassian frowned slightly and looked out the window for a moment, thinking.

“You won’t regret those words you just said?”

“Of course not. I could even swear before God. I will never become troublesome.”

“Fine. I accept your proposal. We’re going to see my mother, so prepare yourself.”

Cassian finally spoke as if he had made up his mind.

“Yes, alright. Wait—what? We’re going to the ducal residence?”

“Yes. My mother is curious about you.”

This is happening already?

Seeing Damia’s shocked face, Cassian smiled with satisfaction.

“So you do know how to be surprised.”

“Y-Young Duke, wait! This is too fast! I need time to prepare myself!”

“There’s no time. Besides, I quite like your proposal.”

“What do you mean there’s no time? Why are you so impatient?”

“Why? Because I’m dying soon.”

A shameless smile appeared on his handsome face.

Damia burst into an awkward laugh, speechless.

* * *

“I am Damia Ponti of the Ponti baron family.”

Damia managed to finish introducing herself without stuttering.

Even though it was only a short greeting, her back was already soaked with cold sweat.

The Duke of Sarkis had died long ago.

That meant the only direct members of the ducal family left were the duchess and her son, Cassian.

Was the duke’s death also related to the curse?

Because Cassian had been young, many male relatives from branch families had tried to become the acting duke.

And the one who protected the ducal house from those wolf-like relatives was the Duchess of Sarkis, sitting before her.

She’s as beautiful as if carved from ice.

The reception room of the Sarkis mansion was filled with the most expensive and rare objects in the empire.

And the duchess was even more striking than any decoration in the room.

She was famous for smiling while calmly stabbing people with words. Especially anyone who touched what belonged to her.

And the person she cherished most was, of course, her only son, Cassian.

What if she locks me up somewhere for daring to covet Cassian without knowing my place?

Just imagining it made Damia’s legs tremble.

“I wondered why Cassian, who has always lived proudly on his own terms, suddenly started talking about engagement…”

The duchess, who had been silently observing Damia for a long time, finally spoke.

Her flat voice made Damia’s heart tighten.