31. Contract Concluded
2024.05.31.
After Rio left, Cassel continued the conversation that had been interrupted.
“Just being able to help you, My Lady, makes this marriage meaningful to me.”
“How could that be meaningful? A contract is supposed to be an exchange between both parties.”
“You’ve already given me so much.”
She didn’t ask the foolish question of what exactly she had given him.
It was obvious Cassel was referring to what Riena had done for him as a child.
“But anyone would’ve done that.”
“No. If it had been someone else, they wouldn’t have. Even your stepsister didn’t take kindly to me, did she?”
“Well, that’s just Bianca…”
“My Lady, you’re so kind and warm-hearted that you might not understand what I’m saying. But the world isn’t that forgiving. It’s not kind to a cowardly little boy who couldn’t even look after himself.”
From the unwavering tone of Cassel’s words, Riena could get a glimpse into the life he had led.
The journey from being a frightened little Castor to becoming the Duke Winkler who could command respect wasn’t an easy one.
“So please, allow me now to repay the kindness you and your father showed me.”
“…Still, it feels like too much.”
“As I said, not at all.”
Cassel was resolute. Riena knew she wouldn’t be able to persuade him.
‘Well, I can just manage it myself and be careful how I use it…’
Even if there were no limits on the available funds, she could set her own restrictions.
Riena decided to take a step back on this topic.
“Alright. We’ll go with that. But in return, I want you to add one clause to the contract that reflects your own wishes. As it stands, I can’t sign it.”
Cassel let out a low sound from his throat.
It sounded much like a large feline growling.
After a moment of thought, he finally offered a condition.
“I hope you’ll be happy throughout the duration of this marriage.”
“That’s not acceptable.”
Riena dismissed his suggestion with a laugh in her voice.
“My emotions aren’t something I can control. Even if I promise, ‘I’ll be happy!’—I might not be. Of course, I’m happy now and probably will be in the future, but that’s different.”
Cassel frowned but didn’t argue. Instead, he made another proposal.
“Then how about this?”
“What is it?”
“No matter what happens, I hope you won’t give up on yourself.”
“What exactly do you mean by ‘not giving up’?”
“…”
“We have to be specific if we’re going to put it in a contract.”
Once again, Cassel fell silent. Riena didn’t press him and simply waited patiently.
After a moment of reflection, Cassel finally spoke.
“There’s no need to put that in writing.”
He quickly added before Riena could object:
“You and your father already did so much for me. Even when I was staying at the Dyke estate, he provided everything without any support from Winkler. So please, don’t feel burdened.”
“…”
“And it’s fine if you forget what I just said. Just… when things get really hard, I hope you’ll remember what I said. Also…”
He clenched his fists tightly.
“I want you to know that I’ll always be behind you. If anything happens, even if you can’t talk to anyone else, I hope you’ll confide in me.”
Riena was still dazed.
She found it puzzling that Cassel made such a condition, and even more puzzling was the fact that he looked so nervous saying it—it made her uneasy as well.
Still, she could guess what he meant by “not giving up on yourself.”
It probably meant not to choose to end everything, no matter how hard things became.
‘Maybe it’s because he’s lost so many people dear to him?’
Count Dyke was someone Riena respected and loved as a father, but to Cassel, he had also been the one and only mentor.
Perhaps more than just a mentor—like a father figure.
The sudden death of Count Dyke must have been a huge shock not only to Riena but to Cassel as well.
He was a man who had lost his biological father not long ago, and now his mentor.
Worse, as a child, he had lost both his mother and older brother within less than a year.
Cassel—no, Castor—probably cherished Riena, who shared those memories with him, and didn’t want to lose her too.
There were many people who cared for him.
Sandra, the head maid, her daughter Amy, and many others in the mansion all admired and cherished Cassel.
But they were all servants. None stood on equal ground with him. None could comfort him as a peer.
Riena, however, was different.
Though their family statuses differed, she was still a noble and, for the time being, his wife.
Even if they divorced, she could still treat him as a childhood friend.
If Riena were gone too, there would be no one left who could naturally be by his side.
If that happened, Cassel would be completely isolated from the world.
With a sigh, Riena finally said,
“Alright. I accept your proposal. It may not be written down, but I understand your condition. So, you may call in Mr. Petel now.”
When Cassel rang the bell, Rio entered from the hallway where he’d been waiting.
“Have you come to a consensus?”
“Yes. No revisions…”
Just as she was about to take the quill pen, Riena paused and placed her hand on Cassel’s as he reached for the document.
She felt his fingers stiffen.
“I have a request too—though I won’t write it down. I’d like you to tell me as well if you’re ever going through something difficult. Just like you asked me to.”
Riena gave him a bright smile.
“And I hope you’ll be happy. I may not be able to do anything grand for you, but I hope that when you suddenly think of me, you’ll remember a happy memory.”
Cassel said nothing. No words, no expression.
But then he raised a hand to his mouth—the one not held by Riena.
Though it wasn’t obvious, he seemed to be experiencing many emotions inside.
Riena smiled with her eyes once more and signed the contract.
Riena Dyke.
Next to her neat signature, Cassel also wrote his name.
Rio Petel smiled warmly.
“Congratulations, you two. My Lady, I’ll be in your care from now on.”
“And I in yours.”
“I also wanted to discuss the wedding date.”
“What about it?”
“I was thinking spring next year, in the capital. Preparation will take some time, and we’ll need to visit the estate in winter anyway. But I’ll follow your wishes if you have other thoughts.”
“No, spring next year is fine.”
In truth, she didn’t care when the wedding was.
‘It’s not even a real marriage. But we’ll need a grand ceremony since people will be watching.’
Rio collected the signed documents and gave a slight bow.
“Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll be staying in the annex, so call on me whenever you need.”
With that, Rio left the office.
Now alone, Riena felt a bit awkward standing face-to-face with Cassel.
Wishing each other happiness, promising always to be there—
To an outsider, it would sound like two lovers whispering sweet nothings.
‘But friends can say that kind of thing too. Of course they can.’
Pressing her warm cheeks with the back of her hand, Riena stood up.
“Well, I’ll get going now. You seem busy—go ahead and get back to work.”
“I’ll escort you.”
“No, it’s fine! It’s just a short walk down the hallway—no need to trouble yourself.”
Truthfully, walking beside him would feel too awkward.
Waving at him, Riena practically ran out of the office.
She didn’t know that Cassel’s gaze lingered heavily on her back.
* * *
A few days later, Madame La Chapelle returned—this time with the dress Riena had asked to be altered.
“We meet again.”
As usual, Madame La Chapelle greeted her with a kiss on the back of her hand, smiling brightly.
“Thank you for taking on my request, even though the time frame was tight.”
“Oh my, it’s my job. I need to check the fit—would you try on the dress?”
With the help of an assistant, Riena changed into the brightest of the dresses.
Before the alterations, it had been a little loose and uncomfortable. Now, it fit perfectly—as though it had been made for her.
It was hard to believe it had only been altered.
“You really did a wonderful job. It fits perfectly and feels comfortable. I don’t even need to try the others.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re satisfied.”
At Madame La Chapelle’s signal, her assistant and the mansion’s maids began bustling around.
Meanwhile, Riena commissioned a new outfit from Madame La Chapelle.
Longer wait for the marriage than I expected