Chapter : 24
Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, I ducked low inside the carriage, flattening myself so I wouldn’t be seen through the window.
Only when the carriage began to move did I finally breathe in relief.
“Your Grace, honestly—how could you just hug me like that in such a crowded place?”
It was obvious that I had just created a scandalous memory that would be gossiped about endlessly. I glared at Duke Cassiar, but he seemed utterly unaffected.
In fact, he even looked like he might be enjoying the situation.
“If you disliked being in my arms so much, you could’ve simply lifted yourself into the air with a flick of your finger. You do know how to use levitation magic, don’t you?”
I imagined him actually doing that—floating me into the air with a single finger—and decided to drop the scolding altogether.
That really would’ve been a spectacle to remember.
“Riel, if your leg was hurt, why didn’t you tell me sooner? How long have you been enduring that?”
Edelonian’s eyes filled with concern when he noticed my swollen ankle.
It wasn’t even that bad—certainly not enough to worry him this much.
“It’s just a slight sprain. His Grace already gave me some first aid, so I’m fine now.”
“I feel terrible. You were hurt, and I didn’t even notice—I was too caught up in my own excitement.”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry. Roan’s vacation is only for a few days, and now it seems we won’t even be able to have dinner out.”
“Dinner doesn’t matter. What matters is that you heal quickly. Thanks to you and His Grace, I’ve had a wonderful time today.”
Even as he said that, Edelonian’s attention stayed on my ankle, guilt written across his face.
“It’s a shame, but I think you should return to the marquis’s residence now, Riel.”
He was right—on this leg, I couldn’t go anywhere else. But ending the day like this left me feeling uneasy.
It wasn’t as if I got to see Edelonian often.
“Riel, would you be all right at the ducal estate?”
Cassiar’s voice reached me just as I was feeling deflated.
“Pardon?”
Why bring up the ducal estate all of a sudden?
“You may rest there as you please. Didn’t you say you missed Fanny’s cooking?”
“Do you mean…”
“If you’re comfortable with it, I’d like to invite Roan to dine at the ducal estate tonight.”
“Really?”
At the ducal estate, I could rest my injured leg in peace—there were spare clothes and soft slippers waiting for me there.
And it would be nice to treat Edelonian to dinner after so long.
“Yes. You said Roan was like a brother to you, didn’t you? Then it’s only proper that I treat him as such.”
“Roan, would that be all right with you?”
“It would be an honor, if His Grace is inviting me.”
Roan accepted Cassiar’s invitation happily.
“Thank you so much, Your Grace,” I said, clasping my hands together, my eyes shining with gratitude.
At that moment, even my earlier embarrassment felt forgivable.
“There’s no need to thank me. We are husband and wife, after all.”
The word husband and wife slipped easily from Cassiar’s lips.
Once, it had felt like a shackle—but now, somehow, it gave me a faint sense of reassurance.
What on earth was I thinking?
Cassiar was only being kind because I was cooperating with his plans for now.
If I tried to escape, he’d use my parents and acquaintances at the marquis’s residence as hostages to control me.
I mustn’t forget that.
I couldn’t allow myself to grow used to his kindness—
because one day, that kindness could turn into a blade aimed at me.
When I arrived, Fanny rushed out to greet me, her smile warm and familiar.
“Fanny, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Oh no, my lady, I’ve missed you terribly! I kept wondering when you’d come back.”
Her way with words had only gotten more charming since I’d last seen her.
“You haven’t changed at all, Fanny.”
“The estate felt so empty without you, my lady. It’s wonderful to have you back. But—your leg, are you hurt?”
She’d noticed something strange about the way I was walking.
“I think I twisted my ankle a bit.”
“It’s quite swollen, my lady. Please, let me help you.”
Fanny moved to support me, while Cassiar—eyes fixed on my ankle—turned to Kyle.
“Kyle, summon the physician.”
“Yes, right away.”
Kyle conjured a messenger bird and sent it flying, just like last time.
All this for a twisted ankle?
“That’s really not necessary, Your Grace. It’ll be fine if I just rest for a while.”
“Are you a doctor?”
“Well, no, but—”
“Then we’ll wait for a professional opinion. Leaving it untreated could make it worse.”
Cassiar was being so attentive it was almost embarrassing.
Even when the carriage stopped at the estate—
‘What are you doing?’ I’d asked when he crouched down.
‘Didn’t you say you disliked being carried in my arms?’ he’d replied.
He had offered me his back to carry me instead.
I had to insist I could walk on my own just to avoid that mortifying scene.
Honestly, he was far too immersed in this husband role.
Anyone watching would think he was truly a devoted spouse.
“This might take a while,” Kyle said tactfully. “I’ll guide our guest to the dining hall.”
“Please do,” Cassiar replied.
Sensing that our conversation would drag on, Kyle led Edelonian away.
“What on earth are you thinking?” I asked Cassiar bluntly once Edelonian was out of sight.
“What do you mean?”
He didn’t even understand?
His excessive kindness today had already caused more than enough awkward situations.
It would’ve been sweet if we were truly lovers—but when everything was just an act, it was overwhelming.
“Your Grace, you’ve been too kind to me today.”
“I was only fulfilling my role as your husband. Is that a problem?”
He sounded genuinely serious about it.
Maybe he really had studied those romance novels Kyle kept giving him for reference.
If that was the case, he might start reenacting scenes straight from those books—and that, I had to stop.
“Your Grace, we’re not actually married out of love. So let’s just act the part enough to avoid suspicion—nothing more.”
“So what you’re saying is, I should only pretend to be a husband?”
“Exactly.”
Quick on the uptake, as always.
His social inexperience I could forgive, but learning romance through books? That was concerning.
“Then can you do the same?” he asked. “Can you treat Roan moderately?”
Why bring Roan into this now?
“There’s no reason to hold back with him. Roan’s not fake—he’s someone truly precious to me.”
I meant that unlike Cassiar, Roan was real—not bound by any contract.
“Then I won’t hold back either. Roan is clearly someone special to you.”
What—was he saying he’d target Roan now?
So that’s what all this kindness was about—he’d been trying to lower my guard to get information on Roan.
“Fine. Do whatever you want, Your Grace. You wouldn’t stop even if I asked, would you? But remember this.”
The warmth his earlier concern had stirred in me vanished, replaced by sharp resolve.
I met his gaze with cold determination.
“Whatever plans you make, I won’t waver in protecting the people I love. No matter what happens, I’ll find a way to put you to sleep and leave this place exactly as I came.”
I turned from him without another word.
I’d known from the start what kind of man he was—yet somehow, I still felt betrayed.
If I’d known this would happen, I never would’ve brought Roan here.
I should’ve kept my distance.
“I’ll try,” his voice came softly from behind me after a long silence.
“To make your heart change.”
It was clearly a warning—
yet his low, resonant voice sounded almost… sorrowful.
‘Riel, I think His Grace is kinder than I expected. I felt a little jealous, as though I was losing you, but you seemed happy. So I’m glad. It’s late, but… congratulations on your marriage.’
Edelonian had said that when he left after dinner.
I’d played the part of Cassiar’s affectionate wife perfectly, and thanks to that, Edelonian had departed without suspicion—blessing our supposed marriage.
Everything ended without incident.
And yet, something still felt wrong.
The reason was Cassiar.
After boldly declaring he’d “go after Edelonian,” he’d done nothing of the sort.
He’d simply eaten in silence, never prying about Roan—not a single question.
It was as if he didn’t want to intrude on the time between me and Roan.
I couldn’t read him at all.
I lay sprawled on the bed in my guest room, then sat up abruptly.
What good was it to sit here worrying? It wasn’t as if I’d find any answers.
Now that everything was over, I might as well return to the marquis’s estate.
I didn’t want to see Cassiar’s face any longer today.
But the moment my foot touched the floor—
A sharp, splintering crack echoed from my ankle, and pain like fire shot through my entire body.
“Ahh!”
I screamed and collapsed, clutching my right ankle in agony.
“My lady, what’s wrong?”
At the sound, Fanny burst in, followed by Cassiar—and the physician, who must have just arrived.
“My ankle… it hurts so much…”
Lying helplessly on the floor was mortifying, but the pain was too intense to care.
In the end, I had no choice but to rely on the one person I least wanted help from. Cassiar lifted me gently back onto the bed.
“Oh dear… there’s a fracture in your right ankle bone. Did you continue walking after you first twisted it?”
The young physician from last time examined me using magic, shaking his head.
“Yes, I walked a little… in heels.”
“That explains it. The strain from walking in high heels made the bone crack. You’ll need to stay in bed until it heals completely.”
No—that couldn’t be!
If I was going to rest, it had to be back at the marquis’s house.
“Can’t I at least return home first?”
“You’ve felt the pain yourself, my lady—walking is out of the question.”
Just remembering how it felt to touch the floor made me shudder.
“What about crutches?”
“Those would take time to craft, and by the time they’re ready, your ankle should already be healed.”
For once, I longed for the efficiency of the world I used to live in.
“Well, if His Grace carries you to the marquis’s residence, that might work,” the physician added.
Absolutely not.
“I’ll prescribe something for the inflammation. Please take it regularly. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
The physician, unnerved by my sharp glare, hurriedly took his leave.
I hadn’t meant to scare him.
Once he was gone, only Cassiar and I remained.
“Don’t worry,” I said quickly. “I’ll find a way to manage on my own.”
I didn’t want to depend on him any more than I already had.
But as I tried to get off the bed, Cassiar stepped closer and sat beside me.
Gently, he caught my sleeve and looked up at me with eyes full of quiet longing.
Then, in a low whisper, he said—
“Don’t go.”
