TYWML 35

35. Baroness Donovan (3)

June 4, 2024

Riena found herself absentmindedly touching her cheek, replaying the conversation with Baroness Donovan in her head.

Come to think of it, she had sounded a little too excited when talking about Kassel.

But there was something odd.

“You’re saying His Grace has feelings for me, too? That can’t be…”

“Of course, it might just be my misunderstanding. But from what I’ve seen, you two seem like you’d live well together. That’s why I feel at ease. Now, Duke Winkler must be waiting, so go on, dear.”

Following the baroness’s lead, Riena left the drawing room.

As soon as she stepped into the hall, she spotted Kassel waiting for her. He gave a faint smile when he saw her.

Seeing him looking at her so intently, Riena felt a small glimmer of hope.

‘Could it be… he likes me?’

She knew it was unlikely Kassel would fall for her after just two weeks, but part of her still wished it were true.

Maybe Kassel really hadn’t forgotten her—and had come all this way to honor the promise they made as children?

Climbing into the carriage with Kassel’s escort, Riena swallowed dryly and watched him as he sat across from her.

Noticing her gaze, Kassel turned from the window to face her.

“Is there something you wish to say?”

Do you like me too? Have you really not forgotten me all this time?

She wanted to ask, but the words wouldn’t come out. Instead, Riena used a brief moment when the carriage paused to move to sit beside him.

Kassel glanced down at her questioningly—as if silently asking, “What are you doing?”—when she gently placed her hand atop his.

This was a kind of test. If Kassel pulled away, she would give up any foolish hopes.

‘But if he doesn’t…’

Holding her breath, Riena waited for his reaction. Kassel flinched slightly—but didn’t pull away.

Emboldened, she slowly interlaced her fingers with his. She just wanted to be a little closer.

It was only their hands touching. And yet, somehow, the warmth between them felt scorching—like pressing her palm against a fireplace.

Lifting her lowered head, Riena looked up at Kassel’s face.

He was staring down at her in a daze. His eyes flickered with emotion. He looked… surprised.

Did I go too far? Maybe he didn’t pull away just to be polite, and she’d misread it and grabbed his hand anyway.

“I—I’m sorry…”

Just as she realized her rudeness and began to pull away, Kassel turned her hand, clasped it firmly so their palms met, and pressed his lips to the back of her hand while looking her in the eye.

Up to that point, it could’ve been passed off as formal etiquette between a gentleman and a lady. But he didn’t stop there.

Kassel slightly parted his lips and gently bit her hand before letting go.

With a faint, wet smooch, Riena’s cheeks turned a soft shade of pink.

From his actions, Riena felt a certain confirmation. But she still couldn’t bring herself to ask out loud.

What if his answer wasn’t what she hoped for?

So instead, she just gave him a quiet smile. Hoping that someday… she’d get to hear his true feelings.

* * *

From that day forward, Riena and Kassel often spent more time together. One major change was that they now had breakfast together.

“Now that I think about it, you always had breakfast alone in your room. Is there a reason for that?”

Kassel had asked suddenly one morning, and Riena replied honestly.

“I’ve always eaten breakfast with family. Even when Father wasn’t there, I ate with other family members. It was never a big, noisy affair, but I liked those cozy morning chats. Eating alone in the dining room just felt… lonely.”

“Didn’t Amy or the other maids join you?”

“Of course Amy and the others helped serve. But it’s not the same. So I decided to just eat alone in my room. I couldn’t exactly ask Amy to dine with me.”

After hearing this, Kassel thought for a moment and then asked:

“I hadn’t considered that. Would you like to start having breakfast with me from now on?”

“With you, Your Grace? No, that’s alright. I can’t take up your time. And I heard you usually don’t eat much in the mornings anyway.”

“I can make time. Then it’s settled—we’ll have breakfast together in the dining room starting tomorrow.”

Riena was a bit skeptical. But the next morning, when she came downstairs, Kassel was already there, waiting.

“You really came.”

“Of course. I gave you my word.”

That said, Kassel barely touched his food. He mostly drank tea while reading the morning paper or had a few bites of omelet.

Still, he never left before Riena finished eating.

Several times, she was tempted to tell him he didn’t have to stay, but she never did.

She appreciated the gesture, and—truthfully—she enjoyed sharing meals and chatting with him.

It felt different from having dinner together.

Peaceful days continued like this. They had breakfast and dinner together, and after dinner, they’d enjoy a light tea time.

The gardener, Ryan, brought her fresh flowers every few days. Amy and the other maids were delightful conversation partners.

From time to time, she’d visit Baroness Donovan’s estate and spend time with the baroness.

Though Riena occasionally worried that Countess Dyke might show up in the capital and cause trouble, no one came looking for her.

Even Raul didn’t send word.

Then, one day—

Kassel, who usually looked composed, sat at the table with an unusually serious expression. As Riena finished her meal, he finally spoke.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

Seeing his grave face made Riena tense up too.

“I have nephews. They’re the children of my brother, who passed away ten years ago.”

This was news to her.

Riena knew Kassel had a brother—Asher—but hadn’t known he was married, let alone that he had children.

Her eyes widened as she tried to make sense of it. Then she abruptly stood and pulled him up.

“This doesn’t seem like the right place for this. Let’s talk more calmly in the study.”

They headed to the private study used only by household members. Compared to Kassel’s office, it was more warmly decorated.

Kassel offered tea, but since she’d just eaten, Riena declined.

“Please, tell me more about your nephews.”

“First… I apologize for not telling you sooner.”

“Don’t apologize. There’s no need. I should be the one apologizing for not noticing. So what happened?”

Kassel clasped his hands tightly, silent, as if struggling to summon memories of his brother.

Riena hesitated, then moved to sit beside him.

She gently took his trembling hand. Kassel turned his head to look at her.

Trying to remain calm, Riena spoke.

“I know how much your brother meant to you. When you got news about him ten years ago, you were devastated.”

“…”

“I understand it’s hard to remember. But if you’re bringing it up now, it must be something that needs to be said, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Then you can tell me. Remember what we said last time? That if something’s hard, we’ll share it with each other.”

Kassel’s trembling subsided. His expression, too, slowly returned to its usual calm.

Riena stood to move back across from him, but Kassel tightened his grip on her hand.

“Would it be alright if we stayed like this… just a little longer?”

“Of course.”

Riena sat back down beside him and held his large hand gently.

He wasn’t shaking anymore, so she hadn’t noticed at first—but his fingertips were cold. He must’ve been tense.

Then, Kassel began his story.

“As you know, I had a brother who was ten years older. From childhood, he was raised as the heir to House Winkler. He met every expectation our parents had—flawlessly.”

Riena nodded silently, showing him she was listening closely.

“At the time, he had been married less than a year. They had no children yet. So when he died suddenly, my sister-in-law’s place in the family became uncertain.”

“…”

“My father wasn’t fond of me, but he had no choice. I began training to become the heir. And my father—claiming he didn’t want to hold back a young woman’s future—sent my sister-in-law back to her family, the Marquess of Lorraine.”

(continued…)