Chapter 76
Riena Dyke’s Confusion (2)
“Then?”
“I paid the inn staff to watch over Aaron until we returned. But it seems they just took the money and ran.”
Seeing Bianca looking genuinely upset, it seemed that her words were true.
“I understand. That aside, the room’s condition is terrible. We can’t leave a sick child here, so I’m thinking of moving to another place.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And once Aaron fully recovers, return to your estate. I’ll help you use a magical portal when you leave.”
“But…!”
Bianca started to protest, but the Countess stopped her.
“Alright, I understand. Thank you for taking care of us even when you have so much on your mind.”
“Then we’ll leave now. Someone will arrive soon, so make sure to pack until then.”
Riena passed the two of them coldly and left the room. Cassel, who had been silently watching them, followed her without a word. Then he took off his coat and draped it over Riena’s shoulders.
“Thank you.”
Riena barely managed to reply and quickly left the inn. The sky, which had been glowing with sunset when she arrived, had now grown considerably darker.
Riena tried to appear calm as she accepted Cassel’s escort to the carriage. Yet, on the way back to the ducal residence, she could not bring herself to meet his gaze.
It wasn’t that she felt burdened by his unconditional affection.
It was just… her heart was in turmoil.
Riena buried her face in her hands, ashamed to look at him.
‘Why is it that Cassel only ever sees me like this?’
Cassel knew everything about her situation.
He had already witnessed how the Countess Dyke had treated her at the Dyke estate, and he knew what had happened with Marquis Lotman.
Even after seeing it all, Cassel had not faltered. On the contrary, he had coldly pushed them away and protected her.
So, for Cassel—who already knew everything—there was no reason for her to feel embarrassed showing him what had happened with the Countess Dyke again.
Yet today felt different.
Previously, she had been slightly embarrassed to show Cassel her inner struggles, but today, an overwhelming emotion unlike any before had overtaken her.
Yes. Riena could not bear the shame she felt now.
In front of Cassel, she felt completely exposed, as if all her flaws were laid bare.
Even if Raoul, Johannes, Amy, Ryan, or even a stranger she accidentally met on the street had seen her like this, it would not have been this humiliating.
Why was she suddenly reacting like this? What had changed in her heart?
Riena recalled the day she went with Cassel to meet Noah at the Marquis of Lorraine’s residence.
That day, on the return carriage, he had said he didn’t want to show her this side of himself.
At least to Riena, he wanted to only show a good image.
He had felt confused, not by his complicated family circumstances, but because he had allowed his beloved nephew—the son of his loving brother—to be treated so poorly until now.
At that moment, Riena had seen him as remarkably mature and composed.
It wasn’t Cassel’s fault that he hadn’t known about Noah. If anything, it wasn’t entirely his fault—circumstances just hadn’t allowed it.
Cassel had acknowledged everything and handled the problem with a mature attitude.
Even as a child, he had been like that: timid yet willing to admit his shortcomings and move forward. As a result, he had grown into the perfect head of the Winkler family.
But Riena… what about her?
<So this is nothing compared to what you’ve endured all these years of being disregarded?>
She had tried to escape this unfair situation but perhaps had also conformed and given up.
She had attempted to handle the Countess’s actions herself, following Cassel’s example, but in the end, she had relied on his help.
Though she often advised Cassel as if she were a mature adult, in truth, she was the inexperienced, helpless one.
She had wanted to show Cassel only the best of herself, yet here she was, in such a state.
Cassel’s memory of Riena was probably of the young girl leading him wisely and responsibly.
But now, knowing she had grown up so fragile, would Cassel still love her?
Would he still look at her with the same affectionate eyes?
She felt anxious, afraid.
At that moment, Cassel asked from across from her,
“Are you alright?”
Despite Riena’s worries, his voice still carried concern and affection.
Encouraged, Riena lifted her head. She met Cassel’s unwavering blue eyes.
The gaze she had always seen—in dreams, and after their reunion.
Eyes that only looked at her, eyes that would do anything for her, eyes filled with resolute will.
In that moment, Riena fully realized.
This man—Cassel Winkler—loves her.
She didn’t know when or how it had started, but he had always desired her.
This intense and steadfast feeling would not waver, even if he saw all her flaws.
She also realized why she had not wanted Raoul or Johannes to see her like this, yet today, the Countess Dyke’s and Bianca’s tyranny had felt unbearably humiliating.
Because her heart toward Cassel had changed.
Riena Dyke loved Cassel Winkler.
She didn’t know when this feeling had begun.
Like clothes slowly soaked by drizzle, her heart had quietly filled with love for Cassel over time.
She wanted to show only her best self because she liked him.
She didn’t want to leave him because she loved him.
And she didn’t want to be a flaw in his eyes because she cherished him.
Only the emotion of love had thrown her into such confusion.
Once she acknowledged her feelings clearly, the emotions that had simmered inside her exploded.
Joy, exhilaration… and more.
A single tear fell from Riena’s right eye.
It was not a tear of sorrow. On the contrary.
Yet Cassel, unaware of her inner struggles, was puzzled and asked,
“Riena, why are you crying?”
“I…”
Riena could not utter a word.
Like a newborn fawn, newly aware of love, everything felt confusing.
She wanted to confess all her feelings openly but hoped to do so beautifully, not in such a messy way on a carriage.
She wanted to confess properly, in a suitable place, with a pretty face.
She thought that was the proper courtesy toward Cassel, who had always waited for her.
When she fell silent, Cassel grew more anxious.
“If you’re worried about Aaron, I promise to take full responsibility and ensure his recovery.”
Riena shook her head.
“If you’re worried the Countess Dyke might return, I’ll make sure she never sets foot in the estate again.”
“No, it’s not that…”
“Then why are you crying? If I know the reason, I can help somehow.”
Just then, the carriage arrived at the estate and came to a stop. Riena wiped her tears and forced a bright smile.
“Let’s go inside and talk. Or… I’ll organize my thoughts first, then come find you. So please wait a little.”
Leaving those words, Riena hurriedly descended from the carriage and headed to her room. She felt Cassel closely following but did not send him away.
By the time she reached the room, Cassel swiftly entered behind her and closed the door.
Riena tried to offer him a seat, but Cassel grabbed her arm and stepped close.
In an instant, she found herself pressed against the door, trapped in his embrace.
She remembered a dream where Johannes had treated her this way.
Even in a dream, she had felt intimidated and fearful, wanting to escape his grasp.
But now was different. Cassel was larger than Johannes or Raoul, yet Riena felt no fear.
Perhaps it was because she knew he could not harm her.
Cassel spoke with a slight strain,
“I know you said I should wait, and I should. That’s only right. But I cannot leave you alone; I am too worried.”
“……”
“I was afraid something might happen while I was away, that I might lose you again.”
The word “lose” felt peculiarly heavy. The word “again” was also meaningful.
Riena quickly concluded it referred to their separation as children and looked up at him.
