For the heart - Chapter 52

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 52

 

* * *

 

Nina and Casian arrived at the ducal palace around early evening.

 

Though Tark had quietly disappeared, no one spoke about his whereabouts. As if they all knew this would happen.

 

They were able to reach the ducal palace faster than expected because everyone was skilled at horseback riding.

 

They had prepared a carriage just in case, but Nina never had to ride in it.

 

Upon entering the ducal palace, Nina and Casian were inwardly amazed.

 

It was larger than they had imagined, and more splendid than any palace they had seen in other countries.

 

Especially the white-bricked annex beside the main castle gleamed as if newly born.

 

Even from a distance, they could tell it was built much more delicately than the main castle, with three round dome-shaped roofs glowing blue.

 

“The building is beautiful.”

 

“It was newly built recently. It’s intended for my future wife to use.”

 

Cesare pointed to the white building while still mounted on his horse.

 

‘I heard he was unmarried, but it seems he’s planning to marry soon.’

 

Nina nodded as if to say “I see.”

 

“Your Highness will be staying there tonight.”

 

At Cesare’s words, both Nina and Casian turned their heads toward him simultaneously.

 

He smiled broadly and spoke casually.

 

“I don’t have a wife yet, after all. Until I get married, I plan to use it for hosting distinguished guests.”

 

“Since I’m only staying one night anyway, there’s no need for that. Simple sleeping quarters will suffice.”

 

Nina declined, feeling burdened by staying in a place meant for the duke’s wife.

 

But Cesare continued speaking gently, as if it didn’t matter.

 

“How could I host the Princess of Arsed so simply? As a duke, I cannot do that. By the way, it’s disappointing that you say you’re only staying one night. You could stay for a long, long time—even for life.”

 

“Ha.”

 

What nonsense is this?

 

He had been irritating from their first meeting, and sure enough, he was transparently revealing his intentions.

 

Though he surely heard Casian’s scoff, Duke Blanche continued smiling at Nina.

 

“The attendants have already made complete preparations for Your Highness to stay comfortably. Please stay at ease, if only for the sake of my attendants who put their hearts into preparing for the Princess of Arsed.”

 

It was Casian who answered the duke’s plea.

 

“I’m looking forward to it. Our day at Blanche Ducal Palace.”

 

“Ah, I’ve prepared the VIP room in the main castle for Duke Montregger to stay in.”

 

“I suppose I’m not a distinguished guest? You just said you’d use that building for hosting distinguished guests.”

 

“Oh my, perhaps my explanation was insufficient. That place is only for hosting female guests. Since it’s a building my woman will use, I find it quite unpleasant for other men to come and go there.”

 

“….”

 

The sound of Casian grinding his molars could be heard.

 

Shortly after, an attendant who had rushed out took the reins of Nina and Casian’s horses and guided them to their respective lodgings.

 

Casian’s eyes didn’t leave Nina’s retreating figure.

 

The duke, who had been walking alongside Casian, looked straight ahead and spoke.

 

“Your abilities are remarkable. To survive falling from Ruwan Cliff.”

 

“I’m a healer, after all.”

 

“Healers aren’t immortal. I imagine Her Highness must have tried hard to protect you.”

 

The address had already changed from Duke Montregger to “you.”

 

“She would have. She cares for me greatly.”

 

At Casian’s seemingly shameless answer, Cesare turned his head and stared at him intently.

 

Meeting his gaze, Casian smiled broadly just as the duke had done and said:

 

“Though she has used many healers, I’m the only one who became her dedicated healer. There probably won’t be another. No other healer in Her Highness’s life besides me.”

 

“I wonder. Now that continental unification has been achieved, I’m not sure if Her Highness will need a healer anymore.”

 

This time it was Cesare who smiled broadly.

 

The two handsome faces continued their battle of wits with smiles.

 

“Besides healing, there are surprisingly many ways I can help Her Highness. I won’t bother telling you what they are. They’re quite secretive and personal matters.”

 

The duke’s smiling face finally hardened stiffly.

 

Exhaling roughly and turning his head sharply, he headed toward the main castle ahead of Casian.

 

Casian watched Cesare and ground his teeth again.

 

‘I like him even less than Bern.’

 

* * *

 

Nina and Casian met again in the banquet hall.

 

After relieving their fatigue with baths and changing into new clothes prepared by Duke Blanche, their disheveled appearances became as radiant as they had been at the Arsed Imperial Palace.

 

Casian, who had arrived first, felt the corners of his mouth slowly rise as soon as he saw Nina entering.

 

Those light yet proper steps that made no sound, and that emotionless expression that revealed nothing of her thoughts.

 

But I knew. What she was thinking, what emotions she felt.

 

Now I even knew what sensations confused her.

 

“If you observe anyone with interest, you’re bound to notice everything.”

 

Had I observed Nina with interest?

 

No. Those words were just an excuse.

 

This wasn’t interest—it was indulgence. Before I knew it, I was indulging in everything about Nina.

 

The reasons for her smiles, the moments she caught her breath, even the emotions hidden deep within her cold gaze.

 

I didn’t want to miss a single thing.

 

‘Even though I know I shouldn’t, I can’t help it.’

 

Though I had been trying to look away, I couldn’t deny that I was falling for Nina.

 

It was the first time in my life I had felt such diverse emotions toward someone.

 

Nina was supposed to be nothing more than ‘the most useful existence to keep as an ally in the Arsed Imperial Palace.’

 

But at some point, curiosity arose.

 

That curiosity quickly grew, bringing various emotions – sometimes pity, sometimes amusement, sometimes such adorable cuteness that I couldn’t help but laugh.

 

Then it reached the point where just thinking about Nina marrying someone made me jealous, and finally led me to desire her.

 

This complex and dizzying thing was merely an ’emotion.’

 

Casian knew well that emotions could protect no one.

 

Yet he had no intention of reining in his desire that reached out toward Nina.

 

Because just looking at her brought him joy.

 

Just like right now.

 

Casian pulled out the chair next to him for Nina, who was scanning with her eyes to see where she should sit.

 

Nina felt her chair and Casian’s chair were too close together, so she sat down after putting a little distance between them.

 

Casian leaned toward Nina and peered into her face.

 

“You’ve become prettier.”

 

“Don’t say strange things.”

 

Nina immediately blocked him, thinking he was trying to tease her again, but her cheeks helplessly heated up.

 

She picked up the water glass that had been placed in front of her and moistened her throat, but the heat that had risen once wouldn’t subside.

 

‘Pretty, he says. Now he’s saying anything. How annoying.’

 

No one except Tila had ever called me pretty.

 

It was an embarrassing word I couldn’t easily get used to.

 

“I’m a bit late.”

 

Just then, the voice of Cezar Blanche entering the banquet hall could be heard.

 

His gaze was cold as he looked at Nina and Casian sitting side by side, but when Nina looked at him, he quickly curved the corners of his eyes in a smile.

 

Soon warm dishes filled the table, and Cezar raised his wine glass.

 

“The first toast should be to celebrate Arsed’s unification of the entire continent.”

 

The clear sound of clinking glasses rang out.

 

But beneath it lurked a sharp, metallic atmosphere.

 

Nina brought the wine glass to her lips while looking back and forth between Cezar and Casian.

 

The two men’s smiles were similar, differing only in temperature.

 

The strangely uncomfortable atmosphere cracked like a glass getting a fracture at Cezar’s words.

 

“It must be good news for the Blanche Principality and Montregger, which became voluntary vassal states, right? Ah, but I suppose it doesn’t matter much to a prince who came as a hostage?”

 

The cold air shook once more at the small laugh that brushed the end of Cezar Blanche’s words.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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