I Proposed Because You Were Terminally Ill - Chapter 34

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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 34

 

“If it’s too difficult for you, I could adjust that clause slightly.”

 

“I’m not really struggling with it.”

 

“You don’t need to pretend you’re fine.”

 

“I really am fine. I’m satisfied, I tell you.”

 

Cassian’s straight forehead creased deeply.

 

“Don’t lie. Today you were staring intently at me mingling with other young ladies.”

 

“What? Me?”

 

“You don’t need to make excuses. You left the party because you couldn’t stand the jealousy.”

 

“Ah, I suppose it could have looked that way.”

 

Damia nodded belatedly. Her reaction seemed like she hadn’t expected it at all.

 

“It wasn’t really like that… But why are you being so concerned about me today?”

 

“…I’m not. It’s the same as usual.”

 

“Hmm, did you perhaps find a young lady you liked today?”

 

“What?”

 

“You don’t need to feel guilty toward me. I’m on your side, Young Duke. I could even give you romantic advice.”

 

This was absurd. Cassian let out a hollow laugh.

 

“Romantic advice. Are you serious?”

 

“Um… Yes!”

 

“…Really?”

 

“I’m telling you I am. There’s no need to change the contract, so let’s keep it as is.”

 

He had tried to modify that clause out of consideration for Damia, but he hadn’t expected to be rejected like this.

 

And so decisively, as if she had no interest in Cassian’s private life from the beginning.

 

His insides felt twisted again.

 

“…Since this engagement came about through your greed, don’t interfere until I die.”

 

Was that why? The words that had been circling in his mouth burst out in anger.

 

“Can you really do that?”

 

Regret flooded in the moment he said it, but it was too late to back down.

 

He glanced sideways at Damia.

 

He felt anxious, wondering if he had said something too harsh. But he felt like Damia would only be honest if he went this far.

 

“How many times are you going to ask? I understand, I tell you. I can do it.”

 

What? Are you serious?

 

“I understand everything, so just don’t die early, Young Duke.”

 

“You…”

 

“Sigh, I really don’t know why you’re acting like this today.”

 

Damia, who had been shaking her head, paused.

 

She seemed to have belatedly noticed Cassian’s stern expression.

 

“Um, Young Duke. I’m asking just in case.”

 

“What is it.”

 

“Since I really won’t interfere, are you perhaps feeling a bit lonely?”

 

“Don’t say such ridiculous things.”

 

Cassian’s red eyes wavered. It felt like she had hit the mark.

 

“Actually, I… my heart really feels like it’s being torn apart, but I’m trying hard to endure it in case it makes you uncomfortable.”

 

At that moment, his frustrated feelings seemed to settle down refreshingly.

 

“…Really?”

 

“Yes, do you really need to confirm it?”

 

Damia’s voice trembled thinly as if she felt wronged. To Cassian’s ears, it sounded quite sincere.

 

“Young Duke?”

 

Instead of answering, Cassian quickly turned his head away.

 

He had to bite his lips to suppress the laughter that was about to burst out. He didn’t want Damia to catch him smiling.

 

* * *

 

The two returned to the garden where the tea party was in full swing.

 

“Young Duke!”

 

Cassian was immediately surrounded by young lords and ladies of his age.

 

Even so, he pretended to be indifferent while glancing at Damia.

 

‘She told me not to interfere, but why is the Young Duke himself paying so much attention to me?’

 

Damia, who was holding a glass of juice a step away, tightened her grip.

 

“That took quite a while? Is Miss Damia feeling better from her dizziness now?”

 

When Cassian nodded, the surrounding young ladies’ eyes sparkled.

 

Unlike when he was being childishly petty in front of Damia, he looked very composed.

 

“We’ve heard rumors about the friendship between the late Viscountess Ponti and Countess Sarkis.”

 

“An engagement formed through that connection – what a beautiful story!”

 

The topic seemed to have shifted to their engagement.

 

“But… I didn’t know it was an engagement decided without regard to the Young Duke’s wishes.”

 

Perhaps conscious of Damia, one girl whispered in a very low voice.

 

‘I can hear everything. Everything.’

 

Due to the close distance, even the whispers were clearly audible.

 

It wasn’t particularly unpleasant. She already knew such rumors were circulating, and didn’t feel the need to correct them.

 

She had no intention of monopolizing Cassian forever, and wanted to respect the private life he had emphasized so much.

 

“Who said it was an engagement without regard to my wishes?”

 

Cassian’s voice, which she thought would pass it off casually, was sharper than expected.

 

“Ah, is that perhaps the young lady’s wishful thinking?”

 

Cassian smiled crookedly. It was a pleasant voice, but there was an edge to his words.

 

‘Why is he really acting like that? Has he grown fond of me in the meantime?’

 

She couldn’t figure it out at all. Damia shook her head slightly.

 

* * *

 

At that time, at the Soro Viscount’s Mansion.

 

Drury was kneeling in the Viscount’s study.

 

She was bowed so deeply that her forehead nearly touched the cold marble floor.

 

Her whole body trembled with humiliation.

 

“I swear, I really swear I didn’t know.”

 

The Viscount, who was kneeling beside her, cried out desperately.

 

Father also seemed terrified. Drury felt her pride hurt even more by that fact.

 

“Raise your head.”

 

Drury slowly lifted her gaze. A young man was sitting in her father’s seat.

 

Vertically elongated pupils, blood-red eyes.

 

An overwhelming presence she had never experienced before, one that could easily suppress even the Soro family, who were born with thick Dragon Clan blood.

 

This was ‘that person’ whom her father uniquely feared.

 

The strongest and most cunning among the existing Dragon Clan. The man who therefore reigned as their master.

 

“You suffered humiliation trying to kidnap a single human wench.”

 

“I’m sorry, Master. I never dreamed that insignificant wench was hiding such power.”

 

The man had failed spectacularly trying to kidnap Damia Ponti alone.

 

It had been something he did for amusement, but he ended up with scars all over his body because of a mere human wench.

 

“Haha, aren’t you ashamed to report your incompetence?”

 

“That… is all my fault. I should have investigated that wench more thoroughly…”

 

“The treatment was botched too.”

 

The man irritably rubbed his face. His features were objectively handsome, but his skin was blotchy and mottled.

 

New flesh grew irregularly between the red and purple scars.

 

‘That little girl Damia Ponti did this?’

 

It was difficult to inflict even a single wound on the Dragon Clan with a blade.

 

To think that fragile little girl had left such scars on the strongest among them.

 

Drury still couldn’t believe it. No, she didn’t want to believe it.

 

“I should have returned to the capital long ago, but it’s impossible looking like this.”

 

“I-I will punish the physician. If you wish, I’ll prepare him for you to torture personally.”

 

“What kind of mess is this, all from trying to kidnap one human wench.”

 

“I’m sorry, Master. I failed to prepare properly.”

 

Drury squeezed her eyes shut at her father’s servile behavior.

 

“Exactly!”

 

When the man slammed the desk, the entire room trembled.

 

At his sudden rage, not only the snakes in their cages but even the snake he had been petting beside him writhed in distress. Drury also hunched her shoulders.

 

The rumor that he carried the thickest blood of the Mad Dragon among the existing Dragon Clan seemed to be true, as he was extremely hot-tempered.

 

“If I had known in advance, that wench would already be buried at the bottom of my Nest!”

 

He shot to his feet. The chair slid backward and hit the wall.

 

“I should have tortured her immediately to find out who was behind her!”

 

The man strode toward them, pointing accusingly. Even his fingertips were flushed red with anger.

 

“Why aren’t you bringing her here right now!”

 

“Th-the Sarkis Palace is protecting that wench. The security is too tight… it’s difficult to move without being spotted.”

 

“Haha.”

 

“Moreover, as you said, Master… capturing her alive and intact is more difficult. It would be easier to just kill her.”

 

The man who had been rubbing his eyes looked up.

 

“I will not allow anyone other than myself to lay a hand on her.”

 

“Master…”

 

“Are you in your right mind? If I possess her, she could become a weapon, and you want to kill her instead?”

 

“Th-then we need to create a reason for that wench to leave the palace.”

 

The snake hissed as if terrified, yet coiled around his arm as if begging for mercy.

 

“Yes. I should teach that insolent wench what fear truly is.”

 

He slowly stroked the snake’s head.

 

“She has a father, you said. It wouldn’t be bad if something unfortunate happened to her only remaining parent.”

 

In the darkness, the man’s smile deepened.

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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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