I Proposed Because You Were Terminally Ill - Chapter 46

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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 46

 

Damia dragged Cassian toward the backyard. He kept trying to pick fights with Arsene whenever he got the chance.

 

“Why are you really acting like this?”

 

Instead of answering, Cassian just stared blankly at the garden, which looked much more impressive than it had two years ago.

 

“Young Duke!”

 

Only then did their eyes meet. He tilted his head at an angle.

 

“Look who’s talking.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I only said what needed to be said.”

 

“Why would Arsene staying here require your permission? Father already gave his approval!”

 

Cassian roughly ran his hand through his hair. His displeasure was obvious.

 

“What was Viscount Ponti thinking, letting that guy into his house so easily?”

 

“He agreed to pay for lodging.”

 

“Just for that reason, he’d let a grown man stay in his house?”

 

“We’re childhood friends, I told you.”

 

“I don’t think that’s all there is to it.”

 

He was always perceptive about the strangest things.

 

This would have been unimaginable before. Father used to look down on Arsene, a commoner, with extreme disdain.

 

‘Until he heard rumors that titles could be bought with gold in Rodion.’

 

Moreover, rumors had reached them that Mr. Cadis had achieved considerable success in Rodion.

 

After that, Father completely changed his attitude. He even offered to let Arsene stay at the manor first.

 

Ever since Cassian had extensively renovated the manor, Father had begun to overestimate Damia’s value as a bride.

 

His confidence, born from Father’s delusion, reached the sky. He seemed to be calculating the potential of his daughter, his only asset.

 

‘I can’t tell Cassian all these details.’

 

Contrary to Father’s vain expectations, Arsene and Damia were truly just friends.

 

“That really is all there is to it. He gave permission because it helps with household finances.”

 

“If that guy keeps coming and going and rumors start, you’re the one who’ll be in trouble.”

 

“Who would pay close attention to such a remote place?”

 

“I saw it.”

 

Cassian’s jaw tensed.

 

“What? Then are you going to spread rumors?”

 

“I’m your fiancé.”

 

Cassian’s intention was completely beyond her grasp.

 

He looked very upset, but she couldn’t think of any reason why he should be.

 

“Ah! Are you worried that if bad rumors about your fiancée spread, it might damage your reputation too?”

 

“Ha.”

 

That didn’t seem to be the reason either.

 

“Then what exactly is the problem? I haven’t done anything that goes against our contract.”

 

At those words, Cassian’s face contorted.

 

“Contract.”

 

Though it shouldn’t have been possible, he looked as if that word had clawed across his chest.

 

“If anything, you’re the one dangerously crossing the lines of our contract. This is clear interference!”

 

“So you’re saying that guy, your childhood friend, is part of your private life? That’s why I shouldn’t interfere?”

 

Cassian’s red eyes wavered. Damia was now truly bewildered.

 

“Are you perhaps dissatisfied that we have a contractual relationship?”

 

“No.”

 

She thought he might hesitate for a moment since he was acting so strangely, but unexpectedly, he answered immediately.

 

“Phew, that’s a relief.”

 

“What’s a relief?”

 

“For just a moment, it seemed like you wanted to break the contract. I thought maybe you’d actually come to like me and were feeling jealous.”

 

Cassian’s cheek visibly stiffened.

 

“You’re… relieved that’s not the case?”

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

He looked incredulous. As if he’d received a shock.

 

‘Huh? Why does he look so surprised?’

 

Damia sensed something was off. The back of her neck seemed to stiffen.

 

“…Young Duke?”

 

“What.”

 

“You haven’t actually come to like me, have you?”

 

Cassian’s gaze was sharp, but there was an unidentifiable anxiety lurking beneath it.

 

“That’s impossible.”

 

The voice he finally let out after a long pause was tinged with stubbornness.

 

“Then why are you overreacting to Arsene like this?”

 

“That’s because…”

 

Cassian’s Adam’s apple bobbed significantly.

 

“Because what?”

 

“I think of you as…”

 

Cassian’s red eyes shook mercilessly. Damia unconsciously swallowed dryly.

 

‘He’s not about to confess to me, is he?’

 

Though Cassian had already denied it several times, if that wasn’t it, there was no other explanation for his behavior.

 

“You what?”

 

“I think of you as a…”

 

You see me as a woman? Was he really going to utter such a clichéd line?

 

She’d thought his pride was too high to ever like anyone other than himself.

 

“…like a little sister.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Did she just hear something strange?

 

Damia narrowed her eyes. Cassian was fidgeting with his lips, his face flushed with embarrassment.

 

“I think of you like a little sister!”

 

Cassian shouted once more. It sounded almost like a declaration.

 

The fact that those unexpected words seemed sincere made it even more bewildering.

 

“A… little sister?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Damia fell silent.

 

What on earth had Cassian just said?

 

“You think of me like a little sister? So, that means… you think of me…?”

 

She couldn’t understand what a mere seventeen-year-old was saying.

 

Of course, Cassian couldn’t even guess at the time Damia had spent in her previous life.

 

“Well, I suppose that could… make sense.”

 

Damia tried to convince herself. He did act like an adult even with just a two-year age difference.

 

Having lived as the sole heir of the Sarkis Ducal Family for so long, it was possible he might see peers as much younger than himself.

 

Since he was surprisingly kind-hearted, he might feel excessive responsibility toward someone with pitiful circumstances like Damia.

 

“It’s written in the contract too. I’m practically your guardian.”

 

Perhaps noticing Damia’s lukewarm reaction, Cassian added in a somewhat defensive tone.

 

“So you became too immersed in that role and came to think of me as a little sister… is that what you’re saying?”

 

“That’s right. I’m only trying to protect you.”

 

“From my one and only childhood friend?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why?”

 

“He’s the guy who barged into the home of someone who has a fiancé. His intentions are clearly….”

 

“So what if he has some intentions?”

 

It was unlikely, but even if Arsene really did have feelings for Damia, there was no reason for Cassian to care.

 

‘Rather, shouldn’t I be cheering him on since I’ll step aside when the time comes?’

 

But Cassian seemed oblivious to that contradiction. Instead, he ran his hand through his hair as if thoroughly irritated.

 

“Don’t tell me you’re really starting to like that bastard instead of me… Damn it.”

 

He couldn’t even finish his sentence. He seemed displeased even to acknowledge it.

 

“No, Young Duke. That’s not what we’re talking about right now.”

 

“Fine. Either way, I’m your guardian. That’s a contractual matter.”

 

“Why are you being like this today of all days!”

 

“I have a duty to verify this so-called childhood friend of yours. You’re pretty smart, but your judgment when it comes to men is probably terrible.”

 

“What are you even talking about?”

 

The two stared daggers at each other for a long while. Neither showed any sign of backing down.

 

“Alright, let’s do this.”

 

As if something had suddenly occurred to him, life returned to Cassian’s red eyes.

 

“Rather than leaving him here and worrying about it, I should just take him with me.”

 

“You’re not talking about Arsene, are you?”

 

“Why would you think I’m not?”

 

“You’re going to take Arsene to the ducal estate?”

 

“That’s right. That way there’s no risk of rumors spreading, and it’s a good idea in many ways.”

 

Cassian grinned triumphantly.

 

* * *

 

“Are you really going to depart like this?”

 

It was the moment when Cassian was about to board the carriage that carried that detestable Arsene Cadis.

 

At Damia’s sighing voice, Cassian’s jaw tightened.

 

“I truly cannot believe this, Young Duke.”

 

Arsene added his own comment.

 

“Are you serious? Really? For real?”

 

Even Romi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

 

He had been certain it was truly a good idea, but the reactions he received were different from his expectations.

 

“That’s what he’s doing. What can we do about it.”

 

When Damia shook her head disapprovingly, it felt as if he had made a truly terrible decision.

 

“If the Young Duke wishes it, I’m not in a position to refuse, but this is really too much.”

 

When Arsene wore a sorrowful smile, Damia glared at Cassian.

 

‘That cowardly bastard, really!’

 

Cassian bit down hard inside his mouth.

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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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