I Proposed Because You Were Terminally Ill - Chapter 48

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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 48

 

“Can’t sleep, Young Duke?”

 

Cassian, who had been walking through the corridor with a frustrated heart, encountered Arsene, who was no different from the source of his troubles.

 

“I’m enjoying myself thanks to your invitation.”

 

A glossy face wearing guest pajamas, shiny brown hair.

 

Cassian’s eyebrows twitched at the carefree appearance, wondering if this was really the same person who had looked half-dead just moments ago.

 

“What do you want to say?”

 

“I was just trying to formally express my gratitude.”

 

“Cut it out.”

 

“I’m being sincere, so it’s disappointing, Young Duke.”

 

A smile appeared on his pretty face. To Cassian, it only felt fake.

 

“Now that I’m actually here, there is one thing that feels more unexpected.”

 

“What’s unexpected?”

 

“Damia’s attitude. Actually, when I heard about the sudden engagement, I thought Damia must have fallen for her partner at first sight.”

 

Arsene smiled slyly. That smile somehow looked similar to Damia’s, making his stomach twist.

 

“I observed accurately, so why.”

 

“Hmm… Surprisingly, it doesn’t seem to be the case at all.”

 

There were even rumors that the Queen of Rodion showed favor to his father’s trading company.

 

Was that why he could be so bold despite being of common birth?

 

“Your eyesight must be poor.”

 

“I was quite surprised too. Even with such a perfect fiancé right in front of her, Damia’s attention seems to be focused entirely elsewhere.”

 

“What nonsense.”

 

“But Damia doesn’t seem to truly believe and wait for the future of becoming a duchess, does she?”

 

Cassian clenched his fist tightly. That was because he was terminally ill and couldn’t promise her a future.

 

“Then why did Damia get engaged to you, Young Duke? I became curious.”

 

“…”

 

“Was it because you needed Damia, Young Duke?”

 

Arsene didn’t seem to have noticed the deal between the two.

 

He seemed to believe that Cassian had hastily pushed for the engagement because he liked Damia.

 

But it was a strangely accurate observation.

 

Now, between Damia and Cassian, the one who desperately needed the other more was Cassian, who was terminally ill.

 

Whether because of the cure, because of contact, or perhaps…

 

‘Or perhaps, what?’

 

Cassian bit his lips tightly. It would be dangerous to think any deeper.

 

“Since you’re such an amazing person, Young Duke, she might be being cautious.”

 

He said that with an expression as if Damia was far too good for him.

 

Acting harmless in front of Damia, then showing his teeth in front of Cassian.

 

His nerve seemed extraordinary. Usually people would act the opposite way.

 

“Anyway, thank you for protecting my precious friend while I was away.”

 

His chest boiled with anger at the presumptuous thanks.

 

He had a premonition that he would hate that bastard to death from now on.

 

* * *

 

Damia sat at the tea table in the Viscount’s backyard and tilted her teacup.

 

After Cassian had taken care of it, this place had become very peaceful.

 

“Did you call for me, Miss?”

 

A sturdy man wearing a hood approached. Father was out, and thanks to Romi dismissing the servants, there was no one around.

 

“Welcome, Luke.”

 

Having spent several years together, their relationship had become quite solid. Damia never spared rewards, and Luke accomplished anything Damia asked him to do without discrimination.

 

“There’s no one around, so you can show your face.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

Luke slowly removed his shabby hood and cloak.

 

His scarred, tanned skin had become smooth at some point. Not even a trace of beard stubble was visible.

 

The clothes he wore under the cloak were also made of high-quality fabric. His shoes were polished to a shine.

 

Two years ago he looked like someone who had just emerged from an abandoned mine, but now he looked neat and even wealthy.

 

“Wow, I’m really proud.”

 

“It’s thanks to you, Miss.”

 

Damia had generously invested part of the profits earned from herbs into Luke’s appearance makeover.

 

“As you said, Miss, people trust me more than expected.”

 

Luke had been frequenting men’s secret gatherings under the name L lately.

 

Thanks to utilizing Damia’s memories, L had built trust as an investor with foresight. His wealthy appearance also supported that belief.

 

“Count Fabron also seems to believe my words completely.”

 

Damia’s purple eyes sparkled brightly.

 

“When I said development might be halted due to lack of funds, Count Fabron stepped forward himself to gather investors.”

 

Perhaps thanks to Cassian cutting off several funding sources, Count Fabron’s vision had narrowed.

 

Whether he was thirsty for new investment opportunities, he was easily swayed by Luke’s words.

 

“Keep feeding him false hopes. I’m thinking about when to strike and pull out appropriately.”

 

“Miss, actually I’m also tempted. Are you sure there’s no gold mine in the Ortiga Mountains?”

 

“Hmm, it’s fortunate that it sounded plausible even to Luke.”

 

“No, I’m serious. There are even rumors that gold dust was discovered in nearby streams.”

 

Count Fabron from her previous life had also half-believed in this investment, so it was understandable that Luke was tempted.

 

However, back then Fabron had retained at least some rationality.

 

When he noticed suspicious aspects at the last moment, he quietly looked for an escape route.

 

And he pushed Viscount Ponti into the trap instead. Father had bet even his title on risky investments and ended up completely ruined.

 

“Doesn’t the ancient document also mark it as golden cliffs?”

 

“Ah, you mean that map?”

 

“I did stir up several rumors as you instructed, Miss, but that map was a real ancient artifact.”

 

“Right. That one’s real.”

 

“But you’re saying there’s still no gold mine there?”

 

Damia smiled wickedly.

 

“Luke, not everything golden is gold.”

 

“But…”

 

Father had lost everything to that investment in her previous life. After that, he fell ill with worry and passed away early, so Damia remembered everything clearly.

 

There was no gold mine in the Ortiga Mountains. Though it looked more golden than pure gold from afar, in reality it was just worthless fool’s gold, pyrite piled up.

 

“Yes, I’ll believe you since it’s your word, Miss.”

 

Two years ago, Luke was severely injured in the arm by a wolf-type monster. No matter how much treatment he received, the magic couldn’t be completely removed, so he might have had to amputate his arm someday.

 

It was an event equivalent to a death sentence for a mercenary, but Luke saved his life thanks to Damia’s ointment. Luke’s colleagues were the same.

 

After that, Luke began to show almost absolute loyalty to Damia.

 

“I still haven’t found any clues about your mother’s matter. I’m sorry.”

 

Damia also trusted Luke enough to entrust him with even personal matters.

 

“No, it’s okay. I didn’t expect it would be easy to find out.”

 

“Still, I’m sorry.”

 

“I know you’re struggling alone. Since you have to move secretly, it’s difficult to assign additional people.”

 

The old butler of the Viscount’s manor had said he held a grudge against her mother. After hearing those words, Damia had been steadily investigating her mother. But there was still nothing tangible.

 

At first, she thought it was because she wasn’t the wife of an important figure and her family background was humble.

 

But the deeper she dug, the stranger it became. As if someone had intentionally erased the traces, no information could be found.

 

“Maybe it’s time for me to step forward directly.”

 

“What? You personally, Miss?”

 

“Yes. Why are you so surprised?”

 

Luke blinked his eyes as if he couldn’t believe it.

 

“No, it’s just that you don’t really like public activities.”

 

Though his concern was understandable, Damia had already made up her mind.

 

Damia was quite tall for a fifteen-year-old. Thanks to her past life’s experience, pretending to be a noblewoman wouldn’t be difficult.

 

As for her youthful face, well, wearing a mask would solve that problem.

 

“I just need to act like a noblewoman from Rodion. That’s why I asked for fake identification papers a while ago.”

 

Damia rolled her teacup with her fingertips.

 

“Did you think I made all my creations claim to be Rodion-made for no reason? Now I’m going to pretend that the real owner has appeared in the Empire.”

 

Luke let out a short sigh. He seemed to realize that he couldn’t stop Damia.

 

“I’m planning to use this identity later too. I might really go to Rodion someday.”

 

“Are you serious, Miss?”

 

“Yes. Romi said it was a perfect plan, didn’t she?”

 

“Please be more careful with yourself. Please.”

 

His eyes truly looked like he was worrying about Damia as if she were his younger sister.

 

If Cassian was going to claim he thought of Damia as a younger sister, he should learn a thing or two from Luke.

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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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