I Proposed Because You Were Terminally Ill - Chapter 54

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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 54

 

“Oh, Miss! Look over there. They’re about to cut the cake!”

 

While the young nobles were struggling to continue their words, Romi gently tugged at Damia’s sleeve.

 

“Oh my, really?”

 

Thinking she had intimidated them enough, Damia turned her gaze away without regret.

 

The Soro Viscount’s servants were carefully carrying a massive cake to the center of the banquet hall.

 

The three-tiered cake decorated with red camellias was as elaborate and splendid as a work of art.

 

Amid everyone’s cheers, Drury held the cutting knife together with Basili.

 

Basili’s gaze, wearing a constant smile, never left Drury for even a moment.

 

Whatever the truth behind it, they looked like perfect lovers enchanted with each other on the surface.

 

“Congratulations, Miss Drury!”

 

“Blessings on your future together!”

 

Amid the pouring cheers, Basili gestured to summon a servant.

 

The Soro family’s servant approached with a very nervous expression, holding up a small box.

 

The Imperial Family’s crest was engraved in gold on the smooth ebony surface.

 

“Though this is the ring I gave when I proposed…”

 

It seemed Drury had brought out what she had received as an engagement gift and treasured for today.

 

That was probably why the Soro Viscount’s servant, not an Imperial servant, appeared with the box.

 

“Placing this ring on your finger in front of everyone as you come of age will have special meaning.”

 

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

 

“Expect an even more splendid ring at the formal engagement ceremony in the capital.”

 

Envious gasps erupted from the surroundings. A blush also rose on Drury’s pale cheeks.

 

Finally, Basili reached for the ebony box the servant was holding up.

 

Everyone’s gaze lingered on his fingertips. Basili smiled as if enjoying the attention, then slowly lifted the box’s lid.

 

And…

 

“Ah…!”

 

A short gasp burst from Drury’s lips. Her face instantly drained of color, showing despair as if the world had collapsed.

 

“Y-Your Highness…”

 

Her trembling voice was pitiful, as if she would burst into tears at any moment.

 

“The ring… it’s gone!”

 

The banquet hall fell into frozen silence.

 

The guests froze, forgetting even their murmuring. Only a chilling atmosphere circulated in the banquet hall.

 

“Lock all the doors immediately and find the culprit! Don’t let anyone leave this place!”

 

The Viscount’s angry voice burst out as if he had been waiting.

 

It was so natural that it felt like watching an overly well-orchestrated play unfold.

 

Even Drury’s tearful face felt like a precisely carved mask.

 

Damia’s gaze passed the noisy father and daughter and turned to Basili.

 

Basil Velothea was smiling.

 

He didn’t seem particularly surprised. Rather, as if this commotion had nothing to do with him, a hint of boredom even flickered in his golden eyes.

 

“Oh dear. That ring is an Imperial heirloom.”

 

“Y-Your Highness…”

 

Drury’s shoulders trembled finely.

 

At the mention of heirloom, sighs flowed from among the guests as well.

 

“I loved it so much… *sob*, I never took it out of the box even once after receiving it. But why…”

 

As Drury shed tears, Basili gently patted her back.

 

“Well, it’s fine. What in the world could be more important than my beloved fiancée.”

 

Basili looked around at the crowd. Unlike his affectionate tone, only his eyes were sharp.

 

“To steal an Imperial jewel that can’t even be sold anyway. I’m getting eager to see the face of such a bold thief myself.”

 

He was right. Stealing an Imperial heirloom wasn’t simple theft but an insult to the Imperial Family.

 

No matter if the thief was caught, the Soro Viscount Family would find it difficult to avoid responsibility for negligent management.

 

If all of this was an act, Drury had also begun a dangerous gamble.

 

They wouldn’t go to such lengths just to give Damia a hard time…

 

‘So whatever it is, it would be better not to think you took it from me.’

 

Yet Drury’s meaningful words kept coming to mind.

 

Armed knights had already sealed the banquet hall entrances.

 

At the declaration that all guests’ belongings would be thoroughly searched, the cheerful atmosphere vanished instantly.

 

Everyone swallowed their complaints and only watched each other nervously.

 

“I have something to say.”

 

Breaking the silence, a young noble with a freckled face raised his hand.

 

Damia frowned. She remembered seeing this man in her previous life.

 

He seemed to be one of those who clung to Count Fabron with flattery. An ominous premonition flashed through her mind.

 

“It’s about that maid over there. She left her seat alone earlier and returned hurriedly. How about searching her first?”

 

The man’s finger pointed directly at Romi.

 

Under the gazes pouring like arrows, Romi trembled, turning pale.

 

“You… now that I look, your face is familiar.”

 

Drury approached unsteadily. Her blue eyes glittered with anger.

 

With a momentum as if she would strike at any moment, Damia reflexively blocked Romi’s front.

 

“I’ll cooperate sincerely with the search. So please calm down, Miss Drury.”

 

“Move aside. I remember who that maid is now.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Was her name Romi? I was going to dismiss her for sticky fingers, but you insisted on taking her in.”

 

At Drury’s sharp voice, the murmuring grew louder.

 

A poor Viscount family’s daughter and a maid with a history of theft. Suspicious glances flew from all directions.

 

“No need for searches or anything else. First, let’s capture that maid and interrogate her – she’ll spill everything!”

 

At Drury’s fierce glare, the knights roughly grabbed Romi’s arms.

 

“Miss, I’m innocent! You can search me right now!”

 

“You must have already hidden it away. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you have no choice but to confess soon.”

 

If dragged away like this, she would surely be framed for crimes she didn’t commit.

 

“You can’t treat my maid like a criminal without cause. There’s no evidence.”

 

“There’s a witness who said she acted suspiciously! I don’t want to suspect Miss Damia too, so move aside!”

 

People’s gazes grew increasingly sharp. Damia hid Romi behind her back.

 

“You told me to rest in the guest room. My maid simply accompanied me.”

 

“So you mean you were together the whole time? Can you prove it?”

 

Damia’s gaze unconsciously turned toward Basili. The memory of encountering him in the guest room flashed through her mind.

 

What if she lied about being alone with Romi and he contradicted her?

 

Basili twisted his lips. He seemed to have noticed Damia’s thoughts.

 

“…Yes, we were together the whole time.”

 

“Really? Just the two of you?”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

As Basili let out a chuckle, Drury’s face contorted viciously.

 

Damia quickly opened her mouth without giving her a chance.

 

“An engagement ring given by His Highness the Prince – that’s a very precious item. You would naturally have kept it safely.”

 

“Why are you stating the obvious?”

 

“Even though she worked here, are you saying the Viscount’s security is so lax that an ordinary maid could break in and steal something in such a short time?”

 

Drury seemed at a loss for words, her lips twitching.

 

She seemed to think Damia would be intimidated and shut up if pressured.

 

“Are you daring to take that mere maid’s side in front of me?”

 

But Damia’s rebuttal seemed to further provoke Drury’s anger.

 

Drury’s pale face instantly turned bright red, and her chin trembled.

 

“Miss….”

 

Romi looked at Damia and shook her head slightly. It seemed like she was telling her to give up on her.

 

“Seize that wench immediately!”

 

Unable to bear it any longer, the Viscount exploded in anger, and the hesitating knights quickly subdued Romi.

 

Even as they forcibly made her kneel, Romi didn’t resist, perhaps because of Damia.

 

‘If I step forward any more here, it will only backfire. Should I retreat for now and ask the Sarkis Family Estate for help?’

 

He wasn’t someone she could reason with. It was the moment when Damia was desperately racking her brain.

 

Bang!

 

The massive doors of the banquet hall burst open with a thunderous sound.

 

The thick scent of blood rushed in first, followed by a man revealing himself.

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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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