I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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After My Regression, I Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Chapter 44
“Miss Beatrice.”
“Oh, Cassian?”
Realizing an unexpected person had caught her attention, Beatrice tilted her head slightly—a gesture asking what he wished to say.
At her action, he offered a faint smile and lowered his voice as he drew closer, opening his mouth to speak.
“The image of you rushing out from the Medical Clinic with such a pale complexion keeps… troubling my mind.”
His low, gentle voice continued without pause.
“I was worried about your condition now, so I caught you for a moment.”
“Ah…!”
Only then did the memory she’d briefly forgotten come flooding back.
Beatrice recalled her own appearance from the Medical Clinic moments earlier, and her head dropped in flustered apology.
“I’m so, so sorry! You must have been quite alarmed. I ran off without any explanation….”
“Ah, there’s no need to stammer like that.”
He cut off her words with a reassuring tone, his voice soft as he restrained her once more.
“I didn’t mean to trouble you—as I said, I held you back because I was concerned.”
“I see… Thank you so much….”
There it was again. Just as she’d done before the Medical Clinic, Beatrice offered another halting reply, her eyes wandering.
Watching her reaction, Cassian hesitated a moment before asking carefully.
“Is it possible… the reason you rushed off like that was because of Lord Clyde?”
“Ah, that is….”
Beatrice’s gaze wavered slightly.
It wasn’t another matter—she simply couldn’t decide how best to explain it.
‘I can’t suddenly tell Cassian about Belvoir, can I?’
He likely knew her only as Duke Alec’s unruly daughter.
Yet remaining silent or deflecting now would only mean discovery later.
In the end, Beatrice decided to speak honestly about everything except the circumstances.
“Actually… yes. It was for the reason you mentioned.”
“I see.”
“Somehow I came to hear that Lord Clyde might be in danger, and I grew worried….”
Having finished speaking, she felt oddly embarrassed. Beatrice fidgeted with her fingertips and bowed her head once more.
“You were kind enough to give me a tour of the Medical Clinic, and I’m truly sorry for acting that way without explanation. I would have been quite flustered too, if I were you. My actions were insufficient.”
Speaking those words, she realized what a burden she’d become.
Just as Beatrice was thinking she’d have to compensate him somehow if the opportunity arose, Cassian shook his head again.
“As I said before, there’s no need for that. Given the situation, I understand why you moved so urgently.”
He continued, as if recalling the pitiful state of the hallway.
“Speaking of which, an assassin came to Lord Clyde’s chambers as well, I hear?”
“Ah, yes. So you’ve heard.”
The servants told me as soon as I returned to the Marquis Estate, calling it a grave matter. It was our negligence in security.”
“You needn’t apologize, Cassian. That is… well….”
This wasn’t the Imperial Palace, and without prior intelligence, how could anyone stop those who had spent so long carefully planning to assassinate the Crown Prince?
And besides, the assassin might have been sent by the Crown Princess herself.
Unable to voice this, Beatrice defended him silently in her heart as Cassian opened his mouth again, seemingly intent on changing the mood.
“Oh, speaking of which—where were you headed now? I hope I haven’t interrupted you.”
“Oh, I was just….”
Beatrice waved her hand as she continued.
“With caring for Lord Clyde and such, I was thinking of going to the Medical Clinic with the head handmaiden later. Even though the two other aides have set up a new clinic closer to the Battlefield, it’s best to be cautious.”
“I see.”
“Yes. And besides, people gather there because of that ‘Mysterious Illness.'”
Cassian nodded in acknowledgment of her words.
“Whenever you’re ready, simply tell me. I’ll escort you there.”
“What?”
She was so startled that a squeaky sound escaped her lips.
At Cassian’s expression asking what the problem was, Beatrice waved her hands dismissively, her eyes widened.
“Oh, no, no! You have so much to attend to regarding the Demon Beast Attack, and you must be busy!”
“I’m sure I am, but now that Father has returned, there’s little for me to command. Besides, the Crown Prince and the Grand Duke are here, are they not?”
“Well, but still….”
“The situation outside is grave. I don’t wish to send you alone down a potentially dangerous road.”
Not alone—the head handmaiden would be with her too.
If it was Nao, who knew her identity very well, she would certainly attend to her protection.
‘Come to think of it, I should tell him soon….’
Practically everyone on the Crown Prince’s side already knew, so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say so.
Recalling Crowell, who had watched her with deeply suspicious eyes, Beatrice declined Cassian’s kindness once more.
“I truly appreciate your concern. But really, I’m fine! And I’m not alone! Nao will be there, and, ah, if Lord Clyde recovers quickly….”
That was when Cassian, who had merely been listening to her speak, suddenly opened his mouth.
“Perhaps….”
He began with an opening phrase even as he cut off her words, then fell silent for a moment.
Beatrice filled the silver-grey of Cassian’s eyes completely.
“…might I ask what your precise relationship is with Lord Clyde?”
“…Pardon?”
At the unexpected question, an odd sound tumbled from Beatrice’s lips.
Perhaps mindful of listening ears, Cassian glanced around before leaning forward slightly and speaking softly.
“I know it’s rude to probe at a relationship in such an interrogative manner, but I cannot help my concern.”
“…Well, before this, once….”
“Yes. You did explain once. That you and Hartwell, Lord Clyde’s wife, are the closest of friends.”
Repeating her own words, he slowly lowered his gaze.
His eyes fell upon the ring she and Clyde shared.
“However, I have never seen people who are merely close share a ring of matching design. Nor seen someone rush off in distress upon hearing such a person is in danger.”
“….”
“And I thought it unusual for you to enter Lord Clyde’s chambers so freely and without hesitation.”
…Damn. Hearing it all like this, it really does sound suspicious.
People around her knew her true identity, and she herself had grown so used to it that she hadn’t thought twice. Besides, it was probably something others might overlook as well—if it had been too obvious, Nao, her head handmaiden, would surely have stopped her first. The only thing was….
‘The only problem is that when Cassian first discovered me and Clyde together, it was in such a compromising situation!’
Things that were no problem when unknown become hard to ignore once noticed.
“Oh, no, that is….”
Beatrice’s eyes trembled visibly. Watching her flush with flustered embarrassment, Cassian nodded as if his suspicions were confirmed.
“Just as I thought. If my guess is correct, Lia Kruger, you and Lord Clyde….”
…An affair—he thinks it’s an affair, of course.
“Are you siblings?”
“…What?”
“It was long ago, but I received letters from Miss Beatrice discussing the youngest daughter of House of Dalton. She said you were like true sisters.”
“….”
“Miss Beatrice’s closest friend and someone with whom Lord Clyde could never have such a relationship, and yet you remain comfortably close. There is no bond closer than family that would permit it, is there?”
As Beatrice stood speechless, her mouth agape, Cassian nodded with a look of relief.
“If this is a relationship that must be kept secret, I shall hold my tongue for now.”

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