I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 62

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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
Episode 62
Beatrice’s eyes widened at the urgency in the voice, and she pulled her head back.
She wondered if something had happened.
Yet Clyde, who had just opened the greenhouse door and stepped inside, did not look that way at all.
“So you were here? I’ve been searching for you.”
He smiled as though it had been drawn on his face, his words awkward and forced, as though conjured up without real purpose.
Beatrice watched him with an expression of disbelief.
That smile was the one he wore whenever he’d done something wrong and wanted to smooth it over.
The smile he wore when he tried to justify his actions by shamefully putting his appearance on display.
‘No, so why did he actually come?’
After all, Clyde already knew why she had sought out Cassian.
Oblivious as ever, he stepped into the greenhouse and wedged himself directly between the two of them.
“Good evening to you as well, Cassian. It does seem like rather a long time since we’ve had a conversation like this, doesn’t it?”
At Clyde’s following words, Beatrice’s face flushed slightly.
‘Ah, why is he like this!’
And he could read the atmosphere between people better than she could!
Beatrice seized the moment when Cassian’s gaze drifted toward Clyde and quickly shot him a reproachful look.
Clyde remained unmoved by her silent protest of why he had come.
Instead, he quietly took hold of the hand that was pinching him, and smiled without concern.
As though he wanted to show it to Cassian, who was standing close by.
Of course, Cassian did not miss this.
After watching their joined hands in silence for a moment, he met Clyde’s eyes and spoke.
“There’s no need to fabricate a reason. I just heard everything from the Young Miss. From Beatrice Hartwell, that is.”
“Yes, it would seem so.”
“Indeed. And I’ve just been rejected in my confession.”
Cassian, having stated his circumstances straightforwardly, gazed at Clyde steadily and spoke again.
“If you offered me this time alone out of consideration, I will accept it gratefully. Thanks to you, I can now take my leave from here with the Young Miss.”
Of course, he had not meant it as a question awaiting an answer.
He turned his gaze toward Beatrice before Clyde could open his mouth, and spoke gently.
“Well then, Young Miss. Thank you for making time for me today.”
“Ah, yes! That is… thank you as well, Cassian. And just as I mentioned earlier, I’m grateful. For many things. Including the past, too.”
“That’s something I ought to be more grateful for.”
With gentlemanly grace that made his humiliation at the Academy ball seem unbelievable, he bowed to Beatrice.
“Well then, I wish you both a good evening.”
“Yes, thank you for your consideration.”
“…Thank you!”
Beatrice, having bowed in a manner more awkward than usual, was just about to follow Clyde out of the greenhouse.
“…Wait…”
The word tumbled out abruptly, and Cassian caught Beatrice’s wrist lightly.
As though unintended, he froze for a moment before hastily releasing her hand.
“Ah, well, this is…”
“Oh, no, it’s fine! I mean, did you have something more to say…?”
“That is…”
He trailed off for a moment, then seemed to remember something and spoke again.
“Before you came here, I understand you suffered a terrible ordeal at the hands of Valois Croford.”
“Ah…”
While Beatrice hesitated at a name she never expected to hear from Cassian, he continued.
“After that incident at the Treatment Center, I conducted some investigation into Valois’s whereabouts. But once I learned of Beatrice’s true identity, I noticed some details that troubled me.”
“Details that troubled you?”
“Yes. For instance, traces of her attempting to escape the Marquis Territory several times.”
…Valois Croford had tried to escape the Marquis Territory?
“There is also evidence that she stole money and weapons from the Treatment Center and other places.”
Even things? Valois Croford stole things?
Confronted with information far more confusing than she had anticipated, Beatrice found herself opening her mouth and glancing at Clyde.
Surprise registered on Clyde’s face as well, as he waited silently between Cassian and Beatrice.
Valois Croford was a reckless troublemaker ruled by emotion—there was nothing she wouldn’t do that would seem strange. But…
‘Even so, this is rather odd!’
Both Beatrice and Clyde were attempting to fathom her incomprehensible intentions.
After choosing his words carefully, Cassian spoke calmly.
“I mention this because I suspect it may be a matter concerning your safety. Should you encounter Valois Croford again in the future, it would be wise to exercise caution.”
“So you suspect Valois Croford’s purpose in attempting to escape the Marquis Territory. That she might harbor a grudge against you and seek revenge.”
“Otherwise, there would be no reason for her to go to the trouble of escaping at all. You have the Grand Duke here who cares for her, and Commander Dalton as well.”
It was a reasonable deduction.
Clyde’s blue eyes and Cassian’s silver-grey eyes met briefly across the air.
The two men, having exchanged a silent conversation with their eyes, turned their heads as though bound by an agreement.
One toward the greenhouse entrance while holding Beatrice’s hand, the other toward Beatrice herself.
“In any case, Young Miss. Should you need more details, please let me know later. I will set that aside and prepare it separately.”
“Ah, yes! Thank you so much…!”
“Not at all. And one last thing…”
“Yes?”
“Would you perhaps consider becoming my friend again… if you don’t mind? As we were when we were young.”
“…That is…”
Beatrice’s expression grew slightly troubled.
She wondered whether accepting someone who had just confessed his feelings as a friend would truly allow them to become ‘friends.’
Watching her, Cassian nodded in understanding and added to his words.
“Though I made this request, to be honest, I too would find it difficult right now. So…”
He looked down for a moment, then gazed at Beatrice again.
“How about when I return to the Capital to see His Majesty? Perhaps by then.”
Beatrice knew his words were not merely empty flattery.
She had learned enough during her stay in the Marquis Territory to know what kind of person he was.
After a moment of considering his honest proposal, Beatrice nodded and extended her hand to him.
“…Yes! I’ll look forward to it then!”
“Indeed, Young Miss. I as well.”
The two of them looked at each other and smiled faintly.
That was the end of it.
With that farewell concluded, Beatrice turned and led Clyde out of the glass greenhouse.
Just as Cassian had said—there were eyes watching—a faint murmur could be heard from far away, but…
‘Cassian will handle that on his own!’
There was only one thing Beatrice needed to concern herself with now.
Clyde Dalton at her side, muttering excuses as though he’d read her mind.
“I apologize if I interrupted an important conversation. His Majesty said he needed your help while discussing something important with the Marquis.”
“Oh, is that so? Then perhaps it’s because of that problem? I mean…”
Beatrice nodded with a serious expression and began to mouth words as though having a professional discussion.
Of course, what actually poured from her lips was anything but a professional conversation!
“You—look here, when you get back tonight, I want to hear every word. This could have ended quietly and without incident, but what is this! I had to act! Why did you suddenly jump in and complicate everything!”
“Listen, I had my reasons.”
“Oh, I’m sure you do. But those reasons better be ones I can accept.”
She shot Clyde a threatening glare and picked up her pace considerably.
Truly, what a long day this had turned out to be, she thought.

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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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