Chapter 136

Translator : Missme

Editor : Aru

Side Story 1. Summer Vacation (9)

[The Dukes dream is generally peaceful. There are many days when you dont dream at all. I dont think youre particularly anxious or worried. I hope you dont feel uneasy because itll be more peaceful in the future.]

The contents of Mrs Tariens notes that I checked when I returned to the villa were more ordinary than I thought.

I was doing it for fun, but, fortunately, no bad content came out.

Peaceful, she said.

Wasnt it something that I always wished for even before I was possessed, even when I had possessed this body?

The wish has come true.

I put down my hand holding the notes and looked still at the ceiling.

Although it seems like it went well beyond peaceful for dating the Emperor and became the head of the 7 Imperial Families.

When I was rolling around on the bed thinking about one thing and another, I heard a knock on the door.

Its me, Yerine.

Yes, come in.

When the door opened, Cassius, who had changed into a comfortable pyjama, came in.

As soon as he saw me, he came up with a smile and sat on the bed.

I also got up from the bed and sat down with my knees together.

Hows your ankle?

Cassius asked, naturally handing down my hair that ran down my face behind my ears.

Its been a long time since I got better.

Really?

He turned around and looked at my ankle.

Of course, my ankle was perfectly fine without a puffy spot.

See? It sure got better fast.

I smiled triumphantly at Cassius, who looked around at my ankle.

Nevertheless, he asked with a serious look, as if he was upset.

May I take a closer look?

You dont believe that I got better?

You always lie to me, saying that youre not sick even when youre sick.

Seeing Cassius facing me with a sulky expression, I wondered if I had lied so much.

No, but it looks fine on the appearance, and since a lot of time has passed, it must have been healed.

But Cassius was tough.

You cant tell from the appearance only. Stick out your feet.

In the end, I inflated my cheeks and stuck my ankle, which had been sprained in the shopping street, to Cassius.

Cassius, who was looking down at me, carefully supported my heels and asked.

Is it hurt if I hold it like this?

It doesnt hurt at all.

Okay, then excuse me.

He supported my ankle with his hand, pressed it slightly with his fingers, and turned it around little by little.

Whenever that happened, he asked me if it felt hurt.

My answer has always been no.

Well, it looks like it really got better.

Right?

But it was a little dangerous today. You almost got hurt.

Cassius, I dont think Im going to be seriously injured if I trip over a rock.

But you cant walk for a while. Were here for a vacation, but if you get hurt, you cant go around. Itll be upsetting.

Cassius made a pathetic expression like a dog hit by the rain and brought it up, and my conscience was pricked.

Sorry.

Huh? No, its not Yerines fault.

Cassius shook his head and said.

The stone there was wrong. Its dangerously sticking out of there.

What?

Its good to defend me, but isnt this too serious?

Should I support Dayseinas sidewalk maintenance project? Ill have to think about it seriously.

Cassius, the maintenance business itself is fine, but the belly button will be bigger than the belly itself.

(T/N: meaning the costs outweigh the benefits)

I sighed and teased Cassius.

And I couldnt see and fall because I was so distracted, not because of the stone.

I dont care. Its because of that stone

Cassius leaned his head sideways beside my leg and said.

I really cant stop you.

As I shook my head, Cassius shone his playful eyes.

I looked at him like that and thought.

Yeah, what can I do when I really like this side of him.

There is nothing I can do. I have to live with it.

Whew.

I sighed as if I couldnt help it and pulled myself close to Cassius. And stroked his hair as black as ebony.

Yes, whatever it is, Cassius will always be on my side.

As I swept over his soft hair, his golden eyes grew bigger.

His golden eyes, as if containing the suns light, glanced at me.

A gaze with a soft, warm light that is not dazzling.

Thank you.

Those eyes will face me until they lose their light.

No, they will turn to me even after they lose their light.

Im also, always on Cassius side, too.

Because hes a person who wont know if I dont say it.

Even if I say it, hes always anxious if he cannot constantly check it.

He may not be used to holding happiness in his hands yet.

So I have to say it.

As always, forever.

I know that they are words of weight that cannot be taken carelessly.

But I can say this word in front of him.

And I know hell say that in front of me, and hell keep that heavy promise.

Yerine.

Cassius called my name in a trembling voice.

His golden eyes twinkled like the light of the sun just rising at dawn.

Im so happy right now that Im about to cry.

My heart ached again when I saw his gentle smile.

I was really happy before, so I thought it was a dream.

Why is he so..

Does he not know that the happiness in his hands belongs to him?

Hes the sole owner of that happiness and hes worthy of it.

The hand that was stroking Cassiuss hair was laid down.

I clenched my fist in anger.

But not anymore.

What?

Cassius nodded when I raised my head to unexpected remarks.

These days, I dont really think about whether this is a dream. I know its real.

Really?

Yes.

Cassius said with his eyes shining.

I know youve always told me that you like me and that I deserve to be happy.

Cassius spoke in a calm voice. It was a voice filled with pure sincerity without adding anything.

This happy life is really mine.

Cassius.

Cassius rolled up the corners of his lips when I called his name.

As if hes saying its okay.

Now Im talking about it, but I had a nightmare until a few years ago. It was like that too when our days at the Academy.

At that moment, what happened at Mrs Tariens shop passed through my mind.

This was a bad dream Mrs Tarien talked about.

What kind of nightmare was that?

Cassius did not answer immediately.

For a short time, his eyes looked sad.

The dream that you die.

Yes?

Yes. Actually, I often had that dream for three years even after the coup.

Cassius spoke calmly as if nothing were wrong.

But I knew very well that it wasnt.

In my dreams, you alwaysalways lying down, and I couldnt do anything but watch it all the time.

His golden eyes glowed faintly like the evening sun.

No matter how far I reached, I couldnt reach you. As if a transparent wall blocked me. Even though I screamed like crazy, my voice didnt come out of my mouth.

My heart thumped and seemed to sink.

I cant believe he was carrying that alone.

I was about to press him to ask why he was carrying that all by himself, but Cassiuss voice came out as calm as the surface of the unwinded lake.

But you know the dream we saw at Mrs Tariens shop earlier. Its not like that in that dream.

I frowned slightly and asked, looking at him.

Not like that? What?

Im definitely appearing in that dream. Im definitely touching you and talking to you.

Come to think of it, it was.

The dream was flowing from Cassius gaze, and it was clearly felt that he was the dreamer.

You heard my voice, too.

Looking back, thats right.

When I nodded, Cassius replied with a big smile.

Mrs Tarien said in her note. Unlike before, Im having a happy dream where Im the main character, now I admit that Im a person who will enjoy that happiness.

The moment I heard that a corner of my heart trembled.

But it was different from before.

It didnt feel sorrowful like before.

So, now I think I know very well that this happiness is mine. I accept this life without any doubt as mine.

Somehow the tip of my nose turned sour.

In the end, I couldnt stand it and wrapped his shoulders in both my hands.

Yerine?

I did not shed tears.

However, I remember that my eyes turned blurry and hazy for a while.

Why, why didnt you tell me, why are you holding it all by yourself

If I did a little wrong, tears would overflow.

Cassius was embarrassed by my reaction and got out of bed and hugged me in his arms.

Sorry, Im so sorry, Yerine. Im so sorry to make you worry.

He supported me on the head with one hand and patted me on the back with his other hand.

His voice was full of sorry.

Im sorry, I just.

There was a sigh behind my ear.

And a hesitant voice rang in my ears.

I just wanted to say that its thanks to you that Im able to enjoy this peace of mind.

Why is that all thanks to me? Cassius was originally a man who deserved it all.

Cassius replied with a ragged smile.

You say it is very encouraging to me.

Really, he is an inevitable person.

I took off my face against Cassiuss shoulder and looked up at him.

It hurts me that you hide your nightmares, but I understand.

It is not easy to reveal the most painful part of yourself to others.

And the reason why he didnt want to tell me, is originally human instinct that made him do that.

It must have been hard to say, but thank you for telling me.

Finally, tears flowed down.

Why?

There are only things left to be happy.

Why do I cry when I dont have to?

Im sorry I didnt recognize it, and great job.

Tears flowed down my cheeks, but I smiled brightly.

Great job, Cassius.

His eyes, which look like they contain the sun, glistened.

Does he know?

I really love his straight eyes that are always gazing straight towards me.

Yerine.

A soft voice called my name.

He then wrapped his hands around my cheek.

His lips touched my tearful eyes.

The spot where his lips had passed was warm as if its burning.

It was a friendly kiss as if a wolf licked his pets wound.

I made up my mind today.

He wiped away the remaining tears with his fingers and talked.

I wont be anxious anymore.

His smile was soft and lovely.

Now that this happiness is mine, I wont run away from it, and I dont have to be anxious.

Cassius words somehow relieved my tension, and I laughed unknowingly.

Cassius then smiled more brightly, perhaps relieved.

So now Im going to enjoy it at ease.

When I answered that smile with a tearful laugh, Cassius smiled happily and lifted me up with both his arms and hugged me.

With you.

Cassius looked so clear and happy.

So I laughed with ease.

Cassius kissed me again, on the forehead like that.

Everything that hurts and sad has gone away!

He rolled up the corners of his lips and bent his upper body.

A lovely sound echoed through the room.

Then, putting my forehead in the place where I kissed him, I said quietly.

The hurts and sad things, I wish it for fly away.

May you always be happy.