Who could Cassian be?

How many times have I imagined this?

When we started exchanging letters in earnest, I even tried listing noble family names with my mother.

‘Anette. You could just ask.’

‘But Cassian seems uncomfortable. I don’t want to lose my only friend.’

When I was young, I truly didn’t want to lose Cassian, who genuinely understood me.

So I only viewed Cassian as I saw them, as I felt about them.

Still, I was really curious.

Even while walking through the academy, even during my debutante ball.

I kept thinking, could that person be Cassian?

I tried to subtly probe a few times, though I didn’t show it.

But now, sitting in front of me was someone who didn’t match any of the people I had imagined.

“You’re Viscount Valosone, correct?”

A man with silver hair like the Milky Way, flowing down to his waist.

It was Michael, who had been beside Serdis just recently.

“You’re Cassian?”

“You’re disappointed.”

Michael said glumly, looking at my surprised face.

“No, I’m not disappointed, just surprised. That you’re really Cassian.”

Honestly, I would have been surprised no matter who it was.

It’s just that I was a bit more surprised because it was someone I had seen recently.

‘So that’s why he said he knew me very well last time.’

Because no one knows me better than Cassian.

“Are you really Cassian? You, Viscount?”

It was hard to believe right away. Someone might have found out about my relationship with Cassian and be pretending to be him.

Seeing my doubtful gaze, he opened the lid of the box beside him.

“It’s natural to be skeptical. I would have been suspicious too if someone I didn’t know by name or face appeared claiming to be an old friend.”

He handed me the box, which was full of blue letters. The letters I had sent in the summer, longing for the sea.

“Oh my goodness.”

A shrill sound escaped my lips out of joy. Michael looked at me and smiled proudly.

“Would you like to read them again after so long?”

“I’d love to.”

The number 33 written on the envelope indicated how old this letter was. It was one of the first letters I had sent to Cassian. Suddenly, I remembered that time. When I wrote with clumsy handwriting, not yet fully opening my heart.

“It’s so neat, as if it was just sent, even though years have passed.”

The condition of the letter was amazing. It was neatly stacked in the box as if each one had been carefully preserved.

“Don’t tell me you’ve kept all the letters?”

“I’ve kept them sorted by color. Every single one.”

“And I had no idea…”

My face flushed with embarrassment.

Some of the letters I received had been torn and faded. I had tried to keep them safe in a drawer, but I hadn’t taken this much care.

“It’s okay. I didn’t send them expecting that. If anything, I have more to apologize for. I was the only one who knew Anette, but I couldn’t tell you for a long time.”

He gently lowered his eyes. His long eyelashes created a melancholic atmosphere as they lowered.

“I had family issues for a long time, so I couldn’t reveal myself.”

He spoke with a choked voice.

“You can speak comfortably.”

There was no reason to use formal speech anymore now that I knew he was Cassian.

“Should I?”

When I nodded, Michael raised his eyes again and smiled brightly.

“You can speak comfortably too.”

“I will. But are those family matters resolved now?”

Cassian was extremely reluctant to talk about family in his letters. Knowing this, I couldn’t even bring up his identity or family. I was usually the one doing most of the talking.

‘The Valosone marquis family is no ordinary family.’

Although there were no outwardly visible family issues, the Valosone marquis family was famous for receiving intense education from a young age. Because of this, they produced many talented individuals and always held high positions in politics.

“Yes. I don’t think there will be any more headaches now. If things continue like this, I should be able to inherit the family safely.”

“That’s good news.”

Michael must have received such education as well. That’s why he became the viscount, surpassing his two older brothers. And he also became Serdis’s temporary aide.

I took a sip of water and casually asked him.

“You said you became the prince’s aide last time.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you take that position?”

I know Serdis coveted Michael’s talent. For Michael, it would be advantageous for his future to stand behind Serdis, the emperor’s only heir.

‘Could it be for revenge?’

Suddenly, I recalled the letter I had sent recently.

The letter where I talked about dating Serdis. And then immediately after, I said I was leaving Serdis to find a contract marriage partner.

What did Cassian say then?

[Did something happen? If you need help, tell me right away. I’ll do whatever it takes to help you.]

He definitely said that.

‘It was the first time Cassian said he would actively step in.’

I hadn’t thought about it because the letters stopped for a while after that…

“I know something happened between you and Prince Serdis.”

I held my breath and looked at him at his words. Michael pushed his long hair back and rested his chin on the table.

“I was surprised when I received your letter. Then you suddenly said you were getting married, so I didn’t have a chance to ask. Can you tell me now? What happened with the prince?”

“Do you really want to know?”

“If I wasn’t curious, I wouldn’t have become his aide.”

Michael’s languid smile looked somewhat bitter. He really did become an aide to find out what Serdis was doing to me.

I felt grateful and sorry.

To think he would do such a thing for someone who was just a pen pal.

“If it’s hard to talk about, you can tell me later.”

“Really?”

Michael blinked once.

“But I hope you’ll tell me before you leave the capital. It’s hard to send letters to the north because it’s so far.”

“Okay. But Cassian, weren’t you upset that I suddenly got married?”

I blurted it out.

It must feel like the sky is falling for Cassian.

But what could I do? I just couldn’t use you as a contract marriage partner.

In my own way, I looked for someone else out of consideration for Cassian.

“I was upset. After reading your recent letter, I thought you had suddenly changed as a person.”

It makes sense that he would feel that way.

After my memories of the original story returned, I felt dizzy.

I ran away not for my life, but for my family and house. Everything went wrong when Serdis started obsessing over me, unlike in the original story. My daily life, my happiness, everything.

To protect the family, I had no choice but to choose a contract marriage. And Cassian was the only one who knew that.

He was the only person who would understand no matter what I did.

“You must have been shocked. Thinking about it now, I’m embarrassed.”

“How hectic must it have been for you to do that? I understand.”

Michael smiled warmly. Although I’m not completely comfortable with him, knowing he’s Cassian puts me a bit at ease.

‘I guess I needed someone to open up to as well.’

Despite growing up loved by my family, I must have been very lonely. Maybe it’s because I was always anxious that my family might abandon me.

“So talk to me comfortably. That’s the only way I can figure out how to help.”

“Hmm. I think the story might be a bit long.”

I wondered which part of the story I should tell first.

I should probably start with why I ended up dating Serdis.

I adjusted my posture, needlessly looked around the empty surroundings, and began to speak.

“It was during the season, not long after graduating from the academy.”

Michael leaned in closer to listen to my words.

“Your ordered dishes are ready.”

The waiters came with trays of food.

“I ordered in advance.”

“Good thinking. I was getting hungry.”

“Shall we eat first and then continue talking? Is the time okay?”

“Yes.”

The lid of the meal placed in front of me was lifted.

My mouth watered as the appetizing aroma filled the air. I planned to eat every last bite since I hadn’t had a proper meal today.

“Enjoy your meal.”

But I couldn’t bring myself to eat right away.

“This is smoked salmon, isn’t it?”

“It’s the most famous dish here. It should be delicious, right?”

Michael ate a large piece of salmon with relish. Following his lead, I put a small piece of fish in my mouth. I rinsed my mouth with wine as the distinct smoked flavor rose along with the fishy smell. But what was more uncomfortable than that was Michael’s attitude, as if he knew nothing.

‘Did he not know that I dislike fish dishes?’

He might not have known. He could have forgotten. I don’t remember everything Cassian and I talked about either.

My gaze lingered on the box containing the letters.

How could he not know something I had mentioned several times, when he had kept the letters so preciously?

‘I wouldn’t have forgotten if it were me.’

In the five years we exchanged letters, I was sure I knew his eating habits and preferences.

“So you went to the party, and then what happened?”

“I think I’ll have to tell that story later. I’m very tired because I haven’t rested since coming to the capital. As you know, I had an audience with the Emperor yesterday, and I was with the Empress from this morning.”

Michael licked his lips as if disappointed.

“I see. It’s not like today is the only day.”

Today, I’m craving the cream pasta Hertian made.

[This is the timeline separator]

Sunny-side up eggs and freshly baked croissants were served for breakfast.

The townhouse chef’s skills were quite good.

“It’s so delicious. I feel like I’m alive again.”

As I stuffed a mouthful of toast, Hertian tilted his head.

“Did you come in without having dinner last night?”

Hertian had gone to the imperial palace for work and returned to the townhouse late, so we didn’t have time to talk.

“Yes. They served something I don’t like.”

Suddenly remembering yesterday, my shoulders drooped.

“Fish dishes?”

“How did you know?”

“Isn’t that what you dislike the most, my lady?”

Even Hertian, who hasn’t lived with me for long, knows this so well!

Suddenly remembering yesterday, I felt disappointed.

“Anyway, I ate dinner hastily because of the fish, so I was hungry and couldn’t sleep.”

“Whoever it was, they don’t seem to be close to you, my lady.”

“That’s the thing… The problem is that it’s the person I’m closest to.”

“The closest person…? Is it the count or countess?”

When I shook my head, Hertian came closer to sit opposite me, looking curious.

“Don’t you have only one person who is your closest, most precious, and only best friend, my lady?”

Hertian described Cassian with grand adjectives. He seemed to remember seeing the letters before.

“It can’t be that person.”

“Yes, it is that person.”

He raised his head abruptly.

“I met Cassian yesterday.”