Anyway, since he had received the other’s permission, Cassian pulled Asher’s arm. Asher had no choice but to sit back down.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

“You’re not disturbing at all. You were here first.”

When she spoke normally for the first time, Cassian was surprised.

A suspicious gaze was felt, wondering if there was such a thing as manners in that head… probably not.

Veronica slowly sipped her tea and met his eyes, but he immediately looked away.

“The weather is cool today, perfect for flower viewing. What do you think? If you find it bothersome, you could show me around the interior of the palace where Your Highness is staying. Come to think of it, it wouldn’t be bad to live here for 1-2 years for Your Highness. After that, you’d have to come to the Hardness house.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Then you’re saying you’ll come to the Hardness house right after the wedding. That’s fine with me.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Cassian was about to deny her words as usual but hesitated.

Asher was listening to their conversation with wide eyes. Cassian didn’t want to have a conversation mentioning marriage in front of Asher.

Cassian kept his mouth shut.

In place of Cassian, Asher opened his mouth.

“The weather is really nice today. It’ll get hot soon, but days like this seem to leave a stronger impression.”

“Yes, the weather is really nice today. Isn’t it, Your Highness Cassian?”

Veronica asked, looking at Cassian. Cassian remained silent. Asher became flustered and continued speaking.

“Ah, if it’s alright, I can give you a tour of the palace. It’s possible even now, so please feel free to ask, Miss Hardness.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m not really interested right now. It would be different if His Highness Cassian were to guide me.”

Veronica blatantly pointed at Cassian. Cassian’s eyebrow twitched.

Beside him, Asher asked, ‘Cassian, what do you think?’ Cassian shook his head.

“…Then is there anything you’d like to do?”

“Well, nothing comes to mind. What about you, Your Highness Cassian?”

“…”

Naturally, the conversation came to a halt after that.

While Asher was smiling awkwardly, Cassian shot Veronica a look telling her to stop.

Receiving that look, Veronica suddenly picked up the cookie basket and offered it to Asher.

“These are delicious, try some.”

Today, it contained cookies that he didn’t particularly like, but since she was staring at him, he had no choice but to reach out.

Just one bite was enough to make him frown at the taste spreading on his tongue.

He tried to chew and endure it, but eventually choked. Cassian worriedly patted his back as he coughed.

“You don’t have to force yourself to eat.”

“N-No, it’s not like that.”

Asher shook his head, trying to smile.

“Are you alright?”

Veronica asked from across. Though her voice didn’t sound particularly concerned, Asher was considerate and said he was fine.

Veronica personally poured tea into his cup. Asher thanked her and used the tea to soothe his stinging throat.

Meanwhile, Cassian turned to Veronica with a frown. It was clearly intentional. There was no sign of apology on her face.

“Flower viewing would be nice. Come to think of it, I heard the flowers planted in the front garden are in full bloom.”

Asher, who had been thinking deeply, suggested flower viewing to the two. Cassian wanted to say no, but held back. Veronica smiled slightly.

“Flower viewing sounds good. What do you think, Your Highness Cassian?”

“I’d rather not.”

“Come on, Cassian. The flowers must be really beautiful.”

“…Later.”

Unable to refuse his dear brother’s advice, Cassian barely muttered a word and turned his head away.

His jaw could be seen tensing up tightly. Unaware of his feelings, Asher gave sincere advice from the side, saying ‘We can go now’.

When Veronica added ‘I’m fine with going now too’, Cassian secretly glared at her. Veronica smiled back as if amused.

“I love you.”

“…!”

At the sudden confession of love, Cassian’s face hardened, and a sound of something breaking was heard from the side.

Asher must have dropped his cup, as he quickly reached for the broken pieces and let out a short groan of pain.

Cassian grabbed his hand to check. The tip of his finger was cut and bleeding.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

Cassian tried to check the wound with a worried face, but Asher quickly covered his hand. Saying he was fine again, he stood up.

“I should go treat the wound. I’ll be going now.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No, it’s alright. I think I should excuse myself first again this time.”

Asher politely asked for understanding from Veronica as well and left his seat. This time, even Cassian couldn’t stop him.

It was clear to anyone that he was feeling uncomfortable and avoiding the situation. Cassian, who had been following Asher’s retreating back with his eyes, turned to Veronica fiercely.

“How long are you going to keep this up?”

“Until Your Highness agrees to spend time with me.”

At those words, Cassian let out a mirthless laugh before becoming serious and standing up.

Similar situations occurred afterwards as well.

Veronica sought out Cassian, and Cassian ignored her. He openly avoided her, but it was of no use.

Veronica remembered all the moments when he went to meet Asher. Even if he intentionally avoided her, he couldn’t avoid Asher.

A week later, again after four days, and continuously after that, she kept going to meet him.

Around the twenty-first time Veronica went to meet him, Cassian no longer avoided her.

He didn’t run away with insincere excuses either. Also, he didn’t hide his irritation and displeasure.

Veronica, who had proudly taken her seat after chasing Asher away twenty-one times, smiled brightly.

“Surely you don’t have any busy work, other appointments, or urgent matters that need to be handled immediately today, do you?”

“…”

“If that busy work is because of time with your brother, I’ll personally ask for his understanding. Or spending time all together like last time would be a good option too.”

Cassian’s eyes narrowed sharply. Veronica smiled brightly.

Her face seemed to say, ‘If you had been a bit more cooperative normally, I wouldn’t have had to act like this.’

“How about doing something you actually need to do instead of wasting time like this?”

“I am doing what I need most right now.”

“…”

“A walk, flower viewing, going out, which do you prefer?”

“Didn’t you say your leg was still uncomfortable?”

“I think it’ll be fine to walk today. It would be even better if Your Highness supported me.”

“I don’t think you’ll need my support.”

Cassian stood up. His last words meant that he was allowing time for just the two of them.

When she finally got the answer she wanted, Veronica’s face lit up. Seeing that face, Cassian made a disgusted expression.

“How about having dinner together later as well? It would be nice to have a friendly conversation while looking at the scenery outside.”

Veronica said as she followed him. Cassian, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped.

“One hour.”

“Pardon?”

“We’ll spend just one hour together.”

“That’s too short.”

Veronica expressed her dissatisfaction, but Cassian added firmly.

“If you don’t like it, we can part ways right now. I’m not someone who feels the need to be polite to uninvited guests who show up without an appointment.”

“…Alright.”

Thinking that the one who wants it more gives in first, Veronica had no choice but to accept his conditions. Cassian quickly turned around.

As she followed him, Veronica imagined kicking the black head in front of her.

Cassian left the glass palace and headed to a nearby garden.

She realized that he had chosen a walk among the three options. His intention to waste time by aimlessly wandering around the garden was apparent.

Veronica approached his side.

She had no intention of wasting the opportunity she had barely obtained. Hadn’t Lady Arin said that the first step to repairing a relationship was conversation?

“Your Highness. How have you been lately?”

“…”

“What do you usually do? Do you still train like before?”

“…”

“What were you doing earlier? I think I’ve seen it before, was it a map of the continent?”

“…”

She threw out various topics, but they were all ignored. Moreover, his pace seemed to be gradually quickening.

He was a man who stuck close in official settings, but disliked being near in private like this.

Veronica also quickened her steps towards the man trying to distance himself from her.

The footsteps of the one walking ahead and the one trying to stay beside gradually turned into a competition.

Although they had set a time limit, not a distance limit, the two were walking as if they were almost running.

Then suddenly, Veronica stopped. Cassian, who had been walking ahead, stopped when he no longer heard footsteps behind him.

When he turned around, Veronica was standing blankly.

The faint sound of panting heard was not good. Cassian approached her.

“What’s wrong?”

“…”

Strands of disheveled hair fell down, casting shadows on her small face.

A face deep in thought was visible. With an ominous feeling, Cassian’s face also became serious.

“Hold my hand.”

Veronica reached out her hand towards him.

Cassian pretended not to hear and turned his head away. Veronica persisted and waved her hand in front of his eyes. Only then did he react.

With a disgusted face, Cassian said,

“You really don’t get tired, do you?”

“Yes, please hold my hand. It’s hard to walk.”

“You said you were fine just a moment ago.”

“I guess I haven’t recovered fully yet.”

“Shouldn’t you have given up by now?”

“I’ve become stubborn too.”

Their gazes clashed quickly. Pababak!