Of course, Tiobe didn’t ask with any ulterior motive.

He just thought that this whole situation… seemed different from his lord’s usual decisions.

He who moves with thorough plans for every action seemed to have lost his goal, unlike his usual self.

In reality, the direction his lord should take now was already set.

If the engagement with Periot was broken, it would be by making an engagement with another noble lady.

That was the path and the right way that an heir to a family should naturally take.

Even a fool like himself knew that, so there’s no way his lord wouldn’t know.

But now Cassian’s unfocused eyes were clearly twisted somewhere.

‘Could he be trying to go against that?’

Of course, the world has changed a lot, and occasionally, as in some romance novels, there are real cases of high-ranking men marrying women of lower classes.

However, that only applies to nobles who are not heirs or to newly risen nobles.

It was unthinkable in ancient, great noble families.

The changes in the world are slow, and naturally, the slowest to change is the privileged class.

Of course, Tiobe himself would support his lord’s decision and will as much as possible.

But would the world accept it? He was skeptical about this.

A marriage not accepted by the world might eventually shake the roots of the family head and bring his lord down from his position.

His uncle, Count Alton, who was quietly waiting for an opportunity like a hyena, would surely try to stab him in the back with the support of his vassals.

Of course, since his lord always had plans for everything, such a thing wouldn’t happen, but at least the process of settling in would become complicated.

Also, if he must marry a lady from a prestigious family, it was a serious matter to consider whether there was any need to turn Periot into an enemy now.

Of course, Blanchet was not in a position to be concerned about Periot’s feelings, but even so, it was dangerous to alienate those with military power in the west.

Above all, if things could be resolved that way…

“I said that because I don’t think another lady would accept ‘that person’ either.”

“Of course not.”

With an unreadable expression, Cassian just stared blankly out the window.

His profile was subtly stiff, unlike usual.

His jaw was tightly clenched, and creases appeared on his usually smooth forehead.

Perhaps that’s why. Despite being in warm sunlight, he looked unbearably cold.

Stepping back a step, Tiobe carefully added.

“I’ve overstepped. I apologize.”

Tiobe quietly bowed to Cassian.

In truth, it was beyond his authority to intervene in his lord’s intentions.

His only duty was to stake his life on his lord’s decisions.

As Tiobe stepped back, Cassian’s voice broke through the silence, resonating heavily in the space.

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

“…”

“It’s what I’ve done.”

After that, Cassian continued to gaze out the window with a face full of countless thoughts.

A self-mocking sneer settled on his face.

Cassian clearly understood the meaning behind Tiobe’s question.

It means that the current course of action is radical enough for Tiobe, who rarely questions, to ask about it.

It also means that it’s a path completely unsuitable for a nobleman who has run on that track all his life, and for a Blanchet.

Like mixed paint of complex colors, thoughts mingled in a murky consciousness.

Filtered and refined from among them, what floated was ultimately one thing.

‘How will that woman react?’

In reality, it was as good as a predetermined answer.

Of course, that woman would naturally remain by his side.

There would be no woman who would refuse the position of being the protagonist of social advancement.

Although she was a woman who had held and shaken everything, nothing would change even if he gave her everything.

That was the conclusion he had reached over the past time.

In fact, he had dragged out a problem that didn’t need to be thought about for too long.

Even if the wicked mouth that whispered love was a lie, it would transform into real love.

No, even if it couldn’t transform, she would at least have to pretend.

If that woman decided to stay by his side, he would perfectly make her the protagonist of social advancement.

There was no special reason.

From the moment he thought he desired that woman, naturally, she had to be by his side.

The sprint into Sleigh Field to find that woman.

The heart that settled when he found that woman.

The temperature that boiled when that woman’s skin was torn.

All of that churned, creating a single wave.

The conclusion was one. That woman must be by his side in some form.

It didn’t matter what color that emotional wave took.

Even if it bore the color of a low-class type not wrapped in romantic packaging, if you want it, you take it, if you desire it, you possess it, that’s all.

Until all his emotions burn out.

Until this damn thirst he’s feeling for the first time is completely filled.

It was the most un-Blanchet-like conclusion, but at the same time, the most Blanchet-like thought process.

However, like all thoughts, the flow didn’t go in just one direction.

On top of that, another assumption is added.

‘If that woman decides to leave me…’

In fact, it didn’t make sense for such an assumption to intrude, as everyone would desperately want that position.

But the face that turns even whiter as if struck with fear every time she sees him.

The trembling skin whenever she’s beneath him.

The quivering eyelids every time he whispers love…

It brings questions. It amplifies into doubt, making him swallow an even greater thirst like a madman.

Just the delusion that what that woman wants might be to leave his side makes him like this.

He throws away such nonsense delusions far into the fragments on the sea.

There’s no way that woman would have such thoughts.

Cassian organized his thoughts like that.

Cassian, who swallowed hot coffee down his esophagus as usual, nodded slightly to mean continue.

Accordingly, Tiobe’s report once again lazily covered the afternoon sunlight.

Most of it was about the unusual situation at the border and the movements of soldiers.

Although reports were suppressed as much as possible by imperial order, their underwater movements were quite fast.

As always, that news flowed to Cassian through the hands of the Blanchet special forces, composed of the most skilled knights.

Although a serious situation that would turn the world upside down flowed through the space, Cassian showed no particular reaction to it.

After the report ended, Tiobe stepped back and turned his gaze to the sky Cassian was looking at.

The sunset was devouring the blue sky, dyeing it red.

Cassian’s red eyes looking at it also somehow bore a different light than before.

It was quite a dangerous color.

“It’s time for you to move.”

Confirming the appointment time that had suddenly approached, Cassian stood up.

Cassian sprayed a light woody scent and strode towards the door.

Then he suddenly stopped in front of the mahogany table.

Looking at the cravat sitting demurely on it, Cassian put on one of them.

He put on something he wouldn’t usually wear because it was cumbersome, checked in the mirror, then changed to another one and repeated this process several times.

Then he burst out laughing.

Doesn’t this look just like some pubescent kid going on his first date?

The man had arrived earlier than the time as always.

Even though he came quite early, the Blanchet-crested carriage was already parked in view.

The difference was that behind the carriage, instead of the square background he used to see, there was a forest of green foliage.

Probably feeling uneasy after the Sleigh Field kidnapping incident, he had moved the meeting place.

Fortunately, there was not a single person in the forest that came into view.

Although he wasn’t sure, he guessed it was probably Blanchet’s property.

‘Did he call me here out of consideration for me?’

Such a meaningless question floated around in his head for a moment before disappearing.

The aftereffects of that incident were quite serious, so he only felt at ease after checking the crest on the carriage and confirming his silhouette flickering at the window.

He, who had made escorting a daily routine at some point, got out of the carriage and gently took her hand.

When the large hand enveloped hers, a vivid heat rose from the tip.

Although only one hand was held, it felt like everything was caught.

As she entered, a suffocating air enveloped her entire body.

It was probably the result of the heat from his hand, not even wearing gloves, flowing through her hand and spreading throughout her body.

He didn’t let go of her hand for a long time until they reached their destination.

Whenever they head somewhere other than a room, questions follow about the man’s purpose.

Why does he go to such lengths just to play at being lovers?

However, now that matching his rhythm has become routine, even such questions are quickly put to rest.

There was no need to find the reason in the little time left.

After all, he’s someone she’ll never see again once she leaves.

The play began again like that.

Being able to smile at him without any particular effort was quite a big change.

As she faced him with a practiced smile, things that weren’t visible before come into view.

A suit that somehow looks neater and cleaner than usual.

It’s strange to say it’s neater or cleaner since he’s always been in suits, but… it really was.

If he looked a bit disheveled before, today he had a somewhat more orderly feel.

Especially the uniquely shaped cravat tied at the top of his clothes and the jewel sitting demurely above it enhanced his elegance even more.

The pomade-style hair sitting above was neatly combed over as if he had paid attention to it.

Perhaps this is what it would look like if a noble lady and gentleman were to go on a formal date.

It’s not hard to imagine.

At close range, a cool woody scent spread, tickling the tip of her nose.

With statue-like features that shine even without makeup, when he dresses up, it’s impossible to take your eyes off him.

For a moment, his gaze slowly turned and fixed on her.

It was only for a moment that she took her eyes off the unrealistically handsome man.

The place where she deliberately turned her head was filled with a familiar yet unfamiliar scene.