Chapter 139
Side Story 3. Spring Day (1)
About a month after I visited Eugeneâs castle, the first meeting between the Housekeeper was held in a long time.
As usual, Rachel, I, and Astra brought Erica to a simple tea party at Noble State Field after the meeting today.
âWhoa, itâs been a while since we had this meeting.â
Astra clapped her hands and said.
Not many of the Academyâs classmates gathered unless it was a Housekeepers meeting.
So the four of us tried not to miss the tea party right after the Housekeepers meeting as much as possible.
Otherwise, we didnât have many chances to see each other.
âIâm glad no oneâs missing today. Can we all go home a little late?â
I replied to Rachel with a nod.
âWell, of course. I told Cassius I was coming in late.â
âOh, come to think of it, you must be staying at the palace these days. I forgot. Oh, everyone eats these cookies. Itâs delicious.â
Astra said, handing out a couple of cookies to all of us on a plate.
âYes, I spend three months a year next to Cassius. Oh, thank you for the cookies.â
Erica, who was biting the cookies Astra gave me, glanced at me and smiled.
âYes, I can see her often these days because she lives in the palace. Thatâs why I love it.â
âAnd it turns out Ericaâs quarters are not far from the main palace, right?â
âYes, itâs pretty close.â
Erica nodded and laughed at Rachelâs question.
Erica was like an angel today as she folded her fresh cherry blossom eyes.
Looking at her, I prayed for thanks to God that I can actually appreciate my favourite heroineâs face today.
Erica is the best.
I wonder if she always smiles like an angel.
Itâs also been a few years.
âIsnât Erica a real angel if sheâs been like that for years?â
However, I did not have to say such thoughts out of my mouth.
âI think I did a great job studying hard and working in the Imperial Treasury.â
Erica looked at me, wrapping her hands around the teacup in front of her.
âItâs only three months, but I can see Yerine every day, and the rest of the year you come to Noble State Field.â
The moment I heard it, I was moved and covered my mouth with my hands.
âEricaâ¦!â
When I called her name because I was proud and grateful, Erica also called me by my name.
âYerineâ¦!â
In the end, we hugged each other, unable to control our emotions and joy.
Astra looked at us like that and shook her head with a breath.
âTheyâre like that again.â
For more,
When Astra asked in a strangely insecure voice, Rachel added in a hurry.
âWith His Majesty, I mean.â
Looking at her awkward smile, I thought about what to say.
âEumâ¦â¦..â
Cassiusâs eyes, which seemed to be holding the sun in front of him, passed by my mind.
I smiled at a lovely look that made me feel comfortable just thinking about it.
âI will.â
I turned my head to Rachel and Astra, who were waiting for my answer.
They relaxed their facial expressions and raised the corners of their lips.
âI want to marry Cassius.â
I meant it.
I havenât made much of a relationship in my previous life.
It wasnât hard enough to die, but it was true that I felt lonely.
But this time, it was different.
There was someone I could trust who would never abandon me.
And there was someone who really wanted me to be happy.
If I can be with Cassius for the rest of my life.
I can also watch how he makes his happiness with his own hands.
I thought it would be perfect.
âI do, butâ¦â¦.â
The problem is that there have never been many marriage stories between the two of us in earnest.
Only once, when we saw a newlywed couple getting married in the middle village, Cassius was very cautious and asked what I thought about marriage.
At that time, I said, âItâs not easy to decide, but I personally like it.â
Come to think of it, Cassius looked a little relieved.
âWell, thereâs no need to rush it, so letâs take it slow.â
I looked into the red tea and thought to myself.
I was vaguely guessing the idea of why he didnât want to talk about marriage easily.
Knowing that I didnât want to rush him, and I wanted to wait until he was ready.
Of course, I even thought about telling him to get married first if it doesnât work out.
âLetâs talk about it once when it gets relaxed around the summer.â
I didnât know that day.
The wedding will be much faster than I thought.
And that Cassius accidentally heard the sincerity I said unintentionally in front of my best friends.
It was about a month later that I learned all of that.
***
âTodayâs birthday was the best, Cassius.â
I leaned my back against the sofa in the parlour room and smiled.
During the day, Cassius and I enjoyed it for the first time in a long time, and in the evening, we met with the Academy classmates and had a party.
Thanks to it, my mood was at its peak.
âThatâs a relief.â
Cassius, looking at me like that, replied with a happy smile.
âDid you like the king pudding you ordered this year?â
âOh, sure. I liked it because it was bigger than last year, and Cassius has the best eye.â
âWow, thatâs an honour.â
Cassius came next to me and sat down and said.
I smiled broadly at him and said in an excited voice.
âWell, of course, I donât just like pudding. Itâs just that the whole day with Cassius was perfect.â
Cassius then blushed slightly and tilted his head as if surprised.
âReally?â
âYes, because youâve prepared only the things I want to do.â
âOh, but Iâve done that every year.â
Cassius said in a shy voice, saying it was nothing much, and I couldnât resist and pinched his cheek and inflated it.
âYou fool, Iâm even more grateful that you prepare so much every year.â
With a dissatisfied face, I pinched Cassiusâs cheeks and stretched it out.
âHis face is still handsome in the midst of thisâ¦.â
I opened my mouth thinking so.
âAnd you were the first to celebrate my birthday this year. You woke up early in the morning to say happy birthday and were waiting at the dining room, right?â
Cassius asked with his eyes wide open at the words.
âYerine, did you know everything?â
âSure. I just pretend I donât know.â
The naive Cassius
Anyone would come to the same conclusion at 7:00 in the morning to see a handsome boyfriend grooming his hair, wearing a suit, holding a giant pudding, waiting.
Looking at Cassius, who put as much effort as he did when he was officially pointed, it seemed that he had prepared well since 5 a.m.
âI didnât want to miss the first chance to celebrate your birthday this time, so I tried my best.â
Cassius replied with a smile.
âI was worried that congratulatory letters sent by our classmates might reach you before I did.â
âNo, you donât have toâ¦â¦.â
âI wanted to congratulate you first. I didnât want to be deprived of that opportunity by Blothea and the others.â
When I saw Cassius, who had a look similar to the puppy that was slightly sulking at the owner, I burst into laughter.
âOkay, okay. Thank you.â
I said, stroking his black hair like ebony.
âIt was nice to have you as the first person to celebrate my birthday.â
The mind contained in the calm voice slowly spread through the room.
When Cassius heard me, he opened his mouth slightly, looking embarrassed, and said in a hesitant voice.
âIs that true?â
Itâs because he still has so many doubts.
âSure.â
I added with a slight smile.
âYouâre my favourite.â
His golden eyes began to glisten.
My heart felt warm.
As expected, I loved that sparkle.
âWell, can I be the first to celebrate your birthday every year?â
Cassiusâs subdued voice echoed through the room.
âOf course. Iâd rather be happy to do that.â
When Cassius heard the answer, his mouth was strangely stiff.
Unknowingly, he seemed nervous.
âNot in the morning, but I want to congratulate you after midnight.â
Huh? Midnight?
Do you mean you want to congratulate me as soon as midnight is over?
Oh, youâre going to call me on bail as soon as my birthday comes?â
As soon as I thought so, Cassius rose from the sofa.
I thought Cassius was sleepy and was going to bed, but to my surprise, Cassius sat on one knee on the carpet.
âCas, Cassius?â
âYerine.â
Even when I saw Cassius calling my name solemnly, I couldnât figure out what the situation was.
âIf we live together, we can celebrate your birthday as soon as itâs your birthday.â
Donât tell me.
My hands covered my mouth in surprise.
âThis is notâ¦â¦â
In the meantime, Cassius held out a case wrapped in red velvet that was hidden in his arms in his right hand.
âSo, to put it straightâ¦â¦.â
On Cassiusâ hand, which had briefly cleared his voice, a ring with a purple sapphire in the moonlight glistened.
âYerine, will you marry me?â
***
I couldnât lie to you because my life with you would continue to be a spring day.
However, one was certain.
With you, I will find beautiful spring in summer, fall, and winter.