Yerniaâs heart pounded.
It wasnât her fault, but somehow she didnât want to be there.
The last image she witnessed unfolded vividly in her head.
It was unpleasant.
She felt like she was soaked and drained like laundry.
Yernia was as annoyed as when her senior confessed to her.
âWhy are you out here alone, Yernia? Isnât that the Marquis and Vihani over there?â
Yernia shook her head in silence.
She didnât want to talk.
Cassian was still Yerniaâs husband, whether their marriage was arranged or not.
Now, Yernia had seen him secretly meeting with another woman at night.
Was she his lover?
It seemed like they were arguing earlier, but considering the last scene she witnessed, it didnât seem right.
Perhaps, Vihani was complaining about something and Cassian was trying his best to soothe her.
Yernia kept thinking of the scene where Cassianâs lips hovered on Vihaniâs ear.
Even if she didnât want to think about it, the sight she saw right in front of her a while ago was understandable.
âLetâs drink, Jennan. I want to get drunk tonight.â
âYes.â
âCheers!â
Yernia bumped her glass with Jennanâs before she shoved the alcohol down to her throat.
The liquid burned and scratched her esophagus.
Jennan rested his chin in his hand and looked at Yernia for a long time.
She felt his intense gaze on her face but Yernia didnât care.
âIâm in a bad mood.â
ââ¦â¦.â
âDid you sleep too much, as well?â Jennan asked but she didnât respond.
Cassian and Vihani still reigned in her mind.
What were they talking about?
Why were they together like that?
Was Cassian even with her since she slept?
Why would they be hiding in a corner where people couldnât see them?
Cassian said Vihani was not his ex at all.
He even told her he was sick and tired of that girl.
What was that tenderness just now?
Yernia assumed she knew anything about Cassian, but it turned out she didnât know him.
She was aware that Cassian had a girlfriend but she  had no idea who that girl was.
Was there nothing going on with them?
âHave you witnessed something disturbing earlier?â Jennan asked. âI can sort of guess what it is. Am I right?â
âYes. Maybe.â
Jennan must have heard Vihaniâs voice, too.
That was the only reason why Yernia, who was about to head there, retreated in a rush.
She didnât want to admit it herself, but she did see Cassian and Vihani together, and she lied to Jennan about that, too.
âWellâ¦â
Jennan watched Yernia drink the champagne in her glass.
He didnât have much to say at this point when he didnât know what he was asking about.
Yernia wanted to clear her mind by gulping down more alcohol.
The champagne she drank while staring at the night sea tasted bitter somehow.
She wasnât aware of it but Yernia kept looking at the corner where Cassian and Vihani were supposed to be.
Snow fell on its own.
Yernia was keeping an eye on that particular spot for a while.
Suddenly, she saw Cassian walking out of there.
Yernia wanted to confront him immediately about why he and Vihani were hiding in that corner but she found the thought unpleasant in the end.
She drank more alcohol to erase that thought from her mind.
Just in time, Cassian seemed to find Jennan and Yernia drinking alcohol together.
âWhy are both of you out here drinking by yourselves?â
As Cassian approached them, Yernia blurted out carelessly, âIt doesnât matter to you.â
It wasnât like Cassian made her do this, but Yernia did look for him the moment she woke up.
Unfortunately, he was with Vihani, giving her gentle pats on the head.
He said he hated her so much so why was he with her, then?
It was even more shocking to see him tuck a stray strand behind Vihaniâs ear.
She thought he didnât like Vihani so why was he being gentle with her when she wasnât around?
âDid you seduce my sleeping wife and brought her out here?â
Why would her husband assume that?
Before she knew it, Cassian moved closer to spill alcohol on Jennan.
It was natural for Yernia to argue with Cassianâs misconception.
He enjoyed secret meetings with other people, didnât he?
Why would he think she couldnât do that too?
âI seduced him.â
âWhy did you do it, Yernia?â
âI wanted to drink champagne, but you werenât there when I woke up. It was pure coincidence that Jennan was available. That is why heâs right here in front of me and not you.â
Of course, it wasnât true but she didnât want to tell Cassian about that, either.
Yernia wanted to provoke her husband, somehow.
Cassian hated Jennan so much that he didnât approve of her being with him alone.
Triggered, Cassian bit the bait by dragging the chair right over and sitting next to Yernia.
âDonât do that from now on, Yernia. Wait for me to come.â
âNo. You stay with me at all times or else I will drink with someone else.â
Before she knew it, Vihani sat next to Cassian.
This girl must have hated Yernia for some reason or she just didnât have any common sense left in that small head of hers.
Cassian was still a married man whether it was political or not.
Why would he allow some rude b*tch to disrespect his wife in front of everyone?
âIâm hot. You sit here.â
âWould you feel cool after changing our seats?â
âThe wind is coming from this side.â
Yernia got up and put Cassian in place by sitting in his previous seat.
She was now satisfied that Cassian was seated next to her and Jennan.
Cassian narrowed his eyes at her as he tried to read her mind.
She ignored his scowl and continued to drink.