Chapter 12: There Is Someone I Dare To Carry In My Heart.


    The Crown Princes birthday banquet.


    It was the day I fell for Damian at first sight in my past life. The day exactly a month after I experienced death through his sword and regressed to my twentieth birthday.


    This banquet was the first one held at the pce in a while, so it seemed like the maids who were essorizing me were more excited than I was, who was the actual one going to the banquet. Especially Sasha.


    Miss, you will definitely be the star of todays banquet!


    Youre so beautiful. Im so envious of the person who will get to dance with you.


    Sasha had the face of a girl in love as she looked at me. And I chuckled while watching the short-haired maid blush as she sped her hands together in enthusiasm.


    My reflection in the vanity mirror looked incredibly morous. My tinum hair reaching down to my waist shone brighter than usual, and I was wearing purple earrings that were the same color as Cassadins eyes.


    Do you like the dress?


    I looked down at the dress I was wearing. It was a blue dress that clung tightly to my body with a revealing neckline. The deep blue shade reminded me of the blue rose that Cassadin imed resembled me.


    Yes, I like it.


    I was suddenly curious about what Cassadin was wearing. Cassadin was leaning against the wall, seeming to be done with his preparations, staring at nothing in particr as he pondered with a thoughtful expression.


    Seeing him in that ck uniform, I instantly knew that the star of todays birthday banquet wouldnt be the Crown Prince or me, but Cassadin.


    Cassadin.


    At my call, Cassadins eyes slid around to look at me. As our eyes met, his Adams apple bobbed noticeably.


    Sister.


    Cassadin approached me without taking his eyes off of me for even a second, taking my hand, then saying softly,


    I thought an angel had just descended from heaven for a moment.


    I just smiled back instead of replying.


    Then we took a carriage to the imperial pce. Before getting on the carriage, I looked up at the sky for a moment. Just past noon, the skies were clear without a single cloud in sight. Just like the day in my memory.


    Sister.


    At Cassadins urging voice, I stepped into the carriage, still holding onto his hand. And as if it were the natural thing to do, my suspicious younger brother took the seat next to me.


    And even after the carriage started moving, he seemed to have no intention of letting go of my hand.


    You can let go of my hand now.


    Cant I hold it?


    Why?


    Because I want to.


    After saying that, Cassadin lightly rested his face on my shoulder. And a few strands of his silver hair that slipped down tickled my neck.


    Theres an incredibly nice scenting from you, Sister.


    I wish time could just stop here. I think Ill be upset if the others at the imperial pce so much as look at you.


    Here we go again. Where on earth did he learn to talk like that?


    Cassadin, your joke is going too far.


    Its not a joke.


    why do you keep lying? My little brother.


    I said, pulling my hand away from Cassadins.


    It was only for a moment, but I felt Cassadin hold his breath.


    Cassadin.


    Im really curious why you keep lying to me.


    I turned my gaze to the scenery outside of the carriage. On top of arge hill covered with reeds, children were frolicking around andughing. Watching their peaceful interactions and scenery, I then added on,


    But as you always have, you will likely not tell me why. Even so, if


    I trailed off for a moment, then opened my mouth again.


    If I wish for you to tell me the truth someday, is that too selfish of me?


    Cassadin remained silent. Silence sometimes serves as an answer. In this context, his silence also meant that he admitted he had lied.


    You dont believe what I said.


    Did you know Cassadin? When you lie, a corner of your mouth curls up slightly. And your right eyelid trembles very faintly.


    Youre quite an unskilled liar, you know.


    Cassadin let out a small chuckle after hearing my observation. A little sigh of disbelief was mixed somewhere in there as well.


    Just who are you, Sister?


    I avoided the question he was testing me with, just like he did with me.


    It looks like weve already arrived at the imperial pce.


    Looking around, a pce glittering with a golden sheen came into view.


    I often visited the imperial pce since I was a child, since it was also the ce where I was brought by my Father while holding his hand in order to heal members of the imperial family.


    Those who didnt know of our familys healing abilities were all envious of me, holding a strange belief that the emperor had chosen me as the candidate for the Crown Princess. It was amon urrence for people to criticize others without knowing the details.


    weve finally arrived.


    Cassadin murmured in a soft voice. I took his outstretched hand and got off the carriage. He looked at me as if he had something to say, but when our eyes met, he shut his mouthpletely.


    Do you have something to say?


    Its just Youre so beautiful, Sister.


    More nonsense.


    Youve been veryplimentary today. Youre beautiful too.


    Id appreciate it if youd say Im handsome.


    Alright, then, lets go with handsome.


    I casually epted his request and entered the imperial pce, holding his hand.


    The pce was heavily guarded. It was bustling with imperial knights on standby and people who had been invited to the pce.


    The burly knight checking the invitations at the front nced at Cassadin next to me and coughed.


    Wh-who is yourpanion?


    He was even stuttering. Wondering why the knight was acting like that, I nced around the area. It turns out that not just the knights, but other nobles were also sneaking nces at Cassadin.


    Who is he?


    Oh my. Hes incredibly handsome.


    Its my first time seeing him, but hes so charming.


    All the nobles murmured amongst themselves behind their fans, but maybe my hearing was just that sharp, as I heard everything they said loud and clear.


    I purposely responded louder for the nobles to hear.


    This is my younger brother, Cassadin.


    Earl Serkia family confirmed. You may go in.


    The moment we stepped foot inside the pce, the exact same scene I had seen in my precious life came into view.


    The shimmering chandeliers and lion sculptures were in the center of the room. Everyones faces, and their clothes were all the same as my memory.


    But the only difference was that I brought Cassadin with me this time.


    Damian arrivedte at the banquet that day.


    I still vividly remember that day when I fell in love with him at first sight. It was on this day that I was hoping for the boring hours of this banquet to end quickly. I remember the buzz of the people behind me as I stepped outside for fresh air to relieve my dizziness from one too many sses of high-alcohol wine.


    Goodness. Its Grand Duke Damian!


    Ive only heard rumors of him


    I heard its hard to see him at all because hes so busy.


    Hes so handsome!


    Appearing in the midst of the crowds murmurs, Damian gave me a slight grin the moment our eyes met.


    And that was the start of my foolish first love, which ultimately led to my death.


    Sister.


    Hearing Cassadins voice calling me, I erased my bubbling thoughts and looked up at him. Meeting my gaze, he smiled as brightly as the midsummer sun and said,


    Youre finally looking at me.


    What were you thinking about?


    Its a secret.


    It was just when he wasughing softly at my response, like a pack of dogs discovering their prey, the young nobledies who should have beenughing amongst themselves were approaching us.


    Oh my! Lady Serkia! Its been a long time.


    nice to see you, Lady Christine.


    You remember me. Its an honor.


    Well, of course, I remember.


    Christine Ively, from an Earl family like mine, was known for her love of jewels. Her family had amassed their wealth through a diamond mine.


    Countless people were sacrificed to mine those diamonds. And I heard that hundreds of ves died just in that process.


    She was also the one who spread the ridiculous rumor that our family had umted wealth through a hidden mine to hide that fact.


    And the reason our family was targeted among many families was because I had a jewel that she didnt own.


    Oh, but who is the person next to you?


    Ivelys eyes sparkled as she looked at Cassadin, who was standing right next to me. And looking at the woman who was blushing at him, Cassadin opened his mouth.


    Hello, Im Cassadin.


    Oh my, how can his voice be so good as well?


    It was a sight to see Ively with her mouth slightly agape and her cheeks a shade of bright red. Is that what I looked like to others when I fell in love with Damian?


    He is my younger brother.


    All of the nobledies eyes glittered, including Ively. It looked like the other nobledies, who had just been watching from afar, were nowing this way.


    Your younger brother?


    As far as I know, isnt Lady Serkia the only daughter of Earl Jigen?


    That cant be!


    One of the nobledies, who had been quietly watching with a blushing face, suddenly eximed, pping her hands as if she had made some amazing revtion.


    So, was that why you havent been appearing in the social circle much? To monopolize your handsome younger brother?


    Was that what they seriously thought?


    Though I attended important banquets rted to the imperial family, I never attended other events under the firm belief that social circles were a waste of time. I didnt want to waste my precious mental energy on their petty fights.


    It was because I had to consume a considerable amount of mental energy when using my healing ability. The deeper the wound or illness, the more mental energy it consumes.


    You should have told us if there had been someone like this.


    How could you hide away such a stunning person?


    Even his skin is unimaginably fair.


    Fortunately or unfortunately, the youngdies all seemed to believe that Cassadin was my younger brother. No, they seemed to want to believe it.


    Excuse me, but do you have a lover, Cassadin?


    In order to take position next to Cassadin like such, that is. All thedies didnt seem to have the slightest idea that he used to be a ve. And that in itself was a relief.


    Wait, I was going to ask first!


    Sir Cassadin, if its alright with you, may I invite you to our mansionter


    Hey! Dont cut.


    But then thedies, including Ively, all started to fight amongst themselves over Cassadin. Who knew bringing Cassadin would attract so much attention?


    I dont have a lover, but there is someone whom I dare carry in my heart.


    Suddenly, when Cassadin opened his mouth, thedies who had been ring each other down went silent. I was also a little surprised because this was the first time Id heard of it. Eyes wide open, Ively nibbled her lower lip and asked him.


    Who is it?


    When Ively asked him straightforwardly, Cassadin suddenly squeezed the hand that was holding mine. When I looked up at him with a puzzled face, he drew a curved line starting at the corners of his mouth and smiled cutely at me.


    That person was wearing a sky-blue dress revealing her corbones on the day we first met. There was also a shiny sapphire ne around her neck.


    My goodness!


    I couldnt take my eyes off her for a single moment. She was so beautiful that it felt like a sin to look away. I apologize to everyone, but my heart already belongs to that woman, so there is no longer any space left for another one.


    At Cassadins answer, Ively and the other nobledies let out a sigh of disappointment. But I was swept up in a strange feeling.


    a sky-blue dress revealing her corbones? A blue sapphire ne?


    Those were the clothes and ne I wore when I first met him in the diator arena.


    I looked at him, thinking that there was no way. When our eyes met, his eyes curled beautifully.


    And I vowed to fix that mans attitude once and for all when we returned home.


    By the way, whats the name of that person you carry in your heart?


    Cassadins announcement just made things a lot moreplicated. I tightened my grip on Cassadins hand and sent him a silentmand not to speak.


    But seemingly unaware of my intentions, Cassadin opened his mouth once more.