She didn’t know why he came, but Yernia felt better after he rescued her from that boring meeting.
It was enough to use Cassian’s name as an excuse for her parents.
“You might think it’s weird, but I’m always worried about you, Yernia.”
Yernia tried to pull out her hand, but Cassian wouldn’t let go.
Cassian wasn’t aware of her wiggling hand because he had held it tightly.
That was when she decided to give up after that minor scuffle.
“Did you remember telling me in a letter that you were sick, coaxing me out of Lecardo Household? If you think I wasn’t worried about you, would I have left everything behind so I could rush to you?”
Yernia squinted at him even if his response was good enough.
“That was the first time you did, Cassian.”
“First time?”
“Yes, you never visited when I was sick in the past.”
Cassian and Yernia had been friends since they were young.
However, he never visited her in the hospital.
She even cried because she was disgusted and upset with him.
The suppressed disappointment she had in the past revealed itself unexpectedly.
Perhaps, that hidden resentment in her heart was still there somewhere.
“What?” He asked again as if he hadn’t heard correctly the first time.
Cassian furrowed his brows.
“You said I didn’t visit you when you were sick?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you think so?”
Yernia was even more dumbfounded by Cassian’s statement.
Maybe, he was trying to mislead her by changing the subject.
“That’s because you weren’t there, Cassian.”
Cassian gave Yernia a faint smile as his suspicious gaze examined her countenance to see if she was lying.
His handsome face hardened slightly when he couldn’t find anything.
“I was gone, Yernia.”
“You came?”
“You must not have noticed because you were delirious when you got sick. I’m gone.”
Was Cassian there?
That couldn’t have been true.
If he had visited her, her parents could have told her.
Yernia remembered all of the days when she got sick, but she didn’t remember Cassian coming to visit her at the mansion.
“Nobody said you were there, Cassian! Do you know how many times I asked everyone in my family? But my mom, dad, sister, and brother didn’t say you were there. You’re not lying to me just because we were young then, are you?”
Yernia scowled at him, wondering if Cassian had made these excuses because she couldn’t remember their memories correctly.
When Cassian finally realized something, he covered his eyes and smiled dejectedly.
“I told your family not to tell you, but hell, I couldn’t believe they could keep a secret very well.”
“What?”
“I was a little shy back then.”
“What? What did you say?”
Was Cassian embarrassed?
He was weird today not only because of what he said but also because his honesty surprised her very much.
All of these were just weird.
“Were you still upset about that after all these years?”
Cassian had been bewildered, frustrated, and sad earlier, but now, he was smiling happily.
He must have had something he wanted from her, and Yernia could tell what it was without asking.
Marriage.
Cassian must marry Yernia so he wouldn’t die, so maybe that’s why he was trying to please her like this.
Her heart seemed to calm down a little after that realization.
“Who’s upset? I’m just telling you the truth, Cassian.”
She had no idea how many years he would make fun of her if she told her she was disappointed.
Yernia would instead take it to the grave.
“Lie. It’s all written on your face.” He challenged.
Yernia took him up on it even if it was unnecessary. “No, look at me carefully.”
She didn’t dare back off.
The distance between them narrowed so that they were almost nose to nose.
Cassian’s eyebrows wriggled.
“I wasn’t upset.”
“…….”
“It just wasn’t once or twice. That’s how you are.” Yernia said bitterly.
Yet, she had no idea that their close proximity made Cassian blush hard in chagrin that he was compelled to step back and release her.
He also laughed inwardly, finding it hard to handle how adorable Yernia looked when she tried to convince him that she wasn’t upset at all.
“I wouldn’t fail you from now on.” To be honest, Yernia already expected Cassian to tease her again. “But, are you sure you weren’t disappointed, Yernia?”
‘I was disappointed.’ She wanted to bite, but Cassian was too eager to make her do that.
“Please cut me some slack.”
“Huh? Hm. Well, it’s a long time ago, anyway.”
Cassian suddenly changed his tune.
She had no idea that he could switch like that so easily.
Yena nodded her head in reluctance, but at least she agreed.
Somehow, her disappointment had gradually vanished.
“That’s a relief.” Cassian smiled and slightly pulled Yernia’s hand. “Shall we go on a date?”
Yernia followed Cassian without mulling over it for too long.
Then, she tilted her head and raised the bouquet in her hand.
‘I touched Cassian’s ear a little while ago.’ Yernia mused as the petals fluttered over them.