“So he ran away. But after 7 years, A slowly realized…”
“…”
“Just because he gave up, his father didn’t give up on him.”
His words instantly reminded Cassia of the Duke and Nick, and she took a deep breath.
Irwin continued.
“Everything was the same. He thought that if he went in hiding and waited for the time to pass, everything would flow and take place without him perfectly fine, but that was not the case.”
Adolf looked a little tired.
“Everyone was waiting for A. And everyone was getting tired. No situation has been resolved, and no mind has been settled. A feels guilty in it, anger at the unresolved situation, and a sense of helplessness.”
“…”
“And he finally faces a moment of choice. To either go back and face the situation, or he waits, withholding the situation further.”
He grinned.
“And he also knows that if he puts the situation on hold again this time, then he may not be able to go back until the day he dies.”
Cassia realized at that moment.
What Adolf was really trying to ask her wasn’t the answer to his question.
He was seeking courage from her.
His excursion was coming to an end. And now he had to go back and endure life again as the Third Prince.
He was afraid of the weight of the position as the Third Prince that he would experience again in the meantime, and the conflict that he would face among his family.
He wanted to gain the courage to face it.
His situation, which seemed to overlap with his words, was broken. Cassia held his hand.
“Oh my God. Adolf, you can do well.”
“…”
“Don’t be afraid. You have the power to overcome all conflicts. You are the most honest and sincere person I have ever seen. How big of a weapon you have.”
Adolf looked at her with trembling eyes.
He asked her again.
“…Do I really have that kind of power?”
“Of course. Diana- No, under my name, I’m sure you have that power, Adolf.”
She was talking.
“My name is Cassia.”
“…Cassia?”
“Yes. Cassia Bennette. That’s my name.”
She nodded and said. He was looking at her with blank eyes.
He also told her his identity, so it would be the proper order for her to tell him her identity, too.
“Seven years ago, my friend died, and I married Duke Whidrian to become the Duchess of Whidrian. Now, all the children have grown up, I left the Duke’s mansion.”
“…I see.”
Hearing her identity, his eyes were young with astonishment but calm at the same time. He let out a small laugh.
“I was expecting it someday, but it feels strange that you really were the Duchess.”
“It’s a name that doesn’t have much to say, but I think I have to say it, too. And this is the only thing I can bet for you.”
“…”
“You can do well. Trust my intuition. Because I’m sure, you have the power to do that.”
Looking at him, she smiled. He looked at her like that with a puzzled face.
“Cassia.”
‘Cassia, Cassia.’
He repeated her name a few more times.
“It is an honour to be able to put your name on my existence.”
* * *
After that, Cassia spent time chatting with Adolf until dawn approached.
As Adolf said, even after they revealed their identities to each other, there was no awkwardness at all.
It was partly because they were already aware of each other’s identities, and partly because they thought of each other as friends even before that.
Their conversation was no different from before they knew each other’s identities, and there was still a lot of laughter inside.
Adolf enjoyed the food she had prepared.
She couldn’t hide the pride as she watched him eat the food ferociously, even though the taste must have gone down compared to when it had just cooled down.
When she looked at him with a happy expression, he smiled, saying that even his mother didn’t see him with those eyes. Of course, he didn’t forget to thank her as well.
After he finished eating, the energy of dawn was rushing outside.
“It will be dawn soon.”
Adolf said, looking out the window. Looking at the streets of dawn that have become brighter as if the morning was about to rise.
“It’s time to go back, Cassia.”
“…”
“If they find out that you have been hiding and even helping me while everyone is looking for me, it won’t be a good word among people. I don’t want to embarrass you, so I think you better go home now.”
“I know what you mean.”
Cassia agreed with him. He knew that if she was caught, he would be in trouble too. She also thought that she should get out of here soon.
She grabbed the empty basket and stood up from her seat.
He got up from his seat as if to see her off and led her out of the tent.
“It was fun today. I should get going… Oh, by the way, Adolf.”
She opened the door and breathed in the cool morning air, and looked back without going out.