Translator and Editor: Ddalgi and Wyvern

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Chapter 32 – Cassius’ First Love

To the aristocrats of the social world, Cassius’s expression was generally perceived as cold like the north wind, and just as indifferent. Now it looked completely different. He was dancing like a prince, looking at the woman in front of him with a face full of tenderness.

All the nobles gathered were astonished. Most of them wanted to talk about it, but they didn’t dare speak, so they only gaped and kept silent. The only certainty was that the Duke of Ideos loved that commoner woman, no, the woman who was now semi-noble. While everyone was bewildered, the orchestra played the lively yet mournful tune.

It ended with a strong finish.

Sierra spoke to Cassius in a lively tone, “I think it’s time to eat, my Lord.”

After the first dance, they had a light meal. The woman acted freely, and as long as Cassius Ideos stood by, no one in this place could speak freely to Sierra. No one could offend her, purposely or accidentally, at this event.

* * *

The table for the tea party was quickly prepared. Sierra seriously scanned the area to spot a friend for Cassius.

No one said anything. It was natural.

Because everyone in this seat, except for Lady Macbeth, was seated according to what Cassius liked. Among them, the young nobleman, who looked to be the youngest, started crying and talking about eating mustard. According to the noble etiquette of the capital, he had to speak to the owner of the salon first.

“…Lady…”

The young nobleman looked at Cassius and trembled.

Because as soon as he opened his mouth, his expression suddenly got worse. It was like he didn’t want him to touch his girl.

The young nobleman looked at Sierra while trying to stop his trembling body.

She took pity on him.

“Ahh… My name is Sierra. I am under His Grace, Duke Ideos’s care.”

Cassius replied, “Everyone in this room is close friends with me. This one over there is Sheldon, that one is Felly, and lastly…”

Sierra’s and the woman’s eyes met just in the center.

“Ceria Macbeth, the Lady of the Macbeth family.”

“Please feel free to call me Lady Macbeth.”

Following the brief self-introduction, the quiet time of sipping tea began. Sierra fiercely looked around and restarted her search.

‘Do you really have close friends? It doesn’t seem like it.’

As Sierra drank tea and observed them, they too observed the atmosphere of Sierra and the usually-cold Cassius.

He always poured tea into Sierra’s teacup. It was a clear display of possessiveness.

“Oh, come to think of it, I heard that the people here are very close to the Duke.”

“They also go to horseback riding clubs together.”

Of course, Sierra had never heard of it. Duke Ideos once said he was not interested in trivial things such as equestrian clubs. The ignorant young nobleman tried to shake his head.

But Duke Cassius Ideos, who was next to Sierra, turned to him with a glare that said he should affirm it.

He had no power in this place.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Sierra stared blankly at him and shook her head.

‘…What is it, do you really have friends?’

Cassius did not yet understand Sierra’s train of thought.

“If there’s someone you want to be friends with, tell me, Sierra.”

“…Yes, Thank you for your consideration.”

“That friend of mine will soon become your friend too, right?”

Cassius spoke softly to the nobles.

They looked into each other’s eyes and then nodded. Of course, they also had authority as aristocrats, but their debt to the Duke of Ideos was bigger than that.

‘Why does it look like a bad relationship?’

Sierra looked away, then soon took a sip of the tea.

‘I tried to make friends, but everyone is so cold…’

She didn’t learn anything in this salon. Sierra sighed and took a small biscuit. It was bitter and crunchy. She tried to converse again, but Cassius was still staring at her.

Fortunately for all, the awkward tea time ended quickly. Having finished the conversation, it was time to wrap up all the ceremonies in the salon with the group dance.

However, before the tea party table was cleared out for the group dances. Lady Macbeth opened her mouth.

“Sierra, I have something to say to you alone.”

Everyone was shocked and stunned. Of course, Lady Macbeth’s attitude wasn’t out of order. Rather, it was a natural procedure for nobles to socialize during a break before a group ballroom dance.

However, this was a salon where Cassius had his eyes wide open. Nevertheless, Lady Macbeth raised her chin.

Sierra looked back at her, and she spoke.

“Yes, Lady Macbeth. Let’s go to the balcony.”

She recalled the proper etiquette. She knew that socializing during breaks took place on the balcony.

She went to Cassius. “I will be back.”

It was a voice only he could hear.

But Cassius changed his relaxed expression to an anxious one.

“Can you not go?”

Sierra was a little perplexed, but whispered low into Cassius’ ear.

“What are you worried about? I’ll go. It won’t be a big deal.”

She, too, could notice that the eyes of people looking around her had become even more startled. But Sierra was curious about something. The woman who was called Cassius’s first love, Lady Macbeth.

* * *

Sierra left and went to the balcony with Lady Macbeth. Cassius’s cold eyes stared at the balcony. Sierra proudly said that she wanted to meet Macbeth, so he didn’t have anything to say.

As soon as Sierra closed the balcony door, the cold air replaced her spot. The orchestra resumed playing at his order. His soft expression disappeared, leaving only cynicism.

He wasn’t the type to show off his authority, but he wasn’t the type to spend his kindness on useless things. Cassius stared quietly at the balcony, then looked back at the hall with a cold expression.

To be precise, after Sierra entered the balcony, everyone stared at the hall that had stopped. The orchestra also stopped, and the aristocrats who had been hardened by the incident were fully in his vision.

He gestured lightly towards the orchestra.

“Just continue playing and we will dance.”

To the accompaniment of the colorful orchestra, in the chilly situation, only the nobles could be seen dancing like soldier dolls. Everyone in the room looked forward to the return of Sierra and Macbeth.

Contrary to Sierra’s expectations, Cassius didn’t dance with anyone. He only stared at the missing seats of Sierra and Lady Macbeth.

* * *

Meanwhile, Sierra and Macbeth, who entered the balcony, did not engage in a sharp confrontation, contrary to Cassius’ concerns.

Macbeth spoke straightforwardly.

“So, I heard your name is Sierra.”

She stared at Sierra’s face for a moment, startled. Her shoulders were shaking slightly.

“Yes.”

Macbeth bit her parched lips.

‘Was Duke of Ideos attracted to soft types?’

Someone weak, tender, seemingly ready to fly away at any moment. She looked completely different from Cassius Ideos’ taste.

Macbeth sat in a chair on the balcony, gesturing proudly to Sierra.

“My lady, the Duke will punish me if he knows I’ve spoken to you this way, but please sit down.”

Sierra sat firmly, so nervous that her pulse felt funny. Still, she looked at Macbeth with a clear gaze.

“No way.”

She laughed softly, and Macbeth burst out laughing.

‘Combat power is definitely disappearing.’

Macbeth sighed inwardly. After all, the rumors of her being the duke’s first love were going to disappear as of today.

Even the princess would not be able to match Sierra. Just by looking at those eyes… If one lays their hands on Sierra, he would act like he was going to catch and kill them right away. Even now, the sound of the orchestra was playing intermittently from outside. It was also an indicator of how anxious Duke Ideos was.

But Sierra, who was unaware of that fact, was just staring at Macbeth and nodding her head.

“Be careful.”

“Yeah?”

“You are the only one who shows such an attitude to Duke Ideos. So be careful.”

“Ah…” Sierra rolled her eyes.

Seeing Sierra like that, Macbeth whispered more solemnly, “The Duke was talking about a friend. Is this your idea?” Macbeth shrugged her shoulders in disbelief as she recalled Cassius’s words.

‘I don’t really need that.’ … ‘ ‘I hate friends and socializing.’

Cassius had never been seen in the equestrian clubs or social clubs where the high-ranking nobles usually gathered. After the war was over, he either worked like crazy or stayed in his mansion.

By the way…

He appeared with Sierra at the salon and stared at her with honeyed eyes. He talked to her with kindness. And when she looked slightly relieved, Cassius performed an exaggerated performance that nearly choked the nobility seated. All this was a funny skit. The cause was unknown, but it was clear that it was a show for her.

“You must be the Duke’s first love.”

Macbeth smiled softly, as if giving up on everything.

Embarrassed, Sierra looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“What do you mean…?”

“I’ve never seen the Duke with that expression.”

“……”

Sierra stared at Macbeth with a slightly perplexed expression.

Macbeth shrugged.

“I’ll give up.”

“No.”

“Well, it’s funny to give up.”

“Why…?”

“Because the two of you can easily overcome the difference in status with that level of emotion.”

Sierra’s expression stiffened at her blunt words.

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