Sweet you who doesn’t love me - Chapter 4: Sound Of The Waves

“Hello, Juliet.”

 

It was the same greeting as a few days ago.

 

But this time, their positions were reversed. Juliet, sitting beneath the gazebo, reading a book, lowered her gaze towards the direction of the greeting.

 

“…….”

 

Cassio stood in the middle of the garden, basking in the sunlight as he looked up at her. When his eyes met Juliet’s, he smiled, as if his eyes were sparkling.

 

Even while scrunched up, his dark red eyebrows were softly arched.

 

“Your Grace.”

 

As Juliet tried to get up from her chair, he extended his hand.

 

“Oh, don’t bother getting up.”

 

The book’s pages resting on her lap fluttered in the breeze.

 

Her trembling white hand looked frail under the sunlight, as she jumped to cover the book she had been reading.

 

Meanwhile, Cassio leaped up onto the gazebo. His movements were still graceful and unhurried.

 

“You can keep reading if you’d like.”

 

“No, it’s okay.”

 

Stepping into the blue shade, a fan-like wrinkle appeared on his forehead as he smiled brightly.

 

Juliet’s hand rested on top of the book.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Cassio approached Juliet with flexibility and gentleness, like a mermaid gliding through water.

 

“U… I randomly picked something from the library, but it doesn’t quite suit my taste.”

 

“I see. So, I’ve given you an excuse to finish your boring reading?”

 

“Something like that.”

 

Cassio was now standing right beside her. Juliet let out a short sigh.

 

A faint smell of herbs wafted in the air. Unfamiliar to Juliet but something that often came from her family’s physician.

 

‘The smell of medicine.’

 

She pretended not to notice and gave him a faint smile as she looked up at him.

 

“Juliet.”

 

“Your Grace.”

 

Both of them opened their mouths simultaneously, then closed them. Cassio arched his eyebrows awkwardly.

 

He was someone who could skillfully use his facial expressions, consciously or unconsciously.

 

Even when he furrowed his brows the same way, sometimes he exuded a gentle calmness, while other times he seemed troubled.

 

“Shall I speak first?”

 

However, no matter which expression he wore, his face always seemed kind.

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Alright, Juliet.”

 

He was so affectionate to Juliet that it was almost surreal.

 

Was he like this three years ago…? She couldn’t quite remember. Whether then or now, the expressions Juliet displayed were always a bit awkward and stiff, like someone who didn’t know what to do.

 

“Wouldn’t you like to have tea together?”

 

The moment she heard his words, Juliet truly didn’t know how to respond.

 

“…You might find it boring.”

 

After a brief hesitation, Juliet gave a polite refusal.

 

It wasn’t because she disliked him. In fact, it was because she herself was a boring person. Juliet was not good at small talk, and there were even fewer stories to share that could be entertaining.

 

Since she got married, and especially after he left, Juliet hadn’t met anyone.

 

She didn’t want to meet anyone.

 

“You think so?”

 

But Cassio didn’t give up. On the contrary, he skillfully utilized his charming face.

 

“There’s no way I’d find spending time with Juliet boring.”

 

As his eyelids curved downward, his emerald green irises were partially hidden. His cheeks were pulled back, forming a smiling expression, but his lips seemed subtly tense.

 

It wouldn’t be easy to look both bright and disappointed at the same time, but he managed it effortlessly.

 

“It will be a happy, enjoyable, and beautiful afternoon. If only you’re with me.”

 

“…….”

 

“Is that not possible?”

 

Juliet didn’t know how to respond to such a facial expression. She didn’t know how to respond to someone who made such a gentle request after making such a face.

 

“Juliet, won’t you have tea with me?”

 

Finally, Juliet nodded her head. Seeing her positive response, Cassio raised an eyebrow.

 

Juliet looked at him in amazement and with a somewhat absent-minded face, then stood up from her seat.

 

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I feel like my summer is already filled with blessings.”

 

She couldn’t help but secretly smile at his sweet whispered words.

 

‘Was he always like this? He was always quite affectionate, but….’

 

He didn’t seem like a man who would make such a teasing invitation to such a boring woman.

 

Perhaps Juliet just hadn’t known. The time they spent together was too short.

 

Five days and five nights. Even during that brief time, they hardly faced each other.

 

They were busy entertaining guests. After all, wedding banquets were usually the busiest for the couple.

 

“Well, it’s alright.”

 

Looking at Cassio, who was standing below the gazebo, bathed in sunlight, Juliet thought briefly. It seemed like something he would regret doing so affectionately to such a boring woman.

 

‘He probably never meant to invite someone as boring as me to have tea together,’ she thought.

 

After saying that in her mind, Juliet really felt like she was a boring person. Perhaps Cassio would soon regret it.

 

“Since this will be the last time.”

 

As she reached that conclusion, Juliet walked shoulder to shoulder with him. The sound of waves seemed to reach her ears from far away every time the silver magnolia leaves rustled. Even after they had gone far away from the gazebo, the sound lingered around her ears.

 

However, as soon as they entered the castle, the sound disappeared as if washed away.

 

“Your Grace.”

 

“Madam.”

 

As if they were already prepared for their arrival, the maids who had been waiting in line lowered their heads.

 

“Let’s go to the reception room.”

 

Cassio took the lead, and Juliet quickly followed by his side. The maids trailed behind them, walking silently in a small procession.

 

Juliet felt the maids’ gazes on her back, so she unconsciously straightened her posture. She still held the book in her hand, as if carrying a burden on her back.

 

“Oh, wait. Let me open it.”

 

Before long, they arrived at the reception room. Cassio swiftly moved the maids who were trying to open the door and personally pushed it open.

 

“Ta-da!”

 

With a cheerful smile, he ushered Juliet inside the room.

 

“I’ve prepared everything.”

 

“….”

 

Beyond his outstretched arms, a white lace cloth covered table was visible.

 

On it lay various delicate teacups, freshly baked pastries, and small plates with neatly cut sandwiches, all in snowy white.

 

Bathed in sunlight pouring in through the window, the vine-patterned golden frames encircling the edges of the teacups shimmered brightly.

 

“How do you like it? Does it look good?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Unconsciously, Juliet nodded her head. Everything in her sight was tailored to her taste.

 

‘How…?’

 

“Don’t just stand there. Come this way.”

 

Cassio strode confidently towards the table. He quickly pulled out a chair and gestured for Juliet to sit.

 

“Please.”

 

Juliet hesitated for a moment, then handed the book she had been holding to the maid standing behind her before following Cassio’s lead.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Don’t mention it.”

 

After pushing in the chair to make her comfortable, Cassio finally sat opposite her.

 

While the maids brewed the tea and warmed the teacups, the two sat quietly without uttering a word.

 

Until the fresh aroma of the tea filled the table along with the soft sound of water.

 

“So, is it really boring?”

 

And finally, when Cassio opened his mouth, Juliet had to make an effort to hide her troubled feelings.

 

“War Diary.”

 

A book filled with dreadful stories, selecting and intertwining only the cruel aspects of war, was what she had been carrying all along, trying to hide the title from him.

 

“When did you see the name?”

 

She thought she had hidden the title well enough.

 

“That… Haha.”

 

The tea was steaming gently. The weather was mild, but not uncomfortably warm. Even though she was drinking hot tea in the middle of summer, it was a minor concern.

 

Juliet lifted the teacup to her lips, and it was unknowingly a good move.

 

“Are you curious about the war?”

 

If she hadn’t covered her mouth with the teacup, she might have been caught with her stiff expression.

 

Still, Cassio’s voice was gentle and affectionate, but it carried a distinct sharpness.

 

‘Is he angry after all?’

 

Cassio was the one who had actually experienced war and got injured because of it. It was only natural that he would be upset if someone showed light curiosity about the war while having him nearby.

 

‘But…’

 

Juliet brought the teacup to her lips and lowered her gaze. Her face shimmered faintly in the red tea.

 

Fortunately, except for her lips covered by the teacup, her expression remained as indifferent as always. Dry and emotionless, like a doll.

 

“Or, are you curious?”

 

But with consecutive questions, her composure slightly faltered. It was like a sharp jab.

 

“….”

 

Out of all the numerous books in the study, the reason she had chosen “War Diary” was obvious.

 

It was, of course, because of Cassio Bellanea.

 

Of course, what was written in the book and what he had actually experienced might be different, but she still wanted to know. Even if it was just a little bit of his daily experiences.

 

However, after reading a few pages, she couldn’t bring herself to turn any more pages.

 

[During the past three years, have you spent peaceful and blessed summers here?]

 

Had Cassio experienced such things too? That man who always seemed to shine with a heavenly aura, surrounded by beautiful sunlight.

 

Those who couldn’t even guarantee their own lives a few hours later, struggling for survival in terrible situations. The collapse of humanity and ethics on the border between life and death…

 

‘If only that were the case.’

 

So perhaps she had wished for a peaceful and ordinary life. Whether it was Juliet or someone else.

 

Such thoughts kept coming to her mind.

 

‘I couldn’t even read more than a few pages.’

 

Juliet stole a glance at Cassio, who was sitting right in front of her. To say she stole a glance was an understatement because their eyes met in an instant.

 

He was still smiling.

 

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