You Are Gentle, But You Don’t Love Me - Chapter 14

One step, then another. Cassio approached her slowly. As he drew closer, the expression that had been hidden in shadows gradually became clearer.

When Cassio finally stopped just a step away from Juliet—

“I came to find you, my…”

It was then Juliet recognized his expression.

“My Juliet.”

Embarrassingly, Juliet flinched in surprise.

It wasn’t because he wore a stern or displeased expression. He was smiling, as he always did.

Yet his face carried an unbearably chilling air.

With that unsettling smile, Cassio spoke words Juliet had never heard from anyone else before.

“My Juliet.”

“Come here.”

“…”

“Standing so close to the edge is dangerous.”

Cassio extended his hand slowly, as though coaxing a frightened animal, wary and ready to flee.

“Come to me.”

Juliet’s hand moved even more slowly than his. Deliberately, her gloved fingers settled onto his solid hand. The moment her hand touched his—

She was yanked forward.

“Ah!”

The sudden pull caused her ankle, clad in high heels, to twist precariously. Juliet stumbled, falling into Cassio’s arms.

It was as though he had been ready, catching her effortlessly.

Too close.

As Juliet instinctively tried to pull back, a firm hand pressed against the back of her head, drawing her deeper into his embrace. Her face was buried in his chest, held firmly in place.

Startled, Juliet tried to wriggle free, but Cassio’s grip did not loosen.

“I told you, it’s dangerous.”

His voice fell from above her, resonating more like a vibration than a sound.

“Your Grace.”

“It’s all right.”

From the crown of her head to the depths of her being, his low, heavy tone rippled like a wave.

“You don’t need to say anything.”

“…”

“Just stay like this for a moment.”

The floral scent that usually surrounded him seemed to have disappeared. Instead, his embrace carried a faintly bitter aroma.

“All right…”

At last, the strength in Cassio’s grip eased. Yet he didn’t fully let her go, leaving Juliet’s view filled with his broad chest.

And the glittering pink diamond brooch pinned to his collar.

Juliet glanced down at the hem of her dress, then back at the pink diamond on his collar.

The same pale pink.

He matched it on purpose.

But perhaps it wasn’t necessary.

The small jewel dangling from Juliet’s ear mirrored the exact same color. Perhaps Cassio had chosen the ruby gift for this very reason—so that, with just one adornment, they would always match.

Today, tomorrow, even in the seasons to come… perhaps for the rest of their lives, they would share the same hue.

Because Cassio Bellanea was her husband, and Juliet Caligari was his wife.

“…Your Grace.”

“Hmm?”

Juliet called out to him without thinking but closed her mouth again. Now that she had his attention, she wasn’t sure how to continue. She hesitated before lightly placing her hand on his chest.

“I’m sorry.”

“….”

Slowly, with as much care as possible, Juliet pushed Cassio away.

He, who hadn’t budged earlier, retreated easily when she did so.

“I’m truly sorry. I know I shouldn’t, but…”

The moonlight peeked through the clouds, casting a faint glow on him. Finally, Juliet raised her head to carefully study his face.

That pale, beautiful face, with eyes of vivid green that shone even in the darkness.

Yet his expression remained eerily calm. The stark white around his eyes and the faint red tinge at their edges gave him a strangely intense look.

Is he angry?

Perhaps. Juliet gazed at him quietly before lowering her eyes again.

Still…

“I want to go back. To our home.”

Would it be okay to ask for something so childish just this once?

Because Cassio was her husband. Juliet’s husband.

“Is that not possible?”

Her voice was cautious as she posed the question.

“…Of course, it’s possible.”

Cassio’s response came after a slight pause, accompanied by his usual warm smile.

“Whatever you wish, Juliet.”

My Juliet.

＊ ＊ ＊

Sunlight pierced her closed eyelids, causing Juliet to grumble in her sleep.

“Mm…”

The darkness returned almost immediately, as though shielding her from the light.

The comforting darkness that settled once again and the gentle touch brushing her hair felt pleasant. As she nuzzled her cheek against the pillow beneath her head…

“Ah, Juliet.”

A tender voice calling her name shimmered faintly in her ears. Beyond that, the clattering sound of something rattling and bumping faded, grew closer, and then faded again.

Her consciousness dipped below the surface of sleep, drifting up and down as if she were bobbing in shallow waters.

Then suddenly, thunk, bang-bang!

“Hold on… Ah, you’re awake.”

Even though her eyes were still closed, how could he tell she was awake? Juliet, still hazy from sleep, found herself slightly annoyed by Cassio’s sharp perception.

It might’ve been better to just stay asleep.

That way, she wouldn’t have to know she had spent all this time sleeping on his lap.

She had no idea how this had happened. She was sure that Cassio had been sitting across from her.

At least, that’s what Juliet remembered…

“Anything you wish.”

After saying that, Cassio had swiftly gathered everyone to prepare for their return to Escalus.

Thus, despite barely having settled into Rogudo, Juliet had begun her journey back to Escalus. With nightfall, the carriage moved at a sluggish pace.

And inside the carriage, darker than the night outside…

…

Juliet was quietly observing Cassio.

Was he upset?

The chill in his face and voice earlier, the hand that had held her so firmly…

But why…

By the time her lips, which she had been nervously biting, turned faintly red, the carriage jolted. In the shadowy interior, her knee brushed against his as they sat slightly askew from each other. She instinctively looked up, only to lower her gaze again.

…

Cassio remained silent. The darkness made it impossible to discern his face or expression.

All she could see was his upright posture, the silhouette of his arm and shoulder, and his lightly clenched fist resting on his knee.

Perhaps he was a little upset.

But…

Cassio had indulged her whim. For some reason, that thought made her heart flutter, foolishly so.

Caught between elation and worry, she must have drifted off at some point.

But why was I on his lap…

“Juliet? Are you very tired?”

A firm hand brushed against her cheek. Juliet had no choice but to slowly lift her heavy eyelids.

As expected, the first thing she saw was his rounded knee, clad in dark trousers. The seat across from her, where Cassio had been sitting before she fell asleep, was now empty.

Juliet closed her eyes again. Pretending to be asleep seemed like the better option.

“Still, wake up. We’ve arrived.”

“…”

“If you don’t get up, I’ll carry you down myself.”

“…I’m awake.”

“My, how resolute. I’m hurt.”

A teasing voice, tinged with laughter, fell from above. Juliet blinked a few times before slowly sitting up, her gaze fixed firmly on the yet-unopened carriage door. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him directly.

“Ah…!”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I startle you?”

So when Cassio’s hand touched her head, she flinched in surprise. Startled, his hand, which had been ruffling her hair, quickly retreated.

But it soon returned, softer this time.

“Your hair’s a mess. It wouldn’t do to step out like this.”

Now that she thought about it, she recalled feeling his hand smoothing her hair while she slept. And after nuzzling her cheek against his lap, her makeup was probably ruined as well.

But Juliet didn’t have the energy to worry about such things.

“I’ll just undo it. No need to fix it again.”

“Yes, um…”

With a soft sound, the ruby pin was pulled from her hair. As Juliet’s hands, folded neatly on her lap, trembled slightly, her braided hair unraveled.

Is it possible for hair to feel ticklish?

The sensation of her loose hair brushing against her neck sent shivers down her spine.

Cassio spent a while combing through her hair with his fingers before finally tapping the carriage wall. As the door opened in response, he stepped out first and then helped Juliet down.

The damp scent of dew-laden grass and fresh earth wafted over her.

I’m home.

That thought crossed her mind. Though it hadn’t even been a day, it felt like she had returned from a long journey.

In the still-cool dawn, the first pale light of morning illuminated her view. Juliet took in the sight of Escalus Castle bathed in the fragile morning light.

It was her home, yet it felt strangely unfamiliar.

…Now that I think about it, I called it “our home.”

“Let’s head inside and rest. You must be tired.”

Cassio gently took her hand. The warmth of his touch spread through her fingertips, and Juliet closed her eyes tightly for a moment before opening them again.

…

Even after blinking, the view before her remained unchanged. The familiar old castle where she had grown up, the gleaming morning sunlight, and the man leading her by the hand in that light.

The scene felt both deeply familiar and inexplicably foreign. And within that scene stood Cassio.

“Juliet?”

“Ah, yes.”

Juliet had been staring at him absent mindedly. Belatedly, she followed as he led the way.