You Are Gentle, But You Don’t Love Me - Chapter 26

‘Discipline really does run deep in the military.’

The young man who had been chattering excitedly just moments ago had vanished, replaced by a stiff-backed soldier sitting across from Juliet.

‘But Cassio looks pleased.’

Unlike Elijah, who had gone rigid with tension, Cassio was smiling cheerfully beside her. Though his words were teasing, it was clear he was happy to see his former aide.

Juliet glanced at Elijah, then at Cassio, before quietly sipping the freshly brewed tea. The soft, subtle aroma she favored spread gently in her mouth.

“So,” Cassio drawled, having interrupted Elijah’s enthusiastic praise just moments earlier, “why are you here?”

Elijah, now sweating nervously, launched into another lengthy explanation of past events.

Summarized into a single sentence—

“You ran away from home?”

Elijah Logudoro had fled from his family after growing tired of their nagging.

“Well… you could put it that way…”

“You could put it that way? That’s exactly what happened.”

Elijah tried to phrase it differently, but with his commanding officer cutting straight to the point, there was little room for argument. Cassio let out an incredulous chuckle.

“The third son of the renowned Logudoro family. A descendant of the infamous Paspari pirates. A proud Aragonese naval captain, twice promoted in the Canary Islands conquest…”

“…”

“And yet, he runs away from home because he doesn’t want to get married.”

“Agh, Commander.”

The teasing tone was unmistakable. The nervous soldier vanished, replaced by a young man flushing a deep red. Elijah rubbed his face, grabbed his teacup—

“Ugh!”

Unfortunately for him, the freshly brewed tea was still scalding hot.

“…Are you alright?”

“You fool,” Cassio sighed, shaking his head as he lifted his own cup with practiced ease. He barely wet his lips before setting it down, while Juliet quietly handed Elijah a napkin.

Today’s tea time was particularly chaotic.

But somehow, she didn’t mind it.

“Ah, yes… Thank you…”

As Elijah wiped his mouth with the napkin, an unusual silence settled over the room. Juliet glanced at him, then at Cassio.

‘Now that I really look at them, they don’t resemble each other at all.’

Before Cassio had arrived, Elijah had vaguely reminded her of a younger brother. But in truth, the only similarity between them was their height and green eyes.

In every other aspect, they were complete opposites.

Elijah’s skin was deeply tanned, while Cassio’s was pale, almost marble-like. Their facial structures were entirely different.

Though his boyish features softened his appearance for now, Elijah had a strong, rugged frame—one that would only grow more defined with time. Soon enough, people would say he truly looked like the descendant of pirates.

Cassio, on the other hand…

‘He’s beautiful.’

His features were smooth and delicate, like a sculpture carefully refined by a master artist. His eyes, slightly upturned at the corners, folded into soft curves when he smiled.

Even his bright red hair, which could have given him a fierce impression, was tempered by the fresh, light-green hue of his eyes—like early summer leaves.

If Elijah was a figure sketched in bold charcoal strokes, Cassio was a painting rendered in fine brushwork.

Even now, as he sat with his eyes half-closed in thought, he looked as though he belonged in a portrait.

His long lashes cast shadows over his smooth cheekbones, and the slight parting of his lips, the way they trembled faintly—

‘The Princess of the Aragonese Navy, indeed.’

Juliet had to stifle a laugh at the nickname. It was fitting, even if she found it amusing.

“…”

Swallowing down the laughter that threatened to escape, she turned her gaze toward the window instead.

Cassio remained lost in thought, eyes closed. The sky outside had begun to turn amber.

Elijah cautiously sipped his tea, this time more carefully.

And then—

“Go back. I don’t need extra mouths to feed.”

Cassio opened his eyes and spoke firmly.

“Commander…”

“How many times have I told you not to look at me like that? Ten?”

“Escalus Commander…”

“Twenty?”

“…Thirty-four times, sir.”

“You remember that so well, and yet you still do it?”

Elijah’s voice grew small, almost whimpering. But Cassio was unwavering.

Even Juliet, who had merely been listening, felt the cold finality in his tone.

“Go back.”

“…”

With that, Cassio fell silent.

The once lively room became eerily quiet.

Finally, Juliet set down her teacup with a soft clink.

“Duke.”

“…Juliet.”

“Can’t he stay in Escalus for a few days?”

Cassio let out a long, drawn-out sigh—one that seemed to say he had expected this. But Juliet wasn’t done.

“Elijah should take some time to think. Marriage isn’t a decision that should be made lightly…”

Her voice, initially firm, trailed off. The thought of how carelessly she had made her own decision surfaced in her mind.

“…or rushed.”

She couldn’t even finish the sentence before sneaking a glance at Cassio.

“Hmm.”

As expected, their eyes met—his gaze full of discontent.

“So… just let him stay for a little while. A quiet place to think…”

Her words tumbled awkwardly off her tongue, unsure whether they should be swallowed or spoken. In the end, she bit down on the rest and looked up at him once more.

Cassio smirked. Just that small smile was enough to make her heart sink.

“Haah… Elijah.”

“Yes!”

Elijah, who had been watching Juliet intently since she first spoke, responded with a hopeful enthusiasm.

Cassio clicked his tongue, clearly displeased.

“You’re lucky.”

“Thank you!”

“Don’t thank me. Thank the kind and merciful Duchess of Escalus.”

“Thank you, Duchess! I won’t forget your generosity!”

“It’s really not that big of a deal…”

Flustered by his overly grand gratitude, Juliet waved her hands dismissively.

Cassio, sighing beside her, took a sip of his tea with effortless grace. Then, as if remembering something, he added,

“By the way, when are you going to stop calling me Commander? This isn’t the navy.”

“Ah, my apologies. It’s a habit.”

“I’m sick of it.”

“Then… what should I call you?”

“Believe it or not, I’m a Duke. Have been for about three years now.”

“…Duke.”

Cassio smirked as he resumed teasing Elijah, while Elijah, despite the mockery, looked visibly relieved. The once tense sitting room filled again with easy chatter.

“Now, where should we put him?” Cassio mused. “How about the stables?”

“The stables…? Yes, I suppose… that’s fine.”

“Duke, there’s a guesthouse.”

“It’s too nice for him, Juliet. You spent so much time preparing it.”

“…”

“I really don’t mind! The stables are fine!”

“…”

“Elijah, lower your voice. You startled Juliet.”

It was impossible to tell whether they were joking or serious, but their back-and-forth dragged on for a while.

Just when Elijah seemed to have truly resigned himself to sleeping in the stables, Cassio magnanimously permitted him to stay in the guesthouse instead—leaving his aide profoundly moved.

Juliet, meanwhile, quietly thanked her past self for having prepared the estate long ago.

And so, for the first time in three years, Escalus had a guest.

To the House of Logudoro,

Elijah will be staying in Escalus for a few days.

Please do not consider him a burden.

It has been a long time since we had a visitor, and the estate has become livelier because of him. I suspect that when he leaves, the maids will be rather disappointed.

If I may be a bit selfish, I can’t help but wonder if your son’s visit has also lightened the small burden I carried from leaving the ball so early last time.

So please, do not scold him too much when he returns.

I hope that the next time we meet, we may exchange only warm greetings, without the need for gratitude or apologies.

From Escalus,
Juliet Calliari Escalus.

The ink dried quickly, likely due to the open window.

Juliet stared at the finished letter for a moment before folding it in half and handing it to a waiting maid.

Under normal circumstances, she would have sealed it with wax herself. But today was so hot that even standing near a candle felt unbearable.

“Is the Duke still asleep?”

“Um… shall I check?”

“No need. If he hasn’t come looking for me, he must still be resting.”

She smiled a little, thinking of Cassio dozing in the library before she had come downstairs.

Perhaps it was the cool air.

Or maybe there really was some kind of magic in that old, worn-out study that made him feel at ease.

Cassio always fell asleep there so quickly.

“Does he not sleep well at night…?”

Juliet murmured softly before realizing what she had done.

Talking to herself—even with someone nearby.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she turned toward the maid who was melting the sealing wax.

“Send that to Logudoro. As soon as possible.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And after the messenger leaves… go and rest. It’s too hot today. Tell the others they may finish early as well.”

“Understood!”

The maid beamed at the unexpected kindness, and Juliet returned a small smile before stepping out of the room.

It was still the middle of the day, but she considered taking a walk.

With Cassio asleep, she could enjoy the sunlight in peace for once.

“Ah.”

Out of habit, she had started heading toward the back garden.

Then she changed direction.

A thought had just come to her—a rather good one.