You Are Gentle, But You Don’t Love Me - Chapter 32

“Mmm…”

Faint sunlight filtered through the curtains.

Morning—perhaps late morning.

They had only fallen asleep when the night was nearly over.

Slowly, Juliet lifted her heavy eyelids, and despite having braced herself, she flinched in surprise.

Cassio’s face was much closer than she had expected.

Why is he so…

Lifting her head slightly, she realized that instead of using the spacious bed, they had somehow ended up curled together in one corner.

At some point in the night, Juliet must have unconsciously gravitated toward him.

She didn’t know whether to laugh at herself for sleeping so soundly, unaware, or at Cassio, who remained fast asleep despite being on the verge of falling off the bed.

“Heh.”

Carefully, Juliet inched backward.

Only after putting some distance between them did she feel at ease.

She blinked slowly and gazed at him.

Even in sleep, he’s beautiful.

Even within the dim enclosure of the bed curtains, his face stood out too clearly.

His fair skin, the striking contrast of his deep red hair, the sharp lines of his brows and features—

Perhaps it was because the expression was unfamiliar.

His lashes, which usually lowered over his pale green eyes when he looked at her, now rested completely shut.

His lips, always curved into a warm smile, were pressed into a firm line.

Without that ever-present gentle expression, he seemed much colder.

Though, in reality, it was likely just a neutral expression.

What kind of dreams does he have?

Perhaps he was the type to sleep deeply.

He had fallen asleep long before she did and had yet to wake.

With her mind still sluggish from sleep, Juliet imagined Cassio Bellanea lazing in bed until late in the afternoon and found herself quietly amused.

It seems like it would suit him. Or maybe not.

She had thought something similar yesterday—

That he would strangely suit the image of a pirate, lying atop a pile of gold coins.

But then, recalling his ever-proper demeanor, she had dismissed the thought.

After all, no pirate in the world was that courteous.

Even when sharing a bed with his wife, he had remained so absurdly polite.

“Juliet.”

To put it simply—

Nothing had happened between them.

After spending the entire day tense, after stopping him from sleeping in a chair all night, after squeezing her eyes shut in anxious anticipation as his lips neared hers—

“…?”

Cassio had merely pressed a firm kiss to her forehead.

And then, he had smoothly pulled away.

When she had opened her eyes in confusion, his hand had fumbled across the sheets until it found hers.

“Eek…!”

Before she could react, he had tugged her down beside him.

Lying next to her on the bed, he had whispered,

“You told me you don’t like seeing me in pain.”

“…”

“I feel the same. I don’t want you to be in pain, either. So…”

Even as he spoke, his grip on her hand had not loosened.

If anything, his fingers had clenched around hers briefly—

Then, with a quiet exhale, they had slowly relaxed again.

His touch, as always, was gentle.

“Later.”

Tucking the blanket over her shoulders, he had murmured,

“Whatever it is, let’s do it later.”

Juliet had not replied.

A silence had settled between them—until, unbelievably, the sound of his even breathing filled the room.

“…Your Majesty?”

“…”

“Are you already asleep?”

“…”

At that, Juliet had grown irritated.

She had spent all day on edge, and for what?

And yet, she couldn’t very well wake him just to vent her frustration.

So, in the end, she had quietly closed her eyes.

Still holding his hand.

Maybe it was the fresh scent of sun-dried linens that had helped her relax.

Or perhaps the warmth of his fingers curled around hers.

She had expected to struggle with sleep—

Yet surprisingly, she had drifted off before she realized it.

And now, morning had returned.

Cassio was still fast asleep, his hand clasped firmly around hers.

“Haah.”

Juliet blinked slowly and let out a small breath.

The warm air brushed against his face, making him frown slightly.

She chuckled again at the sight, then lifted her hand, pressing a gentle finger between his furrowed brows.

Rubbing softly, she smoothed out the crease between his brows as if erasing a line from a painting.

And just like that, his expression relaxed.

At the same time, his tightly shut eyes fluttered briefly, and the corners of his lips twitched into a faint smile.

Cassio opened his eyes.

Slowly—ever so slowly.

“Good morning, Juliet.”

He hadn’t even fully lifted his lashes before greeting her.

The faint smile on his lips soon blossomed into the warm, familiar one he always showed her.

Morning light seeped through the curtains, its soft glow illuminating his pale green eyes.

Eyes that held her reflection as they shimmered in the daylight.

“Good morning.”

Looking into those eyes, Juliet found herself returning to the thought she had turned over in her mind countless times the night before.

Perhaps, this man…

Likes me.

＊ ＊ ＊

Elijah had been staying at Escalus longer than expected.

Considering how abrupt his arrival had been—how he had nearly left on the very day he came—his prolonged stay had already surpassed initial expectations.

But now, it was stretching far too long.

What was supposed to be no more than a week had gradually extended day by day, and today, it had finally crossed the ten-day mark.

And that was entirely because of—no, thanks to—Juliet.

“Isn’t it about time for you to head back?”

“…”

It was an afternoon like any other, during their usual teatime.

Cassio, with a question disguised as a hint, was subtly pressuring Elijah.

He had done this so many times now that Juliet had lost count.

At every opportunity, he would nudge his young adjutant, urging him to return to Rogodoro.

At times, his When are you going back? sounded suspiciously like Hurry up and leave.

“Why do you keep saying that? I’m glad Elijah is staying here.”

Juliet always took Elijah’s side in these exchanges.

“Hmph.”

Though Cassio never hid his displeasure whenever she said this, Juliet pretended not to notice.

“With Elijah around, the castle feels livelier. Even the maids seem happier.”

“Hmm.”

“And the kitchen staff are having fun, trying new dishes every day.”

“Hmmm.”

Elijah had been attending their afternoon teatime every single day—without fail.

At dinner, too, the once-private meals shared by Juliet and Cassio had disappeared.

That, more than anything, was likely what irked Cassio.

The fact that their time alone had been significantly reduced.

But for Juliet, it was a relief.

“So, wouldn’t it be nice if Elijah stayed a little longer?”

She had no choice.

Spending time alone with Cassio had become exceedingly uncomfortable.

Ever since that night when they had fallen asleep holding hands, Cassio had continued to pursue her at every chance he got.

Sometimes, he would lean in and whisper teasing remarks near her ear.

Other times, he would casually touch her hand or rest a hand on her shoulder.

And each time, Juliet felt unbearably restless.

It’s not that I dislike it.

That much, she was sure of.

If she had disliked it, she would never have had the courage to ask him to stay that night.

But…

It was uncomfortable.

More than when she had first boarded the carriage to Rogodoro for the summer’s opening ball.

Back then, the unease in her chest had felt like sugar granules settling at the bottom of a teacup.

Now, it felt as if an entire sack of sugar had been dumped into her heart.

“Well, if that’s what you want, Juliet.”

“…”

Sometimes, that sugar melted, leaving a sticky, overflowing mess.

Other times, it felt like an unstable sandcastle—one that could collapse at any moment.

“Whatever makes you happy makes me happy, too.”

Especially when Cassio said things like this so easily.

Or when he smiled so sweetly, as if he would melt at any moment.

Or when their fingers intertwined as naturally as breathing—

Those were the moments when Juliet found herself wanting to ask.

“Do you… like me?”

The question tumbled inside her chest like a clump of sugar, threatening to spill from her lips.

All it took was a glance from him.

A simple word.

The slightest touch.

“Why…?”

“Your Majesty, I can return now, if you’d like…”

Elijah, who had been sitting stiffly as they discussed his extended stay, finally spoke up.

Juliet turned her head like a broken doll.

Elijah’s face came into focus, and she unconsciously pressed her lips together, swallowing the words she had been about to say.

Cassio, however, didn’t even spare Elijah a glance.

His gaze remained solely on Juliet.

Juliet ignored him and forced a smile at Elijah.

Her jaw ached, as if she had bitten into something too sweet.

“There will be a final summer ball at Escalus soon. Won’t you stay at least until then?”

If she was already this flustered with Elijah here—

How would she manage if she had to spend every day alone with Cassio?

So, once again, she asked Elijah to stay.

“For Juliet’s sake, Elijah.”

“Ah… yes…”

Cassio, as always, pretended to concede reluctantly—while actually joining Juliet in keeping Elijah from leaving.

And so, the unexpected guest, who had entered Escalus freely, found himself unable to escape.

There was nearly a month left until the summer ball Juliet had mentioned.

Sardinian summers were long, the sun blinding as if it would never set.

But no matter how late it lingered, the sun would eventually set—

And the night would inevitably arrive.

“Your Majesty! Duchess!”

The knocking at the castle gates came long after the sun had finally set—deep into the night.