You Are Gentle, But You Don’t Love Me - Chapter 46

Rosaline Calliari—no, Rosaline Arborea. Whatever her name was now.

Liar.

Juliet silently cursed her beloved sister.

She had finally shaken off the remnants of her three-day convalescence and risen from bed. The only reason she had stayed put for so long was because of Juan’s relentless fussing. Perhaps he had worried that the moment she woke up, she would bury herself in work again.

But now, Juliet had no such intention. Nor was she in any condition to do so. While she had been asleep, Rosaline had taken care of everything in her stead.

That was… thoughtful of her. I do appreciate it, but…

Three days asleep, and then another three awake. Time had slipped by quickly, and before she knew it, the summer banquet was drawing near.

There was still about a week left before the event. Too early for guests to start arriving.

“…Romeo Arborea.”

He was coming to Escalus.

“Yes, a messenger from the Marquess of Arborea arrived this morning. He will be attending as a guest for the summer banquet.”

Juliet heard the news a little late. Lately, she had been sleeping in more often. One would think three days of sleep would have been enough, but instead, she found herself drowsier than ever.

“He should be arriving soon.”

“So…”

She had just finished dressing and was resting in an armchair when she absentmindedly murmured to herself.

“So much for being so sure…”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

So much for Rosaline’s absolute certainty that he wouldn’t come.

In the end, it seemed Juliet’s assumptions were closer to reality. He hadn’t stormed into Escalus unannounced as she had once feared, but he was arriving nonetheless.

Romeo was coming with an invitation to the final summer banquet. Officially invited, formally announced.

The first guest to visit Escalus. A little earlier than expected, but a guest nonetheless.

“I suppose I should go and greet him.”

Juliet let out a deep sigh.

She wasn’t quite as reluctant as she had been with Rosaline, but facing Romeo wasn’t something she looked forward to, either.

He must have figured it out by now… that I once loved him.

God, she suddenly wished she could take to her bed again.

“I’ll go.”

At the sudden voice, Juliet, who had been on the verge of sighing again, blinked in surprise.

“Good afternoon, Juliet.”

It was the first time in three days she had heard his greeting.

“Your Grace.”

“Lovely afternoon, isn’t it?”

Leaning casually against the open doorway, he smiled and waved at her. The way he grinned—it was exactly the same as always. Almost annoyingly so.

“I’ll greet the Marquess of Arborea in your stead. You should rest a little longer.”

Juliet met his gaze for a brief moment before lowering her head. Her hands, resting on her lap, clenched the carefully arranged folds of her skirt.

“…Would that be alright?”

“Of course. You’re still a patient, after all.”

Cassio, as always, seemed utterly unconcerned. His voice, even as he called her a patient, carried a hint of amusement.

Juliet let out the breath she had swallowed.

“By Juan’s standards, maybe…”

That old physician saw the entire world as a ward full of fragile patients.

Despite Juliet’s perfect health, Juan still treated her as if a mere breeze could knock her down. Rosaline received the same treatment. Ever since Cassio had collapsed, Juan had become more cautious than ever.

And yet, now he treats only His Grace as perfectly fine.

Sometime during Juliet’s long slumber, Cassio had managed to pass Juan’s stringent standards and was no longer considered a patient.

Which meant that he had been fully recovered for quite some time now.

Juan, who insisted on monitoring Juliet for at least ten more days despite her clear recovery, had surely taken just as long—if not longer—to declare Cassio healed.

Meaning his shoulders had been fine for quite some time now.

No wonder he carried me around so effortlessly.

Juliet suddenly recalled the feeling of being in his arms. And with that, another sigh escaped her lips.

The ease with which he had lifted her. The warmth of his embrace. The scent that had enveloped her.

His voice, whispering to her as he carried her up the stairs.

“Just once more. Please…”

“…Huh?”

A flicker of memory stirred within her.

But as soon as Cassio laughed, it slipped away again, dissolving into a haze.

“Haha, Juan is a little strict.”

“Because of you.”

She wanted to snap at him.

But the words wouldn’t come out.

Instead, Juliet merely nodded absentmindedly, only belatedly looking up at him again.

After three days, she was finally facing him properly.

Cassio was impeccably dressed. A pristine white shirt without a single speck of dust, a deep green silk vest embroidered with gold thread, and his red hair neatly combed back.

For a man who used to be lucky if he even bothered to button his collar properly, his attire had become noticeably refined since guests began arriving at Escalus. Or, more precisely, since Rosaline had started staying here.

“Juliet. Why are you looking at me like that?”

Juliet, who had been staring at the soft pink topaz brooch fastened beneath his collar, quickly snapped her gaze up to meet his eyes.

Oh.

“I know. I look quite handsome today, don’t I?”

“……”

Yes, you really do.

Those words rolled around on Juliet’s tongue but never made it past her lips. In the end, she swallowed them down.

And yet, had something slipped out regardless? Through her expression, perhaps. Or her eyes. Something must have betrayed her.

“Haha.”

Cassio laughed. As if he had heard the very words she couldn’t say.

Juliet’s face burned.

Ah, seriously…

How infuriating.

Perhaps it really had been a dream. His gaze remained unchanged, steady as always. There was no trace of trembling sorrow, no pleading desperation.

Then why did she remember seeing him cry?

Maybe I dreamed it… A dream where His Grace was crying and begging… Hmm…

That would be a strange dream, wouldn’t it? They say people often see what they wish for in dreams.

No way…

“Your Grace, Your Ladyship. The guest has arrived.”

The maid’s call startled Juliet, and she instinctively turned to the window. Cassio, amused by her reaction, let out a chuckle. His laughter, unusually bright, sent a ripple through the air.

“Oh, Juliet. You won’t be able to see from there.”

“I—yes, that’s true…”

“Stay put. I’ll be back soon.”

She watched his retreating figure in silence.

Only now did she realize—Cassio walked rather quickly.

When they had strolled together, he had always matched her pace, walking slowly. Even when he walked away from her, his steps had never been hurried.

But now, as he turned and left, his pace was no longer unhurried.

“Ah, right.”

Halfway down the corridor, Cassio suddenly turned back.

Juliet had been caught. She had been watching him leave.

“I almost forgot.”

But as always, Cassio simply smiled, unconcerned.

“Juliet, you look beautiful today.”

“……”

“Though, of course, my Juliet is always beautiful.”

With that, he disappeared down the stairs.

Even after his figure had vanished, his words lingered in the air like a trace of his presence.

The maids who had been standing around Juliet stiffened, their lips pressed together tightly as they pretended to focus on anything else.

The early afternoon was warming. The summer sun stretched, drying the dewdrops clinging to the petals.

Juliet, left standing alone, had no idea what to do with herself.

He knows… He knows exactly what he’s doing.

He knew how much a single word from him could shake her. How a single glance, a single gesture, could color her entire world.

He knows everything. He must.

Because otherwise, this wouldn’t be possible.

And yet, when she thought about it, Cassio Bellanea had always been this way.

Effortlessly sweet words.

Kindness so natural, it felt inevitable.

Perhaps he truly didn’t know her feelings at all.

Or perhaps he knew and simply didn’t care.

To him, this was just his usual warmth. His usual smile.

But then, why was he avoiding her now?

…Could it be?

Could it be because he had realized that Juliet had feelings for him?

***

“It’s been a while, Elia.”

“Your Ladyship.”

In the dimly lit dining hall, only Elia was quietly seated.

Juliet, who had been holding her breath in anticipation, visibly relaxed.

Actually… this is for the best.

If Romeo or Cassio had been here, she probably wouldn’t have been able to eat at all. Even facing just one of them would have been enough to make her hands tremble, keeping her from lifting her fork.

“Are you feeling better?”

“I’m perfectly fine now. Have you been well?”

“Of course. There’s nothing for me to complain about.”

Juliet exchanged polite words with Elia before settling into her seat.

Before her, the dining table was filled with an array of dishes—spiced roasted meats and fish, fresh and cooked vegetables, even wine.

After sleeping for three days straight, she had spent the next few days surviving on thin broth. Seeing real food on the table must have delighted the kitchen staff, who had clearly gone out of their way to prepare a feast.

But for some reason, she had no appetite.

I can’t be bothered.

She had made it all the way to the dining hall, and now even lifting her fork felt like a chore.

She had already known Romeo wouldn’t be here. He was with Rosaline, of course. They were either arguing fiercely or crying in joy.

Or maybe they were both too flustered to do anything at all.

Whichever it is, that’s their problem now.

It had nothing to do with Juliet anymore.

But why wasn’t Cassio here?

She had at least expected him to show up for dinner.

Emotions were fickle things.

When he was right in front of her, she couldn’t bring herself to speak. But when he wasn’t there, she found herself searching for him.

She had thought that if Cassio were here, she wouldn’t be able to eat properly.

But now that he wasn’t, she didn’t even want to touch her food.

Is he really avoiding me on purpose?

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, any remaining trace of appetite vanished completely.