You Are Gentle, But You Don’t Love Me - Chapter 59

Melissa, Countess of Logudoro, widened her eyes in astonishment as she took in the scene unfolding before her.

Even when the Duke of Escalus galloped in at a terrifying speed, she hadn’t been surprised. It was all thanks to the countless stories she had heard—how Elijah, before she had recklessly stormed out of the house, would constantly seize any moment to praise the Duke’s unparalleled skills.

“So his movements truly are as remarkable as they say.”

As if to prove her right, Cassio immediately slowed his pace and leapt from the horse before it even came to a full stop. While the other ladies were flustered and unsure how to react, Melissa could only watch in awe at the feat, admiring it for the spectacle it was.

But what truly deserved admiration was something else entirely.

Without anyone noticing when she had even risen, Juliet suddenly dashed out from the tent—straight into Cassio Bellanea’s open arms, who embraced her with a bright smile.

“Oh my…”

The noblewomen who witnessed the moment sighed all at once. Yet the young couple, wrapped tightly in each other’s arms, seemed completely unaware of the attention—Juliet especially.

Though she had nearly disappeared from Sardinian society, the ladies around Melissa’s age all remembered Juliet as a child. A shy girl who always watched others’ reactions. A young lady who, aside from her beautiful sister and childhood friend, rarely opened up to anyone.

“And now, that same girl is running into her husband’s arms without even glancing around.”

When they had met at the season’s first summer ball, she hadn’t been like this. There had been subtle signs, yes—but nothing so vivid.

“What a lovely couple…”

Someone murmured, and the Countess of Logudoro slowly nodded in agreement. She meant it sincerely.

To Melissa, Juliet had once been a girl who might have become family—if only the royal family of Aragon hadn’t unexpectedly sent a marriage proposal to Cagliari.

“Though he never said it, Elijah truly seemed to like her.”

It was a shame, but more than anything, Melissa had long been concerned about Juliet, who seemed to have shut herself away completely after the marriage. She had watched the two sisters of Cagliari since they were very young. She couldn’t help but feel invested.

But now, it all felt like this was how things were always meant to be.

“I suppose fate really does exist.”

Still, lovely as the sight was, they couldn’t simply stand there watching forever—especially with gunshots echoing from the distant woods.

“Ahem.”

Melissa deliberately cleared her throat, loud enough for all to hear. Only then did the Duke of Escalus reluctantly release his wife from his arms.

“Haha, my apologies.”

He offered an awkward smile and bowed slightly to those around him. Despite having clearly seen and heard the murmurs, he had carried on as if oblivious.

“Quite the fox…”

He hadn’t earned his nickname—the rake of the Aragon court—for nothing. But idle thoughts aside, the Duchess needed to be taken elsewhere.

Juliet flinched at every sound of gunfire, her face pale. Though she was shy, Melissa didn’t recall her being so delicate. Perhaps gunfire reminded her of something unpleasant. In any case, it wouldn’t do to leave her here, where the shots continued to ring out.

“Countess of Logudoro.”

“Melissa of Logudoro greets Your Grace, the Duke of Escalus.”

“Have you been enjoying yourself?”

“Of course. Though I must admit, I might’ve enjoyed it more had I been the one hunting.”

“Ah, what a pity. I’ve heard your skills are quite something. You must join us next time.”

“You flatter me. But I’m hardly a match for Your Grace.”

Thanks to their previous introduction, Melissa was able to exchange light conversation with the Duke before carefully broaching the matter at hand.

“However, it seems Her Grace the Duchess is feeling rather strained. She’s such a gentle soul—it’s no wonder the hunt might not be to her liking. And for those unaccustomed, even the sound of gunfire can be quite tiring.”

“…Ah.”

At the mention of gunfire, Cassio’s expression briefly turned cold.

“I see.”

But that chill vanished almost immediately—Juliet had tugged lightly on his sleeve, drawing his attention. When he turned to her, a gentle smile had already returned to his face.

“Juliet.”

“I’m all right…”

Her cheeks flushed a deep red. She seemed to have only just realized that she had been tightly clinging to her husband in front of everyone. And just when it seemed her face couldn’t redden further, it deepened in color yet again.

“Here we go.”

Cassio suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her up with ease.

“Your Grace!”

“Haha.”

Startled, Juliet instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Despite the public nature of the gesture, the movement felt oddly natural. Though clearly unused to such displays, her face blazed.

Whiiistle! With a sharp whistle from the Duke, a large white horse—drinking from afar—raised its head and galloped toward them. Cassio smoothly set Juliet atop the steed.

“My apologies, ladies…”

Only then did the gazes of those who had been staring, as if entranced, finally return to themselves. Cassio Bellanea, Duke of Escalus, gave a graceful bow with a gesture so elegant it seemed choreographed.

“It seems my wife must excuse herself first.”

“Y-Yes…”

Someone replied with a dazed voice—perhaps even nodding their head without realizing it. In truth, Melissa herself nearly did the same. The Duke’s smile remained flawless, yet there was the faintest trace of apology in his expression, and somehow, that alone was disarming.

But Cassio, as if used to such reactions, simply smiled again and leapt smoothly onto his horse. He held Juliet close, her face now buried in her hands.

“I’ll return to Escalus ahead of you and wait there. Please enjoy the rest of the gathering.”

With those parting words, Cassio Bellanea spurred his horse and disappeared in an instant.

“……”

“……”

His departure had been just as swift as his sudden appearance. All that remained where the Duke and Duchess of Escalus had stood was a cloud of pale dust stirred by hooves, and a heavy silence.

Bang! Another gunshot echoed somewhere in the distance before someone, finally regaining their senses, murmured:

“He’s like a knight on a white horse…”

“More like… a sailor on a white horse.”

“That sounds a bit strange when you put it like that.”

Laughter erupted, a beat too late. The sound of another gunshot was swallowed up by the sudden mirth.

＊ ＊ ＊

Cassio rode at a fearsome pace for a while. Even as they climbed and descended the hills, he never slowed once, and eventually, Juliet—her face buried to hide her embarrassment—had no choice but to hold onto him tightly.

The only sound in her ears was the wind rushing past, and behind her, the warmth of his body surrounded her completely. Sitting on a horse racing through the open air like that, she was reminded of something from the past.

An afternoon when she’d clung to him, not knowing what might happen next. The day he had taken her, without warning, to a small and beautiful beach.

“Juliet, open your eyes.”

“……”

“Look where we are.”

As if in a dream, Cassio had brought her back to that very same beach.

The horse’s hooves slowed, kicking up soft white sand that looked like silk laid across the ground. At last, the horse stopped, and the two of them touched the earth once more. Juliet widened her eyes in surprise.

“What is this…?”

Instead of answering, Cassio spread his arms proudly with a bright grin. Beyond him, things never before seen now adorned the white shore.

A wide, stone-paved floor. Small tables lining the edges, shaded by tents. Round glass lanterns scattered throughout. A bit farther off, a simple gazebo had been built.

It was, in every way, a scene prepared for an outdoor ball.

“Well? Do you like it?”

“When did you do all this…?”

“While you were sleeping.”

Still standing in awe, Juliet allowed Cassio to gently lead her forward. The sand beneath their feet crunched softly, glinting like sugar crystals in the sunlight.

“Marchioness of Arborea helped me quite a bit.”

“But… why all of a sudden?”

They walked slowly across the beach, stepping from sand to stone and back to sand again. Then, as they approached a bit further, they came upon the small gazebo, built with wooden pillars instead of marble.

Cassio stepped up and reached out a hand to her. He squinted against the sun despite the shade overhead, as though it were still too bright.

Juliet looked up at him in silence—then slowly placed her hand in his.

“You said… the summer’s final ball is meant to be meaningful.”

With ease, Cassio pulled her up and smiled. The sea breeze tousled his red hair, and under the light, golden flecks danced above it, glimmering faintly.

“They say summer is the season of blessings—and this ball commemorates the day those blessings reach their peak.”

“…That’s true, but…”

“But I heard this wasn’t the real reason you planned the ball.”

There was no time to feel the heat. The salty breeze was cool and refreshing, stronger than the one that had blown during that day in early summer, with waves that crashed a little harder.

And yet, the scene before her was no less breathtakingly beautiful. The constant sound of waves seemed to wash away even the lingering echoes of gunfire from earlier.

Now, the only sound that lingered in her ears was his gentle voice.

“You said… it was for me.”

His voice was kind, joyful—yet at the tail end of his sentence, there was a slight, wistful tremble.

“On the day when summer’s brightest blessing pours down… you said you wanted to hold a ball just for me.”