You Are Gentle, But You Don’t Love Me - Chapter 61

“Y-You…!”

Rosaline flared up at Cassio’s light dismissal. But just as she opened her mouth, Romeo grinned and popped a piece of peach into it.

“Ahaha, Rosa. Didn’t you say earlier you were craving peaches? These are really good.”

“Mmph! Mmmph mmph!”

“….”

Cassio, unbothered, remained focused on his own dessert. As always, he lost all sense of the world whenever sweets were in front of him. Juliet couldn’t help but laugh and joined in trying to calm Rosaline down.

“Marchioness, would you like mine too?”

“You guys are seriously—mmph!”

Each time she tried to chew through the frustration, another loving “mouth-stopper” followed. Though she shot glances of resentment at her husband and sister, Rosaline still accepted every bite offered to her.

“Rosa. Once you finish that, we should head out. You look really tired.”

Just before Rosaline could explode, Romeo gently led her out of the banquet hall. Even then, Cassio remained engrossed in his sherbet—until, shortly after, a group of men suddenly surrounded him.

“Your Grace, Duke of Escalus!”

“Now that dinner’s done, we were thinking of sharing a drink in the cigar room. Won’t you join us?”

It was surprising—Cassio had returned from the hunt so quickly, yet he’d already built such camaraderie with these men. In particular, the Count of Logudoro seemed unusually enthusiastic about him.

“I’ve brought a fine cigar from the Turkish Empire just for the occasion! Let me offer one to Your Grace.”

“Oh dear, now that’s a hard offer to refuse…”

In the end, Cassio was whisked away to the cigar room, practically dragged by the Count of Logudoro and the other men. He left Juliet with only a brief, apologetic smile.

But Juliet hardly had time to be disappointed. The remaining ladies moved to the tearoom, sipping wine or tea and chatting away in their own corners.

“Honestly, this dress is revolutionary—the embroidery alone—”

“Viscountess of Alghero.”

“I’ve never seen sleeves like this in Sardinia! Perhaps it’s the latest trend from the Aragon mainland? I don’t usually chase fads, but this… this is marvelous!”

Juliet’s plan to quietly slip away failed early. The Viscountess of Alghero, utterly taken with her dress, did not let her go for the rest of the evening.

By the time the gathering dispersed, Juliet was so tired she could barely lift a finger.

“Haah…”

The feel of soft bedding was heavenly. The maids had brought her back to the bedchamber while she dozed off in the bath, and now chuckled quietly at the sight of her sprawled form.

“Mmm… You girls must be tired too. Go rest.”

“Then we’ll take our leave. Sleep well, my lady.”

Once the maids were dismissed, the fatigue hit all at once. Juliet blinked slowly, her heavy eyelids fighting sleep as she replayed the day in her mind.

What a whirlwind…

From early morning preparations and the hunt, to the secluded beach with Cassio… then back to the banquet hall. Compared to her usual peaceful days, it had been hectic beyond belief.

Juliet from a few years ago—or even a few months ago—would have run away already.

A grand party, surrounded by so many people. Sitting at a table and mingling with laughter. Eating with a crowd. She had always hated those things.

But it was nice. A little fun, even.

Exhausted as she was, there had been moments of real joy.

Perhaps that’s why people gather, again and again—because those fleeting moments stay with them. Because sitting across from people you love, sharing simple stories, is precious.

At least, it was for Juliet. Rosaline, Romeo… and Cassio. Moments spent chatting idly with the people she loved.

Come to think of it… what was that all about?

As her eyes fluttered in the haze of sleep, Rosaline’s sharp voice suddenly echoed through her mind. And Cassio’s flat reply that followed.

“Did you tell her, Your Grace?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell her soon.”

Was there something Cassio was meant to tell Juliet?

It seemed something had happened while she had been sick with a fever and asleep. After all, they had prepared tomorrow’s ball together—it was clear they’d spent time alone during that period.

But they hadn’t seemed particularly close. Cassio appeared completely indifferent toward Rosaline. He remained unfailingly polite, but Rosaline only seemed more irritated by that.

Had they quarreled?

Though their personalities differed somewhat, both were sociable enough that Juliet had thought they would get along well.

At one point, she had even wondered whether someone like Rosaline would suit Cassio far better than someone like her—someone beautiful, dazzling, radiant, just like him.

“Mmm…”

It was a strange feeling. Both Rosaline and Cassio were people Juliet loved. So seeing the two of them at odds, right before her eyes, left her feeling awkward.

And yet, a small part of her was… glad.

…I should sleep. Stop thinking about pointless things.

Tomorrow was likely to be just as hectic as today had been. If she didn’t rest well, she might actually be tempted to run away mid-day. Not that the host of the ball could really escape.

He said he’d tell me soon, anyway.

With that final thought, Juliet surrendered to the pull of sleep.

＊ ＊ ＊

Carriages rolled in a line across the hills, now bathed in the hues of sunset. Their wheels clattered over the carefully cleared and dampened gravel, while the sound of hooves striking the earth stirred the tall grass covering the slopes.

The endless procession of noise came to a halt only when they reached a small beach tucked away in a corner of the Escalus estate.

As people leapt down lightly from their stopped carriages, the vehicles circled off to a nearby clearing—the only place available to leave them.

“There must be a reason for hosting a ball in such a remote spot.”

“Surely. Outdoor balls are such a hassle… Ugh, I feel sick from the carriage ride.”

The guests disembarking voiced a mix of complaints and curiosity as they made their way toward the gathering. But the moment they stepped onto the white sand, they all wore the same expression.

“Oh my…”

“Goodness!”

Their gasps were filled with awe.

The setting sun spilled orange light through the sky, painting the air in golden hues. Cotton clouds shimmered with mysterious color, and the waves crashed in iridescent foam.

Closer to shore, groups of guests had already gathered, chatting and laughing, busy with their own conversations.

Some sat at tables, fanning themselves and whispering behind their hands. Others walked barefoot across the yielding sand, unconcerned by how their feet sank into it.

“Eek!”

“Ahaha!”

When a sudden wave lapped at their dresses, girls squealed in delight. Noblewomen, holding glasses of wine, gazed dreamily at the horizon. Men, impeccably dressed, laughed as they escorted them.

With such a beautiful and heartwarming scene before them, it was impossible not to be moved.

And at the very center of that lovely tableau stood one couple.

“Viscountess of Alghero.”

“Oh my, you’re just as stunning as I’d imagined! That blue gown looks as if it were made for tonight’s ball. It’s like you’ve captured the sea itself at sunset…”

“Haha, you flatter me, Viscountess.”

“It’s only fair! You’re the very creator of this masterpiece!”

The usually composed Viscountess of Alghero, once excited, never knew when to stop talking. And she was now engaged in lively conversation with the young couple—hosts of the evening, the Duke and Duchess of Escalus.

They were a striking contrast. The Duke, tall and broad-shouldered. The Duchess, petite in comparison.

Their colors, too, were opposites. His crimson hair and vivid green eyes gleamed even more brightly in the golden light. Meanwhile, the Duchess stood with her soft brown hair falling over her shoulders, eyes modestly lowered, a faint smile on her lips.

And yet, they suited each other perfectly.

“Now, now, dear wife. Other guests are waiting. We can talk about dresses later, can’t we?”

“Oh my. Pardon me.”

As the Viscount of Alghero finally dragged his wife away, shadows drifted closer, as if waiting for their turn. Eyes met, smiles blossomed like flowers. In those gentle arcs, warmth and fondness were quietly exchanged.

No one witnessing them could possibly think they didn’t belong together.

“This way, young ladies. Let’s see… Cassandra, was it?”

“Yes, Cassandra of House Mollea. And this is—”

“Martina, second daughter of House Ascia, if I’m not mistaken?”

“That’s right. Cassandra of Mollea greets the Duke and Duchess of Escalus.”

“Martina of Ascia also offers her greetings.”

Even the young ladies who had once whispered criticism behind the couple’s backs now found themselves blushing and bashful in their presence. After offering their greetings to the beautiful, kind pair, they blamed their flushed cheeks on the sunset and wandered off toward the beach.

It took quite some time for all the guests to gather by the shore, and by then, the sun had fully set.

Still, even under the blue haze of twilight, the sea sparkled. The moon, now risen, cast a pale glow across the world.

Round glass lanterns, placed here and there in the sand, glowed just as brightly—like little moons themselves, lighting up the night.

Thus began the summer night.

“Looks like it’s starting soon.”

“The orchestra seems ready. It won’t be long.”

“Look over there. The Duke and Duchess are heading to the floor.”

“Shall we go too?”

Couples, hand in hand, began to gather near the floor. Beneath the low murmur of conversation, the sound of waves washing ashore wove through the air like music itself.

Vrrrrrrm… A viola’s long, drawn-out note sliced gently through the space, announcing the start of the ball.