LTP 03

Chapter 03

“This is quite a novel technique.”

As Cassian’s straight brow furrowed, Damia swallowed without realizing it.

Even though he was still a small business owner, his spirit was amazing.

“Did you say you were the daughter of the Viscountess Ponti? Was it your lifelong wish to speak to me? Judging by the crazy things you say.”

“Huh? There’s no way I could have such a wish….”

“then?”

A wicked sneer, not befitting a young peacock, appeared on his handsome face.

“Oh, no, that’s right. It was my life’s greatest wish. To even make eye contact with the Little Duke.”

Damia, who was about to frown as she narrowed her eyes to the space between her eyebrows, quickly confirmed it as if she realized something belatedly.

“Well, it’s common. I understand Young-ae’s feelings. How much she must have wanted my attention…”

Even though Damia’s transformation must have been quite awkward, Cassian didn’t seem to doubt the girl’s words in the least.

“hmm…….”

The Duke’s excessive confidence was a bit shaky, but it couldn’t be denied.

Certainly, even at moments like this, her face was so beautiful that I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“I’ll listen even if it’s out of courage, so keep talking.”

If he failed to attract Cassian Sarkis’s attention here, he would never have another chance.

Damia’s purple eyes shone with determination.

“I told you. I know that the Duke is terminally ill and will never reach adulthood.”

“I have a limited time to live?”

“From the moment you were born, your heart has been growing colder day by day.”

Cassian’s cheeks, which had been trying to appear calm, hardened coldly.

“You… where did you hear such a ridiculous rumor?”

“No, Your Highness. I didn’t hear it. I saw it myself.”

Damia in her previous life lived longer than the boy in front of her.

And we already knew why Cassian had to die at such a young age.

The founder of the Sarkis Dukes killed the dragon, and as the dragon died, he placed a curse on the ducal family.

The seal of the curse, which had barely held, gradually weakened as it reached Cassian.

“Ever since I was little, the things I dreamt about have often come true in real life, though only very occasionally.”

Damia straightened her dry back.

Rather than saying it was a past life, it seemed more plausible to say it was a dream.

“Huh, you said you saw it in a dream? Are you asking me to believe that now?”

“You’ll have to believe me. I have a way to temporarily stop the mad dragon’s curse that’s been tormenting you, my lord.”

Cassian held his breath at the mention of the Curse of the Mad Dragon. Shock filled the boy’s red eyes.

‘It’s surprising. The Duke’s family is desperately trying to hide the fact that the curse seal is being broken.’

There was a herb that Cassian discovered in his previous life just before he died.

By then it was already too late and it didn’t have much effect.

‘It was a herb that slowed the hardening of Cassian’s heart, so even if it wasn’t a perfect solution, it would at least buy some time.’

That purple herb grows only in the flower bed behind the old mansion of the Viscount Ponti.

It was mistaken for a weed and is still left unattended.

‘In my previous life, its effectiveness was only proven after that old Count Fabron swallowed up our entire family.’

In the end, the only one who benefited from the herb in her previous life was Damia’s ex-husband.

“Don’t lie.”

“I’m not lying, Little Duke.”

Cassian warned in a choked voice.

Although he seemed to be reluctant to show his face, a ray of hope flashed across the boy’s eyes.

“In return for teaching me the method, I want you to become Young-ae’s fiancée?”

“Yes, but even if the young duke freely meets other ladies during the engagement period, I will absolutely not interfere.”

“What? Why?”

“I can slow the progression of the curse, but I can’t completely solve it. So, I won’t ask for your favor.”

“I can buy you some time, but the rest is up to me.”

“Yes, that’s right. Anyway, there’s no fiancée more useful to you than me, Your Highness.”

The boy’s deep eyes narrowed for a moment.

“So what does Young-ae gain from this deal?”

“You asked me earlier, Little Duke. Wasn’t it my lifelong wish to have a word with you? Yes, that’s right.”

“Your Majesty, Viscountess Ponti.”

“I love you so much, Little Duke. I’m happy just to be by your side for a little while.”

It was a shameless confession that felt neither thrill, shame, nor hesitation.

Cassian burst out laughing as if he was dumbfounded.

“Is that the attitude of someone confessing right now? You want me to believe what they say?”

“Huh? I was so nervous….”

Damia’s eyes widened as if she was surprised.

“I’m really serious. I’m just a little pressed for time right now.”

“what?”

“My father is trying to sell me off as the old count’s second wife.”

“What kind of disgusting talk is that? Where in the world are there parents like that?”

Cassian, who had been trying to deny it vehemently, belatedly backed down.

A sudden silence fell between them.

“Ah, Little Duke.”

Damia was very uncomfortable with the awkward atmosphere that had suddenly become awkward.

It was true that I was desperate, but I didn’t want to look pitiful.

So I quickly took out the small glass bottle in my bosom.

“There’s no need to apologize. Here, try this.”

“What is this?”

“This is proof that everything I said is true.”

“What do you believe in that you want me to put something so suspicious in my mouth?”

Cassian looked at the purple liquid sloshing inside the vial.

“That’s your choice, Little Duke. Well, since you probably have no other choice right now, why don’t you just close your eyes and swallow it?”

“you…….”

“It will definitely work.”

Damia squeezed the vial into the boy’s gloved hand.

Perhaps due to frequent training, his hands were firm and large, unlike those of a small peacock.

“Then please send a message to the Viscount Ponti.”

Although she was pretending to be calm, Damia’s little heart was pounding like crazy.

‘Just because I’m desperately clinging to you, that proud little duke won’t do anything he doesn’t want to do.’

I thought it would be better to have an attitude of not having any regrets.

So that he can move himself, even if it’s just out of curiosity.

Damia hurried her steps as she left.

* * *

“Oh, Viscountess Ponti. Is this your first time seeing her?”

My father forced the old Count Fabron into the house.

The old count was so handsome that he could have filled a small drawing room.

“eww…….”

Damia couldn’t bear to groan and pressed her temples.

‘Casian Sarkis didn’t come looking for me.’

Several days had passed, and there had been no contact from Cassian.

Was it really necessary to force the drug into the little duke’s mouth?

If only I had not had to suffer the humiliation of meeting this old count again in this life!

“I am Joel Fabron.”

Damia reluctantly took the hand the Count extended.

His thick, fleshy hands were already damp with sweat.

“…Hello, Count.”

Damia knew how violently this gentlemanly hand could turn.

When I recalled the past when I lived as an ornament rather than a human being, my heart leaped up.

“Young-ae’s hobby is reading, huh? I like her because she’s so quiet.”

“You are too kind, Count.”

Damia’s father kept bowing to the Count’s kind words.

It seemed as though my father was willing to be humble to gain connections with a wealthy count.

“Growing sprouts need sunlight and nutrients…….”

Count Fabron glanced around the old, cramped mansion of the Viscount’s family.

Soon his eyes fell on Damia’s thin shoulders and frayed sleeves.

“How about moving into my mansion in advance?”

“…Count?”

“I promise to treat you with the utmost respect. I will make you a perfect lady, equipped with all the refinement a noble lady needs.”

“…….”

“It’s a shame to see a gem like you so skinny and wearing rags. Now, answer me.”