Chapter 23
“Isn’t it obvious it’ll be the same content anyway? Why bother?”
Cassian’s eyes creased slightly.
[Until you meet your mate, I will never return!]
His mother, who had left behind such a bombshell declaration, had fled the Hertis ducal territory four years ago as if escaping in the dead of night.
Her sudden actions threw the ducal house into chaos at the time.
The reason was that the Grand Banquet was just around the corner, yet the Grand Lady had disappeared.
They sent messages urging her to return, but his mother replied that she would not come back until she had found her partner, refusing to budge on her decision.
Moreover, whenever the Hertis Banquet approached, she sent persistent letters demanding whether Cassian had found a lady of interest, obsessively fixating on his marriage.
In the end, that year’s Grand Banquet was led by the head butler and the head maid.
[The Grand Lady must be unwell; this year feels rather different.]
[Perhaps minimalism is the theme. The servants seem very committed to the concept.]
“Oh my, is that Sheryl frill fabric from last month’s trend? They even personally sourced such rare fabric—how thrifty the Hertis ducal house is.”
Despite their best efforts to fill the absence of the lady of the house, even those with considerable experience struggled to keep up with the latest trends of high society.
Although Cassian’s mother had raised expectations every year with her exceptional taste, the shortcomings were still visible here and there, leaving the noble ladies to judge the event as sorely lacking.
Eventually, that year’s Hertis ducal banquet became the subject of gossip in a negative light.
It was called nothing more than a perfunctory arrangement, lacking aesthetic sense, and negligent in hospitality compared to the previous year—various criticisms piled up as high society mocked the Hertis house.
Unable to stand it, the vassals stepped in, but under the guise of assistance they tried to connect their daughters to Cassian.
[To ease the Duke’s burden, I would like to recommend new talent. My daughter Natalia is quite interested in flower arrangement—]
[Isn’t a banquet ultimately the domain of women? In that sense, experienced Reina should oversee this year’s event—]
[As a loyal subject, I cannot stand by idly! Daisy has experience in banquets, so please entrust it to her this time!]
The upcoming meeting would surely be the same—masked proposals used to push young ladies toward him under the guise of duty.
Cassian already felt exhausted, but he rose from his seat and headed to the conference room.
“Count Mute, your ambition is excessive! Lady Mute already led the banquet last year, and yet you propose another term?”
“If that’s the case, Lady Cheil also handled it the year before last!”
“No matter what anyone says, our Natalia is the most suitable.”
As expected, nothing was different.
The conference room was filled with thunderous shouting.
The vassals, who had been holding their tongues, unleashed their arguments the moment the Grand Banquet agenda was raised.
They belittled others’ daughters while praising their own, openly revealing their greed.
Cassian, sitting with a listless expression, leaned back and folded his arms.
‘Should I just tell my mother I already have a beloved?’
If he mentioned Evelin, perhaps his mother would rush back in an instant.
After all, she was technically his partner.
…Or so Cassian thought, before suddenly stopping.
‘Why do I automatically think of the princess as my wife?’
It was supposed to be nothing more than acting.
A mere performance to lure the bait.
Yet, at some point, he had begun to naturally regard Evelin as his partner.
She already had a lover—the Hetyus viscount—so why was he, a fake, overstepping and coveting the real place?
Have I truly gone mad?
Cassian covered his face with his hand, trying to conceal his disgraceful thoughts.
He prayed no one would see his true face, rubbing his face roughly.
Even so, he continued to think—over and over—why Evelin should take charge of the banquet.
It was a meaningless event no matter who handled it, yet this time, he wanted her to do it.
Had there ever been someone who filled his mother’s role in shaping high society trends?
No.
Had there ever been a banquet so praised and admired?
He didn’t know.
He couldn’t even remember the names of the daughters who had taken turns hosting in previous years.
He only vaguely recalled appearances and matched them to their fathers while offering polite praise.
Then why should Evelin be the one to host this year’s banquet?
Unlike before, no clear answer came.
Dark intentions rose to his throat, but he suppressed them and tried to rationalize it.
‘The Count Selledian and Viscount Hetyus won’t be able to operate freely in the ducal territory. We can set a trap at the banquet.’
To obtain evidence of rebellion.
Yes. That was the reason. So it was right for the princess to oversee it.
Having concluded his reasoning, Cassian straightened up and spoke.
“There’s no point arguing further. We will select the appropriate lady through a test.”
“But Your Grace!”
“My Lord! This is—!”
Despite the desperate cries following his authoritative order, they did not reach him.
Cassian quickly left the conference room and descended the stairs.
In the lobby, he happened to see Evelin.
“Darling!”
Evelin ran toward him, breathing hard.
Without warning, Cassian grabbed her waist with one hand and pulled her close.
“My lady. I have a request.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and smiled as beautifully as he could.
“Please attend the banquet with me.”
“So. You’re asking me to host the banquet?”
“Yes, my lady.”
After Cassian finished explaining, I tilted my head slightly, confirming I had heard correctly.
He nodded obediently, waiting for my answer.
“Hmm, well…”
Was it fatigue?
Even with a handsome man in front of me, I responded rather absentmindedly.
“I understand this is sudden and you need time to think…”
“No.”
“…Pardon?”
“No. Why would I have to take a test?”
At first, I had been motivated, but the moment I heard there would be a test, I suddenly lost all desire.
Perhaps not expecting refusal, Cassian’s pupils widened sharply.
“It’s understandable you’re hesitant. The servants are worried that someone unfamiliar with the southern banquet traditions may struggle…”
“Then there’s no helping it. I won’t do it this year.”
Yes, I’ll step back.
It’s not like there won’t be next year.
I raised my hands in surrender, and Cassian cautiously asked,
“May I ask why?”
“I need rest. I just finished the Palladium incident not long ago—I don’t want to use my brain again.”
I wasn’t lying.
Even in my past life, I had spent my entire student life taking exams and being evaluated at every turn.
And the job market was no different. I constantly knocked on company doors to earn a decent employee ID.
I managed to enter the company by proving I was a capable asset, but what I received in return was…
‘A meaningless death.’
After struggling so much to reach a peaceful life in this new world, now I had to take tests again?
The “ledger test” was something I had proposed myself to maintain a peaceful ducal life, but this was different.
As the Duchess of Hertis, I already held authority over the banquet.
For the past three years, unmarried noble ladies had temporarily rotated as stand-in hostesses due to my absence, but that was no longer necessary.
So they should simply follow my decisions.
Yet why should I step forward and submit myself to evaluation and criticism?
“Lady, please—just for me—”
“I won’t.”
“But—”
“Enough. Don’t argue with me.”
With that, I turned away firmly.
I could still hear his pleading voice behind me, but I continued walking without hesitation.
“Hah, he looks so decent, yet he’s this weak-willed?”
I knew he was timid, but to be swayed so easily by vassals?
Do I have to discipline him myself?
Of course, it might just be loyalty toward the ducal house’s supporters, but even so, they should show proper respect to Cassian.
Perhaps word had already spread, because as soon as I entered my room, the maids arranging desserts on a trolley looked at me with curiosity and asked,
“Milady, are you really not going to do it?”
“It’s such a great opportunity to introduce yourself to the southern society~?”
