Chapter 16.1

Yernia had dozed off in the chapel in the dewy early morning, using her veil as her shield.

Seria, who lowered her head with her hands together, was next to Yernia.

Her sister was currently too focused on her prayer when a man approached them.

Sensing that someone was there, she whispered by instinct,

“Oh, you’re here?”

Cassian greeted Seria with only his eyes since they had to be quiet in the chapel they were praying to.

“If you can see, Yernia had dozed off again. You didn’t look like you had slept well yourself. Just don’t let the priest know.”

“Don’t worry.”

Cassian sat next to Yernia.

He supported her head carefully when she leaned forward.

Then, Cassian settled her head on his shoulder so that she wouldn’t wake up.

He smiled while observing her innocent face as she slept without caring about the world.

It reminded him of their childhood.

“Come with me, Cassian. I mean… I’m bored.”

“But I don’t believe in God, Yernia.”

“Me, too. Just stay with me.”

He wasn’t a faithful believer like the Cilliard.

Cassian didn’t even go to chapels and attend masses.

The church was so dull that he couldn’t resist Yernia’s requests.

The girl had constantly been whining about her desire to go and play with him, but he stayed with her instead.

He had prayed that if the girl weren’t Yernia, he wouldn’t have done it.

But now, he had grown accustomed to praying and attending the chapel.

Before praying, Cassian removed his bracelet and wrote his penname.

As he kissed the end of the decoration that symbolized God, the corners of his mouth curled upwards.

Cassian immediately offered his prayers to Him.

“Please let Yernia like me as soon as possible.”

He had been praying for his wish to come true for seven years.

***

Even if Yernia’s life was on the verge of collapse, the world still revolved as if everything was alright.

Yernia joined hands with Cassian without malice and came to play on the hill.

She had to keep her word when he asked her to go up there and make him feel better.

“Well…”

The floating moon was yellow, and the liquor was sweet.

The wine was too sweet to taste.

Yena realized that her life was on the verge of ruination.

She couldn’t believe that whatever was happening to her was still sweet.

“Sweet, sweet. Life is bitter, and the wine tastes sweet.”

“You used to hang it.”

Cassian made no sense.

Narrowing her eyes at Cassian, Yernia poured the wine into her mouth, but she couldn’t drink any of them because he had already snatched the bottle from her hand.

He poured the wine into a goblet which magically appeared in his grip, and she had no idea when Cassian brought it.

“Drink from the cup. If you drink like that, you’ll pass out immediately.”

“It’s none of your business. Are you pretending to be a good husband?”

Yernia was startled when she said it.

If she already acknowledged him as her husband, It seemed impossible to prevent her marriage now.

The word “husband” came out of her mouth without even realizing it.

She had grieved her upcoming marriage with Cassian as if he was already her husband.

“My husband—-”

“Your husband–”

Yernia and Cassian said the words almost at the same time.

Yernia felt desperate, but Cassian was the exact opposite.

The bastard held back his laughter, and she found it even more annoying.

“Are you determined to marry me that much, Yernia?”

Why? Are you happy about the idea of marrying me, Cassian?”

“No way!”

“Well, you just said ‘your husband.’”

“I’m being sarcastic, Yernia. Now, give me a drink.”

F*ck her life!

Yernia reached for the bottle, but Cassian stopped her from snatching it from him.

He handed her the goblet instead.

“Drink.”

“I can’t believe you.”

“You’re a weak drinker, aren’t you? Just drink it.”

“I can hold out my liquor more than you,” Yernia murmured, and she had no choice but to accept what was being offered.

She raised her cup.

Yernia could not resist Cassian’s challenge.

In truth, she was a weak drinker, and she could only take about half a bottle of wine.

She didn’t even finish half a bottle of it yet, but she was already tipsy.

“Give me more.” She said arrogantly, and Cassian poured a small amount of wine into the goblet.

Yernia smacked her lips with frustration.

It wasn’t enough.

“Cassian. Look over there. A shooting star is falling.”

Yernia created a shooting star that was not there.

Cassian turned his head and followed where Yernia was pointing at.

She succeeded in snatching the bottle.

“You.”

Cassian scowled and reached out for the bottle, but she quickly pulled her head back to prevent him from taking it away.

Yernia quickly held the bottle over her parted lips.

As soon as her lips were wet with wine, the bottle almost disappeared after Cassian tried to steal it back.

“Are you going to cry tomorrow because you don’t feel well, Yernia?”

She avoided him again, and the wine overflowed from her mouth.

Her jaw and neck were now dripping wet.

She was already messed up before she knew it.

Yernia wiped the wine flowing from her chin with the back of her hand.

Her palms were filled with red liquid, realizing she was too drunk.

“Well…”

“I knew it.”

“I can’t stand it if I can’t drink it.”

While Cassian was leaning on the tree, Yernia wrapped her head in both hands and lay down on his legs.

Yernia laid down and watched the stars in the sky.

Cassian looked annoyed as he sat beside her.

“You lie down, too.”

“It’s dirty, Yernia.”

“That’s what you say all the time. What’s dirty about it? We’re the only ones who visit here and take care of everything.”

Except for the caretaker, Yernia and Cassian were the only people who visited the hills on Cilliard’s estate.

Cassian gave her a half-shrug.

He didn’t lie down with her in the end.