Chapter 43.1

“Did I?”

Yernia brought apples, peaches, and melons.

She held an apple and a fruit knife in one hand.

Cassian, who still laid in bed, turned her head to look at Yernia.

“Do you even know how to peel it?”

Yernia was being a nuisance but he couldn’t seem to ignore her, either.

“Of course. Are you afraid that I wouldn’t be able to do this?”

Yernia lodged the blade into the apple, making Cassian chuckle.

She lifted the knife regardless but she was too slow.

Perhaps, the way she peeled it was wrong and awkward.

Yernia lifted the knife from the fruit and peeled it again and again but she sliced it off by accident.

Even if she had perfectly peeled an apple in her previous life, her skills were the same then and now.

“Wait a minute. I’m usually good, but I can’t seem to do it today because you’re looking at me.”

Her failure might be because of her skills, but the way Cassian examined her felt burdensome.

She only managed to peel the middle of the apple after a long time.

After repeating it a few times, Cassian stole the knife from her.

“Give it to me. You’ll cut your hand and I would have no fruit to eat.”

“Here.”

Yernia held out the apple that turned much smaller compared to before and it did prick her conscience.

Shouldn’t it be alright as long as they can eat?

“Then, let’s see how good you are at peeling it. I’ll be watching.”

Yernia threw the apple at Cassian gently and he caught it with a chuckle.

She laughed, too.

Yernia was a little relieved that Cassian didn’t feel gloomy anymore.

The soft crunch of apples being peeled filled the space.

“Who are you?”

“Your husband.”

“Did the military taught you how to peel apples?”

Yernia’s eyes widened in surprise.

She didn’t expect Cassian to do a great job.

Why would he be good at handling small knives when he only carried a sword at the side of his waist?

“Why? Do I look that cool to you?”

Did Cassian just crack a joke?

Her life seemed to be worth living now.

Yernia munched on an apple as she continued to observe Cassian peeling the rest.

‘Maybe, he’s really into cooking these days.’Yernia thought as she glanced at Cassian’s bandaged hands in a daze.

“How did you do that?”

In the blink of an eye, Cassian finished peeling the fruit, and to top it all off, he formed a cute rabbit out of the thinly sliced apples.

It’s a waste to eat these pretty ear-shaped apple slices.

“It’s so cute, Cassian. I probably couldn’t do that.”

“I can do everything.”

He shrugged and gave the plate to Yernia.

She felt so bad for eating them.

Yernia picked a thin apple slice from the precious rabbit and put it in Cassian’s mouth.

He flinched for a second before he opened his mouth.

“Cruel guy!” Yernia joked.

Cassian smiled. “I didn’t know you would feed me.”

“Aren’t you hungry? You always lie down and sleep.”

“I didn’t sleep. I just have so many things to think about.”

“Then, don’t think too much. I feel bad if you don’t sleep, Cassian.”

When Cassian was down, Yernia also felt the same.

It bothered her.

“You said I’m off limits here.. Did you forget this is my room, as well?”

“I did let you in.”

“I’m going to let it slide just for today. Got it?”

He burst into laughter.

With a gentle nod, Cassian put an apple inside Yernia’s mouth.

“Let’s sleep together.”

“What?”

“I’m sleepy, but I can’t seem to sleep when you’re not here.”

For a moment, Cassian’s words sounded strange.

She narrowed her eyes at Cassian to figure out his intentions.

As if on cue, his shoulders drooped.

“I’m really sad today, Yernia. Please stay with me.”

“Alright.”

Again, Cassian’s countenance looked like he had nothing but pure intentions.

Yernia jumped over Cassian’s leg, blaming herself for constant misunderstanding.

“Do you want me to sing you a lullaby, Cassian?”

He stared at her as she lay next to him.

Cassian covered Yernia’s eyes with his hands and whispered.

“Go to sleep.”

***

Cassian rolled the cuff button in his hand.

His eyes were cold as he scrutinized the cuff button that had a blue jewel on top of it.

Should he break it?

He found it under the bed but he didn’t know whom it belonged to.

He had never bought this before.

In addition to that, Yernia had a habit of hiding things under the bed.

He also found an aphrodisiac perfume in the room.

Cassian knew that it was applied to prevent pain during intercourse.

When the maid cleaning their marriage suite pulled out a gift box, he opened it.

His curiosity made him discover a cuff button.

Yernia bought it, but it wasn’t for herself.

She must have bought it for someone.

Cassian was convinced that that particular someone must be the opera singer.

Yernia would never buy him a present.

“Yes, I like it.”

Cassian clenched his fist and suppressed the urge to crush the cuff button.

“That bastard is really testing me.”

When he woke up, Yernia was not there.

Obviously, he had closed his eyes in relief while she was sleeping right next to him, but she went out without asking for his permission.