My Arrogant and Insolent Shadow - Chapter 23

“This isn’t the way to the maids’ quarters… These are the guest rooms, aren’t they?”

Yurisiel had never really had a reason to go near the maids’ quarters, but thanks to the butler’s past explanations, she had a general idea of the mansion’s layout.

The maids usually went in the opposite direction, so she was fairly sure she hadn’t misjudged.

Besides, she had seen glimpses of this west wing before during previous visits. It was filled with grand rooms—clearly not servant spaces.

“Isn’t this the guest wing?” she asked.

“It is,” the butler replied, his tone just as formal and distant as always, without slowing down.

Yurisiel followed behind him, her hand held tightly by Jane.

Feeling the tension in her mother’s grip, Yurisiel gently squeezed back, trying to offer some reassurance.

Even so, her mind was spinning with unease.

Why the guest wing?
Maybe there’s a maid’s room on this side too…

Her thoughts stretched with every step she took.

For days now, her thoughts had kept looping, one after another, like a chain that refused to break.

Why had the young master brought her here?

She still had no idea. And after so much time wondering, it didn’t seem like the answer would come any easier now.

If she judged by his usual behavior, the only explanation she could think of was that he wanted someone nearby to toy with, a new source of entertainment.

So, naturally, she assumed he’d choose the worst possible room for her and her mother.

To remind her of her place.

It was a sad thought—but it didn’t matter.

Even the worst room in this mansion, even the one the maids avoided, would be better than where they had lived before.

Anywhere in this house was warm and safe, like a greenhouse compared to the fragile shelter they’d had before.

At least here, there would be no leaky roof or freezing nights with no heat.

But then they stopped at a door that radiated luxury, just looking at it made her breath catch.

It was decorated in gold and crafted with the ornate Pantheum design, the latest fashion across the Empire.

She swallowed hard as the butler opened the door.

The room was spacious and too big for just two people but cozy and beautifully arranged.

A white canopy bed that looked like something a princess would sleep in, a cute vanity mirror, and a soft, inviting sofa…

This had to be what a noble young lady’s room looked like.

Of course, she had never seen such a room before, but Yurisiel was sure of it.

Her mother, too, stood speechless beside her, clearly stunned.

The butler continued explaining the room’s features, but Yurisiel could barely hear him.

Everything felt… strange.

The room was lovely, her mother’s reaction was understandable, everything was good, yet deep inside, something felt wrong.

Did the young master plan this?

She shook her head.

No, that can’t be right. That cold, proud man wouldn’t care whether someone like her came or went.

Letting them into the mansion must’ve just been a whim.

Or worse—maybe he wanted them to get comfortable before tearing it all away.

That would be just like him.

Her thoughts swirled in confusion as the butler finished his explanation and turned to leave.

“Take your time unpacking. Please change into one of the dresses in the closet and come downstairs. The young master has requested that you join him for breakfast.”

He said it was a “request,” but Yurisiel knew better than anyone—it wasn’t something she could refuse.

Her heart dropped.

“Is my mother… joining us?” she asked, cautiously.

“No,” the butler replied. “Her breakfast will be brought here separately. You don’t need to worry.”

Relieved, Yurisiel let out a quiet breath and nodded. She had been dreading the possibility of her mother encountering the young master.

Though her mother had once warned her to stay far away from nobles, lately, after hearing kind rumors about Cassian from the townspeople, she had softened a little.

Of course, their desperate circumstances had played a big part in that change, too.

Her mother couldn’t possibly imagine that he had been the one who destroyed their home. To her, he was nothing more than a kind noble who had taken in two lost commoners.

Yurisiel never said otherwise.

In truth, she had been too afraid that her mother might hear the truth.

Because if she did, her mother would surely want to leave—just to protect her daughter.

Even knowing how badly she needed a warm, safe place to recover.

Given all of that, Yurisiel could only hope her mother never had to meet Cassian.

He was too unpredictable. Too powerful. If he chose to, he could ruin them both in an instant.

It might have sounded naïve, hoping to avoid someone while living in the same house but realistically, how often would they cross paths?

He was the master of the mansion. She and her mother were just temporary guests.

Still, the memory of Cassian’s cold, emotionless face returned suddenly, flooding her mind.

She shivered, remembering how she had begged in front of him.

Pushing the thought away, Yurisiel let out a quiet sigh and opened the closet.

Inside were several dresses, neatly hung.

They were simple in design, but the fabric and details were clearly expensive—clothing fit for a noble’s daughter.

She felt suffocated.

It was as if he was mocking her, sending a message in his own twisted way: Know your place.

Even so, she managed to smile. She always could.

It wasn’t so hard.

Because if staying here meant being with her mother, then she could endure anything.

Breakfast was served in the central dining hall.

It was unusual, Cassian almost always ate in his room.

For him to come down and join the meal in person was rare.

Upon hearing the news, the chef appeared a little tense and put even more care than usual into preparing the food.

In truth, ever since the lord and lady of the house had personally taken charge of overseeing the young master’s meals, he had never been able to relax. He was constantly on edge.

Just as the appetizer was about to be completed, a girl entered the hall alone, and before the young master had arrived.

She wore a beautiful dress, but her thin frame was noticeable. Seeing her, the head chef was reminded of something his wife had gossiped about not long ago.

That the notoriously picky young master had, for the first time, taken a liking to a girl.

That he was probably planning to make her his concubine before he died.

That she must have incredible luck, considering how many others had tried and failed to catch his attention.

Apparently, the mansion had been abuzz recently, with the servants scrambling to redecorate a space for her.

Among the staff, she was already a well-known figure though not necessarily in a good way.

Still, she was as pretty and radiant as the rumors had said.

The dress she wore, clearly something the young master had given her looked like exactly the kind of thing others might resent her for.

Watching her glance around the room, the chef turned back to his cooking as word came that the young master had arrived.

Tap. Tap.

Startled by the sound of footsteps, Yurisiel stood up quickly.

It was unusual—even for her, to see Cassian walking into the hall like this. He usually stayed seated or remained distant.

Because of that, her gaze lingered on him a little longer than usual.

And Cassian, in turn, didn’t look away. He looked right back at her, for quite a while.

He had occasionally thought she resembled a noble lady, but not like this.

To be honest, this was unexpected.

What would those desperate noble families think, those who emptied their coffers preparing their daughters for debutante balls, sculpting them into visions of high society, if they saw this?

They’d probably lose their minds.

He hadn’t even given her a proper dress.

It was just something he’d seen in passing something he thought might suit her and told the staff to pack it.

It matched her: those soft features and emerald eyes.

It had been an impulsive choice.

His father, of course, had gone overboard and added several more outfits to the closet.

Cassian had once caught a glimpse of it, lined with elegant dresses that clearly showed someone had put thought into it.

So why had she chosen the one that looked like the least effort was made?

Maybe she thought it didn’t matter what she wore, she’d still look beautiful.

The arrogance made him chuckle under his breath.

Even so, he didn’t feel like criticizing her. Cassian found it oddly satisfying.

Whether it was coincidence or intention, the fact that Yurisiel was sitting here in something he had picked pleased him.

Still… was that dress always that fitted?

Even a modest dress couldn’t hide the way it clung to her figure and flowed along her neck.

The neatly tied-up hair didn’t really suit the look but today, he decided to let it go.

Because even that, he found… oddly charming.

“I heard you wanted to see me,” she said.

“From now on, you’ll be joining me for breakfast.”

“…Excuse me?”

Her emerald eyes widened, clearly startled.

“I said come here in the morning. Be on time.”

At his words, her wide eyes narrowed into a faint scowl, and her expression twisted.

She looked as if she would rather be anywhere else.

If you’re going to feel that way, at least learn to hide it better, he thought.

He almost smirked, ready to tease her but then she replied in a quiet voice:

“…Understood.”

It was almost funny, remembering how fiercely she used to refuse him, how firmly she used to say no.

And now, even though her face still screamed how much she hated this, she accepted it.

That reluctant obedience annoyed him a little but also satisfied him.

Cassian gave a slight nod. As if on cue, the appetizer was brought out.

It looked exquisite.

The aroma of onion, butter, and cheese filled the plate. Underneath a layer of melted cheese was a rich, savory soup.

For Yurisiel, who normally ate cold soup or stale bread for her meals, the sight alone made her eyes widen in disbelief.

So, this was what nobles ate.

Everything about it was different.

She didn’t want to eat it.

Once she tasted it, she would get used to it. And once she got used to it, she’d crave it.

Getting addicted to something this luxurious was dangerous.

Her instincts screamed that she needed to stay away, to protect herself.

But even as she hesitated, her thoughts drifted to her mother.

Mother must be eating now too…

The butler had promised to send food to her room.

If her mother could eat something like this, wouldn’t she feel better? Wouldn’t she heal faster?

Yurisiel hadn’t taken a single spoonful yet.

Cassian quietly watched her, his eyes focused.

That gaze made it hard for her to breathe.

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