Chapter 555: I Have An Offer For You

Maria’s eyes trembled. "W-What...What do you mean, Young Master?" She said nervously, her back pressed against the door now.

Cassius chuckled under his breath.

"Oh, think about it. A nobleman with a terrible reputation calls you over to his room in secret, in the middle of the night. A man accused of depravity, of unspeakable acts. And what do you do? Without thinking twice, you come here—alone."

He tilted his head, eyes glinting like a cat’s.

"Tell me, Lady Maria...What exactly did you expect to happen?"

Her gaze darted past him—there was indeed a large bed behind him, draped in rich silk sheets.

The realization made her heartbeat quicken.

Cassius chuckled again, clearly amused by her expression. "See? Even now, you’re realizing it. You walked straight into the wolf’s den."

He watched her reaction carefully, expecting her to panic, to turn and flee. But she didn’t.

Instead, Maria’s trembling eased.

The nervousness in her eyes slowly faded.

Then...she smiled.

A warm, gentle smile that shone with quiet faith.

"No, Young Master Cassius." She said softly. "You didn’t call me here to do something like that."

"Oh?" Cassius frowned slightly, intrigued. "And how can you be so sure, Lady Maria? Isn’t this the most obvious situation in the world?"

"Or don’t tell me you also have some ability to tell if I’m good or bad like with daughter."

Maria chuckled softly, shaking her head.

"It’s nothing like that." She said gently. "My daughter was the only one blessed by the Goddess. I don’t have any such divine gift."

She looked up at him with kind, steady eyes.

"But I do have something else. It’s not an ability, exactly...just a sense. I can tell when someone means well and when they don’t."

She clasped her hands together before her chest and smiled faintly.

"Just now, you said I’m someone who doesn’t see danger, who can’t see the bad in others. But that’s wrong."

Cassius arched a brow. "Oh?"

She nodded. "I can see it—more clearly than you think. In fact, I’ve seen plenty of men look at me with darkness in their hearts. I know what it’s like to be gazed at with lust, with greed, with thoughts they dare not speak aloud."

Her tone became quiet, but her eyes grew distant—remembering.

"I’ve seen that hunger in men’s eyes ever since I was young. The kind that strips away dignity, that devours you with its stare. I’ve lived long enough and experienced enough to know what that look means...when lust overwhelms their reason."

Cassius’s eyes flickered, and for a brief moment, he lowered his gaze, remembering the parts of Maria’s past he had read about in her reports—the past she probably didn’t want to ever remember.

He exhaled quietly.

But Maria smiled again, bright and unshaken.

"So yes, I can see the bad in people." She said, her voice steady. "I just choose to ignore it."

"Ignore it?"

"Yes." Her smile returned, faint but serene. "Because as a follower of the Goddess, I believe that even if someone carries darkness, they also carry light."

"As long as they seek forgiveness, I believe that light can grow stronger. That’s what I believed when I was young, when I still thought everyone could be saved."

Her tone faltered slightly.

"But life in the capital...the years in the royal palace...they taught me otherwise. I’ve learned that some people will never change. No matter how much light you offer them, they stay in the dark."

Cassius’s brows rose slightly, impressed.

He had expected Maria to be a hopeless idealist, blinded by her faith. But instead, she spoke with the calm realism of someone who had seen the world’s cruelty up close...and accepted it.

Yet, as soon as he thought that, her expression became tender again, and that radiant optimism returned to her smile.

"But you, Young Master." She said warmly. "You’re not one of those people. You don’t have that darkness."

"You may act intimidating, but your eyes—they’re not cruel. You didn’t call me here for anything evil."

Her smile brightened, soft and honest.

"That’s why I can rest easy around you."

Hearing this confession, he said nothing at first , then groaned lightly and rubbed his temple.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" He muttered. "Do I really look that harmless?"

"Everywhere I go, I try to act intimidating, to make people take me seriously. But every single time, they just...don’t."

He sighed dramatically. "Isabelle didn’t at first. Vivi also didn’t fall for my threats. Even Julie, she just laughed it off when I tried to scare her. And now you too, Lady Maria. Unbelievable."

Maria couldn’t help but giggle softly, covering her mouth.

"It’s not that you look harmless, Young Master." She said sweetly. "It’s your eyes. They give you away."

"My...eyes?" Cassius blinked.

She nodded shyly. "They’re kind. And..."

Her gaze met his briefly before darting away again, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.

"Also...incredibly beautiful."

For a moment, Cassius was taken aback. Then a slow, amused grin spread across his face.

Maria realized what she had said and quickly shook her head, waving her hands in flustered panic.

"N-Nevermind! I shouldn’t have said that." She cleared her throat hastily and looked away.

Cassius chuckled quietly, clearly enjoying her reaction before finally, she looked back at him and asked, still curious.

"So then, what was it, Young Master? Why did you call me here? I mean..."

Maria’s gaze then flicked to the bed behind him, and her lips curved with an innocent but mischievous smile as she asked,

"Wouldn’t you rather spend time with your ’Woman of the Night’ than speak to me?"

Cassius blinked, utterly caught off guard. "...My what?"

She tilted her head. "Your woman of the night." She repeated casually. "I heard from one of your wives, Nala that apparently you called over a few girls tonight."

Then, noticing his startled expression, she quickly waved her hands.

"Oh, don’t misunderstand! I’m not judging you, not at all. You’re a man, after all. Everyone needs some comfort once in a while. It’s simply business—the girls earn money, and you find relief. It’s far better than other vices."

She smiled kindly. "I wouldn’t think less of you for that. Unlike my daughter, who would probably accuse you of being a degenerate for even thinking of it."

Cassius stared at her, utterly baffled. Then his face twisted in outrage.

"That damn little snake." He muttered under his breath.

Maria blinked. "Pardon?"

"I’m sorry." He gritted his teeth. "It’s just that my wife has been spreading nonsense again. Trying to ruin my reputation even more with that long tongue of her that says so many unnecessary things!"

He threw his hands up before saying with resolve,

"And no, Lady Maria, I did not call anyone over. No courtesans, no dancers, no one."

Maria tilted her head innocently. "Oh? Then you mean to say you’ve never called anyone before?"

Cassius hesitated, scratching the back of his neck.

"...Well, I can’t say never, but that was—uh—"

He stopped abruptly and waved it off.

"No, no, forget that."

Her curiosity only grew at his awkwardness, but before she could press further, Cassius straightened and diverted the topic.

"Anyway, the reason I called you here wasn’t for anything improper. I simply wanted to introduce myself."

Maria blinked in surprise.

"Earlier, when your group arrived, I didn’t have the chance. Things got...heated rather quickly." He smirked faintly. "And if I’d tried to speak to you then, your daughter would have blocked me instantly. So I thought I’d wait until I had a quieter moment."

Maria blinked, surprised. "You...wanted to introduce yourself to me?"

He nodded. "Yes. And I apologize if it seemed sneaky. I just thought this might be my only chance without an audience."

Hearing that he actually wanted to meet her and introduce himself, Maria’s heart fluttered slightly.

"Oh, please, don’t apologize. I’m actually glad you did." She said with a happy laugh. "I wanted to introduce myself as well. And if you tried to with Joy around, she definitely wouldn’t allow it so I understand why you did so."

Before adding with a awkward giggle,

"As much as I love her, she can be...a little overbearing some times."

"Tell me about it." Cassius smirked knowingly. "Even in my own estate, she made it feel like an execution chamber. I half-expected her to bring a guillotine and roll my head across the floor."

That made Maria laugh and slowly the initial hesitation in the room seemed to melt away as they shared a light-hearted moment.

Then, gathering herself, Maria gave a graceful bow and said,

"Well then, proper introductions. I am Maria, the Saintess of Compassion, as some call me and a devout follower of the Goddess of Light. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Cassius."

She looked up, smiling warmly. "Now it’s your turn."

But before he could speak, Maria leaned in with a playful twinkle in her eye.

"And just like my daughter said earlier are you going to shower me with praise? Tell me I’m the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen? Give me the most funny compliments ever."

Cassius blinked, caught slightly off guard again as she went on, giggling softly.

"If you are, please don’t hold back. Unlike my daughter, who thinks such words are manipulative and sinful, I find them...rather pleasant."

Her voice softened into a whisper. "Especially coming from a young man, directed toward a woman my age. It makes me feel...wonderful."

She thenlooked at him with that same glowing, tender smile and said,

"So, don’t hesitate, Young Master. Go on. Praise me as much as you wish."

She said it playfully, but in truth, she was a little curious, curious in a way she hadn’t been in years.

Normally, she didn’t care much for compliments from men.

She’d received plenty before—from nobles at royal banquets, from foreign envoys who mistook her gentleness for invitation, even from palace guards who whispered soft flattery when they thought she couldn’t hear.

She always saw through them. Their compliments were hollow, rehearsed, soaked in vanity or lust.

They never reached her heart; they never even tried to.

But Cassius was different. She had heard stories of his notorious charm from her daughter, the way he could make even the most composed noblewoman blush with a few words.

How his compliments were so over-the-top yet somehow sincere, how he turned arrogance into art and confidence into poetry.

And though she told herself it was silly, Maria couldn’t help but wonder what his compliments would sound like when directed at her.

Not because she wanted to be desired or adored—no, that wasn’t it.

It was the warmth in his words, the wit, the theatricality.

She wanted to laugh, to share in that moment of liveliness. And maybe, just maybe, even if he lied to make her feel good, she wanted to hear what a man like Cassius could possibly say to a woman like her.

So she waited.

But Cassius said nothing.

He just...stared at her.

His crimson eyes, so striking in the candlelight watched her without any particular expression.

His lips didn’t move. He didn’t smirk, didn’t tease, didn’t even blink for a long moment.

Seeing this, Maria faltered, her confidence flickering.

The silence stretched longer than she’d expected, and suddenly she felt a pang of embarrassment rising in her chest.

Then realization dawned on her, and her heart skipped.

Oh no.

She had just asked—no, forced—a young man, barely half her age, to shower her with compliments.

It wasn’t just awkward; it was utterly mortifying.

She realized now that maybe his compliments weren’t for just anyone.

Maybe he only said those things to women he was truly interested in. And here she was, standing before him like a fool, asking for praise she didn’t deserve.

Her hands flew up in a fluster.

"N-Nevermind, Young Master Cassius! Nevermind!"

She said hurriedly, shaking her head.

"You don’t have to say anything. Please, just forget what I said—I was being foolish!"

She then took a step back, her face flushed pink with embarrassment. "I shouldn’t have made such a silly request. I’m sorry to bother you. I—I’ll be going now."

She reached for the door handle, desperate to flee before her mortification deepened—

But Cassius’s voice stopped her.

"No, no." He said quickly, shaking his head. "It’s not that."

Maria froze and turned back, blinking.

Cassius gave a small, genuine smile. "If you want compliments from me." He said lightly. "Then I’ll gladly give them."

Before she could protest, his tone softened, the faintest hint of sincerity glimmering beneath the playful confidence.

"Because when I stand before a woman as beautiful as you, Lady Maria...I could go on for an entire day and still not run out of things to say."

Maria’s breath caught. She hadn’t expected that. Her cheeks turned crimson instantly, and she could barely look at him.

Cassius watched her reaction, his smile faint but sincere until, unexpectedly, his expression shifted.

The playfulness dimmed. His gaze turned thoughtful, almost hesitant.

"Though..." He began quietly. "That wasn’t the only reason I called you here."

Maria blinked, still flustered, her heart still racing.

"W-What do you mean?"

Cassius took a slow breath and reached into his coat pocket.

"I wanted to offer you something."

She tilted her head in surprise, curiosity overcoming her embarrassment.

"Offer...me what?"

And in response, from one pocket, he pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper, its edges sealed with the golden insignia of the imperial registrar.

From the other, he drew a small velvet pouch and carefully opened it.

Inside was a ring.

A single, glimmering stone set in silver, its hue soft and pinkish-gold, catching the candlelight like a gentle heartbeat.

Maria’s eyes widened in astonishment.

"A ring?" She breathed.

She looked from the paper to the jewelry, utterly confused.

"What...What is this, Young Master? It looks like some kind of document, and that..."

She hesitated, looking at the ring again, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.

"Well, that looks like something someone would use to propose a marriage, doesn’t it? Don’t tell me that you’re actually asking me to marry you?"

She said it jokingly—expecting him to laugh.

But he didn’t.

Cassius smiled. Slowly. Calmly. And then, to her utter disbelief, he nodded.

"You’re exactly right." He said. "That’s precisely what I’m doing."

Maria froze. "W-What?"

"I’m proposing marriage to you."

For a moment, the world seemed to still. The candles flickered.

Maria simply stood there, her mouth slightly open, trying to process whether she had heard him correctly.

But Cassius wasn’t joking. His eyes were steady, his tone composed yet earnest as he went on, lifting the letter slightly.

"In my left hand..." He said. "...is a document. A formal discharge from the Church of the Goddess. Once you sign it, you’ll be released from your vows as a sister."

"You’ll no longer be bound by celibacy or the Church’s restrictions. You’ll be free to live your life however you wish and marry whomever you choose."

Maria’s eyes trembled as she stared at the paper.

"Wha...What are you saying?" She whispered.

Cassius then lifted his right hand, holding the ring between his fingers.

"And in this hand..." He continued softly. "...is an engagement ring. The stone was chosen carefully—it symbolizes compassion and empathy. The same virtues you embody every single day."

He looked straight into her eyes now, no trace of teasing left in his expression. Only quiet sincerity.

"So, Lady Maria..." He said gently. "...as long as you take this paper, sign it, and free yourself from the Church’s vows, I will put this ring on your finger myself and take you as my wife. And I swear to you, on my name and blood, that I’ll protect and cherish you for the rest of my life."

"That..."

He hesitated while having a shy look on his face before finally saying with timid smile.

"That is is the offer I give you in the hope of you accepting it."

Maria’s entire body went still.

Her breath hitched, her fingers trembling at her sides as she looked at him. At this young man who had just said something so utterly impossible, so outrageous, and yet so disarmingly sincere.

A moment ago, she had only wanted a few kind words—just to laugh a little.

But Cassius, being Cassius, had done what he always did. He went beyond words, beyond reason, beyond expectation.

He had skipped every level entirely—

—and gone straight to proposing marriage.

Maria stood there, blushing furiously, her heart pounding in her chest.

’This man...truly goes all out when it comes to women.’ She thought helplessly.