The air was cool, the garden hushed as Vivi’s heartfelt thanks to Cassius lingered, her eyes shining with gratitude. The old man, still clutching Lila’s letter, sat quietly, his tears slowing but his heart visibly lifted by the exchange.

The moment felt harmonious, a perfect blend of warmth and connection—until Cassius’s gaze shifted from Vivi to the old man and back again, his smirk softening into a more serious expression.

“Vivi…” He said, his voice calm but firm, catching her off guard. “…as much as I admire your heart and trust me, I do—hugging him isn’t in your best interest right now. You shouldn’t do it.”

Vivi’s smile faltered, her eyes widening in a rare mix of surprise and something close to disappointment.

The reaction was complex, a duality that flickered across her delicate features.

On one hand, she wasn’t entirely shocked.

Cassius was, after all, a high noble—one of the highest in the continent, his blood tied to the ancient and powerful Holyfield and Vindictus families, names that carried weight akin to royalty. His lineage was considered among the purest, his status towering above even her own noble house.

In the rigid hierarchy of their world, nobles clung to their elevated status like a sacred mantle, viewing commoners as a different species altogether.

So, the idea of a noble—especially one like Vivi, frail and refined, embracing a man who’d spent his life cleaning outhouses was unthinkable, a breach of decorum that could taint her purity in the eyes of the elite.

Spitting on a commoner was shrugged off; hugging one with affection was scandalous.

So, in that sense, Cassius’s words aligned with the expectations of his rank, and Vivi understood why he might object.

Yet, at the same time, she was surprised—deeply so.

She’d thought Cassius was different, one of the rare nobles who transcended the arrogance of their class.

From the moment she’d met him, he’d defied the stereotype of the haughty lord. He treated the maids with respect, his casual demeanor putting everyone at ease, whether they were highborn or low.

He spoke to her not as a superior but as an equal, his lack of arrogance a stark contrast to the nobles who flaunted their status like a weapon.

More than that, he was a doctor—a healer who’d gone out of his way to save her, a girl the world had all but abandoned, without asking for a single coin in return.

He’d even shared his vast medical knowledge with her mother, Lady Diana, providing insights that revolutionized her hospitals, curing diseases that once claimed countless lives.

Plagues that ravaged villages, fevers that defied all known remedies—Cassius’s wisdom had turned the tide, saving tens of thousands and counting, all given freely, without a hint of greed.

If any other noble had possessed such knowledge, they’d have capitalized on it—branded it, sold it, or built empires of hospitals under their name, especially a Holyfield, whose family dominated commerce.

But Cassius?..He’d given it away, asking nothing, acting not just as a good man, but as a saint who seemed to live for others’ salvation.

So to hear him now, telling her not to hug the old man, struck a discordant note. She felt a pang of disappointment, a flicker of sadness that he might, after all, harbor the same prejudices as his peers, seeing her gesture as a disgrace to noble blood.

Still, Vivi’s stubborn heart refused to back down.

She’d promised the old man a hug, and no one—not even Cassius would sway her from keeping that promise.

She opened her mouth, ready to argue her case carefully, mindful not to offend the man who’d saved her life…that is until Cassius raised a hand, his smirk returning as he elaborated.

“Oh, I also not about his occupation, Vivi if you were thinking about that.” He said, his voice steady but laced with a doctor’s concern. “It’s about your health. Your body’s still weak, prone to illness, and physical contact could expose you to risks.”

“…A simple hug might not seem like much, but with your condition, it could have detrimental effects. That’s all I meant.”

Vivi blinked, caught off guard, her earlier assumptions crumbling as his words sank in. Her lips parted, relief and curiosity flooding her face.

“You…You mean It’s not because of his job?” She asked, her voice low but hopeful. “Not because he’s…a commoner, or what he did for a living?”

Cassius chuckled, shaking his head, his eyes glinting with amusement.

“Not at all. Just like you, I think his work is vital. Without people like him, sanitation would collapse—plagues would spread, diseases would run rampant.”

“Even from a doctor’s perspective, prioritizing. cleanliness, his role is pivotal to society. Keeps the wheels turning, keeps people alive.”

“…So, no, Vivi, this isn’t about status or some noble nonsense. It’s about keeping you healthy.”

Vivi’s face lit up, her smile returning with a radiance that seemed to brighten the twilight. Relief washed over her, her heart swelling with joy as she realized Cassius was exactly the man she’d believed him to be kind, principled, free of the elitism that defined their world.

“Oh, I’m so glad!” She exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. “I thought…Well, I thought maybe you felt differently, but we think the same! That makes me so happy!”

The old man, still clutching Lila’s letter, looked up, his tear-streaked face etched with astonishment.

In his sixty years, he’d never heard a noble—let alone one of Cassius’s stature speak of his work with such respect.

To hear Cassius, one of the most powerful men in the land, call his job pivotal filled him with a pride he’d rarely felt, his shoulders straightening as he wiped at his eyes.

“You…You really mean that, my lord?” He asked, his voice trembling with disbelief.

Cassius nodded, his smirk softening into a rare, genuine smile. “Every word. You’ve done more for this world than most nobles ever will. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”

Lucius, standing behind Cassius, beamed, his earlier tears forgotten as he nodded vigorously.

“That’s right!” He chimed in, unable to resist. “Master’s got an eye for what matters—same as Lady Vivi! You’re a hero in your own way, sir!”

While the old man was relishing in the praise, Vivi’s smile wavered slightly as she processed Cassius’s caution about her health, her curiosity piqued by his medical reasoning. She tilted her head, her blue eyes narrowing with concern and intrigue.

“But…how exactly would a hug make me ill, Young Master Cassius?” She asked, her voice soft but earnest. “Could you explain? I want to understand.”

Cassius’s smirk softened into a patient smile as he glanced at the old man, his tone calm but authoritative.

“Tell me, sir, even though you’ve retired from the work, do you still visit the sites where the waste is stored? Or help your sons with their tasks from time to time?”

The old man nodded, his scared hands fidgeting as he answered.

“Aye, my lord. I don’t work full days no more, but I still go down to the sites now and then—help load the carts, check on things. My boys run it, but I lend a hand when they need me.”

Cassius turned back to Vivi, his expression one of a teacher addressing a bright student.

“That’s exactly it…” He said, noting her confusion. “His job, as vital as it is, comes with risks. And I’ve told you before, Vivi, about bacteria and viruses—tiny things in waste that can carry disease.”

“They’re in the air, on surfaces, even on clothes or skin after handling it. For someone like him, who’s been around it for years, his body’s used to it, strong enough to shrug off most threats. But you…”

He paused, his gaze softening with concern.

“Your body’s still fragile, recovering from years of Illness. Even a weak bacteria could hit you hard, set back all the progress we’ve made.”

The old man’s eyes widened, a flicker of understanding crossing his face as he nodded.

“He’s right, my lady. My kin learned that long ago—first ones in our trade, generations back, they’d fall sick often, fevers and worse. So we made it a rule: no going home ’til we’ve bathed proper, scrubbed every bit of filth off. Didn’t want to bring nothing harmful to our families…Makes sense, what the lord’s saying.”

Cassius nodded, a glint of approval in his eyes. “Smart folks, your ancestors. Kept themselves and others safe.”

“That’s why, Vivi, even though he’s not working daily there’s still a chance he’s carrying something—nothing that’d bother most people, but for you, with your weak Immune system, it’s a risk we can’t take. Not when you’re finally getting stronger.”

Vivi let out a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing as relief washed over her. Her earlier disappointment vanished, replaced by a renewed admiration for Cassius.

He wasn’t judging the old man’s status or upholding noble prejudice, he was protecting her, his concern rooted in science, not snobbery.

Her smile returned, brighter than ever, her eyes shining with gratitude.

“Oh, I see now.” She said, her voice warm. “Thank you for explaining, Young Master Cassius. I’m so glad it’s not…well, what I thought.”

“…You’re always looking out for me, aren’t you? And you’re so knowledgeable too, I just can’t help but look up to you!”

Cassius chuckled, waving off her praise with a lazy grin. “Just doing my job, Vivi. Keeping you healthy’s the goal, and I don’t take chances.”

Vivi’s relief was visible, her eyes bright with gratitude as Cassius’s explanation sank in, dispelling her earlier fears of prejudice.

But a flicker of sadness crossed her face, her lips pursing as she glanced at the old man, still clutching Lila’s letter. “I feel awful, though.” She said, her voice soft with regret. “I promised you a hug, sir, and now I can’t keep my word. I’m so sorry.”

The old man shook his head, a warm, tearful smile breaking through his weathered features.

“Don’t you fret, my lady.” He said, his voice thick with emotion. “The thought alone—knowing a noble like you would even want to hug an old fool like me—it’s warmed my heart more than you know. Shows me there’s still good in this world, folks like you who care for commoners, no matter how low we are…That’s enough for me.”

Vivi’s smile returned, soft but tinged with lingering guilt, her hands twisting in her lap and the garden, now cloaked in the deep hues of twilight, seemed to hold its breath, the moment teetering on the edge of closure—until Cassius’s voice cut through, sharp and unexpected.

“Who said you’re not getting a hug?”

He suddenly said, his tone brash but laced with a playful edge as he rose from his chair, his crimson eyes glinting with mischief. And then to everyone’s shock, he stepped toward the old man, spreading his arms wide.

“Get up, old man. If Vivi can’t do it, I’ll give you the hug she promised…Come on, don’t make me wait.”

The moment those words landed, the garden fell silent, the air thick with disbelief.

Vivi’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open as she stared at Cassius, while Lucius lurched forward, his voice rising in a panicked protest.

“Master, you mustn’t!” He exclaimed, his hands flailing. “It’s…It’s not proper! You’re of the Holyfield and Vindictus blood—the purest in the land! To hug a commoner, and one who…who did that work? It’s unthinkable!”

The senior maid joined in, her voice sharp with alarm.

“Young Master Cassius, please, reconsider!” She urged, stepping closer. “It’s not fitting for someone of your station. Lady Vivi’s one thing, but you you can’t do this!”

Vivi, snapping out of her shock, nodded vigorously, her voice trembling with concern. “He’s right, Young Master Cassius! I appreciate it, truly, but there’s no need for you to do this. You’re a high noble—higher than me, even. It’s…It’s too much!”

But Cassius only scoffed, rolling his eyes as he crossed his arms, his smirk widening into something defiant.

“Oh, shut it, all of you.” He said, his tone cutting but playful. “I’ll do what I damn well please.”

He then turned to Vivi, his gaze locking with hers, a challenge in his eyes.

“And weren’t you the one preaching about equality, Vivi? Saying everyone’s the same, no matter their status? So what’s this about me being ‘higher’ than you? Sounds like you’re contradicting yourself, little saint.”

Vivi’s cheeks flushed, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled for a response, caught off guard by his logic.

“I…I didn’t mean…”

She stammered, her voice trailing off as she realized she couldn’t argue without undermining her own beliefs, while the old man, still seated, looked between them, his eyes wide with awe and uncertainty, Lila’s letter trembling in his hands.

Cassius then chuckled, his laugh low and warm as he turned back to the old man, his expression softening.

“Look, I’m not pushing you aside just because the world does. Everyone needs love, no matter what they do—king or dung cleaner, doesn’t matter…And frankly, it’s not like I’m some pristine flower myself.”

His smirk turned wicked, his voice dropping into a crude, teasing drawl.

“These hands you see? They’ve gone up my ass and washed my own shit plenty of times. Ain’t nothing new about getting a little dirty.”

Vivi’s face turned scarlet, a squeak escaping her as she covered her mouth, mortified by his bluntness. The senior maid gasped, her hands flying to her cheeks, while Lucius stifled a laugh, his eyes sparkling with how absurd his master’s words were.

Cassius’s gaze then settled on the old man, his tone firm but laced with humor.

“Now, get up and hug me, old man. Don’t make me come for you…You’ve heard the rumors about me, haven’t you? How depraved I am, how I steal hearts left and right?”

He leaned closer, his smile turning mockingly menacing.

“If you don’t hug me now, I might just show up at your house later, snatch up one or two of your granddaughters, and whisk them off to my mansion…You want that to happen?”

The old man’s eyes widened, a flash of panic crossing his face before he caught the playful glint in Cassius’s eyes.

He let out a shaky laugh, realizing the jest, but the threat—however absurd spurred him into action.

“Alright, alright, my lord!” He said, scrambling to his feet, his hands still clutching the letter. “No need for that I’ll hug you, I will!”

Cassius grinned, opening his arms wider, and the old man stepped forward, hesitating only a moment before wrapping his arms around him.

Hug~

Cassius also returned the embrace, his hug deep and warm, a genuine gesture that bridged the chasm between the lowest commoner and the highest noble in a single, defiant moment.

The old man’s shoulders shook, laughter and tears escaping him as he felt the sincerity in Cassius’s embrace, a kindness he’d never expected from a man whose name carried such dark rumors.

Vivi watched this all, her heart swelling with awe, her earlier disappointment replaced by a profound respect.

‘He’s one of a kind.’ She thought, her blue eyes shimmering as she took in the scene. ‘If he can show such care to an old man he just met, a man the world shuns…how much love would he give to those closest to him?’

Her mind wandered, a fleeting image flickering through her vibrant thoughts—herself, standing by his side, enveloped in that same warmth, cherished by a man whose heart defied every boundary.

The thought made her cheeks flush, her heart racing as she quickly looked away, shaking her head to banish the impossible fantasy.

‘No, no, that could never happen.’ She told herself, her pulse quickening. ‘A high noble like him, with the world at his feet, and me, a frail girl with an illness?…It’s foolish to even dream.’

She shook her head while shaking away that was so ludicrous as well, feeling satisfied just being in the presence of a man like Cassius and not wanting any more then that…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep