While Vivi was making her it her goal to find out Cassius’s true self, the senior maid, Miss Elma, stepped behind her, her hands reaching for the handles of the wooden wheelchair, ready to guide Vivi toward the mansion’s warmth.

Vivi’s gratitude for Miss Elma was immense,.the woman had been her rock, her caretaker through countless fragile days—but in that moment, a spark of determination flared within her.

She didn’t want to be pushed, not tonight.

Her body, though still weak, was stronger than it had been in years, thanks to Cassius’s treatments, and this wheelchair, his gift, had given her a taste of independence she wasn’t ready to relinquish.

She wanted to move herself, to prove she wasn’t the delicate child everyone treated her as, so she opened her mouth, ready to gently decline the maid’s help, her voice soft but firm.

“Miss Elma, I—”

But before she could finish, Cassius’s voice cut through, calm but commanding, his gaze flicking to the senior maid.

“Hold on, Miss Elma…” He said, stepping forward with a casual grace, his hands tucked into his pockets. “There’s no need to push her. Vivi’s getting stronger every day, and as much as you want to help, she needs to start doing things on her own.”

“…Independence is part of her recovery, so ideally she should be pushing herself around more.”

Miss Elma’s hands froze on the handles, her brow furrowing as she straightened, her voice laced with concern.

“Young Master Cassius, with all due respect, Lady Vivi is still quite weak. There’s no need for her to strain herself when I’m right here. It’s my duty to ensure she’s cared for, and pushing this chair through the halls is too much for her after this long consultancy session she had with others.”

Cassius’s smirk softened, but his tone remained resolute, the doctor in him taking over.

“I get it, Miss Elma, I do. You’ve been her shield, and you’ve done a damn fine job. But as her physician, I’m telling you—my treatments can only do so much. The rest is up to her. She needs to build her strength, physically and mentally.”

“If she keeps relying on others to move her, all the progress we’ve made could stall. She’s got to take those steps—or, in this case, those pushes herself.”

“…Let me just tell you that it’s not about coddling her; it’s about letting her grow.”

Miss Elma’s lips pursed, her maternal instincts warring with Cassius’s logic. She opened her mouth, ready to argue, her voice rising slightly. “But she’s not ready, my lord! What if she tires herself out? What if she falls ill again? I couldn’t bear it if—”

But Vivi quickly interrupted, her voice gentle but firm, a smile spreading across her face as she raised a hand.

“It’s alright, Miss Elma.” She said, her blue eyes bright with determination. “Young Master Cassius is right. I have to do this myself and honestly I’ve been thinking the same thing—I don’t want to be treated like a fragile little child anymore. I want to be stronger, to move on my own, to…to grow.”

She gripped the wheels of her chair, her fingers tightening with resolve, and gave a small push, the chair gliding forward a few inches.

“See? I can do it even now.”

Miss Elma’s eyes widened, surprise and pride flickering across her face as she watched Vivi maneuver the chair with a quiet confidence, even though she was supposed to be exhausted after that long evening.

Lucius, standing beside Cassius, clapped his hands together, his voice bursting with enthusiasm. “That’s the spirit, Lady Vivi! Look at you, rolling like a proper adventurer! Master knew you had it in you!”

Vivi giggled at the comment and then glanced at Cassius, a warmth in her gaze appearing that hadn’t been there before.

“I was actually going to say the same thing to Miss Elma before you stepped in.” She said, her voice tinged with awe. “But I didn’t expect you to think the same way, my lord. I thought…well, I thought you’d see me like everyone else does—a pitiful girl who needs help all the time.”

“…But you understand what I want, don’t you?”

Cassius’s smirk returned, but there was a gentleness in his eyes as he met her gaze, his voice low and steady.

“Anyone who looks at you and sees a weak, helpless girl is blind as a bat, Vivi, as there’s a fire in your eyes, a fire that’s been burning since the day I met you. It’s a longing for freedom, for life.”

“…And a girl with that kind of spark? Well, I’ll just say that no illness in the world can hold her down.”

Vivi’s breath caught, her heart swelling with gratitude and something deeper, a realization that Cassius saw her—not as a patient, not as a fragile noble, but as her, with all her dreams and desires.

It was a clarity she’d rarely felt, even with her mother, Lady Diana, who loved her fiercely, but often smothered her with care, treating her like a precious, breakable treasure.

Cassius, though he understood her need to break free, to be more than her illness. Her appreciation for him deepened, a quiet warmth settling in her chest as she looked at him, her smile radiant.

“Thank you.” She whispered, her voice full with emotion. “I’m glad that someone is seeing me for who I’m trying to be, rather then a helpless girl who can’t even get out of her bed.”

Vivi then gripped the wheels again, ready to lead the way to her room, eager to show just how capable she was.

But before she could move, Cassius raised a hand, his voice cutting through her enthusiasm.

“Hold up, Vivi.” He said in a concerned manner. “I’m all for you pushing yourself, but those wheels—they’ve been rolling through the garden, picking up dirt, maybe worse.”

“And you don’t want to touch them with bare hands, not when your body is still recovering. You need gloves or something to keep your hands clean.”

Vivi blinked, glancing at the wheels, then at her hands, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips.

“Oh…I didn’t think of that.” She admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment. She looked around, her brow furrowing. “I don’t have any gloves with me, though.”

Miss Elma stepped forward, her voice brisk. “I’ll fetch some from your room, my lady. It’ll only take a moment

But Cassius interrupted, pulling a pair of white gloves from his pocket with a casual flourish, his smirk returning.

“No need to run off.” He said, holding them out. “These are mine, though I barely wear them. They’re clean, but…well, they’ve been used by me.”

“…You might not want something that’s already been worn and it’s up to you if you want them.”

Vivi’s eyes lit up, sparkling like a child offered a rare treat.

“Not at all!” She exclaimed, snatching the gloves from his hand with a speed that surprised even her. “I’d love to use them!”

She slipped them on eagerly, her fingers disappearing into the oversized fabric, the gloves comically large on her delicate hands and the moment she wore them, she felt the difference—the material was soft but sturdy, molded to Cassius’s larger hands, a stark contrast to her own slender ones.

The realization hit her like a spark: his hands were so much bigger, so strong, a man’s hands compared to her own, and the thought sent a flutter through her chest.

‘He’s a man, and I’m…I’m a woman.’

She thought, her heart racing at the sudden awareness of their differences, their closeness.

She also realised that the gloves carried a faint scent of their material, yes, but something else, something distinctly him, a mix of clean linen and a subtle, earthy warmth that made her pulse quicken.

And out of pure, impulsive curiosity, and despite knowing it was wildly inappropriate, she felt an urge to bring her hand to her nose, to catch that scent more clearly.

Her hand began to rise, slow and careful, her cheeks warming as she fought the instinct, knowing it was a step too far, a breach of propriety that would mortify her if caught.

But before she could give in, Cassius’s voice broke through, his tone curious. “Something wrong, Vivi? You’re staring at those gloves like they’re hiding a secret. They too big for you? Need something else?”

Hearing this, Vivi froze, her hand halting inches from her face, her eyes widening as a wave of embarrassment crashed over her.

“N-Not at all!” She squeaked, her voice high and flustered as she jerked her hand down, gripping the wheels tightly. “They’re perfect! Just…adjusting to them, that’s all!”

Her cheeks blazed, her heart pounding as she realized how close she’d come to doing something so scandalous and then without another word, she pushed the wheelchair forward, the wheels creaking as she moved toward the mansion with a speed that betrayed her desperation to escape the moment.

Cassius raised a brow, his smirk widening as he watched her hasty retreat, clearly puzzled but amused by her reaction. “What’s got her so rattled?” He muttered to Lucius, who shrugged, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“No idea, Master.” Lucius said, grinning. “But she’s cute when she’s all flustered, isn’t she?”

Miss Elma, guiding the group toward the mansion, stifled a chuckle, her voice soft as she leaned toward Vivi. “You’re quite the handful tonight, my lady. Wanting to spend the rest of your time with the Young Master, blushing over gloves…What’s next?”

Vivi’s flush deepened, her voice a hurried whisper.

“Nothing! Nothing at all! Let’s just get inside!”

She pushed the wheels harder, the oversized gloves slipping slightly but doing their job, her heart still racing from the near-miss and the realization that she’d been so drawn to something as simple as Cassius’s scent.

‘What’s wrong with me?’ She thought, her mind a whirlwind of embarrassment and excitement. ‘It’s just gloves!’

Cassius followed, his steps silent, his smirk masking the calculations flickering in his crimson eyes.

“Hold on, Vivi.” He called, his voice teasing. “Don’t go racing off without us. We wouldn’t want you getting lost in your own house.”

Vivi glanced back, her pout returning but softened by a smile. “I know my way, Young Master Cassius.” She said, her voice playful despite her flush. “But you’re welcome to try and keep up.”

The group wound through the mansion’s corridors, the air growing warmer as they moved deeper into the heart of the house. Vivi’s wheelchair navigated the smooth floors with ease, her arms growing steadier with each push, a quiet pride swelling in her chest.

She glanced back occasionally, catching Cassius’s gaze, his smirk a constant that both flustered and emboldened her.

The halls were lined with portraits of her family—stern-faced ancestors and softer images of her mother, Lady Diana, whose medical legacy Vivi hoped to honor in her own way.

The thought bolstered her resolve, and she pushed on, determined to show she was more than her illness.

As they reached the door to Vivi’s room, a cozy chamber tucked at the end of a quiet wing, Vivi slowed, her breath a little quicker from the effort but her smile unwavering. The room’s entrance was framed by delicate carvings of ivy, and beyond the threshold, soft lamplight spilled out, promising warmth and rest.

Miss Elma stepped forward, ready to guide the wheelchair inside, while Lucius, still chattering about Cassius’s genius, moved to follow.

But before they could cross the threshold, Cassius raised a hand, his voice calm but firm as he turned to face them, his smirk replaced by a professional demeanor.

“Hold it.” He said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I need to check on my patient now—make a proper diagnosis, see how her treatment’s holding up. That means I’ll need privacy, so you two can wait outside.”

Lucius’s eyes widened, a grin spreading across his face as he nodded eagerly.

“Right, Master! Privacy for the doctor’s work, got it!” He gave a salute, his voice brimming with teasing enthusiasm. “I’ll be in the garden, maybe sniff some roses or pester the cooks for a snack…Call me if you need me!”

With a bounce in his step, he turned and sauntered off, whistling a cheerful tune, clearly unbothered by the request, just hoping that he didn’t push the poor Lady Vivi to far.

Miss Elma, however, hesitated, her hands tightening around the edge of her apron as her brow furrowed with concern.

‘It would be better if I stayed by her side.’ She thought, her mind flickering to the rumors that clung to Cassius—whispers of charm, of scandal, of a man whose reputation was as shadowed as it was brilliant.

She trusted his skill, revered him for saving Vivi’s life, but a maternal instinct held her back.

“Young Master…” She said, her voice measured. “I’ve already informed Lady Diana of your arrival, and she’ll be here soon. And until she arrives, I should remain with Lady Vivi. It’s my duty to ensure she’s cared for.”

Cassius’s smirk returned, but it was tempered by a glint of understanding, his voice smooth and reassuring.

“Miss Elma, I appreciate your dedication. But there’s no need for worry. I’m here to check her condition, nothing more. Lady Diana trusts me with her daughter’s care, and I won’t betray that.”

“…I just need a few minutes to do my job properly. You have my word.”

Miss Elma’s gaze flickered to Vivi, who offered a reassuring smile, her voice gentle.

“It’s alright, Miss Elma.” She said, her tone calm but firm. “Young Master Cassius knows what he’s doing. I trust him, and Mother does too. You can wait outside I’ll be fine.”

The maid’s shoulders sagged slightly, her instincts warring with Vivi’s confidence and Cassius’s authority. She studied Cassius for a long moment, her eyes searching his face.

The rumors lingered in her mind, but so did his actions—the wheelchair, the treatments, the kindness he’d shown the old man, so with a reluctant nod, she stepped back, her voice soft but resolute.

“Very well, my lord. I’ll be just down the hall. If you need anything anything at all, call for me.”

Cassius nodded, his smile widening, a touch too charming but sincere. “Will do.” He said, his tone light. “You’re a gem, Miss Elma. Don’t go far.”

With that, he stepped into the room, holding the door open for Vivi to wheel herself inside. She pushed forward, the oversized gloves still loose on her hands, her heart giving a nervous flutter as she crossed the threshold.

Cassius followed, closing the door behind them with a soft click, the sound echoing in the quiet room.

Miss Elma lingered a moment longer, her hand hovering near the knob, her thoughts a tangle of trust and caution.

‘He’s saved her.’ She told herself, turning away, her footsteps fading down the hall. ‘He’s a doctor, a good man. Nothing will happen…right?’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep