Chapter 546: You’re Honour! He’s Innocent!

Maria and Aqua exchanged a quick glance from across the room, both of them thinking the same thing.

The mood had completely collapsed.

What was supposed to be a friendly reunion had turned into a tense standoff between a Saintess and a noble, with energy still hanging thick in the air like fog after a storm.

The cheerful tone they had hoped for had twisted into something cold and unsettling.

Both women shifted uneasily and they were both on the verge of stepping forward, ready to interrupt, to say something—anything—to break the tension before it grew worse.

But before either could move, Cassius suddenly chuckled.

The sound was soft, unexpected and almost disarmingly calm.

Everyone turned toward him.

He wasn’t angry, nor flustered. Instead, a faint smile played on his lips as his eyes glimmered with sharp wit.

“You know.” He said, his tone suddenly casual. “I have a lot of things I’d like to say to you.”

Aqua blinked, startled by the sudden shift in tone, while Joy’s expression remained still and composed.

Cassius continued, a trace of playful irony in his voice.

“I mean, after a greeting full of threat like that, it’s only natural that I have a few thoughts.” He took a step forward before smirking, “But unlike you, I was taught to greet others politely, in a more respectable manner.”

He smiled faintly. “So, first things first…let me do that.”

He then straightened his posture, his voice becoming formal, poised, and strangely magnetic.

“Hello.” He said, his tone refined and sincere. “I am Cassius Vindictus Holyfield. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Joy.”

He placed one hand over his chest respectfully.

“Thank you for being such a close friend to my dear sister, and for looking after her so well. You have my gratitude.”

He gave a graceful half-bow before straightening with that same easy confidence.

“And of course.” He continued. “Welcome to my humble estate. I hope your time here will be pleasant and comfortable.”

His words were perfectly delivered—refined, dignified, polite.

Even Joy had to admit, begrudgingly, that his manners were flawless.

But before she could reply, Cassius suddenly brushed his hands together with a light clap, smirking slightly.

“Now that we’ve gotten the formalities out of the way…” He said casually. “Let’s discuss what you mentioned earlier—the accusations about me ’deceiving’ and ’manipulating’ women.”

Joy’s eyes narrowed again, her inquisitiveness returning.

“So, you’re denying them?” She asked. “Are you saying that your constant sweet words and emotional games are not manipulation? That using charm to make women vulnerable isn’t deception?”

Cassius smiled faintly. “That depends entirely on perspective, my dear Saintess.”

He took a slow step forward, hands behind his back.

“If you analyze it coldly, from the standpoint of logic and moral detachment, then sure—it may look like manipulation.”

He raised his hand slightly. “But if you look at it as a man speaking to a woman—as one human being sharing a moment of warmth with another—it’s something else entirely.”

Then he turned to the side, glancing toward the group of maids watching anxiously from the corner.

“Allow me to demonstrate.” He said.

Before Joy could reply, Cassius glanced over his shoulder and called out,

“Alina, come here for a moment.”

A young blonde maid with a neatly tied ponytail quickly approached, bowing her head respectfully.

“Yes, Young Master?” She said, her eyes warm with loyalty.

Cassius smiled gently and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Do you remember the first time we spoke, Alina?”

Her cheeks reddened slightly. “Of course, Young Master. You complimented my hair…you said it looked so soft and bouncy, like golden silk.”

He nodded. “That’s right. I said a lot of nice things about it, didn’t I?”

“Yes.” She said, smiling shyly. “It made me very happy. I even decided to keep this hairstyle ever since, because of that.”

Cassius chuckled softly before asking with intrigue, “I see. But what if I told you that at that moment, I was lying? That I had actually seen better hair before, and only said that to flatter you?”

Alina blinked, surprised—but then giggled.

“That doesn’t bother me at all, young master.”

Joy frowned faintly.

Alina continued, smiling brightly.

“I knew you were exaggerating a little, but it didn’t matter. You looked at me when you said it, just me. And in that moment, I felt beautiful. Even if it was just words, it made my day brighter. That’s what matters to me.”

Cassius’s smile softened. “I’m glad you feel that way.”

He patted her shoulder gently, and she bowed before stepping back, twirling her ponytail in a playful little swing as she went.

Cassius then looked toward another maid.

“Selene, come here.”

A woman in her thirties with short, burnt-orange hair stepped forward, bowing with grace.

“Yes, Young Master?”

“You remember how often you spoke to me about your apple trees, don’t you? How much you love tending them, how you sell them in the market?”

She nodded, smiling fondly. “Yes, Young Master. You always listened so kindly, even though I talked too much.”

Cassius tilted his head slightly. “Suppose I tell you now that I wasn’t truly interested in apples at all—that I only listened to humor you. Would that offend you?”

Selene paused thoughtfully, then shook her head.

“Not at all. Even if you weren’t interested, the fact that you listened means a lot. You could’ve walked away or ignored me, but instead, you gave your time to a simple maid like me. That alone is more than enough.”

But before he could continue, she hesitated and asked,

“Though, if you truly don’t like hearing about apples, Young Master, I can stop talking about them from now on.”

Cassius chuckled softly. “Not at all. In fact, I quite enjoy hearing you speak about them. The way your eyes light up when you talk about those trees is far more delightful than the apples themselves.”

Her face turned crimson as he added smoothly,

“And do bring another basket soon—I’d like to taste your hard work again.”

The maid bowed, smiling bashfully as she retreated, clearly flustered.

By now, most of the nuns were whispering amongst themselves, unsure whether to be impressed or scandalized.

Aqua had a proud grin on her face, seeing as to how her brother was clearing up all the accusations himself and felt like tearing up from seeing how much he’d grown.

But Maria, on the other hand, couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly he dealt with women.

His maids didn’t seem frightened of him in the slightest; they spoke to him freely, teased him even, their manner relaxed and familiar.

It wasn’t the stiff obedience one would expect—it was genuine warmth.

And watching them, Maria found herself doubting the rumors entirely. He didn’t resemble the dangerous, depraved noble people whispered about at all.

If anything, it was clear his maids were truly fond of him.

Just them, Cassius gestured toward a third maid, a brunette with messy hair who approached nervously.

“Now, you Coleen.” He said gently. “Imagine this—what if everything I ever said to you was a complete lie? That I only said those sweet things to get you into my bed? Would you hate me for that?”

She blinked, looking uncertain, then smiled softly.

“No, young master. I wouldn’t.”

Joy’s eyes narrowed in confusion, while the maid continued, her voice steady.

“Even if everything was a lie, I still felt happy when you looked at me, when you smiled. I’d rather have those moments of joy than nothing at all. I wouldn’t feel pain or hatred. At worst, maybe a little disappointment.”

Then she blushed suddenly and added,

“Besides…even if it was all a lie, you’re…too good in bed to regret it anyway.”

The maids in the back gasped, a few covering their mouths. The nuns turned red instantly, whispering among themselves in embarrassment.

Aqua froze, recalling the earlier incident and Maria immediately started whispering prayers to the goddess.

But Cassius only smirked. He leaned in close to the maid and whispered something in her ear.

Whatever he said made her squeak softly, her face turning warm as she hurried back to her spot, fanning herself in panic.

Maria blinked rapidly, completely curious about what he’d said—but before she could dwell on it, Cassius turned back toward Joy.

He clasped his hands behind his back and smiled calmly.

“So tell me, Saintess. These are the women I supposedly manipulated. Lied to. Deceived.”

He gestured toward the maids, all smiling softly now.

“Yet not one of them feels harmed. They all remember those words fondly.”

He met her gaze evenly.

“If what I did was truly so evil, why are they smiling? Why do they thank me for moments of joy instead of cursing my name?”

Joy’s expression stiffened, while Cassius continued, his tone deepening with conviction.

“Let me just tell you this, since you’re not aware.”

“We live in a world where people are starved for kindness. Sometimes a little flattery, a gentle lie, or an exaggerated word can brighten someone’s day.”

“If we were all brutally honest all the time, no one would be friends with anyone. A little warmth, real or not keeps the world moving.”

He looked at closely.

“So if that’s manipulation, Saintess, then I suppose I’m guilty. But my only crime…” He paused, smirking faintly. “…is being too charming to women.”

The moment he said that, the watching maids broke into smiles and clapped softly, unable to hold back their excitement.

“Bravo, young master!” One of them called out.

“Well said, well said!” Another chimed in, grinning brightly.

“Our young master is innocent!” A third added proudly, puffing her chest with devotion. “He has committed no crime!”

Aqua also raised her hand like a cheerleader.

“That’s right! Tell her, my dear little brother! Finally, someone’s speaking sense!”

And to Joy’s utter irritation, even Maria nodded in agreement.

“He is right, you know.” Maria said softly, her tone kind but firm. “Just because he speaks kindly to women doesn’t mean he manipulates them. If his words bring happiness to others, what harm is there in that?”

Joy’s lips tightened, her irritation finally visible.

And as Aqua clapped proudly beside Cassius and the maids giggled quietly in support, Joy could only stare at him, her pride pricked, her patience slowly wearing thin thinking about how her own mother—her own mother was siding with him.

And in that moment, the Saintess of Thorns felt something she rarely did…

…a rising, irrational urge to strangle the charming smile off his face without even proving his crimes or giving a damn if he was really a sinner.

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