She decided to tell the truth.

“We’re not looking for a house to live in.”

“Then?”

“I want to find a house for my acquaintance. She’s a woman and I need a safe place for her to live alone.”

The reason why the conditions weren’t properly stated from the start was that the broker kept pushing them without giving them time to talk. As soon as Yernia and Cassian entered, she recited words that Yernia didn’t even ask. She had mentioned that the sparkling beach in Pruna was pretty and that there was a fireworks display going off tonight. She even told them about the delicacies that they must try here.  She was grateful but she almost forgot her initial purpose of coming here.

“This villa looks good but empty. I think it’s a little scary.”

“That——-”

Cassian paused before saying the word ‘slave’ because Yernia had frowned and shook her head at him. Cassian, who knew what she was about to say just by looking at her face, changed his words bitterly.

“I think she’ll like this place. It would be best if it was empty.”

“No. I think it’s better that she had a neighbor. There isn’t even a grocery store nearby.”

It wasn’t the house she was going to live in, but Yernia carefully examined everything. The house’s size seemed alright but she thought it was a little big for a woman to live alone. Still, the garden and the birds chirping around made it pleasant.

“Then let’s go to another house.”

The broker was determined to show the house where newlyweds could live than the house where a woman could live alone. After all, newlyweds had more money and would be willing to spend on what they wanted. Perhaps, this couple couldn’t afford those.

“Ugh. What’s the smell?”

This time, the house was smaller than before. Too small. Although the previous villa was built slowly, this was obviously an underdeveloped building. If the villa was quiet earlier, this side was dreary. On top of that, a strong smell came out the moment she opened the door. Not this one. Yernia shook her head and they saw several more houses like that. Cassian, who hadn’t been particularly upset with Yernia’s opinion, suddenly intervened when they got to the seventh house.

“Hey.”

The broker looked back at Cassian with a bored gaze. Usually, if she showed them a few good-looking houses, clients would want to write a contract right away. Maybe, their budget was tight.

“Why don’t you show a little more sincerity? My wife doesn’t like these houses.”

Suddenly, something flew in front of the broker and she received it by reflex. The pocket had a heavyweight. The broker, who was staring at the man who jutted his chin at her as if to have it, opened the pocket. Her pupils dilated in shock. The pocket full of gold coins was too blinding.

“If you show us the right house, I’ll give you twice as much. However, you will have to satisfy my wife.”

The broker swallowed hard. Surprisingly, the house she introduced next made Yernia fall in love.

***

“Wow, it’s pretty.”

It was a cute white villa with flowers blooming all around her. When she opened the large window at the living room, she could see the sea. There was nothing she didn’t like.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, I want to live here.”

Yernia, who kept looking around the house, felt a bit disappointed. If she hadn’t changed her mind from the time she first promised, she thought it wouldn’t be bad to live in this house.

“I think it would be great to live here with pets and flowers.”

When she looked around several houses until her legs hurt, she didn’t like any of them. This time, she liked it so much as if the building was made for her.

She shouldn’t be greedy. Yernia was sure Herena would like it too. She had done nothing bad. Perhaps, Cassian and Herena wouldn’t hate it either.

“The contract is——-”

The broker trailed off and cast a furtive glance at Yernia. Upon sensing a slight regret in her sparkling eyes, she smiled in satisfaction. Before Yernia could speak, Cassian cut her off.

“I like it. Shall we return to our house, or stay here?”

“Oh.”

Yernia assumed she had blurted out her innermost thoughts without realizing it but she never actually did. It was surprising that Cassian came to her as if he had read her thoughts. How did he know that she liked it?

No matter how quick-witted Cassian was, she wondered if he could easily figure out her feelings like this when she didn’t even make it obvious. Yernia bit the inside of her cheek at the idea that Cassian and her heart had connected. She suppressed a delighted laugh.

“I wanted to live in a place like this, too. Raising pets. Taking care of flowers in the garden.”

“Really? You too?”

Cassian nodded at Yernia who was wondering why they had similar thoughts.

“It was my dream.”

It was her dream too.

“How can we live here? You’re already busy managing the estate.”

“I can get a report from my aide every day. If I need it, he can deliver it here.”

“Well…”

Yernia thought hard. Actually, she wanted this villa so much. It had a small charm to it if not better than Lecardo and Cilliard mansion. Cassian interrupted Yernia’s conflicting thoughts.

“It’s not bad to live here with our baby.”