I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 12

“W-what did you just say?”

Lillian thought she had misheard what he said due to her confusion. But Kartan completely removed the shirt he was wearing so Lillian could see clearly.

“I asked you to check if I got burned.”

With the man’s upper body fully exposed before her eyes, Lillian felt dizzy.

‘How can he say something like this so casually? I’m also a wo-woman…’

Her heart was pounding so hard she couldn’t bring herself to look directly. As she just hung her head down like a criminal, a low baritone voice came from above her head.

“What’s wrong?”

At his calm voice, she finally raised her gaze to look up at him.

‘His Grace the Archduke seems to think nothing of it, so maybe I was the only one thinking strangely about it…?’

Come to think of it, His Grace the Archduke was from the Imperial Family. So he would have been accustomed to being attended to and giving orders since childhood. Only then did she feel a bit embarrassed, thinking she had been thinking too impurely about it. Lillian slowly shifted her gaze to the exposed upper body before her.

The first man’s body she had ever seen in her life felt intimidating. It was like looking down at soldiers arranged in formation from above.

Fortunately, the spot where the stew had spilled was slightly red but seemed fine.

“It looks okay.”

“That can’t be right. It’s still throbbing.”

Kartan took Lillian’s hand and placed it on his left chest.

“Here. Don’t look carelessly, take a proper look.”

“Yes? Yes…”

Her heart suddenly contracted and she flinched without realizing it. Then, to give him more reassurance, Lillian carefully examined the wound. The first man’s body she had ever touched was like a raging wild horse. Something hard and hot was racing rapidly beneath the soft skin.

“Well, it’s slightly red but you’re not burned.”

“Really?”

Kartan, still not dispelling his suspicion, asked again. In response, Lillian met his gaze as if asking him to believe her and said.

“Yes, it seems like your skin was just startled. It should be fine in a little while.”

“Phew, then that’s a relief.”

Only then did the grip holding her wrist loosen. Lillian quickly stepped back. Then she hid the hand that had been held behind her back. It didn’t hurt strangely, but she could feel something like hot residual heat.

She tried to forget the sensation and picked up a new shirt. Unlike when taking it off, this time she thought she was skillfully buttoning it up, but she felt a piercing gaze from above her head.

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

“No.”

She felt puzzled, but since he said no, she didn’t think much of it. Or rather, she wanted to, but the top of her head kept feeling hot.

‘Does he not trust me?’

Well, all she had done since coming here was cause accidents, so it was understandable that His Grace the Archduke might feel that way. It seemed she had no talent for nursing others.

As Lillian finished buttoning the shirt and was about to return to her room, Kartan stopped her.

“Lillian.”

“Yes?”

Their eyes met the moment she turned around. But His Grace the Archduke had called her but gave no orders.

“What’s wrong?”

At her question, he just stared at her blankly, then sat down on the bed. Then he seemed to let out a quiet sigh and chuckled softly. She had an ominous feeling for a moment, but the words that came from his mouth felt somehow empty.

“Turn off the light before you go.”

“Ah, yes. Then please rest comfortably, Your Grace the Archduke.”

‘It seemed like he had something to say, but it was just asking me to turn off the lights.’

As soon as I closed the door and came out, the butler and three servants were waiting. I tensed up for a moment, but fortunately they escorted me to my room without saying anything.

“Phew, today has been such a long day.”

I felt like an impala that had jumped into a lion’s den. Still, the fortunate thing was that despite my mistakes, I had survived. Perhaps he wasn’t as frightening as I had thought. After all, looking back, even though I had spilled hot stew on him, he didn’t punish me.

‘Maybe he’s not someone without mercy…’

The moment Lillian thought that far, she quickly shook her head. When she imagined a ‘merciful’ Archduke Kartan, goosebumps rose all over her body.

* * *

The carriage stopped in front of the house. Lillian, who was about to get out, froze in place. At the gate where there would normally be no one, not only Baron Dante and his wife but even the servants had gathered together.

‘Did something happen last night?’

As soon as she felt puzzled, she remembered staying out overnight last night.

‘Are they gathered here to scold me about that? But… His Grace the Archduke clearly said he would speak well of me…’

Perhaps frustrated by Lillian hesitating to get out, Baroness Dante rushed over like lightning.

“You, how do you know His Grace the Archduke?”

At the sudden interrogation, Lillian couldn’t answer hastily and just widened her eyes. Grabbing Lillian’s arm, Baroness Dante urged her to answer again.

“His Grace the Archduke said he has something special for you to do. Is that true?”

“What? Yes.”

Since serving meals was indeed something he had asked her to do, she obediently nodded. At this, Baroness Dante’s eyes lit up as she continued her questions.

“What could he possibly have for you to do urgently when you’re just someone who waters trees?”

“Well… that’s…”

Since she had no talent for lying, Lillian couldn’t answer immediately. But if she confessed honestly, she would surely be scolded for a bride-to-be not conducting herself properly. Baron Dante, who had been watching Lillian hesitate to answer, spoke up instead.

“Dear, that’s enough. Lillian, you must be tired, so go upstairs and rest.”

Father taking her side, unlike usual, felt bewildering. But for now, escaping the difficult questions came first.

“Yes. Then I’ll go up first.”

Baroness Dante tried to grab Lillian again as she was about to enter the gate. At that moment, Baron Dante stopped her.

“Leave her alone.”

“This is a golden opportunity for us to form a connection with His Grace the Archduke! We can’t miss such a good opportunity!”

Baron Dante then lifted the corners of his mouth.

“Don’t you understand yet? We’ve already formed a connection, more or less.”

Only then understanding what he meant, Baroness Dante showed an expression full of anticipation.

* * *

Lillian waited until Kartan recovered. If she was going to confess the truth, it seemed proper to do so at least after he had recovered. Her parents no longer mentioned that incident, and the Archduke was also quiet. She waited for his interest in her to naturally fade away like this. After all, books said that men’s love quickly flares up and then cools down.

‘If only things could continue like this, I’d have nothing more to wish for.’

It was one day when she was going back and forth between home and workplace. Unlike usual, the atmosphere inside the house was bustling.

“Oh, Lillian! Come quickly!”

Baroness Dante, wearing the red silk dress she wore to social gatherings, welcomed Lillian with an unusually bright smile. Behind her, the lavishly decorated interior was visible.

“Mother, what day is it today?”

“Of course! A very distinguished guest is coming to visit.”

Lillian felt uneasy at the strangely gentle voice.

“A distinguished guest… who might that be…?”

As her words trailed off, Count Gewin, her fiancé, came to mind. If it wasn’t him, there was no other guest worthy of such an enthusiastic welcome.

“Well, it’s the Arch…”

The Baroness stopped mid-sentence and covered her nose.

“Ugh, Lillian! Have you been spreading fertilizer all day? You smell terrible. Go upstairs right now and do something about it!”

Just as she thought. Lillian was certain that today’s visitor was Count Gewin. He was a ship owner who possessed dozens of ships and was extremely wealthy. Of course, he was around the same age as her parents and had an unappealing appearance, but that wasn’t the criteria for determining her marriage. At least not for her parents.

As soon as she finished getting dressed up with the help of the servants, news arrived that the guest had arrived. When she went downstairs, her parents had already come out to greet the visitor at the door. And the moment she confirmed the identity of the guest, Lillian’s heart sank.

It was none other than Archduke Kartan.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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