I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 16
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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 16
“Lillian! I was trying to save you…!”
As Kartan approached, Lillian screamed and curled up her body. Only then did Kartan examine his own appearance. Even to himself, he looked like a monster covered in blood. In the end, Kartan gave up on approaching Lillian.
“Alright. I won’t come closer.”
But it was already too late. Lillian lost consciousness and collapsed right there. Kartan despaired. He thought he had escaped from that terrible horror, but he had lost the most precious being to him.
He had become a ‘monster who killed the beast.’
He collapsed right there and wailed.
When news spread that the Emperor had died, the entire Empire was in an uproar. Instead of becoming Emperor himself, Kartan placed his young nephew on the throne. He had no particular desire for power, and he didn’t want to be accused of usurping the throne.
Once the incident was settled, Kartan went to see Lillian. She was living with the parents who had sold her out. While waiting for Lillian, he rehearsed the words he had prepared all night.
“It’s me, Kal. Back then, I really was trying to save you. I’m sorry.”
“It’s me, Kal. Let’s live together like we used to. You won’t have to be hungry anymore. I can give you anything you want.”
“So, um, come with me.”
But when he was actually in front of Lillian, he couldn’t say a single word.
“Who are you?”
“Don’t you recognize me? It’s Kal.”
The confusion that appeared on her face wasn’t feigned. Lillian didn’t recognize Kartan at all. As if she had completely forgotten him.
“I don’t know who you are, but you’ve come to the wrong person.”
“What are you saying, Lillian!”
‘Could it be that she doesn’t recognize me because the clothes I’m wearing are too fancy?’
Kartan hurriedly took off the clothes he was wearing. Then Lillian, startled, collapsed right there. Over her expression that looked like she was about to cry, he recalled the face that had called him a monster.
“Lady Lillian!”
Suddenly a neat-looking man appeared and helped Lillian up.
“Baron Jeffrey!”
Lillian’s expression brightened for a moment as she hid behind Jeffrey’s back. Jeffrey embraced Lillian protectively and asked.
“Do you know this person?”
“No, I don’t know him.”
The moment he heard Lillian’s answer, Kartan despaired. Only a hollow laugh escaped his lips. For some reason, his eyes felt hot.
Jeffrey, who was supporting Lillian, looked back at Kartan. He recognized Kartan.
“By any chance… aren’t you His Grace the Archduke?”
Kartan could only turn away in vain. With each step he took, he felt like he was being sucked into a distant hell.
After that day, he never went to see Lillian again. He realized that if he visited her, he would only torment her more.
‘It’s better this way. It’s better to forget such terrible memories.’
Instead, the World Tree leaf he had received as a token of friendship had to be entirely his. So he transplanted the entire World Tree to his mansion so that no one would dare covet it. This was something he could never yield to anyone.
One day, while he was living in resignation, telling himself it was enough that they both survived, Lillian got a job as a gardener at the Imperial Palace. Kartan’s heart raced. He would be able to see her, even from afar. And every day at that!
Kartan moved his office to a place where he could look down on the garden well. Every day was happy. Until he accidentally discovered a love letter tucked between his documents.
I have liked you for a long time.
I will be waiting at the plaza in front of the fountain until you come out.
-Lillian Dante-
Bang.
Kartan, who had slammed his desk, was consumed by jealousy. The expression of disgust she had looked at him with wouldn’t leave his mind. At the same time, when he recalled her face that had forgotten him, and even the sight of Lillian smiling toward some other man instead of him, his blood boiled.
“Why, why not me! Why on earth!!”
In that moment, the desire that had been latent within Kartan raised its head. And gradually it began to consume his mind. The love letter had no recipient’s name written on it. Moreover, Jeffrey hadn’t seen this love letter yet. That meant there was still a chance for him!
Kartan immediately used the imperial decree as an excuse to drive Jeffrey out of the capital city. Then he shamelessly put on a mask and went to the meeting place. It didn’t matter if it was only for a brief moment. If he could just get a little closer to Lillian, it felt like he could do anything.
* * *
“My lord, what are you thinking about so deeply?”
At his subordinate’s question, Kartan looked at Lillian who was visible through the office window.
“There’s something I’ve wanted to have all along.”
“Even you, my lord, who possesses the entire Empire, have such a thing?”
“I do. From a very long time ago.”
Lillian, as reflected in Kartan’s eyes, looked somewhat dejected. It seemed to be because she ultimately couldn’t correct the confession incident.
“Then you should just take it. If you set your mind to it, my lord, what is there that you cannot have?”
Kartan let out a bitter laugh for a moment.
“That’s why I’m going to take it. I’ve finally figured out how to completely possess it.”
No matter how much she tried to escape from him, he had no intention of letting her go. It was actually better when she wasn’t visible. Being close made him keep looking, and looking made him want to possess her. Now that he held her in his hands, he couldn’t let go even if all his knuckles broke.
‘Perhaps I’m exactly like Father after all.’
In his sunken eyes, obsession toward Lillian was melting.
“Whitton, how are things progressing with Lillian’s parents?”
“As you instructed, we continue to provide them with money.”
“Good. Give them whatever they want.”
“Yes, understood.”
It was when Bank President Whitton finished his greeting and was about to leave the office. Kartan, who had been following Lillian with his eyes until then, opened his lips.
“Oh, and look into Lillian’s health condition. Something about it bothers me.”
No matter how much she found him frightening and detestable, nearly collapsing again was too strange.
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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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