I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 21

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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 21

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Lillian’s prediction hit the mark exactly. When she arrived home, all the servants were gathered in the living room.

“Oh, Miss. Please do something about this. His Grace the Archduke is…”

Seeing their terrified faces, Lillian clenched her fists. Even if she went, how could she possibly stop His Grace the Archduke? But she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing either. The current situation had occurred because of her.

“Where is His Grace right now?”

“He’s in the reception room with the master and mistress.”

At that moment, Mother’s voice rang loudly through the narrow living room from outside the door.

“What, you came here to confront us just based on what Lillian said? What exactly did we do to deserve this?”

“I heard that you struck her.”

“Oh my, struck her! We just disciplined her a bit as parents, so why are you speaking like that? And no matter how much of a Grace you are, Lillian is our daughter. Coming here out of the blue like this is improper!”

‘Ha, our daughter, she says.’

For a moment, Lillian, who had been gripping the reception room door handle, froze.

‘Do you… really think that way, truly?’

For some reason, she felt like laughing. There was something strangely disgusting about how they responded without batting an eye.

“I can no longer leave Lillian in this house. I will take her with me.”

“That cannot be allowed. By what right do you intend to take my daughter?”

This time Father’s voice grew louder. As the fight escalated, Lillian hesitated no longer and entered the reception room. And at that moment, she discovered there was another person in the room.

It was Bank President Whitton.

“I understand that His Grace is currently courting Lady Lillian with marriage in mind.”

“Oh my, with marriage in mind! That’s ridiculous, Sir Whitton. We merely permitted her to meet with His Grace the Archduke.”

Mother quickly backtracked on her words. Then she added quietly.

“And now I think we should withdraw our permission for the courtship as well. Seeing what His Grace the Archduke is doing, he’s too unreasonable.”

“So now you’re saying you oppose the courtship between His Grace and the young lady?”

At Whitton’s question, Mother answered sharply.

“Yes.”

“I wouldn’t have given permission either if I had known he was this kind of person.”

After hearing both Father’s words as well, Whitton nodded.

“If that’s both of your intentions, then there’s nothing to be done.”

Whitton handed over the ledger he had been holding.

“This is the amount borrowed in His Grace’s name so far, plus interest. All together, hmm…”

The moment Lillian heard how much it was, her ears went numb. It was worth an entire grand mansion.

“All of this… where on earth did you spend it!”

Lillian’s shocked voice grew louder as well. Father, whose eyes met hers, just coughed awkwardly and said nothing. Instead, Mother turned sharp toward Whitton.

“That money was spent on breaking off our daughter’s engagement with Count Gewin. It’s ridiculous to ask us to pay it back now! When did you tell us to use it freely!”

“I’m sorry, madam, but that amount was all loaned. Moreover, I believe it was originally given under the condition that you would permit the courtship with His Grace the Archduke.”

“So, so what?”

Mother asked in a flustered voice. To this, Whitton replied matter-of-factly.

“According to the newly established nobility law, it states that perpetrators and victims of domestic violence must be separated before punishment is administered. An Imperial Attorney will come soon to discuss the details with you.”

“Oh my goodness, this is absolutely outrageous! So now you’re saying you’ll forcibly take our daughter away?”

“It’s not about taking her away, madam. I’m simply saying that according to the law, the state has a duty to safely protect your daughter, who is a noble.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“….”

Whitton didn’t argue further. At this, Mother grabbed Father and pleaded with him.

“Honey, please say something. His Grace is trying to use his power to forcibly take our daughter away.”

While they fought over Lillian’s fate, no one asked for her opinion. Lillian, who had been quietly sitting, suddenly felt skeptical.

“Mother, please stop.”

“You stay quiet!”

Mother raised her voice sharply. In that moment, she felt her heart freeze cold.

It was natural that they didn’t consider her, an illegitimate child, as their real daughter. Even so, she thought she must repay their kindness for raising her. That’s why she accepted the marriage to Count Gewin and became the Archduke’s lover.

‘Ha, I’m exhausted.’

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t satisfy her parents’ hearts. She only realized this now.

“I am this child’s biological father. As the sole guardian, I will not acknowledge the relationship between you two. If you want to fight this legally, feel free to try.”

Father wouldn’t really fight against His Grace the Archduke to get her back. If he would, he never would have allowed this relationship in the first place.

‘I’m just… a means of making money for my parents…’

A sigh escaped her as she watched the two people who didn’t care about her at all until the very end.

That’s when Kartan lifted the corner of his mouth in a derisive smile.

“So now you’re saying you’ll arrange for her to marry someone else instead of me?”

At this, Mother snorted arrogantly.

“Hmph, there’s nothing we can’t do!”

“Then try it. I doubt there’s anyone in the Empire who would dare take her while making an enemy of me.”

“…!”

Genuine anger could be felt in his voice as he spat out the words. The Baron and Baroness flinched and lowered their gazes. Kartan glared coldly at the two and continued.

“From now on, I will protect Lillian on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor. If you cherish her so much and want to see Lillian, apply for visitation rights at the court. Though I doubt it will be approved.”

Kartan extended his hand to Lillian.

“Let’s go, Lillian.”

‘What is this.’

She had never once thought there could be other choices in her life. She thought she would just live as her parents’ puppet and then die.

She stared blankly down at the hand extended to her. She had always thought of him as only frightening, but now his hand felt like an ‘opportunity’ given to her. An opportunity to live a different life. She couldn’t even guess what kind of results it would bring.

‘Is it okay to take this hand.’

While she hesitated for a moment, her eyes met Mother’s.

“Just try leaving! Lillian!”

Mother, who was threatening her, was still frightening. If she didn’t take His Grace the Archduke’s hand now, she would continue to live being manipulated by her parents as she always had. The moment she had that thought, she wondered if it would be okay to change at least once before dying.

Finally, Lillian took Kartan’s hand. At this, the Baroness screamed.

“How can you do this to us? After all we’ve done, after how I raised you!”

“….”

Lillian turned away from her. At this, the Baroness suddenly changed her tone and began pleading with Lillian.

“Lillian! My dear! Don’t go. Are you really going to abandon us? You’re not, right?”

Whitton restrained the Baroness as she rushed toward Lillian.

“Please don’t do this, ma’am.”

“Lillian, please…!”

Her feet wouldn’t move readily. She hesitated, wondering if she might be caught up in a momentary delusion and making the wrong choice. For a moment, his hand holding hers tightened with power. But that was all. Unlike her mother, he didn’t forcibly pull her or compel her to do anything.

Lillian lifted her head. His expressionless face wasn’t much different from usual.

‘…Is he angry?’

Lillian unconsciously read his mood out of habit. But this time, for some reason, her heart didn’t shrink with fear that he might get angry. Just looking at his firmly set lips gave her a strange feeling.

‘Could it be that he’s protecting me?’

It didn’t make sense that His Grace the Archduke, whom she had only known for a short time, would protect her instead of her parents who had raised her all this time. But such an unrealistic thing was really happening. Hadn’t he come to confront them directly as soon as she confessed that Father had hit her!

Thump.

Her heart suddenly raced. Could this be what it felt like to feel secure?

Finally, Lillian began to walk. Behind her, she heard her mother’s cry.

“Honey! Do something about this. Are you really going to let her go like this?”

Father gave no response. She couldn’t tell if he truly didn’t speak or if she simply couldn’t hear him, but at least ‘she’ couldn’t hear anything.

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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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