I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 22

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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 22

 

* * *

 

‘What will happen to me from now on?’

 

His Grace the Archduke had said he would protect her, but she couldn’t rely on him for everything. Someday, there would come a time when she would have to live on her own.

 

Lillian looked down at her left hand that was clasped with Kartan’s.

 

‘Come to think of it, we’re still holding hands.’

 

In the past, would she have even dared to imagine this? That she would turn her back on her parents and follow him, even leaving home. The moving carriage was filled only with quiet silence.

 

After a moment, she heard the sound of a low sigh.

 

“Lillian.”

 

When she looked up, he had a complicated expression on his face.

 

“If you didn’t want this, I apologize. But I couldn’t leave you in that house any longer.”

 

“….”

 

Instead of answering, Lillian nodded her head. Leaving home was entirely her own decision. So even if she regretted it, it would be completely her responsibility. As soon as she had that thought, her heart became much calmer.

 

“You said that because of the new nobility law, you have a duty to protect me.”

 

“….”

 

“I heard everything too.”

 

For a moment, he tightened his grip on the hand he was holding. Then he bit his lip before speaking.

 

“…That’s not the only reason. For now, come to my house.”

 

“Ah….”

 

Come to think of it, she had nowhere proper to go right away. She couldn’t very well sleep on the streets either.

 

‘Even so, wouldn’t staying at the Archduke’s residence be too much of an imposition? It would also be awkward being with His Grace the Archduke….’

 

She was wondering if she should look into an inn where travelers stayed when his voice continued.

 

“If you don’t like it, I’ll arrange other accommodations for you.”

 

“Other accommodations…?”

 

“Yes, I have a villa I bought on the outskirts of the capital. Or you could stay at the separate palace.”

 

“N-no! I don’t want to be such a burden.”

 

It wasn’t as if she was going to become his concubine, nor were they engaged, so she couldn’t do such a thing. There were also people’s eyes to consider.

 

“Then where are you thinking of going?”

 

“….”

 

She couldn’t bring herself to say she would look into an inn. Since it was a place rife with crime, he would obviously oppose it.

 

Eventually, as if he had seen right through her situation, he continued speaking.

 

“Then why don’t you just stay at my house? What, are you embarrassed?”

 

“….”

 

“There are spare rooms anyway, so what’s the problem? There’s no one left who doesn’t know you’re my lover. If you act like this, it just makes my position more difficult after bringing you out.”

 

True, she shouldn’t only think about herself. If it became known that she was staying at a cheap inn, it would damage his reputation as well.

 

“Then I’ll impose on you just until I decide where to go.”

 

“Good thinking.”

 

Only then did his tone become much gentler. Soon his gaze turned to her bruised cheek.

 

“I’m worried it might leave a scar.”

 

Lillian, who belatedly noticed his gaze, covered her cheek and lowered her head.

 

“It’ll be fine. It always heals when time passes.”

 

But as if her words had gone in one ear and out the other, he pressed his handkerchief to her cheek.

 

“Come to think of it, you can’t heal your own body with your ability.”

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

“I see. You should be more careful from now on. It would be terrible if you got hurt.”

 

He was still speaking bluntly with an indifferent expression. But Lillian, who was listening to it, was swept up in a strange feeling.

 

‘What is this…’

 

These were words she had never heard even from her parents. For a moment, her heart fluttered.

 

‘Did I ride the carriage too long?’

 

Then suddenly, she snapped back to her senses with a jolt.

 

‘This can’t be! Come to think of it, His Grace the Archduke knows about my ability!’

 

She froze upon realizing this shocking fact.

 

‘When on earth did he notice? He definitely didn’t know last time…!’

 

She only lifted her eyes to quickly observe his behavior. His Grace the Archduke seemed no different from usual. Even his tone was as natural as asking if she had eaten.

 

‘Could it be that he deliberately brought me here knowing about my ability…!’

 

Come to think of it, it was strange. The way he readily accepted her confession, and how he willingly gave the money even when her parents demanded such a large amount. Perhaps even bringing her here now was just to use her revival ability.

 

‘What should I do? I think I’m really in big trouble…’

 

Now that His Grace the Archduke knew about her ability, no matter where she fled in the Empire, she would be in the palm of his hand.

 

‘I should probably look for a chance to escape to a foreign country!’

 

Lillian clenched her fists tightly.

 

* * *

 

Lillian, who was reading a book in the study, absentmindedly reached out her hand. Then a servant handed her cookies and asked.

 

“Count’s Daughter, is there anything else you need?”

 

“Ah, no. I’m fine.”

 

“Then I’ll bring you some warm cocoa, so please drink it while you finish reading. The fireplace seems to be broken, and it would be terrible if you caught a cold like this.”

 

While saying this, the servant even turned on the portable lighting so she could see the book’s text clearly.

 

“Thank you.”

 

When she was at home, she trembled with anxiety not knowing when her parents might scold her, but everyone here was kind. So despite being at the Archduke’s residence, her heart felt at ease.

 

“Yawn.”

 

Perhaps because the sunlight was warm, drowsiness poured over her. She couldn’t read the book anymore, so she laid her head down on the desk.

 

“I’ll just sleep for 30 minutes.”

 

“Sleep well, Count’s Daughter.”

 

The last thing she saw was the servant covering her with a shawl and drawing the curtains before she fell asleep. Then, feeling a bit chilly, she fumbled around her shoulders.

 

“…Cold.”

 

As she mumbled in her sleep, something warm suddenly enveloped her body. Thinking the servant had covered her with a shawl as usual, she fell back asleep.

 

How long had she slept like that? This time, the room was so hot it felt like it would burn up, making her brow furrow.

 

“Mmm…”

 

When she opened her eyes, she saw a figure sitting on the desk. The only light in the room came from the fireplace. But it was backlit, so she could barely make out the person’s silhouette.

 

“Who’s there?”

 

The other person answered Lillian’s question.

 

“Did you sleep well?”

 

“Ah, Your Grace the Archduke, when did you arrive? It should still be far from evening time.”

 

As Lillian rubbed her eyes and sat up, Kartan spoke.

 

“Well, wipe that drool from your mouth first.”

 

Feeling embarrassed for a moment, Lillian hurriedly rubbed the corner of her mouth. Outside had grown quite dark, making her claim of sleeping for only 30 minutes seem meaningless.

 

“Oh, the time has already become like this…”

 

That’s when it happened. Suddenly he reached out his hand and brushed the opposite side from where she had been rubbing, saying:

 

“Not there, here.”

 

“Ah.”

 

For just a brief moment, his thumb grazed across her lips. But the finger that touched her was so hot it felt like it had been burned, startling her.

 

‘How could His Grace the Archduke’s body temperature be higher than mine when I’ve been inside the whole time?’

 

“Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

 

She asked out of concern, but when she looked up at him, he just answered indifferently.

 

“No.”

 

‘From how severely hot it was, it seems like you have a fever…’

 

She kept touching the spot where his finger had made contact for no reason. Her own body temperature was normal, so it was strange.

 

‘Well, since His Grace says no, I guess it’s not.’

 

“Have you eaten dinner?”

 

“No, I haven’t thought about it yet…”

 

“I see, then shall we take a walk?”

 

“Yes, that sounds good.”

 

His Grace the Archduke would leave for his office early in the morning and return home around evening time. As a result, spending evenings together had somehow become their daily routine.

 

“Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

 

Lillian, who had been following Kartan out, stopped in her tracks when she saw the lit fireplace.

 

“Huh? When did this get lit? I’m sure it wasn’t working even during the day…”

 

Both she and all the servants working here had tried, but they couldn’t get it to light, so they had given up. Since His Grace the Archduke seemed puzzled, Lillian added an explanation.

 

“Even the butler who has worked at the mansion the longest said he didn’t know how to use it.”

 

Now that she mentioned it, the fireplace had been lit for quite a while, as the entire study was warm.

 

“Well, that’s only natural. You’re the only person who can move freely through this house.”

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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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