I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 23

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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 23

 

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“This is the place you just wanted to see?”

 

Kartan looked at Lillian with eyes that said he couldn’t understand.

 

“It was a bit hot inside, and I felt stuffy.”

 

While the sky was dark, the garden was lit with various lights, making it more beautiful than midday. Unlike me, who felt wonderful as my heated body temperature cooled down, His Grace the Archduke’s expression was only dark.

 

“Are you perhaps uncomfortable?”

 

Come to think of it, even while managing the Imperial Palace Garden, I had never seen His Majesty the Emperor taking walks. Perhaps the Imperial Family detested walking.

 

Soon Kartan answered with a face clearly showing discomfort.

 

“Not particularly.”

 

Lillian scratched her cheek, feeling unnecessarily self-conscious.

 

“Then shall we just go inside?”

 

“Why, do you want to go in?”

 

“No, I thought walking might be uncomfortable for you.”

 

“Not particularly.”

 

Apparently, the phrase “not particularly” was definitely His Grace the Archduke’s way of expressing that he liked something. Though there was no way to know why his expression looked completely otherwise.

 

That’s when it happened. This time Kartan was the first to speak.

 

“How does this place look to you?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

At the sudden question, I couldn’t tell what “this place” he was referring to meant. As I just blinked my eyes, he asked again.

 

“I’m asking how our house garden looks from the perspective of an Imperial Gardener.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Finally understanding, Lillian rested her chin on her hand and carefully examined the garden.

 

The Archduke’s Residence garden was maintained just as well as the Imperial Palace. Even if there was a gardener residing here, the variety of plants was diverse yet harmoniously arranged.

 

‘But somehow…’

 

There was one disappointing aspect. Lillian hesitated before speaking.

 

“I think the garden would be more vibrant if it had flowers.”

 

‘Maybe he dislikes flowers.’

 

Sometimes people avoid them due to pollen allergies, so I wondered if His Grace the Archduke might be such a case.

 

‘But there should be many flowering trees near the Imperial Office.’

 

As Lillian wondered about this, he readily nodded.

 

“Right, I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

He didn’t seem to have thought deeply about it, as he had nothing more to say after that.

 

Lillian also just walked quietly a bit more. The sound of grass swaying in the cool breeze was quite pleasant to hear.

 

Then she spotted the World Tree standing tall and alone in the distance. Lillian pointed with her finger.

 

“Your Grace, that’s a World Tree, isn’t it?”

 

Suddenly he stopped walking. Then he looked at the World Tree. Lillian just continued excitedly.

 

“I saw a World Tree for the first time after coming here. Actually, it’s like a dream tree for gardeners. I knew I’d see one someday if I worked at the Imperial Palace, but I’m seeing it here.”

 

“…”

 

Even until then, His Grace the Archduke said nothing.

 

‘I suppose since he sees it every day, it can’t help but lose its appeal.’

 

In fact, the best thing about coming to the Archduke’s residence was being able to see the World Tree, even from afar.

 

She stood there for a long time, gazing at the World Tree. Then suddenly she felt eyes on her. When she turned around, he had a much more displeased expression than before.

 

‘Ah, did we walk too long? I should suggest we head back now. I’m starting to get hungry too.’

 

It was just as Lillian was about to speak. Kartan made an unexpected suggestion.

 

“Would you like to see it up close?”

 

“What? Really, is that okay?”

 

Even as she said this, her steps were already heading toward the World Tree.

 

The World Tree seen up close was so tall and massive it seemed like it would touch the sky. Looking up from below, she couldn’t even see the night sky.

 

“Wow, it’s really huge.”

 

Watching Lillian’s eyes light up, Kartan shrugged his shoulders.

 

“You can touch it too.”

 

“Really?”

 

This time too, her hand moved before her words. The World Tree she actually touched had a quite rough and solid surface.

 

“Wow.”

 

“Is that really so fascinating?”

 

“Actually, this is a secret, but when I first came here, I saw the World Tree. And strangely, I felt like I had seen it bloom before.”

 

He said nothing even after hearing her words. Perhaps he thought it was such nonsense that it wasn’t worth responding to.

 

Lillian felt awkward and deliberately changed the subject.

 

“Well, that’s what happened. The weather is particularly clear today.”

 

Only then did Kartan speak up.

 

“…May I ask you something?”

 

“Yes?”

 

Only then did Lillian, who had been looking up at the sky, turn to look at him. Kartan began with a serious voice.

 

“What if…”

 

She waited tensely for his next words, not knowing what His Grace the Archduke would say. But that was all. Soon he looked up at the night sky and let out a low sigh.

 

“No, never mind. Let’s go have dinner.”

 

“Yes.”

 

She was curious about what he had been trying to say. But his expression looked somehow complicated, so she couldn’t bring herself to ask. Lillian obediently followed him out of the garden.

 

“Ah.”

 

In the bright light, she could see that her shoes and the hem of her skirt were completely covered in dirt. He must have ruined his shoes too, as his dress shoes were covered in mud. Only then did she realize why his expression had been poor throughout the entire walk.

 

She couldn’t go to the bedroom like this, so Lillian smiled awkwardly.

 

“I’ll go change my clothes first.”

 

“Alright then.”

 

When she returned to her room, a servant was waiting. She had intended to just change out of the dirty clothes, but the servant grabbed her hand and made a fuss.

 

“Oh my! You’ve caught a chill. I just happened to draw a bath, so get in the warm water and warm yourself up!”

 

Then she quickly wrapped a shawl around her body.

 

“Ah, but what about dinner?”

 

“The meal will take a bit more time to prepare. Hurry and wash up in the meantime.”

 

“Yes.”

 

She had been feeling uncomfortable anyway, so this worked out well. After washing up cleanly like that, when she went up to his bedroom, there was no one in front of the door.

 

‘Where did the butler go?’

 

Still, he would know she was coming, so His Grace the Archduke must be inside.

 

Knock knock.

 

She knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside.

 

‘What? Was my knock too quiet?’

 

Just as she was about to knock again, the door opened by itself.

 

“Is he not here?”

 

Just as she was about to peek inside, she heard a faint voice.

 

“Come in.”

 

As soon as the room’s owner gave permission, she entered, but there was actually no one inside.

 

“Your Grace?”

 

‘I definitely heard someone tell me to come in, but did I mishear?’

 

At that moment, documents placed on the desk caught Lillian’s attention.

 

[Personal Rehabilitation Application]

 

‘Why is something like this here? Could His Grace be applying for this? Because of my parents…?’

 

Thinking it couldn’t be, she quickly examined the documents, but in the applicant section was written a completely different name.

 

[Baron Dante]

 

‘This can’t be!’

 

Lillian couldn’t close her mouth from shock.

 

‘It’s true that his spending has increased lately, but bankruptcy! That’s impossible!’

 

When she flipped through the documents, she found additional loan documents from various places attached, all stamped with ‘LOAN DENIED.’

 

And at the end, she could see a court judgment from the Supreme Court.

 

[The reason for squandering the family fortune was due to indulgence in luxury and gambling, and given the pattern of attempting additional loans multiple times without showing any signs of remorse, it is determined that there is no possibility of rehabilitation, therefore the application is rejected.]

 

That’s when it happened. Kartan’s voice came from right behind her.

 

“What are you looking at so intently?”

 

The documents she was holding were snatched away by him. The moment she turned around, Lillian let out a scream.

 

“Eek!”

 

He was only wearing a towel around his waist. Seeing his naked body so brazenly right in front of her, Lillian was flustered and didn’t know what to do.

 

“You startled me! No, why are you like that?”

 

Despite her screaming, he spoke as if nothing was wrong.

 

“Why are you so surprised? Is this your first time seeing someone who just showered?”

 

Indeed, as if he had just washed, the ends of his hair were moistly wet.

 

“No, it’s just… you’re na-naked…”

 

Her mind went blank from the sudden situation, and she couldn’t even tell what she was saying.

 

“Good grief, anyone would think you’re seeing a naked person for the first time.”

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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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