I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 24

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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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Chapter 24

 

“Good grief, anyone would think it’s your first time seeing someone undressed.”

 

Then he went inside and came out after simply putting on some clothes. Watching him button up his shirt, Lillian hesitated before speaking up.

 

“Um, I’m sorry to bring this up. But since we’ll be living together continuously, I think I should say this at least once.”

 

“What’s got you so serious?”

 

“Well… I think you might be lacking awareness. I’m a woman too.”

 

Kartan immediately furrowed his brow.

 

“I know. But what’s that supposed to mean?”

 

“From now on, I’d appreciate it if you could avoid being so casual like that in front of me.”

 

She thought she had spoken seriously, but suddenly he chuckled.

 

“Before, you couldn’t say a word in front of me. Are you comfortable with me now?”

 

For a moment, she bit her lip, wondering if she had been too rude. Thinking about it, this was his home after all, and she was the one receiving his help. In that position, she really wasn’t in a place to tell him what to do.

 

As she hurried to correct herself, he stepped closer to her.

 

“But I think we’re both lacking awareness.”

 

She was tilting her head, wondering what he meant, when he placed his hand against the wall beside her and continued.

 

“Even if I were to pin you down here, my household wouldn’t care. This is my room.”

 

He paused for a moment, then leaned down.

 

“We’re in that kind of relationship.”

 

Their faces came so close they almost touched. As his breath hotly warmed the bridge of her nose, Lillian was confused, not knowing what to do.

 

That’s when it happened. Kartan grasped Lillian’s hand and pressed his lips to the back of it. His eyes meeting hers blazed fiercely as if he would devour her.

 

Thump. Her heart suddenly plummeted to the floor.

 

“I-I’ll eat later.”

 

Then she fled the room as if escaping before he could grab her. Her head was spinning.

 

‘What was that?’

 

Suddenly she stopped walking in the middle of the corridor.

 

“Come to think of it, why didn’t I avoid him?”

 

Before, just making eye contact with His Grace the Archduke felt like her heart would stop, but this time how was she able to stay still?

 

‘Maybe I froze from being too shocked…’

 

“Right, I was too shocked without realizing it.”

 

Lillian nodded, satisfied with the answer she came up with. She returned to her room and pulled the blanket over her head.

 

But her mind wasn’t as at ease as she thought.

 

“Ah, even so, I shouldn’t have just stayed still there… It’s like I was waiting for it.”

 

Suddenly kicking off the blanket and sitting up, Lillian ruffled her hair.

 

“No, anyway I ran out of the room. I handled it properly.”

 

‘But… I could have just pushed him away, but I ran out like that, so if I were His Grace the Archduke, I would definitely feel bad.’

 

Either way, she felt she was completely wrong to treat someone who was protecting her like that.

 

Eventually, after hesitating, Lillian headed back to his bedroom. No, on the way there, she ended up running into him in the corridor.

 

Looking at the startled Lillian, Kartan furrowed his brow.

 

“Where were you going at this hour?”

 

Somehow, anger could be felt in his voice. It was clear that he was angry about her rude behavior.

 

“Well, that is…”

 

“Were you going home?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

At the unexpected question, Lillian’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“Home?”

 

“No?”

 

Only then did she remember the documents she had forgotten about.

 

‘Ah, come to think of it, I saw the Personal Rehabilitation Application in His Grace the Archduke’s room. Does he think I’m upset because of that?’

 

When she thought of her parents, her chest naturally felt heavy. Lillian let out a low sigh and shook her head readily.

 

“No, I’m not.”

 

“Then where were you trying to go?”

 

“Well…”

 

She had been on her way to apologize, but now that she was facing His Grace the Archduke, she felt like she didn’t need to say it.

 

‘He doesn’t seem to particularly like receiving apologies, and he doesn’t seem particularly angry either…’

 

“…I was just getting a bit hungry.”

 

Eventually, Kartan let out a sigh.

 

“Alright, then let’s go up.”

 

He naturally took her hand. Feeling the warm body temperature from his hand, Lillian looked down at their joined hands. She seemed to faintly feel something like a pulse too. But that was all.

 

‘As expected. Earlier, my heart was beating because I was surprised.’

 

“Phew.”

 

It was when she let out a small sigh of relief. She suddenly felt His Grace the Archduke’s gaze.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Nothing, it’s nothing.”

 

Lillian shook her head and closed her mouth.

 

‘But what happened to my parents?’

 

Usually when nobility went bankrupt, families would scatter or spend their lives being chased by creditors.

 

She wanted to ask out of worry, but soon gave up. Even if she knew, what could she do about it?

 

She couldn’t pay off the debt, and she didn’t want to get married again as if being sold. Moreover, the money her parents had taken in His Grace the Archduke’s name was already astronomical, so she didn’t have the nerve to ask him to lend money again.

 

‘Perhaps my parents brought this all upon themselves.’

 

Lillian kept her mouth shut without asking him anything about the documents. Until they arrived at the bedroom, no conversation passed between the two.

 

But how strange it was. Perhaps because she had faced His Grace the Archduke so often, her courage had grown, but even in this quiet atmosphere, she didn’t feel awkward at all.

 

* * *

 

“There are widespread rumors that you’re dating these days. Indeed, what kind of person is that lucky Miss who has captured Uncle’s heart?”

 

The young Emperor sitting at the office desk asked playfully. At this, Kartan let out a sigh.

 

“I came here to discuss current issues. Let’s refrain from private conversations.”

 

“Oh come on, don’t be like that and tell me about it. She might become my aunt, you know?”

 

“Just finish looking at the documents.”

 

“What could be more important than this right now! Uncle should get married too. How long are you going to keep cleaning up after me?”

 

Kartan didn’t even bother to respond, his face showing annoyance. The Emperor, accustomed to such behavior, giggled with delight.

 

Arian Richmond Kairos had just turned fifteen. He was the Emperor personally installed by Kartan after overthrowing the Former Emperor, and also the only Imperial Family member with legitimacy.

 

“The army we organized this time has safely arrived at the border region. And this is the budget plan for the upcoming Sun Festival event, so please review and sign it.”

 

Arian was still too young to govern the country and had abundant curiosity. So Kartan handled the practical affairs and received his approval.

 

Arian, who had been quietly reading the documents, suddenly clapped his hands together. Then he spoke in an excited voice.

 

“Uncle, I’ve changed my mind. Let’s make this upcoming Sun Festival as grand as possible.”

 

Then he chattered on about fireworks and balls and such. It was all frivolous talk not even worth listening to.

 

“So what I’m saying is, let’s invite all the nobles of the Empire to this banquet! All the provincial nobles too!”

 

“The allocated budget has already been exhausted.”

 

“Then…!”

 

“I won’t lend you any. Don’t even dream of it.”

 

When he cut him off decisively, Arian grabbed Kartan’s arm and clung to him.

 

“Come on! Don’t be like that and think about it once more. You like the Sun Festival too, Uncle.”

 

Kartan completely shut his mouth. Then Arian sighed as if giving up.

 

“There’s no choice then. I’ll have to get sponsorship from the nobles.”

 

“…”

 

“I’ll auction off audience rights with me. The nobles will probably rush to buy them, won’t they?”

 

“Ha. What is His Majesty, some merchandise sold at a market?”

 

Even while receiving such a disdainful look, Arian wasn’t discouraged.

 

“Well, it’s not exactly like that, but it would be fun. Everyone’s calling me a puppet anyway, so let me properly act like a puppet for once.”

 

Then suddenly Arian pulled up the corners of his mouth mischievously.

 

“Or, Lady Lillian could buy audience rights with me. I’ve had many questions about the Lady anyway. Like how you two came to meet, for instance.”

 

It was clearly something he said to provoke him. To this, Kartan responded.

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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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