I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 29

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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 29

“Wh-why would His Majesty the Emperor summon me…!”

She couldn’t believe it and checked again, but the name written on the invitation was definitely hers.

‘Even though His Grace the Archduke and I are officially lovers, we’re not even married yet…’

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand why she was being summoned, which left her confused. And it seemed Dr. Sellie felt the same way.

“Dr. Sellie, I… I have to go there, don’t I?”

Dr. Sellie froze with a shocked expression upon seeing the Emperor’s imperial seal. After remaining silent for quite some time, she spoke with difficulty.

“There’s no choice. No matter what, it’s His Majesty the Emperor’s command, so you can’t disobey it.”

For a moment, Lillian wished Dr. Sellie had told her not to go. That’s how burdened and lost Lillian felt.

She searched through her wardrobe thoroughly, looking for the most appropriately formal clothes.

“Dr. Sellie, what if I make a mistake in front of His Majesty the Emperor? I’m scared.”

As it happened, His Grace the Archduke had also gone on an inspection to the outskirts of the capital, so Dr. Sellie was the only person she could ask for help.

“It will be fine. If it’s the His Majesty I know.”

Then Dr. Sellie briefly taught her imperial etiquette.

Sitting in the reception room of the Solar Palace waiting for His Majesty the Emperor to arrive, she felt like a student before an exam. Lillian hurriedly memorized what she had learned from Dr. Sellie.

‘When His Majesty arrives, don’t go out but stand up to greet him. And when greeting, spread the skirt with the left hand while maintaining a 70-degree bow. When His Majesty tells me to sit, I should sit, and also…’

But no matter how much she rehearsed, her nervousness wouldn’t subside.

‘At this rate, I’ll collapse before I even see His Majesty the Emperor.’

She slowly steadied her trembling breath. Then, suddenly the door opened and someone entered. He was someone Lillian knew well.

“Oh! You’re the one I saw at the Sun Festival banquet that time…?”

Young-sik smiled playfully at this.

“Lady Lillian, have you been well?”

“But what brings you here? Did His Majesty the Emperor summon you too?”

Young-sik smiled awkwardly. Come to think of it, the outfit he was wearing was somewhat strange.

‘I know that purple is a color only the Emperor can wear, so why…?’

Wondering if he was perhaps as weak in imperial etiquette as herself, she was about to quietly give him a hint. The head butler who had been listening nearby adjusted his glasses and spoke.

“This is His Majesty the Emperor, my lady.”

“…Pardon?”

Lillian froze completely.

“Is that really true?”

At this moment, Lillian desperately hoped it wasn’t true. But, making her earnest wish meaningless, Young-sik nodded. In that moment, Lillian felt as if the sky was falling.

‘This can’t be! I tried so hard not to make mistakes, but to commit such an error the moment I meet His Majesty the Emperor…’

Not knowing what to do, Lillian stammered as she spoke.

“I’m, I’m sorry. I dared to not recognize you and was discourteous, please forgive me.”

Then she quickly knelt down. The Emperor became even more flustered and helped Lillian to her feet.

“No, no! I was a bit too mischievous that day. I didn’t mean to startle you, I’m sorry. I was curious about who Uncle was meeting, so I unconsciously…”

Then he scratched his head. That gesture was exactly like a teenage boy, creating some kind of cognitive dissonance.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Then I realized I had been staring too intently without knowing it. When I quickly lowered my head, His Majesty the Emperor laughed innocently.

“You’re quite an interesting person.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.”

That was what I wanted to say. Of course, if I said such nonsense to His Majesty the Emperor, it would cause a big problem, but he seemed like a very cheerful person.

Then, suddenly His Majesty the Emperor’s eyes lit up as he spoke.

“Oh, and I called one more person, that’s alright, isn’t it?”

“Pardon?”

It was when Lillian answered in bewilderment.

Knock knock.

When a knocking sound came from outside, His Majesty the Emperor’s face immediately changed like a child’s. He jumped up from his seat and personally opened the door!

‘Ah, imperial etiquette clearly states one should remain seated to receive guests…’

The bewildering situation didn’t end there. The person who appeared with the Emperor’s escort was none other than Lady Bella!

“Lady Lillian, it’s been a while.”

‘Ah…’

Lillian suddenly wanted to go home. It was already awkward being alone with His Majesty the Emperor, and now the uncomfortable Lady Bella had come too.

Moreover, revealing in advance who was coming was basic manners for someone extending an invitation.

Whether Lillian’s expression darkened or not, the Emperor just smiled brightly while looking at Bella.

“Lady Bella said she wanted to apologize to you, so I specially invited you both together. It seems there’s some misunderstanding between you two, and though I don’t know what it is, I hope you can resolve it well.”

“Ah, yes…”

Lillian couldn’t bring herself to say anything to the Emperor and answered awkwardly. At this, Bella stepped forward proactively first.

“I’m truly sorry about that day. I really couldn’t have imagined those people would act so rudely. I should have been more proactive in stopping them…”

Then she bowed deeply toward me. It was difficult since I couldn’t refuse the apology in front of His Majesty the Emperor.

‘Right, seeing how she even arranged this meeting, maybe she’s genuinely sorry. Let’s think positively.’

“Not at all, it was my first time at such a gathering, so there must have been many inadequacies from others’ perspective.”

At this, the Emperor spoke with a satisfied voice.

“Seeing you two get along so well like this makes me proud. I hope you’ll continue to have a good relationship.”

Unlike Lillian who only smiled awkwardly, Bella’s eyes curved as if she was genuinely pleased.

“Let’s be close friends from now on, Lady Lillian.”

“Yes…”

Somehow, even though I received an apology, I didn’t feel refreshed.

Soon after, the Emperor spoke excitedly.

“Oh, Lady Lillian. Later there will be a party at a charity fundraiser I sponsor, so let’s go together that day. Of course, Lady Bella too.”

At this, Bella nodded gracefully.

“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

Lillian also had no choice but to accept.

“Yes, it’s an honor for me as well.”

That’s when it happened. Suddenly the door opened roughly with a bang.

“Uncle, how did you know about this place…?”

Passing right by the bewildered Emperor, Kartan stood in front of Lillian.

“May I take Lillian with me?”

“What? But we’re not finished yet…”

Only then did Kartan look at the Emperor. There was a murderous glint in his eyes.

“Then let’s handle the rest through me later.”

Overwhelmed by Kartan’s intimidating presence, the Emperor smiled awkwardly and said.

“Ah, shall we do that then, haha…”

As soon as the Emperor gave his permission, Kartan grabbed Lillian’s wrist and pulled her up.

“Let’s go.”

“…What?”

“…”

Instead of answering, Kartan pushed Lillian behind him as if urging her to hurry. Then he glared in Bella’s direction before taking Lillian away with him.

Even until they got into the carriage, Kartan remained silent. Though he was usually taciturn, today she found herself particularly conscious of his mood.

After pondering, Lillian asked cautiously.

“Are you angry by any chance? Or did something happen?”

“What could have happened in that brief moment.”

“Then why…?”

She couldn’t understand why he was acting this way.

‘Is he really angry? But I got Dr. Sellie’s permission before coming out. And how could I possibly refuse His Majesty the Emperor’s invitation…’

Lillian bit her lip, not knowing what to do. Then he let out a deep sigh.

“Ha.”

After that, only silence filled the carriage for a while.

“Lillian.”

At the sudden call of her name, Lillian, who had been looking outside the window, turned her head toward Kartan.

“Don’t get close to Bella Ariana.”

“What? Yes, I understand…”

‘Is she a Count’s Daughter with a bad reputation? She didn’t seem that way though…’

Of course, the nobles who were with her disliked me, but Lady Bella was the one person who had kindly protected me.

‘Come to think of it, His Majesty the Emperor seemed to cherish Lady Bella, but His Grace the Archduke doesn’t seem to approve. So what happens then?’

For a moment, the image of star-crossed lovers facing opposition from an uncle flashed through her mind.

‘Is that why he’s telling me not to get close to her too?’

Finding this reasoning somehow convincing, Lillian let out a small sigh.

‘Still, it would be nice if the two of them worked out well.’

His profile remained resolute. Lillian couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud and decided to quietly cheer for the two of them in her heart.

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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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