I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 48
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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 48
“But haven’t we met before, Count’s Daughter?”
Even at Bishop Chris’s words, Lillian couldn’t immediately recognize him.
“Pardon?”
“Did I get too cleaned up for you to recognize me? Don’t you remember consulting with me before when you said you were feeling unwell?”
In an instant, a light flashed in Lillian’s mind.
“Are you by any chance the doctor who gave me a terminal diagnosis back then?”
“That’s right. But I’m not a doctor, I’m a Wandering Theology Student. Please call me Chris.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Lillian nod with a calm expression.
“By any chance, how much longer can I live?”
“Lillian!”
Kartan, flustered, shouted angrily. At this, Lillian bit her lips and watched his reaction.
‘Oh no! I was supposed to ask this when His Grace the Archduke wasn’t around.’
He seemed to not even consider the premise that she would die. So naturally, he would hate hearing such remarks from her.
‘But this is a very important matter. I need to know so I can prepare myself mentally.’
That’s when Chris said what Lillian wanted to say.
“The Count’s Daughter should know what she needs to know.”
Immediately, Kartan glared at him as if he wanted to kill him. But Chris looked at Lillian and smiled kindly.
“People’s lifespans are all different. Some people have short ones, while others have long ones.”
It was a vague answer. Come to think of it, she seemed to have heard a similar answer when they met last time too.
“Can’t I know more specifically?”
At Lillian’s question, Chris simply shook his head.
“The source of my power is light, and the source of yours, Count’s Daughter, is the tree from which life extends. That’s the only answer I can give you.”
“…”
As expected, this time too he didn’t give her a clear solution.
“That means I don’t have long to live.”
Lillian was disappointed. She had known it, but still had hoped for something different.
Soon, an ominous voice was heard.
“Ridiculous. Who says anyone’s going to die.”
“…!”
Kartan, who spoke through gritted teeth like that, looked ready to cause trouble at any moment. Instantly, Lillian got goosebumps.
‘I didn’t know he would react this sensitively, what should I do…?’
While the flustered Lillian was moving her lips, Kartan just left the room.
Bang.
At the sound of the door closing irritably, Lillian’s heart naturally grew heavy.
“Hah.”
Lillian sighed and lowered her head as if giving up.
“But this is very strange.”
“What?”
Chris, whose eyes met hers for a moment, continued with an ambiguous expression.
“I thought the Count’s Daughter would have died long ago.”
“…!”
In that instant, Lillian froze completely.
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“It seems the person who will save the Count’s Daughter is not me, but someone else.”
Soon his subtle gaze turned toward the door that Kartan had left through.
“Are you saying that His Grace the Archduke will save me?”
To this, Chris only smiled ambiguously.
“Please be careful not to lose yourself, Count’s Daughter.”
Then he pressed a red fruit into Lillian’s hand.
“What is this?”
She asked, wondering if it might be medicine that would help with pain, but Chris shook his head.
“It means don’t lose your source.”
“….”
‘Source? Didn’t he say my source was a tree?’
Lillian looked down at the fruit in her hand. It was a bit out of the blue. The fruit was gleaming like a ruby.
‘Still, I thought I’d seen many unusual plants while working in the Imperial Palace for a long time, but what kind of tree does this fruit come from?’
“Um, Chris.”
It was when Lillian raised her head. Chris, meeting her questioning eyes, stood up.
“I have finished what I came to do, so I shall take my leave now. Please tell His Grace the Archduke that I’m grateful he spared my life.”
“But you haven’t told me anything yet.”
“….”
Even at those words, Chris only smiled kindly and then suddenly departed.
* * *
After that, ordinary daily life continued as if nothing had happened. When Lillian woke up from sleep, Kartan was always the first thing her eyes captured, as usual.
“Are you awake?”
“Oh, it must be evening time again. Did Your Grace have a good day as well?”
She thought she had slept right after lunch, but it was already dark outside. Thanks to this, Lillian had to submit a leave of absence form.
It was when she turned her head to check the time out of habit. The table clock that had been placed on the nightstand was nowhere to be seen.
“Huh? Where did the clock go?”
“The butler said a repair worker came to the mansion. They’ll bring it back once the inspection is finished.”
“Ah, I see. Then what should I do for the time being? I don’t have any other clock.”
“If you’re curious about the time, ask the butler. Like me, the butler also carries a pocket watch.”
“Yes.”
It seemed it would be inconvenient for a while.
‘Still, it’s fortunate. When His Grace the Archduke was furious, I thought something would happen immediately.’
“Take your medicine.”
Lillian tilted her head as she received the medicine he handed her.
“This is different from the medicine I took before?”
The pill had liquid inside that swirled like a refreshing ocean.
“It’s like a jewel. It’s beautiful.”
“I changed it. Stop staring and just take it.”
With that, he indifferently handed her water.
“Thank you.”
“What about dinner?”
“I’m fine for now.”
She had just woken up, and after taking the medicine, she had no appetite for dinner.
“Then shall we go to the study?”
“Ah…”
Lillian hesitated without answering immediately. The study was so close that she could reach it just by opening the door connected to this room. She didn’t even need to see the corridor.
‘It feels like I’ve been spending all my time in the study lately.’
No matter how poor her physical condition was, going back and forth only between the room and the connected study felt suffocating.
“Instead of that, wouldn’t you like to take a walk for once?”
“I’m tired from working all day.”
“Ah…”
Come to think of it, he looked haggard, probably busy with official duties.
‘I guess I’ll have to go for a walk tomorrow.’
But the next day, and the day after that, the days spent in the study continued. Lillian’s dissatisfaction reached its peak.
“Your Grace the Archduke, we don’t have to go far, but I’d like to get some fresh air on the terrace.”
But this time too, Kartan’s answer was the same as always.
“I’m tired. Next time.”
“…”
Lillian silently turned her gaze outside the window. It was so dark that nothing was visible. Looking at the window that wouldn’t even open made her feel like she was trapped in a prison without bars.
“Then at least let me go out and walk around for a bit.”
Finally, Lillian got up from the bed. She tried to head toward the door, but Kartan grabbed her wrist.
“No.”
“But I feel so suffocated…”
“Ha, can’t you just sit and rest?”
He had an expression as if everything was bothersome. At this, Lillian spoke firmly.
“No, I’ve been stuck in this room for two weeks already. I can’t stand feeling this suffocated anymore. No matter what happens, I’m going out today. I’ll just walk for 30 minutes.”
Then she shook off his grip. But Kartan wouldn’t let go easily.
“Listen to me, Lillian. I clearly said no.”
Unable to endure it any longer, Lillian found herself getting angry without realizing it.
“I don’t want to!”
“Don’t my words mean anything to you? I said no!”
“Then why won’t Your Grace the Archduke let me go out?”
“Lillian!”
In the end, Kartan’s voice rose. Startled, Lillian froze in place. This seemed to be almost the first time he had gotten angry at her.
‘Is he that displeased with me going out? I’m just getting some fresh air right in front…’
Soon after, his tired voice could be heard.
“Just stay quietly in your room when I tell you to.”
“…”
Lillian couldn’t understand him at all when he just said no to everything unconditionally. Since it didn’t seem like he would listen even if she voiced her complaints, she kept her mouth shut and didn’t say a word.
‘How annoying.’
She didn’t want to be in the same space as him anymore. Lillian got up from her seat and headed toward the study, then slammed the study door shut with a bang as if in protest.
“Ha.”
Lillian let out a sigh and walked to the bookshelf. She tried to pull out a book from the very top, but couldn’t quite reach it. She was struggling on her tiptoes when suddenly a hand reached out and smoothly pulled the book out.
“Here.”
“…”
Lillian didn’t take the book Kartan offered her. Instead, she turned around and plopped down on the chair in front of her. He placed the book on the table and let out a sigh.
“I understand you’re frustrated and upset, but tone it down.”
Then unexpected words flowed from his mouth.
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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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