I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 51
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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 51
The preparations were perfect. Although she had received help from the patissier working at the Archduke’s Residence, the chocolate she made herself was quite delicious. Moreover, since she had already scouted out the location Dr. Sellie had mentioned, the plan was practically half successful.
‘It was called the suspension bridge effect! Now I just need to bring His Grace the Archduke to the cliff.’
Despite the cold weather, Lillian stubbornly insisted and set off on a picnic with Kartan. Inside the carriage heading to their destination, he asked.
“But why do you want to go to the lakeside on the mountain peak of all places? It’s deserted there and the water must be all frozen.”
‘Well, it needs to be secluded for the effect to work better.’
Lillian smiled with satisfaction, intoxicated by her own perfect plan. At the same time, she kept quiet about the fact that their real destination wasn’t the lake.
“Well, I really wanted to visit the waterfall there. Fortunately, I heard the waterfall area isn’t frozen.”
Judging by his expression, he didn’t seem convinced by her words. Though he didn’t particularly argue against it either.
“What’s that?”
Suddenly his gaze turned to the secret weapon Lillian had been fidgeting with. Startled, Lillian hastily hid the box containing chocolate behind her back.
“It’s nothing, so don’t worry about it.”
“Hmm, you’re acting quite suspicious today.”
She could feel his piercing gaze from beside her, but she deliberately pretended not to hear and stared straight ahead.
‘This absolutely cannot be discovered until we reach the cliff!’
Just as she was nervously clutching the box tight, Kartan snorted beside her.
“How petty. I won’t look.”
Then he turned his head toward the window as if uninterested.
‘Phew.’
Only then did Lillian feel relieved and began observing the outside world at ease. The scenery within the capital city was always bustling and chaotic. In the midst of it all, she saw someone turning a corner in the distance.
‘Huh?’
At the familiar figure from behind, Lillian’s heart suddenly dropped.
“That person…!”
No matter how she looked, it resembled him. Pink hair wasn’t exactly common after all.
‘Baron Jeffrey…?’
Kartan strongly pulled the confused Lillian’s arm. Then he got angry.
“What are you doing, that’s dangerous!”
She must have unconsciously stood up in the moving carriage from being so surprised.
“I’m sorry.”
‘Come to think of it, it can’t be him. I must have seen wrong. Baron Jeffrey went to the provinces on imperial orders, so there’s no way he’d be in the capital.’
But her startled heart wouldn’t calm down easily.
‘But what if Baron Jeffrey returns? What would happen then? Since he wouldn’t have seen the love letter, there shouldn’t be any problem…’
* * *
Eventually, the carriage carrying the two stopped mid-mountain.
“From here, we have to walk up.”
Getting off the carriage with Kartan’s escort, Lillian shaded her eyes with her hand and looked up at the cliff she had claimed.
‘Mm, a cliff should be at least that high. Surely His Grace the Archduke’s heart will have no choice but to race.’
She felt naturally proud. But that was as far as it went. There was something Lillian had overlooked.
From the mid-mountain to the cliff, they still had to climb quite a bit further. Moreover, the snow-covered ground was extremely slippery.
“Ah!”
The moment Lillian misstepped, she almost fell down completely.
“Give me that. You’re going to fall at this rate.”
“But…”
Even as her heart sank in surprise, she wanted to protect the box at all costs. However, climbing the mountain was harder than expected. Her clothes were soaked with sweat, and she was so out of breath that she could barely speak properly.
‘Ha, can’t I just give it to him around here? Does it have to be at the cliff…’
Lillian, who wanted to give the gift here, looked up and became discouraged seeing Kartan whose complexion hadn’t changed at all.
‘No, why is he perfectly fine? At this rate, I can’t give him the chocolate…!’
Lillian gritted her teeth. Then she renewed her determination and gripped the box tightly.
“I’m fine.”
“Then at least hold my hand.”
His outstretched hand felt like a savior. Lillian quickly grabbed his hand, afraid he might change his mind.
“Thank you.”
Still, it was manageable up to that point. Because there was hope. But the real problem occurred when they arrived at the cliff.
“How is this… where did the bridge go?”
The bridge, which was crucial to her plan, was nowhere to be seen. She desperately hoped it was just invisible to her eyes, but Lillian’s expectations were miserably crushed.
“I heard it was demolished last year because it was old, but it seems it hasn’t been reinstalled yet.”
At this shocking news, Lillian felt as if lightning had struck the top of her head.
‘Then why did I… come all the way here? After all that suffering…’
Lillian was completely dazed. Regardless, Kartan cut through the rope with the prohibition sign in one go and said.
“If you want to go to the lake with the waterfall, it’s not that way but the opposite direction.”
“Ah, yes…”
Though she felt wronged and sad, she couldn’t show it in front of His Grace the Archduke. He would never dream that her original destination had been the cliff.
‘Well, since we’re here… let’s at least see the lake…’
Lillian followed Kartan listlessly. The place they arrived at after passing through a forest path made by metasequoia trees was like a scene from a fairy tale.
Snow was piled softly on the trees surrounding the lake in the center.
“Wow.”
Lillian let out an exclamation like a child and looked at her reflection in the lake.
“Your Grace the Archduke, look at this. The sky is perfectly reflected in the lake!”
He glanced at it reluctantly and said indifferently.
“What’s so special about that? You like it that much?”
Lillian just smiled brightly and nodded.
“Yes. I love it! I’m really glad we came here!”
“Then keep looking. I’ll go over there and ride the small boat.”
Only then did Lillian’s gaze turn to the white small boat moored on one side of the lake.
“My goodness! What’s a boat doing in a place like this?”
Lillian, whose eyes widened, immediately followed him to the dock where the small boat was moored.
The small boat was clean without a single worn spot, let alone any algae.
“The water is so clear. The boat looks completely brand new!”
Regardless of her comment, he was busy untying the rope that secured the small boat. Come to think of it, the rope was clean too.
“Get in.”
Kartan spoke indifferently as he extended his hand to Lillian. The small boat was larger than expected, spacious enough for two people.
“Oh? Someone must have left a blanket here. What a windfall!”
As she unfolded the blanket to drape over her shoulders, Lillian suddenly hesitated.
“Your Grace the Archduke, would you like to wear it?”
Kartan looked at her as if she were being ridiculous.
“I’m fine, so you wear it.”
“…Yes.”
Indeed, it wasn’t really appropriate for someone who was always feeling weak to make such an offer. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Lillian quickly wrapped the blanket around her shoulders.
“But something’s strange.”
“What is.”
As Kartan rowed the oar, the boat cut through the water and moved forward. It was so fascinating that Lillian’s spirits naturally lifted.
“The blanket has such a wonderful scent. As if someone just placed it there…”
“…Someone must have left it yesterday then.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Lillian nod. Whoever it was, they were truly a grateful person. Thanks to that person’s forgetfulness, she was benefiting like this.
‘But when should I give this to him? It would be troublesome if there’s no opportunity…’
Lillian looked down at the box containing chocolate and sighed.
‘The timing is awkward too. Should I just give it to him next time?’
Resting her chin on her hand, Lillian glanced at Kartan. He was simply rowing with his usual indifferent expression.
‘I’ll just give it to him while we’re alone. Once we return, who knows when another opportunity will come.’
Gathering her courage, Lillian looked at Kartan with a determined expression.
“Your Grace the Archduke, actually…”
That’s when it happened. Kartan made a troubled expression as he looked down at the oar.
“This isn’t the scene I was expecting…”
“Pardon?”
Just as she was tilting her head wondering what he meant, a cold stream of water suddenly splashed from behind, cooling her back. As she turned around in bewilderment, Lillian froze completely.
A fish as large as a house was swimming fiercely toward the small boat with its mouth gaping wide open.
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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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