I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 56
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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 56
“That bastard took away something I cherished so easily. That’s why I just hate him.”
“Was it something precious?”
At the following question, he just stared intently at Lillian’s face. It felt like a sign not to ask any more questions, so Lillian simply remained silent.
‘I’ll have to be careful to make sure the two of them don’t run into each other in the future.’
“Then I’ll really get going now.”
“Since we’ve met like this, why don’t we have a meal together.”
Then Kartan stood up from his seat. As she just stared up at him blankly, he spoke as if urging her.
“What are you standing there for, aren’t you coming up?”
Despite his blunt words, he took Lillian’s hand and pulled her along.
“Don’t you need to go back again?”
Even to herself, it was a ridiculously foolish question. Because even while asking that question, Lillian was hoping he would spend just a little more time with her.
‘I think I’m being stupid too. He’s busy, so I should naturally let him go.’
“Yeah.”
Then his indifferent answer was heard. Lillian couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. This moment felt like magic.
‘Right, this is enough. What more could I want.’
Lillian put strength into the hand she held with Kartan.
11. Deadlock
A few days later, an invitation arrived for Lillian. The sender was none other than her work colleague.
To dear Lady Lillian.
I heard you were unwell, are you taking good care of yourself? We are all doing well.
The reason I’m writing is that Baron Jeffrey Weather, who is in charge of the Imperial Palace, has returned. Since you two have always been close friends, I thought I should let you know, so I’m writing this letter.
Baron Jeffrey Weather says he must leave for Tail Island again in two weeks. So we’ve prepared a small farewell party among ourselves in a week, and if it’s alright with you, we hope you’ll attend and grace us with your presence.
‘Ah, how long has it been since he came back and already again…’
His Grace the Archduke must certainly be quite angry. Tail Island was located at the Empire’s southernmost point where the storms were severe, making it difficult to leave once you entered. So in the Empire, it was practically no different from a place of exile.
‘What should I do… It’s all because of me!’
A strong sense of guilt washed over her.
‘I can’t let this happen. I have no choice but to go to His Grace the Archduke and plead once more.’
No matter how much he had left his workplace without orders, sending him to a place of exile seemed too harsh.
Lillian hurriedly prepared to go out. Then she went to find Kartan’s office in the Imperial Palace. But this time too, he wasn’t at his seat.
“Would you please wait in the adjacent room until the State Council Meeting ends?”
“Yes.”
Lillian suppressed her growing impatience and followed the secretary. Then she unexpectedly encountered someone in the corridor.
“Lady Lillian, what brings you here?”
Looking at the Baron who was smiling brightly as if nothing had happened, she couldn’t bring herself to lift her head.
“Well, I came to see His Grace the Archduke. I have something to tell him.”
For a moment, the corners of his mouth dropped slightly.
“…Ah, I see.”
“Yes, but His Grace the Archduke isn’t here. Did you also come to see His Grace the Archduke, Baron?”
“No, that’s not it, but…”
He trailed off and seemed to think for a moment before speaking.
“Then do you have any other plans, Count’s Daughter?”
“No, not particularly…”
“Then would you like to have some tea with me for a while? Since you’ve come all this way, it would be a shame for you to just go back.”
“Then shall we do that…?”
She had nothing to do until His Grace the Archduke returned anyway, so it seemed like good timing. Lillian, who thought it would be nice to exchange updates with each other while waiting since she hadn’t had a proper chance to talk with the Baron, readily agreed to Jeffrey’s suggestion.
His office was located on the floor below the corridor stairs leading to Kartan’s office.
A sweet cherry fragrance rose from the black tea Jeffrey served.
“Please have this too.”
He placed chocolate cookies in front of Lillian. It was the snack she was always treated to whenever she visited his office.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had these cookies.”
For a moment, Jeffrey’s lips held the same kind of smile as Lillian’s. In her delight, Lillian quickly picked up a cookie and ate it.
The coated chocolate melted in her mouth while the cookie crumbled dryly like sand. Although it wasn’t as good as the cookies made by the professional patissier at the Archduke’s Residence, it was enough to bring back old memories.
“Seeing you here makes me even happier, Count’s Daughter. It brings back old memories.”
“Indeed.”
Lillian lowered her gaze. Not knowing how to bring up the topic, she hesitated before finally opening her mouth.
“Um, I heard the news that you’re going to Tail Island.”
For a moment, he smiled awkwardly.
“Ah, I see.”
“I’m sorry that this happened because of me. I’ll try speaking to His Grace the Archduke once. Though I don’t know if anything will change just because I say something.”
“Did you come today because of me as well?”
Instead of answering, Lillian nodded her head.
“I heard you’ve been unwell. Yet you’re still stepping forward for my sake?”
“I’ve been indebted to you for so long, Baron. I want to help you too.”
Seeing Lillian’s smile, Jeffrey couldn’t continue speaking for a while. Then he soon turned his gaze outside the window.
“Count’s Daughter, it’s a nice day. Shall we take a walk?”
Jeffrey then stood up from his seat and extended his hand to Lillian. At the sudden suggestion, Lillian was simply bewildered.
“While you were away, the Imperial Palace Garden has changed quite a bit. People are very curious about your news, Count’s Daughter.”
“Is everyone doing well?”
“Yes. Let’s go down and exchange greetings.”
Only then did the hesitating Lillian take Jeffrey’s hand. Unlike Kartan, whose escort was proper yet somehow delicate, his escort was courteous yet affectionate.
As they went down to the garden together, he asked.
“Are you feeling somewhat better?”
“Yes, thanks to His Grace the Archduke taking care of me, I’m fine now.”
In that moment, his expression darkened. It seemed he was uncomfortable with His Grace the Archduke being continuously mentioned.
“…How long do you plan to stay at the Archduke’s Residence?”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
“No matter what circumstances there were, it doesn’t look good to others for an unmarried man and woman to stay in the same house, so I’m asking.”
“Ah…”
He wasn’t wrong. That’s why she had briefly left the Archduke’s Residence, but she was staying there again under the excuse of being sick. It was obvious how her behavior would appear to other people.
‘I didn’t expect even Baron Jeffrey to say such things…’
Lillian couldn’t say anything and just looked down at the corridor stairs. Then, breaking the silence, Jeffrey spoke up.
“May I ask what’s been troubling you?”
“Oh, that’s…”
Once again, Lillian had no answer she could give. To explain that she had a terminal condition, she would necessarily have to talk about the power she possessed.
“…I’ve been having severe headaches.”
At the answer she gave after much deliberation, he simply nodded. Soon, he stopped walking.
“Count’s Daughter, everything I did to help the Dante Barony was all for you. Because I was worried you might suffer.”
In that moment, Lillian was overcome with an inexplicable sense of unease.
‘Surely, what he’s about to say isn’t… what I’m thinking, is it?’
“I’ve lived my whole life focused on taking care of my younger siblings and my mother who is alone. Then one day, I saw the Count’s Daughter who had similar circumstances to mine. At first, I just thought you were very much like me.”
The more Jeffrey spoke, the more Lillian couldn’t say anything. She was simply overwhelmed by the confusion of the current situation.
“That’s why I helped the Count’s Daughter. Because I thought you might be the only friend who could understand my situation.”
“…”
“…But before I knew it, my heart had become like this.”
She instinctively felt rejection. Unable to look directly into his earnest eyes, Lillian lowered her head.
“I… think the same way, Baron Jeffrey. Because we’re good friends.”
“…”
Jeffrey, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke. Upon hearing his words, Lillian froze completely.
“I saw it, that love letter.”
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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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