I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 57
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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 57
“I saw it, that love letter.”
‘Could it be that he saw the love letter I confessed with?’
Lillian’s heart sank.
‘N-no way. The love letter definitely went to His Grace the Archduke. And I collected the other one myself…!’
She desperately hoped it wasn’t the case right now, but Lillian’s wish didn’t come true.
“You confessed that you liked me. I saw the love letter you put in my jacket’s inner pocket. I apologize for not being able to make it to the meeting place because I had to urgently carry out an imperial command.”
“Ah… you read it.”
How should she handle this? Lillian’s face flushed with embarrassment and bewilderment.
‘Is he rejecting me? He doesn’t need to bother doing this now…’
Much time had passed since she had confessed. Baron Jeffrey Weather probably wanted to make things clear, but for her, whose feelings had already cooled, it was awkward to hear. It felt like having her childhood dark history dug up.
“After that, I sent several letters to Count’s Daughter… How did things end up that way with His Grace the Archduke?”
“Well… it just happened somehow.”
Lillian couldn’t bring herself to confess that she had ended up dating Kartan out of necessity because the love letter had been delivered to the wrong person.
“If it’s not too late even now… may I give you an answer to that confession from back then?”
Startled, Lillian looked up. Then she waved her hands dramatically and said,
“No, it’s fine. It’s all in the past now.”
Then she added with an awkward smile,
“Please forget about it too, Baron Jeffrey Weather.”
“…”
He didn’t answer for a long time. Jeffrey, who had been silently walking down the stairs, suddenly stopped.
“What if I don’t want to?”
“Pardon? What do you mean…?”
“I was first, in liking Count’s Daughter.”
“…!”
Lillian was so shocked that she forgot what to say.
‘What does this mean? In other words…!’
“I just couldn’t openly show my feelings because of my family’s circumstances and Count’s Daughter’s situation. So I hope you’ll give me a chance too.”
She was simply confused. All this time, she had thought it was only her one-sided feelings, but it wasn’t.
“But I’ve already become His Grace the Archduke’s lover. So such words…”
“Is it because you’re afraid of the Archduke?”
Lillian was shocked for a moment. How could Baron Jeffrey Weather know that? The fact that she had once feared him.
Then Jeffrey embraced Lillian and continued speaking.
“I’ve been feeling it all along. That Count’s Daughter finds the Archduke creepy. That’s why you’re pushing him away even now. Let’s leave together instead. From now on, I’ll protect you.”
“…”
‘So I was afraid of His Grace the Archduke to the point where it was obvious to other people’s eyes. I didn’t realize it was that obvious…’
Troubled, Lillian pushed Jeffrey away and heavily parted her lips.
“Baron Jeffrey Weather.”
‘How should I say this so that Baron Jeffrey Weather won’t get hurt?’
He was always someone I was grateful to, and I didn’t want him to be hurt because of me. But I didn’t know what to say. My mind went completely blank.
Thud.
Just then, I sensed movement from the floor below. A glimpse of someone passing between the stair railings reminded me of a certain person.
“His Grace the Archduke…?”
Startled, Lillian quickly went downstairs, leaving Jeffrey right where he was. But the figure she had seen moments ago was nowhere to be found.
“Did I see wrong…?”
Red hair and blue eyes. His appearance was unparalleled in the Imperial Palace. His Majesty the Emperor, who shared his bloodline, was somewhat similar, but not enough to be confused.
‘What is this uneasy feeling…?’
* * *
Kartan came home early for the first time in a while. Though it should have been a happy occasion, Lillian couldn’t bring herself to feel purely joyful. She watched him throughout dinner, but Kartan said nothing in particular.
Afterward, they naturally moved to the study and each did their own work. It was a completely ordinary day, no different from usual.
Finally, Lillian closed the novel she was reading and spoke first.
“Your Grace.”
“What.”
He answered without taking his eyes off his documents.
‘Did I see wrong back then? Well, if he had seen it, he wouldn’t be acting so calm like this. I must be feeling guilty for no reason.’
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Contrary to her thoughts, Lillian was anxious. Without realizing it, she began tapping the desk with her fingers. She lowered her hand after becoming aware of it, but still no words came from him.
‘Wouldn’t it be better to just tell him honestly? This is just making me feel uncomfortable…’
But thinking about the aftermath that would follow from her reckless words and actions made her shudder involuntarily. Their relationship was already strained, and she didn’t know what trouble might arise if she brought up unnecessary topics.
‘Right, it’s better to take Baron Jeffrey’s confession to my grave. After all, it happened because of my love letter, and I shouldn’t create unnecessary conflict just to ease my own mind.’
“…It’s nothing.”
Then she turned her head back to her novel. Originally, she had planned to ask His Grace the Archduke once more for Baron Jeffrey’s pardon, but now she didn’t dare.
“Sigh…”
No matter how hard she tried to focus on the book, nothing registered. Lillian glanced at Kartan again. He was still only looking at his documents. Watching him like that, Lillian sighed once more.
‘But why does it seem like the page has been the same since earlier…? Is it just my imagination.’
Unable to hide her anxiety, Lillian pushed the cookies in front of her toward Kartan and tried to make conversation.
“Your Grace, please have some of these while you work.”
“No thanks. I hate sweet things.”
“Yes…”
It seemed she had been bothering His Grace the Archduke too much when he was busy. Feeling awkward, Lillian picked up a cookie and ate it while pouting.
‘But before, he said the chocolate I made was delicious and ate it all.’
To shake off this uncomfortable feeling, it seemed better to resolve the Baron Jeffrey situation as quickly as possible.
* * *
‘Huh? The invitation definitely said it would be a modest gathering…’
Lillian was somewhat flustered. She had attended the farewell party to properly reject Jeffrey. But his office was packed with people, leaving no room to step.
‘I thought only a few colleagues I knew would come, but Staff Members who worked under Baron Jeffrey are here too.’
In a way, it was natural, but with so many people here, it would be difficult to reject his confession.
Just then, Jeffrey, who had been chatting with people, spotted Lillian and approached her.
“Lady Lillian came too! If I had known this would happen, I should have invited everyone to my house first.”
“Oh, no.”
Lillian just smiled awkwardly. Still, since she had come this far, she thought it would be better to at least offer some kind words before leaving.
“It’s a shame that you’re going back down when you haven’t even been back for long. Please take care and return safely.”
But Jeffrey stopped Lillian as she was about to turn around and leave.
“Now, everyone. Let’s not stay here like this – today I’ll invite everyone to my house. Let’s all go.”
Then he grabbed her wrist without permission! Wondering what he was doing, Lillian quickly pulled her caught hand away.
“I’m fine. Next time…”
“Since you came all this way, it wouldn’t be proper to just send you away. Let’s go.”
“But…”
Seeing this, even the colleagues who had worked with Lillian joined in, urging her to come along. In the end, Lillian was swept up by the atmosphere and ended up going to Jeffrey’s house.
Jeffrey’s house in the capital outskirts had a warm and peaceful atmosphere, as if one had come to the countryside. The dirt floor was muddy with snow, and snow was piled charmingly on the straw-covered roof.
Startled by the sudden appearance of people, a flock of ducks in the chicken coop quacked loudly.
Then, the gate opened and his family members came out in a line to welcome the guests.
“Oh my! Please come in, everyone.”
Then Jeffrey’s mother, who belatedly spotted Lillian getting out of the carriage, came running over quickly.
“You’re Lady Lillian, aren’t you? I’ve heard so much about you through my son. This is the first time we’re meeting!”
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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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