I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 58

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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 58

 

“You’re Lady Lillian, right? I’ve heard so much about you through our boy. This is the first time we’re meeting!”

 

Before she could do anything about it, Lillian found her hand seized by Jeffrey’s mother. While she was grateful for the warm welcome, she was somewhat flustered because the woman’s hands were damp with moisture.

 

“Ah, hello. It’s an honor to meet you as well.”

 

Seeing Lillian’s belated awkward reaction, his mother hurriedly wiped her hands on her apron.

 

“Oh my, I was so flustered that I was rude. Don’t just stand here, come in quickly. I prepared hastily so there’s nothing much set out.”

 

“Yes…”

 

While responding, Lillian looked around her surroundings.

 

‘Come to think of it, I don’t see Alice. Is it late so she went to bed first?’

 

Alice was Jeffrey’s youngest sister, and among his family members, she was the only one Lillian was acquainted with.

 

Contrary to his mother’s words about having nothing prepared, the living room was filled with a full dinner table. Due to lack of space, they all sat closely together and ate dinner. The atmosphere was extremely warm and friendly.

 

Then John, Jeffrey’s direct administrative officer sitting across from them, suddenly voiced his complaints.

 

“His Grace the Archduke is really too much. Isn’t he being too inflexible? How long has Baron Jeffrey been here, and he’s already sending transfer orders? And to such a remote island…”

 

John, who momentarily made eye contact with Lillian, let out a cough. While everyone gathered in the room was flustered, only John’s colleagues looked at Lillian with wariness.

 

‘Well, I wouldn’t look good to those people either. I came for nothing, this isn’t a place where I belong…’

 

Silence settled over the room. Normally she would have been intimidated, but His Grace the Archduke had done nothing wrong. So Lillian made no effort to ease the atmosphere.

 

The uncomfortable atmosphere continued. Unable to bear it any longer, Jeffrey stepped forward.

 

“That means I’m competent enough, doesn’t it?”

 

“Th-that’s right. Haha.”

 

Eventually, as people began to agree one by one, the frozen atmosphere gradually thawed. Even until then, Lillian maintained her silence.

 

After the meal ended, drinking continued. Lillian checked the time and sighed.

 

‘Ah, it’s almost midnight already.’

 

It seemed difficult to find timing to be alone with him among all these people.

 

‘I should just tell him next time. Today doesn’t seem to be the right day.’

 

Lillian stood up from her seat.

 

“It’s gotten too late, so I’ll be going first.”

 

That’s when it happened. Jeffrey, who had been drinking and socializing with the people, suddenly stood up.

 

“It’s already gotten this late. I’ll escort you back.”

 

Instantly, everyone’s gazes focused on Jeffrey and Lillian. Though it was burdensome, Lillian thought it worked out well.

 

“Thank you for taking me back.”

 

In the carriage on the way back, Lillian carefully began to speak.

 

“Count’s Daughter, today was a bit chaotic, wasn’t it? John brought up unnecessary things… I’ll invite you properly next time.”

 

“No, it was enjoyable seeing people’s faces after a long time.”

 

“I’m glad if that’s the case.”

 

After that, silence settled in the carriage for a while. Lillian’s heart felt heavy. It wasn’t easy to reject the confession of someone she had once genuinely liked.

 

“Um, Baron Jeffrey.”

 

Instantly, Jeffrey’s gaze, which had been staring into space, turned toward Lillian. Unable to look directly at him, Lillian continued speaking with her head lowered.

 

“Actually, I came today because I have something to tell you.”

 

“….”

 

“I’m not afraid of His Grace the Archduke anymore. I like him, His Grace the Archduke.”

 

“….”

 

He remained silent for a long time. When Lillian found this strange and belatedly raised her head, Jeffrey suddenly burst out laughing.

 

“Was this what you were aiming for?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

He muttered to himself and then just let out a sigh.

 

“I resent the Archduke. Why did he have to send me to the provinces at such timing? If only I had a little more time… whether it’s fate’s trick or what.”

 

“….”

 

Watching him in his frustration, Lillian couldn’t say anything. She just sat there quietly. Then Jeffrey sighed and spoke up.

 

“It’s hard for me to understand, but it can’t be helped.”

 

The moment their eyes met, his looked so sad that Lillian’s heart ached.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“….”

 

In the end, he didn’t accept Lillian’s apology.

 

“Um, and I haven’t told His Grace the Archduke yet. I’ll try asking him to reconsider the assignment to Tail Island soon. I’m sorry.”

 

At this, Jeffrey shook his head.

 

“It’s fine. You don’t need to do that.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Looking at the puzzled Lillian, Jeffrey spoke firmly.

 

“I have my pride too. I don’t want to become such a coward who relies on the woman I like to avoid danger.”

 

Eventually he smiled bitterly. Lillian’s heart grew heavy as if weighed down.

 

‘I’ve received so much help all this time, but I can’t give anything back.’

 

Still, she didn’t want to hurt Baron Jeffrey’s pride just to ease her own conscience. Lillian simply nodded.

 

Jeffrey was kind until the very end. He didn’t forget to escort Lillian until the moment she got out of the carriage.

 

As she watched the departing carriage and let out a deep sigh, a familiar baritone voice came from behind her.

 

“Where are you coming back from?”

 

Only then did Lillian notice Kartan leaning against a pillar.

 

“Oh, well….”

 

‘He must have seen everything, what should I do…?’

 

Although it bothered her that His Grace the Archduke found Baron Jeffrey uncomfortable, she thought there was no reason to hide it. It wasn’t as if she had done anything immoral.

 

“I went to Baron Jeffrey’s farewell party.”

 

“….”

 

He just kept his head down and let out a long sigh. Then he answered belatedly.

 

“I see.”

 

‘He doesn’t seem pleased about it. Still, I even received an invitation, and there were things to talk about….’

 

She had a lot to say, but couldn’t bring herself to voice it. Suddenly, a strong smell of alcohol wafted over on the wind.

 

“Have you been drinking?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

It was dark so she hadn’t noticed well, but looking closely, his clothes were much more disheveled than usual. Particularly concerning was that despite wearing just a shirt, three buttons were undone.

 

“When did you arrive to be doing this here?”

 

“…Earlier.”

 

“Earlier when?”

 

“….”

 

It seemed Kartan had no intention of answering. How long had he been like this when it was so cold? Worried, Lillian reached out and touched his forehead.

 

‘He doesn’t seem to have a cold…’

 

Thud.

 

Then he grabbed Lillian’s hand as if annoyed. Finally detaching himself from the pillar he had been leaning against, he pulled Lillian toward him.

 

In an instant, thump, her cheek touched his solid chest. Her heart reacted first to the sudden situation.

 

Thump.

 

His embrace was so hot it could instantly cool even the cold wind.

 

“I’m dizzy.”

 

“Are you alright?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Yes…”

 

But this time it was Lillian’s head that became dizzy. Her ears felt like they would go deaf from the sound of his heartbeat coming from his chest.

 

‘Today something is different from usual. Did something happen?’

 

Thinking about it, she had never seen him drink alcohol even while they had been together all this time. Worried, Lillian carefully asked.

 

“But why did you suddenly drink? Did something happen?”

 

“Just.”

 

Then he let out a long breath.

 

“Because I wanted to drink.”

 

“….”

 

Maybe it was her imagination, but the voice she heard didn’t sound very good. Something upsetting that he couldn’t talk about must have happened.

 

“I see. That can happen.”

 

“Do you dislike alcohol?”

 

“…No.”

 

Actually, she didn’t like it. She just wanted to go along with His Grace the Archduke who seemed to be in low spirits. Since she wasn’t feeling very good today either, she could understand his feelings even more.

 

Suddenly he looked down at Lillian. Then he let out a low chuckle.

 

“You dislike it.”

 

“Ah…”

 

She was a bit flustered when her lie was immediately caught. Before she could even make an excuse, he continued speaking.

 

“Or have I become bothersome now?”

 

“What?”

 

And hearing his next words, Lillian froze completely.

 

“What’s so good about that place?”

 

In an instant, the strength left Lillian’s arms that had been embracing Kartan. Lillian pulled away from Kartan’s embrace and looked up at him.

 

“What do you… mean by that?”

 

Her voice naturally trembled with fear. Kartan, who had been looking down at her intently, murmured lowly.

 

“Don’t go.”

 

“….”

 

“No, even if you were to go, it’s already too late now.”

 

Lillian felt her heart sink right then and there.

 

‘Don’t tell me, you knew everything all along?!’

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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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