The Return of Lilietta - Chapter 145

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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 145

It was an unexpected story.

The Gid that Ethan spoke of felt like a complete stranger to her.

He needed alcohol or medicine to fall asleep, his hands trembled, he spoke less, and he broke things? Rita couldn’t possibly imagine him broken down like a wreck.

Even during his childhood when he lost one eye and wandered through ruins, Gid never once threw a tantrum. In any situation, he never collapsed or gave up, always finding new paths forward.

Suddenly, she remembered something Oli had said in passing when they met again.

“Honestly, I didn’t think you’d come out in three days. I thought you’d be confined for at least three months, maybe for life.”

“It would be more normal to keep you locked up… Really amazing as always, Gid Pascal. Or should I say he’s completely lost it?”

She remembered how Gid had suddenly brought her to the Crown Prince’s palace after she fainted from shooting the Kraken, even blocking family visits.

Though he had handled the situation, the Gid she knew would never have acted that way.

She also remembered how her sensing range had been blocked then, preventing her from perceiving the outside. It was probably Gid’s doing.

‘Did Gid want to keep me locked up?’

Why? Because he was afraid I might die somewhere again?

‘…But in the end, he didn’t do that.’

He didn’t stop her from wanting to go home. And after that, he never showed such signs again. Nothing strange at all, just the same gentle and relaxed appearance she knew…

‘So he was just pretending to be fine.’

Lillieta stared blankly at the scenery flowing past the carriage window, biting her lips.

What did Gid think during her attempts to return? How many times did he repeat that one year?

‘Why did he go so far…’

Did her death make him like that? Was it all because of her?

Did those times change him? So the Gid she knew was now gone?

‘I couldn’t tell that Gid had become strange? All the ways he appears to me now are just pretending to be okay… a disguise?’

It was hard to believe.

His sleeping form under her hand, his light teasing, his gentle voice talking about the best rather than optimal, his warm body temperature, the music box, something she might come to like, cream puffs.

The Gid Pascal and Gideon she knew.

The only strange moment was… when she woke up after being attacked by the Doppelganger in the greenhouse.

“You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”

She tried hard to recall the expression he made when she asked that question. It was some indescribable feeling.

“If you have troubles or worries, tell me. Don’t suffer alone like a fool.”

“It’s a bit embarrassing. I’ll tell you later.”

“When is later?”

“When I become a bit more shameless?”

She reflected on the conversation they had while escaping the burning greenhouse.

Gid, that really meant you would tell me everything someday, right? You need to tell me now.

“We’ve arrived, Miss. This is in front of Podonamu Estate.”

The coachman’s voice awakened her from her daze.

She was supposed to meet Gid, who had agreed to accompany her to the masquerade party, in front of Podonamu Estate.

Lillieta slowly lifted and put on her mask. The stars and jewels hanging below the dark blue mask sparkled like tears.

* * *

Joseph was pacing restlessly around the estate entrance.

‘It’s almost time for arrival.’

Lillieta del Nisa Raskail.

Just thinking of that small, white face surrounded by flowing golden hair sent thrills down his spine.

He had seen many beauties, but never such a beautiful woman. He felt like he might go crazy wanting to possess her. For someone who had rarely failed to get what he wanted, this was an unfamiliar emotion.

‘Her personality seems a bit… strong and arrogant though.’

He remembered how she had chattered annoyingly at him when he fell into the water trying to save her.

“There are many ways to get to know each other besides pushing someone into water and then rescuing them.”

Joseph glossed over the trick he had pulled and focused only on the fact that he had intended to save her. It was a convenient way of thinking.

‘I really was trying to save her. How dare she insult my sincerity like that.’

So whenever he remembered that moment, he felt angry with shame and injustice.

‘But with that face, I can tolerate anything.’

His father, Duke Terrence del Napraloa Adickl, who generally disapproved of his behavior, was pleased about his courtship of the Raskail princess.

“Lillieta of Raskail, she’s definitely a superior product, different from those worthless women you usually mess around with. Try to get your hands on her.”

“Her shooting skills were impressive… be careful about that. Once she becomes yours, that aspect will be quite beneficial too.”

“Isn’t seducing women your specialty? That princess is Raskail itself. Don’t let the Crown Prince steal Raskail from you.”

His father’s words echoed in his head.

The reason women Joseph pursued fell for him easily wasn’t due to any special technique or ability, but thanks to his status as Duke Adickl’s son and his decent looks.

Joseph was somewhat aware of this truth but didn’t particularly care. After all, the fact that he was popular with women was real, so what did it matter?

Of course, both his status and looks were elements that didn’t particularly work on Lillieta, but unfortunately, the Duke’s son didn’t know this.

‘Seeing how gently she acted at the Frontier Festival, she must have belatedly realized there’s no better marriage prospect than me in social circles, right? That’s why she gave me her handkerchief.’

Joseph smugly stroked Lillieta’s handkerchief, carefully folded and tucked inside his jacket.

Remembering how the guys around them had looked ready to die of envy when she handed it to him made him feel even more satisfied.

A beauty of the century and the precious youngest daughter of a ducal house. Truly a trophy that anyone would covet and envy. He wanted her even more.

‘Back then, I unfortunately fell asleep watching that boring shooting competition, so I couldn’t do more. I need to make some progress at this party. It would be even better if I could make it a done deal…’

In Joseph’s mind, things between him and her were going very well.

He had deliberately told her a different party time. A bit earlier than the actual start time.

It was to have time alone together before other guests arrived. It was also to avoid the mishap of not recognizing her mask and losing her if she came mixed in with other people.

‘Speaking of which, it’s about time, oh, she’s here!’

A carriage bearing the Raskail family crest with amethyst, wheat ears, and irises reached near the main gate of Podonamu Estate.

It was strange that it stopped outside instead of entering the garden, but since it was a masquerade party, he thought it could be like that.

Maybe she didn’t want to show herself getting out of a carriage with the family crest. Or she really planned to hide her identity and have fun this time.

Though she looked like a fairy who lived on dew alone, who knows how she actually lived during her missing period.

‘Well, knowing how to have fun isn’t bad either…’

Joseph, who had been chuckling, was mesmerized the moment he saw Lillieta getting out of the carriage.

The dark blue dress and night sky-like mask matched her brilliant golden hair and snow-white skin so perfectly it was chilling.

‘Isn’t she really a fairy? Is that even human?’

She looked around the main gate area as if searching for someone.

‘She’s looking for me!’

Joseph rushed out the main gate in high spirits.

“Oh, Princess Raskail! Today you are more beautiful than the starry sky!”

The moment she saw him, her pretty lips visible under the half-mask trembled slightly. She seemed shy yet happy to see him. Joseph smiled confidently.

* * *

‘Why did this guy come running out here?’

Rita, whose attention was focused on meeting Gid soon, felt irritation surge the moment she saw Joseph’s face.

Still, since she had a purpose for attending the party, she held back the “get lost” that rose to her throat and gave him a proper greeting.

“It’s been a while, Duke.”

“Oh my, have you missed me so terribly during this time? Ah, I have committed yet another sin. To make such a beautiful lady sink into melancholy!”

Just how does he interpret conventional pleasantries to come up with such responses?

Rita was about to offer her thanks for the party invitation but stopped herself. Forget etiquette and all that—she was afraid of what nonsense might come back in response to those words.

She simply kept her mouth shut and gave a slight nod with a bright smile on her face.

This was the Duke-handling method Olivia had established when they planned the ‘actress’ strategy. She said that with Rita as she was now, most things would resolve themselves just by doing this.

Indeed, just her wearing a smile was enough to get Joseph completely excited as he began chattering away on his own.

“There’s still some time before the party begins. Would you not grant me the honor of strolling through the garden together? Though the grapes are still far from ripening, countless other flowers and fruits are waiting shyly. Of course, no flower could compare to the Noblewoman!”

Lillieta glanced around her surroundings. She couldn’t see anyone who might be Gid or any other carriages. It seemed he hadn’t arrived yet.

‘Since I have to wait anyway, it would be nice if I could gain something from the Duke’s thoughtless chatter.’

She nodded slightly while wearing the same painted-on smile as before. Joseph excitedly led the way to the garden.

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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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