The Return of Lilietta - Chapter 170

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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 170

Rita stiffened for a moment, then pushed away his mask that had drawn closer as she answered.

“No.”

“No?”

“Because you haven’t been honest yet.”

“Rita.”

He let out a laugh. The scent of the shared apple pie mixed sweetly with the fragrance of the fresh flower bouquet.

“I’ve been thinking about it ever since… What you meant was that you do have those feelings too, right?”

“What feelings?”

“Hmm.”

Gideon rubbed his nape and slowly opened his mouth.

“…The desire to advance our relationship?”

Despite his calm question, his nape visible between his long fingers was bright red. Like a shy boy.

Lillieta stared blankly up at that red nape, then suddenly turned her head away as she felt a tickling sensation inside her chest.

She looked up at the lanterns decorated with colorful flags and flowers, catching her breath. After composing her voice, she answered coolly.

“I’m not going to answer that, Gid.”

“So it does exist?”

“Don’t try to lead me on.”

“That’s harsh.”

“What’s harsh is you being a liar who said you’d tell me everything but hid this and that.”

“…”

Gid closed his mouth.

Rita watched the flower petals falling from the lanterns, then turned her gaze back to him. He had already put his hands in his pockets.

She approached him. Then she tried to pull out his hands that had hidden in his pockets.

Gid startled and stepped back several paces from her. His previously reddened nape now pale.

Looking at him who had distanced himself, Rita asked quietly.

“Did you think you wouldn’t get caught doing this?”

“…”

Suddenly, a boisterous sound approached from the side. A group of highly excited people walked across the space between him and her, loudly singing songs. His figure wearing the silver mask momentarily disappeared from view.

When he came back into view shortly after, his eyes visible through the mask gaps were gently curved.

“Couldn’t you just pretend not to know, Rita?”

He asked in a soft voice, then gently added.

“Then everything would be fine.”

“What would be fine?”

“Everything.”

Gideon reached out his hand to her. It was the hand that had been hiding in his pocket until just now. Supporting her hand with that hand, he continued.

“As long as you’re here with me, everything will be fine.”

Though it wasn’t trembling, his hand was strangely cold. He clasped her hand as if seeking warmth.

“There’s no need to dig up all the past events. How about focusing on what to do going forward?”

Rita held his hand in return and asked back.

“Are those really past events?”

“Hm?”

“I don’t think so. Those events are still affecting you. Saying things will be fine means they’re not fine now.”

“…”

“So how can I pretend not to know?”

Her fingers slipped between his fingers. Interlocking and intertwining to hold tight, she said with emphasis.

“How could I, do that, to you.”

“…”

Gid opened his mouth then closed it. His gray-tinted eyes wavered as they held her image.

She recalled the gold hidden in that ashen color. Moving closer to him, she asked.

“What are you so afraid of, Gid?”

“…”

“Whatever you did, whatever happened… it doesn’t matter. Not between you and me.”

“…”

“Don’t you trust me?”

Bang—a sound of fireworks exploding rang out.

It was the midnight fireworks display marking the end of the eve festival and the beginning of the founding day. Colorful fireworks shot up from Rhamcard Arena, brilliantly embroidering the night sky.

Waaah!

Cheers erupted from all directions. People around them all stopped to admire and look up at the beautiful fireworks. Among them, only she and he were looking at each other instead of the night sky.

Noisy silence.

Gid was the first to avoid her gaze. He looked at the sky.

“It’s midnight.”

“…”

“It’s time to go for the shift change, Rita.”

He spoke in a gentle voice while leading their clasped hands. Rita obediently followed him.

She and he crossed between the people who had stopped to look up at the night sky, heading toward the meeting place.

Seraphina and Isaiah, who were next, had already arrived.

Sera, wearing the rabbit half-mask Oli had made and a black wig, looked at their outfits and the souvenirs filling Lillieta’s basket with wide eyes.

“Oh my… You seem to have enjoyed yourselves more than expected?”

It was similar to what she had said when seeing Oli and Luca, so Rita unconsciously smiled. Then she said like Oli had.

“You and senior should enjoy yourselves together too. It’s not a common opportunity.”

The moment the word “together” came out, Is looked at Sera with his deer-masked face. And Sera stepped back from him. The air between them instantly became tense.

Rita pretended not to notice that disturbance and pressed the fresh flower bouquet she took from the basket into Sera’s hands.

“Well then, good luck, sister.”

She left that place with Gid, then glanced back midway.

Isaiah was the one who liked flowers. As expected, she saw Sera pushing the bouquet toward Is.

Is took it, then pulled out one flower and brought it toward Sera’s ear. When she startled and stepped back, he said something while gesturing with his chin toward Gid and Rita who were moving away.

He seemed to be making an excuse about how he and she both had the same lavender flowers tucked by their ears and chest. After a brief struggle, Sera seemed to give in and obediently accepted the flower.

Lillieta watched up to that point before resuming her steps.

Gid, who had noticed her intention and waited silently, offered his arm. She placed her hand on that arm, feeling her heart flutter anew.

It had been an uncommon day. Like a midsummer night’s dream.

And fortunately, that night remained peaceful until the end.

* * *

June 27th, 1770.

Kairam Empire Founding Day.

The capital’s city center, which had been quiet all morning due to the aftermath of the eve festival, began to stretch noisily from the afternoon.

Merchants who had flocked from across the continent for this opportunity set up all kinds of exotic stalls where yesterday’s night market had been held.

In the central square with the main road connecting to the Imperial Palace, preparations were made for the evening parade that would begin simultaneously with the succession ceremony, and citizens began making lanterns with paper inscribed with wishes to release during the parade.

And at the Imperial Palace, preparations for the founding day banquet and succession ceremony were in full swing.

“Oh my, goodness.”

The Empress clasped her hands together in front of her mouth and blushed.

“I expected it would suit you, but it suits you even better than I thought, Raskail Princess. How lovely…”

The Coronator’s ceremonial dress was originally prepared by the Royal Family.

Until now, the Empress had repeatedly worn the Coronator ceremonial dress tailored a few years ago, only slightly varying the decorations, but this year was different.

Despite the tight schedule, she personally took charge of overseeing the process of tailoring a new Coronator ceremonial dress for the Raskail Princess.

The result was before her eyes.

A light purple dress matched to the Princess’s eye color.

The dress’s basic design itself was simple, but it was lavishly decorated with fluttering butterfly ornaments and petal-like laces, with pearls embroidered like stars, making the final result extremely gorgeous.

Because the dress was so ornate, her hair was left down without any special decorations, adorned only with small fresh flowers. Her brilliant golden hair was so radiant that this alone was sufficiently beautiful.

Finally, a maid brought a necklace and earring set woven with sand-grain-sized diamonds.

Empress Ophelia personally put them on Lillieta and fastened them for her, then blushed like an excited young girl and murmured.

“Oh my, if a noblewoman with such an appearance emerges when the veil is lifted, the Crown Prince might faint while standing.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

Lillieta, who had obediently received the styling, answered with a smile.

While it looked pretty, honestly she felt more discomfort than anything else. It was much more voluminous than what she usually wore and the decorations were so delicate that she had to be careful with her movements.

‘It would be troublesome if a magical beast appeared during the succession ceremony.’

She hoped it would preferably appear after everything was finished and things were leisurely, but considering the Duke’s purpose, she couldn’t help feeling anxious. The succession ceremony was the moment when Crown Prince Gideon would receive the most attention.

She finally put on two rings that looked like a dragon biting its tail on her left ring finger, covered herself with an opaque long veil that concealed her entire body, and then headed to Laurea Hall with the Empress.

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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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