Chapter 102
But the Count, unwilling to admit that his decision had been a mistake, pushed the investment through until the bitter end—and this was all he had to show for it.
“Lilien will be devastated. You know how much she cherishes that villa.”
“She agreed to it.”
Could a reluctant nod, practically forced from her, really be called consent?
“Uncle—no, Count.”
Christian started to speak, then stopped.
‘Chesner Villa was left by the late Baron Grenor to Lady Grenor. Technically speaking, it belonged to Lilien. It was never yours to sell.’
But saying it would change nothing, so he bit his tongue. Chesner Villa had a high market price for its size, and selling it was likely the only way to preserve the rest of the estate.
Still… a part of him wished the Count would surrender a portion of the lands to the Empire and pass the villa on to Lilien. The Empire had already expressed interest in purchasing border territory for the Baltan public land project—now was the perfect chance.
“A title without land is meaningless. This is better for Lilien as well. She wouldn’t want to be a Grand Duchess with no backing.”
The Count spoke quietly, having caught on to what Christian wanted to say.
Christian disagreed wholeheartedly; Lilien already had Cairn, a formidable supporter. But the Count seemed unshakable, and Christian could tell persuasion was pointless. He let out a long sigh.
The Count had always been stubborn. After his wife passed, all decisions—large and small—fell solely to him. A life that had drifted beyond his control had hardened into prideful obstinacy. That same stubbornness had undoubtedly helped raise Lilien into the woman she was now.
He understood it all… yet he still felt suffocated.
“Yes, I understand. I suppose there’s no way to save both your pride and the villa.”
Christian twirled the pen between his fingers.
“There must be another way for Lilien…”
Actually—maybe there was a way. Christian’s eyes lit up with the same strange spark they held whenever he was about to write an eccentric thesis.
* * *
The Grand Duchess stared at Cairn as though he were some peculiar creature.
“Cairn, what on earth are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d try picking up a new hobby.”
“How refined of you.”
Cairn was arranging yellow marigolds in a glass vase from various angles. His large hands moved with surprising delicacy. Watching from the side, Lilien struggled to hide a laugh.
“You’re really good at flower arranging.”
The lengths of the stems, the composition—everything he touched came together beautifully. By comparison, Lilien’s vase looked like a chaotic explosion of mismatched colors.
“Really? I like yours better. Want to switch?”
“Okay.”
She quickly handed him the vase she had decorated.
“Thanks, Lili.”
She wasn’t sure what he was thanking her for while receiving such a bizarre bundle of flowers, but he seemed pleased, so she let it go.
“And thank you. Yours is really pretty.”
Both of them smiled at each other—unaware of how effortlessly warm the expressions were.
“You two…”
The Grand Duchess, who had been watching the exchange with approval, narrowed her eyes.
“You still speak so casually with each other, I see.”
“Ah…”
Realizing her mistake, Lilien stiffened. She darted her eyes around, scrambling for an excuse, but Cairn smoothly stepped in.
“I asked her to. This place is Lilien’s home now. Even in a comfortable space, it feels suffocating to keep formalities between us.”
“I see. Well, as long as it’s agreed upon between the two of you, then fine.”
To Lilien’s surprise, there was no scolding. The Grand Duchess looked at Cairn with a steady, trusting gaze.
It was a look Lilien had never received from her before. Just as her heart began to shrink from insecurity, that warm gaze turned to her as well.
“But do be mindful in public settings.”
Cairn merely nodded in acknowledgment. Lilien—completely lacking in tact—answered loudly, “Yes!”
“Yes, you’re still as spirited as ever, Lilien. I like that.”
It was the first time timid Lilien had ever received such praise. Her eyes curved into bright crescents as she finally understood the compliment.
Cairn washed his hands in the silver basin, then checked the time—it seemed he was preparing to leave. Straightening his clothes, he gradually revealed his purpose for visiting.
“By the way, I’ll be taking a personal trip to Chesner next month.”
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