Chapter 103
As soon as the word ‘Chesner’ came up, Lilien’s eyes sparkled, and her face lit up brighter than the flowers in full bloom.
“Lilien, if you want, I was thinking we could go together. How does that sound?”
“I, uh…”
“Cairn, you really don’t understand women at all.”
The Grand Duchess interjected with a shake of her head.
“Do you realize how far and difficult the trip to Chesner is? There’s not even a train station there, is there? You have to get off at Brsenyu and then ride a carriage for another two hours. It’d be too much for Lilien’s fragile health to travel all that way.”
“…Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
Lilien nodded, unable to argue against the Grand Duchess. Instead, she consoled herself by asking Cairn if he could bring back one of the scented sachets sold only in Chesner.
Noticing her subdued request, Cairn’s brow furrowed.
“Are you sure you want me to go alone? Don’t you want to go too?”
It was only then that the Grand Duchess, having seen Lilien’s disappointed expression, paused her flower arranging.
“Oh, Lili, do you want to go to Chesner?”
“No, really, it’s fine.”
“Lilien.”
Cairn called her name in a firm tone that reminded her of the Grand Duke himself..
“Don’t just say you’re fine. Tell us what you actually want.”
“Yes, it’s okay, dear. Be honest with us.”
The Grand Duchess encouraged, gently squeezing Lilien’s hand.
After anxiously glancing at both of them, Lilien finally gave in.
“To be honest… I do want to go. Maybe because my mother’s villa is there, but Chesner feels more like home to me than Baltan does. The sea is beautiful, and I always wanted to visit, but it’s so far away that Father never allowed it. And…”
She glanced at Cairn shyly.
“And now… I just don’t want to be apart from you, Cairn.”
Startled by the truth she’d blurted out, Lilien bowed her head in embarrassment, her ears turning bright red behind her hair. Amusingly, Cairn’s nape was flushed just as red.
“Well, if that’s how you feel, just make sure to come back right away if you start feeling unwell on the journey. Understood?”
“…Yes! I promise.”
After hearing Lilien’s answer, Cairn got up and affectionately patted her shoulder.
“My flower arrangement is finished, so I’ll take my leave now.”
“Go ahead.”
No sooner had Cairn left the glasshouse than the Grand Duchess let out a breathless laugh.
“It seems he came all this way just to take you to Chesner. Even the gods would be impressed by such devotion.”
Lilien suddenly felt as if she’d taken advantage of Cairn.
“Of course, I know you didn’t put him up to it. He probably just decided on his own to drop by for some flower arranging.”
Fortunately, the Grand Duchess knew her son well.
She found it quite entertaining to watch the two act like awkward teenagers newly in love. Though she’d had her own reasons for opposing their match, she was satisfied seeing her only son so happy.
Meanwhile, it was also amusing to watch Lilien fidget, her gaze fixed on the door even after Cairn had gone.
“You’d really like to follow after him right now, wouldn’t you?”
“No, I’m fine.”
The Grand Duchess arched a suspicious eyebrow at Lilien’s repeated assurances.
“…Well, I suppose I do want to go. I never got a chance to thank him properly.”
“Then go on.”
“Thank you.”
“You sure have a lot to be thankful for.”
Jumping to her feet, Lilien dashed out of the glasshouse. At first, she walked quickly out of courtesy, but as soon as she passed through the door, she broke into a run.
She hurried so quickly that by the time she caught sight of Cairn, he was already far ahead, walking down the path toward the pergola. By the time he reached the steps in front of the villa, Lilien realized she’d never catch up unless she called out.
“Cairn!”
Though he was quite far, Cairn somehow heard her shout, and he stopped, waving so she’d know he’d seen her.
“I’ll come to you!”
Lilien quickly tied back her bothersome hair with a ribbon and hurried toward him. Cairn waited silently for her to catch up, not moving until she was standing right before him, breathless.
“Is something wrong?”
“I just… wanted to ask when we’ll be going to Chesner.”
“Are you really looking forward to it that much?”
“…Yes.”
“I’m still working out the details, but it’ll probably be early next month.”
“All right.”
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