Chapter 19
[I received your latest piece and read it with interest.]
Lilien let out a sigh of relief at the editor’s praise in her letter. But, of course, it wasn’t all compliments.
[Your depiction of the emotions involved in the act was strong, but I didn’t truly feel the love between the characters.]
She was right.
Cairn wasn’t a romantic partner—he was just a friend. Lilien tried to convince herself of that. How could there be any genuine romance in a kiss she’d basically forced on him? There was no way anyone would feel real affection from that scene.
It was strange to think that her true feelings had somehow come through in that short story.
She recalled what Mrs. Ashton had said:
‘Something about the descriptions felt a little forced.’
Maybe… that’s why so many people could see through her fiction. No matter how hard you try to hide, the truth always seeps into your writing.
Lilien tried to push Mrs. Ashton’s words out of her mind, but she couldn’t help lingering on a line from the editor’s letter:
[It was an impressive short story that captured the innocence of an unrecognized first love.]
‘Unrecognized’ …
No, that wasn’t it. The truth was, there just hadn’t been any love to begin with—maybe a little friendship, at best.
[I’ve rambled a bit out of regret, but I still think this piece is a notable achievement in many ways. From an editor who trusts you.]
She flipped through one of her previous books, revisiting the scene where her main characters shared a kiss. Only now did she notice it:
Her descriptions were always half-hearted.
Her editor had warned her that if her next book didn’t show any growth, it wouldn’t do well. Lilien had asked the editor to critique her manuscript, and she’d graciously agreed.
“Miss!”
A sharp voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
“I’ve called you several times…”
“Sorry, Matilda. What is it?”
“How about this dress?”
Matilda held up a gown from the wardrobe—a pale blue with elegant pleats and sparkling pearls along the waist.
“Isn’t it a little much?”
The pearls caught the light, gleaming.
“If you’re going somewhere grand, you ought to dress the part!”
And for Lilien, beautiful clothes were a welcome distraction from reality—so she happily agreed to Matilda’s princess game.
* * *
With her father, Count de Bermore, at her side, Lilien stepped gracefully out of the carriage.
“Father, I’ll go on with Cairn from the side wing. Please go on ahead.”
“I trust the two of you won’t get up to your old antics.”
He was referring to the time he’d caught them dangling from tree branches, competing to see who could hang on longer. The Count’s face had been filled with exasperation.
‘Let’s just go back, Lilien.’
He’d said, ending the two children’s mischief with a curt command.
At least he hadn’t scolded them for climbing dirty trees and risking a fall from such a height. Seeing the unapologetic look on Cairn’s face, the Count must have realized further protest was pointless.
“Yes… We’re all grown up now, really.”
“That was just last year, wasn’t it?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“This time, I promise we’ll behave. No funny business in the garden—we’ll head straight to the main palace.”
“I certainly hope so.”
He placed a quick kiss on Lilien’s forehead before heading toward the private dining room in the main palace.
Lilien waited quietly until her father’s figure disappeared from view.
* * *
“There’s a guest waiting for you, miss.”
“Really?”
At the butler Mr. Jeffrey’s words, Lilien paused in the gallery.
“Young Master, Miss de Bermore is here.”
“Ah, Jeffrey? I’m not ready—”
As if he doubted she was ever truly ‘ready’ to face Cairn, Jeffrey peered over his glasses with a skeptical look.
While Lilien hesitated, the attendants slowly opened the heavy doors.
But the guest who greeted her wasn’t what she’d expected.
“Hello, Miss de Bermore.”
It was Eisen Frederick—the Empire’s ‘Red Rose’.
“Ah…”
Lilien shot a surprised glance at Cairn, but he only shrugged, as if to say he knew nothing about this.
“Yes… Hello, Miss Frederick.”
Trying to collect herself, Lilien walked toward the sofa. Cairn gave her a discreet look, and the three of them sat.
“I always knew you two were close, but seeing it in person is something else.
She expected Cairn to respond but he left her hanging, letting the silence stretch.
So Lilien gave her warmest smile and replied.
“We’ve been friends since childhood—almost like siblings, really.”
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