Chapter 26
“This much… I guess that’s a relief.”
A few moments later, warm sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room. Maybe it was the comfort of having some money in hand, but Lilien felt herself relax, sleepiness washing over her as she was about to lay her head on her desk.
“Miss, the Count is here!”
Matilda rushed into the room with a quick knock.
“Father? Already?”
Lilien shot up from her chair, surprised to hear that her father—who usually spent his days at his office outside the house—had come home early.
“Why?”
“I’m not sure. You’d better go see him.”
With footsteps as light as a sparrow, Lilien hurried down the stairs, excitement in her step at the thought of seeing her father.
“Father!”
But the Count’s face was a stark contrast to her bright smile. He leaned heavily on a servant for support, beads of cold sweat on his brow.
“Father!”
Though she called out the same word as before, this time her voice was sharper, her cry echoing through the manor.
* * *
Fortunately, Count de Bermore’s condition wasn’t critical, and he was slowly recovering.
If word got out that his health had worsened, creditors would surely come knocking, so the household kept his illness a strict secret.
“Go get some rest, or at least have something to eat.”
“No, I’m fine.”
Over the past several days, Lilien had barely eaten, finding it difficult even to swallow water as she watched over her father’s sickbed.
Her stomach ached, but not as much as her heart, so she barely noticed her own physical exhaustion.
She wanted to stay by his side longer, but she had other obligations and reluctantly headed to the bath.
“Miss, maybe you should postpone your appointment.”
Matilda looked worried as she watched Lilien, who had just finished her shower and was now sluggishly seated at her vanity.
“If I cancel the plans last-minute, Cairn will worry. It would be rude to Lady Frederick, too.”
Besides, she couldn’t sleep anyway. Even if she closed her eyes, her mind refused to rest.
“But still—”
“Staying cooped up won’t change anything. I’ll just go out for some air. Don’t worry, Matilda.”
“Should I come with you?”
“No, that’s all right. Cairn’s too perceptive—he’ll know something’s wrong for sure.”
Matilda sighed deeply.
“If you feel unwell, promise me you’ll come straight back, all right?”
Matilda, who had known her since childhood, couldn’t put her worries aside.
“I promise. Just pick out something bright for me to wear—my complexion’s pale today.”
She wondered how much longer she’d be able to enjoy this peaceful life as a noble lady. Maybe her father was right—maybe she really did need to hurry up and get married.
Lilien, who had always lived a sheltered life, was afraid of the changes looming ahead.
While Matilda went to the dressing room, Lilien forced herself to stand, went to her desk, unlocked the drawer, and checked the money she’d been saving.
If she could sell off the estate and lands to pay off their debts, and save every last coin from the old titles, she thought she could probably afford a tiny cottage in Sevre.
If she stayed in Baltan, poor and disgraced, she knew her fragile heart wouldn’t survive the stares and scorn.
At least Sevre didn’t discriminate against impoverished immigrant nobles—thank goodness for that. Maybe, just maybe, Sevre would be better than this tradition-bound, status-obsessed empire.
If her father could just endure the disgrace of ‘fleeing’ the empire, if he could bear the shame for her sake, she wanted to leave it all behind.
After all, she’d never felt particularly attached to this place. She didn’t have many friends, and had rarely left the manor, so there were few memories to tie her here.
Thinking that way made her feel lighter—except for one thing.
On her desk, the Sevran old book given to her by Duke Headington sat in plain sight.
* * *
Cairn stood in front of the full-length mirror, inspecting his reflection with a dissatisfied frown.
“Isn’t there a lighter-colored tie?”
His servant was puzzled by the young master’s unusual concern for tie color.
After enough complaints, the servant wisely brought out a whole bundle of ties from the dressing room and displayed them across his arm. Cairn picked one up and let out a disgruntled sigh.
“I wish it were a bit darker than this…”
It was already the fourteenth tie.
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