Wildflowers Bloom on the Grand Duchy’s Wall - Chapter 48

He had even gone so far as to add—almost generously—that he wouldn’t mind if he bore children by another wife, not Lilien herself. What he really wanted was the hollow title of ‘Count’s daughter’ and a young, beautiful wife to show off.

“No way…”

Her father would never send her somewhere like that.

“No… he wouldn’t. Of course not.”

She knew it—she trusted her father—but the alcohol was making her mind cloudy. The reality of being a penniless, powerless young woman was hitting her all at once, and the darkness seemed to close in around her as the candle on her nightstand finally burned out.

Bang—

A sudden, thunderous noise startled Lilien. She yanked the covers up to her chin and held her breath, listening as more booming sounds echoed through the house—like thunder, but closer.

Bang—bang—

Finally, she sat up and slowly made her way down the stairs.

It felt like her life—one without anyone to protect her—was already starting.

She stopped in the main hallway, her gaze fixed on the front door. Someone was pounding on it in the dead of night, hard enough to break it down.

Bang—

Terrified, Lilien took a step back, her slippers scraping the floor. After a brief moment of indecision, she reached up to the wall and dragged down the old musket that had been hanging there. She aimed the barrel shakily toward the door.

She was determined to shoot if she had to—but her body wouldn’t cooperate. The gun was heavy, and her hands were trembling so badly that she dropped it.

Just then, a familiar voice rang loud and clear,

“Lilien! Are you in there?”

The fear vanished the moment she recognized the visitor.

“Cairn?”

Without a second thought, she rushed to the door, flung it open, and threw herself into his arms.

“Cairn!”

She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face in his broad chest. Relief swept over her, and instead of calming down, she found herself crying harder. The fear and anxiety she’d been bottling up finally spilled out.

His hands were warm on her shoulders, his breath gentle on her hair. With Cairn there, she didn’t have to face the night alone anymore. Gradually, her breathing returned to normal.

He gently rubbed her back. His careful touch eased her trembling until she finally felt calm again.

“Are you okay?”

He nudged her back to look at her, then brushed away her tears with his thumb, even tapping her cheek in that playful way of his.

“I’m okay now.”

“Crying again?”

Lilien knew denying it would be pointless, so she pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Finally, she managed to tidy her damp hair away from her face. She took a sharp intake of breath, realizing just how much skin was showing. Cairn’s white poet shirt was soaked and nearly transparent, clinging to his body. Embarrassed, she quickly looked away.

She couldn’t help the fleeting thoughts that flashed through her mind—wondering if humans really were just animals, after all. But Cairn just seemed calm and unbothered.

“I’ll go put the horse away.”

That was when Lilien finally noticed his black horse, still patiently waiting in the rain outside. With no coachman, he’d have to take care of it himself.

Knowing this, she found she couldn’t let go of his sleeve. He gave her a gentle shake.

“Lilien, you have to let me go so I can take care of things.”

“…Can’t I come with you? Do you even know the way to our stables? The estate is pretty big.”

Cairn paused, shaking the rain from his hair, and looked at her absurd excuse.

“Of course I know. But you’ll catch a cold if you go back out. Just wait for me inside. Actually, go in and warm up—I’ll be right back.”

He gently tried to free her hand, but Lilien grabbed onto him again, tugging his sleeve desperately.

“Cairn, I… I’m actually scared to be alone.”

For the first time since she’d been left alone in the house, the fear really hit her. If Cairn disappeared now, she didn’t think she could stand the silence and darkness that would be left behind.