Wildflowers Bloom on the Grand Duchy’s Wall - Chapter 59

“People really think only men get sexually frustrated, don’t they?”

“Honestly, after you’ve had a kid or two, it’s us women who have a harder time holding back!”

“Oh, they know—they just pretend not to! Or else, how do you explain those ridiculously long showers?”

“I’d say we’re lucky if they’re not just faking sleep every night.”

Even when she tried to focus on something else, it was impossible not to listen in. Lilien’s ears soaked up the ladies’ conversation, no matter how hard she tried to resist.

‘This is just… too funny.’

Even as her family teetered on the edge of ruin and she waited in the lounge for her cousin’s help, Lilien found herself completely absorbed in the married women’s banter. Life could feel impossibly heavy one moment and then, thanks to someone’s idle chit-chat, suddenly lighter the next.

Just as the noblewomen began a full-blown debate about the mysterious world of marital ‘nighttime affairs’—right when Lilien’s curiosity peaked—a surprise visitor appeared.

“Lili, have you been waiting long?”

Christian had returned.

“Christian!”

Today, for once, she was actually a little less glad to see him.

* * *

Whether it was the heat or Lilien’s story that had gotten him worked up, Christian’s face was bright red. He laughed out loud until Lilien shot him a sharp look, at which point he managed to compose himself.

“So you’re telling me Lord Headington actually made you such a bold proposal? With his personality?”

Sitting across from her in the parlor, Christian dragged his chair even closer to Lilien.

“A proposal? I’m not sure you could really call it that. It didn’t seem all that official or anything.”

Christian, watching her nonchalant response, started to understand a little why Cairn had been so impatient. For the first time, he even felt a bit sorry for the poor guy.

“So you turned him down because you couldn’t stand the thought of him sacrificing himself for you?”

“Yes, Christian. I honestly worry about how he’s going to survive in this world with such a soft nature. Cairn’s just too nice for his own good.”

Christian stifled a laugh, pretending to take a deep breath.

“Who’s too nice, you say?”

“Cairn! He’s always been that way since we were kids. If I asked for something, he could never say no, and if I was left alone and looking lost, he’d always come over and keep me company.”

“I see. So Lord Headington is really a selfless person.”

“Yes. But why are you laughing?”

He cleared his throat and straightened his face.

“I’m not laughing.”

Frankly, this was more entertaining than the Baron’s scandalous divorce that had everyone in Baltan gossiping. But sensing that if he pressed the topic further, Lilien might get suspicious, Christian deliberately changed the subject.

He had no intention of being the one to spill Cairn’s secrets to her.

“How’s the Count doing?”

“He twisted his leg when he collapsed, so it’s a bit hard for him to get around, but he’s all right.”

Lilien managed a faint smile.

“By the way, thank you, Christian. You came all the way back here even though you were on your way to Brsenyu. I just hope all this gets resolved soon.”

“It’s fine, Lili. I actually took an extended leave to come.”

Christian had gotten off in a small town between Baltan and Brsenyu and mailed in a rushed vacation request.

“Oh… You took leave because of me…”

Lilien trailed off, guilt in her voice.

“There was nothing else to do, Lilly. Don’t feel so bad about it.”

“Okay. Thank you, as always.”

“Did you get the authoritative power?”

“Well…”

She had tried.

Not long ago, Lilien had steeled herself and gone to the hospital. The Count gave her a gentle smile, trying to put her at ease—somehow, that only made her feel worse.

She’d nestled in her father’s arms for a while, and only when it was time to leave did she carefully start the topic.

‘Father, I was hoping to look over some of the family accounts…’

‘Lili, would you read that book on the nightstand for me? My eyes aren’t what they used to be, it’s getting hard to read.’

It was his way of telling her not to meddle, not to get involved, just to be quiet and stay put. She hadn’t even gotten the chance to mention Cairn’s name.

Remembering the brief conversation in the hospital, Lilien’s face clouded over.

“No, I didn’t get it.”

“I see…”

Christian let out a genuinely sympathetic sigh. Knowing Lilien’s temperament, he could guess how much courage it must have taken for her to even bring it up—only to be shot down immediately.

“I found out it wouldn’t have worked anyway. Unless you’re a widow, daughters can’t be granted authoritative power from their fathers, who are heads of the family.”

“I see. Got it.”

After giving Lilien another gentle pat, Christian headed off to the hospital.

Having received full authoritative power from the Count himself, Christian returned to the manor much sooner than Lilien had expected. For her, such things felt almost impossible—but for him, they were effortless.

It had always been that way, so Lilien wasn’t even surprised or disappointed anymore.

* * *

Recently, Cairn had been behaving rather out of character.

When he first appeared at the White House, everyone couldn’t stop whispering about it.