Wildflowers Bloom on the Grand Duchy’s Wall - Chapter 82

“The ground’s all bumpy—I’m going to trip. Come here and hold my hand. You said in the palace that friends hold hands, remember?”

She stretched her shoe-clad foot out and wiggled her toes.

“Who wears those shoes for a long walk?”

“Next time, I’ll wear something sensible. Just hold my hand today, please.”

Cairn could have easily told her to keep up or stop whining, but even while annoyed, he couldn’t bring himself to say no. So, once again, he gave in to her little demands and walked back to her side.

“Thanks.”

As if she’d been waiting for this, Lilien quickly grabbed his hand before he could even offer it.

“You’re getting bolder by the day.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The early summer sky was streaked with gold. It was already growing hot, but the crisp, cloudless weather made everything feel refreshing. The two of them strolled along the shaded side of the path, hand in hand.

“Cairn, can I ask you something?”

“What?”

He was still holding a grudge, so he didn’t look at her, even as she squeezed his hand tightly.

Meanwhile, Lilien was watching Cairn calmly. The sweep of his lashes, the even lines of his eyes, the strong bridge of his nose, and finally, the bold shape of his hand in hers.

“I saw you in Old Town the other day with a woman. Can I ask who she was?”

“Lawyer.”

Cairn replied immediately.

Lilien felt an embarrassing wave of relief.

“Oh, I see.”

Her life had turned upside down in a matter of days, but somehow, it all felt right again when she was holding his hand. She felt a bit guilty, but mostly just thankful.

“To be honest, it still feels really weird to think we’re married.”

Cairn squeezed her hand tighter.

“I mean, we became husband and wife in such a strange way from others. It just feels… odd. Like we’re still just friends.”

Noticing that his longer stride was making it hard for her to keep up, Cairn slowed down.

“Friends don’t sleep together.”

“Well, we didn’t exactly finish.”

She said, only half-joking. But he shot her a frosty glare. For once, she backed down.

“Just kidding. Anyway, Cairn… Don’t you think we’ll finally feel like a real family if we have a child together?”

Lilien didn’t want to be a burden to Cairn anymore. In her world, marriage was a kind of transaction, and Cairn had clearly gotten the short end of the deal. Sure, he had his own flaws, but he was far too perfect in every other way.

She hadn’t brought a dowry, and the last thing she wanted was to be the one who ended the Headington line.

“I just want us to be an ordinary family.”

There was nothing logical in her words, but somehow, she always managed to say exactly what Cairn wanted to hear. Against his better judgment, he found himself on her side again.

Truthfully, Cairn didn’t mind if they never had a child. Maybe it was even better that way; he just wanted to hold Lilien’s not-so-graceful hand a little longer, to enjoy their own happiness—just the two of them, with no one else intruding.

But if a child made their little world even stronger, he couldn’t say no to that. She’d managed to spark a secret desire he didn’t even know he had.

“We’re already a family, you know.”

“I know… but still. I’ll do my best, okay?”

“And what, exactly, are you going to do?”

Lilien suddenly stopped and took both his hands in hers. A white flower petal drifted down from the tree above, landing softly on her hair.

“You just lie back and relax. I’ll do the research.”

“…What?”

“Ever since that failed attempt, I’ve been reading up on everything. Did you know there are specific dates when it’s more likely to work? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure not to bother you too much—just focus on those days. And honestly, one kid is enough for me. Even if it takes a year, that’s only twelve times, tops—just think of it as exercise. No, wait, I’ll take care of everything.”

Her confidence in theory and her cluelessness in practice was so adorable he had to grit his teeth not to laugh. Sensing his reaction, Lilien looked at him more closely.

“Do you think it’s gross? If it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll do what you did for me. I’ll wipe you down with a warm cloth, uhp…”

Before she could finish, Cairn cut her off.