Chapter 9
“No matter the reason, I’ve always hoped you two would do well together.”
“Yes, I know how you feel. But Matilda, be careful what you say around Cairn. He might take offense.”
“I understand. I’m sorry, Miss.”
Matilda closed her mouth and nodded.
“No need to apologize. Shall we really go now?”
Just then, a commotion erupted at the bookstore entrance.
“How much can you give me for these?”
“I can offer around 500 silver.”
“Ha! Only that? Even though these are luxury hardcovers. Give me a bit more.”
Drawn like a trance, Lilien approached the arguing bookseller and man.
“Aren’t these fresh new releases? Are you planning to resell all of them?”
The man, a scrap dealer, retorted,
“I’m already upset enough. Whatever rumors are out there, Clarisse’s new book isn’t selling well. Actually, it’s not selling at all!”
At the door lay a huge stack of [Love Covered in Filth].
Just then, a carriage wheel splashed muddy water from a puddle onto the books.
“Damn it!”
The bookseller hurriedly wiped the books with a handkerchief.
“They say a book’s fate follows its title—this really has turned into filth. Clarisse’s name has lost all its pull!”
He kicked the books irritably. Lilien staggered back as if struck by the blow.
“Miss, are you alright?”
Her heart raced and her hands trembled, leaving her unable to answer Matilda.
Only one thought filled Lilien’s mind:
Am I… no longer able to write under the name Clarisse? That can’t be.
“They say Clarisse is done publishing now. The publisher has even dropped her. Tsk. Anyway, I’ll sell these all for 500 silver, so take them away as soon as possible.”
“We’ll clear them out by tomorrow, as long as the price is right.”
The bookseller cleared his throat and turned away. Then suddenly—
“Miss Lilien!”
She collapsed.
“Help! Someone’s fainted!”
* * *
“I’m coming to…”
Her blurred consciousness slowly sharpened. Blinking several times, a human figure came into view.
It must be the person who always stayed by her side when she was unwell.
“…Cairn?”
Contrary to her expectation, it was Matilda who appeared when her focus returned.
“Miss?”
She was sure it was Cairn from the familiar scent—but no.
“Are you awake?”
Matilda carefully brought a glass of water from the nightstand to her lips. Thirsty, Lilien slowly drank.
“You were well for a while, but your body must have weakened again.”
Lilien blinked weakly.
“I brought the tarts from that dessert shop you wanted to visit last time. Let me know if you feel like eating.”
“Thank you, Matilda.”
“Oh, by the way. The old town in Baltan is quite far from the mansion, so we came here to Baltar Palace in a hurry. Mr. Jeffrey happened to pass by the bookstore and helped.”
“So this is Baltar Palace?”
Looking around belatedly, she saw the room was very different from the mansion—higher ceilings, and elegant beige wallpaper that gave a refined atmosphere.
“Yes. Sir Cairn asked me to inform him as soon as you woke…”
Before Matilda finished, a large door opened.
“Are you awake?”
Even under the dim gaslight on the nightstand, Cairn’s sharp features gleamed clearly.
It was a reunion of two childhood friends who had avoided each other for days.
* * *
Lilien de Bermore was strange.
Now of age and beginning to learn the responsibilities of the Ducal family, Cairn was a successor who steadily fulfilled his duties with amazing focus.
But today, he couldn’t concentrate on paperwork.
“So… have you ever… slept with a woman?”
She had never cared which women he met but suddenly asked outright if he’d slept with anyone.
“Then could I ask Sir Regid for help?”
Though she’d shown no interest in the opposite s*x, she suddenly brought up the notorious womanizer Victor Regid.
“…Victor Regid?”
Out of disbelief, the name slipped from his lips unconsciously.
“What? Are you discussing military industry with the Regid family? I thought their main business was mining…”
The professional manager who came to Baltar Palace’s study asked in surprise.
“No, don’t worry about it.”
Cairn sighed.
After signing several contracts, just as he was about to leave the study to clear his mind, a polite knock sounded.
“Come in.”
The butler with white hair, Mr. Jeffrey, appeared.
“I met an unexpected guest in the old town and, seeing they needed help, brought them here without permission.”
Jeffrey’s strict principle made it surprising that he admitted someone into Baltar Palace without the owner’s permission.
“Who is it?”
Cairn loosened his tight tie, frustrated.
“Miss Lilien de Bermore.”
“Lilien?”
“Yes, I found her collapsed in front of the bookstore and couldn’t just pass by…”
Before Jeffrey finished, Cairn had long since left the study.
“Since you would likely worry, I placed her in the room closest to yours.”
Jeffrey completed his report alone in the ownerless room.
Having lived a long life and encountered many relationships, even Jeffrey found their bond rather unusual.
Or maybe it was something special.
* * *
Cairn signaled Matilda away with a glance and brought a stool to sit by the bed.
“Jeffrey said he found you collapsed in front of the bookstore.”
Lilien felt uneasy, as if she’d shown him an angry side.
“That was close. Are you okay? Any pain?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t fuss.”
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