Chapter 8
Meanwhile, Madam Lestrade was taken ill by the time Lilian helped her back to her room.
It was just as the marquise had put it–Madam Lestrade’s health was ailing.
Even if she had deliberately controlled her emotions, she had still been too agitated and wheezing even as she lay down.
Fortunately, her chief maid had expected it and arranged for the family doctor to wait outside.
By the time Madam Lestrade lay down, the doctor was prepared to help her with massages and pain relief, allowing her to catch her breath.
It was not all that dramatic, but Lilian still felt helpless even as she stood in a corner, watching.
Madam Lestrade noticed that and sat up by her bed, beckoning to her.
Lilian’s nose was reddened, but she fought back her tears as she walked to Madam Lestrade’s bedside, worried that her tears would ail Madam Lestrade further.
“Did I scare you?” Madam Lestrade smiled warmly nonetheless.
Lilian sniffed as she clenched on Madam Lestrade’s hand. “You promised me to live long.”
Π
Madam Lestrade was the only one Lilian had left
Madam Lestrade kept her tender gaze on Lilian. “I’d like to, so that I could protect you
forever
But she was clearly not going to do so for much longer.
With that in mind, she suddenly asked, “Should arrange a marriage for you?”
She was still well enough to get a word in and arrange Lilian a fine marriage, and in a way, would protect her for the rest of her life.
that
Lilian certainly read Madam Lestrade’s mind but shook her head and lowered her gaze. “I just– want to stay by your side.”
Over the last three years, many things had become clear to her.
If the people who loved her so dearly for fifteen years could decide to abandon her overnight, how could she count the rest of her life on a so–called husband she did not know?
She decided that she would stay with Madam Lestrade and move out when Madam Lestrade passed on–even a life where she was constantly on her toes was better than staying with the marquis‘ family.
And knowing how stubborn she had been since a child, Madam Lestrade understood that no one could compel Lilian to do anything against her will.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter R
As such, she sighed and did not say anything else,
Lilian stayed at her side, only leaving after Madam Lestrade fell asleep.
Still, she had just returned to Floret Garden when Winter came up to her. “Ms. Lestrade is here to see you, milady.”
Evelyn?
Lilian frowned, though Winter continued before she could, saying, “She came alone.”
Lilian, however, laughed. “She told you to say that?”
Winter blinked at her innocently but nodded. “If you don’t wish to see her, I’ll turn her down….
See? Even a mere servant knew that she did not want to see Evelyn.
But Evelyn did not seem to understand that.
In fact, she had told Winter to tell Lilian that she came alone, and that the maid who had falsely accused Lilian was not with her.
It was hilarious.
Sure, it was that maid who had falsely accused her, but Evelyn was still the one who refused to admit that she broke the princess‘ favorite bowl. She never said a word either as her maid pinned the blame on her, quietly allowing Lilian to be scapegoated!
That was what Lilian did not understand–why did Evelyn think she would get to see her?
“Just tell her I’m asleep,” Lilian snapped coolly.
“Yes, milady!”
Winter nodded and left, and it took her a while to return with an awkward look, seemingly too embarrassed to speak. “Milady, she has come to apologize, and she refuses to leave until agree to see her… And it’s starting to snow outside.”
In reality, Winter had no idea why Evelyn was so bent on meeting Lilian.
you
But Evelyn was the family’s favorite, and who knew what they would say if she were caught in the snow outside Lilian’s pavilion.
If anything, it bode ill for Lilian…
Frowning and sighing softly, Lilian gave in wearily. “Show her in!”
“Yes, milady.”
Soon after Winter stepped out this time, Evelyn came in.
Seeing that Lilian was applying some medicine to her callus–covered hand, Evelyn cringed but
+25 BONUS
Chapter 3
quickly bowed her head. “Greetings, sister.”
Lilian never even looked her way, “Sit.”
Her voice was soft, but the coldness was palpable
Evelyn did not sit, instead walking up to Lillan. “Let me help you.”
She picked up the medicine on the table, ready to help Lilian apply it, only for Lilian to hide her hands under her sleeves.
Lilian finally looked up at Evelyn then, sneering in disdain. “It’s freezing out there. What are you doing here instead of staying in your bedchamber?”
Tears welled up in Evelyn’s eyes, as if Lilian’s coldness gave her grief, and she stood there as she said quietly, “I’ve come to apologize. It’s all my fault… if I didn’t break that bowl, you wouldn’t have suffered so much! You can do anything you want to me, as long as it placates you!”
She looked like she could kneel right then, and she sounded so sincere.
However, Lilian merely looked on coldly, waiting until Evelyn finished before she asked, “Did you think that your only mistake was breaking that bowl?”
That left Evelyn stumped, while Lilian slowly stood up and walked over to the doorway, sighing as she stared at the twigs floating over the frozen lotus pond.
Even as the cold air filled her lungs, her presence seemed to darken as well.
“You’re the real daughter of the marquis,” she said. “For fifteen years, I’ve stolen your right and privilege. I understand that the marquis‘ family ought to love you and protect you, and even Cherryton is rightfully yours, even if it was my favorite.
“I won’t lie–I felt guilt when you returned, and I thought about returning to my birth parents. But the marquis told me that they were both dead, and I could stay here without worry. I was grateful and told myself to get along with you despite all that, and yet…”
Turning around, she looked Evelyn in the eye as she asked, “Can any of you tell yourself in good conscience that I’ve hurt you in any way?”
Evelyn said nothing, her tears ready to fall at any moment.
For a single instant, even Lilian felt powerless–anyone else in the marquis‘ family who saw that would be accusing Lilian of bullying Evelyn in a beat.
Hell, did Rupert not kick her down the stairs just because Evelyn had that look on her face?
And she never did a thing!
Feeling a chill in her heart, Lilian glared coolly at Evelyn as her voice turned icy. “So why did you have to hurt me?”
