Chapter 9
Lilian’s words sent Evelyn bursting into tears and shaking her head repeatedly. “No, I never hurt you! I was the one who broke the bowl, and that was my fault, but Jade was the one who blamed you-”
She tried her damndest to tell Lilian that she was innocent, only for Lilian to lean by the doorway, cutting her short with a gentle question. “Then why didn’t you say so three years. ago?”
Evelyn appeared stunned, not quite realizing what Lilian meant, and watched as Lilian’s lips curled into a sneer. “I was the one who broke the bowl.‘ Why didn’t you tell the princess those eight words back then?”
Eveyln wobbled and stumbled backward, stuttering, “I–I was afraid… It was my first time inside the palace… Everyone’s so noble, and I was scared-”
“Then why are you telling me now?” Lilian cut her short again.
Evelyn sobbed, but what else could she say to make Lilian pretend those three years never happened?
She hung her head, no longer daring to look Lilian in the eye. “As long as you forgive me, I’ll give you everything… I’ll tell Father, Mother and Rupert that you never hurt me, and you can have Cherryton back… A–And Henry too… I–I can give him back to you…”
Hearing the suspicious stutter at the last part, Lilian finally realized why Evelyn came.
She shook her head, letting out the rancid breath she had been holding in. “I told you that’s your business with the marquis‘ family, not me. Even if Cherryton was built because of my love for cherry blossoms, it’s still the marquis who built it, and it’s rightfully yours.
“You can have this place too… It’s just a matter of you asking.”
Evelyn shook her head repeatedly again. “No, I don’t want any of it. I’m not trying to steal from you…”
“I know.” Lilian smirked in glee. “You came for Henry.”
Asking for her forgiveness? More like an elaborate ruse for a man.
Evelyn flushed right then as Lilian exposed her in an instant, even as she continued, “I have no idea what you’re so worried about. You were already engaged with him even before I was sent to the washhouse, and I was only allowed to return because Grandmother sympathized with me.
“In fact, my last name isn’t even Lestrade now–I’m just an interloper, and there’s no chance that I would steal your engagement.
“Moreover, I’ve made it very clear to Grandmother that I’m no longer interested in Henry. Coming all this way just to probe me is really pointless.”
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“1-1 didn’t come to probe you,” Evelyn blurted hastily, as if worried about causing a misunderstanding “I’m sincerely apologizing, but…”
But it really was one of her goals to probe Lilian and see what she was thinking.
Even she had to admit that she was now afraid, as she simply could not tell what Henry was thinking, especially after how he was behaving carller.
And fearing that Henry wanted to marry Lilian instead, she came in an instant.
“Doesn’t matter what you want–my stance is clear. Grandmother is ill, and all I want is to take care of her and nothing else,” Lilian told her in no uncertain terms right then.
That was the truth, and she really did not want Evelyn to show up around her over such trivial things ever again.
If she could help it, she did not want to see anyone aside from her grandmother.
But Evelyn simply stood there, biting her lip and staying silent.
With the tear marks over her cheeks and teardrops still hanging over her lashes, Lilian thought that if Rupert were there, he would kick her into the lotus pond, just like how he had kicked her down the stairs three years ago.
In the freezing winter, she would be sick for days.
It hurt to even think about it, and as Lilian rubbed her temples, all she wanted was for the jinx out of her hair.
“I woke up early, and I’m really sleepy,” she told Evelyn. “Feel free to see yourself out if there’s nothing else.”
Seeing that Lilian clearly wanted her gone, Evelyn knew she could not be stubborn, and she nodded. “Yes, please rest well. I–I’ll be going.”
She bowed her head in parting before heading outside, and Winter was in the room soon after she was gone.
Staring curiously after Evelyn as she left, she mused, “What did she say, milady? Her eyes were puffy too… Did she cry?”
Lilian was not in the mood for Winter and started toward her bedroom. “Ask her if you’re that curious.”
Winter followed, thick–skinned as ever. “I’m your servant, milady. Why would I ever go to her?
Lilian suddenly paused at those words, her expression stern as she turned toward Winter.
Winter blinked, caught by surprise. “What’s wrong, milady?”
Lilian sighed. “I know that your master sent you here for something, and I won’t make things
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Chaptery
hard for you either. But don’t constantly remind me that you serve me, because I know you don’t.”
Having slaved away at the washhouse–a place where everyone else was an enemy–for three years, her tone became habitually cold and sharp
Even so, she did not expect to hurt a servant’s feelings, as Lilian saw tears well up in Winter’s eyes in an instant.
Unlike with Evelyn, Lilian felt sympathy for Winter.
However, she was unsure how to soften the blow and could only frown. “I’m getting some sleep. You can go!”
With that, she turned and headed into her bedroom, while Winter stood there, watching as she
left.
She could not stop her tears eventually, but she quickly wiped them away, her aggrieved. expression from a second ago disappearing, replaced by nonchalance.
So years at the washhouse
what if Lilian was a little harsh? She had been formented for three and was still bruised and battered.
If she did not toughen up, she might not have survived!
Even if Lilian misunderstood her now, Winter believed that Lilian would eventually see her sincerity!
Having motivated herself inwardly, she called out toward the bedroom, “Please get some good rest, milady. I’ll be outside–just call me anytime you need me.”
Lilian could not help pausing at those words, feeling a faint warmth unfurling in her heart.
She could not quite put her finger on it, but her frustration from having to deal with Evelyn was considerably relieved.
Breathing a long sigh, she was ready to go to bed and actually get some sleep, only for someone to suddenly yell at the top of his lungs, “Help! Someone help! Ms. Lestrade fell!”
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