+25 BONUS
“Exactly. You’re not the real daughter of the marquis–don’t you know when to stop? After you’ve enjoyed the wealth and privilege of the marquis‘ household for years at no cost?”
“She’s too much, saying that her brother is dead. Even the gods would be furious!”
With those who recognized Lilian taking the lead, even those who did not know her joined the fray, condemning Lilian all at once.
However, Lilian somehow pushed herself up despite the horrific beating, perhaps used to it over the last three years.
Even as the indignant mob scorned her, she merely spat nonchalantly nearby–if it was not bloody, one might even think that she was fine from her complexion.
As she looked around at the mob, she spotted Betty, Emma, Evelyn, and Henry.
Some were gleeful, and some were feigning sympathy, while some were apathetic as they had always been.
Eventually, she turned to look at Rupert–the same person used to make funny faces to make her laugh now only regarding her with endless rage and spite.
Staring at his face for a moment, she suddenly could not help but laugh. “Hehe. Hahaha…”
Her laughter turned louder by the second, to the point that everyone around thought Rupert’s beating somehow left her crazy.
Even as Rupert suddenly panicked, Lilian pushed herself off the ground despite looking utterly miserable.
She eventually stopped laughing, but her smile never faded as she stared at Rupert. “It seems that you really don’t remember. Why don’t you take a look and see whose hair that hairpin is tucked in?”
Stunned, Rupert turned toward Evelyn right then–he had finished that hairpin on the very day Evelyn was brought back to the marquis‘ household, and it therefore ended up in Evelyn’s hair without once reaching Lilian.
“Also, you know better than I do where that Night Pearl is now.”
Naturally, it was in Evelyn’s room. Rupert had told Lilian that Evelyn was afraid of the dark, asking her to lend Evelyn the Night Pearl, and it was never returned.
Rupert suddenly felt like someone punched him so viciously in the heart. He wobbled and stumbled backward.
However, as if justice was still on his side, he snapped at Lilian, “But I defended you ever since we were kids, and that’s the truth! Everyone knows that I spoiled you to bits!”
Chapter 36
Lilian’s smile broadened, her pain even more obvious now. “Then look around you right now.” Rupert did so, his gaze sweeping through the crowd and spotting nobles and peasants alike…
It was Felton Shrine’s sacred festival. Everyone in the imperial capital who could make time must be here!
That was when Lilian bowed to Rupert. “Thank you, Mr. Lestrade, for this enduring moment of ignominy–I am endlessly grateful. I’m sure that it would make up for every gesture of kindness you bestowed upon me before?
“If you think it isn’t enough, then there’s another broom over there. I’ll be standing right here, until you’ve had enough.”
Having borne the pain, she could consider that she had returned all his affection, and they now owed each other nothing.
In fact, she would not have qualms over his past kindness now and could loathe him with all her heart.
On the other hand, Rupert stood motionless as if having turned to stone, unable to move a finger.
That was when Prince Michael shoved his way through the crowd. “Who dares hurt Lilian Kerr?! And in my presence?!”
