Chapter 37

‘What letter?’

It took Liliana a few moments of silence to realize what letter Helio was referring to.

“Oh.”

Helio’s eyebrow arched as she uttered a simple exclamation like an idiot. His dissatisfaction was evident as he asked irritably,

“Oh? Did you really forget?“

“No. I just remembered now.“

“That’s what forgetting means.“

“Oh, come on. What are you going to do with it anyway?”

Liliana felt free to grumble since they were in the Emerald Palace, and only the head maid and Sophia were present. She even pouted a little.

“When I was young, I couldn’t learn to write, so I scribbled whatever came to mind. Or rather, I drew.“

“Draw for me, too.“

“That’s embarrassing.”

When Liliana spoke honestly, Helio responded nonchalantly,

“I want to see you embarrassed.“

“What?”

Liliana was so shocked that she could barely believe what she was hearing. Helio, on the other hand, gestured to Sophia.

“Bring paper and a pen. Now.“

“No, Sophia. Don’t bring them.”

Liliana quickly waved her hand, and Helio laughed in disbelief.

“Are you defying a royal command?”

He expected Liliana to be stunned into silence, as she always had been. However, she quickly stuck out her tongue and withdrew it as if afraid someone might see.

“What was that?“

“Just teasing. Sophia, you don’t have to bring them.”

Sophia glanced around momentarily, then realized Helio had given up and stood still. Helio tapped Liliana’s nose with his finger and said,

“I’ll let it slide this time.”

Liliana blinked and pouted, but she didn’t protest further. Helio, satisfied, leaned back into the sofa.

“Since you’re not making excuses, you must remember everything.“

“Of course. It was a childish impulse, but I was sincere back then.”

Thinking about that time made Liliana smile to herself. She quickly realized Helio was staring at her.

When Helio looked at her like this, he wanted her to keep talking. Liliana held the fabric of her dress at her knees and began to speak.

“Please don’t pity me. Just take it as an amusing childhood story.”

Helio nodded without asking further questions. He knew Liliana wasn’t the type to wallow in her misfortunes.

“This happened when I was very young. I was about six. My nanny brought me a book of poetry and read it to me before I slept.“

“Not a fairy tale but a poetry book? Quite romantic.“

“Very much so. Despite her meager salary, she bought a book of poetry or a novel every month. She wanted to share the joys of literature with me.”

Thinking of her nanny brought a gentle smile to Liliana’s face, but it quickly faded.

“But when I was six, I memorized an entire poem after hearing it just once.“

“That’s quite clever.“

“It was a short poem, but yes. They would have been delighted to have such a smart child in a normal household. But not my mother. She was so anxious that she burned the book immediately.”

Helio could guess the rest of the story without hearing it. Liliana was an abandoned princess. She could be killed without a trace—a powerless princess if she showed any talent.

Her mother couldn’t guarantee Liliana’s safety, no matter how many times she risked her own life. The palace was that cruel.

“After that, my mother ensured I could never learn to read or write. To the outside world, I was the slow princess struggling to learn. But I wanted to learn letters so badly. Do you know why?”

Helio shook his head quietly. Liliana answered calmly.

“I wanted to write letters to my mother. To show her how well I could memorize poetry and how smart her child was.”

Reflecting on those times, Liliana found it so absurd that she covered her mouth and laughed. Helio watched her with a look of mild amusement.

“When I was about nine, I made those strange symbols. I drew pictures that looked like something ancient people would use and showed them to my mother. I thought to myself, ‘Isn’t this enough to let me learn letters?‘”

Liliana gave a rueful smile. She was clearly embarrassed by her past self, so she began her story by asking not to be pitied.

“My mother finally relented and taught me to read and write. Thanks to her, I learned. The funny thing is, no one cared about me, so no one knew I had such a talent. My mother’s fears were unfounded.”

Liliana finished her story and looked at Helio. He tilted his head slightly, still leaning back on the sofa, highlighting his sharp jawline.

As Liliana admired his handsome face, Helio began to speak.

“I don’t think your mother taught you to write because she gave up her stubbornness.“

“What?”

As Liliana asked in confusion, Helio seemed to ponder something before continuing.

“Strategically speaking, it was probably time for you to start learning to write, so she allowed it. Of course, your eagerness to learn played a part, too.“

“Time to start learning to write?“

“Why do you act smart like a clever squirrel in most things but become clueless about your mother?“

“A clever squirrel?”

Liliana was puzzled by the surprisingly cute nickname, but Helio didn’t bother explaining. Instead, he leaned forward to elaborate on his argument.

“If you had learned to write at six, someone would have been curious about your progress. If your intelligence had been known, it would have put you in danger. But who cares about a nine-year-old just learning to write? Your mother made it seem like you’d been learning since you were six and only mastered it at nine, right?”

Liliana nodded slowly, realizing he was right.

“You get it without more explanation. Your mother didn’t give up her stubbornness. She would have taught you to write even if you hadn’t drawn those cute pictures.“

“I never thought of it that way.”

Liliana fidgeted with her hands, contemplating whether Helio’s words were valid. Helio snapped his fingers in front of her eyes.

“Ask her in a letter later.“

“Oh! Thank you for allowing me to write the letter.”

“If you’re thankful…”

Helio extended his hand again, indicating that she should give him the letter. Liliana, not understanding, placed her hand gently on his.

Helio was genuinely exasperated. Her action was surprising, but her innocent demeanor was absurdly endearing.

“Oh, that’s not…”

Realizing her mistake, Liliana tried to pull her hand back, but Helio held it firmly. He then lowered his head and kissed her finger joints lightly.

Even as he did so, he kept his gaze fixed on Liliana’s eyes.

Still holding her hand, Helio spoke,

“Is it just your hand that you’re allowing me?“

Helio’s breath brushed against the spaces between her fingers, making Liliana feel a tingling sensation all the way to her toes. It was like being manipulated by a seductive demon in a dream.

Struggling to stay coherent, Liliana answered briefly,

“Yes…“

“So easily giving your hand?“

“I didn’t give it easily. I agonized over it. It wasn’t even the right answer, which is frustrating.”

Helio laughed, finding her cute. Still close to her hand, his laughter made Liliana feel dizzy again. Fortunately, Helio let go of her hand.

“Alright. I’ll be satisfied with that.”

Liliana sighed in relief.

Helio listened to Liliana’s story that day and left after some playful teasing. He had a lot of work to do and didn’t share the bed with her.

As Liliana got into bed alone, she asked Sophia,

“Sophia, why does His Majesty seek me out?“

“A…”

Any ordinary maid would have answered straightforwardly,

“Because His Majesty adores you.”

But Sophia was different. She was Liliana’s faithful friend and the one bold enough to procure contraceptives for the Empress. She, too, was wary of the Emperor’s excessive favor potentially harming Liliana.

Sophia, after arranging Liliana’s blanket and hesitating, spoke with difficulty,

“I think His Majesty feels a sense of kinship with you.“

“Kinship?”

It sounded too strange. Helio and Liliana were too different. In fact, they had nothing in common.

But Sophia did not deny her words, merely rolling her eyes.

“Both of you care for your mothers. And you both find them difficult.“

“Is that so? Can he treat me so well just because of that?”

As Liliana murmured, Sophia showed a sad expression. She carefully sat on the edge of Liliana’s bed and held her hand with both of hers.

“Your Highness, he is still the Emperor. He might change his mind at any time. Don’t give your heart or rely on him. You’ll get hurt.“

Sophia’s advice was sincere. Liliana felt terrible for bringing up the topic and causing Sophia to worry.

“You’re right. But if His Majesty feels a kinship with me, that’s good. It means I might live a little longer.”

Relying on Helio’s power could make her safer. It was a logical conclusion.

Yet, deep in Liliana’s heart, something felt uneasy and rough like gravel. She let go of Sophia’s hands and pulled the blanket over her head.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.