Chapter 46

Unlike the day, the night at the Marquis of Liston’s manor was gloomy. It wouldn’t have been surprising if a ghost appeared.

Fortunately, the crying sounded much closer than expected. Liliana held the candlestick high and stood in front of the room from which the crying came.

A faint light was seeping through the slightly ajar door. Was it not a ghost, then? Liliana wondered if it was okay for her to go in.

That was when a clear voice came through.

“Carol… my baby…”

At that moment, Liliana recognized the owner of the tearful voice. It was undoubtedly Lady Liston.

Every time the sobbing grew louder, Liliana’s heart sank deeply. She thought it might have been better to encounter a ghost.

As if mesmerized, Liliana focused on the door’s crack. Lady Liston was sitting on the floor with a candlestick beside her, clutching a small picture frame to her chest.

Though Liliana could see only the back of the frame, it wasn’t hard to guess who it depicted. It was likely a portrait of Caroline, whom Lady Liston mournfully called out for.

When Liliana finally knocked, Lady Liston was startled and turned around.

Her sharp eyes, filled with deep suspicion, widened upon seeing Liliana. Realizing she had been crying, she quickly wiped her tears.

“I’m sorry for barging in suddenly.”

“Oh, no. I should apologize for showing you this…”

Even the elegant Lady Liston seemed embarrassed to be caught crying. Watching her flustered demeanor, Liliana wondered if she had made the right choice by entering or if she should have pretended not to notice.

But Liliana approached and gently took Lady Liston’s hand. Though it was a summer night, her hand was icy cold.

“My Lady, may I comfort you? It may not be much help, though.”

Tears welled up in Lady Liston’s eyes at Liliana’s kind words. Holding the frame in one hand, she tightly grasped Liliana’s hand with the other and nodded.

“Then, please stay with me.“

“I will.”

Liliana knelt down beside Lady Liston. Though she was no longer sobbing aloud, Lady Liston continued to shed tears, lost in her sorrow.

Her wet cheeks reflected the darkly glistening moonlight streaming through the window, and Liliana’s heart sank even more.

Lady Liston, seeing Liliana’s expression, faintly smiled.

“It’s nice to have someone by my side. My husband is too exhausted by grief.”

“Then…“

“As people say, he’s become like a speechless corpse. He hasn’t spoken in a long time and avoids everyone.”

Lady Liston lowered her gaze, speaking as if blaming herself.

“Watching him while I continue to run the intelligence network even after our daughter’s death, I often wonder if I’m too heartless.“

“No, you’re not!”

Liliana squeezed Lady Liston’s hand firmly with both of hers, protesting. It was indeed an absurd thought.

“Everyone expresses grief differently. The Marquis has chosen to isolate himself, while you have chosen to address your daughter’s unjust death. No measure exists of who is more heartless or grieves more.“

At these words, Lady Liston closed her eyes tightly. More tears flowed from her eyes. Feeling sorry, Liliana hugged Lady Liston.

She could feel Lady Liston’s thin body and the rigid frame against her chest. Liliana sighed and patted her back.

Lady Liston’s tears eventually stopped after a while. The two women released their embrace and smiled awkwardly at each other. Lady Liston wiped her tears and looked at Liliana with warm eyes.

“I wonder how much the Countess must miss you. She couldn’t help but love such a beautiful daughter.”

At this, Liliana gave a bittersweet smile. Remembering her mother, a dark light of longing, regret, and relief appeared in her eyes.

“I miss my mother too, but… it’s better for her that I’m not there.“

“That can’t be true.“

“No, it is. After I left, she obtained the title of Countess and escaped from that dreadful palace. I think it’s a relief.”

Why was she talking about this? Was it because she had witnessed Lady Liston’s honest and pitiable tears up close? Liliana felt a desire to stop talking and a longing to be more truthful.

And Lady Liston, sensing Liliana’s heart, kindly responded.

“That can’t be true. If I could have Carol by my side, I would refuse to become a duchess or even an empress because none of that matters in front of Carol. So, don’t think like that. The circumstances made it so; it wasn’t what your mother wanted.“

At those words, Liliana’s pink eyes grew misty.

She tried hard to hold back her tears, as she had come to offer comfort. But Lady Liston’s words were precisely what Liliana had longed to hear.

Liliana had always hoped her mother would become happier after sending her to the empire. At the same time, she wished her mother would always miss and grieve for her.

How could she be so selfish? These thoughts tormented Liliana constantly.

“I truly want my mother to be happy. But…”

Liliana began to speak but broke down in tears. Lady Liston set the picture frame aside and gently wiped Liliana’s cheeks.

“My poor Princess… that’s not a bad thing. It’s alright.”

Lady Liston cupped Liliana’s cheeks with both hands and looked at her lovingly.

It was not different from the worried gaze Liliana’s mother always had. And that warm gaze comforted Liliana.

Though she had only met Lady Liston earlier that day, Liliana now wanted nothing more than to rest comfortably in her arms. With tear-stained cheeks, Liliana shyly smiled.

The night when a mother who had lost her daughter and a daughter who had lost her mother comforted each other was humble yet tender.

* * *

The next day, Liliana woke up to the sun high in the sky. It was only natural, having stayed up late into the night crying and laughing with Lady Liston.

Sophia was startled by Liliana’s swollen eyes and brought a bucket of ice. She wrapped some ice in a thin towel and carefully pressed it against Liliana’s eyelids.

“What on earth happened?“

“Well…”

Liliana started to explain the previous night’s events, but a knock at the door interrupted their conversation.

The head maid of the mansion had come to Liliana’s room. She entered alone and, after closing the door, spoke cautiously.

“Your Highness, the carriage that was announced to carry you has been in an accident. The horse suddenly went wild, and the carriage crashed into a tree.”

At this news, Liliana sprang to her feet.

“Is that true?“

“Yes. The Marchioness personally obtained this information. It is certain.“

“Where exactly did the accident occur? Was it true that the horse went wild?“

“The Marchioness has stepped out to find out more. We will know more details once she returns.“

“…I understand. Thank you for informing me.”

The head maid bowed and left the bedroom. Liliana sat on her bed with a vacant expression.

There was no way the horse had just gone mad. Moreover, it was a horse managed by the royal family. Someone had definitely tampered with it.

“Is it the Duke of Gabriel again…?”

Liliana felt that something was wrong.

She had been trying to survive. However, the more she struggled, the tighter the Duke of Gabriel squeezed her.

She may die even faster than in the original story.

Liliana felt herself slipping into profound helplessness again but quickly regained her composure.

‘If I’m not going to live out my full lifespan anyway, it doesn’t matter if I die sooner or later. The best way to survive is to keep moving.’

Liliana decided to wait patiently for Lady Liston. She read the books in her room and enjoyed the tea time prepared by the marquisate’s maids with great care.

She even went into the parlor, where she first spoke with Lady Liston, to admire the grand paintings.

“That lady there has the same hair color as you, Your Highness.”

Sophia remarked, pointing to a woman in the painting. Though Liliana’s hair was a more vivid shade, she felt an inexplicable warmth. After all, pink hair wasn’t widespread.

“Your Highness, here you are!”

Lady Liston entered the parlor. She wore a hat with a black veil, likely to avoid being recognized during her outing. She removed the hat, handed it to a maid, and then approached Liliana.

She gently took Liliana’s hand, a gesture that felt perfectly natural. The events of the previous night brought them closer.

“Were you shocked by the news?“

“I’m alright. But I don’t know how to express my gratitude for you taking such an active role in my affairs.“

“It’s nothing. I was just worried and took some initiative. I’m glad to see you seem alright. I was rushing here, thinking hard about how to comfort you. I had a few ideas, but they won’t be necessary.

Hearing those words, Liliana couldn’t help but smile. She found Lady Liston’s kindness endearing, and thanks to that, Liliana was able to speak honestly.

“Actually, I’m just pretending to be okay.“

“Oh my! If that’s the case….”

Lady Liston clapped her hands and led Liliana out of the drawing room. As she was hurriedly dragged along, Liliana asked,

“M-My Lady, where are we going?“

“Since His Highness has only stayed at the royal and imperial palaces, I thought he must have only worn uncomfortable dresses. Carol has a lot of clothes she bought but never wore. Let’s take a look together.“

“Ah, but before that, I wanted to talk about the carriage accident….”

At those words, Lady Liston turned around and smiled warmly.

“Information comes at a price. Spending a comfortable time with me is that price.”

With her saying that much, there was no room to refuse. Liliana quietly followed Lady Liston.

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