CHAPTER 7 – Innocence, Corruption (Part 2)

A silence colder than marble fell over the breakfast table that the Lady had so carefully arranged. Rumors of Cedric’s emergence from Lillian’s bedchamber had swept through the entirety of the Turin estate.

Felix didn’t attend the breakfast table, and the Lady of the estate looked unsure of what to do. Cedric cleared his plate neatly and rose from his seat.

“My lady, thank you for your hospitality. We must hasten our departure for the capital.”

It was no secret that the ‘we’ he was referring to included Priestess Lillian. His gratitude was also for her share during her stay in Turin.

“I bid you farewell on behalf of my fiancée. To the Lord of Turin, may his light always be with you.”

“I will pass on your greetings…… to my husband when he returns, Duke Cedric.”

The Lady of the estate, who had shown nothing but awkward smiles throughout, responded difficulty.

Who would have known? The priestess who rolled into this remote corner of the countryside was actually the lover of the future lord of the Edelgard Duchy.

They now understood Lillian’s intentions of ignoring Felix’s tantrums despite his persistence. It was a complete misjudgment to think she was too arrogant just because she held the position of a priestess.

‘Compared to him, Felix is a…….’

She couldn’t even dare to compare. Even if he was her husband’s blood relative.

From his dazzlingly handsome appearance alone, which could be believed to be that of a fallen angel from the sky last night, Cedric had an overwhelming advantage over Felix.

***

Lillian fully woke up around noon.

Cedric, dressed neatly, waited for her to wake up and then ordered the servants to move her luggage.

After a quick meal, they climbed into the carriage. Their hands were clasped together.

Although she could feel the glances cast at them, Lillian made an effort not to loosen her grip.

‘Surely I’m not still dreaming…….’

Even in that moment, sitting next to Cedric in the carriage, Lillian doubted reality.

The scent of white sandalwood, leather, the fragrance of fresh sage leaves… even as she savored the sweet smell of Cedric wafting gently from beside her, she couldn’t believe it.

A lover.

‘I’m his lover.’

Although Cedric referred to her as his fiancée, it was just a form of respect, and in reality, she couldn’t be called that. Since they hadn’t had an engagement ceremony under the blessing of both families.

In the end, until the wedding, they could only be called lovers. Whether they could have a wedding was uncertain, but… Lillian was happy.

Holding Cedric’s hand, and sitting beside him, was undoubtedly the brightest moment in her bitter life.

“Why are there so many paintings? I was quite surprised.”

“Oh, that’s… um…”

“Landscape paintings?”

Cedric seemed to not have checked the paintings. He nodded towards the scenery outside the carriage window.

“It’s a pretty place, though.”

“…….”

Lillian bit her lip. How could she explain that she had commissioned thirty-two portraits of him without sounding like a pervert?

As she pondered, she heard the urgent sound of galloping hooves approaching from behind.

“Lillian! Lillian, stop the carriage for a moment, I need to talk to you!”

It was Felix. Recognizing his voice, Lillian sighed at his persistence.

‘Goodness… why were there so many love-crazed humans?’

“Are you really going to spend the rest of your life as Lord Edelgard’s mistress, and that you’re the only woman in the world for a man like him? A handsome face is worthless once it ages!”

At that outburst, Cedric finally raised a hand.

“Stop.”

At his quiet command, the coachman moved seamlessly. The four horses halted on the road, their hooves kicking up dust.

Before the carriage’s wheels could settle into place, Cedric leaped to his feet.

“I’ll go talk to him!”

Lillian hastily stepped in front of him.

“Lillian, I…….”

“Sorry, but I’d rather handle this than you.”

“…”

“I have more words to say to that man.”

She was unusually firm. Cedric pushed back and had no choice but to take a step back.

“Hey, close your ears for a moment. I have an image I want to maintain too.”

With that, Lillian carefully drew the curtains on the window. She approached Felix, who had ridden here following them.

‘But… why did she bring the coachman’s whips?’ 

Cedric wondered, closing his eyes and leaning back against the seat.

Although the sound of the horse was quite close, he tried his best not to listen as she had requested.

“Crazy bastard! Crazy bastard! Crazy bastard! You annoying bastard!”

“Ah! It hurts! Lillian! What the hell kind of rude behavior is this… Ouch!”

“What? Haven’t you heard? No tree doesn’t fall after being hit ten times. I’m not a tree, I’m a person! Do you have any idea how unpleasant it was being stroked by you ten times, unwanted? That’s why you’re no good, you foolish human.”

“Stop hitting me! Good grief, you really can’t hide your lowly origins… Ugh!”

“You noble snob. Please don’t be a jerk and be a decent human being, okay? And even if I were to become that man’s millionth mistress, I still would never associate with trash like you. So please wake up from your dreams, okay?”

“So you’ve been completely pretending, huh? You must be possessed by something. How could I ever fall for a woman like you… Sigh, I should stop being considerate!”

And then the sound of hoofbeats followed. It seemed that the terrified Felix had fled.

Cedric, who had quietly opened his eyes, glanced at Lillian through the gap in the curtains, her long hair slightly disheveled, her fingers anxiously combing through it.

Returning the broken whip to the coachman, she stepped into the carriage, her face impassive, as if nothing had happened.

“We’re off now…….”

Cedric couldn’t help but chuckle softly at Lillian’s return to composure.

‘Now, how should I deal with Felix if I run into him in the capital…’

Though she had unleashed much pent-up frustration, Lillian still worried inwardly. Due to the nature of her work, she often collaborated with the Knights of the Silver Cross.

‘It shouldn’t reach Father Tyrion so soon, right?’

She feared the aftermath. It was an unavoidable professional woe.

However, to her relief, Lillian never crossed paths with Felix again after that moment. Without any opportunity to hear his stories or news, the name Felix Perry was naturally forgotten in her memory.

Unbeknownst to her, this moment marked the end of their tainted connection.