CHAPTER 7 – Innocence, Corruption (Part 3)

The journey to the capital took quite some time. Alone with Cedric in the narrow carriage, Lillian couldn’t help but feel excited, shamelessly so.

It felt just like a honeymoon.

Even though the former Duke Edelgard had passed away, such thoughts crossed her mind. Pathetic as it was, Cedric didn’t mourn his father’s death either.

“Has the funeral already taken place?”

“I don’t know. Everything happened after I left the capital.”

His stance remained that he had nothing to do with his father’s death.

Perhaps it was because he had spent only a short time with his father. 

Cedric had only been under his parents’ care until he was eleven. Even so, Lillian couldn’t quite understand it. Even if it were news of the death of a distant father, one should feel a little sad…

‘Could it be that his relationship with his father was bad?’ 

She didn’t know what had happened in the Edelgard Duchy before Cedric entered the Knighthood.

Come to think of it, besides the Duchess, no one else had come to meet Cedric. She had thought it was because the Edelgard Duchy didn’t want to burden the Knights Templar with visits, but now she realized it was odd that not even his siblings had come to see him.

Lillian had consciously erased the suspicion that he had killed his father to ascend to the ducal title a long time ago.

Now, as they returned together to the capital toward the pit of fire, there was only one worry in Lillian’s heart.

“Um… what about Toulouse’s flower girl?”

With some effort, she managed to open her lips, and Cedric looked at her with a puzzled expression. Eventually, a short laugh lingered on his lips.

“Is that your nickname?”

“What?”

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back, staring into Lillian’s bewildered face.

“It suits you, flower girl.”

“…….”

It was only then that Lillian realized what misunderstanding Cedric had. Cheeks flushed, Lillian held up a hand.

“How am I supposed to be Toulouse’s flower girl? How dare I have such a nickname…”

“Why not?”

He said nonchalantly, surveying her face.

“You’re so pretty.”

“…”

Lillian was now completely bewildered. The blood rushed to her head and her face threatened to burst. She quickly unfolded her fan and turned her head sharply to catch the breeze.

“Oh my, I didn’t realize the Lord was so good at flattery.”

“You were supposed to call me by name.”

“When did I agree to that?”

As she playfully fanned herself, Cedric’s gaze became secretive when she asked nonchalantly.

“Really don’t remember?”

“…….”

He was a man who had the ability to command a room with his eyes alone. As he casually raised his eyebrows, it felt as if they weren’t inside a swaying carriage but rather alone on a bed together.

His refined lips curled slightly upwards.

“When I f*cked you from behind.”

Leaning closer to Lillian’s ear, now tucked into a corner, he whispered something lewd.

“Oh, my mistake. After I… sucked you off…”

‘This man must be crazy.’ 

Flushed to the ears, Lillian squeezed her eyes shut.

She was already drawing crosses on him with her fingers, hoping that the Lord above was too busy to hear this man’s inappropriate behavior. And if He had already heard, she prayed for forgiveness with merciful grace…

“Because you went wild when I did it with my mouth. Did you enjoy it that much?”

“…”

“I’ll do it for you every day. Whenever you want.”

‘Oh, he’s gone. My noble prince is gone. He’s gone to a place he’ll never return from.’

Cedric seemed to be enjoying himself, regardless of whether Lillian was panicking or not. Now, he even leaned against her, placing his arm on the backrest.

“Call me, Cedric.”

“…”

“Well?”

His teasing grin was so natural that it bordered on lasciviousness, mocking the innocent maiden.

“…Cedric.”

“That’s it. Now say it naturally.”

“Cedric.”

Who would have thought the day would come when she’d call his name soberly? Feeling like it couldn’t possibly be real, Lillian softly uttered his name.

It had been 17 years since she had secretly loved this man.

Who could have possibly known such a day would come? Even if she could turn back time and tell her past self, “Your love will be fulfilled,” she would never believe it.

The sound of the carriage wheels rolling, Cedric’s scent, his sweet voice…

It all still seemed like a dream.

‘I’m by his side.’

Seeing Lillian’s distant gaze, Cedric gently stroked her soft cheek.

“We’ll be living under one roof soon, so you’ll get used to it.”

With Cedric’s casual remark, Lillian felt like she had been doused with cold water. Her complexion turned dramatically dark.

“Under one roof… Could it be… at the Edelgard Duchy?”

Becoming Cedric’s lover was one thing, but living in the Edelgard Duchy with him was a completely different matter.

Even the Countess of Huntington’s masquerade balls, to which she had been formally invited, had left her trembling. How much more unsettling would it be to live in the duchy, essentially as an uninvited guest?

Unless she received official permission to marry, everyone would refer to her merely as the son’s mistress.

Moreover, it was utterly improper for her to enter the ducal house while the former duke’s funeral was still ongoing. To be honest, she wondered if Cedric had lost his mind.

“Why are you so startled?”

“You don’t have to ……I have a home, too.”

“Are you talking about your residence in District 3?”

District 3 was close to the old town and had poor security. If Lillian insisted on living there, Cedric was prepared to even resort to kidnapping if necessary to bring her to the duchy.

“That house is intended for investment purposes with redevelopment in mind. I never actually lived there.”

Lillian planned to stay at the clergy’s residence first. She was reluctant to return to the capital without notice, but she was confident everyone would welcome her back. After all, there were few clergymen as diligent and obedient as she was.

But as usual, fate was not on Lillian’s side.