episode_0085

“Yes, you suddenly said you would meet me… Is there a reason?”

The Count of Lithuania’s tone of voice was softer than usual, not befitting the name of the Iron-Blooded Margrave. It was unusual for a count who was so cool-headed that it was said that even if he stabbed him, not a single drop of blood would come out, and who often used knife-like speaking methods.

However, if you think about who the person in front of you is, it is not something that you cannot understand.

The daughter in front of me, Lily, was a close friend’s daughter who had been deeply hurt by her son who had been such a bastard in the past.

After that incident, Lily suffered from male phobia for a while. The Count, who could still see the little thing running around, couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

The reason why my speech naturally became softer was because of that.

“First of all, I’m sorry for suddenly coming to you without contacting you.”

“No. I always felt sorry for you. If you feel like it, you can come and think of it as your home.”

After hearing the Count’s words, Lily slowly relaxed her stiff expression. Lily was very concerned that as soon as she decided to go to Count Hart’s house, she sent a message saying that she would come here and visit separately.

No matter how close her father was to the Count of Lithuania, there were basic rules of etiquette that noble families had to follow. The reason she hurriedly asked to meet with the Count of Lithuania was to apologize for this rudeness.

Fortunately, the Count didn’t have any problem with that. In fact, I felt like the burden on my heart had been lightened a little thanks to the fact that he told me I could come visit him at any time.

Lily, who was a little worried about what would happen next because she had acted too carelessly, was finally able to feel relieved.

“Thank you. Count. In fact, I thought it would have been a great disrespect for me to just visit the mansion, so I asked the Count to meet me.”

“Then it doesn’t mean that the business is mine. What brought you here? For you, this is a place where only bad memories remain.”

Even for an earl, Lily’s visit was unexpected.

The place where I was left with such bad memories that it became a trauma was none other than the Count Heart House.

Even the Count was curious as to why she, who had not visited here even once since that day, had come here.

Of course, one thing was expected.

Why do you need to come here?

“Did you come because of that guy?”

“……”

Lily took a deep breath at the Count’s words, which seemed to indicate that he had already figured out the purpose of her visit.

What is different about a person in the position of Margrave?

What I inferred from looking at the before and after situations led to an astonishingly correct answer.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“What a strange thing. As far as I know, Lily, you hated that guy, right?”

“Because people always need one more chance.”

“Even if it’s someone who did something unspeakable to you?”

“If the target qualifies for that opportunity.”

The Count quietly looked into Lily’s eyes. His eyes did not waver as if his words were sincere.

Could this also be the butterfly effect that occurred as his son changed?

The Lithuanian Count tsk and clicked his tongue.

“It’s soft.”

“Is that so?”

“Did you really think he was worth it? No matter what position he is in now, the past never goes away. That’s something that can never change.”

“I know. But I thought it would be right to give Gilbert at least one chance as he is now. That’s why I came here.”

He did something.

The Lithuanian Count immediately realized the reason for Lily’s change of heart. Otherwise, there was no way he would have come to give Gilbert, whom he hated so much, another chance.

The Count thought it would be good if Lily could shake off her past in some way. Although he didn’t admit it yet, it was true that his son had changed.

“I understand. That will be entirely your judgment and decision. I’ll prepare a place for you to stay, so stay as long as you want.”

“Thank you for your consideration. Count.”

The Count called the maid and told her to provide a place for Lily to stay, then grabbed the documents that had been put aside. Instead of saying that you can leave if your business is done.

Lily thanked the sight and followed the maid in charge of guidance. Her personal maid, who had come here with her, quietly followed behind, carrying Lily’s luggage.

First of all, now that I’ve gotten through this difficult time, I was planning to get a room and meet Gilbert. I haven’t thought about specifically what kind of opportunity I will give him.

She thought that it would not be too late to make that decision by meeting Gilbert.

It could have changed depending on his reaction when I offered him a chance.

The room she was assigned to was a fairly large room compared to one normally provided to guests. I thought this might be a room given out when important guests arrive. It seemed that the Count of Lithuania had given him a good room because he had personally asked him to do so.

It didn’t matter which room she got, but she felt she had to thank the Count once again for his consideration.

Basically, it was Lily’s idea to be kind and gentle to everyone except Gilbert.

After thanking the maid who showed her to her room, she left and asked if Gilbert had returned to the mansion. Fortunately, the arrival times were similar, and it seemed like he was now in the reception room with the guest he was with.

That’s good.

Lily asked the maid to lead her to the parlor, left the maid who came with her to stay behind and sort out her luggage, and headed straight to the parlor.

“Camilla. You need to be careful about what you say.”

“You just told the truth as it is? You two are traveling together!”

“That is the problem. To be precise, didn’t you just blindly follow me?”

“So you two are traveling together, right? What do you think, little brother?”

“I’m not sure. I just have a headache.”

The drawing room was quite noisy.

Aside from Gilbert’s voice, there seemed to be about two more. Are they guests who came with us?

First of all, when I heard the voice, it seemed to be a woman’s voice.

As she entered the living room out of curiosity, three people’s eyes turned to her.

“Huh? Lily!”

The first person to welcome her was Camilla, who attended the same academy as her. Since the heads of the three counts were closely related to each other, Lily also had a lot of interaction with Camilla from a young age.

In particular, it was Camilla who dragged her out of the room after being locked in it by Gilbert. Thanks to her, I was able to find a brighter side, and now we have become close friends.

“Camilla? Why are you here?”

“I followed Gilbert. For some reason, I thought something fun would happen!”

“No change.”

Somehow I could see what Camilla would say and follow me. Although she was a truly precious friend, I was the one who was most often swayed by her reckless nature at times.

“So, the first brother. Who is that person?”

“Lily Roseus Nobilitas.”

“Lily Roseus Nobilitas Ramen… No way… ?”

Smart Dorothy’s face stiffened slightly as if she realized something from Gilbert’s words. She also knew that she was the person who suffered the most from her eldest brother’s foolish behavior.

She quickly dressed up neatly and quickly approached Lily.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Dorothy Flamma Hart.”

“Ah, hello. This is Lily Roseus Nobilitas. Nice to meet you.”

Unlike when she treated Gilbert, Lily was greeted by Dorothy very kindly. The only person she disliked was Gilbert the Lionheart, who was not a member of the Hart family.

“More than that, what is going on here? Even I can’t believe I came here?”

Camilla glanced sideways at Gilbert and asked cautiously. Camilla also knew what was going on between Lily and Gilbert, so she acted accordingly.

“I have something to say to Gilbert. Could you please leave for a moment?”

“To Gilbert… I understand. Can you guide me to my brother, the Count of Lithuania? And if you can, please show me a tour of the mansion.”

“It’s not difficult, but…”

Dorothy glanced at Gilbert. It was an unspoken question as to whether it would be okay to continue like this.

Even as Gilbert, he felt doubtful that Lily had come to visit him, and nodded slightly.

“I understand. You can follow me.”

“Then, excuse me for a moment~”

Camilla and Dorothy left the parlor as if a storm had swept over them.

The drawing room door closes and the only people left in the drawing room are Gilbert and Lily.

A strange silence settled between the two.

“Did you say you had something to say to me? Let’s sit down first.”

It was Gilbert who spoke first amidst the slightly uncomfortable silence. It was the first time since delivering the apology that I had seen Lily face to face like this. It seemed like there had been some kind of change of heart in the meantime.

Gilbert and Lily sat facing each other. Lily was wondering how to bring up the topic, and Gilbert was guessing what Lily would talk about.

While they were both looking at each other’s faces without saying anything, it was Gilbert who spoke first this time.

“Would you like to have a cup of tea?”

“No, I decline.”

“I see. I understand.”

The conversation was cut off again. Gilbert broke into a cold sweat and waited for Lily to speak. In the current situation, it was a shame for him to speak first.

Let’s wait patiently.

The moment she thought that, Lily’s mouth, which had been tightly shut, finally opened.

“Are you serious about what you said in the training room ahead of the Lion King’s birthday?”

“Are you talking about what you apologized for?”

“Okay. That.”

Gilbert was lost in thought as he studied Lily’s expression. When I asked why he came all the way to Wiesbark, it seemed like he had that incident in mind.

Thinking that she had come here after some trouble, he carefully chose his words.

“I remember. The apology at that time was sincere.”

“What on earth were you thinking when you said that?”

“I said it back then too. He said it was absolutely necessary.”

“Before that? You said you were considerate of me by not having any intention of apologizing.”

“That is correct. Because I decided it was better for you to completely hate me.”

Gilbert answered, recalling the day of the comprehensive evaluation. Maybe I was arrogant, and I was foolish enough to think this was still a game. Thinking about it now that I wanted him to completely hate me, it was a very cringe-worthy thing to say.

Lily looked at Gilbert, who had a face as stern as that of a Lithuanian count.

His words, strangely enough, felt sincere.

Is it right to give him a chance to make up for that day?

Even though I had promised myself, such hesitation arose.

But Lily shook her head slightly. Since I had made up my mind, it was a given that I would give him a chance.

“Assuming those words are sincere… I wanted to give you a chance.”

“Opportunity?”

One of Gilbert’s eyebrows twitched.

“Okay. opportunity. Because I think everyone should be given a chance to make up for their mistakes at least once.”

Did you mean that?

Gilbert sighed inwardly as he looked at Lily, who sounded so nice to the point of frustration. When I wondered why I had come this far away, this was the reason. You want to give a chance to the perpetrator who created a traumatic incident for you.

For Gilbert, it was an opportunity to realize again how kind Lily was.

“Opportunity. What do you want me to do?”

“I don’t know about that. It’s up to you to find it.”

It was an abstract word. They say they will give him a chance, but it is Gilbert himself who will make the most of that opportunity. Was there anything else he could do but apologize?

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure out how to take advantage of the opportunity Lily was talking about.

“It’s a difficult task.”

“Then it will be easy? If you answered casually, it’s already over there. It’s true that it’s better than before.”

Gilbert remained silent in response to Dorothy’s cold scolding.

“Anyway, that’s why I came here. So, think about it for a moment.”

That’s all I have to say.

With those words, Lily left the living room.

Gilbert, who had been staring at her until the moment the door to the living room opened and closed, finally couldn’t help it and sighed.

This is a difficult task.

Gilbert pressed two fingers between his eyebrows as he suddenly felt tired.

It seemed like there was one more homework to be solved here.