Ch.8585. Camilla, Dorothy, and Lily

“So, you suddenly said you wanted to meet me… Is there a reason?”

The Count of Lithuania’s tone was softer than usual, uncharacteristic of someone known as the Iron-Blooded Margrave. For a count renowned for his cold, razor-sharp manner of speaking—someone described as not having a drop of blood even if stabbed—this was quite exceptional.

But considering who stood before him, it wasn’t difficult to understand why.

It was Lily, the daughter of his close friend and a child who had suffered deep emotional wounds because of his once-ruffian son.

After that incident, Lily had suffered from androphobia for some time. The count, who could still vividly remember the small girl running around cheerfully, couldn’t help but feel apologetic toward her.

Naturally, his softened tone stemmed entirely from this sentiment.

“First, I apologize for coming without notice.”

“No need. I’ve always felt sorry toward you. If you ever feel like it, please consider my home as your own.”

Hearing the count’s words, Lily’s tense expression gradually relaxed. She had been quite concerned about coming to the Hart estate without sending proper notice in advance.

No matter how close her father and Count Lithuania were, there were basic courtesies to be observed between noble families. The reason she had hastily requested this meeting with the count was to apologize for this breach of etiquette.

Fortunately, the count didn’t seem to mind. In fact, his assurance that she was welcome anytime helped ease her burden.

For Lily, who had worried about the consequences of her impulsive action, this was a relief.

“Thank you, Count. Actually, I requested this meeting because I thought it would be terribly rude to visit the mansion without notice.”

“Then your business isn’t with me. So, what brings you here? This place must hold only unpleasant memories for you.”

For the count as well, Lily’s visit was unexpected.

This Hart estate was where she had experienced something traumatic enough to leave terrible memories.

Since that day, she had never once visited this place, so the count was extremely curious about what had brought her here.

Of course, there was one possibility that came to mind.

A reason why she would specifically come here.

“Could it be because of that fellow?”

“……”

At the count’s words, which suggested he had already guessed her purpose, Lily held her breath.

Was there something different about someone who held the position of Margrave?

His deduction based on the circumstances was uncannily accurate.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“How strange. As I recall, you despised that boy, didn’t you?”

“People always deserve one more chance.”

“Even someone who did something to you that’s difficult to even speak of?”

“If that person has earned the right to that chance.”

The count quietly gazed into Lily’s eyes. Her gaze remained steady, suggesting her words were sincere.

Was this another butterfly effect caused by his son’s change?

Count Lithuania clicked his tongue.

“You’re soft.”

“Am I?”

“Do you really think he’s worth it? No matter what position he holds now, the past doesn’t disappear. That can never change.”

“I know that. But I think the current Gilbert deserves a chance. That’s why I came here.”

He must have done something.

Count Lithuania immediately understood why Lily’s feelings had changed. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come seeking to give another chance to Gilbert, whom she had despised so much.

The count thought it would be good if Lily could somehow move past her trauma. Though he hadn’t fully acknowledged it yet, it was true that his once-wayward son had changed.

“Very well. That’s entirely your decision. I’ll have a room prepared for you, so stay as long as you wish.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Count.”

The count called a maid to prepare accommodations for Lily, then picked up some documents he had set aside. It was his way of saying she could leave now that their business was concluded.

Thanking him, Lily followed the maid who would guide her. Her personal maid followed quietly behind, carrying Lily’s luggage.

Having overcome the first hurdle, she planned to get settled in her room and then meet Gilbert. She hadn’t yet decided exactly what kind of chance she would give him.

That decision could wait until after meeting him, she thought.

It might depend on his reaction when she offered him this chance.

The room she was assigned was quite large for a guest room. It seemed like the kind reserved for important visitors. Apparently, the count had instructed that she be given good accommodations.

While she wouldn’t have minded any room, she felt she should thank the count again for his thoughtfulness.

This was typical of Lily, who was kind and gentle to everyone except Gilbert.

After thanking the maid who had shown her to the room, she asked if Gilbert had returned to the mansion. Fortunately, it seemed their arrival times had been similar, and he was currently in the reception room with some guests.

Perfect.

Lily asked the maid to guide her to the reception room, instructed her personal maid to stay and unpack her luggage, and headed straight there.

“Camilla, you need to be more careful with your words.”

“I’m just stating the facts! You two are traveling together, aren’t you?”

“That’s the problem. To be precise, didn’t you just follow me without asking?”

“So we’re traveling together, right? What do you think, little sister?”

“I don’t know. I just have a headache.”

The reception room was quite lively.

Besides Gilbert’s voice, there seemed to be at least two others—the guests who had come with him, perhaps?

From what she could hear, they sounded like women’s voices.

As she entered the reception room with curiosity, three pairs of eyes turned toward her.

“Oh? Lily!”

The first to greet her was Camilla, who attended the same academy as her. Since the heads of the three count families were close friends, Lily and Camilla had interacted quite a bit since childhood.

In particular, it was Camilla who had pulled Lily out of her room when she had shut herself in after Gilbert’s incident. Thanks to her, Lily had been able to regain her brightness, and they had become close friends.

“Camilla? Why are you here?”

“I followed Gilbert. It seemed like something interesting might happen!”

“You haven’t changed at all.”

Lily could easily imagine what Camilla might have said to tag along. Though she was a precious friend, Lily herself had been the one most often swept up in Camilla’s impulsive nature.

“So, eldest brother, who is this person?”

“Lily Roseus Nobilitas.”

“Lily Roseus Nobilitas… Could it be…?”

The perceptive Dorothy seemed to realize something upon hearing Gilbert’s words, her face stiffening slightly. She too had heard about the person who had suffered the most from her eldest brother’s past misdeeds.

She quickly tidied her appearance and approached Lily.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Dorothy Flamma Hart.”

“Ah, hello. I’m Lily Roseus Nobilitas. Nice to meet you.”

Unlike her attitude toward Gilbert, Lily responded to Dorothy’s greeting very kindly. After all, her dislike was directed solely at Gilbert Lion Hart, not at the Hart family in general.

“But what brings you here? I can hardly believe you came to this place.”

Glancing sideways at Gilbert, Camilla asked cautiously. She too knew about what had happened between Lily and Gilbert, hence her careful approach.

“I have something to say to Gilbert. Could you give us some privacy?”

“To Gilbert… Alright. Little sister, could you show me to Count Lithuania? And if possible, give me a tour of the mansion.”

“That’s not difficult, but…”

Dorothy glanced at Gilbert, silently asking if it was okay to leave.

Gilbert, also curious about why Lily had come to see him, nodded slightly.

“Alright. Please follow me.”

“Then, excuse us for a moment~”

Like a whirlwind passing through, Camilla and Dorothy left the reception room.

After the door closed, only Gilbert and Lily remained.

A strange silence settled between them.

“You said you had something to tell me? Please, sit down first.”

Gilbert was the first to break the awkward silence. This was the first time he had properly faced Lily since delivering his apology. It seemed there had been some change in her feelings since then.

Gilbert and Lily sat facing each other. Lily was contemplating how to broach the subject, while Gilbert was trying to guess what she wanted to discuss.

As they both sat looking at each other without speaking, it was Gilbert who spoke first again.

“Would you like some tea?”

“No, I’ll pass.”

“I see. Very well.”

The conversation stalled again. Gilbert was inwardly sweating, waiting for Lily to speak. In this situation, it would be unwise for him to initiate the conversation.

Just be patient.

As he thought this, Lily’s firmly closed lips finally opened.

“Were you sincere about what you said in the training room before the Lion King’s Birthday?”

“You mean when I apologized?”

“Yes, that.”

Gilbert studied Lily’s expression as he pondered. So this was why she had come all the way to Bismark—she had been dwelling on that incident.

Considering the deliberation it must have taken for her to come here, he carefully chose his words.

“I remember. That apology was sincere.”

“What were you thinking when you said that?”

“I told you then too. That it was necessary.”

“And before that? You said not apologizing was for my benefit.”

“That’s right. I thought it would be better if you could hate me completely.”

Gilbert answered, recalling the day of the comprehensive evaluation. Perhaps it was arrogance, or the foolish mindset of still thinking this was a game. Looking back now, it was embarrassingly pretentious to say he wanted her to hate him completely.

Lily looked at Gilbert, whose face was as stern as Count Lithuania’s.

Strangely enough, his words felt sincere.

Was it right to give someone like him a chance to make amends?

Despite her determination, she hesitated.

But Lily shook her head slightly. Having made up her mind before coming, giving him a chance was already decided.

“Assuming those words were sincere… I want to give you a chance.”

“A chance?”

One of Gilbert’s eyebrows twitched.

“Yes, a chance. I believe everyone deserves at least one opportunity to make up for their mistakes.”

So that’s what she meant.

Gilbert inwardly sighed as he looked at Lily, who was being frustratingly kind. This was why she had come all this way. She wanted to give a chance to the perpetrator who had caused her traumatic incident.

For Gilbert, it was a reminder of just how gentle Lily’s nature was.

“A chance, huh. What would you like me to do?”

“I don’t know either. Finding that is up to you.”

It was an abstract statement. She would give him a chance, but making the most of it was up to Gilbert himself. Was there anything else he could do besides apologizing?

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out how to seize the chance Lily was offering.

“That’s difficult.”

“Did you think it would be easy? If you had answered casually, it would have ended right there. I guess it’s true that you’ve improved from before.”

Gilbert remained silent at Lily’s cold rebuke.

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

That’s all I have to say.

With those final words, Lily left the reception room.

Gilbert stared at her intently until the door opened and closed, then finally let out a sigh he couldn’t hold back.

This is going to be difficult.

Gilbert pressed two fingers between his eyebrows, feeling a sudden wave of fatigue.

It seemed he had one more task to resolve here.