Chapter 81: I have plans
by fnovelpia
Momentarily flustered by the unexpected situation, I slowly reasoned that Lillian’s presence here wasn’t all that strange.
Given her excessive kindness and unnecessary meddling, it wasn’t surprising that she’d willingly extend a hand even to those who had abandoned her.
After all, she was a person of boundless goodness, one who could even reach out to those who once tormented her.
Who’s to say she wouldn’t wish for a friendly relationship with me as well?
And besides, why should I shrink away as if I had done something wrong?
Had I ever stolen a precious friend from her, or spread slanderous rumors about her?
It was Arien’s choice to leave Lillian, and the malicious rumors surrounding her were merely the result of certain young ladies’ fondness for gossip.
I had done nothing wrong.
Even if there were a fault, there would be no proof that I was responsible for it.
Gradually, my anxious heartbeat began to calm.
Looking at her with eyes filled with a sense of goodwill, I shouted out with vitality, as if raising the curtain on a play.
“Wow…! Lady Saint!”
Approaching Lillian with a radiant smile, I gently took her hand, flashing a bashful, harmless smile.
“I can’t tell you how surprised I was to hear the news! To think you were at the battlefield… It’s truly admirable.”
At my words, which bordered on admiration, Lillian raised one eyebrow slightly, then soon returned a gentle smile.
“Oh, is that so?”
Her bright reply, accompanied by a blooming smile, showed no signs of discomfort towards me.
As expected, Lillian couldn’t refuse those who approached her with kindness.
‘She really is a fool with no equal.’
For reasons unknown, I didn’t feel the inexplicable discomfort toward Lillian as I once had.
Though the touch of our joined hands felt slightly prickly, it was a small nuisance I could endure compared to before.
Back then, all I wanted was to get her out of my sight.
If it’s this manageable, maybe fostering a good relationship with Lillian isn’t a bad choice after all.
“It’s truly delightful to meet you here.”
“Indeed, it’s a pleasure to see you after so long, too. But, Lady Blanc.”
Lillian lifted our clasped hands to show me, unexpectedly threading her fingers between mine.
As her fingers slowly slipped into the spaces between mine, I felt a strange sensation, like my clothes were being peeled away.
“Didn’t you yourself teach me that it’s improper to grab someone’s hand so recklessly?”
“Pardon?”
“I’ve had to endure countless criticisms for being an uncouth commoner because of this habit.”
Lillian took a step closer, her smile devoid of warmth. That twisted smile sent a strange chill coursing through me.
As I instinctively stepped back, she wrapped her arm around my waist first, whispering.
“Wait, wait a moment…”
“So then, Lady Blanc, what punishment should you receive?”
With those words, Lillian forcefully pulled me towards her.
Pulled by unexpected strength, I was enveloped in her arms before I could resist.
“Uh…”
The moment my skin touched hers, I felt a wave of nausea and dizziness.
Lillian looked down at me with a cold smile, her gaze piercing through me.
“Just as Lady Blanc once treated me, I shall return the favor.”
Her smile, brimming with unmistakable malice, seemed to mock my every action. Momentarily stunned by her unexpected demeanor, I froze.
‘What is this… Lillian doesn’t usually speak like this, does she?’
Normally, she’d confront things head-on with a bold gaze, but I’d never seen her sneer in such a manner before.
“Hah…!”
Lillian’s hand grabbed my waist tightly, and a sharp pain spread throughout my body.
I pushed her away forcefully with both arms. While she hesitated, surprised by my unexpected action, I took a step back, carefully widening the distance between us.
“What wrong have I done to you, Saintess? It sounds as if I’ve committed some kind of evil deed.”
“Oh my, is that not the case?”
Lillian covered her mouth slightly, letting out a quiet laugh. That calm yet seductive smile was so different from the usual appearance of the saintess.
‘What is this…?’
Who are you?
Where was the bright and confident Lillian I knew, and who was this shadowy figure standing before me?
Does going to the battlefield change a person’s character?
‘…It doesn’t matter.’
Even if a person’s character changes, their true nature never does.
Lillian is a good person. Unlike Viviana, who could fall, Lillian’s goodness was an unchanging fact within the game.
She was even depicted as being vulnerable to the sight of others’ tears.
“Well, it seems there’s some kind of misunderstanding.”
I secretly dug my nails into my leg, pinching myself deeply. As the sharp pain swept through my body, tears started to well up in my eyes.
“Did I… perhaps do something to upset you, Saintess…?”
My voice trembled with emotion.
I slightly lowered my gaze, directing my tear-filled eyes toward Lillian.
“If you just tell me, I’ll change… I really will. I don’t want things to go wrong between us…”
As tears trickled down my cheeks, Lillian’s pink eyes wavered slightly. Just as she opened her mouth with a softened expression.
“…You.”
“Lillian.”
Before Lillian could say anything further, Arien quietly stepped between us.
Arien gently wrapped her hands around mine as if to comfort me, softly stroking my head.
“Don’t be so harsh with Tina. She’s someone I’m grateful to for being there in tough times.”
“…You two have gotten close.”
Feeling her comforting touch, I let out a slow, suppressed breath.
Lillian watched me being comforted by Arien for a long moment, then gave a faint smile, her gaze seeming slightly empty.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been sensitive lately and acted sharply without realizing.”
“…No, it’s okay. I was the one who took hold of your hand first, after all.”
“As an apology, I’d love to treat you to some refreshments. Would you mind if I invited you to my residence?”
“Pardon?”
“In recognition of my service in this war, His Majesty the Emperor granted me an estate and a residence. I’d love to host you there.”
Lillian’s face, brimming with a smile and hopeful eyes, looked so pure, starkly contrasting with her demeanor from moments ago.
“That’s great, Tina. Lillian is truly kind. I’m sure the two of you will get along well.”
Arien patted my back reassuringly.
“If Lady Blanc is amenable, how about going there right now?”
With a slight blush, Lillian took a step forward. Arien nudged me subtly in her direction with a look that urged me to agree quickly.
“Oh, no. I have other plans.”
Instinct was whispering to me, telling me that I must never go to Lillian’s residence.
I hurriedly slipped from Arien’s grasp and declined politely.
Instinct was telling me I must not go to Lillian’s residence.
“Oh my, then are you available another day? How about tomorrow?”
Lillian took a step closer with a disappointed look. Reflexively, I took a step back from her.
“Uh, tomorrow I have plans with my mother…”
“Is that so? Then how about this weekend? Are you free then?”
“The, the weekend… I have plans with an acquaintance…”
“An acquaintance? Who might that be?”
“I-It’s someone you wouldn’t know, Lillian.”
“Hmm… then how about next week? Do you have plans then as well?”
“Th-that time…”
“That time?”
“Another… commitment…”
“…..”
A heavy silence filled the room, and a cold tension began to linger in the air.
Arien wore an awkward expression, while Lillian looked at me with eyes unreadable in their expression.
After a brief moment of silence, Lillian quietly smiled, scratching her head in slight embarrassment.
“As expected, you are truly the star of the social season this year. It seems you’re even busier than I, a saintess. Haha.”
“Ah, it just… happened that way…”
“There’s no helping it, then. Please let me know when you’re available, and I’ll send you an invitation at that time.”
“I-I’ll do that!”
At my cheerful reply, Lillian stood up with a gentle smile.
“It seems you’re busy, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Huh? You’re leaving already, Lillian?”
“Yes, I’ve heard everything I wanted to hear. See you next time, Arien.”
“Uh, okay… See you.”
Leaving her farewell to Arien, Lillian gave me a brief smile with her eyes and slowly walked away.
A short silence lingered in the room after the saintess had left.
I looked toward the closed door, where her presence still lingered, then bit my lip and turned to Arien.
“…Lady Arien.”
Just how much did you tell her?
***
Inside the carriage boldly engraved with the symbol of the Goddess, Lillian leaned back, letting out a deep sigh.
“If only you had accepted my proposal, I might have been a bit kinder to you.”
Lillian softly tapped her fingers against the window, murmuring in a tone laced with regret.
“Well, I’ll just have to ensure that you have no choice but to come to me.”
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