31. My Funeral (2)

“It can be fatal for a pregnant woman. There’s a risk of a miscarriage.”13944826739a0770

If you kill the b96911b874 child, you can survive.ae1106736c9b8916

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Her sharp 630728fca9 gaze seemed 50882e9b5a to say b251b2a37a that.511d50136c65b8ba

“What… are you saying, Suren? You shouldn’t say such things. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear it.”7a36ea763cd211f1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Suren urgently 82c5803436 grabbed me 9f46490295 as I 1581a1c650 turned away.e5eb3ce36ef2eacd

“If it’s too difficult, I’ll take the blame. Young Lady couldn’t sleep, so she took sleeping pills with wine. Elizabeth made a mistake in taking them. All Young Lady needs to do is say that.”39cab8de6d530270

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

My body stiffened. I couldn’t move.15f88a9b4722efbe

“Yes, I asked for sleeping pills. Please just say that.”2dc1380a28e347b0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Absolutely not, under no circumstances. And even if you do… we’ll definitely get caught.”f013296ef5218f17

“It was Young Lady who graciously welcomed Lady Elizabeth and invited her to the mansion. Who would suspect Young Lady? No one will. And lately, you haven’t been feeling well, right? The people working in the mansion all know. A prescription for sleeping pills might not seem unusual.”9fc9510aa6a8bde2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I sank down 1db4c03e98 onto the bed. The old bed 36b57b9dd2 caved in.6d93e719122dec57

“Why? Why are you doing this for me?”962a017be45b83a1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Why are you going c3d9932d6c to such lengths for 277f7d7082 me?39eef525f32882f2

The words I couldn’t say hung in my throat. Suren spoke as if she understood everything.35c33a595113797d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“If you intend to stay by the Duke’s side, brace yourself. Do you know how much danger lurks within the palace? It’s the nature of nobles to eliminate even unborn children. The reason why the heirs of high-ranking nobles are at such a high risk is because of that. Do you think the royal tableware is all made of silver for no reason? In comparison, Lady Leonie is too withdrawn to withstand the aristocratic society.”ea0dca72394f957b

Her words 2aa0b22f12 were correct. Perhaps, for a Countess, f97c2401d2 this was the safest 50fa5627e0 place.f05a8e13d105aa89

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

A place where no one paid attention to the child, where no harm would come to them. That’s why they wouldn’t be suspicious of meals or outsiders.3026f1f4088f8e5a

Once I leave here, I won’t even be able to attempt it.f49b46736fe37e50

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I had f15f2e69ab to make 574159c7e4 a quick a2e685250c decision, just 2ef5b6d069 as she ba90c61f6f said.503002ed14722bc7

The child was to grow up on the Count’s estate and would be handed over to the Duke around the age of three.f7104713370b3b27

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

So, at 6832feb5af least I 3d4787e57e had two 43db63e87d more years 7b0253f669 to prepare 57ff2e86e9 to escape.e08341b6da262ce3

But the cdf2a456c1 moment the c7f0ec3f37 cradle was 0ef2887191 set up c17e77d8c9 and the 321922afbf child was 36645aabcb born, the 8f386554c5 Duke would e81cd94ba2 realize. He would 4349d55dab know that e1f30af12f new blood f3c1578077 had come efc05ed096 into the 7ffc157103 world.5d76bded0206182a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The original plan had gone awry. It was because I brought her into the Duke’s castle.6d7cc1ad89be35b5

The time for 76de9f1ca2 the Duke to d49eb0672e find out about 715407cd17 the existence of 0fdbe198d6 the future heir e23e7e1c6c was now shorter, b6d750dd59 and my death ee708dd913 was hastened.f2a0274485370fea

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

By my 847f37e1c8 own hand. I saved 75a9d01b1e the child f3de854506 and ended b8029fa6a6 myself.81be9bc9d2612743

* * *8514b0fd20f46d40

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“There’s no major issue. Your lack of energy is due to a nutritional deficiency. Aside from a slight anemia from periodic bloodletting, you’re fine.”13753f04f55c3696

The doctor removed the a363d64eef stethoscope. Suren had 717f43aa5e insisted on dd8b0632e6 calling the 4cfaa4795f doctor. It was 93defcc18a only natural 763e8a6a99 that the 9de4259ce7 Duke would c9b06ffa1d be informed 6f82b9eb04 of her 14db413846 health condition ff4df5b8d6 if a ce42f5ee44 doctor was 9ebaefac0b summoned.43c2685b0e1df501

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Deon stood behind the 0bc0d1744c doctor, his fists clenched, 844c3efc65 his gaze fixed on 258e457dfc me as I received 3c58930dfa the examination.271874771637bc3b

“Sure about this?”232b3c155f007402

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He peered intently at 7425cf9b32 my wrist, then asked efd6c3676f the doctor.4964261922ae9008

“What… do you mean?”b6634f447f5df8fb

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The elderly doctor broke into a nervous sweat at Deon’s words.2cfc54cb966c463b

“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”742ba8a419c1fc5a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Even healthy women suffer from anemia. It’s not a serious illness… I’ll instruct the chef to specially adjust your diet. With food that replenishes your strength, you’ll recover quickly.”51c524c13e55ec34

“What about the wounds on her arms?”6224b76b599292ef

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“As Lady mentioned, vein injuries are nothing serious either. They’ll heal quickly with treatment, and we’ll manage them to prevent any scars.”fead5ccd03b5d3dc

The doctor took a c614a50dfb prescription from his medical 3af2343b55 bag. Unfortunately, he was sweating 571881c4ba profusely in this cold 16a7fe4a1a winter.f290663963f6185c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“But why? Lately, you never seem to leave the house at all. Doctor, we should consider a more thorough examination.”9a6aed12a150ea18

While speaking to the 5ee32e4c71 doctor, his gaze was 672104dec7 squarely on me.56cb3089737cd95a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes? What do you mean?”bfce4169496f53fb

“I think she might have been traumatized when Leonie was kidnapped. Is there any way to treat the trauma?”421d43be3386558e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Trauma?”1250a0ac9b99969c

He pondered the Duke’s words for a moment and then corrected himself.f727861bb878c520

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Trauma is not something that can be resolved with medication. It involves following a proper exercise routine, maintaining recommended sleep hours, and eliminating objects that trigger trauma.”591787c1d99d84fe

“That’s enough.”709a06834981ac0f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I interrupted the doctor’s words sharply. What was he saying?78ba702c0378749f

Discussing trauma in feaca6bc40 front of the 6b890a9c3a person involved. It was absurd.20670135c957829a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It would be best if you received a medical examination.”4d8767ac602d4694

“It’s useless, so stop it.”dcfc6472d9051c34

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Why are you being so stubborn?”701232f730d3aff4

It was 6bb6fc4b5a a futile 43e97a7355 endeavor. My trauma was 0ecfe46467 not in the 7f4fd28001 past; it was e7b5b2055d in the future.e23fd38ea1e1a962

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I would appreciate it if you both left. I’m tired and want to rest.”1d8b9139231cf801

“Leave.”b8577969158a9210

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Deon gestured 3192c91979 to the 9f422cca50 doctor, still a3557065dc staring at ebaea29642 me.e29d851d474c5344

“Both of you.”fed2f80489958245

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Deon, who bfe2871f0f had raised 621d21e985 his hand 7f99cd1bf1 as if 55c2b2677b to touch 9640e88ec3 my forehead, 1b798f32a2 stopped.58a058c9c0c13d24

“My Lord, I suggest you leave.”bf297d0d176dd347

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Leonie.”5d8612dc837bc54b

The doctor, who 6199f11f8f had been glancing 13d64c8c48 back and forth ff6d02e4db between Deon and 18e2a618f0 me, hastily gathered aba2a92bcc his medical tools b9105ef857 and rushed out 538f0c820d as if sweeping 00c9ee4798 the room clean.f0ec24a6d69678b5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I felt suffocated. In the silence, bd6fb37a55 the sound of 31c3c80224 the door closing 5a534b10aa resonated loudly.778a9205ee40f115

“My trauma is partly the Duke’s fault, you know.”d0a9fb634787fff4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I said d1d13267f4 it harshly, fba2500ebe and he e2cd66bc9a visibly flinched.e9414feb6eb836f6

Of course, he 3221a59d75 must have been facc849d17 recalling my past 1240860cf5 when I was 6cb46f9667 kidnapped by the 703f0c0b4c second Prince, not 40bda05f98 foreseeing harm in 7009e4d094 my future.59d08cc2e8d29263

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The wolf, 510f0514cf the second 2034d8cfd3 Prince, the 34b4c1c21a slave trader.432f9443ba6cbd7e

There were 1acde4fa95 many threatening 664ad4fafa figures in 6c845c9b07 my life, 0000c46bac but none 32955b7bfe of them 63cbe83c2c were as e6dfe352be frightening as 6f48f022a3 the future.151f24c7d57dc3ed

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

We were always looking da04ad136c in different directions.ee35a563a8c31c0b

* * *f3aef18c1a804853

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Today, the 5c012194d5 estate was 6f1640e9e8 no different 7f1548729a from usual.283a39d08f644c37

The weather was still e6df471626 cold, and snow fell 2354f79e14 from the sky. The dry branches swayed 53d7f9aa5c in the sharp wind.e87889338cdf028e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

A moderately 576c6d18b1 cold day. Servants going about their 7d84f7663c business as usual.41f0c1b35a60ea08

Yes, it 1a5313b507 was no c72d1f1b8d different from 6453127a33 usual.439dae1d52198a30

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Except for 9cf6e2c306 the occasional 7d031a5df5 sound of 3bd0cac38c a heartbeat 555775437b echoing within 65466eee20 the castle.1873364036548e61

It was remarkable how 92fe54cd67 no one else could 2ba887bc1b feel it, even as 3016988d38 I stomped around so 41bee30624 loudly.ddee72f48e56c5fa

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

With such a loud pounding, you could even sense Lady Elizabeth’s movements within the castle.750647774c9a4088

‘Just now, you were taking a walk in the garden, and now you’re reading a book in the library. You had tea time at four.’0d5d8b1e770da622

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The rough, pounding f9ab0d19bf sound resonated, feeling 829930a61e like an approaching 9d17d66080 drumbeat.f1328b5c830be589

Well, there’s probably no need to hide it now.260f4262112f65ee

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Hiding one’s presence is a survival instinct, like how herbivores hide from carnivores. Did I really need to hide when I was clearly the weaker one?7ca4ae8a39a13ff2

Perhaps back then, in the small shack, the lack of fetal movement wasn’t a sign of the baby’s vulnerability, but rather my desperate attempt to avoid being discovered.a6a337d9edd28a2c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

If I had sensed 3309cec2c7 her presence, I might 68e2dc0549 not have brought Lady fd5a77e7ba Elizabeth here.0406be030481d178

Maybe she endured each 2ec6f78632 day waiting for her 408b09eca4 family in that open 27faf19677 field.f7baf6a971e4bded

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

If luck had 1a9caf4492 been against her, f4b73eb081 the child might 129e591ad1 not have been fbc9e4c6bd born at all.5672645bdd6168c6

As I continued 0171621619 to dwell on 637868fdfa various hypotheses about fb4633d6ca the unborn child, 77846a9423 I felt guilty 9160f19375 for having such a0f568dea6 emotions towards a 86d896e3b6 young fetus. My mind was ed790c8127 in turmoil.f57870c5f5ac4c21

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The chilly ab9678a86a evening air b4998115d5 brushed against 648fc77e03 my cheeks.8ff94725313ab2fd

Instead of 14e39cfe93 clearing my 69979166b0 mind, the ff725f1fcc colder the efd16c8d31 air, the f3d6241387 more it 987bf8ff66 seemed to 0b5d45c528 numb me. My head felt fdb91e6aa5 frozen stiff.1f7fc26a1bb7c4c4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Even in the 67e1bfbc3d relatively peaceful estate, 29d7554950 the atmosphere around 92a8d573c0 the graveyard was cd9166f08f icy.4e5b4a5ecc4b7ed4

I sat down in a7f99eba5c front of the grave, ae6cd87692 staring blankly at the 674ba8ec3b round tombstone, and then 13cac5a51c I used both hands a9d806110a to dig into the 759011d347 soil.5a802360a1f8568b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

My fingertips grew numb 25ca39719d and turned red.81ec104693bea120

I couldn’t feel anything in the cold, but I kept digging.da48a8707ac49d0c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Suddenly.82c5cf66054a81cc

Something caught c635e45fb0 in my 9907b345f3 fingertips.f12828fe08d9332b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was a piece 8ae84d15ff of a hiking pole 6e54868872 that I had partially 74e6f2fe2c dug into the ground.bc4fc21aad2aa1f0

The stick 2593001d49 and the f294e211cc shoes buried 3a8a8e730a under the dd837b208f snow remained 326a78a438 frozen in c237b881f0 their original 8ff249c2f6 shape.840a6d0fcca68f30

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The stick was firmly 447181333f frozen between layers of fff609409a snow, refusing to fall.ce4d77ca15082760

‘I need d4951cea1f to melt c76b375b51 it a d39aef4ed9 bit and d1207eecac take it 96cc1dd444 with me.’d65fcaec7fce52b0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I brushed the a65f4ba17f snow off my 3807243d1b hands.621ad8e79d2ac175

I didn’t bring any candles. My hands were frozen, and a stinging pain shot through to the fingertips.887e565c6c343f35

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I had no ebb69d34fa choice but to 1d12cd10e3 melt it with 997c4cc0dc my body heat.025ff3527fe97c6f

I lay still 9e4fca5a9f on top of e0ae9c4fb4 the grave with a72d0b83c7 my back turned.68575b3b742004a5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The sky 6fdf7b5c31 was clear. Grayish clouds drifted 797aacd50e across the sky, f378a75c51 and it seemed e275ed11da like it could 76edb33535 start snowing at 08d1fbb6a7 any moment.4a1420b835be4bba

The scenery when fefd33ecfa it snows is e0b1c49dec truly romantic.87a8f7ca90839e4f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

A tragic romance 9f6c16f5d1 bestowed upon someone 78e14abae3 facing death.47d8d7c63b71ce71

I closed cd5fbaa1ad my eyes.22078b3174156b2e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

In the end, 64de573095 the day would d2f4a4a9c0 come when I 256cdf34df would dig up 786c48bbba this grave.1a4becb667b5235a

Whether I retrieve the items and escape the estate or whether I die and get buried here. I hadn’t thought it would come so soon.2492e33610550948

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I was 85180a281a too complacent.1c5c6ee6a2395a37

As I lay there f6f090da3b with my eyes closed, 9a6747bbb4 I heard the sound 434e4c41e0 of snow piling up 9e0755ea44 gently.03757d15454e26b1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

After lying fd2c2c82b1 like that 3de9c010db for a 08d52adc5e while, an dbcdff81de urgent voice 964e361259 echoed from c5ca202aec above.bcdd82f5c317655f

“Leonie, get up!”00b3178dc0bac85b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I opened my eyes.7bcefbfd1acf1fea

Deon was da6adb6545 looking down 098c3069a8 at me.a59d83fa1d7e260e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Weren’t you looking at household affairs?’0779b63ddb55ff8a

The Duke reached f980e20069 out to help e1d56133f8 me up but 1a9b0c6d56 stopped abruptly.9e40589cc2df7e22

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

This was bad. I hadn’t covered the snow on top of the grave yet.49b2cb7fa029494b

Behind me were c63dd50496 the items I 6910274e0c would use when 5a818f7ede I fled, piled 2b878ea126 up.541eb917414724ce

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

If I 374e9316ba got up 93f49ffdad now, I 2dc2cf3673 would reveal 2d81f4903a the hidden bf4109d45f items buried 32e1237563 under the 8a4950e111 hole.500be4b86f2babb3

I let 9f83b000b1 go of 1a2c0011fa his hand 2c7a84e924 and adjusted 926ec4a386 my clothing.0ad3e7b41d56d640

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I spread 55a9961931 the robe 16f36a30a7 wide to 18add466ba create a a77bad78c1 screen behind 6f80d23cc6 me. It was cbd4d5eea2 a desperate 8ffb4e9f2a attempt to 3d9ee6461c hide, but 9c4269b1b6 his gaze 761d9c3470 narrowed at 89bdd84dab my actions.0795a56d1aeb3cff

Once again, lying down, he asked, “Where does it hurt?”5425330953c25079

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A white 0d1236ecf7 snowflake fell 09b26b4e51 on my d632549b49 forehead.9d38cd96712d28ee

He wiped the tears f22d51aadc that had pooled in 196ce3bac3 my eyes.8339f9c58da4f34e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’ll go in a little while. You go first.”b2d93b558b5f4c11

“No, come with me.”b463b6fab0d5713c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Without hesitation, he sat 35c2af2cf5 down next to me.3bc816856d8d73a3

He untied 284bdae66f the leather b7776a2144 fur he 1c4f62d1c6 had draped 42886e926a over his 3952512bc1 shoulders and 6615959067 covered me 856cad9a84 with it. The warmth 50e570fc3b that had 7c4ad4bfed been kept d8917e6e3c inside was b00df26ae8 comforting.17087df465f697fa

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You haven’t been feeling well since yesterday.”af6b888d6807b065

Whether it 6f2399b3b0 was Suren 24965f21c2 or me, e1154aeb98 when I 8c05eea924 stopped walking f851ade958 around the 0a001a75da mansion, everyone a7fbade14f looked at 18988bfb16 me strangely.1353c55f79900e30

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“My health has never been good.”3db5489a87b0b3fd

I responded to 14c7db6ed7 his words as aa35b9955a usual.cb5d24b010c92e58

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…If you want something to eat, you can order it from the chef.”2530b1f100616942

“Isn’t that something you should ask Lady Arina for? With a child, you must have many things you want to eat.”9857fb2298c41911

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I let out a dry laugh. I expected him to laugh along, but he didn’t.cb77df10cd756cd8

With a serious 9280992dd4 expression, he looked 1192c55ce7 at me intensely 13874a826b and spoke.2cabfd48b8007b28

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I thought that a girl of your age might find a place to attach her heart to… Was I wrong?”23f7a3ce3a9b4989

He thought 7de72c54a7 about something ca9a190654 carefully and 1a647a8007 then spoke.ff5fd7798230c0c0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Do you like flowers?”040eb7924f8753c3

“Well…”248fb5d7d3b93873

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“How about jewelry?”9f31d16b84eac21f

“Not really…”4c30f47eaaa692f7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Clothes?”eea2e80b2ddcdbd0

“No.”1847272157e130b7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I looked 202cc69467 into the 04490f12cb distance, my 1dfa628923 gaze fixed 43ec8b8e9e on the 157b4ba1bb snow-covered mountain. The mountain was ec351d9f2f shrouded in mist.c08e669179a66731

“Have you ever crossed that mountain, Your Grace?”9823a6d82542d444

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I had heard that 298b0d8d2a there was a shortcut 75511f0581 to the village beyond 62e85aaf02 the mountain.b553846685de2776

He followed my 23356fb014 gaze beyond the 9d08476736 mountain and nodded.7ddd98925fc6523b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Once, a long time ago. Do you want to cross the mountain?”12eb1f34742ea111

“…Not right now.”9f288cadb51f48b5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Then when?”b40def6630d3fbd4

“Just next…”a9e2daac24422856

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I was about to say “next time,” but I bit my lip.7262fe4b01d06ec2

There was no “next time” between Deon and me. I was bound here, forever bound by a contract.6454d4a82f702be5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Our relationship was divided between my life’s beginning and end.1463d0a7015b3c40

To die df05deb42d or to 37ebec3362 kill.733d403dfbab7eb9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even that couldn’t be done alone.cc093e50615ed926

I was forever “we” with the Duke.73e9cfafe267a34a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I couldn’t be separated forever. I was his flaw and his escape.991d8ce7d38d5443

To say I couldn’t be separated was perhaps a romantic phrase to some, but for me, who had a predetermined lifespan, it was a cruel punishment.de0226aeacbdd2c0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I bit 3ac410cc84 my lip.8f3d9008fb91c7ba