TMC Vol 1 Act 1.5

If I a4c63ca319 were to f6d425dfe8 describe the 4d5c957bce royal palace 3a6c83c896 in a 30eea4a6ac single word, 16616914c4 I would dc08b50455 call it 595febd227 a colossal 5bf872d135 fish tank.26d105f47366705a

 36b82d7e0eb9cc05

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

There’s His Majesty, the white shark with a feeble, weakening figure but still imposing in size. Beneath him, the smaller noble sharks swim with dignity, yet are quick to converge the instant they sense blood in the water. And then there are the small fish, mercilessly torn apart by these predators.b03fe39685130b24

 0c2e0a9bc1f02e52

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Now, if you think I belong among these small fish simply because of my lowly status, you would be mistaken. I am more akin to a parasite, one that clings to some part of the shark’s body, feeding off its sustenance. An insignificant creature that will never fatten the predator’s belly, and thus one without the need to worry about becoming a target.77e4720ae85d511d

 ce3402867967e376

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The sharks 578c5701fe here differ c3a2fbb82a from those 1c853c4f7d in the f8a8233a6f sea—they live 1345cb0259 in groups. Since they are defying c0530548e1 the laws of nature, 62df6369c4 they cannot truly coexist 657c217c6b and often turn on 9680385be1 each other, tearing each 5ac6048b43 other apart. Those who e8c98c5f72 fall behind 5052b4f7fb in the 32a7db2576 group are b47e303290 mysteriously transformed 75e7809039 into mere 472efc0b39 small fish, 5b3c9ae9e5 relegated to 74208d1d8c the very 0ceb05cfe8 bottom of 818273f2df the food 381a6b3257 chain.a85373d364c0c3c7

 d2904bdae5f20dfe

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Here, connections a175ead0e7 are lifelines. Surviving alone f23a71b73d among the 49c08a9560 nobles, who fc42b8d59b are entangled 2f8f0d45c2 in a d8af3016d2 network of 51dc51dc9a bonds as 9983b48ab4 complex as 85ad23019f a cluster 01f50c7684 of spores, fe12073372 is nearly 704d4c72f4 impossible. Unless one b6fe40eac0 is a e0e0e5e8e4 venomous fish 04386ed3da bearing a 99f2379da6 deadly poison.0428bd2bfdb12ca3

 e3caa9069fdd6211

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As I stroll 31fd96419c through the garden d20633d3fc humming to myself, 4044fdd2bd a sight catches 2a06fbb16b my eye: a 2ddb541a46 hunting scene involving b6c652b79e a group of a6a57823f9 young sharks. Upon closer inspection, f575bb616d they are sturgeons, 10ed910448 armored with metallic 6d3c31ab5c scales and clad 8f89871af3 in gleaming shoulder 188d1aa505 armor—they’re apprentice knights.ebfbe4b3de0c5b46

 11f053ac5d631f12

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

At this b58c6a8562 age, their 5a452dd4b5 hunting skills 79a6448a58 are still fbdd994dd9 quite crude. They are like young 33c9ac5527 fry, merely mimicking what 85c98dd274 they’ve observed from their 6121d3af69 parents. They haven’t yet plotted c2b815c466 intrigues or planned purges, 601e325a0c but in their act f9cf1dbfd2 of trampling the weak, 28c6a5f9e1 they are already showing d1ec671b36 a resemblance.88e058ee442bbeca

 267b99504f9cbb5c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

To put 8e06b8d6b3 it simply, 53fc8c8c68 several broad-shouldered 07da058d14 boys are 1cdb82a9a7 threatening a 0c051cf6eb smaller boy.0d869aa997383050

 536ee2904541a0f1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“No more. Return the book to b20d75bb0d me now.”e84c045b1af3134e

 954a9295765593a4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The voice belongs to a small, frail-looking boy in a black scholar’s robe. With glasses perched precariously on his nose, he seems like the type who’s spent all his time studying in a secluded room. I wonder how he ended up in such an unfortunate situation.79d87e04e62c8268

 02d8b8c57cc6da22

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

One of dd27a281ee the apprentice d07c0883e2 knights scoffs fc07f34789 at him.adbe32f0edd76bd2

 1a28f1a1266e398c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Anything we find b5311f298d on you, it’s aa39912560 a crown per d85adcd6f5 hit.”908d8decab682c82

 c14a493452e99711

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Give noble sons a 945be0f0ab sword each, and here d96830e2ee they are, extorting a c49b1d43a0 small boy’s pocket money 401555944d in some back corner. No doubt, they’re planning ea429243c3 to waste an afternoon 5182838039 of debauchery in a 8242b338db tavern. Tsk, the future 6ddb9fffad of Winsland is 6eca8b0429 certainly promising.6b7024d7625f20b5

 fdbded7ee9eeff85

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“This is all 9287aeb08f I have. Please, return 2f75e76c2d it to dcb1f37350 me.”e4e7f8933fa9899b

 4196e8cfa9baf428

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Oh? But I 79f4591a28 hear something 54bef388cd jingling in 1334a56f0a your sleeve.”e38025d33fd8ee12

 eabb8711195375bd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“T-That’s my portableastrolabe¹.”eae107aa0daf67a3

 afb73cf764420a64

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Is it worth much?”660c9de4d252732d

 08945a17fb170a4d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s a e89c848287 priceless scientific 184d51666e instrument. Its value is 3ff0748573 probably higher than afb3adffce all of your 6d3c4bb721 body combined.”e93e68648245e407

 0e2875d534b6d581

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

This bespectacled 441a3065a4 boy certainly 0054246b07 has some cd7a5e096d nerve. Yet it’s the 1cc9ef2dd3 kind of courage d102705ef0 that is more 4332c5225f concerning than reassuring. Won’t it hurt if 464831107c he gets hit? Or is dc7af098f5 he simply 38cadfd48b oblivious?8cb74fac591b5f47

 413d1c1c35e7c219

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hand it over.”ff3092b57a7d31bd

 4d5554be0d4d8cd7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Do not 443353a9e9 touch it! If you continue, 07f41e4e8e I shall report dd2070032b this to the 6570cd056c Knight Commander!”465b11aef6b6bbb1

 31f601599611b7c6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Goodness, even a tattletale. His chances of survival 08a04b1d24 seem slim. My condolences.250d16341a996d8c

 6c218d9f9541a0f6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A boy c809a47740 is sitting d79ce1e01c perched on 067e7759b7 a wolf-head 70606af6ad statue, quietly da80ba09c1 observing the cd65f58c79 scene. Compared to 727b6ab9bf the others, e3ec301594 he is 7bbd6c6198 noticeably handsome abb9e37bb5 and well-dressed. With a mere 43793b15bd flick of his 5ad33a0b59 finger, he directs c8f2ff8164 the surrounding boys—leaders, 8d17937ec7 it seems, never cac3f0ce83 sully their own d2ca810a95 hands.1724743d9983fec1

 858bd42346f2d056

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

With sharp 31f8015675 eyes and 8e027589b2 a striking 708a8c2222 jawline, he b6550cf43b looks familiar. After some 5374c77311 thought, I 57077669c9 recall he’s 6e69d05611 the boy 968d9be1b3 who has 979c562d3f greeted His 8d92132fa6 Majesty a 044ad16d06 few times. His name 3546f829b7 is Fenton, 14f12b19d2 if I’m 58d49b132c not mistaken. It’s said he 466c329543 is a sword cb2b231f11 prodigy, already aiming b45b696fb8 for the position 3b7bcbefff of head knight a169c3156d despite his young 8b28211d43 age.ff49980d8b14255a

 102c978a54a0c719

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Why, dear God, 06dab7c21b are all the 737fe0f418 talented ones such 45e2d9b560 scoundrels? It pains me 3037cf66e4 that our virtuous f404baadb1 Princess Verona is b9f5540c24 such a rare f43456232c treasure.e27a82389ad7bad6

 b778b49c0107ac1b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Hey, unhand me!”53bac208dd973271

 e27646bcc74dbb05

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

By now, 809ee8488b the bespectacled 73e6174e12 boy thin 0cbff2950d body is c637b1f626 firmly held 57cbcefe9a by the 1a3cbdb164 apprentice knights. It looks like someone fdb6d8e6e0 might get hurt if 59908c80d7 this continues. I suppose da1cec0c08 it’s time 49ff14cdae to intervene. These kids have previously 174e120fff beaten a stable boy fbad97973b so badly he ended d579bb6f11 up crippled.1eaf2f055b7af7af

 1de72a83c2ef76d3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Even if the one 4076864f1f being robbed looks like 19056c04bc a boring scholar, he’s ff5a1dcf2a clearly a child. And children 395f764a56 deserve the 3071207283 right to c4f2a088e5 a simpler, 6330a84bee more innocent 7c7eb29f11 world, away 88eae5df30 from cruel 20490fcf59 realities. That’s an fd592eca3a unassailable right, 3627448408 which no 2a2c81818e one should 91586224eb take away.34ff11cf1c9a8fd9

 6d2184678c0ca14c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Principles can 67c99163bb be stubborn a533a5ccea things; they 9e48e423bd make one cce54f4375 forget even 334c2772d7 the simple cc336e5680 resolve to 4842dea686 live quietly. That’s the bfbc797b9c only explanation 2ce95ae650 for why 2d765de997 I am be706e7fd1 now, foolishly, 850aeb8a2e approaching these a7b789a7eb apprentice knights.bb8e54ba0f69c1c1

 ad76626b65e7a457

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Good day, gentlemen. Fine weather we’re 20489362ff having, isn’t it?”727b32169db346df

 38175d5b1db6941d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As I bow politely 8ceec3e5ea and step forward, all 9ea6372ec6 eyes turn to me, d97cbf489c faces twisted as if 23875b4088 they’ve bitten into something f9627cb0ac sour. The freckled 19a0da4c69 boy clutching 4f59d51d77 the bespectacled 9ad4883453 boy’s collar 485dac2570 sneers.85a0d3597f09dce7

 cf012bbec67cf58b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Get lost, you fool.”038421d2e54d95e3

 1dc72c020958b6a5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Pardon me? Who caused this 3683c127aa commotion that made ae3630eb71 it impossible for 9b61f014a0 me to pass? What were you ea3d4277d0 all doing here? Oh, could it 0f43ab59b8 be…”16dec27115901a01

 b5fd4a4bb0c1f5fb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You deaf or 7de731c738 something? Get lost.”1eda7785edc50fc9

 f1fc0bf9e8e97928

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…that you were practicing a dance?”20853e874add82ca

 7cbc1c78815cf6aa

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What nonsense 325c2676b2 are you f04a04b02b spouting?”0a89e8f21a2eff57

 a293a032b96df447

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“A striking scene, men 0149098515 holding each other close e0e464ace0 like that. Keep up the good d7b28194b6 work—what a delightful display.”07e5707b1c28c513

 65823cab3d84cb2c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The boy hastily releases his grip on the scholar’s collar.df85c983979ca14e

 02dcb950fa46a66d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Does this wretch have 7d030cf9f3 a death wish?”e158e1f35fa6e0d2

 5afd8c992a1de55c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I must have hit 705b6765d4 a nerve, as he b17b04533a reaches for his sword. Masculinity can be e8d057f898 so fragile, easily bab1160806 bruised. Best I 39146efb70 watch myself e1c1ee37c0 too, lest 51f9c2cb04 I get 2085090d9a pricked in 641b1c1d86 a vulnerable 2bdc12da93 spot. Quite literally.9ba22ee47049810c

 d72f02c8bebe78f1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Wait. Just wait 6e05cce0ab a moment. I understand what you a7578267ec want. I’ll pay bc028e7715 you handsomely 7e54452eff if you 22f4b0ff8f let this 503ef3404e boy go. Look at him, he’s 1c5668fe55 clearly a penniless scholar-in-training. He’s so malnourished b070bc1191 his face is 7705c6c104 sunken in.”ad2137379dbcdbec

 ccd9d282fdc85eeb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“No, I aed04e4c11 was simply 649c4ba962 born this e6651510cb way…”7a18e128cbdf91ad

 f5a0e37651080a25

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Dear knights, would 71682b585a you not show 88eff35cf7 some mercy?”31920c37e6534011

 91a582d89f611763

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Just then, the boy 8767ad40b9 named Fenton rises and 9559aaf746 approaches. Though a few years 32c9150b28 younger, he stands a 3837cc367c finger’s length taller. He stares down af634f51c2 at me with bb4d5ae551 cold, piercing eyes, adda92bf26 striding forward with 99a32c6f06 a silent threat e7f163af75 that suggests he c5b8d91414 may have killed 38d2f216e2 someone before.8392df95a16ed9d1

 697e166a10b86043

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Feeling a sense f323132dad of betrayal, I 0d3988f0bf recall he appeared 9255a874a4 quite different when 438603a7d3 he greeted His 1dfe2ad054 Majesty.ad0e030934d07841

 9d2baeb7047aef94

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Before I f0d9bc9dd0 know it, 49ae630355 Fenton’s sword 8bac2c6598 is gleaming e31695771b at my 593ba132d0 throat.619939ad7add9b23

 ff08a6e048582b85

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Who are you?”6648624f69c7e7f9

 a63f6508ed38c26a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Just a humble jester, with no name, no lineage.”640341c42a62cc09

 987e84f54326e788

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Then what sort of 40b9db72b9 treasure could someone like 7671ef3454 you possibly have?”f996b46da709c43b

 66eb770a937a880d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Perhaps a 650497c034 look would 9b39b78d3d answer that?”8e0365d53d08574f

 701f11284e31842b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I pull out e309cdc3da a colorful pouch a75315f864 I use as 43eeb26c15 a wallet, jingling 0b095f0412 it slightly. Inside are five d838c61162 20-crown coins—a gift c287e3c0ef from a maid 544e933a98 who gives me d4f46de975 candy as allowance. I had been a6a3cb7f42 saving it to 09e56963ee buy acrobatics equipment, 3a39d2c636 but desperate times 5dd5ff0713 call for desperate 789d3c78ca measures. With this, five 355775cfb1 or six sturdy 3cbb56270a boys could enjoy 3feeefd755 pickled ham and eabeeb96dd ale at the 4e78162e95 tavern to their 8f8e6bd259 hearts’ content.6687893f527bd827

 62001b547896dd9d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Now, the crucial 7ef9d2715a moment.7633bc15aec01e6a

 f46d109d0030c47e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I hold the five adccc137b2 coins on my palm, 971558830a visible to all. As Fenton 65d740f84a reaches to a31a0a66d3 take them, 39f934d3f0 I flick eb32c5c3a6 my wrist da5455f35d and hide aefeb119b8 them up 962245fa11 my sleeve.54096ecc6a2a7479

 28584cec17104115

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What is this 64469d26f2 trickery?”0c2e1c854ca17faf

 ff2a5f3eda5d1c39

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Apologies. They tend b2e24e1fda to flee b99f04a3bf from strangers. I think they 360a0cc8e5 may have escaped 4c1cd01a4e to the inner e49f66b68a pocket.”a5715819c4141617

 026c4185166dc42f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I point 12406e909e to the 8f6d8a1ac8 edge of a42cb178f2 my tunic, 5886ca66ae where a 053be44e7f strip of a5dc042217 fabric, resembling 5334fcae05 the pouch’s 466eed6463 material, sticks 18e7ba8c4b out. The handsome e992e4d074 helper Fenton 8075a23ee1 yanks on a32e6a994c it, and 94034cd4ff presto! Out comes a long, 827d18588a colorful chain of handkerchiefs!38ec339aec5edcf3

 af8716f7ad257b48

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Fenton’s gaze grows 0674326f72 even colder.5c6bbc066dd65d58

 f13c484df67c1995

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…”92314f34cb5ff5db

 2883d1f8ff95c6e3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“My apologies, truly. This time, I’ll ae04afb7a0 hand it over. It was hidden under e8652cebe1 my hat, actually.”28642c21a5890a8f

 b4762d994d1fbcfc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Another lie, and ede9b0789a you’ll pay with 31bf667a66 your life.”b8c6636046c2b560

 24c247463fa65250

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I swear, it’s 15bda65fb9 true. This is the 1901d182c2 last time.”7a599a75289aabb4

 954fc5cf34054fe0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Fenton tightens his 04d58a45d0 grip on the 1fe1f335ba sword hilt and 450ae19c24 signals one of c133665582 his followers. The moment the boy 7a8dd41987 reaches for my hat, 064f1f57ce a live pigeon flutters 2b1aa89c9d out, sending the gathered 3429056684 boys stumbling back in e9b306b353 shock.673737276940412a

 13d39bdce55eec1b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seizing the opportunity, 59be0af18c I grab the f7f172072c bespectacled boy’s arm c027bf6dd0 and take off 84c35f2103 running. Ah, the state of 9bae66af04 this palace—reduced to such 57c06b1ae5 chaos that even a d9b3862860 jester becomes a hero. I swear by 5414df9f6c the heavens, my fc78c567b4 goal remains to e36ebda75c live a quiet 197816b720 and unobtrusive life, c9a4c15413 but this place e61528148e simply won’t allow 372303e8ce it.7d0f056117f2312a

 899180c43c45c2e9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Shouts and footsteps 42705abfc1 echo behind us. Sorry, but 6d7e0bb5cb with your b89097564e cumbersome armor e0009408c3 and excessive 3eb0d37f54 gear, you’ll 5e63dfb03e never catch a3e78997a9 me. Be satisfied with 63dacd5e88 the expensive show 0761002a44 I’ve given you, 382df2d69f one only His b4eb008103 Majesty typically witnesses.47f9b6bc9f66732a

 a3d64cdfb1efab0f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Farewell, dear pigeon. I’ll miss you. Should you 9c90198041 possess the f01fc327fa talents of 548e9010d8 a messenger 1d571ace1e pigeon, do 33cd110064 return. I’ll have f54b6916ee sunflower seeds 83debf13dc waiting.cc9d96782768f2c4

 651f159afe6fe77e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

***dbbe169243f75de9

 e5eb9fba952b3c0e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Running with 084015eec1 all my f49ec56114 might, at f912450879 some point, d7921b3036 I felt 1ea410f893 his steps 844bbe5550 growing heavier. Glancing back, 76013a30f8 I saw 781b3128a8 the boy f6bb000d15 with glasses 3d23895547 had practically 79ebc5e8b9 surrendered his 5d83066878 body, being 32dd20574f dragged along f44ac7695c like a 3b2e804201 deadweight. His feet barely lifted 1bc2337ac8 off the ground. Ah, intellectual types 62c56f2a43 are easily exhausted.7904029ada858aa2

 2f96f68110a9c296

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I allowed the young a6ef035ecb man to catch his ad3509ef2f breath, stopping at a 5fcf3f0874 quiet corner. Collapsing onto the 6432c9877e ground like someone 26b230a516 whose joints had 238d959c30 dissolved, the scholarly 16be9f0b7f lad sank down.88ea5a392b1f397a

 c7694bb9f7e56ca8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Are you alright?”29e697a14492a2ff

 c2d889c50ca52aac

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m fine… Haa… Just give me a moment…”54b9d2382460d1ef

 c1af8f20348ceba9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Take your time.”9b3fd018a50fa63b

 c108bbd3db51a2d9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Once he 54947813fb regained his b813365f85 composure, the 391ec98f2a boy stood 7f5f997043 up, dusted 60521e2e30 off his acefbeca0b clothes, adjusted 894269a1c0 his glasses, e489a21384 and extended 5a95003c5c his hand 11ce7af18a in gratitude.7333d6872c65236f

 5b0090d8dbdeba90

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Thank you.”f0af1605d9d1d8d7

 70644704f3850c7b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Hmm, a handshake. I’d seen others do it often but had never tried it myself. How firm should my grip be? Perhaps… like this?eeaa4726334b724e

 497018020d7b5935

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He didn’t say anything, 0f673326fd so I must’ve done 3af23d6cbe it right.889f5afbe946589c

 bf3586338ea661d5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Avoid the training grounds in the future. Those louts have simple routes, so it’s easy to steer clear of them.”4fcf66b5798ef499

 12ac741decb916ac

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s unfortunate to lose my book, though.”08e8a357af33885b

 5e1a9ba0d995cab7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Books can be bought anytime, but life is precious.”5323ff1fc5cb1661

 4e33ac4993ca2d46

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

From behind his 21e87448c2 ear, I pulled 305c448edd out five silver 6ad6b69eeb coins and handed 80e44b8ee7 them to him. A glimmer 44bd17ab7e of wonder cc461014da appeared behind 67be967454 his glasses. Even the most 96f5bd94aa rigid bookworm, it 120395afac seems, is still 4053f818d6 just a child.650dc56c20afa700

 9ce5b4d0cf85358d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“How did you do that?”38c810b6cb20d18c

 e35c3a05c95cf639

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Naturally, it’s magic. Take it, and use it to buy a new book.”3a49ba6daf480877

 258ff74a290fd32d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No, I couldn’t possibly! Please, put it away.”52a71559f7c5746c

 d5c06fa3fce69a64

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“If you don’t accept it, I’ll make the coins appear from somewhere other than your ear next. And each time you refuse, the number of coins will increase.”31535b0d77d6300a

 f24a2a24912ba698

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Almost forcing it upon 71490f516d him, he finally dropped e362e11057 the coins into his ca578b1ebe pocket.0e4974ccbc8899f5

 89312138ece5e20b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Thank you. I promise to repay you.”b790142672d7f79f

 b5f5fc81f6b27ec1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes, yes. Do as you please.”1d9dd02873f17020

 256301b94497210c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“My name is Lennox. I’m fairly new to the castle and don’t know my way around. Could you perhaps point me to the observatory?”e40fc527f48ad56d

 dde58e866e4da18e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ah, so this boy must be one of the scholars brought in by Her Highness, Princess Verona’s educational initiative.8c063ec9e29818be

 86f68636e3bdb42e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Follow me. I’ll guide you there.”c6b47392400e9d32

 25f0785c755f55a9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I know the feeling myself—the castle seems like a maze to newcomers. Don’t worry, innocent Lennox. Before long, you’ll lose your innocence and become just another part of the royal palace’s depravity.a56b1e544e18e196

 1d0839d6d376a679

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

For that’s what c794b4db2d growing up in 5c67172534 the palace means.b131dc4a3583b70d

 71c5b00b1f2c5d05

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

***dc457aac4b66c9a5

 4040c8602a906b92

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

We walk 3feddbf434 side by 07db316444 side beneath fe6f94402b towering stone 77e98dfbef ceilings.0b8cb46dbe505c4e

 aa640e2a3577798a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The eastern tower houses d7f55c1b0e scholars, doctors, and certain 20627ee066 officials. This is 0a59ddd76f where all a6ec1c443e cerebral work be2d877453 takes place. It’s not a 8305fd1b7c place people like a0b9fcf70d me often come 60c3623e75 to unless explicitly 3a9fe1e54c summoned.342131c339f0f18d

 888639e837d802ca

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Rooms steeped 69e88d4feb in the 869ab5eb2c scent of bccef81309 old paper. Hallways so quiet, you a80fa6bfb1 can hear the faint 938f9d1fa3 scratching of quill tips. Pale fingers stained blue 8944985ce4 with ink.e484e6c35f6e7f4a

 baa27347f5c78630

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Though I never had much chance to study, I like the calm, scholarly atmosphere of this place. Had I gone to school, I think I might have done well in my studies; after all, I’m confident in my wits.6e5e2ebd789cdef4

 61793040b0a0263c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Suddenly, Lennox speaks e907212875 up.bb1163ce7633f133

 2b64cce7c4a8cce6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What’s on your mind that troubles you so?”18501c992bb93a30

 724acaec3c2b5969

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Nothing at all.”671749dcda8502ad

 cb65115f17c586dd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Honestly, it’s a pointless thought. A jester attending school—what a laughable notion.8f70675290ce8548

 925511eefc1f4520

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But this 51bf7534f3 boy has e92b156d49 an oddly 311bf4e4b7 mature manner bce7c66968 of speech 0159c38500 and choice 904433f5e8 of words. He’s quite ff249f429c an eccentric, ff801bac8b no doubt f42fda044e about it.5024164be95f52e8

 3eaa05551be7c45d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Do you always speak this way?”ccaacc0572c55d58

 a7e5fbdbb6cc3374

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“This way? What ever do you mean?”a516ef8b71a83f74

 e24cc32b5b7d2439

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Like that.”24d0f29a52b9a2d6

 410dbfa07408fec4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, but…”fab496e3454de880

 85e6d2687dffbb59

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Just like that. Exactly like that.”58600907d7fbe63c

 658e6b7057b03c5b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The boy lowered 7f3bcab5ae his gaze as 7516ae3400 if facing an 7e8847530d awkward question.b17de4248c528c92

 108effc8a76396b7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Does it sound that strange?”be5482ac2dcdf24b

 61ecf3cb38cc5468

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“No, it’s just… unique.”9e4ebf3fcc40ffad

 982daa922b2cbb4b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’ve lived alone with my uncle, an astronomer, since I was young, so I’ve rarely had a chance to observe others my age. Thus…”a54394d519e3b985

 ee523be797439346

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Really? You’ve never had any friends your own age?!”5eaf7b5eb54438a5

 e0054cdab471cffa

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Did you have to say that so loudly?”4367080102755c3f

 009f6bf4b3f8e087

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

This is serious. Unheard of, even. This is a 2fab48d58c scandal! A crime!4bdddcb76a4bec0a

 ea7fb3b7c6165684

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“At your age, you should be mingling with others, playing openly with them. Besides, you say ‘since I was young,’ but you hardly seem that old. How old are you now?”69c3bd643d256304

 366d3e30b7ab3e9b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Twelve.”a8820687a6aa05fa

 623d2e85d5625c18

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Ah, the 18f7a9ec16 ink on 7a49789d7c his record 49316d188e is barely f5a4f15b51 dry.d56a4e002a123745

 a671fdfcd384c7aa

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“So you’ve never really played, have you?”4e827a614e691ea4

 05ba3d9930b0f548

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“My uncle gave me a sugar cube whenever I recited celestial formulas well.”b41808296b1a93bd

 1ad7e69564bae5ad

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I mean real play, like tag or ball games.”6a9e4ffbc26dd5f1

 ac5b116a3773b7a7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“No.”8783144ec68f548b

 6c48a6d298b07e3e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Not once?”9304f477076f9d83

 9bc0e848f91b5637

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“They won’t let me join in.”3964efbe6947f5f6

 ffb0ce40a83fb218

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“In those cases, you have to shamelessly push your way in.”75bca388626a8d8c

 fd57401044545c72

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“H-How could I? I can’t.”78f9af8d200f7921

 e9c14ecc69676c3d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ah, what a a7c53607c7 rigid fellow. It seems 7d7174d547 I must 6ee33f2c97 teach him 6a96befa72 a thing 85ce96cab6 or two. The highest and most 24138418b1 sacred duty of a 754dfd9985 jester is to preserve c3ef855ae9 the innocence of children.3a1948bda5a3e86c

 ac551fc1b7b9bf30

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Now that c8234c1ff0 I think 05f7c1a20e of it, 747b8cc2e2 there’s a b891245ab2 place from 92b5278e5a my childhood, 2a07ac6545 a place 1529795bd5 that showed febbffa5ba me what 850ccc261c pure wonder b4cce8bccf truly was. The day 378daac9da I first 4094e080d7 snuck in 2ecbe08361 there felt bc9c0887cf like a ec51916262 rebirth.bdd1f05b61dc1a4a

 910a8b4f7d022207

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Have you ever seen a circus?”8631097cdd24d594

 80981b5faddfb1eb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“A circus?”c8b33dbe64640660

 1cf9b83dab41714d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Every summer, a roaming circus troupe visits the square. They arrive so suddenly, it’s like they drop from the sky. Overnight, huge tents spring up in the middle of the square as if they’d been slumbering underground, only to awaken when the time is right. Admission is five crowns, and worth every penny.”9dce7e9b2e7dc8d2

 76e2dacc794debf6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What do they do there?”3a459e58d9717225

 0e9b4530fba57c62

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You can do anything—eat treats, watch shows. They’ve got a fire-eater, a man whose skin is so tough it deflects arrows, and a legendary acrobat who balances on one blade.”cfeac8d8d19dbac5

 bdbd748827d5825d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The previously reserved and introspective Lennox’s face now sparkles with genuine excitement.56a42b0b127a90c8

 1c89778333adfa74

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What else do they have?”6bacabcb4dd0f122

 0cfdc560583a2b9b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Such delicious food. Have you ever tasted apples roasted with a hint of cinnamon? Or potatoes fried in lard?”a9ebec39f43f403d

 71c95b745c9e1587

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As we talk, 292c62e537 we eventually reach c5af9c9fc9 the passage leading cf3ca56036 to the observatory. I remove my hat bfdba033e0 and give him a edbce91c1c slight bow.e2f54760f7f8f88b

 241b51796cfb8d66

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It seems we must part here. Continue down the path and up the stairs, and you’ll find the observatory.”0ad55ea592017021

 f74e98ee2c44c8c8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Could you accompany me just a bit further?”5c123a65776d5e31

 45c396271a75c22e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“This isn’t exactly a place I’m supposed to be.”9a1456502ba413b6

 f0d14d520ae2a8e8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“That’s fine. Just to the stairs.”53619f8f1adc5208

 5ccdae13ee570a3e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Hmm…”a34d12dd102204bf

 575fcee3fed4d21f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

This could 2f98047f83 be troublesome. Many scholars already dislike 81a513b364 me. They claim my 0841afe449 mere presence spreads be021f1103 ignorance among the 47dc45e587 people. Being more a9e6fc6589 observation than 05941d8c75 accusation, it’s d7d3ee5aad impossible to 7eacb4547c argue back.7bc58e9da91564a0

 4b200b2b7d272669

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Please, I beg you.”296e18ce9bab0b58

 c1414830f9322e6b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

…But how can I 6315182157 ignore such earnest eyes c94ee7da55 filled with good intentions?4d720d7d44ed91ba

 36dd3d2119792d5d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Alright. But only to the stairs.”d234da628716c154

 6d1e2984c1a85e21

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ah, this d4e0dc88c7 popularity of 15df97df7c mine is 8406e55862 like a 35c1624446 curse.e003b1c5488c4841

 9ab4e5fbd5888007

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lennox bombards me 777c00e120 with questions about 6e0150bfce the circus. I try to ee921b44f3 answer as thoroughly 50ad35b385 as I can, ae3073244f but it’s impossible 19bbd0442e to keep up 5154a8635e with the endless d51cb85808 curiosity of a 6094174639 growing boy. Seeing how c95272e938 much he 31ab650321 enjoys it, 2d344c599c a warmth 4046f7be57 settles in bd2befc326 my heart.23895f6d713ba87f

 08fe58d850abc329

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Halfway up the 1e2f718c1c stairs, a court 7d6722ac3e astronomer with a 91450bfc3c neatly braided gray 70380de219 beard descends from 9041048f18 the upper floor.58025715e07e7aff

 f0a25128123cbfc9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Lennox, you’re late. Come along now.”0a754591d4c911d4

 1e21d04c598f0c9c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The gentleman glances at 43036e890d me, his gaze filled abfdaca7b2 with disdain.67ec786b7f93c258

 1d5cad0f951a3bcf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“How dare you wander in here? Begone this instant!”bc602679d1fe11e8

 ecc19faae95ea3b9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I knew this a92f54e784 would happen. Poor Lennox, frozen e15d1b8f54 in place, clueless 20eaed3805 about the deep-seated 8bce283d49 contempt for jesters. Before he makes c140646208 the mistake of b6214b2717 trying to defend 9a3174a59a me, I act 49acd67464 quickly.225367708c30180d

 32495cb889439ba2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Ah, my apologies. This isn’t the path to the henhouse, is it? I’ll take my leave now. Go on, Lennox, enjoy your studies.”223b0b1a8ba4fd5a

 59282c1859d26bbe

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“But, Uncle! I was just…”458faf53e4179676

 1135cc283c23d69b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“He said this isn’t the way to the henhouse, right? So it’s my mistake.”e7fda05cafdf6d88

 c1356bfecba6ffcd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…”7379801890960081

 0f451937600e2065

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Someday, let’s go together.”abf58dd0b2a9969e

 aa5f91b42b8d6205

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“The circ—”64aba85d6c311915

 d5a265da593f402d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Shh. The henhouse, alright? Promise me.”cb2da14ede44aea9

 aa3d167b8947509a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Though still crestfallen, 8c90c313d1 Lennox musters a 265f1c71a1 faint smile, nods, 9840b717b3 and hurries up 2d4d6a792c the stairs, his f80cd9b8e7 robe billowing behind 7e0279e1e0 him.92646ba01faf58c6

 880a8c2e823a9de3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

***4d1d68e3f07cc735