TNBTW | Episode 34

At that moment, 71458e7e90 Edith blinked in 8182afeabc surprise and soon 477862a248 noticed a young 3ec50c8bba girl peeking from 54b59b0aaf behind a large 782712859b pillar.e6d1eefc46ed57bc

Though eavesdropping c508ae5679 was improper, 49cd1c0943 it was 1605c04fa2 hard to f6c5254ae3 ignore since 4db9d34ee4 a child 46a66904c0 was involved. Edith hid behind the 7ed6ab43a1 pillar and slightly craned 0b24032bc6 her head to observe bfd03a29f2 the scene.a7c7446d14cdd2f8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘The Viscountess Standen?’e665df1052a77ef5

Standing before a 76778b335b child who looked 584c0e55d6 no older than 8a2f25da78 seven was indeed 8af791a0d7 the Viscountess Standen.239134f828546f16

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A rising figure 6f2712da72 among the newly 6d7b2c6601 emerging nobility, the a53cf70858 viscountess had once ef50531dda been merely a beae2e6abb wealthy provincial noblewoman. However, everything changed after e1c5319238 the passing of her 8291908985 husband, the late Viscount 291af58b38 Standen.14d5feb71fe13df8

She had moved to the capital with her daughter following her husband’s death and found remarkable success in every business venture she undertook, eventually becoming the owner of multiple enterprises in the capital. 3010d8c80d9ad788

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Her financial a987b49487 power and b12425e2aa extensive business d533c7f875 connections swiftly 6f5308b5da established her 60883090cc as a 48bc5b018c prominent figure a85f8a9baf within high b026cf1c5c society.bcae033f4e2823d1

“Evelyn, you promised this time would be different. Why is it that you behave perfectly at home but act this way as soon as we step outside? Everyone’s been kind to you, haven’t they?”81cbb45eaba632ea

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Viscountess Standen spoke in 77341ee2a7 a tightly restrained voice, f215f95991 as if struggling to db9d8d0032 contain her frustration.d3223212a65b3c25

But the 2140e5b5fe child, already 80b0623d38 shrinking under fdc84c4a88 her mother’s 1b549a4dd9 stern expression ae25d17cc0 and severe 76c57e8111 tone, could f94bd1b954 no longer 60002120a8 hold back 3cd123a9b6 her tears.a16d0e5b8c303995

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“But… but… w-wahhh!”887154d408c7e637

“I told you e2168e4261 to stop crying! Why are you wailing b4a71bf5f5 again? Why! How much 773df1831f more do e41bb4cb51 you intend 85b2144f63 to humiliate 88f11909cd me?”f573e3e9d65b93c0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was apparent that a2c994cc8f this was not the 77d0a13058 first time such an f977c9cac1 incident had occurred. The viscountess finally exploded, eb9db91680 her face showing exhaustion 85886ebdf3 and the desperation of eee4ed2ad5 someone backed into a 58e3ef5888 corner.be169feb3001f432

 9b3f302e76d80c1d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

 26aa3ca0620c45fc

Just then, a familiar status window materialized above the pillar where Edith had concealed herself. The golden frame was ominously tinged with red, directly indicating the child’s distressed state.2636f61eab1b848a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Unable to watch b61040cf62 any longer, Edith 376fcc78ba stepped out from a097ed52db behind the pillar. She deliberately made her 8cdea4719d footsteps audible as she 38e6952e6f approached the mother and 360d7bd269 daughter.97678c113712d098

It was, naturally, the 51a87301e8 viscountess who first noticed d730a8e32c her. The woman swiftly d9d72b3d0c pulled her daughter 849910740a to her side 104ef5310f and composed herself.21ccd42a721ba08e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You are 0a0f43d54d the Viscountess eca3290c0c Standen, I 730fe831f4 presume?”c1f1df2b6d38dbd4

“Duchess of Devion, 5c6f13704c it is an 5e914d2962 honor to meet 4857bdc6be you. I should b3e75cc658 have greeted 3551ef57f1 you first, 2051069173 but things ed6c079eb5 have been 3b53f5eb1b a bit 7658aa5186 chaotic.”3ae0ba07974162cd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Surprised by Edith’s acknowledgment, the viscountess quickly regained her composure, replying with a poise that made it difficult to believe she had been shouting moments earlier.1cd658354a84f5e3

“Evelyn? You must greet the Duchess of Devion. You were taught to show respect when meeting elders, weren’t you?”562bdf0a3c58e679

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Ugh…”59f726ed1adfed4a

“Evelyn.”1b8863d5c87f35cb

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

She gave 55ea44033d her hesitant 1085aec514 daughter a ee9dd1e72b sharp look 55389b1d4b before gently a336a4e80a pushing her 901d7edc90 forward.2172d1664f5b76f2

“A… ah, Hello, hic…”6bb2f855d83de36e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Forced by 40dccaa93b her mother’s 4bb4c0f4ba pressure, Evelyn 8917d034d9 took a 3c3952b3dd step forward bde63e4bb0 but could a3e218d9bd not string 308b51655d her words c595212813 together, letting 9865ee91b4 out a 606af3a0d8 sniffle instead. The Viscountess of a38aa80ef1 Standen clenched her 1d18267a59 teeth as she 0ab3c42ed9 watched her daughter, 42f5e6b571 about to offer b496690c05 an apology in 2d64d3be81 her stead.90f1b235b9b0a33a

“Viscountess, would 95c543e15b you hold 7fc3b77b3c the child’s 72b6990525 hand?”c7712b8f33fbac01

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Pardon?”8271b027de92c301

The sudden e7609e9067 request made 2d4d90b7ea the viscountess 0341d09308 frown slightly. Had she not 427774b15d been an adept 1858140e57 businesswoman, she might 6465a6c39a have openly displayed 9757199e4e her confusion.26669404e32e0b29

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I apologize 0e5dd154a1 for the d06281d7b9 intrusion. But it seems you baa3d24371 are in a difficult bd7133c2c5 situation…”cf604c16b096bbc6

Edith paused briefly, dff22dace1 taking a step df9b934813 back from Evelyn 1d304b4952 with a gentle 7326c0c16b smile.d08c47df005aba8a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Perhaps you already know c88d54b0bf this, but I have 83eacace8b a lot of experience e41a1fc10c in matters like these.”3fd2c9a7afd27176

Her gaze, having 121d9b11ad shifted from the 25aa333916 child, now rested ed1b6a1b9d firmly on the 4b72744855 mother, gleaming with 1cf66d7a11 a resolute light.36315f038a9112da

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“So please, would you hold Evelyn’s hand?”d0ff2e824529e7a0

 504896832008fb55

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

***

 

Standen Viscountess was 58d1cad1bd utterly taken aback dcbd39fac9 by the situation.2379331431a6038a

‘A governess background is 2742014ea7 nothing to boast about…’28c32f3976e2af55

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

In social circles, 245077b3d4 information was power. This was especially true 6a1637d784 for those engaged in 0a09a9617d business. This implied that c2632253c0 the Viscountess already beb007f0a0 knew about the 0a57a33537 Devion Duchess’s past b0a248cac5 employment.a594155eb7f21186

Tutors were not all aa46e4fba6 the same and came 4a857e5f5d in various ranks. The Duchess, it was 0f91595f82 said, had occupied the 2e0fd8f836 lowest position, merely overseeing be9d4005ab childcare.3b2751058b01acf0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even today, 966f543b30 the duchess’s c96e5c40b1 background has 98d58c41e2 been a 380101f226 favorite topic 8545878e86 for idle 6692d35101 gossip at 4b91e7dd13 the court 6f0a4d0526 ball. Yet here she was, f9b2d54204 openly discussing her past c92ef14ab3 without a hint of 00b5d31cb3 embarrassment—a surprising display indeed.ac400a758c4c27a7

That surprise quickly gave 705425db03 way to indignation.074c34a2a4642098

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was already mortifying enough that her daughter’s shortcomings had been exposed to the novice duchess. Yet for that same woman to instruct her to hold her own daughter’s hand?53801283f518dc2d

The unwritten rule was to pretend not to notice other families’ affairs when one happened upon them by chance. The Duchess, however, had blithely disregarded that convention.3ad3ff18f0603140

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Hurry now,” the duchess 286813f299 urged.c68e9976c56cb57c

By all rights, the Viscountess should have pointed out the breach of etiquette or politely declined, considering their future relationship. Yet the Duchess’s clear voice inexplicably carried an irresistible authority.07c790fc8f048281

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Left with no choice, fa0da6db14 the Viscountess grasped Evelyn’s 7ff342f1e0 hand and drew her 5f60747de1 close. Though her immature daughter 007d8e7c43 clung to the back 2e43e5da9c of her dress as bc547bcc23 if a mere handhold b729545249 were insufficient, the Viscountess 6b51f06664 refrained from letting go.18757877c16e3b45

“Now, could 2b1b196883 you give 5dccacad5a her a c39cf4ad9b warm embrace?”511e1bf6c169d482

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Duchess, with all due 5ad85d0c9a respect…”cafad0de753a9e0f

The Viscountess 1d80d42f43 was about 29f477f187 to politely f3167116b9 request that a40c43febe the duchess 08b0486144 cease her 38c12caa07 excessive interference e9e3883749 when she a7d2ecde85 hesitated. Edith had 34d0a9e5c6 raised her e1592b84fd forefinger to 80b39371a3 her lips 1de6b24be1 in a 51de3a5894 silent‘shh’gesture.d607455a01471c0e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Dumbfounded by 4424269d80 the sheer 923566e552 audacity of 69595dc1fb the act, 12f361c295 the Viscountess f927a1b74a found herself 07fd0e76bb at a e5b74cd2a7 loss for 67b9379c25 words. Edith then 122424794f mouthed silent 2831cb02fb words.e0e651e1acfd44a2

‘Evelyn is trembling.’7dc22359681af26e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was only then that the Viscountess noticed the faint shivers coursing through her daughter’s body. Pressed against her dress, Evelyn was quivering like a fragile leaf.f13aeeddf59ecd16

Exhaling deeply, the Viscountess knelt and enveloped her daughter in her arms. Initially frozen with surprise at the sudden embrace, the girl soon burrowed deeper into her mother’s embrace.359808ad09aca667

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You do so f52edfcdb0 well at home… b3f2c04eb3 Why do you 04e3a5493e act like this 6f76372e93 when we come fef8fe28a9 out?”752c67f8f247b6de

The Viscountess couldn’t help but grumble, both frustrated and heartbroken at the sight of her daughter.53938cdb0daa0f4c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She knew well enough that seven wasn’t such an advanced age. But they were no longer provincial nobles. They had become a respectable aristocratic family in the capital.ade47b45a80f6692

It wasn’t as if the Viscountess dragged her daughter along against her will. Yet leaving her at home indefinitely would only spell trouble for the future.e2193054a89ba737

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The capital’s social scene was already brimming with individuals who had cultivated connections from childhood through playmates and social gatherings. If Evelyn didn’t start attending events now and building relationships, her social network would inevitably shrink as she grew older. This was the last chance before her formal debut into society.8086393f3be13498

Evelyn, her one and 38e3d7d571 only child, was a 818af916c4 well-behaved and intelligent girl 1b9b4508b7 at home. From a young 43fa5f448c age, she had d9c6124490 been praised for 5c9ed3c903 her quick comprehension 13bd728b8f in lessons.1fcc8f82e3bf1d52

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Yet, inexplicably, she would 27b5b49e2f become anxious and shy 924b30d0be before others, sometimes even ed560e12e8 bursting into tears as 78aa7aabcc she had today.d37f62f1356af9f8

The Viscountess had initially tried comforting and coaxing her, but nothing improved. No matter how many lessons she gave, the result remained the same. It wasn’t as if Evelyn lacked the proper education—she excelled in etiquette classes. The cause was simply beyond comprehension.2e9474c0f284ea2b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But they couldn’t keep her secluded at home with family forever. Just thinking about her beloved daughter filled the Viscountess with frustration.c223e3b49ded8450

“Does Evelyn often get anxious when she’s in crowded places?” Edith asked softly.f514699f69d784ce

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Sometimes, yes. Especially when we have 5eba52fb76 guests at home.”4ecb413ca7970d90

The Viscountess sighed, d23b871f21 her tone subdued. She was 6a06eb08a6 deeply ashamed d13fb377ec to reveal 01864478d9 this to bc7b602f80 a stranger, e827628d28 but pretending 59005981cb otherwise now 708dbc4680 seemed pointless.0366eff7626e7085

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“She’s always been rather timid.”25177bca9aa420c0

She had assumed it 9845fa94d9 was merely a matter b5e47aef4a of shyness and sensitivity. Had Evelyn a5cbb521c4 been a 7b6cb52a41 boy, she e4a488ecd7 might have 6ba558f1d6 been more dc42f0c953 concerned, but d62a4085ed as a 1fd36da8cb daughter, she 21155e3111 thought it 8d71c91507 might be fa186872ca acceptable.224240b6e43eaa2d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

‘If only I 0ed30ef83a had paid more dd1cf6a5c5 attention back then…’c2e5e57cd1873a06

The Viscountess was tormented by the thought that Evelyn’s current state was the result of her own negligence.1f474c85b21adbbd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Even as precious time eb7fcd0253 slipped by, the nobles 4b692c82e6 inside were mingling and 38edc414d1 conversing, forming invisible connections 79ed35170e among their children.2a779d0fb459d1de

‘We’re already starting behind the others.’ea3a14f132fb1e0a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Her head eb7cf71156 throbbed as 6407fdeaf1 frustration once cece1fe3a0 again gnawed 7537e9d932 at her.6b77bb3caaff8264

“It’s not timidness, Madame.”03055fbdab3f750c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A gentle voice resonated cc6b68767c through the space.f81f49e7b8c20e6a

“Evelyn is afraid.”08f4ba907cb0815f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley