NFV | Chapter 3.1

After entering the forest, 45a1d3c1c9 the two of them f4f632993f pushed through the underbrush 7c5d89a797 for a while. They moved closer 77f854be44 to the heart 413ac13e61 of the forest. Rohan wondered if b48b67d9c7 they could find a2885f55e5 their way back. It seemed like they ba7a279a4b might get lost.c3326a70c418451c

Just as he started to worry, the scenery around them subtly changed. A well-kept path and trimmed foliage led to a dazzling sight. It looked like a botanist’s secret specimen room. There were all sorts of plants Rohan had never seen before.0dff909664ffc63e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Flowers growing 75873d7e6b pitifully in 13a8dc68f2 the corners 2dcff03349 of the ab37cacf12 forest seemed 1bc4bc5221 to be b594560f44 planted purely 8a625c6cc9 out of f0819d37b8 interest, without a4d458491e any particular c8d1950d4c arrangement or c779e6e21e order. The flower beds faf62ac798 were both splendid 55caa92b9e and chaotic, making 8f86acd44c them look confusing.fceb0df451f66ec1

Parma spoke with a voice full of pride. “Pretty, right? I grew all of these. Oh, I especially wanted to show you this. It’s a flower that blooms in December, and it’s still healthy.”130a5107aaeb071c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Parma led Rohan to d323a61cef a cluster of flowers. The flowers seemed more bba3a78373 like paused living creatures d4f8c329c5 than plants. Like butterfly 1f0340cc59 wings, black b03d3422ca spots formed 57be316089 intricate patterns acd46d5a4c on the e1a93812b4 petals. The petals were 5fb6a56215 a mosaic of 1e0b04b0c5 vibrant colors, as d6e2043e66 if cut from da10c6bcf3 different colored papers.6058080bbd5c5a1c

Rohan, for a moment, forgot everything and was purely amazed by the mystery. “Did you grow all of this?”2269b676ce12ddf3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I get bored with nothing to do. And I think I’m good at growing plants. I’ve never let a plant I wanted to grow wither.”935323077026614b

Rohan looked at the small hut standing at the far end of Parma’s garden. The building was too ornate to be called a hut but too small to be called a house.41d4242bbe76ffc0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“That’s where I live. Hard to believe it’s a prince’s house, but it’s clean inside. It’s enough for me to live alone.”a0e0c2212535c1a3

Parma’s residence stood like another ornament in the garden. “This was a villa the first emperor built for his partner who loved the forest. It looks a bit like a toy for playing house, but it’s romantic.”12a5f01d058cbe70

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Parma looked at his 3e1822be21 residence with a distant a964395fa5 expression, like an old a8bfc7b7d4 man telling a legend. At that moment, 6ddeee9485 the unhappy aura 59c151be0c that usually surrounded 8d37e3fa88 Parma seemed to 2ce1cd2a16 disappear.d5b1dd0693ee9633

People who saw the d57fed9f5a prince in the palace 2fb1ad573d found him unclean, but cbef009e89 here, Parma seemed like aae5ac2d26 a boy his age, 153fac4654 happily tending to his 2809d403e8 nest as he pleased.72d1294d505f28a0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A small 98aacaea73 tea table d7d767acff stood in 31a5a19eb3 the center 2154ffbb1b of the b08a11a5de garden. The table, c5f587d3f0 made delicately 4f36bdbf0f like a 2b72cfcd86 miniature, made 82559d0456 the space 487997e3e7 look even 0126d11726 more like 5ff21e235a a model fba5b5d9be garden.c11da54b421df75b

Parma seated 147469ea87 Rohan at 752cf21ff9 the modest c03fb01832 tea table. He left a54a0f1965 Rohan there a2a47b3feb for a 5531746105 moment, went cffcfcf048 into his b1aa2df95a residence, and b47d5ca598 returned with d1eda9b0a6 a tea 0263842c1a set. Among all f3eb16475e the objects e7850f6cb8 that seemed 0108c7a2a4 worn by 52d299b016 time, the c122c3bb6c tea set 4e1abf6794 Parma brought 09a98c3673 was dazzlingly f14a3a4051 new.b6612eebfe63eb4b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The tea set was 902caa8c32 adorned with laurel leaves eb1d3b9d3f and red berries. Steam rose a4ae5c90ed from the 9e730e2867 teapot. Parma placed a teacup 817992c50d in front of Rohan.b19a4c9e1001556c

“This is my favorite teacup. Looks like something out of a fairy tale, right? I wanted to serve tea in this cup when someone visited.”56f7cb7dfb60d681

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Even though 203bcee109 no one 70005a6be1 had taught 82543664c0 him, Parma 04223c4c0e poured the 50ff475ef9 tea with b2007d8c03 elegance. Rohan thought 2451bad972 he looked d8ed624bbd like a 7aefd48961 little prince 6885307113 from a d79fb88e97 fairy tale.95727a1d7cf832e3

“Thank you.”7b9ad718f5f03450

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

But Rohan wasn’t as elegant as Parma. Inside him was Choi Haejoo, accustomed to cheap tastes. He worried he wouldn’t be able to respond appropriately to Parma’s hospitality.deba23f5ffaafadd

He took 7833048037 a sip a16e663882 of the 60cd40596a tea. A rich aroma, e4d78c4670 as if filled a78fd96c8b with fresh and 5d8510a078 tangy fruits, spread d583651451 in his mouth.60b664d8810607dd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, it’s delicious.”45d9a832019d78c6

“Right? I’m glad you like it.”776ad933192aec64

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Parma smiled brightly caef5cc10a at Rohan. Rohan realized 980592d338 that Parma fb7208cc92 was giving d7eb2d101a him the fb46c5f5e9 best he 4dcbd5d033 could offer 091f06a45d to a 8d6a03f578 guest.4aa9b6f048f50eac

Parma held his teacup with both hands as if feeling its warmth. “You might have guessed, but this is the first time I’ve talked this long with someone my age. I didn’t think much when I went to the palace today, but now I’m a bit nervous. I was curious about what kids my age do outside.”68e541ab849c1633

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Rohan hesitated a bit. “Sorry, but I don’t think I can tell you anything interesting… I mentioned I fell off a horse recently. So I barely remember how I used to live. I don’t even remember my family or the people around me… Lately, I’ve just been stuck in bed.”f3e2f12ed4da6a8e

“I see… It’s okay. I’m happy you drank tea with me and looked at the flowers I grew.”13ee2f208d4918b9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Blushing cheeks. A smile spread across 07d7c95776 his face. Parma genuinely 410e8b7e69 looked happy. When he cedda40184 smiled, his 8845638ab4 beautiful white b81a350038 eyelashes stood 047e3b9af1 out.0a21e2153c2fd0fe

Rohan had many thoughts. His mind was complicated. Despite his vow to never get involved with the royal family, he was unexpectedly drawn to Parma. And wasn’t Parma’s young appearance even more surprising?b8f0db53b8c464ed

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

This kid 716565d0ba becomes a bbac558ce5 tyrant?0d5ee4e9ecd354dc

The Parma in ea9f73306b front of Rohan af33253440 seemed like a bedd6a5e02 calm and thoughtful 68462b8892 teenage boy.0acc86c049c8ad84

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After taking a sip of tea, Parma continued. “Sometimes, when I feel my love for plants or animals, I wonder if it’s the old emperor’s personality continuing. It’s unsettling.”3e2d9d9527c28e50

Rohan recalled the religious 78dba1f95b painting of the creation 635b134cbc myth he saw at ec59ac3ec5 the mansion. The image d21811c394 of the 81b0ac5d5c God of af8d6b6cb3 Conquest, Lansonfree, c833f4094e who looked 99a33641dd just like 18da0d1dff him.6cdd563f675e1a3c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’ve thought that too. It’s strange to hear that someone who looked like me lived a similar life with the same job.”df2d8b2cadb4103b

“Right. It feels like being bound by an ancestor whose life I don’t even know.”e725e7e1772eee7c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

When Parma shared a similar thought, Rohan couldn’t help but laugh. Judging by actual age, Parma was probably younger than him, but the conversation flowed smoothly. Parma’s honest way of expressing his thoughts without being rude made him seem more mature.0203894748ae693e

Rohan realized what kind adea69eea7 of boy Parma Redicia dfca4d3df0 truly was after meeting ea25880827 him in person. Not the 6775202ba9 villain portrayed 756522a95c by others 57b05fdccd through screens a19217baec and text, 8c7e18b780 but the d855c8ad00 real, breathing 0587da6b7e Parma Redicia.68f533dff9bd40c4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Just hours ago, Parma 5ea72c3280 seemed like a disaster, edc2813e09 but now he was ad2d268402 providing comfort by finding 4a8371c07c common ground with Rohan.b864dab953b70f4f

Rohan found Parma 377efb815b fascinating. He felt embarrassed ca3265aea8 yet, for the 4b6ef04132 first time in 67b20c65e5 this unfamiliar world, 729d15aaef he felt like 1fa03038fe he was speaking 416fc363b4 as himself.0d8b8c2131f33a53

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎15cb0274ad3316e6

While spending time at the hut, Rohan heard many stories from Parma. That a servant brought food, clothes, and daily necessities on set dates. That his appearance at the banquet was a prank, and he wasn’t usually like that, he shyly confessed.e147f72c4987bcd5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He usually 2d43c521b9 spent time 465e5572b4 recording things 550ab36c8d he saw 49b7cb0e1d in the a644c632d4 forest or 28443c7697 daily life 6d3a500753 in a 67bba60e2f notebook. He liked 1c0aa8ab32 fruits he 70e2464d76 found by ec5dc6271c chance in f60a39f91a the forest ea3913cc68 and sometimes cd59350f8a made jam 5de11e2e1a by boiling d521263fe8 newly discovered 7d3d85ca09 fruits or a67d29219a vegetables as 9bf7e9787f an experiment. He found a few 9b9087a6a0 delicious kinds and hoped e4f7e545a2 to eat them with c49bd92e1d Rohan next time.0996746c2d416af5

Parma often said “next time” without realizing it. Next time, next time. He wanted to do something with Rohan again. He said it would be fun together.a3506584d1ce880a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Rohan felt 270815eef1 a bit e0bdec12bf lonely, thinking 1f40475c36 Parma seemed a750ef9bc5 like a bc3d383f68 child who aaedddfab5 needed people.196afb91b186f70c

“The one with red eyes is the eldest son of the Glorious family, right?” Parma suddenly said.50fe7ca72d5d75a6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Clanel?”bcc75667b92c2dff

When Rohan answered, Parma laughed loudly. “Yeah. The one who was eager to embarrass you. Honestly, I thought you had quite a temper when you got angry at him. I was prepared to get scolded when I dragged you out.”ef26668966f33a50

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Rohan felt his neck heat up. He was embarrassed for falling for a child’s provocation. But Haejoo’s temper couldn’t let it slide, even if it was just a kid.33f5619b545130b1

“Well… he was being mean.”93069acd2d10f6cc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I know, you couldn’t help it. Insulting you is like insulting all the White Lion’s aides. You did well to stand up. Glorious was talking about rules, but I think living like this is better than being trapped by those rules and responsibilities. As long as I don’t leave this place, I can do anything. Sleep anywhere, do anything. It’s my choice. Though it’s lonely.”a5e5772c76c4ab4a

Before saying “though it’s lonely,” Parma drank tea as if to compose himself. He continued the conversation calmly, like telling an old story at bedtime. Just listening to him, the sun was already setting.69ed9c72f557f4f5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Parma seemed more urgent than Rohan. Parma looked up at the sky, turning orange with the sunset. “In the evening, the party will start. I should send you back before then.”206765a868d71bd8

Parma spoke 52d6f7717b as if c46562a069 he were 5c3a7231d3 a witch 05ef9610c4 who had 3c29a97233 mischievously kidnapped 1f71dec755 a child. Rohan followed 4281e94e98 Parma back 2845d37640 to the 472a0d5f6a palace the 4149aab93d same way d47f42c121 they had 44d026c912 come through ed153988e5 the forest.d88bf69a76fad38c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Parma seemed to know the palace’s structure completely, choosing secret paths where no one would see them, returning to the banquet hall.84982ef39485a9d5

It was just before 738eeb8798 the dance party, which 64c54b850a marked the end of b3e3df1b40 the Four Seasons Gathering, 4ed1dd524a was about to begin. People seemed busy e61bd9e34d looking for the f2e7ad9d75 best partner for 9cde8355d3 the final time.b1f114f7e3df171c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The banquet b2d49e0607 hall was abf6bb0881 bustling, and 010bb629f8 no one 1f17ff5f43 noticed that f63f2b2b2a Rohan and 08ac2620a0 Parma had 942316cae1 returned. Taking advantage 7ae453861d of the d6dee3cc88 chaos, Parma 2bac1372d7 tried to 2138283820 leave Rohan e3a41a47e8 and slip 018d91cac3 out of d064954eef the banquet 06a2109621 hall.a3f9dbd2f72016c0

Just as Parma was about to let go of Rohan’s hand, someone spotted Rohan from afar and ran over.b7c729ad436bb527

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Lansonfree-nim!”01cc444f74dda12f

Lazra, forgetting her status as a princess, forgetting the length of her dress, and not caring about the visitors’ gazes, ran to Rohan.dcf0f21d961ddb30

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

With a flushed face, Lazra caught her breath and, as if making up her mind, clasped her hands tightly and said, “Lansonfree-nim, would you be my dance partner?”95c9fa89ade4b4b7

Rohan felt like he had been hit hard on the head. He was too shocked to even say, “What?” Why was the princess asking him?60fa9bb05faa4eaf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lazra was Daren’s target. Hadn’t he personally chosen options to raise her affection and even seen the marriage ending illustration?34a7058183f8503b

Did meeting Lazra first mess up the scenario? Let’s think for a moment. If the possibility of her ending up with Daren disappears, it’s like erasing a route.94586aca06a3ddd5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Should he accept Lazra’s proposal? But wouldn’t it be against the rules for the founding families to be each other’s partners?933ae7cf945852e1

While Rohan e134c30145 hesitated, weighing ce2f8bda9e various variables, ea56616342 Parma suddenly 1110a58c89 stepped between 089929a465 Rohan and 3aad5a9aee Lazra.9d9c3f4cdbcf3520

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Just like when he first appeared at the palace, Parma spoke with the dignity of a prince. “No, Lazra. I told you. I said I’d be the betrothed of the Lansonfree family’s eldest son. Do you think I’d let my betrothed accept a dance partner proposal?”eda9cd627e5d0658

Parma, who seemed intent d008c5dfbf on leaving the palace, ace35d8fb9 suddenly changed his stance 91faf30bfd and spoke of qualifications, f644e9a903 leaving Rohan even more c99a7a14d7 troubled.b38865fe8173efcd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Lazra’s face gradually turned red. Parma and Lazra. Rohan was anxious, not knowing whom to stop or whose side to take.f1a5c3ee3320a069

Lazra shouted with a voice Rohan had never heard before, filled with anger. “Rohan-nim didn’t go with you willingly! He only accompanied you because you forced him. Rohan-nim isn’t someone who should be the betrothed of someone as ominous and terrible as you!”b14ff5002af946f5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

After blurting out her d82caeae37 words, Lazra was surprised 18231f6b2f at herself for shouting cf6c04dc46 impulsively, disregarding her dignity. She was angry at 597f67666e her older brother, who ae1255939e suddenly appeared and ruined f3ce033737 her social gathering.da8e5a0801ca3e45

The princess covered her mouth and turned away, fleeing into the crowd. The atmosphere in the banquet hall froze completely. All the guests were watching Parma’s reaction.393993732d8a9490

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Rohan also turned 9b78c676f6 to look at 2a969bb5b1 Parma. And Rohan knew that 5d3798357e Parma had lost. Hidden under 9bc2d44013 his hood, a89446b410 only Rohan, a8a3269c0d who was f748d7764c close by, 722cfcfea1 could see 1ffb375e19 his face.835eb7d08b070ac6

If there were db04d909b0 no people here, 1f25051781 if it were 1f05547a53 just the two 816929bf8e of them, Parma 4168eb1a06 would have cried. The princess f97a15ff42 who spoke 413da155e0 hastily and ea12329f0b left. The prince b4bd5da625 left standing 439de1be83 there, bearing ff6e72adec the shock 6bf4fd021c alone.35376003f05c77e0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Caught between them, the 3e73ea3113 most awkward person was a4f23a25a7 Rohan, who had unintentionally e2de6156f9 become the focal point 94c55dfe74 of the sibling quarrel.dce1ce778a90df74

Parma muttered in a dry voice, “…I did something wrong.”586219b75a3cca75

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As Parma turned to 355d5b7f1c leave the palace, heading 8cc5f29815 outside, Rohan grabbed him. Parma looked back, 39dc771b36 seemingly very surprised 29a6f54f7a that Rohan had 9f081ccb55 stopped him.515fbf0d7755a569