Chapter 101

Where did the casual attitude from earlier, calling me “that girl,” suddenly disappear to?23eda19d9c88af3a

In the meantime, he had 4595c324b6 adopted a rather polite demeanor 0e4cd25d95 toward me, treating me with b0f5735ecc proper courtesy.7e5005e23341f9bf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Th-That, why…?”d3bfd89a15add3d7

I managed to ask, 25317d51e7 brushing away my startled 6c527ad2ee heart.1844dcadb8130f58

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You might not know, but I’m in charge of managing the duchy’s total budget. I thought it a2c0765f56 might be good 505c9d3481 for you to 5a7dadedce keep that in 7af0151282 mind.”1b003f88a9866fc6

He responded with 0aa06dad13 a friendly smile.2bca974b61eb5298

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Given his position, it f284ddc886 was a statement he 11c83b24e9 could reasonably make.c8cc7950cceb9108

But why?02568f4881232539

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Why does my heart feel 790bf788d7 so uneasy?f51ab4acfc2f2528

“Hmm…”8c8bf6336988e22f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Pretending to think, I scrutinized 31f768edcb Logan from head to toe.4e6c325360ab8bd0

I was looking eb14f6e5b5 for any traces 011eae2e3a of purple energy.2e6ce2a7429836ce

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

However, whether it was d42f6529b3 just my imagination or bf9a9a7eba not, there wasn’t a a3fca19b42 hint of any unusual e85e2ae96e aura on Logan’s body.38e507a1fdd87bee

After finishing my examination, I 544679bd53 answered him cheerfully, as he c0f4ac1e28 looked at me with expectant a08269f46d eyes.7189ea24087f388d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hm… It’s a secret!”c4d51be618caf9bb

“Oh.”4cce47e97213bb97

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Logan’s face immediately twisted in 8c6dd806d8 disappointment.e0ed58b173edd4a1

“A secret. I see… That’s possible. Yes, I understand.”f350338be31a90dd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Quickly recovering his expression, f8a63e88b2 he forced a smile 7732e7e5bf and continued.f4d6f6a9d65da113

“My lady. Just in case, let me e834f44bbd say something.”bc0385aff0ead576

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Hmm?”0ebefb94ee2fc28a

“I have no connection to those individuals.”7f2b13594b4b33b3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Who…?”e8a30891fbffb847

“Emma Caston and Joliark Sven.”f9a07d6ab15e5837

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As I blinked at him 242f1922e6 in silence, he hurriedly added.c64645d9183dae9e

“Of course, I admit I have a poor eye for people… but I’m telling you this because it’s unjust.”7829ae7f0869a2a7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh? The duke didn’t say anything 63dfecbde4 about it, haha.”3458ecd1483233b4

“I-Is that so?”2ac9a19440359a6b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

When I responded casually, 0c670200bd a flicker of unease 07965a9705 passed through his eyes.ad7557760a3298fd

He must have assumed a04e14bb50 the duke had told e264ec5aa4 me about their recommendations.c0eec23d3824e724

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But there was no reason 05fb4a0aab to speak plainly to someone d81a855606 behaving so secretively.9831b1157be5f349

“I just wanted to clarify that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, 9eccbd3e4d I have urgent matters to b680e93696 attend to.”11ba7d9452be9887

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Perhaps realizing he wouldn’t get 607852cf90 any information from me, he 1a735536ef bowed slightly and turned to b7ed010765 leave.bfb1213096894c3f

“Logan.”e7cc855d2f251bd3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I called softly to 53d5ab1eb4 his back.106f1fa7c6fc37f4

“The goddess sees everything.”b19ddf094e465060

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Logan froze for a 4509ccbbf9 moment, his shoulders stiffening 18603cec2e as he turned to 8ec3f3ac6c look at me.2792c934e5a44f59

With a rigid expression, 108755e4ae he belatedly responded to d4e876be46 my words.ea9dfe3bce3f40ad

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What… do you mean by that?”edc3e640910f5411

What do I mean? I was just testing him.2b2edd35ec85e576

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Just that! Haha!”abd711a11cdb937b

“…”208f57da0510cc19

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

When I laughed like it 334ae11225 was nothing, he glanced at 681f648dbe me with a strange look c247505c88 before turning away again.3836ab20a693e3e9

As soon as he 178e821f50 did, I erased the 10f0039cc8 silly smile I had b908defdde been wearing and stared 2c79ec0a23 coldly at the back 4f831d50c6 of his head.bde16de7775cf5cf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Unlike that fool bba608873c Dunkeskey, I noticed 5f1c267d13 a faint trace 992ae671f2 of purple shimmering 5fc97cf61c from the crown 9caa8585e2 of his head f29c76b0ca before it vanished fd0849d698 completely.6acbcce42ee5db5f

I whispered softly.95dc88b9e022e618

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Found you.”4ab79b8d5056b4a9

The temple’s spy.b998cb3a0905d0f7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I had only put it 8cbe69f057 off temporarily because of my ba41714cd7 volunteer work, but I had cf81c8247b never forgotten.f58e47cfd65f69c6

There was a 09ab48882e spy in the f633a4b6a5 duke’s household, colluding b40ec67f7c with the temple.65d23d7f7d480615

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What’s this about collapsing while bleeding from the nose?”4dfb1f4eea0bd7a1

“I heard you couldn’t even heal the scars on your knees… Tsk.”ee6e80561cc0a6d4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The first time I came 01c446ecfa to the duke’s residence and 7edc3a312c healed Joshua.5719f71c4c12090e

Dunkeskey had detailed e218cfd112 knowledge of everything 1cee68af2a that happened in b4e6cdaf87 the duchy.f0c8157bd8c012a8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was information he 69bba2adf6 couldn’t have known unless 57a14f26a9 someone had informed him.bc88e0b9202e8a0b

That’s why I suspected b55ec580e8 one of the people 746178483e present at the time 753c188c20 to be the temple’s 1e80b20b5b spy.d2350bcfa397fc50

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

However, narrowing it 51e931f6d7 down wasn’t easy.d2876b493d199e5d

Aside from the duke’s d7dd7122a6 family, there were the 4480050c5e butler, Emma, Logan, Grandpa 3c87b4cd71 Gordon’s assistants, and a 58c9d16862 few maids.7d964df008d8648b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Quite a number ee9b9ea224 of people were ce5f15be9c in attendance.e692068a200b87de

The only way badb9507b8 to uncover the 0937a78917 culprit was through 3c3d0db913 a process of 3c21777491 elimination, no matter 1e763f8cbc how long it e62b092ae8 took.d6c785e9c671586e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But as soon a65bc48ba1 as I arrived c9a5677c1a at the duke’s 3d2f7f44e2 estate, there was e14ad47a02 the incident with b1f66d3856 Emma and that 997060667b Swell scoundrel, among ed1794e117 others. My days became chaotic.7c1935292e85a7c5

On top of 46fcccd423 that, with Dunkeskey, 7cc52829fe the main source c776b2f752 of the temple’s d08d980a00 evil, falling from daf8147e9c power, I had cdfadc4bf3 let my guard e3c0141f81 down slightly.b88dab0599a0b781

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But now…407a34410646949c

‘…To think he’d be this close to the duke.’a80c033efef0e2fd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

While I stared at 72859933bc the direction Logan had 260b329282 disappeared into with narrowed db8594b279 eyes,b5359989e2bacd7b

Thud, thud, thud.c726306b066b3636

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Suddenly, the sound of 04504efc04 something being dragged came 33e3a44145 from behind me, accompanied 2566f3d23f by a sweet aroma 841d08e88d wafting through the air.889320601a92d745

When I turned, 478193d184 I saw the 2caa3d2908 butler approaching, pushing 947c0288cb a tray.4cf4ab46e6311357

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Lady Belze.”5e0c756abbd89dc7

Upon spotting me, he ac32a7b4a5 stopped, looking startled.2ec6077c15cacd16

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Are you done talking already?”4ba0ce5412f9e956

“Mhm!”0833d769743273f3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh no. I told them to hurry, but…”56a2f0d3d3aa4315

The butler glanced down c0374ea30d at the tray with b512cbc513 a somewhat regretful expression.92deef54e60fe788

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I caught a glimpse of 0c293375ef an elegant tea set and a623837b9c a large cover.ddcf4f6c82654c28

When I hopped up f13eac519d and down to get e5b3f92f40 a better look, the 0b84af5786 butler removed the cover bf69ae967e and held it at 230150df0e my eye level.fc8fe5494cb58a66

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Wow… What’s all this?”66832767c3a759e6

There were cookies in various d21a08d38a animal shapes, colorful macarons, and 702c5ef803 charming finger foods.87c85823d2f85ff1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Seeing the beautifully e2963a8df6 arranged spread, my fe2fdd4021 eyes widened.43463bdb5da739ae

The butler, noticing my reaction, d019a7094d straightened his posture with a bb15c4411d confident smile.4ea271d50fed4d27

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It seems the chef decided to put some effort into it for a change.”6bc79039c9d47817

“You could’ve just brought anything…”8e95ff164909351c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“There’s no way I could do that for something you’ll be eating, my lady.”e9a11b3c53e4c163

His reply sent 96b0b74a29 a wave of 40c15b1fd8 emotion rushing over 39837f2f59 me.f03feccb0bfc3cc2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘So that’s why it took so long. I thought he 7b07b6af9f stayed away on d0b8632890 purpose to let 96284a59d8 us talk in 29628da781 peace because it decbdf10bb was taking forever.’344b8e4f3bba6a77

It seemed the delay 09427f4758 was because of the 1cea96660d care put into preparing 744bfce9d8 this.bd1ec29e684dc1cc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘The butler is definitely not the spy.’65aee91415bdd478

I completely removed the 8780cdee3b butler from my list 78f4ff119a of suspects.6d5ff9c25f685d1a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

A temple spy eada8fd866 would never go cb2a5d2cca to such lengths be781f04a7 to thoughtfully and bef73c4cbd warmly care for ca7e53b13b me.c300765552344444

Unlike Logan, who a6eb6f6192 barely greeted me 2aab36b76d before disappearing moments 72ac8c64a7 ago.09f9d71352f06a1c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“This one was a special request from me. I noticed you’ve 02d21fff57 been fond of 4fc7e5fd0d teddy bears recently.”1fc507d41329f704

The butler pointed 7ee6ba76a3 to one of 066beb51f5 the animal-shaped cookies.f0f4bcb666212874

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was a bear 734c069f4c holding an almond in d817b105fe its arms.546f420e66fff684

“Wow! It’s so cute! Thank you, butler!”1844ca7e70f3ccdf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The little bear 37425b6178 cookie was too 313c55b3b8 adorable and cute 44a7dbf4c8 to be called 685d6cf51f Gomgomdori, but I d77923244f squealed in delight 823c3eca41 and quickly grabbed a87bb2419a it.05433dee37b59fdc

Crunch.650b564192f828c6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

When I bit into 4f73822aae the head, a nutty a978c50b61 and sweet flavor immediately 97d886081b spread through my mouth.ff1c931666238107

“Mmm~ It’s delicious! Did you go somewhere 07abce3625 fancy to get these?”46630738155e0df2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seeing how happy I was, a0b8b4f301 the butler smiled warmly and e8e1b3e637 said, “Unfortunately, it seems the 3048b0330f conversation between you two ended 24ce04db7f earlier than expected. I’ll just discard the rest.”afe7b8ffbc4f2d42

“Huh? W-Why throw them away? Leave them! I’ll eat them all!”2b722f6b4e8b8dbb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“But you’ll be having lunch soon, and these are too sweet and too many. I can’t allow it.”4b5bf72ec6a0bc6f

The butler shook his head dff2aa3703 firmly.a8cb71663b6cf4fc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘Why make them in the first place, then? Were they just a6015810d1 for display or 030126115f something?’f1fa313d1d98beed

I stared at the 8da5b2c14d plate piled high with 328a975df4 desserts, an incredulous expression 4243b58dd6 on my face. Then, a great idea c8877a63c7 suddenly popped into my d7b0392c89 head.4b61ad0ca585d71e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I have an idea! Don’t throw them f1ce286fa2 away—make a few 24cee2de8f more and wrap e67c347949 them up nicely 28968df528 for me!”1031b646c87506e0

“What? What are you…?”9112159ac5b725ab

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Before the confused butler could e72914c3f0 finish, I shouted, “I’m going 7fe063ca33 to meet some friends!”2043138129182719

There’s no time b5ba14cea2 like the present.abb0c27081ff41f1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I’ll head to the cd0b439452 temple today.a31c50a8570b4aa8

* * *f8b62f1b4337ff50

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Miss, as you requested, all the desserts have been wrapped up.”2bc87d234cb20159

After finishing my lunch, 6ad6440b9b the butler came to 9da00a8319 my room to inform 6e638df1aa me that preparations for 52745e28fc my visit to the 89d067c896 temple were complete.439d589862321cd9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Mhm! Thank you, butler!”c7f269f8e8dcc22a

“And this,” he added, handing me something.be57ec84c8212c4a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

At a glance, it was 81998da915 a luxurious box.eafc3c674584adc3

“What’s this?”48d15da7669e2f0f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s the cravat you asked for some time ago.”9ef66f25859da57b

The butler opened the lid, e0bcb480ad revealing a soft white fabric bc86ecde7b intricately embroidered with golden threads, 664a634d55 neatly folded inside.5736a611e85ebc9d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I had it custom-made at the most renowned salon in the capital,” the butler added with a proud expression.bea3267adb2ee059

“Ah… thank you, butler.”d9c123c7fbf73a78

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I gave him an awkward 183b45ef06 smile.6db1a332c8aecc07

I thought he’d forgotten or decided to buy something pre-made, but… he actually went through with it.dc2b626eded62fe5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was a bit overwhelming, aa833c677f as I would’ve been fine fc8842b1d9 with an off-the-shelf item.3adcfc4334066a1a

“But who will you be giving this to?”0862158e5cf4f6ff

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The butler’s eyes sparkled as 1f82eabbbd he suddenly asked.4552c1ce8a48b27e

“The duke? Or the young master?”fad7ac05e242b092

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Nope. The crown prince!”ee81b1c6946352af

“To His Highness, the Crown Prince?”8ce27a4655db0332

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The butler’s pleased smile 6c1667662d faltered, cracking visibly at de456f7985 my response.78f4619048d8171f

“Wh-Why, may I ask?”76c0c71a5bf65cf0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Um, just as a token of our friendship…”8b5243430fb1549d

Since I couldn’t tell him a614c3e1a2 I was simply returning something eacc3808be that belonged to the prince, a969f4772d I made up an excuse. The truth was, the c3cd3c4158 cravat I had picked 0f138e120d up that day belonged 84425e1aa2 to the nosebleed-prone prince.8ebf4a84d94cdf82

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“The duke will be quite disappointed, I’m sure…”083ec9ae3391bc00

The butler murmured with 048e04677a a slightly gloomy expression, 5f94536292 catching me off guard.b11adc6e1820d62c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…Wait, does the duke know?!”c8d0c26ac4c94272

“Of course. He even instructed us bcc7a88222 to clear away all ab695ae1e3 his old cravats.”aa83922f10f87499

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What?!”797acf30efe9b74d

I was dumbfounded.2a0f5df23a267113

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was just a single 4d454e3b7b cravat! Why did he e04fdc13bb have to clear 32a9dcc122 away all the 9491ba3d51 others too?4cb49b3653f090f3

This won’t do. I need to 48d0315129 find time to 2682fbbcb7 buy a gift 3abffb9981 for the duke 7c73357699 as well.4eb910158a369890

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Panicking, I hastily blurted, “Th-That… I’ll get the duke something much better and more expensive!”75e9118e60709977

“Oh, is that so?”41a23802d3e42f70

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Mhm! There’s no way I’d give the duke just a scrap of fabric like this! This one’s just… meh. I’m giving it to the prince because I happened to think of it!”b0eceb55ea3736ad

“Well… cravats are a fairly modest gift,” the butler admitted, his face brightening again at my explanation.2a609f146ed58bf5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“In that case, when you’re ready to prepare a gift for the duke, leave it to me. I, Anderson, will do my 51f1ee7557 utmost to procure the finest ed1580493f present possible!”43b3f829fefc6bc5

“Mhm… but keep it a secret until then, okay?”fb51a6559ff8cc2a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Understood!”73f80335dda0f2a1

Relieved, I handed him f2c01bb593 the letter I had 35a3e253ea prepared in advance.80dd13eee244e6ef

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Then, please deliver this to the crown prince along with the gift!”1a18f8d60270f7b9

“Of course. I’ll make sure 1de3150043 it reaches His 91fc388e34 Highness at the c285513daa Crown Prince’s Palace 72827d258c swiftly and discreetly.”aaa6ad8343ad6ef5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Mhm! I’m counting on you!”fdc47ae0131f3172

The butler bowed 9a0bee0f85 and was about 8c7bac0af7 to leave the 0f0cc4832b room when something 2a79ed1e6e occurred to me.e58cb2ebc92d0c88

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Oh, wait! Butler, I have a question.”ee422a4bcadfbe55

“What is it, Miss?”69160bff0311e88c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Well, when did Logan start working with the duke?”37aeb67ab6562714

“Logan? Hmm…”c94dd507942e9582

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The butler pondered for a 2ed28adf4c moment before answering calmly.76924dde7b5c1a33

“It’s been a little over five years.”2b53e90235ce0a41

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Five years?”494f8af48e1a7c36

“Yes. I remember it clearly because e2cea3799d his mentor, Jester, passed away e35cc63618 suddenly, and Logan had to 49da15d212 step in and handle the 07d76610d6 duties on short notice. It was quite 701a1ca877 a challenge for 03f8ced618 him.”85c2e1c49cfdede0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The butler’s expression darkened briefly, 986e6bb57b likely because the story involved 95c06f3167 a death.e41de4a5d62c1b69

“Now that I think of it… Logan is also an orphan, like you, Miss.”b2ea7d5a89a7de70

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He added this as if 10fc896f6b it had just crossed his a334eef013 mind.8f1b8357ae90967a

His words made c67dc32ede my eyes widen.71db0d2742911996

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Logan… is an orphan?”95219109a11d8381