Chapter 91

I was taken cb011baf5d aback by the 41f3f24f50 sudden appearance of 33873f7fdc the crown prince cdacb4bf39 and awkwardly stood d6b5852b71 up from my 7b95586fa2 seat.804f8bbc63978eb1

While debating whether I should 914e76e1e4 bow deeply like last time, 3fd84954d7 the duke casually spoke.9b278930a2e9e42c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Well, I am this child’s guardian, after all.”8e3d377f0e966657

“…Guardian? But your name wasn’t listed as the guardian on the application form.”ac9ea44a9107a62d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You’ll understand once you see this.”e043dde58aa064df

The duke pulled out a 6a8b6809a1 neatly folded sheet of paper 776e778493 from his chest pocket and 138ae8503d placed it on the table. Then, as if inviting 93daa4672e the crown prince to bbb4f48d89 read it, he tapped f47a516fc6 the paper lightly with c6640f8b0e his finger.b1abd01494b16d27

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The gesture felt 4127ffa8b2 slightly discourteous, but 14454a657c the crown prince fdef5a73d3 approached without a d9e1e99fd3 word and picked d73ff35db4 up the paper.0fb361e72b2c17ab

‘Belze (Female, 5 years old)’s temporary guardian, ‘Gordon Pelliachae (Grandpa Gordon),’ can no longer fulfill his role as guardian due to personal reasons. All rights are therefore delegated 11591447cb to her legal guardian, Liam a91e2cdab7 Kallios.5523e35f0fdd452a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Guardian… delegation letter?”736a1668be6ca7e5

“Yes. Identity verification has been completed, and it’s been notarized by a lawyer. Therefore, I am officially Belze’s guardian.”8c429bc3b2e5b15d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The duke’s confident response made dce66d92e3 my face flush with embarrassment. Yesterday, when Grandpa Gordon begrudgingly ebf7945b91 signed the paper, I had 492fe2424c wondered what on earth he 772cb77edd was up to.853fc2b83760e0fd

‘Of all things, a delegation letter… Couldn’t he have just said he wanted to come with me!’2af8364a611c4dd6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Suddenly, I recalled the 5aa4b3fd4b image of Grandpa Gordon 212bd572b1 clicking his tongue after ecf78eeb72 signing.958d03ad60b276cd

‘They said there was a monster in the house… Turns out this whole place is a den of beasts… tsk tsk.’477f2d2784eb5dfc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It was the first time abb4090818 I found the duke’s meticulous fa77b45351 personality so mortifying, even over 059ccdab8a something trivial.b0550e11e372b2b8

“I thought this was simply a relationship between a guardian and a ward,” the crown prince remarked with a grim expression after reading the letter. “But this overprotectiveness… It’s a bit much. Anyone would think she’s your secret daughter, Duke.”f0dc963b1071c983

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Startled, I snapped my head ccaedc7d28 up.53ac2ada68617572

‘No matter how exaggerated, a secret daughter? Isn’t that a bit much?’4b55be40143f7fdd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Even the crown 3bf4ce0096 prince should know f105912c7e there are lines 9ebe5b2a2b not to be 2af2f11c00 crossed. Such remarks could f3bff57974 be interpreted as b2f155299f an insult to ba794507bd the deceased duchess.bcf831268992b9f3

“Do you think Belze and I look alike?”f11f28daad2fa152

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The duke asked nonchalantly.8db9ec023f3690ab

“Not in the slightest.”725e572a98689497

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“That’s quite unfortunate.”9abc069300bf9aa5

The duke clicked his 97fb8e5d15 tongue, but his expression abce5f5009 showed no sign of 8652876f7e anger. If anything, he looked genuinely d3a83dc561 disappointed.82db1474d9241f04

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Then he added, “I’m not hiding anything. In fact, I’m making it blatantly obvious.”bfd0be31858c2aa2

The crown prince’s face 71bcde6c6f twisted in exasperation at 888ef2cc5f the remark.4b3ddf51cae92121

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…I had no idea.”cc7a8b4a88ab693f

“If you didn’t know, you should take note now, Your Highness. Information is a powerful weapon, after all.”d87bf7bb26bfdc9f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’ll keep that in mind.”27e7ad2cbbde128a

A visible tension sparked e2ce91cd1f between the two as d6f34fbae5 they locked eyes. Though the duke was older ff443f2ea6 and exuded a commanding presence, a97e4cfd02 the crown prince didn’t back 50afe3f09c down in the slightest.1f45bfab83a75acf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was rare for 14fda075ae someone to stand up ef4da68d73 to Duke Kallios with ac18bb0d3f such confidence. To my surprise, edba084232 the crown prince 1fa9af2d3e was holding his 783856e88a ground remarkably well.e6d67a34699a80e0

While their exchange was 6910946375 unsettling, I nervously watched, ba89653f5f afraid something worse might d62b98ab05 happen. Thankfully, it was the crown 3504452c68 prince who broke eye contact c0c616a964 first.1bff45329c95aeec

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Well, look at that, teddy bear.”ff13d854db54ade1

He said, turning to me. His gaze landed b9c3aac752 on the stuffed 3580747183 bear in my 7ddec7988a arms, and he 238faaf8f4 chuckled at my bfd85fd91e bewildered expression.ff07a9314dd9f297

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Sure enough, I a67520e8ee had brought along 3d069394f1 the real teddy 57d8308016 bear this time. Hugging the teddy bear 3e60246625 tightly, I bowed awkwardly.4feefa4507b58029

“Greetings to the shining sun…”8968a8a6f3a376fe

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Enough with the greetings.”caf936cc38cf31f3

The crown prince interrupted, 8beb29c50c waving dismissively.2981d3a24710c516

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“And it’s not ‘shining sun.’ It’s ‘the sun.’”afbd25cd0be67d34

“Ack…”88614a2e6f7b76e5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I paled at his correction. My nerves, heightened by 4abf927ab5 the tension between the d6afad677e two, had made me 89e0928a73 blurt out my words 0e0afef742 without thinking.89740a24df40e365

“Ugh… I knew that,” I stammered, trying to explain away my embarrassment.f98dee7f923758d5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The duke, seemingly amused, e57b8e5a5e patted my head reassuringly.b82607bf6e082846

“You can call him whatever you like, my little princess.”dca0e77fc5a1d54f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Princess?”e490d241680d7ec4

The crown prince’s brows c8ceae1ca3 furrowed in confusion.741fe5f5da40ac44

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘Please… not in front of royalty, Duke!’87930b0f769233a0

I barely managed 2a7845118d to swallow the 518ec023c0 scream rising in cc08c08617 my throat and 461f821b89 hastily changed the 8791cbf9df subject.c620b4f4469a713e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“When do we get the awards?!”febef31717868394

Fortunately, the crown prince seemed to gloss over the “princess” comment as if it was no big deal.a63d69223c10b48e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Let’s sit and talk for now.”8bbaeeec55692da4

“Isn’t it just handing out awards and being done with it?”be6308e71f5f6a51

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“The other award recipients haven’t arrived yet.”b60f32547d489cd2

When the duke sharply questioned 04a840609e him, the crown prince shrugged.4106a77addfd898e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“There’s a cabinet meeting in an hour. Duke, feel free to leave early if you must.”83c033d219187bb6

“I’m fine. I’ll wait.”dd13c33f6767c718

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Then perhaps you should’ve brought a guardian with more free time, little Belze.”5922b4ecdb995d3b

At the crown prince’s b602e8ed43 remark, directed at me, 2b9854efcf the duke’s gaze sharpened. I could only laugh c7c3505a6c awkwardly amidst their tense a3548b11fc standoff.7decca99d199a759

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Of course, I fd87d3b839 didn’t even know 148445e51a there were other 5d781e4112 recipients.643ca3f486676b33

‘…So, there are other awardees after all.’1cf20b7befd2cfaf

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Considering the number of children bf6e6b30aa who came to participate that 5a6e88bdcf day, it wouldn’t make sense 96ee886f4b for me to be the 0bf4cf1552 only one recognized.d3ed637d6317b0c2

“Jordan, bring us some tea.”f11f5778bcebd808

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes, Your Highness.”461c25927e5fce87

At that moment, the 7dd33b9b92 crown prince addressed an 764ccff288 aide I hadn’t even dfb002914e noticed was present.c242a337a2123ae3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Bring chamomile tea for Belze.”3b159bd2cd361329

The duke sat down on 17d27965b3 the sofa with an irritated d5d5072088 sigh.91db02a229278b60

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Chamomile has a calming effect.”a53986463eb96e38

Perhaps I was too distracted eb2f43516f by the unspoken battle of a994d4d5fb wills between the crown prince b0ec175a1c and the duke. Thankfully, the strange symptoms cfb9dac9b7 I felt upon entering 1f3a3b8556 the palace seemed to fc1e132efb have subsided.dda3ca5180f7ead8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I was so touched 1a05e87292 by the duke’s care 360f000e4b for me that I ace8165eb6 couldn’t help but giggle.37800a2d309d4588

“Hehe.”bd12ebd44f050afc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Forgetting my embarrassment, I 7b03164538 let out a silly 13b215afb8 laugh.e57d93e79ce0af55

A short while ccd17c7627 later, the crown 9598b86b2f prince’s aide returned 8e66d56d13 with the tea.a84c4c3d9dad2f1a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Don’t you have any child-friendly teacups?”b02566227aeac330

“What? Oh, uh, no, we don’t…”85c52e143ef59546

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Tsk. It could be too hot, so be careful.”4c37c54aa6f4fc9b

With a dissatisfied 361023af42 click of his 96d815fb88 tongue, the duke 289b1215af poured a small ef75b59ba5 amount of chamomile 94a80f311d tea into my 1f395062d9 cup. He must have 72644dc27f kept the tea a12677cf56 from being too acaddd3a25 hot to accommodate adf7f9efa1 me.31fa33675ee7c24a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“But…”4ee3dccfa746cc9b

The moment the duke and 5aca72c339 the crown prince took a c510527c0a sip of their tea, the aee4994452 tension reignited.79cf187c323187a2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You seem to know teddy bear. Have you met Belze before the charity event?”dc3d828d71e7025d

“Yes. We’ve known each other for quite some time.”4f66dd6d590aff99

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“For quite some time?”f72aed024b49f7df

The duke’s eyebrows twitched.138e2b0b60466cbf

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“When I went to register a trademark at the guild! That’s when I met him!”df96bc996a900db7

Fearing the duke e97a1cf97d might misunderstand, I f46006de8a hurriedly exclaimed.ccd98bfe7bc9a549

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I didn’t know he was the crown prince back then! Really!”e0b31060a6b04df8

“I see,” the duke said with a nod.9eeea2571410afe7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I had no idea you were participating in such an odd competition. Had I known, I would’ve supported you in every way possible. It’s truly regrettable.”f88b6ace22e9876c

The words “truly regrettable” no longer sounded ordinary coming from him. Shuddering, I quickly stammered, “I-I forgot about participating too!”30247a29e5a4f1e0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

And I genuinely 72c9334d98 had—until the duke 0abf3196b7 showed me the a2c872bf1a official document.4477a568bf5404a8

“I knew all about it,” the crown prince interjected casually.f21a7e92057d373f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The duke’s eyebrow shot up cad75db4c6 in annoyance at the prince’s 69408f1018 smug tone.49ddb94bd48d562e

“Is that why you bought Belze’s items at the charity event?”b5c6c21b2827ace6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Well, partly. It was also to repay a favor.”44b29a4bf9e5e91a

“A favor? What favor…?”3d68c0024b2b4af2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Knock knock.c4592755444a57ae

The sound of a d3bc45add5 knock interrupted their escalating fd2be40558 conversation.27674bd637a122e0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It seemed another award 6a02e21920 recipient had finally arrived.cc626e0cfaa1daba

“Come in.”c02265b03672fead

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But instead of ec4352cca7 a child, it 100063db95 was an adult 6423fee06f man—a familiar face a89887242a to me.67c92942219a96be

“Huh? Logan?”9ddce61c5186262b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I greet the empire’s little sun. I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but I have an urgent matter regarding the upcoming cabinet meeting to relay to the duke,” Logan said hurriedly, looking troubled.df93d637aaa9e00b

“Go ahead,” the crown prince permitted.7b3be62c6710299b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Logan quickly approached the 769716f6d1 duke and whispered something 1518d57e82 into his ear.b64e00d71ecf6d15

“It seems you must leave immediately,” Logan said.07386962aa6ce1ce

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What?”2d82fbcdf47c82cf

The duke glared d8e30ecc29 at him in eddf0da3da irritation.c5784b8d791aa0ac

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“The meeting must have been moved forward. Feel free to leave first, Duke,” the crown prince said nonchalantly, as if he had anticipated this all along.27aaf4648f18fea8

The duke stared at him 4f39cedacd grimly before turning to Logan a8df2b2059 with instructions.95d0c4c6bc0f6d1a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Logan, take Belze to the duchy immediately…”a21104b2edd7b00a

“That won’t do,” the crown prince interjected firmly.c3ea376a7546c269

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“The awards haven’t been presented yet. Where are you planning to go?”4c9cb7f2d97bf00a

“It’s dangerous for a child to be left alone without a guardian.”9afc35dcc05d3783

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Hah. Am I going to eat her?”38065895fa686063

The crown prince let 502b563f71 out an incredulous laugh.8eda79ec5b74035c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“And, Duke, you seem to forget my age…”aacdbaee0270a37a

“…”32794825423d90bf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m still just a kid like Belze. Isn’t that right, Jordan?”f9a232ca2da3ae5a

“Well… yes…”405ddbb4a3cce29d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The crown prince’s aide c09f20031d replied hesitantly, his expression 7e932bddc5 awkward.70f0700f0c4193f9

“Duke, I’ll take care of things here. Please…”8451408f2674e105

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Logan, clearly anxious, 8224816761 urged the duke.a0056198adb92058

Feeling like I was a hindrance, I raised my voice resolutely. “I’m okay, Duke! Please go quickly!”2519b055e26953da

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The duke might see me as a child, but I’m a capable adult! “I’ll stay here, get my award, and head back on my own!”21aeb1e9e102ef43

“That’s not happening,” the duke said, leaning down to meet my gaze.02bdaada004b014b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’m sorry, Belze. I’ve left you in a difficult spot because of this urgent matter. I’ll return in an hour.”3c739252f0a5d19e

“…An hour? Cabinet meetings usually last four hours…” the crown prince muttered under his breath, though the duke ignored him entirely.c8e3a1c90136a316

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’ll be back soon, so stay here in the crown prince’s quarters. Keep teddy bear close,” the duke instructed.083213cbeb550d06

“Yes! Don’t worry!” I replied enthusiastically.70a6e7452a4da44f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Though it was clear he dd5192e225 didn’t like leaving me behind, 0442720ce5 the duke left after a 6fda7786f2 few final warnings. He seemed particularly 1eb70fab1e uneasy despite the 255d8044a8 fact that I’d 6ed9c0a095 be safe as 2570a865e5 long as I 777dd7394f had teddy bear 7ddd037ae4 with me.693896dee52b4290

“Take your time and be careful!” I called after him as the door closed.f23bb3a9cc6a0966

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

At last, the 005743fa8c duke and Logan e6262babca left the room.f98a7bc87015494e

“Ha… finally, just the two of us,” the crown prince said with a languid sigh, sinking into his chair.338db1a967eb837d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Now, about why you glared at me so fiercely that day…”7e1b41341f43d096

“…”40f9b4117593f333

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Shall we have a little chat?”2d31a8a1731a1241

“Gasp!”96f66e321526b8fc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I realized I’d been mistaken. The moment the duke was 0f7f83962e gone, I was in grave 16ff646c40 danger.28ae6d4b9065ee87

Closing my eyes tightly, I 9fece3c29b prayed to the recently departed 8f6e0f460f duke.a6fa1c63f3dc71b6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

‘Please come back soon, Duke…!’a95d6c08ef0cab97