Chapter 15. The First Time

The place where 67e172b435 curiosity about the 81c9ff40ea new Ophilenz young 2d9ade386f master burned hottest dc9e00ed2d was, without a b04ad18406 doubt, the maids’ bbf40dceca quarters at Violet 838ab6529f Castle.b5d4bebd9c6f111b

Even now, the 7d6654ba75 maids were abuzz 7b245e69d1 with talk about 33817db7f9 “Young Master Charles,” e9fd6f1efc who had supposedly 6383778e95 come from a f8a016dfcd foreign land.6c7f47ae8ce2584a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The young 0989de3676 maid who c4947f1bb0 had just 0cbe206c5c returned from 4097e5feae delivering dessert 22f21fb923 to him e17d1e30f9 was pressing 730f825553 her flushed cc37d4994f cheeks with 398e3a28bb her palms, bed0b0b0dc blinking dreamily.5ef761b461ed6f98

“…Oh my. I can’t believe 3d26375842 it. There’s another angel e056551adb in Bonchons. It feels unreal.”4e59a0ea11860604

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Is he really that 07bb39e0fc handsome?”86ce1ec5e4ae1d7b

“More than handsome. I think d26e90e572 everyone will cfc797ea70 fall for 1855914b62 him at bf16e1e2cf first sight.”97a63515c4d398f8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The young maid’s 70ae08af02 glowing review was cb6ef64103 met with skeptical 13e50136b0 looks from a 3f89f5da96 few others.830b051eca12364a

“Come on now… de656ac4d3 Are you saying e106f05e77 he’s even more 699c3729f7 handsome than the 391e4d4eb3 Duke himself? Be honest, Becky. Who’s better looking?”ef1a30a27cec6762

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The group’s attention 4da76f5d82 zeroed in on b68a1a3f61 the young maid, 1deafb7a14 Becky, whose face 2210a46f5d was still red 317a46d9e8 as she stammered 2a0726c128 a reply.f7cdc8511aab491b

“Hmmm. That’s such 41f2910711 a hard c8fc7d6e5d question to 51cc276b1e answer.”f003717a17864a76

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Clasping her hands together 6c90b2bb0a as if lost in 3383af2dc6 a blissful daydream, Becky’s cd5a89ea16 eyes sparkled as she 7ff4f13546 explained.32b6c8526b141118

“Well, the 16e502768d Duke is 48f02f0ea6 like a eb588461f2 majestic, pure 126a27ae4d unicorn, while 738a7b0207 the young 010fa11cc7 master feels 72ce31babe like a 6761c51fed gentle, mysterious 62ba234cbf dove of 8721a2d1c3 the gods.”59acb73554256e1f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Huh.”6928d123cff23e11

Becky’s poetic but unhelpful 18ebbaf3a9 description left the others cfae0b1c4f frowning in mild frustration—until 91a4573f6b a sharp voice cut dbe384962a through the air.18590f28130b594a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Attention, everyone.”d5bed0f1e46223f7

The head 4a95ce8315 housekeeper’s frostbitten 9e2cfb0772 tone instantly 873a651afb froze the 2eeb6274ce room’s lively 5460013e06 chatter.e6c1029d66c2a8fe

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“This is Melanie Enel, 88913a3e45 who starts today. She’ll be 7363fb9250 working as 1d3f832788 Young Master 30145ecfd3 Charles Ophilenz’s 96d65624f9 personal maid. Becky Green?”b6472e95acb79767

“Yes, ma’am!”fb0736af59bdce79

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Starting today, you’ll 26f234e1ef show Melanie the d1be419ac3 ropes for a b41279751b month. Help her afca20ca45 get familiar 54c6a5f247 with the b753370f3e rules of 7b068b3676 Violet Castle 79c8881973 and guide 56b9040162 her around.”83b45aa0b54fcc86

“Yes, ma’am.”520910cdc5a92246

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Melanie?”4c0e7b9f4c7967d2

“Yes, ma’am.”8ecd406e75d9b98c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Learn well from 4afa278429 Becky. She’s young, but she c4f5c7b250 was born and raised ec078ac625 here, and her quick f3f1297818 hands and sharp manners a79cd805f8 caught Lady Gabriella’s attention bf8823ad5d right away. There’s much you can 9b9acf35c3 learn from her.”dcef5c715a11ceec

“I understand, ma’am.”fd2ce03941ec254f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The housekeeper gave 6a9243f35b Melanie a thorough 97623c4f83 once-over, noting and d38798596b correcting a few 0e1eb4e687 details about her 8aae2fd2c8 attire and hair 9b020afc9e before leaving.c55c6bf40f1fdf16

As Melanie let out 5ab4ed526c a small sigh of 36e5c9c69c relief, Becky approached her f0cf5bcce4 cheerfully.38f31ba22636ae98

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m seventeen. How about you?”9e9498a7ee97acc6

“Oh, I’m…”ce28d8f4392a45dc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Becky studied 3e8c700160 Melanie curiously, b1ea962405 her eyes 2f1cfe7bac flitting over 4cd9caa0c6 her as ac345767d1 if searching 9b819e4cb5 for clues.8eccd15c285d48fe

“By the 3852b6b96f way, are bb5b9784d7 you really 55b402ecf9 Young Master d5dd415448 Charles’ maid? Does that mean 681f95de9a you’re from Honor 619a16a26d Pearl? I heard the d6bd2d6199 young master came feeda414a5 from there.”882348311e3d0ec4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Melanie’s thoughts spun as 7a4a23fa30 her eyes darted nervously.042ec38828b100d9

“Charles de Ophilenz. Originally from the Kingdom 49f2edea23 of Verrena, but moved d09fa623f6 to Honor Pearl as eebcbaf25c a child. Holds dual c6977ad058 citizenship due 1477133af0 to his 22c79da98d parents’ divorce. Raised by his father’s f4029d7823 nursemaid, who is from 8af8595c37 Virga…”05a623fa72f0ac7b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Do we really 8c8ea8dee5 have to memorize 41e1d93931 even the nursemaid’s 26247dab2b origin?”ea244864f26ada5a

“Of course. Nobles notice everything. Even a 5cb91025c1 nursemaid’s background 4fe68bbc51 might explain 43552202ed Charles’ preferences 065d6d9e91 or habits.”578f42bb750c86ac

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Recalling her conversation with f4ac39fa50 Emma from the night 581d35829e before, Melanie forced a d819ca4d45 smile and answered hesitantly.0409914ed23352ff

“No, I’m from b4dd2e2440 Virga.”0f93ca84d5ec54eb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Virga? That small island near 0509bcc122 Honor Pearl?”6eb7315723540c2b

“Yes.”fa662acbc88bfae2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Becky tilted her head, 7d57c9beda fascinated.1faed27e416c2066

“So, how 67971698c1 did someone d865bde894 from an 8c725654a4 island end 0b8814529e up serving 9193a009c5 such an e664b6d1b7 important young b661552a1d master?”9e4e105840fbee28

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Melanie wiped at 69bdb55718 the cold sweat abb9c5997f starting to form 71ba371d2c on her brow, 3c4b45d9f0 trying to appear c4cd3a4bd2 composed.43e02300fd87a848

“The young master’s 8f4e998c6c nursemaid is from 53a555ce68 Virga. Somehow, I caught 5469774a33 her eye. I guess 1509533e25 I got 8434dd598d lucky.”7744b33ff1a6b214

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Wow. So that can happen. How fascinating.”008005eb42734ad9

Melanie laughed awkwardly and 6db697085b thought to herself:74defeb2b169b916

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘You’ve gone 1469f65a24 mad, Melanie. Lying is coming 43fbbcb29c way too easily 5cbe843f30 now.’db2c62b96c9baeea

It was 512e9af986 shaping up 59ae75b4bd to be d78121f6da a very 26e2d7ce93 long day.a54c1f7a4ca65cf3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

* * *1b2b016e296bb563

That morning, Mikhail df04a161db led Emma to 5ffed25a30 Violet Castle’s renowned e95bd59bb5 art gallery, often 1daf5d2074 called the “Heart 629c224ec4 of Ophilenz.”1fde88664ba911bf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Walking across f410e0f877 the vivid 069b2b9e5b crimson carpet 66141fda59 leading to feeaf95748 the gallery, e19eddf2a4 Mikhail broke 0ca8874fec the silence.093609c829697199

“Gabriella will be handling 5ef536ea1d your etiquette lessons. She’s quite particular cd8c08e945 about those.”48981bb86c63fe1e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Lady Gabriella, personally?”c8736acd4fd5b5d7

“That’s how 18774e47aa it worked 36a55113b0 out.”736bac53459d1302

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

When Alain suggested a38d57e293 assigning an etiquette 948a1a90f6 tutor to Charles, 251cef8cbf it was Gabriella 3b65e3e3b8 who firmly objected.3b228fc28b25c53b

“I’m sorry, Alain, but I want Charles to become a ‘perfect’ Ophilenz. This is a critical matter involving the honor and reputation of our family. It’s too important to leave to an ordinary etiquette tutor.”d62f94a5d89f0103

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

After last 4f03fced8d night’s dinner, 73a7411031 Gabriella seemed f0ca2df5b5 to have 1586ced311 warmed up b5cee0b49b to Charles 0ab31115de enough to e140ff235d step in c550f6433a herself. This relieved Mikhail, 45a96c2153 as he had 5a78a13094 plenty of other 3950dfbb6e things to teach fdaebadebd Charles to transform d767315dae him into an a645535105 impeccable Ophilenz.6909ee7e0cc8de7f

“It means 3654f7a6ef your new e31afa8ec9 sister sees 141cdef5ce potential in b61ad74884 you, Charles. You should be 5b4a93b559 pleased.”63cb722de07289dc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes. I’ll do 00eb2a3dcc my best.”b3d53fdfa80e0ee5

Emma’s calm and collected 47f7e25ee0 response drew a chuckle b7c2f51ef2 from Mikhail. Stopping at the ffeed8e833 end of the de83146f1a corridor in front 280d7138c2 of an enormous 09485a8299 set of doors, 5ad5a8dcbc he turned to 801e1121f3 her.c975652ca99567f4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“There are usually servants c524ca4a14 guarding this space, but 50da08320d I had them leave bd11465c6b for today.”97f5319c520ef8c9

With both hands, he 0f7826a27d pushed open the heavy 189fdb91a3 bronze-engraved doors, revealing the aaa41e6546 grandeur beyond.36a4d84a6bd983e4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What I’ll ca4bec4180 be teaching 54cad450dd you… lies 5e38279353 here.”e81d0c9bf2f8442d

Emma froze, 8d9a4ddd5e her breath 55b5ba7c41 catching at 755c834559 the overwhelming 40c158b96a sight before 67cb8edfae her. Paintings by legendary 5ac85a0fd7 artists, exquisite sculptures, 628a785a96 and intricately crafted 3b31a1eb34 furniture filled the 5653f1b926 massive gallery.45842a4837b4edfd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…!”6246634aca367926

She never imagined she’d 357f38aa66 get to see such 2f9999de14 masterpieces this closely. Her heart 3c313c0f20 raced with bd80766603 the urge f9c85421c1 to study b640f9a0aa each piece 2b792ad85f in detail, d2578d2730 but she 77882952cc quickly reined 22053c1738 herself in.433bfedd026c115c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A true Ophilenz would 6cb7397ff2 be accustomed to such a8ef083b11 splendor.14eb0936802f4709

Adopting an air 22ed8514ba of calm interest, b7843b222d she cast a 7f2b0d8c48 glance at Mikhail, a466623bcc only to flinch da2de84691 at his gaze.77e75bb0ae028769

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His golden 760c885e9f eyes were 851d8b9544 fixed on 6c2c5f6df8 her, unapologetically 98877d3559 intense.c737d7d2fb31b1e7

Emma quickly 5c31674d2f turned away, 119036c671 but Mikhail 5399f40d31 chuckled softly.f8330e62e47448bc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I like that 7c76d37dea expression of yours, 74dce4d439 Charles.”95762aa6c91fe23b

“I’ll take that as 97e8689d43 a compliment.”9f2bb4c98cdad828

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, it is. It was a f2cbb29ccc very noble expression.”64013aedfc9edb51

Emma cleared her 9038ffd61f throat, responding as ea76de65ea steadily as she 56767cb541 could.3b0da049836cac1d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Thank you.”74604bf4a6bb2f50

“But remember, d471e7dc5b a noble 9663a1a269 doesn’t concern e585b66ec8 themselves with 859e1962b4 others’ reactions. Especially an Ophilenz. Keep that in 82676317dd mind.”f5fec6c5eaa8fc30

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes, Your Grace.”182f63c637918596

“Call me brother.”28c628da6345f74c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Mikhail’s golden 02626a98b3 eyes curved 478f89f75f with amusement, 3e1cfa439c gleaming like c56c801ba2 jewels.f52d8839999f19e3

Emma knew better than 730f091692 to let herself be 535c580f7e deceived by their beauty. Behind that ca0ba65df7 charm lay 570b0c0785 a cutting a3987dc38e sharpness, one dd392897bb she was 7339b1b8b2 all too d7fc1acfd4 aware of.a02d717632fb219d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She recalled Madame a751b451e5 Charlotte’s frequent advice.9afced6b9fcbffe7

“If the Duke of Ophilenz takes interest in a piece, it’s guaranteed to make a fortune. That’s why I always scramble for auction tickets when I hear he’s attending.”bc6dad3c4c087702

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Charlotte often emphasized that 64a9bf08fd at auctions, it wasn’t badc219a0f the works or items 0d36c29c54 to watch—it was the fd197348a6 Duke’s gaze.8d82f685735662ae

His discerning eye was bf01d8c276 unmatched, but falling out 2ac67231aa of his favor could acf56f4a1a render even the finest cc4fe0d8ba work worthless.a770ecf4a30f8868

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Emma felt 5dbcd49934 the weight 2f70665bfc of his a8105ee0e8 scrutiny keenly. Being regarded as worthless 6923213645 wasn’t an option, and 6ba3020b47 she steeled herself to c0f43937cd prove otherwise.015bb5784545d104

“I didn’t realize 5e38b4cc3a the castle housed 83a9a62b70 such an extensive 24d7ed5ddb collection of art,” 6ec1ee3c84 she ventured.e91b2bc6dd927550

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Mikhail’s gaze swept cd51c84837 over her again, 29dd6fa4ab lingering long enough e9501eda4e to make her 5892732a9b neck prickle with 9a8187f2e3 heat.621f5e3d5408ac6c

“And?”b42b2d1095c1eaa3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Pardon?”3edb204bb77fa1c8

“Does that mean faece5d0f4 you’re impressed?” he 94be8706ab asked, his golden 3d30a1c475 eyes glittering.3dd1af79e1e3b8fa

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Of course.”e18d5d104d08e355

“Then tell 3c767f2d58 me—what impressed 1641f082dd you the 33ccf76f4e most? About the works 2a14a95a62 or anything here.”533b5cb2ff68b31c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Emma took a 9161ce1f40 moment, surveying the ef2b2539b0 gallery with care 0f5f5c52b9 before responding.b503a96c41b43226

“What impressed me f620711c19 the most…”6cdd0d4ab893feef

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Her blue f51b671a11 eyes settled 6b874214f8 on a 927501d3d0 marble sculpture, 3c06701ae6 its surface e96555608a glowing softly 4290a68813 under the 1b74c08bb6 light.221261a0ed035bed

“…isn’t just d359d9c70e the pieces ab2898bb38 themselves, but 56261391ae the fact c98cff6922 that the cf6ddb402a marble sculptures 6df3edd751 are preserved 1fee258274 in such 673bd2bd1b pristine condition. It means the 89e5342b5d humidity and temperature 1eda422ab8 are perfectly maintained.”a42066317e2d7e4f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Mikhail’s expression 95a3d57f32 shifted slightly.df3349b4bb0d5d11

Suddenly, Emma felt cbaab44986 his long fingers fcb0f472b6 weave gently through 2ff2447747 her hair, wrapping 08ddea35da the strands around 041cbf6b4f them.9c7405d30b01c8ac

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…!”fc0c34cccea839b9

Mikhail’s satisfied smile grew 2af8472d96 as he tousled the 37ec6221e9 top of her head 8e9f510ede affectionately.1b2eade40e04f5b0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“That’s an answer f089ed276a I truly like.”aa48366a82715a7a

“…Ah.”06a8673022d10d1c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Emma’s face flushed d3e46b547f at the unexpected 7c7aa2fb7c praise, and Mikhail’s d2f613bc95 chest swelled with bd5901e2e9 pride at her f8715dff71 endearing reaction.60243bc66622afec

Humidity and temperature.fc9400420b0ed5e5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Of all the 77c535ee87 nobles and artists 69d12bee81 who had passed 5d1cd179ba through this gallery, 1f1ba2d96c not one had 1dbd4ff03d pointed out that af1b8afef2 detail.c4d8dd77213529cc

Charles was 1e0332fb13 the first.0a0e49402364409a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

 8b6453005c689ecb