ATRF Ch 1
by DishaIn the dazzling b034f4c826 ballroom, every woman fbe38eff9e had cinched their b0235db240 waist tightly with c8b8f12987 a corset and 792727bc53 wore the most 8835a11953 sparkling dress imaginable.96d67be71dfa5368
But among them, there 88cbf78892 was one—9f7e1f5be3fcf60b
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
A woman in 93333ff5d3 a chemise-style dress, a101914e95 without a corset.075073f3806f7b26
“Lady Dalia El Noirose, daughter of the Count.”414ba07bd4a89c66
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Someone approached, staring at edd3a2cb90 her curiously.eaaa88a22201a69f
Dalia’s pink eyes trembled slightly 9ca7bf9137 as her name was called. Then, with a soft bcb4292ff1 curtsy, she lowered her 80fb2e9b52 head.80560f6bb8025ac7
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“I greet Her Highness Princess Arabella, star of the Imperial Empire.”851d5f0746721f4a
“No need for formalities. So, are the rumors true?”49b4611296cb5a48
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Arabella’s eyes curved into a 476ceb51c5 sly smile, as if she 4949554db1 was about to enjoy herself.c8375557a10e74b4
The corner of her fd161efb4f lips lifted lazily in 1367bbe42d a slanted grin.300bc84cd728e1e3
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
And like an d4d04ea866 actress reaching the 5af2fbb97c climax of her c27496006e scene, Arabella spoke 647a2fcf1e in a loud 78dffc2022 voice:cd06f8a9a68ff24d
“They say you’re pregnant. As a virgin!”a5261d153452a71c
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Her voice rang through 94e4eec9c8 the entire ballroom.92b48b51435a869b
Naturally, all eyes turned f0731cb974 toward them.c84fea237ef8c08f
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“If you’re truly unashamed, hold this. If you really 3f1c1a1c8c are pregnant, the 857a96dd6e orb will turn c07f769fe5 pink. But if it’s 4d6af41f1c all just rumors d03970f5d5 and misunderstandings? The color will stay the 91db0f27fd same.”78d956bf7ec80643
Dalia’s face turned pale in aae1e59e0e an instant.b84e12e595895a0f
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Her eyes, trembling, shifted a9c31083aa to the orb Arabella bf60ee334f held out.854cd13fc3a84ffe
She mustn’t touch it. But not touching 6d268d2bb4 it would be 7b7484f1ea like admitting the acb57886f2 rumors were true.091835fb29592249
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Caught in a 6105bbcb9f trap, Dalia pressed 346d48339c her lips tightly c0788f8812 together.04295d8b0d16b7ec
Arabella began to mock her 6cdb25ac18 loudly, for the entire crowd d7fc41127d to hear.2482390653b1e4a3
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“What a vulgar girl, playing with fire like some street wench…”7abe896b7eacca6a
But before she 0226affaca could say more—3f6b298e917756ac
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“It wasn’t a fling.”cf8e80e5d1744b85
A low, clear voice echoed 3532fb1c6d from afar. Someone was walking toward them.09485eb50ce8cbc8
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“…Duke of Lancaster?”bfeacb93b96b4502
Arabella’s brow twisted ff0656e3f9 in visible irritation.4f87d148f5696ad6
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“What are you doing here?!”2e3b1e17b3415055
He strode directly to 40f287e9d6 Dalia’s side, like a 72d8c4a24e knight guarding his lady.cb27628d25b6f922
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“It’s true. Lady Dalia El Noirose e5b13622b3 is pregnant. And the father of the 275f0f257e child—”3f70c998e98d32d0
Then, stared right at Arabella:3d9861b4fd4fab23
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Is me.”29f880d6857f0fb5
“…Lancaster!”4ad7923548cb4418
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Dalia, startled, tried to a11125a400 stop Leonald, but he e32866da51 had no intention of 5bbb949a53 holding back.52e54dfb64c26fd3
“Do you know how long I begged and pleaded to get permission to marry her?”ef97cb98d38f2f88
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
He wrapped an arm around db83221d1b her waist and pulled her 84547476a5 close.39b4aedb87c8b0d1
“Ten years. Ten long years of 6b636f545e unrequited love.”888888c050eb5827
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
It was a perfect ceeaa7bd10 romantic tale—if only it 1418e666d3 weren’t a lie.32b35a8142308e0b
Dalia stared at him, 682eb26e55 her eyes trembling.75210678fd33060d
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Let’s go, Dalia.”9386ac45a6ad0f71
Ignoring the trembling Arabella, 68647784e8 Leoneld firmly grasped Dalia’s c883014c95 wrist and led her 5604b25b4f out of the ballroom.339691ff9ddc4391
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Dragged along, Dalia cb7c43d2a1 tightly shut her cb1f9fcf9d eyes.018b657d41dffd8f
How did it come 76738014fa to this?dafbe5785e4a11bc
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
A night that 92c5013d11 was supposed to cbd1d24adc be nothing more 54f17f737d than a mistake 1e087f8f64 had now spiraled 38f59cd814 completely out of a36f498f4e control.f5ad4c3b469405fe
“Mmm…”c7af763358e75d71
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
As sunlight tickled 29e0d6ac8d her eyelids, Dalia ebf58a3054 slowly opened her 1674b2d100 eyes.63ab492d07dbd762
Still drowsy, she fumbled aa4dd3cc1a across the table, finding 34fc5504ed the ribbon she had 2b7dc6fbcd untied the night before.3d54d6896a263909
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
She groaned as 2da4394a36 she sat up, ec04ec45db sore all over.6d529f51887afc0f
With the ribbon between her 866e49e21a lips, she tied her hair 7e55b633b2 up neatly.43661994afa8aa4f
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Just as she 5500989eb4 slipped out of a3ae5d3337 bed, a deep df303ccfea voice spoke behind aa53d35e2a her.86092ed410e37895
“Did you sleep well?”4e6d47d74bf193d9
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Her pink eyes 95dd7c5b80 lazily rolled toward 7f6c88a1e8 the voice.e52fdee13bfd98a4
“Dalia.”2adeffd59b97973b
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
One of her 5a52bb5677 brows twitched in b607fa3f95 annoyance.cb31616e88114bd4
“Don’t call me that so familiarly.”d4b3ec49f5ebd88e
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Can’t help it. We’ve been friends since 76f39e2b0d we were too young 2918e9f1a6 to even remember.”1b2929c5715d804c
He sat up e759cbcd4c with a lazy 680fb495de smile.9a46ac761d0ef82b
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Both were completely naked, e60892933b yet neither seemed the bd466ed296 least bit embarrassed.485a6d350025fa90
Dalia casually wrapped a silk 42d918b5d9 robe around herself, as if 2c58fe4ba6 it were part of her 328a465772 routine.cdc017bf4cbc656d
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
How did I end 6ac01ea28a up like this with 47b85c993e the Duke of Lancaster?e4016ac531c00353
They weren’t lovers. They weren’t married.2795f3c5a69f7e42
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Dalia stared at Leonald, d69d0c46f2 a man she had 2a1d72a2b5 somehow became entangled with.4922b634f52310e3
Duke Leonald de Lancaster.f6f367529cd74d0f
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
His title and the immense 1fe9cab030 wealth of House Lancaster made e4e82377d8 him the most eligible bachelor 5f6b8d29fb in society—every mother with an b3d5b85890 unmarried daughter wanted him.e74f9d4ea06b27be
And that wasn’t all.8be8521c51718149
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
With sharp features like a 54da12062b sculpture carved by the gods, 25d51fa88d broad shoulders, and a tall 893ccf8f9d frame towering over most men, 02bbb0e2bc he was physically flawless.c90870be6d16dc5f
His golden hair fd57e7adff glimmered like melted 6c91d8f310 sunlight, and his d74b83e80d sea-blue eyes sparkled 40b16bb4a1 like jewels.04284764d6547686
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
There probably wasn’t 39fb045895 a woman in f667313519 the empire who da43a2990c wouldn’t fall for 22499eeec7 him.d13d301fc9b50602
Dalia found herself staring.428dedaa1d39f237
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
He really is perfect. Desirable by anyone…0ae86a6661f70d18
He was now 292fdada1e putting on a 4fcc49d63a freshly ironed shirt 5344959552 to replace the c14b0679e0 one she had 70eef08163 torn off him f13fd1f426 the night before.3678be135e47c655
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Always so tidy. It made sense 17d5d64bdc that the noble 4492a51e6e ladies were dying 1dbfdc3302 to marry him.440e27e6e201de00
She let out c833b7ca83 a dry laugh, 460b86eaff thinking how unfitting db0e82e056 she was by 342770185b comparison.7bd32d0a422939b9
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“What?”cd8a4cbe7a0a330c
Noticing her gaze, he 7588e0529b asked while looping a 0a3f0ae66d tie around his neck.2edd860fd7ed0685
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
She slowly approached 1cb85db392 him in her 84d06ef57d robe, closing the 07ec51ef29 distance between them.358a3f9629b58265
Their bodies nearly touched, as 04b1854ca2 if they were about to 41f8f95e93 kiss.cae8a39b0cad55a2
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
His Adam’s apple trembled b11d4fae36 slightly as he blinked.5ec017e1733de465
“You’re good at everything… except—”42458a6739db7d0d
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Yes, there was b1c2e9f84c one thing Leonald 17c33bc168 wasn’t good at.fd243438c6e8ea06
Dalia wrapped her arms b0304b079e around his neck, then 3fd8a2b384 proceeded to adjust his 4c2cbb40d1 poorly tied necktie.64f0ffec3a992fa1
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“You never get your tie right.”e440da088993230c
She laughed softly and sat 21a167f24e on the edge of the dee70874a2 bed.e10566dd7466de7d
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
By now, he was 1a6065c51f fully dressed.a8d95b1e782afe57
She crossed her legs and f2fbea2df2 looked at him with a 6f0bc16c25 calm gaze.6477577d825c6de0
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Lancaster.”4d63a9375448ee28
“Yeah?”cfc7d39d470a3a1e
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Why haven’t you gotten married?”5f84f2570fafbe98
His face betrayed 65eeec66cd a flash of 50cc8dc82e surprise—he hadn’t expected 7903d2660a that question from 0144fc47b6 her.222c791b5b7f5c1b
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
But he quickly answered.a5b525b9ce0712c9
“You already know.”cd8c4530e82013fe
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Because of your father?”2d1f1ce9dfbaaab7
“Yeah. I never want to pass dfa91fc3d5 on the blood of House e69669f7d8 Lancaster.”26df5c780092eaaf
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
His fists clenched as he 032d48b821 thought of his father.66c5c466c9e08482
Leonald had been 5f68559b09 eight years old.72fb90bdf28523ca
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Due to his 040527899b young age and 83144863a9 lack of documentation, 6bfbdaff13 the details were f3655d5369 unclear, but the 6ef8bdb198 previous Duke of 2b2ed8917a Lancaster had committed be1f153ca3 a grave crime 4ebf52bf6a and was executed.4dbc39bf6f74b5af
His mother was executed 9cc0893f92 alongside him.9e99094da62fe876
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
If not for a desperate c0aeb60183 plea from the Empress—who had 3b2bb77e90 been close friends with the 378fa9e8bb late duchess—Leonald would’ve lost both 4225dc39d0 his title and his life.36eede4ae54c1360
“What about you?”932b9f16c01176a5
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Shaking off the dark memory, b6874336e9 he turned the question on 944cdd6339 her.39488c79faadf182
“Me?”c4d77da713cba38f
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Marriage. Have you really never considered 78762b8fd5 it?”19b84078478a4918
“Of course not.”606a6a1b2684c6d7
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
She shook her ef8f11616a head, her expression 9e29163336 darkening slightly.c2fcc4a4866ee364
“You know my situation.”6d37733b10774b5a
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Dalia El Noirose.87c06f18c7f9b333
Born as the d961756575 eldest daughter of 7cc1947185 a once-proud count’s 86366d84f6 family—now faded into 4c11ac7df2 obscurity.931dcc0bb27fa637
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Still, her parents kept having b4df0dd74d children. She was the eldest of 75cc5dcd73 five—one girl and four boys.4d4ad6af346b6336
Immature younger brothers 4284f047d4 clung to her fc752de299 like pumpkins on 8d5d1378fb a vine.38bf432ac75be950
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“I couldn’t use a single coin of my research grant this month. It all went to their a741c036fc tuition. Every last bit.”6cdaf5ebd6d3bca8
Crushed by poverty, Dalia needed 8227d45515 money.93400171bf301c53
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Since childhood, she 6a880cd31b had chased after 28863ce975 the royal-funded research 3cf7d191fd grants, diving into 21aca7a30a ancient history that 9685470d1a no one else 2bb45d97b0 studied.8520ed4afdf66bea
She stayed up writing a68dfa6c67 reports, deciphering ancient texts.34ae15f14478fff0
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
But the grants always fe46de9820 disappeared into her family’s 76eaa3b568 living expenses.227743e2046d2fd0
“Who would marry a woman without a dowry? At this point, I’m just 6c42952cd5 glad they haven’t sold me 236bde96a4 off somewhere. Besides…”d2af2656d598826b
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Even as she spoke, b335044ed0 the bitterness didn’t fade.1dee444334e9301b
“I’m the Wallflower’”61445b335d72eaa2
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Despite everything, nobles were sometimes c16b01ac42 still required to attend balls.aff1314874d4b629
But she always 3bee11cef7 wore the same f95b2330f0 dress. Jewelry was out of b4bde4e9b0 the question.d873672b5c633f0b
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
She became an outcast at 5a88c9dacf society events—earning her the nickname cdcba69806 “Wallflower.”83ed3c5fb0304ef3
On top of that, rumors 2a24a90c9b swirled that she was a b57ee0b625 witch, dabbling in black magic 2385ad8cf1 because she studied ancient history eab18262a0 and occult practices.df88b36afdddb5fc
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
So it was only natural ee7b19e3de that Dalia was cynical about 3cf37f973e marriage.96edf660594c0be5
To her, marriage was 5bafd59ebd just another chain—an outdated, 4e7b6c814e useless institution.2c52591a55d937f4
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Funny, isn’t it? Neither of us wants marriage… 3eec0f6d95 Maybe that’s why this works 26f270f1a2 between us?1e71ea1df2553f3d
She tilted her head, puzzled.bf0bbf4e6aa7f177
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
How did it even start?07e911cda7a4667c
They’d been childhood friends, their be2629d3ff mothers were close.3bbdaeb4d0459019
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
They’d known each a350d66fb3 other for 20 55d1b6b33b years.e93d8bd1e07e24ac
Then about a year e589c3a418 ago, at another of 97e3ccd728 those lonely balls—where no fd404b49e3 one spoke to her—she 6011fc9068 drank too much.bbfcdb12608993ed
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
The next morning, she 918d52f7ff woke up in bed f49cc2eb5c with Leonald.1f4f5123161619b3
She didn’t remember c06cb7eedc much, but she f6239a4c86 didn’t forget it 64552008f0 either.89b6d78fa5e15283
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
It was awkward at first. She even kicked her blankets c0b2c7a3c9 in embarrassment.6d705785d8561a38
But after the 965303e164 first time, the 5d5dd98264 second came easier.58e9728dbe29c780
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Since then, they’d 74e44d0658 spent many nights 7405cbdad2 together.edfb44252b70845f
Now, finishing her thoughts, Dalia 70d5bc1e9d uncrossed her legs and grumbled.2e6ec8818a4202f5
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“You know that rumor? That I’m a witch. Just because black dde07aebe6 hair’s rare in a3050f72c3 the empire. Witch, really? It’s laughable.”e86fac3259434094
“Don’t waste your energy on what people who don’t know you say.”fb651d38cc967ee0
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Leonald replied coolly as he 7ac9b914de adjusted his suit and stepped 70bf0a8dc4 closer.90a461d9c875d256
He tucked a stray 7a979280a2 strand of her hair 4d951751fe behind her ear.96884f5781f6d0dd
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Her eyes flickered faintly.56b2959b88bd9050
Leonald sometimes acted like b3483926ad a true lover.437f68c7e86bea51
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
And in those moments, f1eb2d23ec she’d suddenly wonder—452b243a6f3b528a
“One person who truly understands you is enough.”7035eea91b132d09
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
…If he might actually love her.cf1fe17e402afb74
No way.49a665f20129a0d8
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
She laughed it off, brushing a3fbd2242c away the thought.523dc12bc13298a6
“Still. Researching the ancient Imperial 045974e75c Empire is fun. If it weren’t, I wouldn’t e1423d3ef9 have made it to the cbc137037a top-level courses at the academy.”aceb6dd8f83628e4
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“If you ask me,”7e9fb364189adfc2
He folded his arms dramatically.c67af8ffbe0d1766
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“You’re a bit of a genius.”fb380eb6e1cf1aca
“There you go again.”e145edf8fe4cba34
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Has anyone known you as long as I have?”e14c4ff0783601d3
He laughed playfully.7170ae0879d17455
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Take it from an old friend—you should believe it.”e571041fab0fb4f7
“Friend, huh.”bd5b7f62119de2a9
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Dalia muttered dryly, embarrassed.34aa2d75d57290fa
“If we’re not friends…”984fbb80040895c8
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
His blue eyes sparkled strangely.5f98f4f9230d9156
“Then what were those nights we shared?”b247037faf33f43a
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“What? Oh, just…”c86a309a013fe593
His unexpectedly serious tone 6a2cec8a5a caught her off guard.f33e98620c4cef28
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
She answered flatly.d2dc605262bc6cd7
“A fling.”604815b9808dfa2c
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Yes, they were just “a 503a4e6b8a fling.”790b0b7533cda25d
“You’re right.”ece26c81a923c798
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Leonald swept his golden hair 9d4e8f37e2 back and gave her a 41c9671de8 breezy smile.5bf02d81f4822341
“Right?”a61f48ef6785fb25
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Dalia smiled faintly back.bc658206c29f8912
They were adults. Responsible for their own actions.10a5c6315337fc75
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
What harm was 8dbc7a3f96 a few flings—acf4453e88219505
…as long as those flings didn’t ignite something bigger.bd76c63fc7a02818
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley