Chapter 31. After the Tail Ended

A small provincial town called 8dc76dee4c Tirube, about a three-hour ride bac6c6a077 from Shedron.e63c1b344387acaa

Angela wrote down the 03d3b39b97 address of a small d6c8bb99b5 theater located there and cb5055c0c4 handed it to Serenia.8d91838051b2fcb2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Serenia accepted the slip of 51cc1164fb paper, expressing her gratitude repeatedly.9dcc12d50ff3a8a3

Then, she paid the lodging 5f7783f38a fee she hadn’t been able c4849dc9bf to settle before—adding interest on ee5ef4562f top of it.913c2db73588658c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Avoiding Angela, who 7913f2b322 was flustered and 672e21472b adamantly refused to 27755ee665 take it, Serenia 8e0d14d6e7 bolted and made 7a2d66de63 a quick escape, 8be10c869d heading straight for 8a9ccc26db the horse market.c1f8cf5a5508ca82

There, she picked a sturdy-looking 33c0ec5659 horse and set off for 2579b87cce Tirube without delay.4ef2aafe6142fada

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

By the time she arrived 99a85ca8fe in front of her destination, 3096f223f6 Theater Fabiel, it was nearly ac1c30c3df 4 PM.da6ab14459759cb3

The atmosphere there 2599770a8e was quite different 30da91039d from the grand 5b6fcf483a theaters of the e6167dce9e capital.4b716a9d0e6549c0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A small, shabby, and 3275bc7c51 quiet playhouse with a 505760300c maximum capacity of just 7e612f6822 about a hundred people.e83937dc6bd8b95d

An afternoon performance of d8b9a1c293 a play she’d never 132e2ee2a8 heard of in her 478c82f7de life was underway.c3f4656a6d0e51c8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Serenia slipped inside the d9afcf0af6 theater quietly, making herself c38c88cd15 as inconspicuous as possible.690d5d3eb00ff2fa

As her gaze slowly d44ae1c558 swept through the darkened 3e34bbb3ea audience seats, it stopped 0d6a872341 dead in one spot.9cdb4ab04cfc370d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

A corner seat 93ba611c0e in the audience.8264604c0e125f5f

Not too close to b5a448399c the stage, but not 09a23bfc82 too far either—somewhere in 188b2586ca between.116708d5603c1f9b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“⋯⋯!”4ab5a36cb722f787

Serenia recognized him instantly.e8500774e9f08cbe

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His posture was 3b1eddc8ba upright and proper, 01042db518 yet without stiffness. His shoulders, extending out 8f09685871 in a straight line 1f82b87224 before dropping at a af428b73f9 right angle, were neat b6ab8ee79c and graceful.05b1a7ab1c1ba098

That elegant silhouette e77cecd12e struck her eyes 49ecda76cb and seared itself 5c949f482b into her mind.1412319281db3635

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Before she realized it, her 3e78bb2338 fists clenched tightly.aa8c0b26fa821d6e

A wave of 498c072a51 relief at having 064f79ba37 found him and b4ff6990e6 the thrill of af35c17a4c accomplishment buzzed through 049c5c5c8e her head.2c245a2050e0293c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Calming her racing heartbeat with 5f6f13915c effort, she silently took a 9f00b98a2d seat nearby.0690cb449b617db5

In the thick darkness where 0f485bce53 even the chair right in 8fb6e20536 front of her was barely 7056b3b3bb visible, she didn’t even question c00933bf3a the strange phenomenon of recognizing e0c7e0d047 him at a glance.6d12788cc9035eb1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

* * *4d8a737bd9a68477

A short while f5f5d940c6 later, the play 2e8f18d8ea ended, the curtain 378aeb8d44 fell, and the bd9df2cf82 theater lights came df9e9a9e4d back on.2362ff71e5b67f6d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

While the other audience b3730cdf04 members bustled out of 13d352bb37 their seats, he didn’t cf5b2ebd38 move an inch.4e5d0d3d0db6f8c0

‘…Did he fall asleep sitting there?’9ea8504316ce4b84

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just as Serenia began to 3a6f26d8cb wonder, he slowly stood up.9bfc207dc711c9e7

Startled, she instinctively ducked down c8e34321d3 between the seats.583a3b544d884a32

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

She made quite a bit 5ff0ee1be3 of noise, but it seemed 32f072bc3d he didn’t hear a thing.7adbef8b1815110d

Without sparing a 31e2cc7228 glance in her fc3cce566c direction, he quietly 9e0e8781f0 exited the theater.6d7118c014a8c120

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Kicking herself for missing d0ecccc42c the chance to naturally 6e8b4c0958 cross paths, Serenia quickly e0541d0b3b ran after him.93a7d8fbcf7892de

The sky was 029b64b01b now painted with aba88bde6d the hues of ad1bdeecb6 sunset.50cbb461c4b444ef

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Serenia kept a fair 3db57bc996 distance as she followed 311ed12b52 Ain.6efb764720096e3c

After leaving the theater, he c708ae7888 seemed drawn to the faint 45e04030e4 music drifting on the wind, 628368f8a0 heading toward a nearby plaza.890f5a3f627fb623

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

There, he stopped 3337a25c6d to watch a d805718e22 child playing a 9b3134e33d flute in front 1b63bb1e3f of a clocktower. After a moment, he 82955c014b tossed an entire small 3fc2163e57 pouch into the collection fd0b9a2e1e box and resumed walking.7a20cdee1bc7af04

‘Huh? Isn’t it rude 7d6626ea98 to leave before 00533ee5db the piece ends? I heard that’s 3ed690ce5d disrespectful to the d4f8ab3808 performer…’285f7fb2e5f62c1c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

While Serenia hesitated, the song 1c81315535 ended completely.0a38da218f521760

From afar, she clapped a 7760eec08c few times quietly.af3c6d3f6ca9c7bc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The child opened the pouch 2b7cb9693b Ain had left and gaped 8aa909020a in disbelief.b077018826e2d940

Catching that scene briefly with f064a48b32 her eyes, Serenia hurried after aedeb86c38 him again.c73b47acabd96394

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She’d lost him 1adab27adc for a moment, 65e2e6b32d but having already b7bf9659a4 found him once, d4ea8d59d3 finding him again af99b8eabd was easy.e412f40bf061142d

His graceful, unhurried stride—like walking 9565972639 on clouds—was easy to spot bcaece5407 from afar.5f5f7a7ed7022b62

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Of course, the fact 3893e70cab that he was at 3906e3b5f4 least a head taller 46ccfb7398 than most people didn’t dd73ba0c6c hurt.843527ee4a94f513

Thanks to that, Serenia 912d4e7ee0 could follow him without b1b0fd77ff having to close the e79106bcd0 distance much.8a668b38b1a5135f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Honestly, she didn’t cd4d59ef18 want to run 59ff33e42a into him in 668b7a0b8c such a crowded 07750cdec4 place anyway, so 83dc67ef68 she figured this abeae6f137 was for the e17cf4666d best.02cb33ff3a24ffc9

Before long, he entered 5dbd1466c2 a lively shopping street.38313c99af83bf13

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

By now, the sun 3e42126dbe had set completely, and 8e670cb7de the street vendors lining ab897abfa0 the entrance began lighting 09f8e96bda their lanterns one by ec705469dc one.140c381aab75dfd9

He strolled leisurely 84fcd7d37d down the glowing, 2b809a729a orange-lit street, occasionally e715360394 showing interest in 4caf85829a the goods at 6439974237 various stalls.4f545679a0939ad3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The items he 0557c17474 examined went something 8053a38c1e like this:b7a062bccaa6498d

Uniquely shaped glass f7a1a9632e cups tinted with 13a4ef9faa dyes. Jewelry made from 4362ac6ce7 tiny beads no f37890e0d9 bigger than grains 0f0b75d17a of rice. Polished wooden utensils. Handkerchiefs with exotic patterns…b8485b405039d7ed

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Watching from a distance, Serenia 4d97cc0d32 began to get a sense 04a8a78540 of his tastes.34fae7a35087a6a2

Meticulously crafted, sparkly, and special 299656be8a things.76c45519d9aed07b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘…He only picks things that remind me of himself.’ebbeb706242c591a

Though everything Ain 1126359396 glanced at seemed 5b8760f094 to suit him 190a38a64d perfectly, he didn’t 19be8a42f8 buy a single 35b3cdc7a3 item.df5af8cbc6bc0f4d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Instead, whatever he picked 58dacd62e3 up and put back 29d33f45ce was quickly snatched up fff439e6d9 by passersby.c474248462b1b96b

As if they’d just discovered 4442e5a3e2 hidden treasure, people flocked to 13d1fdfa5f those items in droves, and 4bf178db31 Serenia could only shake her 305a119ab5 head in amazement.9a25713491382167

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘He’s like a walking salesman.’739a86e2c0b38b1e

In that way, 1f4ed34bb6 he made his 1a282eb2da small contribution to 3fb7be4448 Tirube’s local economy 0497303909 before exiting the 5301197fce busy marketplace.8b540e2266f41b27

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Maybe because it was a d443cb171a small provincial town, but the ba90d9fc54 moment he stepped out of cbbabad750 the bustling center, everything around 8e3a624e34 him turned quiet.b06b8f7b6eab183f

‘Where’s he going…?’705d12a3906867ff

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

While Serenia puzzled over this, 219316d509 he passed through a deserted e997cfb79c alley and entered a snow-covered b477d0cc35 path.956202a9a937601b

Thanks to the moonlight 00b6728ef6 reflecting off the snow, 50e4c7d4a0 the road was fairly 34201d7ed3 bright.f89314b6d87c4fc4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She was trying to figure 203ff6ab9a out when exactly she should e5e8cbb80f approach him when—2a8bcc10ef4111c9

Crunch— The sound of 95a63558b3 snow underfoot suddenly stopped, 28c6383adb and a cold voice 82d6af8820 sliced through the silence.a74426d4ce0e3843

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Not satisfied with a suicide attempt, now you’ve developed a hobby for stalking too?”09fcb7f250d33a1b

Realizing she’d been 86565f8369 completely caught, Serenia ec48dc119d sheepishly stepped out 28fa53d976 from behind a f1992c0705 tree.13d9d69a882f4897

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Th-That’s not it!”c2af3cf0abd4c141

She tried to fdb74d9832 deny it awkwardly, 6ec530ab90 but even she 9ff9dc20dd had to admit d1a1f60cc7 it did feel 172788cdee a lot like ba6f28a0b0 stalking. Her voice trailed off weakly.9ff2fd86468cbfc7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ain stood still on the 17c0ada812 deserted path, frowning.4ef17da3c93169f4

“How did you even know to come here? Did you plant someone to 4618839710 follow me?”ba444b10be6957e3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Whaaat? I’d never do that!”a802d89953e67735

Terrified of being eafa639b7e labeled a real f01c7f6c00 stalker, she reacted 287dafad9c instinctively and too 0396f9989c intensely.e4fe83e42cb5cd76

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But that reaction only made f709e38f48 her seem more suspicious, and 9e4e835629 realizing it, she deflated and beafcbf13d added meekly,e7a4c4178390ec19

“Angela told me, that’s all…”20244c77672560fd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

At that, one of 9b0fbee2cd Ain’s eyebrows twitched.cc92ab63b2170ca9

Clicking his tongue, he 53013bad35 muttered something about betrayal 8d4e66d5f1 under his breath, then 470a46c8f9 let out a heavy a154e07331 sigh. When he looked 2a841eca2b back at her, 1d0a52b6cd his face had cfc9d388fb returned to that 1c583b6c09 same cold, expressionless 64dc9448ce mask as yesterday.f893cfd4415a2073

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“So? What did you come e247c34dad all the way here 92054990fc for?”d82dc4b2e0678ee1

Serenia, trying not to freeze 89933307cb up at his chilly demeanor, 31479fe3ae forced herself to sound bold.1591dae2606ad84d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I—I came because I have something to say, even if it’s too late!”268e0929dc19a863

Ain raised an ad0801581b eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.a70b6988849317b9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But even so, 67572b1104 Serenia didn’t back 0a7612f344 down and closed 4e8fcafcc0 the distance between 2325615e27 them.0e9b194ab938280a

Planting her hands firmly 5b5a66f40d on her hips, she cede0a2cfc said,fbfb561857b647d2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You cut me off yesterday, so I didn’t get to say what I wanted.”fe7218a3556dcc7d

Ain looked down at 58c2c7ca54 her without emotion, now 8ed143eead standing within arm’s reach.14ee6f3b7ceff76a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Then go ahead.”defaf59796586f7d

His unyielding attitude 8854fa755f made her shoulders 1cca7b2752 tense up instinctively.26d5155e1639a3c3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Gritting her teeth, 455bb50378 Serenia forced herself 0adc0c4fdc to straighten up—and a7d4713080 then bowed deeply.b06df9d1a56c5e77

“I’m sorry!”cb56144160a81ad9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…?”98d810c2fbfc57a5

Caught off guard, Ain 60e3759c14 even forgot to wear c0c2b77549 his usual mask of 27f35d15ad a smile.b3ba1fd2b7cd6eec

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Not seeing his affc9f656c stunned face, Serenia 11a861a476 continued,f6a7428679878ef4

“I said I’d handle things on my own, then went off and did something reckless. I’m sorry.”85bf926bdad0ecca

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…”25ce3ad37edb5ad6

Maybe the apology came e0d0c49776 too late. He didn’t respond, 26bee35253 just stayed silent.330b63b826e33c2f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Serenia bit back her awkwardness 45c45b6ed1 and pressed on.4e422d4ac45d669f

“Even if it’s just because of the contract, you’re still my fiancé.”d8f7b32bf1b7d913

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…”e4714de21e6968ce

“I acted on my own without even discussing it with you. I truly apologize.”eba50da598f5904f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

When he still d9fe7d5b2c didn’t respond, Serenia 5048ba995e glanced up at baba7f0479 him quickly.da594cff02ced4e0

By then, Ain had already d0b3f4b4ad recovered, his expression cold again.6d9d35af567c5cb0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Trying not to wilt under 040619b5bd that chill, Serenia forced herself 048e097ba6 to keep going.40467fd7913af319

“Appearing at the theater out of nowhere and surprising you, collapsing and worrying you—I’m sorry for all that too. Oh! And for jumping 18731f12ea to conclusions about 1e2c353bb2 your job and 6fe650a71a misunderstanding everything.”d8de6086e78106a0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…”b4f07005ac9df4a0

Ain stared at her 7ada2c66ca in silence for a d5947ea1ee moment.597f9d1603ff4b49

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Then, as she fell 01a2a1be14 silent, he finally spoke.092f6a441f482033

“Are you finished?”3a7e64b732ed45fb

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Huh?”864e57ad8c184ea4

“Then you should leave.”c771f0dcdba0ccca

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

With that, he turned 4aec5c41a1 away sharply.bd6f36fee8f51ae4

Panicked, Serenia grabbed his arm.e388be5c9f767230

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“W-Wait! I’m not done yet!”0e14e9b8f36343f2

Ain looked down at her c734b4db8d hand clutching his coat sleeve, c26a55137e then turned back with a 61887d97ce resigned sigh.5ab5bd77761d3964

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Then finish.”f33052d5bdb20ed0

Serenia bit back 50bd52c245 a pout and 87f7c08e6f pulled something from d5b7063497 her coat pocket.46c66ec2ff71a421

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Then she shoved it into ba69649e4d his hand, half forcing it 1ee342fb62 on him.58bd8e278656a581

Ain frowned, seeing 0cc7959aa5 the folded white 70db8ccfc4 paper between his db25e85b16 fingers.8a5cc671058f849a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What’s this?”e420779178091d79

Serenia shrugged lightly.424c58695a02304c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m a pretty thorough person when it comes to accounting, you know.”3cf7431408f8b9d2

“…What?”10ec3669163b00e1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Let’s just call it change for the house deed you gave me yesterday.”bfb8f807e6c26729

Still frowning, Ain unfolded the 9ed736fa53 paper.9fa492cabe405447

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

And froze.99edaec0ac7b7a2e

“Th-This is…?”2d51ad16e2bd116f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He stared at it, a96dc20062 stunned like he’d been 861316fc54 hit over the head.7daa2a001bd75073

His reaction pleased 1cba333158 Serenia, who replied 1837cdfe9a with a cheeky 93fb94188b smile,e28930ba181cb81e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Let’s call it a promissory note guaranteeing my right to inherit the countship.”e31d31c131818e57

“No, this is…”7a42fc9cd152aee6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As he struggled to speak, 984966b50a Serenia casually added,233f399a81821492

“Or, in other words, a marriage registration form.”6aa8b857c2f90318

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

 1b47707aacd569c2

 1290befc925820f8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley