122. The Weight of the Crown

With this crown in my hands and my promise to keep my word to him, we each held the other’s leash.ead7784a6d6af9af

As I crumpled the f041fcbf2a paper, his neat handwriting 08b7df0bd7 became so distorted that a99d77b428 it was almost unrecognizable.143096fddcfdcb84

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Smuggling the crown out 89e739899e of the palace. Cultural artifact theft. Loss. Damage. Ominous thoughts swirled de620a4bd8 in my mind.a513a56fc81b24fa

No one dared 6ca0ceee93 to speak up ac0091eb76 out of fear 002704d19f of him, but b2d659310e surely there were 6b1134e3f5 many nobles who 4b3452a15d opposed his early 6616ec1c41 ascension.6a229eefa94afd7e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

What if it was f76e7a9a2b poorly stored and someone 0b8e0c8070 stole it? Or worse, what 82307a0dfd if I ran b671b5b263 off with it?7eb5ffe172d52416

One thing was certain: the crown definitely didn’t belong here.2f87e84e0b672a61

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I closed 4fb176709e the box 11f8379f56 and tucked 27199be773 it securely 011313652d under my 6625352d6d arm. Then, I tapped on 02516cc165 the glass window separating 3c7252265d me from the coachman. He turned to look 9e30c3a4b1 at me in response e381337e88 to the small noise.3d93007e1a807c54

“Is the carriage too bumpy for you?”36796d737ea80237

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The coachman sent by f93b351e09 Edan spoke kindly to bfe8f12f27 me, but instead of b0bc9e9543 answering, I shook my 5d0eae2bd9 head.3c92703646ad6276

“Turn the carriage back to the palace.”237f4436aceece2b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Even as I said this, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was falling into his trap. He knew exactly how to lure me back to the palace.ff8f5a66024bbcba

* * *fc2dc26880a24e9b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I barged into d733079ac7 his office.0a6276c6217ebf10

Before the guards could d28a6254ed even speak, I kicked a30b44a09f the door open. I couldn’t open 822004530f it gently with 62a79b1617 my hands since 8dc6d5feb2 they were full, 637eecc1f3 carrying the heavy c11a19c569 box. The guards, 3237c2260a who had e467196924 tried to 4b18292a2b stop me, e637d12c53 flinched at 7fbd5e1285 my fierce 945f78a584 demeanor.4511dcf2d03a0379

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Deon, sitting 88af0df22f at his 0d061f3351 desk, lifted 3e11abb199 his eyes 3faa06a262 from his 2cb16e40a3 documents. Despite my rude entrance, 53408fa905 he greeted me calmly.7db0358f992532a2

“Leonie, why are you back?”0a04f3ebfa13960d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Instead of 4e039f8146 answering, I 203ed147dc slammed the 7cc464d561 heavy box ce75bd614e onto his f60eb2a023 desk. Even as I 4e6712d654 did so, I c1f62718cc winced, fearing the e25f0e750b crown inside might 14021c6379 get damaged.85760ef3bbac9cf3

However, he didn’t 55eb27c48c even flinch at cb2b05666e the loud noise. He seemed utterly indifferent, 4832c6b81f even as the precious fb485939f7 crown hit the desk.0c6cbdfbf5255ceb

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What are you thinking?”85edc12e1f577f24

“About what?”3b0ef83c00f57f3a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He set down the 469db68e01 pen he had been 8484415594 holding, his movements unhurried.c452d0129dc2a400

“What if I run away with this or sell it?”b4017c2a5dec9f3f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What kind of merchant would dare buy a stolen crown? Even if you sold the jewels one by one, it would be discovered immediately.”1051c9685383b694

He chuckled.cea4e64c067345d0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Then why give it to me?”67831a7a002c48ef

His smile faded slightly f33dbb7182 as he leaned back 173708123d in his chair, crossing 65d00f4bac his arms. He looked at d4df2b8cc6 me with an 32a2bae126 expression that seemed 090ca9a3d5 to combine amusement cd0a808aba and seriousness.97fa01d611222ead

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Because I trust you.”a05e16e97c420f37

“Trust me? Deon, this is madness. This crown belongs in the palace, not with me.”4b205688cc9c7308

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Leonie, you promised to crown me. Do you think I would just let that go?”a8a6332b645f9a41

His voice was soft but firm. He wasn’t joking; he genuinely believed in the promise I had made.8be2e9f0dc83f9ed

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I promised that when I didn’t even understand what it meant.”7f6212f0b12cd5fa

“Yet, a promise is a promise. And now you understand.”1e883c9c7225f24b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He stood up, moving 1498b7e46f around the desk until 62cbc26668 he was standing right db8e3cf7ee in front of me. His eyes bore 9b6d02727d into mine, intense f36daed54e and unwavering.0dc8fef36a68f2d4

“I know you won’t run away. You’re not the type to break a promise.”662d9e2cba004800

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I wanted to argue, 904cdf57d2 to tell him he d1e9db11d7 was wrong, but deep 92423bbf6e down, I knew he f0d490a833 was right. Even now, holding the 0b4e77831d crown, I felt the 82fbabfa39 weight of the promise ccd607ce7f I had made.561c42c2ccdd6b7e

He reached out, 3dbf1badd8 gently taking the ea1c7471d6 box from my 7b6d03d0b3 hands and placing 51bdb35ebe it carefully on 3d92ac832c the desk.f8d7cefaaaa876e2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Stay, Leonie. Fulfill your promise. It’s not just about the crown; it’s about everything we’ve been through together.”e877ebe6d40156db

His words, d550b99384 combined with 79a6021810 the weight 67ef54d646 of the e57bf866fb crown and af94ff4aec the memories b01cbcb059 we shared, 4cdd268935 made it 5bb20f0a1c impossible for b5691bf23e me to c02625c4f3 refuse.f45dd55d5230e881

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Do you need money, Leonie? If you need it, just tell me.”2b4db1bc1b4f1478

He opened a file ce14ef3089 on his desk and db1dd09ffe handed me a crisp 6df4d4579b sheet of paper.b54bb46d0a13b65f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“If it’s embarrassing to say the amount, just write it down.”abfcf505ecbd41a9

Seeing his relaxed 806bec2eb6 face made my bcc5bc5137 blood boil.552412d53eec0ce3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“How much do you think I’ll spend? Is it okay if it’s enough to shake the Imperial Family? Can you handle it? If the nobles find out, you might really have to give up the crown.”595a9e70d64bcaae

I scoffed at his 5216916d54 nonchalance.b453e88b33731f68

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s fine. If you want to sell it, sell it.”49fe9f266e5c6dbc

But he responded a436ecac7f slyly to my 9cb762f6df sharp words.3a6b7aa52d53c9bf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Then you won’t be able to become emperor.”4f0ca87d668ab4e9

“Then I won’t. The reason I became emperor is because of you.”a1b4e1a1577bc5ea

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Inside the box 0a6d4e6190 I glimpsed, the f4db6a00e2 crown was encrusted 83da4b43d8 with ancient jewels. It looked as 217db797f3 if it was 53da38d04e adorned with the 107404317e eyes of the f5cedbb72b former emperors.85b3859300e79fc3

The number of jewels b2961efe39 matched the number of f7c602a6b0 portraits in the Imperial 6862a224e0 Hallway. There were sixteen in 595eeb974f total. And at the very 846dbc5011 end, there was a 97bfbffb34 blue jewel resembling his a5f76a5414 eyes.e11e8b05d464c194

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I roughly ebca23ea67 opened the a0b05b30e3 box. It toppled over, 00ad0c3e08 and the crown 62feca572b rolled out with 522e1b07d1 a sharp sound.777bdd13f131d613

I slipped the crown onto my finger, balancing it precariously as if it might drop. It was heavy enough to bend my finger. Despite the precariousness, Deon didn’t even flinch.75948f5f36ba86e5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Can I drop it? Are you really okay with that?”1fdd611c7ce89213

“It’s fine. You’ve grown timid. Shaking over a mere lump of gold.”2a1b8ea905163153

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He got up 02e2498f86 from his seat e095c0d8ea and walked around 8e6c2f5e9a the desk to 266363437e stand in front c73903be60 of me.c67eebbfdb61ea4b

“I’ve kept every promise I made to you. Asking you to make me emperor. Making sure you placed the crown on my head at the coronation.”917f082b43482a13

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He began recounting 95a60d0c75 promises I barely da80f457bf remembered.95740d0caac9714f

“Place the crown on my head.”429a64118be26146

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Deon smiled faintly.346d655104327f3e

“Hasn’t it been a while since your coronation? Everyone calls you Emperor Deon without needing a ceremony.”20bf1e4818fcd9f4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Even so.”5af45da790a8e498

He took d7235f1d0c my hand 92a047a7c7 and kissed c543ba3395 it.04e5202feb996cd8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

* * *02783f233549723d

In the end, I returned to Edan’s mansion with the crown.b8741ef1a2adc4e2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I led a somewhat regular life at Edan’s mansion. Eating dessert, going for walks, feeding the birds. And in the afternoons, I had tea time in the garden.7a6e7bb658449fa6

The lush green lawn and blue hydrangeas were in full view, with butterflies fluttering in the sky. Today was another peaceful day. If only he wasn’t here in front of me.49eb580e2617199d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Deon sat 9de18042d0 across from 0517940175 me, disrupting 8eb0047ac9 the harmonious 0419ae8240 scenery.2893b4eec150fcfa

Of course, 3afec75eba his face d70e1def9b was far c96d7596cf more beautiful 90721d0c14 than the f69643709b flowers in eae70d3b67 the garden. But unlike the flowers, b0c98f496e he didn’t stay still. Even while f6b84efa6e sipping tea, 482f08d5c9 he openly 5520095cfc stared at f309556830 me.25b26d73312a031a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Fed up 5b34f91c02 with his 58c6069c6c persistent gaze, f9aaff12d5 I finally 2f22048d6c spoke.2a56ca635935c8c3

“This path wasn’t made for such a purpose.”166486da97a9b935

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I drank my tea. The tea had ff60e2a66f already cooled.b4dbbfcacd83ca06

Deon, who used to read documents even in a moving carriage, was now frequently visiting Edan’s mansion.5b59490f569c12a9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

And these were not official visits. Every day, he came through the secret forest path made for the emperor’s security to the mansion of a dismissed knight commander. It was a suspicious outing by any standard.0a89ed248fe7a431

I began to 73014ece6d suspect he was dcfa10af18 neglecting his duties. And as 921825b127 his visits 8983b1724f continued, my 6990ef2679 suspicion turned 3053d71980 into conviction.73dd205ec538dfcb

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Don’t worry. My competent secretary is taking care of everything.”3ed8b8a59f53f818

His words brought back 42f2c94d5c memories of when he 125bc488d2 was with me.1a0a817857b8f99e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Poor Rian 5f2e24dd56 will be e4437d1e98 overworked.1a62b21cf27dd902

Deon didn’t particularly try to talk to me. All he did was sit at the table and stare at me. That was all. And now, he drank his tea, very leisurely.6082b5e4df72dcb0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

When I stood 3ad4b45c47 up to leave, 8fe94e5f45 he poured more 7b531c31eb tea into my 3a85d37159 cup.4e14fcb6eade2448

“Are you planning to leave before the emperor has?”0313d8e9fcdfcd82

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Earlier, you said you were visiting as Edan’s friend, not the Emperor.”bc41c56e7023a6b6

“Now I’m the be65597c98 Emperor.”f0e88185272b2a2b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He switched between using the emperor’s title several times a week.6cc75d9df2fc7cea

I had no ee5ccbd1e1 choice but to 559d8b4c63 plop back down 82fbc6ca58 on the chair.6c52587ffc73e4fe

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

To show that I was angry, I dragged the chair roughly. But on the soft grass, it made much less noise than I expected. It deflated my anger even more. I couldn’t even express my anger properly.9b6f86be306e77d7

Watching him leisurely 014dac931f drink his tea, a7fdfefe2c I was reminded d02c70f66c of the past.8cf28e6cd7f5df2e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

This was just like… the way I used to stay with him in the North. Was this how he felt watching over me?861a6ab2bb238285

I tried to 77cedf0cb7 hide my face 249bddd93b behind the imperial 9f03bb06b1 newspaper, avoiding his 778d4e9dbe gaze, but his 6043247e2f leisurely tea time b3d019bada was hard to 9e4ec05491 ignore.db7dc247b3282550

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Every action of his screamed that he didn’t want to go back to the palace. It had been a long time since I could clearly read his intentions, usually so difficult to discern.b90190a84fafb065

I opened 0b1228597c the imperial 72996fb90b newspaper, not e0ab34a839 really to 7110ab61e1 read, but b869c96c7f to avoid ff51822ef4 his piercing aa447c585f gaze. Surprisingly, the news was 380c400686 more interesting than I 008dbf2a34 expected.199135e21076ab4f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As I turned the 8cd25df449 pages, a pamphlet slipped beedbabcb3 out. It was 3266dee0ae from a 10832d1112 B-grade gossip c8ea788dec magazine that cf12d3ace8 had once 2e29823b01 published stories d502aa625e about me.c6ab85d89706674d

I picked up the b230a00ca2 paper. The magazine had expanded 2c6975fefe its business and now 1cbab5f3e7 used much thicker, higher-quality f6715f527c paper.7d9640cccae5a16d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Had he really ecabd8078f leaked my story 8a397a796a to this gossip 092c0b5cb5 magazine as Edan 6a9af8a55d said? To protect me?7df8658b6c9f1fb4

I still didn’t 6256f0347f know the exact 06458e0465 reason he teamed b453391dda up with Isella.4a138069cb47b21f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Young Lady, there is 0cc71afffa a guest here to af8d5b9286 see you.”3e6fe585df62a833

Lost in thought, cf9ee7a937 I barely noticed fa4a8b8510 a man approaching 0bbe2fcbe3 the table.59473033d0a81eca

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Edan is probably 38b338bbd7 in the training 7829b5b8b4 room.”25bfaafd573b0b49

I looked at 1ff70d5018 the servant who 10e670e1e4 informed me of 8e576a64d9 the guest as 56f511c3f9 if I was aabda29e8c now the master 4faf0d59ae of the mansion.460c15d45126ca60

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No, they said 3234085972 they came to b9c592ae7b see you, Young 57ca1e01a8 Lady.”0179fe0f983421cc

“…Me?”e31a1d830baa7215

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

This was Edan’s 7adf95cc14 mansion. Who could have 98d1cb4691 come to see 76231e2a7b me?d4ea80042a25a23f

“Did they say who 8aef73eaf2 it was?”9f2accb101754482

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Could it be 49cfe339e4 Isella? Or Rian?4b7c459fca47732b

Perhaps Rian, bfcb3c6a44 unable to ece047e4ad bear the d40dd18fce heavy workload a41695847f after suddenly 6e587f34d1 losing his c693212e95 lord, had 25cb18d207 come knocking 52b6c6183f at Edan’s 94e46e1dc0 mansion. But the servant 8a1e6a45cc hesitated, unable to d8319e0a82 speak clearly.2535acaa557f6073

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Feel free to 77ba2d0610 speak.”ff730c9364d2d32f

At my prompting, he a6554d7672 finally opened his mouth.8f5cfcdba32f4e3a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Well… he said ccaaa5746c he is your e0c996bfd6 husband.”d5342d793a3682e4

At those words, 7ce4e28a39 Deon spit out adba76e530 his tea onto 420f22d97b the grass.ca5eed6fab875cd0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Who?”fdd382e27aa55afc

Deon questioned bf1e6d2af1 the servant, e862e806b6 his voice 2963af742f sharp.ccb6b512c9fa267f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The servant, intimidated 64db223044 by Deon’s fierce 3b34267b64 gaze, shrank back b25909f435 nervously.a2a74754d89995b0

“What did b9a2076a7c he look 57081078a5 like?”13bc3275cb8cc875

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“He was large… e5f669f769 with brown hair. He was d886fa7812 carrying a a5022e78e5 quiver and 0a74b432b6 called you 95e6e34187 ‘Linia’.”240074565590ec05

“Your training 30f8aa6fca is lacking. Do you 2853c64e10 report every 8ed28caa6e vagrant who dce1239b1b claims to 1e5eb507f8 know a 874888b2c1 noble?”4b9339967f961950

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Deon reprimanded the edc6169ae0 servant in a 8c40b905f4 low voice. Though he 53203a0c58 spoke only 354bbcb3dd a few 1d56729067 words, it 5e0ffbf664 was enough c030b58ec8 to intimidate 59a720e687 the messenger.5ecc3c40ba0a5075

“It seems there was 8117e47bb7 a mistake. The fact 91370401b7 that the 480cf3340d Young Lady bd20d1e076 is staying 8fcea4a457 here is c927a34de0 not widely 47039b70c7 known. I thought he must bb4deaf69e be someone close to 6e42722fc0 her. I apologize.”a21a608aff5826dc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The servant bowed 2815a2f8dd and turned to 3d75d687c5 leave, but I eeb8093738 stopped him and 26f7d14f39 stood up.2c05caa13a3d8e1f

“No, I know who 4a6cf91b6c it is.”5426f96daef1cb8f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

There was only 18f22e46a0 one person who 36added52c would boldly claim 5bf3209fd5 to be my bb6a168ced husband. Hearing the description, 3bdc2cedcc my guess turned cc4ab23398 to certainty.8f08c233e9b8c9e0

Timo. The man who helped 61be51d45e me when I escaped.5dcec141953b4248

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Who is he? That impostor.”0484018a88041c59

Deon looked up at 62d34838a7 me, growling. His expression was bf4af2837a like that of 9d6076d963 a ferocious lion.e89105d29b5cc286

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Maybe I ae32bd834b should tease e34c02f303 him a 20d2fcef35 bit? I masked my expression b052df9076 and looked at him dc79eb1551 indifferently.0203b840299a1e63

“You heard it. He’s my husband.”23f3323c95c7edd4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…Really?”e4f5c33b03f79124

Deon’s lips slowly parted. Seeing his stunned a20441b12d expression was somewhat a11230dc4f satisfying.d7959ea1668b202a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

* * *a99c840a6388a663

“Linia!”2dac9d83c58d6fa9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As soon as e2b44686e9 I opened the 68f2578f71 gate, Timo, who 9be9e2635c was standing under b39d883de2 a tree, ran 962abb927f over and hugged 2d4bdbf7c0 me tightly.d47794318e8fd439

“Are you safe? You’re not hurt, are f8bf465205 you?”393d1fea4baf9f29

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Timo seemed 834ce8b261 to think 89ee742a94 I had 5333703fdf been forcibly 8c05690b91 taken. He looked 30c19a7726 me over 32b5b3c513 anxiously, as ad705c3db5 if worried 0e0c0368f3 I had 6848c17691 suffered some e335e5da95 ordeal. The arm he 61930cb047 grabbed tingled.b0e121379186c9ba

“Don’t worry. It’s not as c4fc0f3de6 hard as you b73e588425 think…”384d58c518f7d08f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

In fact, I 86c3d4dbdf was being treated d3b461f926 like a VIP. I thought 5533650add I’d be 1d47b76143 confined to e76367cb9d the underground 10129e4894 dungeon, but cb8aaf437c I was 64bbe3bd82 receiving such 8d33708318 concerned looks 11a6dc3115 from Timo 4a55aaebfb that I 7e05d17a7f felt almost f9d3dbc26f guilty.6d57b7876b961bb1

Deon, unsatisfied 6b314a44a2 even with 8a365e0e6c several knights, 6d98c558f8 leaned against 1eb07c5cc9 the gatepost. He glared fiercely at 1a3b8b0d27 us as we reunited d9a26f8819 after a long time, ca8979a872 arms crossed.9e3257e33a3549e4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Is that the man 524c1a84b2 who locked you up be5dc6957c in this mansion?”2e2260e4f6fb8940

Timo gestured towards 293ad7a6ef Deon with his 08b9214681 chin.42d087f90e0765e1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Timo didn’t realize 3f18e02864 he was the 6e2d506950 Emperor. Dressed plainly fb7b5298fd without any 6e4126830c insignia, he 1fb9228940 didn’t look 017b77e68c like a 36dfdb305a noble at c11d2fd88a all.a7079066087b84cb

It was embarrassing to 222dd20f04 introduce him now.f769bb75f69edf56

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Deon didn’t seem 765a39d39b to be in 377d939c3f the mood for 0e17e68c10 a polite introduction 327a270c29 either. The aura he emitted 7112cf32af was menacing. Though he didn’t aeae3a5e51 have a sword, 90a7e64365 his glare alone 12ffce492a could easily overpower c9b79b687f a clueless hunter.7759d257a1688c97

 8c56221e1d1d9287

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator