EIYTMA Chapter 20

Felicia’s words made Iris flinch. Étienne tilted his head.  3977011a4e7083ba

 ecb144374d772c72

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Already?”  9c76cdfb42a86830

 84d235d559541b78

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What do you mean, ‘already’? We’ve been staying at this estate for almost ten days now! If you count the time we spent searching for the princes, it’s been nearly two weeks!”  356643c7708423ed

 21cdad4746138771

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, I didn’t even realize so many days had passed.”  31086af5bcedf07f

 6eae82910a0439b9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Well, of course, Prince Étienne, you were sick, so it must feel that way!”  9c2737ac9da8ca3e

 3946a5579492538a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Felicia grumbled. She wasn’t wrong. Étienne had been bedridden with a cold for quite some time.  473ff94630147ed9

 bb92995bf8edbbe7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Ezekiel unconsciously glanced at Iris. She didn’t look pleased.  1d2932ffa4cc8c06

 9d213d74eca272d0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“But I’m more worried about Lady Arbois’ arm.”  e97bc43e4f263694

 eb8b93bd597dd923

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

At Ezekiel’s words, Felicia pouted and looked down at her arm, which was still wrapped in a splint. The arm, broken under the weight of a knight’s body, still had a long way to go before healing. But Felicia showed no intention of resting quietly just because of that.  0fc9ebdcfadfc03a

 809c89a4c10d7894

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“It’s not like I’m completely unable to move. Once the rain fully stops, how about heading to a larger city?”  4f877cf40e9fc011

 81d8f3a4c6146f56

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“A larger city?”  5857580420658f82

 3aac32830018ec04

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes. It’s inconvenient here, and more importantly, the knights have been sleeping outdoors for days.”  70987a6c75df123a

 48a3e3da57e292ec

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

That was 983145281f certainly true. Querluxia Castle was barely 0992627f7b large enough to be 4810649ccf called a castle, and c430e43c2b the forty knights had daa35d4194 been camping outside most 60fdcd0351 of the time.  08d7478cc127954e

 a77890c5f82fe821

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“And, I suppose the princes aren’t aware of this, but Lady Querluxia, the food supply in this village is nearly depleted.”  83c93928f888fcec

 e985889c1a57e864

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

At Felicia’s words, Iris looked embarrassed and nodded. Only then did the princes’ expressions shift in realization.  a240d91b56f4f778

 ac754f622e12e3e9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The village surrounding the Querluxia estate consisted of only about twenty households. With forty knights included, fifty meals were being consumed daily. While Felicia had been paying for the provisions, the village’s stockpiles were naturally running low.  74ffdbcacdbac6be

 009f1f633f06d0f9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Our physician is also running out of medicine. Either way, we should head to a larger city. Besides, your highnesses’ leave isn’t indefinite, is it?”  259a2c5f6939c342

 056f3889eacd0e03

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“That’s true…”  4c89c3b71fb8436c

 1880987151afaeb1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Étienne had been granted roughly four months of leave by the emperor. Factoring in the journey back to the capital, the time remaining wasn’t exactly abundant.  b72c4ed29443103c

 b85058fdcb02ef40

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Felicia’s argument was b4a95b2273 sound, and since b7428141a5 Étienne had no 2ee06234dc strong rebuttal, he 21dbd4b670 turned to Ezekiel.  6dc4af7ec8ae3d42

 494d2fb5d1e13bd3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Ez, what do you think?”  563042843e7bd68e

 aa2d057f6285a6f3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…I believe Lady Arbois is right.”  07b4b224bf007c1f

 97773f90ed8d64cc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Even as he said that, Ezekiel couldn’t get Iris out of his mind.  5b0ca792233a8ad9

 2b1fb7bfd981fc72

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

From the b9df99fc49 beginning, he c2c783c456 had never bb9d7479c8 intended to b59a2a9981 limit his 980e23bcf6 connection with d5624a87c0 Iris to e149552cdd just this 56fd1e0003 leave. He had no idea 9f85d7112c what Iris thought, but 1014a6ebfe Ezekiel was determined to 4ba65d5265 confess his feelings to d3fd1b9b87 her once more and 7b2cb742ad pursue a future together.  aa39d50585330e4b

 d4700877f994dd8c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Ultimately, it might 45dd18d2be lead to a bb54a6698b proposal. No, it probably a1132c09fa would.  b1c771adde080d03

 0666fd7e694379ff

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The boy unconsciously suppressed 5df7a89979 the slight excitement welling fc9e4d1246 up in him. It was 57273866f3 too soon d18b64ada8 for that.  cf03472320ea7e58

 654ac90043fdee7d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Of course, convincing Father 197a7f3030 will be quite a 0713412635 challenge.f0c1591718d3d5fc

 cb29cde678882585

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The problem f1fd3b85c0 was that 204ee2d36f he was 58fbe4abda the prince 977a960d07 designated to c9d033a0ef be offered bd9d087c0d to the c706e57435 gods. Initially, it had been 805afd62a8 Étienne’s duty, but due 72712d1a08 to the imperial succession 72a317b787 issues, the emperor had e12a717598 changed his mind and 0b8eaa2f6f decided to offer the 431d72c057 next prince instead.  d6ce9f6a4bf67930

 be6cd552727105c9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

If Ezekiel rejected this f164921b27 fate and declared his a17a83a307 desire to be with a2bbe8c38b Iris Querluxia, the imperial 4d9afd68b4 family’s opposition would be 7966498466 severe. It would essentially 44d1359996 be an act df060798c9 of defiance against 8253a1bb1a the emperor’s authority.  cb3eb3b8ea6f2aa9

 a37e6f628fab4039

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Moreover, the religious faction, b0c2bc2d9e which sought to incorporate 52764a4d95 the prince into their d53873650c ranks to maintain their 798e3e49f9 influence, would also be 05c486cc95 displeased.  77461b1130aca176

 f7615c8812306861

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Still, Ezekiel had some confidence. His father adored him immensely. Ever since he was young, the emperor had frequently expressed, almost like a habit, that he “didn’t want to offer Ezekiel to the gods.”  03200e808f94f20d

 30c950cc3ff04e24

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

If so, perhaps c1de2d6b7e he could rely b65e173431 on that affection.  bacf7176638104c6

 2ca1f3f460613fcd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

…Of course, there were many obstacles to overcome. The most immediate concern was the person sitting in front of him—Étienne.  c9feeb3fd5443ba2

 125a1fb466d884fe

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Mm? Ez? Why are you looking at me like that?”  7792cec4aeee7e08

 55a41bf1c0d65793

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s nothing.”  71bc08867bfe52eb

 f79d2b084a8bf87d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ezekiel quickly averted 9a55b41a46 his gaze from f115178d77 Étienne. Étienne tilted c40d707323 his head 1d16121311 in curiosity c26cae040f and took 11fad96265 another sip c0866d53f3 of mead.  e800352a37e52c62

 970c83c3e34198dc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“This is really excellent. When we return to the capital, I should have Ezekiel brew mead every year.”  f1d60463aa9e2111

 c6b00bf51e111883

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He didn’t forget to make a joke, causing Henri to chuckle.  0b448aa575e2337b

 68f83ce9a339a839

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

If Prince Étienne were e5aca0ad06 truly that carefree, I 34025123c0 wouldn’t even be worried. He would have stopped a9cab55fdf me immediately.aab38d3cef8cb32e

 5e043b59b0a3d46b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Ezekiel recalled what 9a1e261dcd Robert had once 81d133266a said.  6aef27c7453a9b33

 b9c743a39e35500a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Étienne had been raised 667b82b7fa as the crown prince 8674f975ba from birth. His position ee6696c604 was one aa3ef99146 of absolute 833fa6117e authority, and 822460d086 Ezekiel never 0854f8ddf2 doubted that 5f1c68f7c7 Étienne would 0cab645ad7 become emperor.  8090510d09ff6276

 7a60d110c50484c3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Yet, it was also true that Étienne couldn’t have been entirely comfortable with Ezekiel’s presence.  fff83da5e4b35a81

 2e017d679eb4cd57

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘It would have been better if you two had been born in reverse order.’e32ba4609e6f8445

 d5cc842b1ffa9b83

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

When Ezekiel was young, 3042e55060 his father had often 6694595272 made such offhanded remarks 5171bdba16 in jest.  69745fb23a4c2123

 c6efaedf00756e7f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

And every time, a4e6f76f75 the young Étienne’s 8add77bf87 face would darken—a fc23911347 reaction Ezekiel had 09168bb540 long been familiar 8f227eef16 with.  31dbf44037fe2b11

 9ef424bd42dce135

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The only reason 2b6ce1afc6 Étienne could afford 852666b92e to treat Ezekiel 3988f6f633 so generously as f85c6f9e21 a younger brother f0115b5423 was not due 1ea58e1d10 to his broad-mindedness, 0004044b8f but because Ezekiel ebfd29147f had always been ab9b010e8b destined to be 81ab4f6d19 given to the 0f0e41a8d6 gods.  fc8c4a5edda88402

 4b320b639a20e87c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

There was no 5050dde0b7 need to keep a526351006 him in check 05733377a8 because he would 1e65d97021 never become a 59bd1c17ad threat.  a648a0ebcd881e49

 e179a727717fec2e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Thus, it 2c2f05ca89 was easy ecf1ea8f51 to be 61c722edfd endlessly benevolent be5aa5164f toward him.  2094bd78e1a0a269

 174691504c642584

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

For that reason, Ezekiel d9a339236c was deeply concerned about 65f2012c7b how Étienne would react ddb9438c4f if he rejected his 6a0dc7a771 fate as a religious d8876c2e0c devotee.  8ef05fd7e5b27860

 0d18498322812fa9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Ezekiel had no a64e37e4d5 interest in any d548374304 of Étienne’s possessions—he 653d281a71 only cared about 2e1e68c799 Iris Querluxia. But would Étienne understand 9fae9e9a9e that?  fac193fcafd22c71

 0be334d723ee97b2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…nce Ezekiel?”  395d2f6f045d92ca

 6530de7851bd5cd3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…”  b329acdf44abe55e

 39e6321d712cdd27

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Prince Ezekiel!”  060bae8116071451

 b919020d3045e83e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ezekiel snapped back baaf55be08 to his senses. Felicia was beside him, e50a83f67c fuming.  a4b65502bc22e1cf

 347d89f0b3cc3200

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Oh, come on! Prince Ezekiel! I called you so many times! What were you thinking about that you didn’t hear me?”  cf9743c9ffe17340

 69842d14d0921de4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“My apologies. I was momentarily thinking about returning to the capital.”  7de2984692c40b38

 ec8967f46117b52d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It wasn’t 702f0f7a59 a lie. Felicia pursed her 1273c1ba52 lips.  3ba8eaffe209ddfe

 f539394843c36522

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“We went through all the trouble of coming out for a walk.”  4aa6fe8c21f4dcc3

 018d13dfdc74af42

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The doctor had 9f3e9f751f advised Felicia not ebaf9a701f to skip her 43fbb8076a exercises, even with 6a6b750209 her injured arm.  c44c89650b1aa09d

 271fb033c9ce1700

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Most of 8d09b7acea the time, 95e6441f93 Étienne accompanied 17b0d6de35 her on 254804841c these walks, 5145e721a5 but today, 2264aa5169 he seemed 4103e5e46d drowsy from b20d89bdf7 drinking too 29bcf25233 much and 1bcc971206 had asked 860cdfd800 Ezekiel to c679af8af3 take her fc6f1364c8 instead.  7d53fbcbeda6ff6c

 30261fc6d4473e54

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Thus, Ezekiel ec76689088 had been fa9d51cee4 escorting Felicia, 6084dc8f72 but he 6434f7a7a9 had momentarily eb102a677a drifted into db68d3dba0 thought.  81921fc1f23dc4b9

 10897720a2ae7936

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What were you saying?”  b0e9ab130777eff3

 b40e73aff0253b63

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I asked you about Miss Iris!”  8996adba415041a6

 22316362e1edfb76

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ezekiel’s ears perked up. Felicia hesitated several times with a dissatisfied expression before finally speaking as if she were forcing herself to say something she truly didn’t want to.  2c98cbe4b24c297f

 541149aee8be0a96

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yesterday, Prince Étienne kept saying how pretty Miss Iris was, and it’s been bothering me.”  e1940649f7a32c2d

 ce48d6f7a7f382c1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

So that 63a5644724 was it. Ezekiel unconsciously let out 8298bd19b6 a chuckle and responded.  df1ea71e0b623ab2

 e889649d26b2fcf0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You are beautiful too, Lady Arbois.”  7b4afc35db98d2d8

 77d9a71956967d6f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

But Felicia 870c03c2ce groaned in 4f597c8a89 frustration.  ef3884f7b4c0903a

 c125418be23e5131

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I don’t like the ‘too’! I have to be the most beautiful one!”  d503b53ca18270ef

 74bd44a2234f5129

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

She was, eb20f363c9 after all, 1d75fc9373 just a 0eb309683e seventeen-year-old girl. It was only 452d18fe60 natural for her f6f71a3462 to be mindful c2de4d8ddd of Iris, especially 7eaa943796 when Étienne treated e5bee60328 her so warmly.  2fac562d7ba7744a

 7d2e23ca1bb893bf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Prince Étienne really doesn’t seem to understand my feelings. I like him so much…”  8d543002a278d324

 3d5964b9d9440480

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

One of Felicia’s virtues 4634939131 was her honesty. Ezekiel kept his smile 2b9a624fc2 and spoke.  a8a2d4415620a5c9

 5255f2198a99a2cc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“That’s not true.”  acd992a9f734d2bd

 cbcb978d323e5f6e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“And how would you know, Prince Ezekiel?”  67a64b1cbdbcc035

 e631d308bafadb34

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Do you know what my brother said a few days ago?”  80c64180aa4ba8ef

 b7ce613eb16dd93e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What did he say?”  6d0b1d96ed524fd8

 2ca5ae12c0faf591

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ezekiel cleared his throat.  4b2d001c21321568

 9a3c22132e18f507

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“He said that you are his one and only match.”  87c5b1353c83ef30

 b160f52dd27be2f6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Really?”  251e1da29c6e80d4

 dce7ec127ee9b789

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Felicia’s face lit up. Ezekiel nodded.  7123820acea06ae1

 84d651e9c0269a17

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Of course.”  95856758ff3b6dc4

 616a3e73c64b88be

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

However, as 8b4b87c756 he spoke, e31bb6510c he felt 8f14bf410f a slight f2e6a5e7e4 pang of 89aae2efc9 guilt.  1fb3d9717d48d578

 959bb0765451125f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I know that she is my one and only match.”e865be3a0027aab7

 55924d182bced021

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Étienne had indeed f95b7ac02a said those words. But it 98d958201f had been 360f6f02c7 right after 82ec16e062 he had 2c6ce67fa2 mused about d420a38475 the idea dfddce0912 of taking da36932251 Iris as 228b96a895 his wife.  ba4bdc739587fc94

 540c0926b32679b5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

That being said, Ezekiel 13d7e16914 knew that Étienne was ee446cf664 not the type to 3ce4a130a1 act foolishly regarding Iris 00a40e75ab Querluxia.  590089436ad4cd61

 ccc0456aa4c2bb9e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Étienne was destined to 3af3f11750 be the crown prince. Just as Ezekiel had 9cc701f643 been born to be 6eab62140d dedicated to the divine, 89e4b90e23 Étienne had been born a3f1595df6 to rule—and he desired 26ed5dd315 that fate for himself.  3dc6256de1385d9e

 f758bb2a482f0b6e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

There was 6650b1481d no way e53641fcd5 a man 6b9aff54ba like him 8b84a0dc46 would be c543a6d852 interested in 91724d7822 the daughter cff8415b74 of a 9315d945f0 mere baron, 83d5f6eac3 who held 70ed89e7a6 only a 80695103dc single-rank title. Breaking off his engagement a34ba65bd6 to the Duke of db2ce8ca76 Arbois’ daughter would be 28d4125243 even more unthinkable.  13d2b446a921c677

 74eec3cb07ce9338

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Right?”b234d9ca22dd8293

 35afbafd05089d80

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

And yet, 77f0eb6e88 strangely, he f87a36dd39 felt uneasy.  ce7bce89a9cb4784

 5458fadb0ac2eaf8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Ezekiel pushed 14a6936ba6 aside that b8907c81ca feeling. Instead, he turned e64b1628e2 to Felicia with 18acfef525 a reassuring smile.  45a56151f05da5e7

 a07b0b67fd8a2a9b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Brother Étienne firmly believes that you are his destined partner, Lady Felicia. There’s no need to worry.”  e83ca92743d56731

 2e19f98b672d1536

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Thank you. Well, I already know that. After all, I am the eldest daughter of House Arbois, am I not? There’s no lady out there who could bring a dowry as grand as mine!”  7b41bfde5544becf

 3888b015a69f00dc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Of course.”  ddc65f50386f911d

 4d016e97d03c4cce

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Thank you, Your Highness. I feel much better now!”  05283925e8ae4b58

 ae29ef7119b71216

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Felicia’s spirits seemed 149892390e to lift as 0a93975ee9 she began skipping 33037a3fe7 lightly.  93bc727885c368fb

 b771881e02a8e939

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

For someone 399685e5d1 with such fb4fb3f7ae an emotional 0157275808 nature, being 606a692138 in love 24236e104d with a 5bcbe3f789 mischievous man c0982df3e3 like Étienne 8a71868ddb must have 989c5c13f3 been exhausting.  f5f213e6af158d54

 2330e907d2bf03a9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

So, on the dfc65ff1af way back, Ezekiel 1afff1bdd6 made a conscious cf492945dc effort to share 97c391b8fb jokes and lighten 4f670b606e her mood.  54aaacf3c8f52903

 e64ecc5a2f88388d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It didn’t take 43b3ba70ef them long to f19c4f6161 return to their 35bfa27bb4 companions.  4ce5c48d8c619384

 21c5813e12cc475e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

However, upon arriving 08ead9a62b at the picnic a5e20ab110 site, they were b09615d857 met with an a9827a994f unexpected sight.  2b6b951468d13700

 19ddc2e307cc9b4b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Étienne was leaning over 824b2ad265 a reclining Iris Querluxia—pressing c17d781d6b a kiss to her 101bf6d4a0 lips.cffb6428a9f98ef2