EWOWMAIBTYPF Chapter 156

Chapter 156dece94fc9a37e274

 576d83fbb7e7f778

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Is it because the aea6e90faf distance has shortened?’1dac70c727236656

Absentmindedly fiddling with c0c212f307 my necklace, I ec6828480d consciously withdrew my 49f885a35a hand as I 7eb0b54a95 recalled the report b5750b9b7b Jane had given 5ff6ac4be5 me not long b45b8b16be ago.7ff7d9999a5f0744

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

⟨Your Highness, I’ve confirmed c4e2372bfe that there’s a café 25e8b38b64 at the location you 0340aa36f8 mentioned.⟩ff35a1e09a9152cc

⟨…Really?⟩fbdde832f5686013

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

⟨Yes. It seems 5403837327 to have ec6ab4d30f been around caaa3efc71 for about b3c63821e1 four years b186efe614 now.⟩3947da187a76bc56

The timing matched perfectly with my memory of Terencium’s headquarters moving from a back-alley tavern to a bustling café.73930e8dfbdc5c96

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

At fourteen, after e23ff291e2 completing my training fc22d78bc0 as an informant, b0eebe2e19 I had started 2ef1521670 working at the 3856ec979f headquarters disguised as 098fc0a45a a tavern in ecbcd17661 the backstreets.3e9b10e7d886fa39

But not 20cf251787 long after, 77472bcc3f due to 57e9d0ec26 the master’s 42b894e0fc whims, the 49458a30c2 headquarters had 7836129bab changed to 0f55f58b8a a café.0a5075ab8e77ceae

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘I once thought it 281bc1e51c was because of Darel…’f188435920cba8a0

A part of 43fac0e534 me had been 2c4ef12d55 afraid—was it changed c6bb327e18 because I was 0045983e64 scared of large 5a83fd4d4f men?959b378aa70afe9e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was a be96d98b8d ridiculous thought, and da99a646eb I felt a 03b3d3f0f3 little embarrassed realizing f9f56c50c2 it. Still, I was 63cf13083a glad I had f454ab303e checked first thing 71eac15b69 upon returning to 31a031c354 the Empire.3f3ea2027ab420f5

Knowing that they b10a9c7343 were still hiding 8796354017 in the same d8f7b0001e place as before 9f186d46a2 would be a c5833bfdf7 major advantage in 5f063c2102 case of unforeseen b6ef873cb0 situations.f260fac03b852c7d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“By the way, Your c281810b3f Highness, about Amber Countess’s 91617bf100 household…”22f48c4ed9d74af2

As I sat blankly 194edb460f holding a glass of c28b280947 water, Jane discreetly changed 8f1e496175 the subject.58f321de935b85af

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

She must have 97390073a3 noticed that I c7fed0aa6f didn’t want to f238b51467 talk about my f47083f9b6 dreams any further.49088568c5056da5

“The procession 3b699df710 of gifts be769faaa9 hasn’t stopped, d566d99078 and visitors 6e383c28cc come every 3e07ad0038 day.”ebfd1cf1cc69d0ac

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Is that so?”8dee5c56ef625c0e

Jane nodded and 6348b57178 began reporting what 4d5b391aaa she had discovered.ff981345569de54a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I had been 88cffe11fb using her as 1227fed388 an informant more 306f3ff3d4 frequently these days, ba2b57621b and though the 3a8d3bff99 thought felt strange, 6d0d88dfdd Jane, on the f68cecf7b4 other hand, seemed 6388ec4605 to sparkle with 159c5ea8cc excitement.997ecdbee155bd7f

It almost seemed 82a7415e11 like she was 560d17778b more suited to c65f3f2e94 this than working a32f4da611 as a lady-in-waiting fb07ee29b5 or a knight.ab3298e562ed0dac

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“The Countess’s daughter 12e932bff3 is Your Highness’ 04cd5e1c23 only younger sister c925178004 by blood, so 7df1795296 those unaware of cd0cd4b418 the full circumstances 3c9365ae4f are desperately trying 924d6d9225 to establish ties 081f5ccd8c with her. Since Your Highness 02d2d0ebcc has refused all 79640ef4e6 gifts and invitations, 153062fb21 they must be 5532a504bd getting anxious.”c21afc9a80dfb91c

Many servants of noble b5857f19f5 families had repeatedly knocked 8544407d24 on the door of acec1423df the Marquis’s estate, bearing eb66c41630 invitations and gifts. But since fbf77296c1 my mother 4c39798f39 and I fb155f78ac had no 1724da98bd intention of 2e258861cd participating in d92cec229e social activities, 180cc9184b we had cb83b96a97 sent them 0b4612b654 all back.08e80af777109f7a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As a result, all 9738d24e03 those invitations and gifts a19358263b had seemingly been redirected 62985e6dfc to Amber Countess’s household.6b38bd5b92316c18

Jane pursed 5fdfb67956 her lips 6d812ee8f0 in displeasure f31469b358 before continuing.554f5a5126df5c9b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“But at 07759868dc a gathering, 7a001c87df the Countess 30a442dfbd proudly boasted 7de6bec72b that your 3a7c0058df Highness the e6ddd5420c Grand Princess 8145625070 had prepared 50ca006d49 a gift d27401bd5a for her.”58055330958f136d

“Oh?”e11092305a3a4698

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Jane nodded, then a2ef22f607 added excitedly that 3974dafd03 there was more.e20e2aadc32917d6

Apparently, my aunt 157d25b667 had said that 4ec3fbe0b5 while she had d3da106e87 declined the gift b9d0dbffd1 out of embarrassment, f8fedfb13b since it would 08d32fe4c3 be inappropriate for 5278e79de0 an aunt to 648a7d7d6f receive gifts from 324079bae0 her niece, she bdeccc6587 emphasized how much 8c318f3e34 I adored and c3b32e2a2f followed her.76efe4b881ca5342

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘To think she 1527badd96 twisted that event b2d63223af into such a ac85bb3d72 story…’9d760f3aef955143

Shaking my head, ffead50396 I recalled the 7fa0021932 Amber Countess barging 4ab5b49c2b into the Marquess’ c063c0e136 estate a few 0a25438f58 days ago.52a5b49b01e6825c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

 adb85f90f0539433

✦ ✦ ✦b80433660517e35b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

 0919beae50cc2ce4

It was the day c2c257380b after the welcome banquet.4a9d705696c25800

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Awakened by an cacb71c8a1 early morning commotion, 1a02565f04 I hurried to 4f05febda4 the reception room fd9fd72c46 upon hearing that 81e062c79b the Countess had ab9cee5da3 arrived.00be09afd090b8fe

Just outside the door, 10b8e9564d I overheard my mother 8e0f2045bd and the Countess arguing.19c2013b0f655ccc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

⟨I’m not 88b22a20fe a stranger! How could you refuse e3065a86d8 to let me see 35d1f45813 my own niece even 38849d9565 once? How can you d5b6854537 be so cold 8deb8c3db7 to me? You never even b9bd2e8900 acknowledged me or 2cac96d068 my husband at 4ce714c922 the banquet! That just proves you df421351f8 don’t consider me family, 34a4e376cb doesn’t it?!⟩b98e2d4be1959a74

⟨I’ve held my tongue 10fcf78cb5 long enough, but I 3a257a0d05 won’t anymore. You never once 3aae1ac8de sent me a 6c4c8b06c3 letter, either. If you had come 8c68f52682 to greet me first bea53c9eca yesterday, I would have 76c76b70d3 gladly acknowledged you. Why is bada5ceb50 it that 34b75a7ffd you only db18ba7620 ever demand 2335513c13 things from c979cb6680 me?⟩26269a59363770b2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

⟨W-what did you fadc93baea say?!⟩43e10338098fb18b

⟨And honestly, c1297c07ff I’m quite 3b5a38d6d8 taken aback. I thought you were c5388d3dac keeping quiet because you 15296539d7 felt at least a 49e85aa645 little guilty.⟩928f6bece9fe7c2a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

⟨What exactly do c7b8aac294 I have to 9868416587 feel guilty about?!⟩0016fb676acec06e

At the Countess’ 365cdecc8f bewildered voice, my 360492b681 mother let out d9acdbc853 a dry laugh.85e5952a1ffc39e0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Was there some hidden 19df269024 history between them that 944a8b4d05 I didn’t know? I listened quietly, b334bf3fd6 curious.fd8751d3617b5ce0

⟨Did you really think 3e327c207a I wouldn’t find out 63488be53a what you said about 8e9e2a3127 my daughter?⟩631700bff23de836

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

At those words, 3c5aa2feb7 I froze.ec57fe1a6ecc0968

⟨You said, ‘Maybe there’s something wrong with her.’ That perhaps we hid her away because we were ashamed to show her.⟩cb9e3c065941f411

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

⟨T-that was a3fdd728da just said 4becd57b2b in the 8401a76da1 heat of 553f9155e0 the moment…! So what, you’re saying 36d3a7de19 you cut ties with 8b77f3e126 me over just a 5a37e66e7b few words? Fine! I don’t need you 76b3e5d16a either! From now 259fd6a499 on, I’ll 85be37e4f3 act like 7e652ae2f2 I never 4779d969f5 had a 4fde35517c sister or 9f5a8721b3 a niece! And was cb5c70e865 I even 087f5ea6ab wrong? You must have had 0afb7b0f5d something to hide if e6918c5ba6 you kept her away—⟩ded5e99b140eae23

SLAM!c4e4e6ca959f1875

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Unable to listen any 5d7b89db83 longer, I threw open 54f7635796 the door.8f0b79e9745b13ec

Inside, my mother 06e8b256f2 and the Countess 26ee37c52d turned to me 76d262c7fe in shock.c235c0e6335c06ce

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

To my surprise, the e41a3f1e81 Amber Countess bore a 0945479241 striking resemblance to my fc63789933 grandfather, with the same 093d5ffa22 sky-blue hair and teal-green f1d86e63d9 eyes.9e3abc50284a84bf

‘I heard 9a3c66d325 she was b023739a14 a twin a1362fb719 to my e61305df24 uncle in 9f62d654f5 the marquisate…’011cb8d3b5e46afa

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

For a 0cc2ea6e19 moment, I af5e12ea8c was fascinated 22934d3d8a by the 20d7169b36 resemblance, but eee6857697 the sharp e12a6c809b look in 4b6ccebca8 her eyes 2b4ed350c3 was nothing bba6fee313 like my 7e6e4fdf63 grandfather’s gentle 162f93a574 gaze, quickly b70848fa77 snapping me 077b5b0af9 back to a2b7be786f reality.c485c94bbf224fb5

Without giving them 6b98264507 time to compose 065a29c992 themselves, I spoke, 0683fd3643 my lips trembling e14b42a844 with anger.78e075dfa6a6c43d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

⟨I’m sorry, aunt. I rushed down to greet you when I heard you had arrived… Ah! Calling you ‘Aunt’ must be unpleasant for you, right? My apologies, Countess.⟩13282cecb4e51d38

At my correction, my eyes brimming with unshed tears, the Countess’ mouth fell open in shock.5046773bdd183e84

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I nearly 277f038a23 let out 759a91fd58 a laugh b332985f03 but bit b7aac5e575 my lip 46fb9eb032 to maintain 65a61239fc a sorrowful 7b57d194f5 expression.1ea2c83cb1716c98

Fortunately, it wasn’t f0f32271b0 difficult.489f62a6706a112e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Unlike with Clara, I e62052e3c2 had never intended to 6d6c43d9ad forgive the Countess from 813591c2ac the start.7e13157cf3acae34

Because she 1e9648ad96 made Ascart, ba5a082204 my brother 759a10230a and the b8703cec6e kindest person 68aaace4fb I knew, 26ed134ce2 feel like c1922b1a19 a bad a5e01126ad child.3a0dbd3c0bd47867

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

⟨But… I never thought you felt that way about me all this time… Hic!⟩ccc8e342e4b0b57c

I deliberately aa7073e70f hid my 6bdd8e1a5d true emotions, f7125ceec1 shaking my 60d87eaeb4 shoulders as ae0ea20b03 if deeply 4dfd9a8da1 wounded.942dc440cd7d3f20

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Like a child who 643daa94f0 had been hurt by 5858f4b881 the cruel words of f2c7bc56a3 an adult she once df8588706e considered family.67f0aaa529507a32

Seeing this, my mother 963e6f44c5 immediately stepped forward and 161ff91995 wrapped her arm around adf32d2b49 my trembling shoulders.bfedbf01037cd50b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The slight e49421798e tremor in 24c0394c15 her grip c5aa61787c told me 07f6775e06 everything—I could 639abe4cf0 feel both 0283ed1e78 her shock 22c53a5cb6 and anger.b2483433fd2482fd

Peeking up from her embrace, I saw the Countess’ face turn deathly pale.18a48226016006ac

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘How does it 78ba328bf6 feel to be 000ce3901b the villain now?’1d49e77493747adb

I had encountered f03bd30a68 people like her 9d37fde5fe countless times before.aaa73d0032382130

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Those who twisted the 59f2690711 blame onto others and 43294abcc9 left no room for 2377268aaf proper retaliation.01611a3e5b4925bc

I had always thought 6afed8bc5a the best way to d384bbf050 deal with them was b672277cbd to avoid them entirely.0d1958d14f3a99c5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘I avoided them a4d463fa05 because they were 45d6041be9 filthy, not because d291faa26e I was afraid.’50ccd64268674d76

If I wanted dec1f8648d to, I could 6208e77acc return the favor daf312a537 in kind. Or even 20139b21ba take it d860e76293 a step 033ef30b32 further.f3df4d8241e01919

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

⟨Your Highness, about a7e4b24c0b the earrings you daaecde6a7 mentioned… No, wait, f8e71706f9 Your Highness!⟩d5bd7f18f022499d

Right on cue, Jane 616d5013d8 entered the drawing room c55ed1c58e and gasped upon seeing 04417e4e3e me.08a0e13c468aeff0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I dabbed f69c15b726 at my dcbf3bcfdd dry eyes, 421e510d62 sniffled once d908fed78c for effect, 1b7e48abce and gave 5fdb03b2d8 a wistful 7af5ef4da5 smile.b7c04ef40ba4350f

⟨I’m fine, Jane. More importantly, I’m 572e3e9b02 sorry for making 9948ecd823 you come all 568b179668 this way for 191d03d542 nothing.⟩632f3a38667e6527

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Taking the e70a540a65 jewelry case 720c2162a1 from her 55080b3b7e hands, I 8335253857 opened it 47b9c64e18 with a 6b585e2d8d flick of 7733c531b2 my wrist.ed15fd594886682d

The Countess, unable to 6875172fb2 help herself, let out 5106a50d3b a soft gasp of a01e4d877c admiration.9b9f7963b02cc853

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I enjoyed her reaction 3fa612fbb0 for a brief moment 0c5ea4eb81 before snapping the case 568f09639c shut with a sharp b01f4ee2aa clack!5abed3f100472a6f

Then, handing it back 0e60293c27 to Jane, I firmly 2e25e50ff6 declared,8e2506e3a3416fad

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

⟨Take it back. A niece cdc17c7ac4 who has 85edc946e8 ignored her 807e53c03f aunt all c475e2e6bb this time 7b28a83ae1 won’t suddenly 3e643642b9 become family 7bc38cf459 over something c8d99a565f like this.⟩6ff5cd0756cedd04

The Countess’ 57c94a8ef7 eyes widened 6abe792797 in alarm.ccbddd99497942f6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

⟨N-no, that’s not what 843053bac2 I meant—⟩ she stammered, 91568949cc but I cut her d5f4cba024 off.69945837371dfc30

⟨Mother, I was eb32d45eba thoughtless. I was 2e4fe40dd1 just worried 91b02a0acb that my 469c1a5d00 poor health 45502611d1 would make 7ae406b605 me a 30b0c5399e rude hostess 337c627852 to any a9bf0cd3d5 guests… I f63eaeabf6 hadn’t considered 88b1847cef things properly.⟩193d2573ddc7a3da

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

And for the finishing 597b96d20d touch, I placed a 8243edff15 hand to my forehead fbee288e6c and staggered slightly as 310be895de if feeling faint.c4343620dd7d23bf

Both my dff62c5768 mother and 00c4d44bd3 Jane rushed 631ebff6b7 to support b13106a3a2 me in 5929779411 alarm.05720187b5bdf560

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

⟨Are you a022781ea6 just going 9fc0dec13b to stand 9fda6e8624 there watching? Since I’ll be 837f544402 living as if 7465c35604 I have no 833b3d32b9 younger sister from 544fbe952f now on, hurry ae38fd73c6 up and leave!⟩dd2ef1cf4f856d01

With my mother’s sharp 4d2dff1a91 command, the Countess was e1c544e074 all but chased out 748d33d044 of the drawing room.e9d3799ca0de8879

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I had 31025c267b my eyes 56289604cc closed, regretting cad5537feb that I fa0f7d760a missed her 2cdbd4fc88 final expression.8f9e36be1754dec9

⟨She’s gone now, Adriana. You can open your 0f0abbc08a eyes.⟩ad35cb6c4f32b7e7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Startled by ee1a770761 my mother’s 9c7577396b voice, I d687d10c99 opened my d5189ff2c9 eyes, only 62835da0de to see 42bfdc7f6c her burst 7268e2fd9b into laughter.8514d150aa9e8465

⟨You knew?⟩7487ea6ab1b303a2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

⟨Of course. At first, I was 922ae8fdc6 so shocked, thinking you 9ebb4309c8 were actually hurt. But when you 787a9e129d staggered, I realized f1cdcde55f it. If you were 18f90055c8 like Ascart, who 329ae0c91d takes after your 8f8911957c father, I might 9ade9c0ebe have believed it. But you? Losing consciousness e1c796ba16 over something c9b647bd29 like this? Never.⟩11c74ca58798cdeb

I couldn’t help but ba6ace0bbe laugh at her teasing 172f8b7cd0 words, though I still 6b3dbfdc85 hesitated before asking,d361171cc186898e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

⟨Are you 9b755b19a7 mad at 7798c7ba1b me?⟩c429a591d960e3d8

After all, the f2add0aa4d Countess was still 760c7dcc26 my mother’s younger 6acc31a3cf sister. Had I 921629b3d5 gone too 2fdd7d04ca far?2fafa5796d4cf052

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

⟨Not at all. In fact, my 4ad144f8da heart is racing a3ab59ef05 with joy, seeing ecfdbd0658 this new side 8aeb2bb03f of my daughter.⟩c3801643b56e4088

⟨…What?⟩7d3e77716db3fcdf

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

⟨You’ve always been so cfa9cf9456 kind and gentle. I worried you might 9327563a38 spend your life being 0d59d6a2a2 taken advantage of.⟩b7f302e00b387852

With a 32bb058909 small sigh, e9bbf7736f my mother f822af4421 apologized on a2786a62d8 behalf of e4700ccf9e the Countess.bb005db83d3da085

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Seeing her worried that b150965750 I might have been 09f686dec8 hurt, I shook my 4fc8a6f7e5 head and, instead, worried 05fa9af6db about her.b31b7b667a592bf7

She simply shrugged 5d4f77b9b7 and said,a6e2bacdeb5b3715

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

⟨Me? As long as you’re eca11a5cb4 fine, I’m fine too. Besides, to be honest… e4484a5798 Adriana, thanks to you, 34ab02ab20 I feel like I’ve 2beb1e6272 finally let go of ab8f29abed everything that’s been piling 8857332584 up inside me.⟩a43beae0990dd13f

I tilted 06e453440a my head c21016c537 in confusion, cee7976db8 and she 65ab326cfd smiled.32f5aae510cb9a18

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

⟨All this time, f82baa121a I either ignored 6deb81be4a Regina completely or f3d28ce404 let her have 19f68665d9 her way. This is bfc3fb8bca the first d7dc640a29 time I’ve 6626d2cde6 ever given be87f049c7 her a 15e8059f1b real taste 6bdcd64622 of her 9231f03355 own medicine.⟩8ea1e53fa6d0efb5

And for the first 23a71b0787 time, she told me 1c65aab86a about my grandmother.ad7d7edccaea5d43

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

⟨It seems giving c3d0c4f78f birth to twins 92a3d85b6c took a great 36ecb2c48c toll on her. She passed away 92408e70c0 before Regina and 0822a41577 Ivan were even 213bc7bb39 a month old. I always worried a1a13cf5fc about my younger ac3e69e7fd siblings. Since Ivan was 49376a7968 my little brother, 7e15e8cf6a I treated him 46612beab1 strictly, but Regina… 26f38d5275 Looking back, I 978844c9cc made a mistake. I let 5997d53785 too much 5dd2d8a17d slide, and 56f17cdfdc she became 11539d1c43 more spoiled. Eventually, even Father couldn’t 0b66d56c36 control her, and she 9713687d0c stopped listening to me c7640e0ac4 entirely.⟩f357d48afcf90f10

She sighed deeply, 6c269e2e8e as if there 1adf8a050b were things she b086bfe993 couldn’t bring herself 4d157d7162 to say in 0fa0ed8695 front of me.c1752f6ef67ba28f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Then, suddenly, she frowned.94e4a9e407e851fa

⟨But what if ed23c81d48 Regina starts badmouthing a413afc82f you after today? She might 234b3d7c6b spread rumors 40355343bc about your a7dd193f48 health…⟩e42b45f1dd88ac26

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

⟨That won’t happen.⟩0f3498e6f8f97836

Seeing my mother uncharacteristically 7cd1e3856e anxious over something related 12b3c5106d to me, I reassured 72629a5072 her confidently.7fe307e8bcb9d2ca

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Then, I glanced at 488befd81b the jewelry case Jane d26cbd08cf was still holding.26c48cd95253a2d6

‘She saw dafdc9df85 those ridiculously fe496f54b3 expensive diamond cf160f8bdb earrings. There’s no dbced6e504 way she’ll bbd450edef risk losing abeb9cedce them by bedb1519b9 making a f5206a668e move against 607bbbde48 me.’e0176ae53d4c94a3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley