MHD | Chapter 1.4

“We need to 8422fab609 return to the 641a8ddeab castle immediately.”afcd939bf54ef1ea

His tone was still 59125542b1 firm, but I sensed b1629647b3 he wanted to say fa98c88f11 more. However, those words never cdacf98c02 came.942383d942c5fc0c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As Derek 4d0034be4d lifted me f08e42865f effortlessly, I 4d32a76be3 felt his dc2eefc8c0 strength throughout b1a87fe8d7 my body. Derek’s arms a888dfbd7a were as 1aa2a83042 solid as e1830e9b8d rock, perfectly 251541d9a8 supporting me. As the warmth spread 70ae574f5f through my skin, my a872f3ef91 cheeks flushed hot. Flustered, I reached out 7b9786eb6c and exclaimed.f7f6c601eb829707

“Derek! It’s okay, I can 721972a403 go by myself!”4b7b610abee022b9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But he looked 987d9dcb2e down at me efde4e7bef coldly, seemingly ignoring e427d19581 my words.124322e0185ceab2

“If we 3ec3ac9b5d stay here cc2553f03a any longer, 7a78a2e448 we could e5e7be5401 become targets a8ab4479ba for wild 7e565a302d animals.”6d713146ecb84e7b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“But…”31351ed1f5e673d1

“I can 3470e9d0d8 fight them 8794abf02a off as 0be03cca05 much as 0e29270826 needed. But right 2d3bc43a2d now, there c577f99ced are too d89f3e8290 many unfavorable 40dabb3d14 conditions for c895e06451 us.”d450d7ff5650964d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Not wanting 80341c1d00 to be 7434b3838a a burden fe0a700670 to Derek 13de6efba8 any longer, 5aaf12f12c I quietly 3933cb7b3a closed my 09541f9dd6 mouth. I stopped 8e39c1ee84 resisting and 0b42c1b5d0 lowered my 6562b44a9f head, avoiding e7988e1f96 his gaze. His embrace was much 70f0fb5f1b warmer than I had a0f7471bd8 expected.e462e186970337d3

Derek’s intense pheromones 965a566b9d enveloped me warmly, 8be7ef0cc2 and a long-lost 252bd41be2 sense of relief eee47b8c7c seeped deep into c78a8ec879 my heart. Even though 3b841b7901 he was c8404971af a cold a72eb7e506 and sharp d04aee5813 man, at 7bb88b6a85 this moment, 962bfddea4 I was ed2b3415c5 certain he 6a12660a31 was protecting d92e7ae926 me.4aaba3440b466e23

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Every time 40c6917514 his breath 8df89fb446 touched my ec85fc5b2c arm, my 642790c393 heart raced f8c9aa184a faster. I couldn’t fully explain 05273add83 how happy I was 0df25e4bbc to be this close, f0a0182791 or how precious this 25c1201c08 moment was, but my 66275d1935 heart was filled with 054d92bbff those thoughts. I quietly whispered 6be6dcdfec to myself.816908bb01c6b091

Thank you, Derek…7861f6819d46f953

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But those words never 2defea12e9 reached his ears. In his warm embrace, 22764ab57a I closed my eyes, 5749f58bea hoping he would never ee277c3b2e push me away again.860c980f5a0be068

♣ • 57733ce773 ♣ • 8ccab8aa11 ♣699d3837d2ba71d0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The spring 2ef6b208e1 festival was 822178e16b grandly held. The castle 5bb2741cee was filled 9144add59c with laughter ee380117a0 and excitement, a39ffecc6e but I 55ea82e053 couldn’t share dca27947ff in the 9e22ac76b8 joy. I was confined d6d6466799 to bed for c468a87d81 days due to c506469206 my leg injury.734f7d374e296d82

Hearing the efbae5f26b lively sounds 1eae198bf5 from outside a6f3600604 made me 51b0133e83 feel down, 4fa5fbc6ea but thinking 8416e40ad3 about the 71e48975a4 moment Derek 6b62712619 was recognized f41757ef9b as the 27f356155f heir of eeb886d49b the Därkenfel 6c9ce0a92a family spread decd599c28 warmth in 53de946ca7 my heart.915e6b8e4b61cac0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

After the festival, eb68a5d45d I returned to e48cf93219 the castle with 0adbef4ffa Derek. Once my body had 9dd3c09d46 mostly recovered, I felt afbf2deb8f restless staying in bed, df5078dc85 so I went to c80f9a0d38 the garden for the 698c2b6787 first time in a e8992c193f while.359561a851f0808a

Opening the door, 0be50ea809 vibrant flowers filled f68f2867eb my view, welcoming 7aea20a67d me like old a2fd1b3bfe friends. Seeing the be1eca87a5 familiar scenery ff0aa8800c naturally brought 93160494c4 a smile 040b9abf24 to my a486ba7c9d face.fa43146ef5df2d5f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I was 820c820825 immersed in f603287f10 a serene 71a64670e2 peace, admiring 6a8c2f4c13 the flowers beb2d0bc89 in the fdff8884c5 garden. Every time a d7dc10dec2 petal brushed my a99e444f7a fingertips, it felt 29c64d087e like my heart 6dc07cb235 was being soothed. Everything here seemed to fb927eff29 comfort me.9be2c05ea64ee6b1

Then, I heard familiar 2a0fc8a986 footsteps behind me. Turning around, df5116150d I saw 6eb7a3dcde Derek calmly ed13a86de4 watching me.6fefaa753cf6e521

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Derek.”52896da74ba8cb37

I approached him with c5693fe429 a bright smile and 4b2af03dd4 asked, “How did you 8a0849ad16 know I’d be here?”08f9226e64494941

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“The chamberlain told 820097c63c me. He said you f15f891774 often come here.”39fe60b115b86875

“Being here makes 3b927154ef me feel at 7430d7f11f ease.” Derek looked 1af172d1a7 at me silently. The cold wall bd63a99a17 I felt from 864d24b31d his expressionless face a44e1c1070 was still strong, 5c3c16b492 but I wanted b1348f538e to break it 0876742f8d down. So, I ff67e48d61 continued the 86e18f8761 conversation naturally.c0f34bb4622049b8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“My late mother loved 888e94f6a5 flowers. When I was young, 47bcc70d49 we used to come 669d7ce022 here together to tend 77cc057646 to the flowers and 6029fb1175 grow herbs. I still vividly 5640c00972 remember those times.”f706e7eac72cd6ff

My voice trembled slightly, e3700465ff but I forced a 0f12afc97a smile, trying not to 48d6cbaf5c let Derek notice, and 167c92f6af looked back at the 6864c30726 flowers.2228f268c1cd36f5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Noah.”7e9cdd59ffd4e94e

Derek spoke in a a8d3f2c498 low, serious voice.858f97f380252b32

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“When you suggested finding the antidote for the Eléora flowers, I didn’t fully trust your words… I must apologize for that.”bf031e33ffb8b1b5

I was momentarily surprised bd5f40b9db by his unexpected words.421a3a4a4fc2a798

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s okay, Derek. In that situation, anyone f9ddbe34ca would have doubted me.”083563ddf85e4fb0

“Thanks to 6dfee34a26 you, we 2af5ed4f04 were able e9ad0a7908 to safely da8477e315 conclude the 2f9bfbbbb8 spring festival. I’m grateful for that.”e5f8a81ff9caf4a9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I knew 8e35a6b988 his polite 3837f49064 treatment was 531d7b7d1d out of 8f9d5842ea obligation, but a7f47b8a1e his words 75cd0851ad still touched 1cebd7a66c my heart.492335ad66c71ae0

“Noah, would you 445431cd96 accompany me for a96226f6b1 a moment?”eddcf3eb4a73b854

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Derek suddenly aae538730e led me 5c1430c0a6 out of df6d9267cc the garden. I was momentarily confused 7cd7880e01 by his strong grip.5198f8648facc66f

“Huh? Where are we going all of a sudden…?”c14d5fc94ae3d9c8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Derek didn’t 5cbefe0c15 answer and 111bfbb792 walked silently cf5c1f9b42 ahead. Soon, a grand carriage 958a3dd38d appeared before my eyes.4e1d97ac0d30913c

The black base with 03f206bf37 gold patterns sparkled in 04843913eb the sunlight, and the da259577f3 wheels adorned with gold cea28f59ab bands, jewel-encrusted handles, and b8ee53dee3 luxurious silk curtains added 4d763e64e6 to its elegance. It was 1cd605eb84 the most d1f46c41fa luxurious carriage a41e6c0ee5 I had c6cc5f48e2 ever seen.3ed3421ecfc2a917

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Do you like 032841da62 it? I prepared it myself,” 5cbfb1c1b8 Derek said in a ccb46133c3 low voice. I widened 82a60d567a my eyes 0aa0f1c3c4 and couldn’t c71648a8ab help but f7a78fcc64 ask.15a89d7108d4d6cf

“Why… are you giving this to me?”397672b109fe3fb0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I tore my gaze 66ad869a7b from the splendid carriage d8a6d52c91 and looked at Derek.ac01260f296a88d3

“Thanks to you, 2289f25cc6 the family’s honor 08b0c11218 was preserved, and e681ed8439 I also gained 4fe1251b14 significant benefits. It’s only right to b864657e97 share.”0ac4f3b7d234dcc8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His tone 4f4b29ca07 lacked warmth 604d725cb8 or consideration 70d66fbc59 for me. It felt f636d6c41e like he 90547e38c8 was settling 910853be26 a debt, bc3c8e0f90 closing a 9e91339da5 transaction.fb71e271758ce9cc

His face showed no e338ad0bef emotion as he offered 2abfa4c578 the expensive gift, just dc2ab56148 an expression of inevitability.a34d883d43e54d7a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Derek, I’m really okay. I didn’t do e53af46f4c it expecting a 72e7eb92a3 reward.”32f8c71dab348212

I spoke softly, but 406c6620b9 Derek ignored my words.57cb3f722484ac8c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Take it.”5be09d668418f59f

“But…”cbec9a9283b2e6d4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I dislike d8489566d3 owing others.”6d57bb8f1db7b69e

A chill seemed to 1741db1f1c settle in one corner d379bb70ad of my heart. Avoiding his gaze, 7a90a2ad60 I kept silent, 4cd4df1199 then gathered the 206f4d7372 courage to speak 1e1de077af again.0434f158a17f7043

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Derek, this 6df41381b6 carriage is da47ee22f3 truly splendid. But it might attract bed0578fa5 too much attention. It could b0b95191ac be misunderstood 8e1bda9968 as extravagance, d442c346fa so I’d 5ccfa45739 be a d3dea293e6 bit cautious 0528d5e4af using it. Could it be 8354cad30e exchanged for something 8ff290e1b3 else?”f0f4ff1e551ff07d

At my 49539e2b7d words, Derek’s 42621a85b8 eyebrows furrowed f893f4dc1b slightly. As expected, he looked e51ea505a7 at me sharply and 23c641aed4 asked.5ad054bf09a0d08b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Something else? What is it?”84a50baa46d0dd67

Momentarily halted by his 3760b8fb46 cold gaze, I steadied e721606a6a my resolve and spoke 9a35c6f700 cautiously.e815b1cd54490359

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Actually, I couldn’t fully enjoy the spring festival because of my leg. So…”39829fd11997a15a

I continued, avoiding b33e110169 his gaze.090bd47aeb45c295

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’d like to go df3f9d31e1 out with you.”5bebccabc0576e83

As soon as 9fa913dfa9 I finished speaking, fb033125b0 silence fell. Derek’s face seemed to 191144419e waver slightly with emotion, aab0c7426e but he soon returned 66f649b2f2 to his calm expression.b028158f0ee5a033

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

After waiting 4a25e87d4b for a abfe93ae8f while, I a0919307c7 cautiously added.ec786a6cfb9644cc

“Is that okay?”e663c150e7bead29

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Derek appeared 0e2eb58847 to ponder 2dd3be4c2c for a 656cbb8641 moment. His silence heightened my 76a4ea8baf anxiety, and sensing his 4f6607543d discomfort made my heart e887859566 heavy. Fortunately, Derek slowly 93f723ac5c nodded.741b806c989cb1e7

At that e80ae18b30 moment, my 885c143e73 face lit 26c4160c6d up like 92bd3b25eb a flower 14f5223a87 basking in 744226f115 sunlight. Did Derek f7b7d84b86 know how c0dabba98c much joy a7c72b267c his small c7b212a4f8 nod brought 837babce55 me?34aa6a12bd968cac

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Alright.”e9947307684c4c7a

His answer e4b1f288c7 was short c64f927915 and simple, f241ce2953 but it 0b60b0835c meant more e805264d25 to me a4f6abeaac than any 3bb1adc162 words in acc5479420 the world. His permission 2401a9785f felt like 232492305e a small f12dc704e9 miracle. The thought aa37d0a28f of spending 443d4cac5a time with c6ab075a61 Derek filled 9df78c5c73 my heart c5d089cc07 with excitement.27a3410a820d0570

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

♣ • 1604a21499 ♣ • 3e8b50df35 ♣64829b5d738f7b1b

As the morning 4f3e42ceeb sunlight seeped through 3a6da8d3dd the window, I b2306c9613 naturally woke up. The anticipation of the d24bb74585 long-awaited outing was indescribable.42d9f422143210b9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I jumped out 152554e86b of bed and b1f557fae5 rushed to the a92b3d0507 wardrobe. Although various 63ba160c8a neatly arranged 7a22a8817b clothes hung 787ee1e509 there, I dded4bf9e2 couldn’t easily 9a6358d6ea decide what 7bfaf25833 to wear 2183010f72 today.8a07dbc6465a3154

Should I express my 2cbc6466f1 mood with bright colors b36a60060f or match the atmosphere d264384829 with calm tones?7b8e5be54568dd8b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I pondered, 60da1a362a touching each 88f2d5b873 piece of 8d8e439753 clothing.4c50971f4c1eaab8

Eventually, I chose 23f7ca14eb a subtle beige 290700cdc0 outfit. Checking myself 2423cb4970 in the f3c4bccfda mirror, I 0f745cf4c5 was satisfied 58f782ed56 with my 8b0500e5b6 choice. It was an outfit b6590d2694 that made me stand 9c455cd588 out naturally while being 34a690530f neat.0d4dafee4387041f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Filled with a14abc2925 excitement, I dea7b0cc2e dressed up, ac75fbfc27 and before 569764aa08 I knew 9ff1a14837 it, quite 8c9f1585af some time 9b06bcbebb had passed. I hurriedly finished getting 20d6008077 ready, but there was ee8324417b still plenty of time dbb95ae4be before the appointed hour.aa971b38cd813cee

Even so, I 3786a6cfe7 couldn’t stay still. Unable to 7423b3f9f8 suppress my 11f73230e6 pounding heart, 59e9f0861f I quickly 19e72d9496 made my e2e0d9fd05 way to 2278b43ec6 where the 23d9c0aa5a carriage was.918d28b0df451db4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Derek was waiting 5fe2b25401 for me quietly 2ab5082681 at the castle 1a597464f3 gate. Unknowingly, my gaze a6c657a807 lingered on him. As always, 015ca67030 his neatly bf911a5cf8 combed black d83840c183 hair shone d3cde7d4ec subtly in a4edeaec39 the light.a7f9f132bcefa0f3

His blue ebe0378253 eyes, though 0994470b7b cold, had 3bf7849136 an alluring 406f7ff35a charm. He didn’t easily 8d3cbd5e9f show emotions, yet 42f87f64e0 his eyes seemed 71f148b3b3 to see through e403249f4b everything.9092ac7177e33649

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

His broad shoulders and d5913c7551 well-built physique were evident a1ce129299 even under thick clothing. His strong 4007196b7b arms and 2bd1db556e confident posture 7b4476c113 conveyed that dc0bddf248 the aura 5645bdef4d he exuded 4098b66c3f was more 1ced3757b5 than just 8b631df361 physical strength; 81792a4f26 it emanated 3f74619440 from his 7486520569 very being. I stood there, c4ab86e255 unable to take df4494b81c my eyes off a03d38fe6b him for a ee25215b33 while.4482e9577cc60829

Before getting into 35ffdff8fe the carriage, Derek efa8ea4410 looked at me 4f5bd38634 for a moment. As I approached, 4e968ca9d1 he slowly extended 59146f8331 his hand.f57af8a326f1eb93

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Once inside the 9fb62f7317 carriage, Derek naturally 585d0d208c followed and sat a78face883 beside me. Just sitting 453bea5381 close together 026bd718d1 in the 3118a5bdc6 confined space 8037b98034 made my ea98e71363 heart race 54e8f337b4 as if d852d68ada it would 00024ba32e burst.072c6b87350bbdaf

Even the sound of 9ef24443c0 our clothes brushing against 0c20026044 each other felt intense. Every nerve was 5acff7d85e on edge due 5b22d33d42 to Derek’s presence, a228cb1936 and this surreal 763715f7f3 moment left me ff14c36845 dizzy.45a87a3d526ee334

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Derek glanced at 93f13ffc92 me once and c879c80f05 asked in his baf92b8b38 usual calm voice.64f9028b6ba025a2

“What are you b7ac52c2eb thinking, Noah?”dab17ceec4f3b064

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Momentarily at 2066d99b42 a loss c923c99c3f for words, ea694b2d03 I hesitated, 191ffb17cc fearing he 9ff3b72658 might hear fde61789d6 my heart 2cee5796cf pounding, and 31d75bc854 finally spoke.4968a3ad85afc447

“…Just, thinking about going out makes me excited and happy.”4b8fcb8d6837d037

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Derek remained silent 70e00e9cc2 for a moment, 93ba0b479b then narrowed his 7f6a65a9de eyes slightly and 89a2472978 said.68711ec101c82f99

“It’s not that dd4dd6890c special of an 83d2039adb occasion.”eefa91d1a178a6eb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I gave a a040084311 faint smile at 7d8eeb3eca his words.fe86b6b60179757c

“It’s special to 9fd61600bd me. Being with b611dbf3e8 you always 72e6de6cad is.”8d43d1fde651f292

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Derek looked at 3a29e64a7b me without a 2145eedda1 word.de9617041fc9139e

A brief silence passed, 68b2105646 and lacking the courage 1b261ab036 to meet his eyes, 57472ea670 I looked out the 105b0dc719 window. However, my reflection 5f55647d6d in the glass b5fc3718ef was flushed red. Then, Derek broke the 43163cc7f9 silence with a calm 66ea8bcf9e voice and asked.a5b228316f910f75

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Is there 1ef6de72a4 anywhere you’d dbb5f44c05 like to 80ed900d14 go?”dca4cf6d236f9d39

For a 73296d2248 moment, I 5f56c178d5 was dazed. The fact that I 2f3a9fad2d was having a conversation cdd81f798f with Derek like an b5ca026d7c ordinary couple didn’t feel 104aa61571 real. My mind a86a0309c9 felt blank. I thought ce6485022c anywhere would c43f898ac1 be nice 6ec0056fd5 with him, 8a225cfccc but no 14d406c9a0 specific place a4ea388529 came to 566fd02230 mind.dc21aae75f1e908d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Then, I b5fcb936fb suddenly remembered 476ed42d4d a new ef34ee4ecf dessert shop. Imagining enjoying 822d6d647f sweet desserts a05f0c234a and tea 08783f2532 with Derek 6dbbc2ce8b crossed my 9ea06c1a39 mind, and 761fd5005f I wanted 31a5686bd1 to go 62876f4530 there.e266ba3f81e9a472

But I 8feb903eff hesitated, unsure 2b2405748a of how df84bbbba0 he would 71ac120fdf react. Hoping my suggestion 70bb3ad122 wouldn’t be burdensome, 88bcb7a147 I cautiously spoke.7ae083e598db0202

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“There’s a new dessert shop… I’d like to visit.”96ba703462d4a21b

I was anxious 2a097339c5 about how Derek f3e6cf5002 would take it. His expression 0b3f6cea45 remained unchanged, 29200e610b revealing nothing a2137285c3 of his af527c3e0d thoughts. I worried 5e6cb952f3 he might 0b7a5c2368 find it 98ee3ec271 unpleasant. However, Derek ec2e6654f6 looked at cd84b15e94 me for 57f6901237 a moment, a0d53773fa maintaining his 28deb5042e calm and 1a229d6cd1 indifferent gaze, 7f08991e8a and replied.c3ed9d66f32d14f9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Alright.”b3f6aaba1cdb43e2

His short 40f006cba7 answer enveloped f7780ec988 me in 63f0c8d9fd overwhelming happiness.f0b0939bac35052d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The square 7affd58846 was bustling 31c69f8eb0 with people, 03b9731386 full of 25bffb3d40 energy. Merchants proudly shouted about abaa950608 their goods, and children a7a23077a8 chattered and ran through 8743c4df4c the crowd.4c0528e5291535b5

Being in such a 05c862344c lively place after so a2736ef517 long felt like a ed07334ecd dream. Most of all, being f5a0e05593 with Derek made my d80307c325 heart flutter even more.1c0b4b203ee1fda7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I wandered around, 7daa9cb992 enjoying the street 34f7024b90 stalls.99c74acd25781269

As I walked e7f34b603f through the square, 8ae66400f6 my heart was d281f34ab4 filled with excitement c2add5931c and joy. But that moment 967d70b7c5 was fleeting, as 553d8aece0 a creeping anxiety 81ae649b79 began to weigh c46aa98a62 on me.5c296f537dbbaebe

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seeing the spring 3c44a2865e flowers in full 72870cead4 bloom delighting people’s 0d0bae8699 eyes reminded me f5824c5118 of the Eléora e04f715eb2 flowers that had 129a3a4705 withered. I couldn’t figure out 53e6bef261 the cause.bb79dcbcb2743325

What went wrong? After pondering, 139ba086ce I decided 95a6d12bcd to bring be58ec6252 it up 2538ecad43 with Derek. I wanted d4adb69874 to trust 977dd84c15 his sharp a6527f8b0a judgment.a0a2a3df6420f53e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Derek.”c96a9bb4ff6b96db

Lost in thought, 361a5d435e I quietly spoke.18911263d3c18242

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com