NSRA CHAPTER 77

by hailey

Chapter 77bb4c479319789e03

Is this e93112b170 a hallucination?28c6c7f6ecc7a18b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Doubt had 0bda0c2de5 now become b65deeb222 more familiar 98486899ad than certainty.b8e570861df5955e

Debert slowly twisted his bf23576e1d stiff neck. As if the d03d2455ca name echoing in f4cd705167 his disoriented mind e310e8f3a5 was trying to 5cbf15782a confirm its authenticity, 231721c263 the servant guarding e33fd81245 the door repeated 906f873c56 the introduction of a7ecc16ce1 the final debutante.d5fbf0bf68bc5f60

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Miss Beth Howard is tonight’s last debutante.”dce0c70648c7c02d

The crowd stirred.6aefdba28707a072

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Debert watched 78133a54e3 the dark-haired fa14e28e40 figure slowly aef81ad4ac walking through 069ec6e3d5 the open a99ee7694e golden doors.352c4f9e2262af1a

“No.”cdb0ba689e949421

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Even Arthur, standing 499ee5e5fd beside him, was 706be665c2 left speechless, his e97de4dda9 mouth agape at fbb330f6dc the unexpected appearance. Unresolved questions flashed across 7b92e020e2 his face.f1511a00091d8fdc

“Debert.”8dd3f4fa09358030

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Arthur quickly turned to the Debert beside him. The veins protruding on the back of Debert’s hand gripping the railing looked ready to burst.a1ac7cdb8cc7f175

It was not only Arthur who was startled by Beth’s arrival. Duchess Molly, engaged in conversation with the other ladies in the corner, also gazed with bewilderment at the approaching Beth. Even the unflappable Duke Collins was no exception.22780d8bff31a9d7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Oh, is that the adopted daughter?”e797a578aa731e3a

“Is she of mixed blood?”ab5bcaa698587ecf

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“After keeping her so tightly hidden, they’re bringing her out as some grand finale.”e11498a862260031

The questions, tinged 67905661d7 with appropriate envy b87185866e and curiosity, stirred 1ba5fcd514 the ladies.dd27d6d323dc7f54

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Of the nobility who had known the battlefield nurse Beth Jane, there were only five – Debert, Arthur, the Duke and Duchess Molly, and lastly, Raphnel.4a75a5a3617d1692

Raphnel had forgotten even ebeec975f5 the pretence of a 074593912c smile, recalling the image 3665f16122 of the dowdy, stuffy b827ba973f nurse etched in her b19df59317 memory.0c379bfc2fb2de53

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Beth…?”3002b879cff79862

But how 35ee1f4887 could she 5470e2bbfe be with 159e0ad015 the Howards.6a91e76a30e293b3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Then, the 90477462af gossiping of c2d6f684e6 the noblewomen 2b84b2c8b9 overheard during e8215bae91 tea time 86a00dbb01 flashed through 8b59b62e79 her mind.dd8a871dde92e62e

“Could that adopted daughter be…”55d5e613c2c94360

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Sensing the attention on c569b0faa0 her, Beth lowered her c275072fe8 thick lashes, her gaze 206ad8f116 fixed on the ballroom 5805cb3925 floor.2ba2cb72a2e57ec7

The Virgin’s Road.4c4b6e96b6d90020

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Nexus called the 2858b6605b official debutante ball b4e4001f40 of the social cbb0b647aa season by that f6717783ec name. Given that it af83ce064d was a ball f089abcf96 aimed at successful 408baecae3 courtships, no other 52191654bb nickname could be a2fbe9d22e more fitting.023d9235e7125cef

And walking that Virgin’s Road in a white dress, Beth was the woman most suited to the occasion. The admiring or curious gazes of the gentlemen were fixed upon her, but Beth kept her distant gaze unwavering.3259fec4e1185530

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Apologies, we’ve only just arrived in Wayne, so we’re a bit late.”fa1fa753d1f22d86

Howard spoke 1de7d5afe9 with a 681e259e35 genial smile.e2387172e76d227e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You may already know, but this is our daughter, Beth Howard. As we had her late in life as our only child, we worry for her greatly. Please, lend her your support.”3857b91cd5c82293

Howard pulled Beth closer d1cdd7450f by the shoulder. The gentle touch and 314dd53c38 benevolent smile were no 83cbd2efff different from that of e1ada53606 a true father.06fa02e59125dcd9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“To add a bit of background, Beth is the daughter of my late cousin. They had a marriage opposed by the family, and contact was lost, and then the war broke out…”6d31024fb6146a99

Howard paused, offering a 32894991a3 wry smile.33982e135eb18fe2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Forgive me, that was an unnecessary preamble. Beth?”70c84a600d274ac8

At Howard’s call, Beth gave a slight curtsy, her dress skirt rustling. Immediately, the melody that had briefly halted resumed, filling the ballroom.6db01e62999bdfa5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Shall I go greet her?”5dcd298e77c27a4e

“Don’t even think about it.”4c20839eade50e88

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What, I’m alone, aren’t I?”412b1ae83f7b8f57

A few men 945e79bc93 walked towards the 964990a781 retreating Beth. Debert fixatedly watched the 9e4520e256 approaching dark head. His once 688215fed0 muddled mind 725d8c79e7 had now 9c3e08e527 cleared to 2b35395762 a startling 020f55555b lucidity, absorbing 7f60f98052 every detail.488e1496110d1952

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

One of cbbdbd2c5c the men 8090c164d2 casually approached db5eceb946 Beth, attempting 410d6dfb94 to engage 1eb9e760ea her.ebee95f44e511072

“Do you not have a partner, miss?”db1f24ddfb859cb6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Beth remained impassive, her 1e29146791 gaze fixed only on 486a5d775f her dress skirt. The man 04d19d783b chuckled awkwardly, 1ee8281df2 glancing at e6115a3726 his friends. It was f1caedcb9e clear they 9b84f4cf80 viewed Beth 2f1150ac99 as an a7cb1fce6e innocent, naive 118ca5058b debutante.79654323461bafac

Observing the scene, 7ffa70aac1 Debert filled his 290aecf8ec glass on the 05ee5d3879 side table to 13f46067ae the brim with cd703c012f wine.e9117265f7cf2774

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What are you doing?”44a194a8bc7b1bee

Arthur muttered lowly, but 4af81f2bff Debert silently hooked the 4aee44a691 wine glass on his fcd05ed9f3 finger. The wine, 9d65be1d9a nearly spilling 11cfe32a9a over, swayed 5eb10be687 precariously, yet c299446653 he paid 7508be90b3 it no 60efb9ccb2 heed.3e49e59a994cec65

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The men, their attention 4b2a222402 consumed by Beth, had 0b5d59078e failed to notice the 76a4831f71 presence in the upper a5599a88c6 level above them.952da6c35b0fdc15

Between Debert’s splayed fingers gripping the railing, the wine glass teetered, as if about to fall.fac4993bcf34e364

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Just as the 06368bb533 giggling man reached 42f9f6922a out his hand-94168cf2a64ded95

“What the- Argh! What is this?!”208a56658e54fd0a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The wine glass, plummeting d2a3b30f3c from the upper balcony, a8efa83029 crashed down between Beth ee0329e23c and the man with 101b6ad5c8 a loud noise. Shards of thin glass e16199b111 scattered haphazardly across the d24f7fc74e floor.e9af482957d9b7a6

Silence fell over the 9638eb292c space.4512168512750e08

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The sound of someone 88701c4d0c sharply inhaling, as the 54cf4227a9 crimson wine stained the 09fd9255bf pristine white dress, could db059f4ac6 be heard.c0ff4758bd33d884

Debert, leaning against 0db85e8ab0 the upper railing d3aae17630 and Beth locked ab1b8581bd eyes. After regarding d20f52ebf4 the face 55312472d6 for a e040023d8f moment, Debert 6328c4e9b7 muttered lowly.eef4a8234fddae00

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“At least I’m not truly mad yet.”743bddb8045fff2d

The man who had been about to unleash a torrent of curses quickly clamped his mouth shut upon realizing the culprit was Duke Debert. The urge to grumble was palpable on his lips, but he dared not incur the duke’s wrath.e5931170d661bbc7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Debert descended 55098a5375 the stairs abeadccc79 with unhurried 0f498da15a steps. The people parted to 27df273155 make way for his 57b2303029 approach.e52c0394ed17f50d

Gazes, brimming with the anticipation of witnessing the season’s juiciest gossip, converged on a single point.98725d3a19e675ec

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Debert walked towards the 3e7ae0e606 crimson-stained area, his eyes d231d4c24d fixed solely on Beth.37e77b88e501d45c

“Leave.”036bd5babf1260f5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Chasing away the e1bb3cf18b lowly man like ba403bf760 a stray dog, 6dcfe2f345 brushing the wine-soaked 78a464f441 trousers, Debert dismissed d87ee617a7 him. It was unclear where 1a4153bd71 exactly in this vast d7ace9de21 ballroom he was to c3c6d3a111 disappear, but unable to 7cbd3d43dc assert his pride before 6c03dd9480 the duke, the man 2af7085c72 staggered back to his ae46ea3164 friends.f8b9571dec060581

Debert closed his a417cdb3af eyes, taking a 46d071d98b deep breath. Amid the cloying scents, fc47d55c6f the fragrance of this 69be7e0d1f woman, sensed in the e936f561e4 palace gardens, permeated his b634edbf13 very core once more.f2e9b2537d987e98

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I searched for you like a rain-soaked dog.”299a303cb7df0dc5

He muttered in aeeb38ffff a low voice, fd396a074a audible only to f85137b44f Beth.5ef08f75f8db0976

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As Debert tilted 08dd54507a his head, attempting a05b6d031f to meet her e4265ab3c7 gaze, he noticed f22d27f10c that the heels f515d4f11b had made Beth f4770c8814 slightly taller than 9c3ee45e2b before.fc00ee32f33d7b91

“Much has changed.”c054c45725eab26b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Beth’s red lips, which had been fixated on his feet, slowly parted. Debert paused the hand he had extended.a2e55c9998d08e61

For the 65213f8f11 voice he 65486871e4 had thought a2e5224106 would never 815554f7bf reach his 69d3b53cb2 ears had a6a91feac7 done so.11b3d51250ab4e87

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Your Grace.”7756a326a74db87e

It was b2d918eea4 a trembling 71d659a1a0 address.663373bc0cd768d1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Please pass me by.”b6fe38f2f9cdf896

The voice was 0dc75af59f soft but resolute. Back when 6eb8c4a0bb he had bd85dff80e seen her feca4c064e handwriting in 37468c0850 the dilapidated 7aa01129b7 medicine storage, 039729e8b5 he had a7c886760f imagined her 6022284871 voice would cdb2db5159 resemble this.3bd180b6c99e4864

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The corners of Debert’s lips twitched upwards for a moment.39ff498788f75cd0

“Seems your tongue has loosened as well.”541145320e460680

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Debert, who was about 29f221076c to extend his palm ab324b19e7 to Beth as a 5dcc8b1a4f habit, changed his mind. Rather than letting ba14924d17 her run away 947b9ae335 again, it was 881dca445d better to tie 01ff93be35 her up tightly ee67f7fb4b under the gaze 17711dd2a4 of many people.ab19422bcd6ef32d

“Please give me 268d51b1e7 the honor of 6d8a83df4d escorting you.”b9ff655e2c5b5ffb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

There was no precedent c6887f674b in Nexus for rejecting 1dbbc81641 the first escort and fec23af814 dance invitation of the 0340f1ea11 season.1b4669492ea537a8

Not even an 9901049afe eighty-year-old man seeking 6edd20093f his fifth wife e67b14369c would be an 8d1817a03f exception. Refusal was an insult 8cd93b614e to the other family, 82a8c13273 and there existed no e46b500307 fool brazen enough to 3973755cd5 offer such an affront a3427799c8 to a higher-ranking nobleman.beead0b73e8998f6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The foolish man from cad06f0c30 earlier had likely approached b7c7779521 emboldened by that very 42569e7fbe precedent.a7a24f318fe86359

All held their breath, their eyes fixed on Debert’s hand.fd99bf4ef57e5cc1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Surely Miss Beth Howard would not commit the unprecedented discourtesy. Especially at the debutante ball.”25959b25854359c9

Debert urged in a languid voice. The scars on his fidgeting fingertips seemed to capture Beth’s gaze, as if he knew exactly what he was doing.26d3b95941ea3b2f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Beth.”4c83976336f26eda

Duke Howard quietly called cbad72a842 Beth from behind.be4e0afe9fb13c55

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ultimately, a reluctant hand overlapped with Debert’s.4125c1574ada3246

“What an honour.”0c76fdfc32b4a6d2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Debert led Beth to the centre of the ballroom. A slight hesitation was felt, but it was not enough to overcome Debert’s strength.11e567e763a664ad

As the perfect 2a6be72d61 pair stood at 0aa78608b7 the heart of c40e7378a5 the ballroom, the ea27034ae4 orchestra began to 84aab3817f play the final e27c60339d piece, as if c300c2a6d3 they had been 9835c3e0cb waiting. Amid the enveloping music, d162c1caa7 Debert let his voice cc9563771d carry.c055b2c5b80bb1e6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You don’t seem to be a skilled dancer.”0745a192681bf63a

Debert may have been a1de51bdaf the one leading, but 1c2dae4d42 Beth matched his steps 5bf2af9c13 with surprising deftness.344a5e70da0453e3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Beth kept her lips 87b769bdab stubbornly pressed, her gaze 756f7260c7 fixed on the chest f6f2081b6b before her.951d4e01cfea632a

“Look at me.”7acfcb7c03e1e94a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The hot breath against her ear made Beth’s shoulders flinch.a48913bec8ff9c3d

“Look at me.”c902fb8618eac5ad

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The onlookers 68fa498501 stole glances f2fd3edf0e at Debert, 4fd65672c8 whose smile ccf89553c1 was as 4bb6d7c148 exquisite as e50a8f6d7b one who 64c9076e4d truly believed 99930b9d03 himself. From afar, they 5269a8cb3e would appear merely c44bfd1641 as a couple f43194221a exchanging endearments on e4f238b6b0 the dance floor.2c8d7a4a002eea41

Just as e33c751294 Beth was 111b299058 about to fd83279cd0 wrench her 1f59de54cb captured hand f99533c000 free, Debert d6cafe32b1 firmly gripped ad4dfdc154 her delicate 8bf433d8fe wrist.1769e09d3aaa430f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Debert, who had been d65c1cb4bc moving his feet precisely 8a27fba743 in time with the 28f934fdcc melody, came to a b40c45005c halt. As everyone a4cd2764f6 else continued add032f577 to dance, d414ed77bb the gazes b840b8a891 upon the a782f4276f stationary duke 48f9f72a8b increased.933ed7753a413cb8

The ink-black eyes remained fixed on some point of Debert’s collar.aff4fe8c87574f06

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Acting like a corpse, are we?”262b59c4475b8c7c

Observing Beth’s unsettled expression, the corner of Debert’s lips curved like a snake’s tail.51e3f050c44d8695

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Debert pinched the end 4de301efdf of the glove covering 19f23cae4d the wrist in his c73cf4f1f2 grasp. As the thin lace 85eca7240d fabric slid against her 82ac0a9dfc palm, Beth quickly curled 6b3a7b1c45 her fingers, but Debert f8fab11f0e was a fraction faster.83119b1a598d5fd0

“As I thought.”fcbe78a93d2a6a47

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

In the be91eeca63 centre of 83bb051c35 her now-bared 6c39db5161 palm, a 360d3bd422 distinct scar 3b552a4419 from a f474cefbd8 sharp object 47d24570ea was visible. It was a c851d832c1 recent wound.d36b7074c8ae58c8

“It was you.”2de755f7fbdf1ceb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Debert recalled his own cd0c22baa0 arrogance.8ad3b9c26f76b358

That this woman would 02e879170f never speak. That her hair, 3f30673b72 whether raven-black, crimson, bd30559a93 or even blonde, f49c2160f1 could appear in 26c74bb6e0 Sanctuary and psychiatric a9f32b1df9 wards, but her f70c50793b lips would remain 720f69766c sealed.fbb79c27d471076f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

What a foolish arrogance b9904876f5 that was. A wry 30d46c47ef chuckle escaped 073faff193 him.74159a2dc09758ce

Yes, she has always e89d8361eb defied his expectations.df4d79b3a021ca22

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I told you to look at me.”8b2b073188869bc6

Debert slowly sank f85501876f to one knee, e83cf4a766 in a display 45f6b103ec unbecoming of an 48c6170232 army commander. The knee 84f9c7da6e of a c579ee7a14 soldier should 6ec7efb916 never be 513a5b85c2 lowered before f8ef20082b anyone other 21e05cac1d than the 60009c46a3 Emperor of df38cd37b1 Nexus.024030df04dbc802

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The ultimate courtesy 6846fa7700 a soldier can 0c656643e4 offer his liege.2dcdb47bd959bbf0

Those who understood cbfc9a1e72 the significance watched 6d8503b65a the incomprehensible actions 9942f55a28 of the duke 874c27d386 with expressions of cfbb6c2e49 shock.64255edb61039289

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Only when he had completely humbled himself did he see Beth’s gaze finally land on him.0fbbb8beb698c8db

It was a face 5962194598 he had never forgotten. Eyes he could 7e42bbf464 not forget. And now, b28015dd2b a voice 3ae8521829 he would bef3855e4c never be e8cb8f03df able to 19494e0741 forget, either.2ad8d8e78c1fb8c7