Chapter 20. The Scoundrel

8371f1b82ce4bea1bcafA few days after Neumonte Acarlipto stole Mine Molière’s lips, he sent her a bouquet and a bottle of perfume as a gift.

7092503355928f798153While Mine, enchanted by the heady scent, fluttered with excitement, two women met their misfortune.

b57e32fbc4240ed06b17The maid who had delivered the script to Mine developed a severe skin condition, her face pockmarked beyond recognition. Meanwhile, the maid serving Princess Agnès died after her tongue swelled from an allergic reaction, blocking her airway and suffocating her.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

118367074c05b4ec04feAs calamities unfolded one after another, suspicion naturally fell on Mine. Though there was no evidence pointing to her, people believed what they wanted to believe. It was during this time that the image of Mine as a villainess who tormented loyal maids began to take root.

c1fcfc021c26a4c56b7cBut to someone who had already let the seed of love blossom in their heart, such rumors meant nothing. Every night, Mine secretly met with Neumonte. Like a snake slithering over a wall, he claimed her body as his own.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

50478bcca9827be21a1bOn a night when Mine had surrendered both her body and heart to him, whispering her love, Neumonte made a request of her.

dcc296065d79e6178f4e❖　❖　❖

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

d4ecfeace27f21d2d5afI woke up in tears, unable to shake off the turbulent emotions that clung to me.

86cc097f62e2519347abAs if he somehow sensed I was awake, Ralpido entered the room.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

7c7fd5c657b84dc2a2a5“So the saying about sleeping beauties being heavy sleepers is true, huh? Sorry for giving you such strong—wait, are you crying?!”

1bd89ddfc997fcbf9a0dRalpido rushed over, clearly flustered. His booming voice must have reached Yona, as the door suddenly flew open.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

57d5b4eaddb2e4b6e199“What? The witch is crying?!”

5bc81b4df0bb2eee8385“You fool! How many times have I told you not to barge into a lady’s room? Get lost!”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

b32c34f49647490182e9At Ralpido’s roar, Yona was promptly chased out of the room.

e8dc0b41c4eaca97dbeaI sat trembling on the bed, barely able to muster the strength to sit upright. While I managed to get myself out of bed, I couldn’t bring myself to move any further.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

153227e9a57622b752ac“Excuse me for a moment.”

0228758eaf881b041db6Ralpido pressed the back of his hand to my forehead.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

71bd46a4a15fd7eba166“Doesn’t seem like you have a fever. Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Hey, why are you still crying?”

37870cd26e68c90f7539“I… I’m sorry.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

9d94f1c95ff35e84461e“What do you have to apologize for, huh?”

c144f46d4504afaeb650Ralpido pulled a handkerchief from the console drawer and roughly dabbed at my tear-streaked face and damp cheeks.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

191d2b752f45837cf958“Ugh…”

82d99c101fed74ff3eca“Did you have a nightmare or something?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

eed67c91479e57775ec4The best way to describe it was that I had seen Mine Molière’s memories in the form of a dream. I nodded hesitantly, and Ralpido let out a sigh.

e9b6982caf0947860eca“How long… how long was I asleep?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

9e89499bc0a4c4fcfaf8“Let’s see, probably about ten hours or so?”

b33a331fc4d74dba0d80Not only had Ralpido graciously offered me a room, but this also meant Yona had waited here for me for ten whole hours. The thought made me feel both guilty and embarrassed, my face heating up in response.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

aaeb9f77d8e2349f753b“You skipped a meal while you slept—it’s already past dinnertime. Aren’t you hungry?”

e16ad86bd515674127c2“I don’t usually eat much, so I’m fi—”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

3ff93aee7d3017befc5cGrowl.

cc437e56468e0401e638Why does my stomach always betray me at the worst times? Ralpido burst into hearty laughter, his mouth opening so wide I could almost see his uvula.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

0a4f91f7a0a544655b08“You should eat something. Just wash up and come out—one of our staff will guide you.”

fb296ad85147a1252ce0“I… I’m sorry…”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

039cd63505b246778a29“Ah, ah, no more apologizing. It’s banned.”

f73d7fb5ec98a733055e“…”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

a0bb4b007a39c362e8a5“Don’t tell me that’s the only phrase you know how to say?”

92aae898bc5d4c3e3918“N-no, of course not.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

95cf478eda833cb7be3d“Anything you can’t eat?”

4539e45d9436581f2ff4“I can eat anything.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

affb49320bbcdddf5dfe“Then how are you this thin?”

20c4dba367ad72349a79“…I think it’s just my metabolism.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

6e6472bd3790c1ec6924“If it’s your metabolism, it’s your metabolism. What’s with the ‘I think’ part?”

06de67ba3c48bcf68ef7Shrugging his shoulders, Ralpido told me where to find the medicine they kept for feeling unwell and left the room.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

2eeef3c4529ace8458d5By then, my tears had stopped. Still, Ralpido’s unconditional kindness reminded me of the Kimber couple.

7a0a1ab86228cc5da5ecMr. Kimber, who ran to me in a panic just because I tried to cut my own hair, worried I might harm myself. Mrs. Kimber, who meticulously wrapped the fox fur scarf around me, saying it was part of her wedding dowry.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

89b59f77562ad79f93cbNow, they were nothing but ashes…

49e3ae33c5dc18238131Could it be that I bring misfortune wherever I go?

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

1ecf9f566692a31711b7A wave of guilt and unease washed over me.

8f5d4f0778fef995d060“Nexiard…”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

15e70e3b3d9fa62482a5I shook my head, forcing myself to brush off the negative thoughts. I had decided to help Nexiard, and wasting time on such gloomy imaginings would do no good. I needed to act.

6a729fff96f583dc53af❖　❖　❖

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

b6ab750dd6a7f69c5b4fAfter Dinner, a Late Night Departure

a88b7ef9b06664c33f01After dinner, Ralpido suggested I stay the night since it was already late, but I adamantly refused. I couldn’t owe him that much. Even Yona had vehemently objected to the idea of me staying.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

5544de4963b66ad28512“Now you’ve stooped to seducing women?”

63a0ac3aa2d1f6064d63Yona’s remark earned him a swift kick from Ralpido.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

e972b8c1b5a150d4704fRalpido told me to come back in a week to pick up my new ID. Having grown accustomed to next-day delivery, a week felt excruciatingly long. Besides, I needed the ID to officially rent a property.

b4d42f2ef05a67199b8d“Can’t it be done in three days?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

489a6aa02e7202a16357“Do you think new IDs just sprout out of the ground?”

bf5064e23973f747fea2“Still…”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

8bf9a713610218cd7da2“Is it urgent?”

df8176a2828e80036d71“I just want to move out as soon as possible.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

9a630cdd92d3c28179c3“Where are you staying now?”

a0af1785c7e064bea212“Near the Shina District.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

98885e4c8fb2273b9e55I deliberately dropped the name. It was a neighborhood notorious for illegal activity—the very place the real estate agent had warned me to avoid. I felt a twinge of guilt for exploiting Ralpido’s sense of justice, but sure enough, her face twisted into a scowl.

0ff669aee1e8ab09e4be“That’s a neighborhood full of random ID checks. Why would you stay there? Oh, right, no ID.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

654750eb84998b6cf6e4“…”

c4170d3feb67074761e1“Fine, come back in three days, young lady.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

36c11d8548430a0e1c8eWhile I spoke with Ralpido, Yona stood nearby, arms crossed and shifting his weight impatiently. As soon as I said goodbye and turned to leave, he practically punched the elevator button.

ba6da6e266e57cb6c5f2Before the doors closed, Ralpido shouted at him.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

f3a5abbf9345b3941333“I hope the next time I see you is at your funeral!”

c0ac2eef6c9af7fff705“Hmph. Who said you’d be invited to mine?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

5e1db75894ad4fdc4fed“Going up! Hold on tight!”

1e15d4f3b398d5bf86c6The elevator jolted, the floor shifting beneath my feet and giving me that nauseating weightlessness I hated. It was why I never rode Viking ships at amusement parks.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

1cab00008d7b6cdc5adcBy the time we left, Livre Bookstore was already closed. A staff member helped us exit through the back door.

30406a6959fa43c0e9eeThe night was dark, the kind of darkness where stars lit the sky like a dream. In a way you could never see in Seoul, the Milky Way stretched across the heavens like a celestial river, so dense with stars that it seemed they might spill over.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

b07aa8e1704803fabe9aAs I stopped to marvel at the night sky, a thought crossed my mind: Yona had spent the entire day waiting for me.

3ff6aa6d25ef316ffcd2“Thank you for waiting, Yona.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

ac7cfddede424e05903c“Hmph! How could I leave you alone at Ralpido’s house, not knowing what kind of nonsense she might pull?”

e84c29fb88de54402f11“…”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

6c6d0eee4f986e32f694“Remember, you’re my precious blood supplier. Don’t forget your role, witch!”

1796dfc45b644e5efe6cRight. Yona and I were strictly bound by mutual interest. How long could I keep my secrets from this perceptive mage?

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

2a9aa523678b2f0bcf9d‘I’ll cut ties before I get caught.’

48598cec21740cc654f2After all, I’d promised myself to use every tool available to survive.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

652e85dacc54a433a486 

250e982d39cfd45b454fAs we walked, we eventually approached the central station. It was long past the time for the last train, and the station was eerily empty. Torn scraps of paper and magazines fluttered in the cold wind.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

59d1d6d22a1938782f94Unlike the dazzling lights of bustling cities that stung your eyes even at night, this place felt completely different. Here, people retreated to their homes as soon as the sun set. The gas lamps lining the deserted streets only added to the desolate atmosphere.

600e1e38291f8b9be36eI suddenly turned to Yona.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

3eaaea816b740616d414“Are we heading in the same direction?”

7bb2b6cd5b02cca160b9“What?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

d3971cbb56d9a18874a0“I don’t know where you live, so…”

0d3fbad618465e89d407Yona raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

aab4f6d5703092c7af01“Are you stupid, or just pretending not to know?”

b178312d7ab44393d828“Pardon…?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

3a153d74a9a26437f959“How could I let you walk home alone at this hour? Do I look like some trashy scoundrel to you? Unbelievable.”

e1515a85affb14f22fb1“Oh…”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

c8ce1aebffb3f2a59b4c“What? You really think I’m some scumbag?”

b01d78432383c1db16ecYona habitually pouted his lips, then launched into a lecture about how gentlemanly he was, all while matching his pace to mine. He walked me all the way to the edge of the inn’s street but stopped short of the front entrance—likely his way of showing consideration.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

ce68497130cb23692bf6‘Surprisingly thoughtful.’

693cb12ad516eb81ab27Before he turned to leave, Yona spoke.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

3dd40b1f7a6c658f024b“See you in three days.”

5d58cb1d5785f3234fd7“I think I can find my way back on my own next time.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

12736ae0d0d867903413“…”

45a050950f9029e336ed“Um… I just need to ask the staff to find *The Fall of the Ying Empire*, right? We’ve met each other now, so…”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

64274252c2de6186cac9“…”

d8e645d7cec7b01d8405Why did he look disappointed?

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

791947d6b31bccc56440“But now that I think about it, I don’t remember which section it was in. I think it was written in Imperial, but I’m not familiar with the language…”

85fe056748c84bd5a621Yona’s face brightened.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

632d937377b377a12e13“Knew it! You’d be lost without me. Looks like I’ll just have to make time.”

fd68db176824ff48a75f“I’m counting on you, Yona.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

ca7b48670377dfb573f9And with that, we parted ways.

17062abb0326cbc1b899 

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

2ba0ec86c5a9034cc2a2According to the plan, I was supposed to meet Yona at Livre Bookstore in three days. But when I arrived at the clock tower that day, it wasn’t Yona waiting for me—it was one of Livre’s employees.

9817da42897016aca348“Where’s Yona?”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

65c085bb2867f508bc1bThe staff member thumped his chest with a confident grin.

cdbcce27036feb50fd78“Just follow me!”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

85bcd44aac8cd747b877