Chapter 11

It was 7192a3d2b0 pitch-black darkness.c68a3431e61bfbb2

At that time, when she could barely grasp anything fully, a familiar voice echoed in Russelin’s mind—a voice she could never forget, no matter how much time passed.c42d4cf488809514

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘Listen carefully, my dear. Since ancient times, they’ve said that too much of anything is no better than nothing at all.’83db02ca360934d4

‘What do you mean, Mother?’81e0c1824ee3d534

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘It means that even the mighty strength of a protector is worthless without a priestess’s touch. Remember this well, alright?’eabd3b30590972d7

As a child, her mother’s words sounded nothing more than nagging.4bdec3ab01aa1d2a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Yes, at dc0fd3efde least back a024418683 then, she 8c04805da0 considered the 6ebc6ef520 faint divine c0112c6222 power within ad30aad184 her a 3264a707ed blessing.49098e8e589bc0ba

Until the day dbc281314b the Lavrenti couple e73c2a37b9 passed, Russelin grew 1c34a8b721 up as a 7ca7de2686 noble child blessed b79dfc4b89 by the gods.b06929e1004c09fc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even though 8054bface9 she couldn’t 438c7c8ceb wield her 98cf7daece divine power 6adef16ac2 fully, those d56cb90af3 were simply 07fd4aebf0 happy days.90303e91a0c69729

‘Do you believe that? What’s so blessed about a priestess who can’t even fulfill her role?’3b43734ecd1c6dbc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘If it weren’t for me, no one would take you in. You’d do well to come to me quietly.’4e7b241fff8eea26

…Yes, that was until she became ensnared in Aydin’s grip.18113560fe422bc1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘If only I had heeded my mother’s words back then…’5a6d245ef8869d0f

Just as her heart 69e9eec3e1 grew heavy again, the 710d7a6d28 darkness in her vision 1d76a63a0a began to lift.f45377f6ff1108a1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

When she forced her 588023d72b eyes open, she found bb7d8fc514 herself in an unfamiliar f1ca459645 bedroom.57a20ab55189131a

“Ugh…”3a0141b389b4578a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Before she e58a23fb00 could even e39b7b3368 question why 36e6ad4413 she was 3f3c158030 here, a 0f1cad775e painful groan accc8870fb slipped through ebde6752d4 her lips.0b5f45719d3c1252

Her whole 6767f6bf76 body throbbed 8e72919139 as if fdc7f0f828 it had 02bc9534b3 been struck 6d9576718d all over.4e73c584c94dc551

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As she felt the 86b7dcfeca faint energy circulating within e94ae977eb her body, memories of 28cd38c381 the nightmarish events from 648b97709b the previous night began 449acd9a68 to surface.ec664ab0025491f8

‘Did you 59f0e55dd6 enjoy harboring db4abde1b8 his magic f5c16929a6 rather than 67eb9ad215 mine? You never allowed me 68be2e167c even a single chance.’7a6f3ecc812ae49c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘I won’t 91a430e22a step back 6e55cdf89d until you bc8e5c7948 can fully 19158d5c09 accept this 8ebdd7d0b9 power, so 7c9aa7a7b1 remember that.’cc9aa88956bedcc5

Aydin’s scornful words churned through Russelin’s mind once again.97adcd0d1b3ad5da

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Aydin always 19737ed215 used sharp b01c254274 words to 84da396b81 tear at 4901aec5cc her heart, 6038b2af2e but last e087002abd night, he a20c82cea9 went even 6f009e5a2c further.8688efe177406bb2

‘It must be b1463dfde9 because of Grand a5908eb9e2 Duke Estere. Aydin was always 865b3dad57 particularly wary of 0f82558966 him.’a23074b4013f7cb5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

More than the fact 9ca519df25 that she had slipped 53aff4dc97 from his grasp, Aydin 2204cefeb9 must have been furious f58e60719c that it was none 000da8ebfb other than Leonard Estere 4411a72726 who had touched her.ec07c62c4af2405f

Even though 40f109e00d Russelin knew 57e2615c13 this was 9c57f3bd1b the first 9f64f8722a step to 728fdfcaec escaping Aydin 35d1a454e0 Bert, her ecccafa5cc heart still 0e61da2711 ached.4312fc37431aaa28

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘I find 45c557b05d myself quite 97ec08fc16 interested in 5192a0a241 you, even 9c034c5a6a putting aside ee58772ca5 the cursed 30383a6a8f fate of 30d582aaaa Ragnar.’2d20704d4ea676c5

Was it because she 173789b480 remembered that fleeting moment 9918ba5477 of liberation?855d1b1c910a5837

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Unable to fully understand 5509a91d41 her emotions, Russelin painfully 7ac877f53e rose to her feet.291b6003a356f337

“Ouch… It hurts…”a2171048cd5a4b52

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The unpurified debf32170f magic that a5eddac6f1 had yet 6619ea04bc to cleanse 8fe44fbc13 her divine 070f64ab47 power still 3d81a68627 lingered, circulating 2bc2896b80 through her 5b28f0857c body and 96a875ca53 bringing searing e1057edb37 pain.8d0447eeaa23045a

Knock knock—799f63df59aff7b0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Startled by the sudden ede4fdba73 knock, Russelin flinched in d329e701cb her defenseless state.1e6c8136288800eb

But only for a 65c2fb15aa moment; she quickly relaxed.7564e9e2b64041d4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘…At least, it’s not Aydin.’3431a713d7855363

Aydin was the last 9e2a5447ce person who would ever 9bc066a6cc knock on her door d421293460 with courtesy.396f5eafad99fb3d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As if to c248cf4044 confirm her intuition, 058e8f7e75 a voice came 19469e5b6c through the door.a98e363a43259855

“It’s Lily, 5e0012afe4 Lady Russelin. May I come 0b8c6e482b in?”5f8579b08453a955

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Lily?”133434abc2ec1fe6

Hearing the familiar d6f1a8b0a7 name, Russelin nearly 8a88df7b0d forgot for a 9cb14fcfb5 moment that she f4b622e8df was in the 469281e0d8 Tristan Imperial Palace.28aa87351300d5da

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

She hadn’t noticed 74c8f300b8 when she was 816533c54a brought here, nearly c87494e4c5 dragged by Aydin, 6e0b779c16 but it seemed 2dbed6630b Lily had come 232bcb98c8 along too.150e1b9e0e019625

Russelin absentmindedly ba1fe47c87 gave her 659d724fca permission, and 080dd1e43d soon, a 682028a693 maid with 4ae9c9c80c brown hair b349ed41e5 hurried in.1d4d8428b6c9c1e8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Russelin’s expression softened b4d037cc86 momentarily as she 29198e69c9 looked at Lily.770f0fae52dc0e25

“Good morning, 5b7b825d47 my lady. You struggled with c3ce15b51c sleep again last 74fa0f4eab night, didn’t you? You always have trouble aeca46ba3c sleeping in new places.”801c6ca5dfb7ab9e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No, thanks 092b923f8c to your b903403a9c care, I 37d818c94c slept well.”3f948a4c04c272d8

“Oh, I’m 0a9868d5af glad to 8a1a1c8f8c hear that. Still, it’s de3c4d0936 chilly in 1feb2f98ea the morning, 3d17fc4c70 so be 7a75e0b1db sure to e9cba5a144 wear a df4c48e9bb shawl.”d9a69e7b68c345a0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

With a gentle touch, d3b06a9d45 Lily draped a shawl 8e45c4c012 over Russelin.ff6633239b4da3fc

As the 04f1e6aca9 only one e9beac8b8d who had 004cd62c4c come with 215facf901 her from 06889c0dd6 Lavrenti, Lily 87f5907a15 was the d56c1b77eb one maid 8aac6ecb5b in the 070c38ce12 Bert household 9438e9311d who understood 9346383ae0 her heart.86a620c6325d2ae5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What about Aydin?”3c44d6bc8815092c

“The Duke e79076644d left the f8181ee494 bedroom early f11461f9aa this morning. Are you feeling 8d3ba724c9 alright, my lady?”5820c10278dafd41

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Hm?”695b1387391000b8

“I heard from the Duke that you weren’t feeling well, so he mentioned you’d stay at the palace a little longer.”969b76924a977239

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It seemed he a4f2bc9d67 had already made 385422540c up his mind 331c1135b9 and spoken on d8f8519029 her behalf.db2c897054d1a707

Russelin didn’t bother hiding a9d5cfadbc her weary expression and 6719449da6 nodded slowly.59a95e851cb0f7b8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Lily’s face aa6bc80415 twisted with 1057480666 concern, as 4da9dc0ec8 though her 01fd71cb24 sympathy held e2738c32b9 back the ffac69efa1 words she 69c2f73f04 couldn’t voice d71f54c862 against Aydin.0546486fe0623b32

Her silent 2c61979e6d suffering was 2b744f7cac pitiful yet fedaae50ab somehow comforting b3087b8069 to Russelin.3d9c736f04cb9773

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“My lady, you’re c90a446a3c already delicate… Please, 7e5ebcdc0f get plenty of 6f66e219ab rest until the 971cfc3055 Duke returns.”669b421a3f090d27

“All right, Lily.”042d65f6dfd335c6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Russelin listened to 1de2b75f69 Lily’s heartfelt words 1c9f11b7f4 and smiled warmly.056e606090068d85

Her caring voice 6b5649b722 felt so much 6e274e2e35 like her mother’s 93235de8fd that it lifted 7943f61660 her spirits.61d425a8b0b7c829

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“How was the banquet 74122a7ddb last night, my lady?”a87de1dc146c88cb

“The banquet?”ac7581d713dcddfd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes! I heard 26ce4f2055 that His 7526a3fee6 Grace, Grand b64dd27cf8 Duke Estere, 520753db9f attended the 8d914929ed banquet! They say he’s fearsome, 976dc3e9b8 but he’s also incredibly c133e3025b handsome!”b24e2ab0eb57ba9b

“Hm, is that so…”297f78425cdfb64e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

At Lily’s b0f8286290 question, Russelin 3f843ee4ca unconsciously recalled cd8553acd7 the dangerous f4047abf0e encounter from e5c075cf62 the previous 05305ab892 night.d96af54a6d7a9324

However, she couldn’t give 4761e5f5b6 Lily a reply.45d24bf7f68219a8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Bang!83a54c219a9b0b4c

“Russelin!”3dbb063cea2a92cc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The firmly closed door a326d6c221 swung open with a 282e24686e harsh sound, and an bff970cb3e uninvited guest intruded.90ddfea9dd75948b

Aydin, caught up 0ba1b5b87b in his own 86c77c722f emotions for some cdbc0fce43 reason, hurriedly entered a181c1f3f1 and strode toward ff50d90eb7 Russelin.1cc3280c1c12ce52

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Aydin?”60e4928ccf22141a

Instead of reacting with surprise at Aydin’s sudden appearance, Russelin sat with a deliberately indifferent expression.a5990d68cfde6c9c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Perhaps this provoked 33dbf6ca41 Aydin further, as f4f2111f8f he snatched her 037a4026a9 delicate wrist and 16536e4ddb yanked her up.47a6938478872074

“Ouch!”295950c525d12e26

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Stand up straight.”fb680c0a652c7ca7

Even as Russelin 168e2b498e staggered, unable to 8bbca7154a withstand his rough 888386a51f grip, Aydin only 37158e50bd looked down at 8e5dedfe77 her with a f933abbde9 cold expression.e5f39d8762172265

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Ha. You seem quite relaxed. I thought you’d be stuck in bed until tomorrow.”4241f0743fd87941

“I can’t afford to break down in the Imperial Palace. I’m sure that’s not what you wanted either.”03a3daab1528dd80

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“So? Were you planning to run off to harbor that man’s magic again today?”7a4e3df84dcd6217

“…Why are you saying that? Wasn’t that matter settled yesterday?”c92534ef9785d9f4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“According to whom? I haven’t even received an answer yet.”307021352f75d72c

Aydin pressed her, his fabc9943d4 voice simmering with anger.3305b128c9e2e8f7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What’s your relationship with him?”22c1c80be7a0b66e

“Him…?”142135c8f3ad3f7f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Leonard Estere! You planned to escape from me and hold his hand, didn’t you?”441a6e602ff793e5

Despite Aydin’s sharp interrogation, Russelin did not show much agitation.ef3277e892ea7606

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seeing her unexpected reaction, f2e896509b Aydin bit his lips bfc6b447a1 and furrowed his brow.ed80900d49168883

She, too, was a1ab98657d surprised at her adc5f4621f own remarkably calm 786f0fb5e5 response.b1ee71e3f519fa40

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘It seems like I’ve changed a bit after facing Leonard.’fe0d6851858833d0

Unlike Leonard, who quietly subdued his opponents with a sense of intimidation, Aydin only hurled sharp words, which didn’t feel threatening.8f196c00bbdefe8c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Besides, her plan 35eb300362 hadn’t even begun b1358b442f yet.f7b670c84f51334a

In fact, 45a8f6810c what deviated a792a6c795 from her 4573c314d8 expectations wasn’t 0bf07d5499 Aydin but 187a78b9e5 rather Leonard 0c0d304498 Estere, that a9aa99cfd0 man.82fc968c23579c26

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

To Russelin, this situation seemed like nothing more than Aydin’s desperate outburst.6b1a26f934b67c03

“We have no relationship. I met him for the first time at the palace banquet yesterday, and he only helped me because I said I was lost.”016031f7ca13e871

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Met him for the first time at the banquet and ended up alone together in secret? With that filthy magic still lingering on you?”2ff723e1c12feee8

…Magic.502abc7fefc4bb3d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Come to f3b51bc342 think of aafd7e80dc it, she 2ccd208123 had helped 65bbbc66fc suppress Leonard’s 693ecc1cff magic when 92c698b2e3 it raged.dc9232f92d9feafe

She had absorbed a powerful force then, no less than Aydin’s, leaving a strong trace behind.636cdd5d36f84c05

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘It didn’t a2dd9905ab hurt at 3758892414 all when 12cf6a98de I accepted 5caf77c50b Leonard’s magic….’89fe74728968cdb5

Russelin lost 10fdd266a1 herself in a706eb7b5c thought, forgetting d2c35143c7 momentarily that 236d2e6d77 she needed 351632a98f to respond a2eb05c073 to Aydin.a12db2157b0e31eb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

This only 82954ce6ca served to 3783e57b33 provoke Aydin cec06eba4f further.e5db3012512c5ca8

“Fine. If you’re not going to speak easily, then I have my own ideas.”9e9c397fe91fdcfa

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…What?”a520078687f806f7

Muttering something ominous, cfffb47032 Aydin threw Russelin 27be1f742a onto the bed c1702bd01a and swiftly turned 877dbd57b6 his back.52493312472d50d5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Just as she struggled 042fe52cf4 to hide her pained 9fa1e462e4 expression, she saw Lily 662d7a9ec6 standing behind Aydin, looking 51f80912d5 distraught over his rude 42475539f8 behavior.bc1061c9f1c80087

Lily shifted 3adf201604 anxiously, unable 699b823661 to hide ca5ca3993f her discomfort 532f0a0813 at Aydin’s 1cb68a6e89 behavior.6ce09e8b60c7aa60

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You, over there.”71064bc6d5ba0dda

“Y-yes?”750bf9cc2e585ec9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Prepare Russelin immediately.”d99e6950e8b3da06

At Aydin’s cryptic order, Russelin struggled to her feet and stood in front of him.961ca275048d2c31

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was 571b27cdcd no coincidence c577112a50 that her 2eb1500e67 small figure 46def90bc7 shielded Lily.11425c33d40e9011

“Where are you going? Are we returning to the Bert estate?”830a78ec664eec63

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Why, do you want to go back?”0c052ee604784fcf

At his 349d6b3346 meaningful question, 15fe096fae Russelin found 711ed224dc herself instinctively 10ac01dcb2 freezing up.195eedee81c1be5d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Aydin, displeased by her 87d5942952 reaction, frowned and brushed 30432c8f8f past her coldly.722479be3dc53f44

“We’re going to meet the Emperor of Tristan.”5efe1942caa5552d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As protector of ced09eb61e Ragnar and his 4527aade89 priestess. Aydin declared this b01de05900 as if it 03a4559d98 were an announcement.0d3bccc071eaaab5

* * *9894897c6e35cefb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It didn’t take 115fef27de long for Russelin 16a78a5bcb to get dressed.1df0db80a2fdeeb9

After all, she knew she wasn’t the focus of this gathering.95e9957dbff9aad8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Even so, she remained 27e88a1017 tense, even as she 73b1940440 walked alongside Aydin.723d22448bb86099

“What are you doing?”2baa109be494595e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Apparently, her hesitation finally 5520751e8e tested Aydin’s patience.f48f3e8fb4f1563c

He roughly b930bbbfe2 pulled her 1a250abbcd closer, forcing 0d19c93bd7 her to 39075b0261 walk by 51a889cd1d his side.2fba433ae75a57eb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Stay close. I don’t want any bothersome rumors spreading.”91883b8594ce73f4

“…Rumors.”d4cebe37f9a969b4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Russelin unconsciously d5e8755f3c mulled over 46ddd482a6 Aydin’s words.8e346257105ec7e7

She felt as though she’d heard similar words before.21cbf3442be03191

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

His tone was eb38945163 harsh and unrefined, a9b8d32aa6 yet Leonard…why did 1a651e3563 he…c8040ecea07fa469

“Russelin?”eaf0118d658d81af

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Ah.”f28952165c8ec4af

Before her 68f2da9d46 precarious thoughts dfa95c906b could fully c10b5766dd settle, Aydin a309da2a68 called Russelin.1fdabdfd3b371305

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Only then did Russelin 9c852dd6cd pull herself together and 9aa0db96af focus on the present a4bc7ff3ae situation.61979fce2c3ea6ed

How could she let 090151d06b her mind wander in 16e389cdfe front of Aydin Bert 97cc3df280 of all people?ebce62770fcd551a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

When she f379a90db5 finally turned 1f34ca70f8 her gaze e0fe948800 to him, cc37d715d9 he, as 2ed53a053e expected, looked a72b7e75bd distinctly displeased.94077b9df3e80dc0

“What are you thinking about?”f8eb16576f3a3fd3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m just a little nervous.”f0c4ea7bfe719bc7

“About what?”c5192615381f92b1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Why His Majesty the Emperor called us….”a8cafde7a390ff7c

Russelin thought she had 0c7ea03b26 come up with a 0936f699fe decent excuse, but Aydin 7950a5c61a only furrowed his brow bde204b764 further.1a119f5a765bffd8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“He intends to gather those blessed by Ragnar in one place. It seems he had plans for that at yesterday’s banquet.”b32f154089ffe272

“The banquet….”facde686de23a179

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Only now did 3f4b69b8d4 Russelin realize that f0359c2f67 she had no 20d41cb065 idea how the 695982b86c banquet had ended 1a294aa0e3 yesterday.13001714a2c2893a

Yesterday, she dfa5b83d8d had been b91377ebb7 busy standing fe35d77bae up to b2ee49afcc Aydin and…df2ca615728e2cdc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘Do you 91763b3f7e know the c2e1568047 simplest way b7ed7dd590 to conceal 6071287c7a your thoughts?’05ae661a2f322c7a

‘They call 3bf88ea4d3 it establishing b692be029d dominance. If you 6d58cddef0 avoid someone’s 8a40b6abc0 gaze first, 3fe889e6fa it reveals 7e109e6baa your own 342be4f869 weaknesses.’eb96213f9952a883

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Establishing dominance…9cfc2785e0e8ffb7

The sound of Leonard’s 64e9563da0 voice, which used to 035bce168a irritate her, now didn’t 6ec5e3cd2a bother her at all.15b30dc010d5bcff

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Just as Leonard had advised, she wouldn’t avoid eye contact.aa1968802b57d37c

Slowly, Russelin lifted her 4d36407c2a gaze and met Aydin’s 400c6953e4 eyes.158b246da15ab80a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

At that moment, e202c8b2cf Russelin’s eyes widened 98318cbe42 in surprise.e443f8cd26cf5fc4

 6b6afa469af9b94a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com