Chapter 101

Where did the casual attitude from earlier, calling me “that girl,” suddenly disappear to?a22558d0b8d1b980

In the meantime, he 02661a7a8d had adopted a rather d80bbe2173 polite demeanor toward me, c4a6a955d9 treating me with proper e07e6e259a courtesy.3cc2bb977958b597

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Th-That, why…?”093283bc379d14d0

I managed to ask, 1ab55e5e2b brushing away my startled d4a163316b heart.4b783bcf63a69b3c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You might not know, but I’m in charge of managing the duchy’s total budget. I thought it might 9a02553e2d be good for you 830b99bca9 to keep that in 78218123a9 mind.”7753a1a346b4e836

He responded with a50c00568e a friendly smile.09eee53683c2ef1d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Given his position, it b72532ed27 was a statement he e1182c19ff could reasonably make.a0f106a802eeb248

But why?a65c9f38ca9f715a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Why does my heart f025c353c2 feel so uneasy?91b76ef017e62c33

“Hmm…”49c9fdf6f5abd4dc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Pretending to think, I scrutinized 67ceec8d42 Logan from head to toe.561388074d40f630

I was looking for a099ada0dc any traces of purple 5d02a7f101 energy.a11068125b36bf11

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

However, whether it was just c5386244de my imagination or not, there d6b161f4a5 wasn’t a hint of any 2dc1da1265 unusual aura on Logan’s body.6edc17bf55c4454a

After finishing my examination, e8108dd0ce I answered him cheerfully, 30265765af as he looked at 16d4223e5a me with expectant eyes.c3e83256b49753da

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Hm… It’s a secret!”6748ef38c3f2d019

“Oh.”47b7f2c28bd1a041

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Logan’s face immediately twisted 5781d7cce5 in disappointment.215a91fda98832ff

“A secret. I see… That’s possible. Yes, I understand.”6fecac1046ed85c1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Quickly recovering his expression, he 72840f6d96 forced a smile and continued.d46bbbee8df5a1e8

“My lady. Just in case, fcf8a241ec let me say aa4cdf70a2 something.”4fa14b3a0a156930

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Hmm?”7a99098a0217858f

“I have no connection to those individuals.”76e51f4f42cbc897

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Who…?”8a14f445481662a1

“Emma Caston and Joliark Sven.”60f1a6fad7e211e6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As I blinked 5b4a77dbb9 at him in db8af190d7 silence, he hurriedly e5062db041 added.da14c731f94fda4c

“Of course, I admit I have a poor eye for people… but I’m telling you this because it’s unjust.”12264bbee8a34b10

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh? The duke didn’t say anything 9080e67293 about it, haha.”e38471ad4847118f

“I-Is that so?”e633afa6110c2047

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

When I responded casually, a faf2c1f687 flicker of unease passed through 86a9284289 his eyes.7b594d3419ff0ca3

He must have assumed 396aa2dedc the duke had told 5cf7b47b5b me about their recommendations.460e657084a3fa32

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But there was 91df3261c5 no reason to eba2b7fb25 speak plainly to 4ec5723118 someone behaving so 57cea711b6 secretively.abac40572dc3cc13

“I just wanted to clarify that. Now, if you’ll 54ba3952fe excuse me, I 4fcd5a441b have urgent matters a0e5f9524a to attend to.”510f1ff117461574

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Perhaps realizing he wouldn’t 0cf355b3e0 get any information from 097f8e9835 me, he bowed slightly 616061be05 and turned to leave.29406cca6bf21ebf

“Logan.”5531b11e591481e4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I called softly to dde9deca19 his back.096aff293326ff44

“The goddess sees everything.”841e14be5816fca6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Logan froze for a 1d34cdc3c9 moment, his shoulders stiffening 7efa4bdc97 as he turned to 2954eda2d9 look at me.b465401b91648c1c

With a rigid expression, he 971a11e03b belatedly responded to my words.0af656c1fc0fb8b7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What… do you mean by that?”d1cc27feaf0bbd8d

What do I mean? I was just testing him.3db6f2e01b072292

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Just that! Haha!”ef98918e3c51af31

“…”7a0904fc1bd34b3e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

When I laughed like bc8b5659b1 it was nothing, he abc756072f glanced at me with f2d4644af8 a strange look before 6a8a3ea480 turning away again.8c395f6a3ef3ae32

As soon as he 8e4279cc8a did, I erased the bda7ade5cf silly smile I had 282f532563 been wearing and stared 85cad5f7b0 coldly at the back 89a0288cc3 of his head.44915ce343d34cb2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Unlike that fool Dunkeskey, 03e2564731 I noticed a faint 370b57b66f trace of purple shimmering 0f6a33ade7 from the crown of 25de0d9394 his head before it 99eb89f639 vanished completely.ae1f4ff97de6f4a9

I whispered softly.ad2ca8dd911970cf

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Found you.”3bf737c30d03a2ea

The temple’s spy.a7bae2879e86aa66

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I had only put 03b51c3066 it off temporarily because e7827438b6 of my volunteer work, a438987183 but I had never afa2f28db4 forgotten.93e38aa71f0616c8

There was a 2f33e6c0dc spy in the ffd105940f duke’s household, colluding 4c191d66f4 with the temple.a6f68574a01b6bc2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What’s this about collapsing while bleeding from the nose?”064f754a71d0ddb7

“I heard you couldn’t even heal the scars on your knees… Tsk.”e129539871dcbf95

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The first time I cf69049485 came to the duke’s 966001e030 residence and healed Joshua.57b555a22a7e85b0

Dunkeskey had detailed knowledge b6e789b1f7 of everything that happened 5e52a34cba in the duchy.b743344bb58e65f4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was information he 9d20446eec couldn’t have known unless 4dfc5a80ef someone had informed him.e34be593ca1dc362

That’s why I suspected 8189baaffc one of the people 0014471c4a present at the time 0b76221348 to be the temple’s 3337c990b0 spy.3c5e50a978d8c39a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

However, narrowing it down wasn’t 2a11269513 easy.3c1884e6b515fa0a

Aside from the duke’s 50cf7360bf family, there were the 5309cec574 butler, Emma, Logan, Grandpa 6cc1197483 Gordon’s assistants, and a 208117dac6 few maids.58ea1ae4787ca9cc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Quite a number 3562c744cb of people were f907ce59d9 in attendance.0e8c0fa0443ba213

The only way 3c99f53d98 to uncover the d29d6df03a culprit was through a234b0eec2 a process of d7f81be053 elimination, no matter cfbba5c76b how long it c0c868bcbc took.eb354c344c1a4441

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

But as soon as I 669f3d30e2 arrived at the duke’s estate, 61a0322f1d there was the incident with e8277bfa90 Emma and that Swell scoundrel, df05b6128c among others. My days became chaotic.c71e49fd369029c7

On top of that, b5d92dcc2e with Dunkeskey, the main f42ca9274a source of the temple’s 269f24917a evil, falling from power, 2fcc5cac59 I had let my 5b43d2749f guard down slightly.62c6f9cec30fdba8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But now…804b5c11494d37c9

‘…To think he’d be this close to the duke.’8a0431d6cd514dd6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

While I stared ffbef1252d at the direction f0b5a2635c Logan had disappeared 14126ac1fb into with narrowed 772b4438cc eyes,15ad7c95daa252be

Thud, thud, thud.9fce7c7d47025b00

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Suddenly, the sound c44b9aee8e of something being 78a72ab97d dragged came from 08d60ae055 behind me, accompanied 9061834a62 by a sweet 6d463541ef aroma wafting through e446abbbac the air.fd70c80ce20e6202

When I turned, I saw e0f3564efd the butler approaching, pushing a cf0dba7ceb tray.5b7a88c21e6c1b49

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Lady Belze.”f1a782476d690b3f

Upon spotting me, he 615360f469 stopped, looking startled.bf7c168390292e7c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Are you done talking already?”f2459161ec4c5ccd

“Mhm!”3c877d5f39494889

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Oh no. I told them to hurry, but…”bf0cac435b6dd4f1

The butler glanced down at a60682d524 the tray with a somewhat 77588a6f55 regretful expression.90f007ae78b05bb1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I caught a glimpse dae060b586 of an elegant tea 84ff51ab55 set and a large d97f9d2848 cover.645f8a2facb1763e

When I hopped up and 277701127d down to get a better 448ffa0676 look, the butler removed the f2e372a746 cover and held it at f96c95fb1f my eye level.f7cf7e829752fd79

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Wow… What’s all this?”faf57daa3d369b21

There were cookies in various 5b092f9541 animal shapes, colorful macarons, and ccabf02c13 charming finger foods.fe82f058db47cc11

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seeing the beautifully 46b82c49ee arranged spread, my 43d4db7e80 eyes widened.9738b5af96976126

The butler, noticing my reaction, 2338d53904 straightened his posture with a 84dbbcbf9d confident smile.540981c741f0825e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It seems the chef decided to put some effort into it for a change.”3b6f145a4b64e951

“You could’ve just brought anything…”74c40d5c5e2f14a6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“There’s no way I could do that for something you’ll be eating, my lady.”e2f1623e14bd4649

His reply sent a wave 182770b44e of emotion rushing over me.e5f9ccf7adf0a4f1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘So that’s why it took so long. I thought he stayed away a56067c5ea on purpose to let us 1dbf9dc8c9 talk in peace because it 8b80771657 was taking forever.’be7009d359020639

It seemed the delay f254fd05d6 was because of the a6595ae617 care put into preparing bbb3a0dfad this.1c3477db7a977b22

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘The butler is definitely not the spy.’bc4a8f784a3de83d

I completely removed the butler f74d23adc6 from my list of suspects.65308518cf849a38

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

A temple spy ddc73d11c4 would never go 2b4f5646f6 to such lengths 2522035c24 to thoughtfully and 4f77499d59 warmly care for a8ec3efb49 me.73d9f35e730d25a6

Unlike Logan, who barely greeted 24d444d9d3 me before disappearing moments ago.92b0632b4e38c23d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“This one was a special request from me. I noticed you’ve been 0d879bc061 fond of teddy bears 196ede8e31 recently.”f95d7014cf20fdca

The butler pointed to 3e0817b1a1 one of the animal-shaped 6613c62d00 cookies.5706177144163e04

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was a bear holding cc5b034f78 an almond in its arms.c2ca4d9de4148a19

“Wow! It’s so cute! Thank you, butler!”29372564f48c3d1a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The little bear cookie e85a2cb46f was too adorable and 80c5a28b45 cute to be called e55a170c1d Gomgomdori, but I squealed 102efe7174 in delight and quickly c921e8e7ae grabbed it.ad4a02188b4c967c

Crunch.d4af9208b6276dea

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

When I bit 8489ad06ef into the head, 45b247b000 a nutty and ce65a924ff sweet flavor immediately d797dc4beb spread through my e76201a8b2 mouth.de91719e1019fb65

“Mmm~ It’s delicious! Did you go somewhere fancy 5b394e7cc7 to get these?”c9238292b185fb58

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seeing how happy I 2980c69e54 was, the butler smiled b0507e7beb warmly and said, “Unfortunately, 87a5def369 it seems the conversation cc874ff05d between you two ended 14ad5c63a8 earlier than expected. I’ll just discard the rest.”6423d3ded1e5f5ec

“Huh? W-Why throw them away? Leave them! I’ll eat them all!”6291753182e3bd2a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“But you’ll be having lunch soon, and these are too sweet and too many. I can’t allow it.”6dcaebd601306515

The butler shook his head 1bd32c2061 firmly.fab369a90970613f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘Why make them in the first place, then? Were they just 1fb8a6da71 for display or 2f2384ad38 something?’f0f28026f1f49173

I stared at the plate 24cd1b9b5f piled high with desserts, an 37c19f1ae9 incredulous expression on my face. Then, a great idea suddenly 91edfa4ebb popped into my head.55ee3d14fa4c5eff

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I have an idea! Don’t throw them 79bfa17013 away—make a few 31f4f02748 more and wrap 495950bf4e them up nicely a827059de6 for me!”0d612de93309e3d6

“What? What are you…?”9e054553dc22832a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Before the confused butler could e3ac287d55 finish, I shouted, “I’m going f882e681bc to meet some friends!”a44e1401034de01f

There’s no time like 1b45dea8dc the present.dca9bbb74b718c1b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I’ll head to the d14555c7d3 temple today.2ed32154b5691e06

* * *859d5444221f9cfe

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Miss, as you requested, all the desserts have been wrapped up.”8f71a42dc8c78d36

After finishing my lunch, 7703878cfb the butler came to b8851a7b34 my room to inform fb212a9937 me that preparations for c623d0e652 my visit to the b81f17e84a temple were complete.0c4905e5d4b1bc9c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Mhm! Thank you, butler!”28ef122e16fcae1e

“And this,” he added, handing me something.aa40aaf927cd9159

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

At a glance, 3bcd1258a5 it was a 691c5a9f73 luxurious box.b70d5ae34a071db0

“What’s this?”489af099b2738813

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“It’s the cravat you asked for some time ago.”1bdc3d5654ae59a8

The butler opened the 5ffe8687c2 lid, revealing a soft fa4f08357d white fabric intricately embroidered 19f47e36a5 with golden threads, neatly faf5e0a557 folded inside.8e0229beb7e45ce7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I had it custom-made at the most renowned salon in the capital,” the butler added with a proud expression.2e96df3de85d1646

“Ah… thank you, butler.”df7a0f42e594320d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I gave him e426d2299f an awkward smile.0ea5f451c07c5ba5

I thought he’d forgotten or decided to buy something pre-made, but… he actually went through with it.bc3c542b682e6844

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was a bit overwhelming, 170fe1d296 as I would’ve been fine 8294e347a8 with an off-the-shelf item.66580dce2f363ea6

“But who will you be giving this to?”7c9d53f5a99718ff

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The butler’s eyes e1ee2e0e5c sparkled as he 53affe9e40 suddenly asked.cadbd080b87860d2

“The duke? Or the young master?”74bcd6984396df24

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Nope. The crown prince!”9efa7a6cbc4d4d06

“To His Highness, the Crown Prince?”f54e2bc1fdb96caa

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The butler’s pleased e9d9f1a56e smile faltered, cracking 82af6f6c70 visibly at my c9d263354a response.cea0da852748a179

“Wh-Why, may I ask?”35def4f0281862a1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Um, just as a token of our friendship…”13e6a2bbeeccdfc8

Since I couldn’t tell him 986fe0e586 I was simply returning something f741d16bb8 that belonged to the prince, 490d47e40b I made up an excuse. The truth was, the 5c2c8ba64a cravat I had picked 0a51e28f2b up that day belonged 5c70a8dcb0 to the nosebleed-prone prince.276e9221ad90c565

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“The duke will be quite disappointed, I’m sure…”8e4090b73e1cd5a0

The butler murmured 45cd0e5242 with a slightly e46ec62ba9 gloomy expression, catching 27a862869c me off guard.128c943a8126bcd5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Wait, does the duke know?!”9f145545025089b4

“Of course. He even instructed us to 8368f6a8e1 clear away all his old 2d3d56ecca cravats.”c813be967f79425e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What?!”61a7e5db35831547

I was dumbfounded.a33e0697bbb60ebb

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It was just 10b3bdc0f2 a single cravat! Why did he have to 4663157620 clear away all the others 32fc5f4ba6 too?f63a87b558e80fc3

This won’t do. I need to find 2e95aa0fee time to buy a af291f8a5b gift for the duke d0c91d1d5b as well.dd7968fbc6fedb78

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Panicking, I hastily blurted, “Th-That… I’ll get the duke something much better and more expensive!”e74e80b74bad43f4

“Oh, is that so?”0066c90094409b33

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Mhm! There’s no way I’d give the duke just a scrap of fabric like this! This one’s just… meh. I’m giving it to the prince because I happened to think of it!”9460d7ed2987a99c

“Well… cravats are a fairly modest gift,” the butler admitted, his face brightening again at my explanation.7e346011134df0bb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“In that case, when you’re ready to prepare a gift for the duke, leave it to me. I, Anderson, will do my dde8dcbf50 utmost to procure the finest 0f97a8fa1b present possible!”afaa813cfbe637b0

“Mhm… but keep it a secret until then, okay?”530eb5ce6e545a34

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Understood!”00a7054d2cadcd57

Relieved, I handed ac3f11eebf him the letter 75e7b2b3d8 I had prepared 77bc104fa2 in advance.b727a3c1cfbbe584

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Then, please deliver this to the crown prince along with the gift!”ad35b203f4910332

“Of course. I’ll make sure it reaches 235b3b5c97 His Highness at the Crown 37044dbca6 Prince’s Palace swiftly and discreetly.”99c150172fa8c8de

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Mhm! I’m counting on you!”8276649950eb7d20

The butler bowed and was 53c4c21647 about to leave the room c26bbeb1d1 when something occurred to me.31b8d40adef629d3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, wait! Butler, I have a question.”64647223ba3ab6a9

“What is it, Miss?”49565142be11499a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Well, when did Logan start working with the duke?”22c59886593bb27f

“Logan? Hmm…”07e025a1328722bf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The butler pondered 71450e0487 for a moment 88de4b48b2 before answering calmly.b2a4445fbe288989

“It’s been a little over five years.”76820e6363e38a57

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Five years?”edf25cdd1a0d607d

“Yes. I remember it clearly because 3bab6c494e his mentor, Jester, passed away b872a61c72 suddenly, and Logan had to c6df49aa8b step in and handle the da8aad41dc duties on short notice. It was quite a dfb99c7d8c challenge for him.”e1a07124cd95858f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The butler’s expression 39303e92b4 darkened briefly, likely 9f448cb602 because the story 66f2e2cc61 involved a death.153da0e732bdefbf

“Now that I think of it… Logan is also an orphan, like you, Miss.”dbac058797dfb1b6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He added this as if 151491fee8 it had just crossed his 54ff5940c2 mind.2e842a867974aed8

His words made my eyes f8e53111d2 widen.c02636a187843e30

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Logan… is an orphan?”fc5e297b74520516