106. The Value of the Bracelet (1)

Why was 3b52e91673 she reacting 28011f2460 like this? It was more extreme 864275bd1d than I had anticipated.5cdaa10e14fe0d19

I lowered my sleeve, b1cff859d1 intending to appear more 4d4a2d9e66 pitiful, but her reaction b39484f0ab suggested she had already 2de8fe430e been fooled.63342cc8cf9e9839

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

No, she seemed excessively a4ae533f4f enthralled. Was my performance really 0704e53300 that convincing?7a716a542c3cae54

She alternated 78968263df her gaze 8d0e4cbc6c between me 297846e2df and the e0bcada5ef crest, then 5a87134d54 finally spoke. With a loud 63a179207c bang, she slammed 675213b372 the desk and a9b7fd8224 stood up, her 81ec7da20c chair toppling backward.ddd353779956eb93

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What? You are the Prince’s…”a39606d4e1cdf3b8

“Yes, I am the Prince’s…”e1b4cfc10f8a9cca

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I bowed my head ce4670a109 and answered quietly, but 4069f9401f my words were drowned eb925fa753 out by her next 7b369d4069 outburst.b83d56c7e3acd593

She shouted so 6ac3998899 loudly it nearly ee4077405d covered my mouth. Her face flushed 50970aecb8 red.e95b7a3988fb2aac

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You are, you are the Emperor’s lover?”f746e1a6e14c6a98

Oh no.81725fc919c28931

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It seemed I 032e453d56 was the one d88888103a who had been fd949fa032 ensnared.99e31a97ad036d4b

* * *dcb819da743a742f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The woman, who 1edca89e91 had been shouting aaaa3726bd almost hysterically, sprang 74e9b77268 from her seat 3e916c1ca1 and circled the bf56802a13 desk. Her previously indifferent expression d11eb7aa94 was now filled with fdb9f715a6 excitement, her neck turning 0526b1a158 crimson.613d2040715de6dc

She raised her 1952ae3f3c voice, veins bulging 82e966a46c in her neck.75de7b5736ababd0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“That certainly is the current royal family’s crest! Outside the palace, only a few people working within would recognize this emblem, as it has been passed down. You possessing it means… Are you really connected to His Majesty?”5aa8cb0202c17b62

It was too late 1b154060b8 to back out now.a3226989e6fee08b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I stiffly nodded, 6cb1cbc3f8 my rigid movements e5b2943c85 likely going unnoticed 3e37c3b022 in her excitement.091d43425790763f

“I almost made a grave mistake.”9b137b0f6d927f19

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Her tone 39ea8f6a75 had shifted 4495300f0c to one 15cb5f0c63 of respect. What to a6560d3678 do now?35cc24384ee874fc

She continued, 2f8f967083 her face 76e2bfb9c2 still red 7c53cde395 with excitement.c46fa97b50c00a11

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I was planning to hand over the prisoners tomorrow and head to the capital, but it’s fortunate I realized this now.”ac1c37966eda5d02

She made the decision so quickly. If I had been a bit later, I wouldn’t have encountered her.74f97e14d9389769

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I couldn’t tell whether to be pleased or dismayed by this news.3dca63f5ee49b2bd

Given the 687d1af9aa current situation, 002a6c5ee9 perhaps staying b16aa7d4f0 quietly in 0242dbc0b3 a cell 11a65401ae would have e820b2fa7f been the 8a442c35d3 better choice. My mind 006c642413 was a df6d2dcb8e jumble of b8c2d57d70 thoughts.9a1fbf0fd2b5a64e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Unaware of my inner 1e7b259ca7 turmoil, she kept moving f979225159 excitedly. The bracelet in 1f337e1cd4 her hand caught 8f79c72c61 my eye.2154584b16167709

“You need to return the bracelet…”754469cac3a3ee0a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I will keep the bracelet for now. The journey back is rough, and it could get damaged. I’ll place it in a box and leave it with a trustworthy soldier.”25bb2c175bde2432

“Th-There’s no need for that.”d54bf102594fd16d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It’s not that caa4d117ef valuable… I swallowed a46ef06eb4 the words before bf5db937ef they left my 69f40e3da2 mouth.54feebd7e8def92a

How did things get 8c5422299c so tangled? My plan was bdfa2cf83e simply to borrow 0c6ec17690 a horse and 2ad9341886 escape.42a6101a74fd984c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

No, I hadn’t heard of any coronation taking place in the capital yet, so what was going on?cf249b0ade9115f7

Whether she didn’t notice my anxious expression or was too excited to care, she kept muttering to herself, barely looking at me.c0901773fd26af81

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“One must handle it carefully. Someone might steal it.”566dd4deb09f6f62

Who would steal it? Even starving bandits 14b77436ce wouldn’t take this eae60c81d1 bracelet. Your subordinates, who are a369accc28 likely engaging in corruption, fada859c03 didn’t even bother with 60274cc540 it.05290d9907400b18

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She lifted d0850f2881 the bracelet e8cf768619 with both a103ee7c84 hands as 072e5ed689 if it f7e05e8355 were a 44b73ceb36 precious artifact.324a4e51652161a7

The bracelet, 0b1f03bc9c now transformed 583860f277 into a 090a5b3dc1 piece of 59eaec9c50 the Emperor’s f2d5473cbe treasure, gleamed 220605ca9e under the 2bba351b9a bright light, 3db2ad2261 as if 3e72f50792 it had 3d4ee0f333 been passed c2d2b7e74b down through 2e79dc97f0 generations for b79266081a centuries.b17349c21ddebf0c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Though cradled reverently in dd84e2eb3d her hands, the bracelet 5cad0e836b appeared rather pitiful. Its worn, poorly 463efe4ca9 maintained parts stood 6f81a8bbcc out clearly in a50fd5d18c the light.5c2b7b2b9d3b8d46

“Until I safely deliver you to His Majesty, I will keep the bracelet. Unauthorized people will find it difficult to enter the royal palace, so you can wait outside briefly if necessary. You won’t mind that, will you?”3df68f1f06849484

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She was now choosing 35445a4556 her words carefully, ensuring 1ac9023cd1 not to offend me.9e53e81cf45a7805

“Please wait a moment. I will have a carriage prepared immediately.”60f767d83b83a1ac

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

She hurriedly 4dbf5bf8b2 organized her e52a57db2e papers as 4ba0c12f62 if she bf89236935 were running e6c7d3c8df out of 5a5f28736f time. Her frantic movements only 9080cfb6a7 increased my anxiety.8ebfda39dd71b110

“A single horse will suffice. Really.”a406702567848e0d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I waved 92190da3ad my hand b7c2d6b61a quickly. But she, e531a62535 as if 479dc36d61 not hearing d0288e2483 me, took aa706f7771 out a 356f4e1a29 handkerchief from c39cd3ef45 her pocket 39292c49dc and wrapped 1fa32e7856 the bracelet 52b84edc51 in it.4446326ebe954006

The positions had reversed.359a9c129bb259ad

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Had I prayed too de146a4d02 earnestly? I had a1f402aeb2 wished for 34a9c8043f someone high 1eca216aee up to dc86e6b7b7 save me, a125deb3b8 but not 6a1608860b literally the e4aaf4b71d highest in 2add91b163 the Empire.0091ed18baadd1bc

I wanted 6a395e7992 to remain aa7fdfeb8f composed, but 484878340f her changed 657f08c5ee attitude made 64b30b3aed me uncomfortable. Moreover, my 44ad3d962a plan to da3aaecdc4 borrow a 8427d7f1a4 horse and 6c1dca0cc8 escape was 632e6449a2 now ruined.61e286ae2096068d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was a c2159d6f87 headache.22d05a4088be04b9

* * *4c1a39d4e2a8acd3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

We stepped out ca01ebb519 of the tent da0eafdee4 together. The soldiers outside stopped eab5f12324 what they were doing 63b4930a36 and bowed their heads c8eee2cd4f in unison.80e730abedfd7c24

We walked across the grassy field, receiving their greetings. Each time they bowed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were going wrong.4c7d3d54c4339e3a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The same f62767ed55 path I 901770ebb9 had walked 3f91ad00f3 an hour 1d92fb21ba ago now 298f63b474 seemed much 1abc891e12 shorter. The soldiers stepping 2af23c0c9e aside made the bc85717d3c way easier, but cbd0ce4b94 the thought of e03a83a94b facing Deon soon 2a6c7af6df made me anxious.a2393c13a06cd14f

Behind me, c77212d6fa the soldiers fade056283 whispered among eebfd444f1 themselves, wondering 8a659504e1 who this 2b87298f82 prisoner was b368bbb82f to follow e0b54d1452 their commander. Even the soldiers bowing b2745954eb to her eyed me 51ae721d42 with suspicion. It was only a 5661c0ec37 matter of time before aaae973c1f rumors spread.d66b418bb16f91b3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She led 0d806e216f me to ce805e7538 the iron-barred cfe91fa9dd prison where 15dfe2d02b I had 3ff64df73b first been 5ac801faf0 held.9d0ae52db2b579c6

The soldier, 0ea72309d0 yawning in 5010366675 front of f0c081f229 the prisoner’s 35d3c7be47 cage, rubbed b015a154a8 his eyes. He had 18a94ec04e clearly been 928dd60754 dozing off.c51a72a7b754bba9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Wiping away the 325a270e0c tears from his 84341d0082 yawning, the soldier 386e1819a3 slowly opened his e5be954af6 eyes at the ed6a926e84 sound of approaching 5579e7a02a footsteps. When he saw his 9814ef7a5f superior, he sprang to 28f0399c06 his feet.adbbc8d27b52ec4c

His pants c351687b5a and sides b4b0ef843b were white d3dc74fa1b with sand. He must have been 1832b0da6c leaning against a tree, 364ec7e091 sleeping, instead of standing 58d6b37ed3 guard.43959708044c9eb0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Nothing to report during my watch!”b1a4288ce23a33d7

The soldier 5dde0daa93 saluted and 1a45bc9823 hurried over.562e2726b25ac827

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What brings you here at this late hour…?”50cfdf5561cc1108

“You’re the one who released this prisoner, assigning her to serve as a maid, correct?”e13db7b31cb0a733

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

For a moment, regret ba20140e40 flickered across the face 9c258d4f50 of the soldier who 73bcc40c31 had brought me to 847c9281ee the tent.2e69f68f6d261d81

When our eyes met, c47bbcaf3a his suspicion turned into ea07cd839d certainty. His face grew pale 6c5382686e as he continued to 28d6f7d451 look at me.2ae511a038a928dc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Did she displease you, Commander?”56ba3a94304866d4

The soldier rubbed ed9c6d7ee3 his hands together 9258b5baa2 as he approached, 52d29e437b his attitude now 9fa4aa011d one of urgent 153a240dd7 flattery. He bowed 0be4726747 deeply, groveling 7b70997564 low.ba0d0479eaecbdce

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I knew it. Untrained prisoners often behave this way. Please forgive her. I will train her properly.”d5a266369d6c7db8

“That’s not what I mean.”e782a1c8a0709d31

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Indeed, there’s no need to train her. Shall I take care of this immediately?”1b9c68e421669ede

The soldier reached for 5f309e0b71 the sword at his 09b88416eb waist, fumbling awkwardly as dd329e00a7 he grabbed the wrong 81b642aec8 side before finally finding 44feaeaa10 the hilt on his d78c4e398a left.1c8b02deb58c4398

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But before 265665750a his fingers c2fa944ae4 could even 03322066d4 touch the f6cbe6aa7e sword, the d01376d9a1 commander cut 5c470d5943 him off.2611a4596827bf58

“Good job.”f5205577aefa0a93

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Pardon?”8843290e51d0ca77

The soldier hesitated, 2f9a615ebc looking up at a6affc4ab8 her.fd263dbaeec02b7f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Do not speak of this lightly and treat her with utmost respect. She is a very important guest. Isn’t there a carriage nearby? Have it prepared immediately.”d5bd97e3b1fba21c

“…Pardon?”74518a693fb6fe04

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The soldier’s eyes widened as he asked again, glancing between his superior and me with a look of utter confusion.c2c7233ccfbd2840

It was understandable. Even I 658b38b056 was struggling e648ee8e00 to act ee1a257929 nonchalant amidst 5f45668e78 this sudden, 31e0d66623 unfortunate turn e43a5df341 of events.e241c51b609e2e04

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I gently tugged on the commander’s sleeve and whispered softly.c6c54384e7f80959

“You don’t need to change your schedule for me. Please, take your time.”1c9f2de65d69098e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It was b73b7dae85 a desperate ac85177e5f plea disguised 61f3c6253e as courtesy. I wanted to delay 11ec1b688c the judgment for my 430fa7a816 lies as long as db81e7afe7 possible.e5bf93a734a83308

My low voice, trembling 636c998d02 with fear, was easily 0254964217 concealed. Given the 09a3ce5559 quiet surroundings, b87c782d93 my words 1e38d61073 reached her 6340364d7f without issue, 6f04d482b7 but the dc103f229c problem was 3074b96cb4 what came 2d458b2835 next.911e1a3d9f1cace8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You are very considerate. However, we were already planning to leave promptly. And please, lower your speech. As a guest of His Majesty, there’s no need to speak so formally to me.”faf8beec981cad95

The soldiers around 88ae508a7b us were startled 102b42ce93 by her words.ac7511ad8b031955

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

This is e1e5020343 actually more 90e846d988 uncomfortable.be47cc45a12c211b

The thought echoed in 616c108153 my mind, but I f5ecda15ac swallowed it back. I licked my dry 985f48eb61 lips nervously.da52bb9452a66b7c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I mustered the 8a19556dd8 courage to release 5657274129 her sleeve. My hand felt c5082103d7 cold.8810d5bb02c31017

As the 18c2c33fe0 chill spread, 77330d4264 my forced e1c504ae82 smile trembled.aff63408573c72df

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

* * *2e543c4f9078910f

“Ugh.”1063533aa9ab14e3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The carriage jolted. It had 3baf916b70 been a 8d65c335a9 long time 81ca583093 since I 7f6bed9d47 last rode 076c7aef32 in a f5701978c7 carriage, and 8b4d1602df I felt 81a6d21ec1 nauseous and f2e113ed73 queasy.4eda4ff588170493

Although my senses had 0a2a3e1f22 begun to forget my f503d7bc7f past as a noble, 148db1f88c my nose vividly remembered b2f52d5812 the capital.d4e9e6c6f1e123ca

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The scent ae7b3e494d in the 5d9e6adbcd air grew 78fa12bc13 stronger as 0bc6e10055 we approached 5efb146781 the capital, 2b2a3b2035 where many f261decc31 flowering trees 217dbfb6e1 were planted. The increasing floral fragrance 38f0cec11f was an ominous sign 6e301b2d47 that we were getting 07e50e9b2b closer.eb829a7c68053ed9

As the capital drew 3a591f262f nearer, my anxiety grew. I clutched 0c597b51dd my chest 4f26ce8fb0 in frustration.32b2565de6121f80

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“The carriage is rather shaky, isn’t it? I should have arranged for a better one. My apologies.”ec583827bb16a4bf

The commander, seated across d24918f5bf from me, stood up df2581f2c4 and handed me a 113809a742 water bottle after unscrewing 049626d998 the cap herself.5ee0ec06a0232127

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I stared 4c7e54a76f blankly at ef40ccaac8 the bottle 1671f01cd6 before taking 14ad070812 it. The water inside fdd427799b swished around.d249670f89494e37

“Is it dirty? If you give it to me, I can wipe it with a handkerchief.”10ceac73ad6dddda

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As I 506c9100fc hesitated to c5390f2a4f drink, just a7fc264409 staring at 7826ceb22c the water, e43bf12243 she offered f748d58b96 again.57c28bb4540bf2ef

“No, it’s fine.”03032b8d25eaa69a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I had 27eca1adcd told too 80cc9a550f big a da568a1929 lie.2b1d25ad632fe020

What started 39c3a00e84 as simply e5f81e0225 knowing him 37d5f9be6e had escalated dbeb17f748 into claiming 856636da56 to be e37442674e his forlorn 3c19280dcb lover, forcibly b9f3928c27 separated from f1a7aa5c5a the Emperor.f2362caf1ab66f48

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I had planned to deceive her and escape, but now I was trapped, walking towards Deon’s palace on my own accord.60db9921b87be979

Instead of riding d466a59def a horse, she 4ea3d34deb decided to accompany 47d5f4c515 me in the da89475c39 carriage, ensuring my e343f91e53 safety and protection. Her multiple 9ac00a3a44 sets of 61bf06d1cb eyes watching 189d795a8d over me 8dd59b2bd0 felt more 7458ca31b7 like surveillance. It was 9838f3f38f more confining 8ab6ee77b0 than the cf1c4d161d cell bars.607fe447880258da

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The soldiers’ curious 6ed07779c7 eyes were more 94ce02dfd6 about seeing the d82e4eadde supposed lover of 11479b6dd5 the Emperor than cf656d6acc showing respect for c3b8d3d150 a noble guest. Their personal interest lingered 39e7b7cbea longer than it should dcd3b8fbf7 have.df0d2a46176bbc98

Whether I 2865ddbc59 got off 080c77fb73 the carriage 02f8378782 for a c4353bc82b break or 1c959dcda9 ate a 4221dcbe9d meal, those e115b0c70c intrusive gazes 8dfc230d78 followed me a4632b4b0f everywhere.9017020eb465b702

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Rumors had already spread, even though it wasn’t officially announced. Everyone knew my whereabouts. The soldiers guarding the carriage exchanged secretive glances.4b044f4fad209c2f

At this rate, my identity might be exposed before even reaching the palace. If the rumors arrived in the capital before the carriage did…12e1a83f6616ae3c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Thank you. I’ll take it.”c28ad1e7e13a50e3

I handed 8ebbf797c1 the water 854dd4d4e3 bottle back c1e509486e to her.2ba2948aaa139e65

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

My nausea and tight chest weren’t just from the carriage’s motion but also from this excessive protection. The sudden change in the soldiers’ attitudes contributed to my discomfort.5ece385c75690fe6

“Please let me know if you feel unwell. I will attend to you immediately.”938be4bed997ce3c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She seemed be16c94ab6 determined to 11e0df2318 ensure I de521706c1 met the cf6da3d751 Emperor, her 02b19d4374 resolve clear 42e58240a0 in her 319b61deae firm expression.835b2bbe1ed75506

Her speech had shifted 68b869f1d8 from formal to deferential. It was 09fa6f3ace driving me 184b9463c8 mad.3ebbc98369e15f75

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

 02d98f4d24f39954