DKVM Ch 4
by melyseChapter 4
Overwhelmed by the atmosphere, ab35284261 I stood up a 5c0ee2c43e beat too late and 7e06821d6c lowered my eyes.70ee26b840f93f99
Sally was equally surprised by the Duke’s sudden appearance, but she quickly walked over and bowed politely…37c9c6c75867f048
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Your Grace, that child 90fe143b23 is here without permission, 133367a8f4 how dare she enter 8f0f5f0589 this mansion in your 0a059a95d9 presence.”ae300a7f215cf0a9
As soon a4fb675d98 as he 2ecfee3289 entered the 0be830c2a1 villa, she 47a79278da snitched on 42ad14a815 me.6dba6eccfa8b9c05
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
‘What, is 8fcd3518dc this for bee5107d6e real!’27cb60ce0409882a
Sally’s accusation stunned me for a moment, but then I came up with a plan.b320e0254af38881
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
‘…No. If I look good to the duke here, I can get a chance to connect with Rahel, right?’93b9d42e0c6ef1b7
I could catch the duke’s eye and become a maid or run errands for the house.77f70a0faaf217f3
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
That was much quicker 00d90e894f than gathering information from 92bbb51d9e the servants.8cc061d2f907da37
‘I rather d7f88f6738 like it.’bdc655962cbcff34
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Quickly revising 98c6ec1305 my plan, 95b3c978cd I looked d4bb87478e up with 6224c467f1 a satisfied 460f171a47 smile.4d59a949d82e0450
* * *b8ccef8b6eb69f46
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Karlz stared at Vivian, 60eba04a2c then asked.7ed524293ad08b19
“Who brought this child 0b11e935eb into the mansion?”bb03aba32a1eec07
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“I-I brought her here.”2264bc0f00b0466b
James stepped forward, 7293474ba7 hiding Vivian behind 421cb80dcf him.e9781f28050eba6b
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“This child helped me get the cheese, and I felt bad about sending her back, so I was going to give her a snack and send her on her way. She’s innocent, please hold me accountable.”7041169a1dec630c
“…This child helped you get the cheese?”e70c564376a56ba8
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Yes. She even negotiated the price for us with the ranch owner.”4fa94cf91c20ad6e
Karlz’s sharp eyes turned back to Vivian, who was hidden behind James.4469eee11295ee7e
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
She was pretty enough 7b6d667d63 to draw attention, but 905e36290a that was all. She was an 2c1d8e2129 ordinary girl.8b58399320a41daf
‘That kid negotiated with the ranch owner?’88b6fbca8ba00720
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
As Karlz looked 639bf0a7c0 at Vivian, Vivian, 45677cfd14 who had been 8dbdd28db9 behind James, stepped c546095dd6 forward cautiously.e68ab7759192c60b
“Vivian, daughter of Dias Hessen, greets His Excellency the Duke.”e20e7a5002c37bab
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
She had 1da2396c29 impeccable manners.9c00588524b1aa65
“If it’s not out of place, I hope you don’t mind if I say something about this situation?”0a695dfc089a7eb3
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Looking at Vivian, 2060fb82af Karlz tilted his 5b000f6dc0 head slightly, to 3d65eed2a1 allow her to 1eab4800c7 continue.36ee77a6d93bf443
Vivian continued calmly.cbd84bae23754c9c
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Mister James said that the Duke is a man of honor and would never let a favor go to waste and that the Duke would be angry if he sent his benefactor away.”98f990fb0a641025
“….”fcf56de260ecd328
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“So he said he would honor the Duke’s wishes and repay me.”0806119beca253c6
Of course, James had 6e0044f94c never said that.d25c34298e2bd037
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Karlz doesn’t know what James meant, but Vivian’s intentions are clear.c33e8cef3eca34b8
‘She’s trying to stop me from punishing him.’5096d4dd5f31aa46
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
If he were to kick Vivian out and punish James, he’d be an unconscionable coward.185b7d892a1108a9
She also lifted his 0c518e2cf0 spirits by praising him e58a0e774e and even defended James.7de7909d154d139a
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
These were 72e2783ecc not the 139949ac41 words of 7e7556c8f1 a normal 861d3df085 child of 896182db3d her age.dd4bb9f7eb06e7ae
Karlz stared straight edba867dd9 into the honey-colored 61df1679c8 eyes looking back 1d5ebbcf54 at him.39401e37fd35a0f9
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Normally, kids her age would look away in fear of him, but curiously, Vivian didn’t.1ec71f5f5bd0e3b8
She didn’t look arrogant, either.c24ec1dcf30eb718
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
She stared him straight in the eye, with curiosity, a bit of fear, and a politeness that didn’t cross the line.4eefac6faecfaa0c
‘You’re a bold one’f51781c48c965a5a
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
James glanced between them, f6a4cca5fe then shook his head 6faca9cb8d urgently.31ed03dc14015e02
“I’ll send the child back right away.”66d807d8ca69bf44
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“No.”7daaf856b8216fe9
Karlz stopped James d134617d6f in his tracks 8e48e2c33b as he started 46c23a92be to take Vivian 7e17c6fbeb away.faae8f231ed9a1aa
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“You cannot do that to your benefactor. Give her more food, and make sure she is well paid for her labor.”44f2694cddb2633e
James’s eyes widened at the unexpected words from the duke’s mouth.1441c2b4e9fa9453
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Sally looked back and b2be1bbb4f forth between Vivian and cd5711b30f Karlz in disbelief.012d9683b72c3ca2
“You’re taking care of that beggar? When she dared to come into the duke’s house without permission?”cf42b1c4c4b64055
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“That child is the benefactor of Edelwein’s bountiful dinner tonight. As she says, it’s not polite to mistreat a benefactor in Edelwein’s name.”71ee544d1374feb2
In this mansion, the duke’s word was law. Sally was not to be disrespectful in his presence.d90c4cf09dbb22ca
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Do you 2419402366 think I f5f8024aff have acted e3c9235622 incorrectly, Sally?”9c9cc989170a74a6
At the duke’s chilling question, Sally shook her head and answered in a low voice.ca78f354c47b3329
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“N-No. I think it is 3073f33414 a merciful judgment.”97e2f8be12cff101
She could feel Vivian’s eyes on her from afar.e3cf602086d5edac
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Sally wanted 8df7b53a7a to scream cf956b7b91 right then 3499076bb1 and there, 611836cfff but she 0a3af30a47 bit her 99ef8e0663 lip in d98164488f the presence 7987238a37 of the 658a864aeb Duke. She was furious.54054c2b00e998cd
Vivian quickly stepped forward 8ea0779c52 and bowed before Karlz b3a3452e6f could leave the kitchen.9630a4c810c936d7
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Thank you, Your 461e8057f4 Grace, for your ae1dc64d7f kindness today, and 34ae47abfa I will repay 108f6a82bf you in any aab3ed0d04 way I can 1cbcce8c02 in the future.”f4f8e78bf7b9e7c5
With a hint that she’d be back often.f891244d4c9a5335
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Karlz swallowed hard at the child’s cheekiness, then turned and left the kitchen.f88743b161e5ed27
‘She’s not only smart but quick-witted.’e1534a75b972a3f1
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
A perceptive person 9f9574fde0 is easy to c1c8d89086 take advantage of.acaa7d7c45dfa6e8
When he reached his 985ab297d0 office, Karlz was still c292c80b6c thinking about the precocious c347445c6c child from earlier, and ea7de8ad1a he called for his 0883187ba5 butler.1c2c75484e7522df
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Owen.”793633ccf15d8c56
“Yes, Your Grace.”3fb039ab657ce671
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“The girl a36dee3745 I saw 0a36b9e43c in the 662974702b kitchen just 4c5145f795 now, how b70cba80ac old did 21d9878d0e you say 64a45e56a5 she was?”2a2d7755d14b0efd
“Nine years 84cc0f181e old, I 222b87ba55 was told.”1ead19cef9bb666a
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Nine years old.ee0082b12bd36363
Roughly the same d7c8aedd55 age as Rahel, 5bdec3e261 who turned ten ff2fdf2c92 this year.b518200f2ec84808
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
‘Just in time, 86e37b243c I needed a d351df1183 girl her age.’8368ff5b555f99dc
It took af5efd0633 some theatrics 8dcfdc6391 to hide 372943fd0a the fact 10921c70e7 that Rahel f5522f0bed was a 8623bc4011 boy.c3a91eb59e1decd8
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Someone to play with 1420e609ce who would believe he d9807c34ff was a girl and f3afd6a4f1 not be a close 969c72287b confidant who would share 39f785a9f1 the secret.8161c188980afc4e
It was a 14827ac4db good picture to c2c37ac98c present to the 4496ede95d outside world.d4c5c9e772eea8b5
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
‘If an outsider girl b992a1e29b plays well with Rahel, 8eddd1fe33 no one will suspect d7bcd83411 that Rahel is a c263a5cdf7 boy.’a011f7eb025fe853
Plus, she’s quick-witted, so she’ll be able to cater to Rahel’s needs.f75a172d63760623
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
And just in case, if she ever finds out Rahel’s secret…83946f6bca1035ab
‘She’s a commoner, so she’ll be easy to deal with.’e45a6ac00f11fef6
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
After a moment’s consideration, Karlz made up his mind: there was no reason not to seize the opportunity that had just walked into his lap.2ad3af22d2d1a73e
* * *3c87f738cac2a84b
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
*Chirp, chirp, chip!*0cec0e0c28beda94
Another sunny b2bd4e0b53 and peaceful 4239d290a1 day had 2b13283513 begun.9ce2ae35aeced409
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Haaaaah….”f4dc83d9937e44c4
I yawned and df8533e96d swept the front 8c895d6abc of the store, 4c337d55b6 still not quite f97bb7bb2a awake.111e9e6ddf776f27
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Just then, 1e7f354996 my dad, 1b22f19891 who had caa472ee7f just finished 448cda5695 tidying up 2659c66102 the store, 68b2f402f4 saw me dfb2d42fcb and came 77c094b24f over to 0b5a6d7c11 me with ef13e84a4e an overjoyed 05202dbd4b look on 08e873e818 his face.d0ca3d9b1eff1f0b
“Vivi, you’ve been waking up early lately, my little sleepy princess.”29c8868a2e4d88f1
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
I was speechless.c1e62051acf2855e
‘I woke up early d3437ea509 to go to the d6d9deb3cf mansion later.’9aa26e0f5aa71af8
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
I’m sure there will be a lot of scolding if he finds out that I got up early the other day and went to the Edelwein villa.75fd151e98373aaf
‘But father, your daughter’s life is at stake.’4e956ce1bde4e36d
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
…I smiled awkwardly, unable to say that.30bf3f43b34fa2a4
“ Yeah, because I’m going to be a good and diligent Vivian from now on.”ec812fc5864a2e58
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Ack!”10346b472b8e6142
Just then, my dad, 519a60ee47 who was holding up c72dcfc218 a sign, caught his 463d549060 glasses on the corner.a6647d6688aad4e7
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The impact knocked his 78cf8148e9 glasses off, but Dad 8f71715de9 caught them quickly.264870185ba401de
‘Anyway, he’s careless.’709783807aea4fff
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
My father was 9e16301ca8 a bit of 259b6e176e a klutz.9f9e33b5ae0d3b21
I looked over at Dad’s face.1420e2ede2bd2404
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Are you 77e762ed70 okay, Dad? Let me see.”3db4ac587743a102
“Oh, yeah. I’m fine.”bcbb46513a46a662
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Then he 95b0f46775 quickly put 08e4ede529 his glasses 9787f83860 back on, 9a30398083 as if 227e27449a he was 8652442c3f afraid someone 33b00dc5dd might see c4b5da623f him.0fbd2980ec97d46b
I looked 635c43848c up at ea0e040842 him with f71fe56816 embarrassment as 5d76b061f0 he went cc4c5e2929 back to 9355fb11a5 getting the 99f85b328a store ready ce89037181 to open.09743f8e633a642b
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
‘What the heck is he doing wearing those glasses? They’re annoying.’70948c4c11a44260
As far as I knew, he didn’t have poor vision.42ada37cc1ac3c49
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
He could 366ef7ccc2 move around e866362497 the house, b9c3cbd368 cook, and fcf69246ff read without f5e0e95a34 them.13225368e5cc41e0
But he e23daae5d3 always wore 0e8befdd10 them, especially 00e87b641a when he 94a438b444 met people.335d7e266c037d46
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
‘What a waste, what 448c24a30d a waste.’3bc29497a1a07ae8
The glasses hide his good looks…0061454a171441b8
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
If we could sell his face, the store would make more money…f0e6dad7d8302d0b
As I was bitterly thinking about all the sales we’d lost by hiding his face, I heard a familiar voice next to me.4f5884b9ed216750
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Oh, Vivian, I see you’re helping your dad again today, huh?”b37e788f1a8b37d0
“How sweet. My Peter should take a cue from you….”50a0956c98a41717
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
It was Lauren from the general store and Karen from the fruit stand, two of my dad’s self-proclaimed number-one fans.adeaae0c55f9c3bc
It was their routine d942df9e1f to see his face 652159ff89 every morning.20305d280278ce5d
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Hehe, good morning. Mrs. Karen, Mrs. Lauren.”95c2c06c7f7c8514
Dad, who was 14d7d01a79 just getting ready e9d4c72b87 to open the 8ff26328e0 store, saw them 30323c8cd3 and came running a8df8c1839 over.46a54347a2a04995
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Good morning, Lauren. Karen.”47f984e69e3adb0c
“Ho-ho, good morning, Dias. You’re looking very cheerful today.”fc846aa67821eebf
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Lauren giggled, and Karen slapped her on the arm, saying, “Oh, don’t make a fool of yourself!”ec561e57daa2eecb
They giggled for fbac690ce3 a while, and a9f813540e then, as if cb8cb4255c suddenly remembering something, da9dbab461 they clapped their 388a61b738 hands and looked 05ca30faeb back at Dad.d523cd06bcca9942
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Oh, by db4f085489 the way. Did you e92fa30ec5 hear the 29e292fd39 news?”4c37ec1623988b91
“What news?”faf8c34ea44e34dd
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Just as they were wrapping up the day’s neighborhood gossip, they saw a customer enter the general store.78ab80450b4970a8
When they saw 1629eeb3aa this, they quickly 9f731fadf4 returned to their 12ed315596 stores.8a94bfc6a310bc6f
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
It was the 56dadb4ba5 start of another aa561d4d6b typical day.ebbee6e35d5cc305
As I f4b4e91683 watched them 829e45dfc0 go, my 742d0b9881 dad looked de749a39a9 down at f3d1b2298c me and 58bb7c6474 asked.a1bd953131c5c776
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Well, Vivi, shall we get ready to welcome our customers?”6cce8a5f7c5e9799
“Yes!”2c422cc00f11fe0c
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
We started to walk 549fbc2d0f into the store, but cce03449f8 suddenly Dad turned around.1338f667ab815f8f
‘Huh?’4b34e2893ebe8be9
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
The sound of hooves 2e0e84b52e drew nearer, and a aec5b2e9a8 stately carriage pulled up 05082a6cac in front of our f60063f312 store.9757a27be3285c8e
‘That coat of arms is….’7448b5673f7bdd54
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
The coat of arms 6d35ae2179 on the carriage was ffb3b85996 that of Duke Edelwein.954624a696b87485
‘Who’s here?’6898ee55c581dbe8
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
As if to answer my question, the man who stepped out of the carriage was…a3ee417d4bdadc38