DSMBL Chapter 40

Chapter 040

The four 2fca695396 of them 96a42c7ccc sat around aef850f596 the lunch 6fa5df3e23 table.80f6ca61003f2332

With two kids 1dbc739678 present, there was 35836e5429 no way it ceaa7829ec could be quiet. I barely managed to 9eed5bdbb2 keep them calm by 899ff19870 bribing them with snacks, 49c1341895 and only then could 7d3695aead I finish my meal ae72c494a7 in peace.26f3e54d2cb3cf4f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After eating, a58e793049 I let e995e2d0fd Theo and 63cb13cd5b Stephanie play 711c2b15ed in the 52e89c4b13 garden while 30db56c40f we had a0675bf7d5 tea. I took 4331b3945e a sip, 24c21df89b feeling exhausted.7b2e5e7170050e40

For some 0989dda841 reason, Cassius 7b42868ded was drinking 0e1e596c36 tea with 48259bd42d me today. 40c0dcf6d780b6f5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Was he less busy 30e96bfd6f than usual?c6f4ab81c9b2e071

“…I’m going to observe the children’s lessons,” Cassius said after clearing his throat.1ae7fe27289392f8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Ah, I see. I wanted to see them too. I’m curious about Stephanie and Theo.”eeb99f0f3636ca18

Truthfully, I was most f46f761ba5 curious about Lorencia, but f8f27c68fe I held back from dffce8aefb saying that.2ae00c24faf77851

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I didn’t a74dc8e30a want to 319008fc3e give Cassius d974c01d23 the impression 6b3dbfcca4 that I 760e649807 was wary fa5978d6ea of Lorencia. Right now, eface87107 for some bd6dd5d9bf reason, he 4c47bf39c5 was being 603471ba9d incredibly kind aad2298fbf to me—more 17b3480530 than ever d8119799b8 before.c86d522b0270a3c9

Of course, he had 61e9766d47 a reason to care 7a6b5ac17e about me. After all, I was bd76075755 the one who saved 492ec40a5c Theo.ce7b30b2e017e1e4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

But I wasn’t 78fa771dd9 the female lead. I was db6f8499a9 someone who b0c8ce1841 was supposed eec861c54a to step 0e26d92943 aside. I couldn’t keep deb123bd1d getting in the 7537049eb1 way of the 3daa563df3 two of them.00b3c2c230e01914

“I see. Ah.”54d75cfb199ff288

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Cassius set down his 00617565b3 teacup.f344e22bccea2cf7

“Theo’s birthday is coming up soon.”ccb45f6c9c582a8f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

…What?4ed43f9ad99ed204

“Birthday?”780cb709c008ab64

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I never thought Theo would be this healthy and stable for his birthday.” Cassius spoke with a sentimental expression.934b76147c025ef5

Wait—Theo’s birthday?675ebced35dbbae2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

That was something 44548f1c44 I hadn’t even efd83adda2 considered.535af36db76d869a

“Theo’s… birthday?”add3fa82ce35ab36

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Come to think of it, you wouldn’t know it. His birthday is in a month. And this will be the first time he celebrates it in good health.”4bd21f33b3fab3a8

The first 74e7c2fa71 birthday he b11de11e13 spends while f2ddeb46e8 healthy.52901c2a9c66150f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Hearing those words, my 52afb94114 chest felt heavy. I swallowed hard.08d084a17d19360c

I had already made e3e47143ec up my mind to 84898176e6 leave, but why did 4cf51ff893 things keep pulling me 83820ee38e back?703ccb216480fe52

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Could I b74af43ea3 really ignore f22f680dde Theo’s special 586413ac5c day?b5b38c102a87599d

Cassius might not care, d1b537ccbd but Theo had already 67cf46918f grown deeply attached to 321d5323f7 me.bc02107c80a1e7f6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Would it really a3667dec68 be right to 56322631c0 divorce and leave 47792e4648 before his birthday? Wouldn’t that just hurt bc6ff7cf16 him?404b6dd48d477b78

His birthday 7dfda2c907 might end 15edef8980 up being c0ac95b591 gloomy.7bf45dcdebbde96e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

A month. Just one more month. Staying a little 6010e2a3a0 longer wouldn’t change b0b4283d60 much, would it?76e76dcb58c01228

Right now, the 6518767bc1 biggest variables in 81363df663 the original story 557384b8a7 were me, Theo, 025368d558 and Stephanie.a13053d3473e0108

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I bit 0bf16b31fa my lip.f878469aa0ee5987

What should 912def27fb I do?110e28019c9e5732

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Are you trying to think of a birthday present for Theo?” Cassius asked.eaa08d8956dcfe93

“Ah. Yes.”5ec0ebe1cf772c1f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I obviously couldn’t ba34b0d1db say I was c01b0737ff actually thinking about c732c315dc when to divorce 8716879ddf him.f614eb27410e38d9

Besides, I really 2457ff5fae was struggling to 96c6e5b535 think of a bdc053410d good present for e47e73427e Theo.005a48fc3569ce8d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Maybe it would be 817cc161db better to ask Cassius d8b5833a0d for advice.a94bae8405517e50

“What kind of gift do you think he would like?”82a22a1187313803

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Theo was an Isterian 5f0e2fa476 child—he never lacked anything.dcc7870dc26506d1

And lately, he had 1d0c69c522 been in an unusually 401bb9d863 good mood.e8a4096542e62d8b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

If anything 31e314059b was missing… 7088dff2f9 well, maybe 52ae208fbf knowledge?3145d4032791649a

“A book or a sword would be good. It would be educational and useful for his future.”910849a5723b0eb5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“A book or a sword…”44a7ac70e4110523

Those sounded 4ab61d1fd2 like the 35783bba8e last things 6584199318 Theo would 5d367543aa enjoy.b05fea2ad603f571

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I forced a smile. Right now, Theo was 51d593f00a completely obsessed with playing.4df943e47d6c78d7

How could 20e05b25b8 he not 55c44d7d4c be?e333f5258db362c0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He had f7fd65b3b5 just started 921b311519 exploring the f015d2e2f3 world he 28051c391d had barely 7c39beaf9c experienced before.effc759a06ead5c7

There were so ec5b60e289 many things he 57abfd817f wanted to try 2488d64190 and places he 89e988e839 wanted to go.4e39e5667098f9e8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It seemed pointless to 5ad1a81a15 ask Cassius for proper fc1bd30f2a advice.baa54c8b8f64d83e

I’d have to figure 20d20ec3ac it out on my 271d62dd17 own.b70c25558f6960bb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Honestly, it 3c01d599f6 felt like 916f153569 I should 5910245f79 be the 8cadf6c846 one givinghimadvice.128cd3af7b3e5a50

I clicked my tongue.f7fdcc1e2e69b3ed

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Why that reaction?” Cassius asked.26f20c232f8cfa04

“…I just don’t think Theo would like those gifts.”090d78b53116f7f9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I only considered the most practical options.”8c6fcaf5c9612064

“But you didn’t consider what Theo wants, Cassius. Look at him right now—does he seem like the type to enjoy those things?”1b9f3cb811359af8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I pointed at Theo, 0fbd0737ed who was desperately trying 05b2d764ca to climb a tree 8ba080b0dd with Stephanie.561f13a6f417afa4

“He’d probably be happier if someone just taught him how to climb properly.”4d938a98beaefde7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“That monkey-like child… Who did he take after?” Cassius muttered, rubbing his temples.d4dba5318655ca6a

Oh.3fe485e13235886a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Who else?2ae1c34b045fa6de

Obviously, he 7986db31b3 took afterhim.38bdf30dce1f88d9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Younger siblings e465ad86ce naturally follow 3e007c874c in their c824364cc7 older brother’s 33e6f0a69c footsteps.9c4873f53caf7bd1

“What’s with that look?” Cassius narrowed his eyes.0ce3fd9ee836ef93

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I was just wondering who Theo takes after.”028a69f66d15db1e

“Don’t tell me you think he takes after me? That monkey-like behavior?”a8bfd22bc7046bc0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Well, he certainly didn’t get it from me, Cassius.”e732c15c7406aeea

He needed to take 97d97d3e12 a good look at 37e578cc57 himself.24080b5763405a4c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Cassius swept 801979a0dc a hand a503d57d90 through his fbd442e494 hair in 455f932183 disbelief.865171ac240d069c

Then, with a 3ca50b071f firm voice, he 0ca35d9376 declared,c0a0c85b07025c29

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I never had a phase like that. I was mature and intelligent from a young age. Everyone would say the same.”0cccb6eecb325e4a

“Head maid, is that true?”53b302589474d768

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

There were plenty of b1dc188a9f people I could ask.600ba3768db76eb7

Rather than 17b7e2f440 arguing with 7676a842ac Cassius, it 446f35a562 was easier b5fd1035f2 to just 7dffcdebbc confirm it aa3b7413d4 with someone 2d3c646b2c else.f1893db2b88549e5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Cassius quickly turned to 8f7233634e the head maid, looking de51996c8f slightly nervous.b1eacfa3df9ce702

Oh? That reaction…e28eb18aec70605a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The head maid spoke a2a940d961 in a solemn tone.207931e13f88e692

“The Duke was indeed mature and intelligent beyond his pears.”5aaa6eaa75765b65

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“See?” Cassius smirked.f56f8f5eea5a8e67

But the head maid 862bec262a wasn’t finished.1479038ca1badf2e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“And with that intelligence, he was also the fastest to learn how to climb trees. He had great determination too—he once broke his leg but refused to give up. The late Duchess was quite troubled by it.”446a0edd39b4cada

…There it is.e870959ba9eddac3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Cassius covered 2a43ab6dbf his face d31c1ac8fe with his 4b732731a0 palm.4481ee111fd24464

“Now I know exactly who Theo takes after.”c3b5abedd6898a17

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I smirked, feeling quite 75cd106769 pleased with myself.70678f7a045e23d3

“Why don’t you teach him, then? Show him how to climb quickly and safely. That’s better than letting him get hurt, isn’t it?”a4ce1ebdb82721a0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Cassius let out 9f7851b30e a long sigh.af8a4d72b6dac453

Seeing that, 962abba257 I couldn’t bcbb5fdcca help but 957b9319ce laugh.8d00e9f2af0a969d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Since when was teasing 6e48212ab4 Cassiusthisfun?c83dcbec140cf2cc

Watching his 336cf13959 serious face e754d037b8 crumble in d8e989e472 frustration made 6d89a5a4b4 me understand ac11101dd6 why people 447080b77d liked messing 5178cc1444 with others.28caa1f70cebb351

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Wait. No. Stop.5e2ad6b001bd2a64

That was d59040c6e2 dangerous, Charlotte.f267e8d4f936a1eb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

You almost 0b9a18e517 thought he 33066f8437 wascute.1d20d6df9bab04e9

Once you start a48627bada thinking a man 29e918b320 is cute, it’s 67f7b80c42 over.c989b5288622f391

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Don’t let emotions get 7082c096fb in the way.8dc81d451c90fd46

Don’t forget—he db04414c7f already belongs 9ed850afac to someone 4cbaa2cf25 else.bd78fb4ec8975734

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I quickly shook d9541091bf my head, pushing 737f05a924 the thought away.cd1e215c578cf695

“What’s wrong?” Cassius asked.8f12a3d4de25c030

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s nothing. Oh, but I do have a good idea.”2f22078fa7db36f0

“What is it?”e672c178d8487c1c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“If you have the time, how about spending a week at the beach house? Theo has spent so much time stuck in bed that he hasn’t really experienced much. He seems curious about the sea.”254f385086f5fbad

Cassius listened d60890b67f to my 4e85ad8d08 suggestion and dfe7457ac7 nodded.7117ed8f5ee8424a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Do you have time for it?”44f004d7a0134fbd

“I was already planning to investigate the coastal area. It would be a good opportunity to do both.”39c423406ebf8c0a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Perfect timing.4b78a28329bb5c14

“Do you think we should throw a big party for Theo’s birthday?”d6871982c44391b1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Like you said, I doubt he would enjoy that. Since it’s a special birthday, it makes sense to do something he actually wants. We won’t be able to do this every year.”ddacb3d01bb11b6b

Cassius’s gaze deepened 67a7b92aca with meaning.9c4b09879fb7da70

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He was right.973bc1bc31a9e5a6

Theo wouldn’t be able ec9f10811d to live as a 8b05862148 carefree child forever. One day, 8ef35e9c79 he might 678dc1c040 have to 629c2b1376 take over de62b1caaf Isteria.157d2239323d8dc5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Since I couldn’t have children…5d5a86c2a1e2db22

Wait. What am I 35e013fb75 thinking?85cd62cda23a1780

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Why am af42cd0995 I imagining c5541df069 a future b69a43a15a where I 0271124ae8 stay in e47f17b5e6 Isteria?5ed0ae3625928844

Get it together, Charlotte!bc745f6547a9f30c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I couldn’t 13259d489a tell Cassius 4b6ab6f4d3 what the 6f8f00b899 future held, fe636ab9eb but Lorencia 5cf83bac79 had no 3edfe7e2e3 issues with b1026ae556 pregnancy.b24f5db83be93944

Like in most stories, f88d46365b Lorencia and Cassius would 4317b17f6e have a happy ending. And that 276cff2cb2 happy ending a4ada51d8e would likely 39e26e66ef include children.d43bcfcf2af6384c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Theo would become 556fa949ea a good uncle 9ec42dd1eb to them and fe1d182d09 live as a b1fc09ff7b knight of Isteria.5a1e229183394acd

Since the North was fab43b1601 rich, he would inherit cd8aa9dd27 great wealth and probably 8e07cbcb13 gain a noble title 2a83b9a797 there.631f9ccbeb80df03

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Cassius would never d900383c4e leave Theo to 3b3a816919 fend for himself.012e0561e9f59e3b

And one day, be03dba7ea Theo would have 95f825ea87 his own family 8cc2225a48 and become a ef912ee4f8 great father.80daf1449bd1a6d9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Thinking about ad5197602f Cassius and 89ca8b4731 Theo’s happy f51acb184c future made ff1249535d me smile.6f7994c717c47708

But I wasn’t part 3904e21ce8 of that future.96de7b925001da9a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

That thought made 50a7bef177 my smile fade.734b34e1c92fae71

Why did 5d75aa4376 that feel 0810b1d635 so disappointing?b76c270729e25872

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Charlotte, you f11021e5d3 got too d56fc7f9f8 attached.8bbc7c279f1b504d

This trip to 2b37c93b70 the sea really 3273483a4a had to be bea1fe5fa2 the last one.aeb009820b96a8ea

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Don’t be foolish, 0e1b3311d0 Charlotte.8257578c5af42001

 efccc52639fa76ef

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com