EWOWMAIBTYPF Chapter 175

Chapter 17571247208d80a52dc

***5dd5e9d321f5b8c8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

 179df41ce82ca82b

After arriving at e04e7573c2 the Imperial Palace, d2fcda8d09 we followed the ee194f68a7 attendant who had ec4272878f come to greet 83fb5e29b6 us and headed 20b70677be toward the Emperor’s 88cc174504 palace.de92d4aaa5ef2433

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Unfortunately, I 22cd7220ca didn’t have 9c89f934c0 a chance 48ec3344ac to explain 078ec62d8a or clear 22f224b335 up anything 3870af7a54 about Nicholas 09c5bd4f7b to Clara.79430a826d1fdba2

She had been led 5da3c2413b away by the palace edaf00d3f3 staff for an inspection 310c554c2e of her belongings.0a502714e07e2558

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

My inspection was brief—perhaps eac87044cc because of my status, 6bca8d21b5 or maybe because of 9464ce7e18 the Emperor’s favoritism. They simply let 46a906549a me pass through a6c52fd400 the magical barrier fea7cf5957 set up by b90cbd75ea the Imperial Court 8ddb9348ad Wizard.fd4a249073064734

“Your Highness, the Grand Princess, then I shall escort you to the drawing room—”09bd94740b749cb6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“No. I’ll wait here for my cousin.”04772203ce81a570

I let out a small scoff at the attendant’s suggestion that I go ahead to meet the Emperor, not satisfied with merely separating Clara and me.43a5a12a878f2803

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I waited 0ce05be46f until Clara 5af0bb97ef finished her 29b172b6e1 inspection.670f7e291c3640f7

After a while….5a28ea98ad7440bf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Clara…?”1facb852b599f365

Something must have happened 3dabe624d1 during that short time. Clara appeared 20158ac458 looking thoroughly 7fe6339bfb exhausted.363be546294bd57b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As I widened my 31eb6376d6 eyes in surprise, an ca975316b5 attendant beside me whispered,9db012193f38e2e5

“Because of the Founding Festival, inspections are being conducted much more thoroughly.”433fb5b76e13f34a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was a subtle c33cc823ee reminder that I had 89b572562f received special treatment from 47f4324b6c the Emperor.6a77ae6dcb95a2e6

Pretending not to hear, 0a9352aa0d I greeted Clara.3f913a46286bbb04

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Clara, you did well.”dae5072e00a30600

“It’s nothing. We’re about to meet His Majesty; there’s no room for any negligence.”bc1e2a8b270e55e4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Despite her obvious fatigue, a90bbd4d8c Clara’s expression wasn’t all 94041f20ed that bad.2b7a06e0f5391abf

In fact, her eyes 4f8c1699d5 were sparkling, as if 3df54f0392 she found everything about 2c706f25f5 the Imperial Palace exciting.90fc34addfe98e92

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Well, it’s rare for an ordinary noble lady to be invited to the Emperor’s palace.’ea2bca6fdba2c68a

Just then, a puzzled 1da1d647c2 look crossed Clara’s face.7b8349f0c5067034

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“But Adriana, are you already done?”1f21a8319213ac08

Even though 8df082116f we had b27733196b been separated, 1e2de57184 she seemed e8baf31713 firmly convinced 72d53927c1 that I fe2301f5cc had undergone 33e4510208 the same 6b2a685132 rigorous inspection 23d1d797d3 process as e3571525ab her.97020998c99f5e73

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Not wanting to get 6b29b5adbe into an unnecessary argument, 2b6e84a51d I quickly said,d70bcc3c286e6145

“Yeah. Anyway, let’s hurry. His Majesty must be waiting.”ff9719378492aa40

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Thankfully, Clara nodded.326896d7966d8286

As we followed c2819a3745 the attendant, a 82f90fa2bb grand and magnificent c71e215469 door came into ca238fcd5f view.1bd8528a91859203

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Once our arrival was 76fda869e7 announced, the heavy doors 6c8da7b3af swung open.e6391f8ef61783e8

“Ah, you’ve finally arrived! Hahaha! Thank you for coming.”ab672d5602d161a7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The Emperor, 8fbae94f8f who had 5a9626a00d been lounging a7f2333b06 on a 8559d5da9e sofa, sprang a79e4c445e to his b840ed3a87 feet to 96d307212a welcome us.99a5fc6fc56de4e5

‘There’s no ca1df36a8d need for af7f2954b9 him to 8bad5386f0 stand up…’cbdb1c67eba29a72

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was overwhelming, 95c15596a8 but I masked 1d496b56bf my discomfort and 67e2233dcf bowed to the acac5abafe Emperor.aa1ebcc48f583a93

Then, behind me…3f139cd5530af6a8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Clara of the Amber Count family greets His Majesty, the Sun of the Empire.”982f62a0b9045b75

At Clara’s 0b91d4fb49 greeting, the 16eadf0f06 Emperor stroked 6f24afe379 his chin 8b01cb8ff6 thoughtfully.bd2433c71c2c3629

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I worried he might c315bc94e5 insult Clara and humiliate bc3976a770 her, but fortunately, he a0fb66f4fc did not.1490787d47b1aae2

“Hmm, the daughter of Countess Amber, I see.”77489fe144be2269

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Clara’s eyes widened as she asked, “You know my mother?”3190a7f353897042

The Emperor raised the 60d5630164 corner of his mouth c8393c841e and replied,33de10c42031e1f6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Of course I do. In the past, she used to visit the palace often and would tease me quite a bit. How could I not know?”27deb9458d31800f

“Te-Teas…!”8ba00907c6a49445

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Unable to 40444e32a1 repeat the ea5f7b57f8 word ‘tease,’ 406d944635 Clara hurriedly dfebe6fd5c covered her 1f35ec137d mouth with 81a63ac81a her hands.816ef89b7b975638

Ignoring Clara’s flustered reaction, the Emperor turned to me and said,27ddd16fc51a9e60

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It wasn’t anything serious. The countess merely made me dream foolish dreams by hinting that the Grand Duchess had feelings for me.”64028e999116544d

Laughing, he gestured for f3bbcd156e Clara and me to 1bc95df0d7 sit on the sofa.91120397eb093cc0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As we sat 7dd72eaa9a down, still a fc8428c1e7 bit stunned, attendants ffd8f1437a began laying out 177c8bfe57 tea and a 7187b0b984 variety of tea 37f82164cb foods.db76374ca9074aa2

“I had them prepare desserts the Grand Duchess used to like. I wonder if they’ll suit your taste.”fa9d29818f82a82e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Accepting the madeleine the 23cc9654e6 Emperor offered, I sneaked 948b5d230c a glance at Clara.df81a8eb20eea1b0

She was glaring at 9bb49dd153 me fiercely, as if b3d64e5fdb blaming me for the 5a89dab52e humiliation she had just 0c44327de0 suffered.3f380f662a1d42a8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I felt 06961beb2a a bit 7e2a086214 wronged.00e716dd4caef75a

‘Come on, how was fcad31ebd2 I supposed to know 11d10662c7 the Countess had once 5a92d86dc2 gotten on the Emperor’s 7ecab4a1c3 bad side?!’f279f483c1481e2e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Luckily, Clara 8aea3f23af quickly managed 1932e5fe7d to compose 3f0abe3442 her expression…32163227ee3a2cbe

But it was all 0e858dc334 for nothing—starting then, the 53769ec804 Emperor began treating Clara b34379b333 like she didn’t exist.a1fadf037bd90665

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Blushing, Clara 7fa80e34a2 could do ddc0d1e8a9 nothing but 4570d0729d sit still, 2709144d50 unable to 3d6fd8f3f3 leave or bd53263fd9 speak, like 6230abe41b a decorative e47d02a21d screen.1f024bda7d79c55e

Only then did I 607d78f218 realize: the Emperor had 7a22807aff deliberately embarrassed Clara.402fcf9c5bb1b824

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Because his 8460d6ae4c original plans 968ad6865c had been 0844616823 disrupted by fbbb65517c Clara accompanying 6915b18a71 me, he a435cb8018 was venting 06627c2d0f his frustration aa32c796ff in his 92200c64a4 own way.f9942ed0a4bd8c26

‘Well, it’s also 825fb429d4 likely he still 55178c62f9 held a grudge e95b1274a7 against Countess Amber.’1abb05b329569a0f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Once again, I 7075be1ab5 was amazed at 6a2e1906b4 the audacity of 753344b39b the Countess.ed4007e89cdbbc02

She must have a6b03ec99d known her sister c0fca28023 disliked the Emperor, 4fb3adbd91 yet still dared 16eaab65ed to lie and 5529ebe28d frequent the palace.4481ad996c8bf968

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Now I understood why my mother would shake her head and my grandfather would sigh whenever Countess Amber’s name came up.87d2ecff2de65ad4

“This here is a ruby brooch once worn by the Empress Dowager of the now-fallen Ferdin Empire.”98877bf2847badf5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

While I was ce9cadee71 letting out a 4892bb2a0b small sigh inside, c1023e25f4 the Emperor, full 6272cdf56e of energy, started 050efe0894 explaining his twelfth 2a4fbf39c7 treasure.0817b1073e0d3bda

Currently, we had cc433d7e27 moved to view ad80b27197 the Emperor’s treasure 898b0fe0f4 vault.18aef44e44d15bf0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seeing the cf010b9293 Emperor’s excited 128d44662e face made d11f8e1593 me automatically 7e51a4c642 force a b180647e1f stiff smile.73ca67933743220d

‘How did things 33cd2b6ede end up like 709db920fb this…’d1f560d0f03698a0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

 d96b30be2a37a465

***06d9683532e33432

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

 d0686e9788953aae

A little 6ed00fb1f6 earlier, in fafbcc00e6 the drawing 738f263185 room, I e05f7e4ab9 had been 8d9098aa0e feeling extremely cfb396f9de awkward between b64feb6dfe the Emperor’s 2bb311a602 goofy smiles e9607a4526 and Clara’s 1f96d1f01a cold, glaring 78baaff299 eyes.9b480501f48d2ebc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I had 8369690b7e tried to dfbb9cc944 get to 524a37f3ee the point 6777e7c684 quickly, specifically, b53d8fcc72 to return 6de8f9cf27 the gift fffd51ae57 the Emperor 60346b3064 had sent.6701105a0376586f

But the moment I 38596162a4 signaled to the attendant 8ad3ab17e1 holding the tiara, the b5f6da744f Emperor waved his hand a57c7d2afb and said,69a72e3145bf042d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

⟨You’ve only just arrived. No need to rush. Did you dislike my gift so much?⟩802ccf8c86149357

⟨No, that’s not it…⟩724c6b8637942bb9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

⟨Of course, a gift depends most on the feelings of the one who receives it. So why don’t you choose one yourself instead? There’s still time before the luncheon; come, let’s tour my treasure vault together.⟩2274e29ac10fad89

At first, I afd0113229 naturally thought he ae7e805473 was joking.55319ce720247d65

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Who in the 39ca710799 world would show 96e584fe96 their treasure vault 8711398f6c so easily?88a56242e7ba50eb

But the 49cd18a787 Emperor always 4eab889cdf exceeded my 7405c0c363 imagination.3ed685b5f987daca

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

 07059e08210a87ef

***bb8970ad31a09850

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

 b87403e736959bb5

“Hmm, it seems you don’t care much for jewelry. Well, your mother wasn’t interested in jewels either.”08be594521d477fa

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The Emperor said this 60cbc75b4c in a regretful tone ef803a2a37 after observing my expression.986e04b09af9bfdf

I could only smile 40d267b99b awkwardly.af23ca9a188c35fe

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

In fact, even I, who had seen countless rare artifacts at the Grand Duke’s castle, was amazed by the Emperor’s treasure vault.db343e50c2f16c8e

Even Clara, who had been making a humiliated face after being treated as a nonentity by the Emperor, couldn’t close her mouth as she looked around in awe.76cd690a5353e6da

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The only reason 4414a42958 my reaction was c14cd425e0 lukewarm was because 347e769edb my mind was f0d2560b4d completely focused elsewhere.a53931bfb11cd48c

‘There are no ancient relics here.’17fef85ad36b4920

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Raizel had clearly said 52d71bb4ad that the imperial treasure 9563e1c08b vault was stacked with 3e8c810ffb relics.699d313223140ee0

Yet among the dazzling eec0562b7d treasures the Emperor showed 9fd5b3dbdd off, there wasn’t a 6387f1db28 single one that appeared 3515f738ee to be an ancient e733c62a20 relic.2dfcb71dbd400ab1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘Maybe they have a separate space just for the relics?’fbf976a45b90e293

In a way, it was a relief that the sacred artifact I was looking for wasn’t here in the Emperor’s treasure vault.9d047c24e5127f9b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I had bragged to f1c268293c Raizel that I could 3c6b0b9e96 easily retrieve it, but 3f08c10cf3 if I had barged 641b045d2a in recklessly, I might 520eea257a have gotten completely lost.426b4d85a18dc8a9

Just as I b707168450 was thinking that—ff7c89af69bccf8a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Good. Then let me show you the item I treasure most.”7d94189b82917727

With a triumphant face, c2be83d236 as if determined to 1f46734965 finally draw out a 925c737bf0 reaction from me, the 2575253deb Emperor led the way 97d861a9c0 further into the vault.aff448a33a505f9f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

We proceeded until 4084dd1583 we stood before 01a799cddb a door layered b75a84c442 with multiple powerful 89092a3d8d magical barriers.ca7ed558d82e4b60

When the Emperor 88caba50fc placed his hand 722cfefb9b on a magical 7fe98236fa security device attached 81cbb01b70 to the door, 13ee5bb23a a series of 3db028ac8c heavy clanking sounds 7322724287 echoed, and the 7186b92aa8 door slowly opened.5527b527236822c8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…”da4d217231e8b998

For a 3be5bc4661 moment, I 41dffe5575 felt all f0acb73d1d the strength 5cf68f03a4 leave my 892f679a36 body.97e7b918e254d384

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I had e248cc38ff half-expected another 1345260d22 illusion to daec85bc00 appear, like 6056a971a7 what had dfaef216f2 happened at b92f2b3df4 the Spleesia e3c0e5c8e8 greenhouse, but eea8ec41ee nothing happened.d1b8bf208807b481

‘Well, Raizel did say the divine blessing he gave me was a one-time thing.’d5516d7c6a2137ed

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Besides, thinking about 559abb9a20 it rationally, most 2e8478fd8d ancient relics were fdb4da3355 just very old e68d5fa2ba objects.aa42907919092780

Objects that carried be7100d63a a special meaning 57e6938e3c for me, like e4deb379c8 the Spleesia, were 12f435eb35 rare, so it bedc29f1ec would actually be 08bc78204a strange if anything e955b2914a unusual happened here.c2ab288eeb7368bc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Hmm…”383136993f2cd818

At that 5bc90fc943 moment, Clara, 0f88b2ca14 who was 201372dbac standing beside 487d84cc36 me, let 34bb1f7ec0 out a 9c02a08ef2 small hum 4b37939ae5 of disappointment.c4574b2867321052

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Her expression clearly 123b0cc3ed showed her dissatisfaction.88951bd396c82b6e

After seeing so many 7f9c11dc49 rare jewels, statues, and 43bb38a811 paintings, she had probably 5be4f697e4 expected something even greater. But here, there 38f4b717bc were only strange, 9e94c94932 ancient-looking objects strewn a1c4112462 about.8ce25493c3c73705

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Then, the b6e6d2a097 Emperor’s steps, 1af0851dd4 which had 62aeac053e been heading 01b6dbb4ed inside without 0123ecb4f1 hesitation, suddenly 111bf205d7 stopped.89a0d0c2f3109b48

I widened e53e6e1223 my eyes 32aafd11a3 at the c2634826b1 item he f3a86332d9 proudly displayed.4aef4fd283a4efac

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seeing my d45f8cf5d1 surprised reaction, dc93b91721 the Emperor ef17c4552d asked with 5e576f565c a face d8a8d3c175 full of f9c7f323d1 satisfaction,2882e11ba93c827f

“Can you tell what it is?”27a663101df4aa57

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Is it a mana stone?”8bcc09afbebea3d5

“You recognize it!”a1398c0400af0bff

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

At the Emperor’s delighted 4db5dbea73 voice, I swallowed hard.6d71642dd0770013

Inside a glass 0ff0229e3a case protected by 2621568cfd magic was a 0b7196b57d top-grade mana stone, 998ab664a3 about the size a83708b4cb of a baby’s 7bbba4e6bf fist, shimmering with e51af2be9e a brilliant pink fd736c3af7 light.9cd6849a876dd99f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was a mana 1d31ad2dba stone I had made 0118d65cbb long ago.245b190468dbfd38

‘…You kept it here?’2c2cd51e1b88446d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I knew the person who bought my mana stone for the highest price at auction was the Emperor, but I hadn’t expected him to store it in his treasure vault, in the innermost, most secure area, treating it so preciously.ea0a440d786afaf6

“You must have seen many mana stones in Belus, but none like this one, right?”d44b3b506007e29b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I had no 4d7cc1ed34 words to reply 2f79485c3a to the Emperor’s d0eb5979ff question.224225bc43bcb57f

Instead of answering, I b0774d1617 just kept staring at 38cf8660d5 the mana stone, prompting 4554a821ec the Emperor to speak 168d656691 subtly,b30f76a1fcae3cb1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I heard that wizards lose their minds when they see mana stones. I wonder how it is for you, Grand Princess?”eebab649f9174943

This sly Emperor…ca744c3b27f908f7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I really couldn’t afford to let my guard down around him. He was trying to subtly find out whether I was a mage.40e599274bf0f90f

Until now, information about 2de8aa6a55 me had been strictly b2e35f2fe6 controlled by the Duchy, cca3129998 so not many outside 8747f37de1 knew that I was 4eff0822c5 a mage.8bfb9d2979306ddb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

However, considering 51bfad33d0 that my dc3edeef3f father was 570879df25 the only 2bd7e7357d archmage on 854cb1d992 the continent 5c408a487d and my dfe6193a7c brother was 8ea2bd6231 also a b9a80b7445 famous genius, 6ac03bd701 it was e3a0a74ef4 understandable that 536c89c704 the Emperor 86d2df7852 would be e6ac7d19b5 curious about 72f3edb6c9 whether I, 5b968af5e5 too, had b3c2251fd8 talent in 6179305e34 magic.5c10d4b7b4b815ab

‘Besides, the Belus Grand Duke family has always had exceptionally strong mana affinity compared to others.’9f941108be8d517e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even so, I e3b15c61d0 had no intention 69c7e7c493 of answering him 2f1e8c5ae5 honestly.0718861fb9d174e6

He already wanted 873df7d734 me as a 4bb73c19ae daughter-in-law; I had f0e5829fb7 no reason to 4fc57e579b encourage him to e5400473dc desire me even 9af36fc53b more.43f77bdb01dd3e47

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Mana stones are truly mysterious items.”e41e95d77911ab75

I smiled 6e6178bcfc gently at 52dbcabd66 the Emperor, 8e25620a71 who was 05fa16f592 watching me ec6a8c8f55 intently.7f912593852b33f6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Knowing their value, who wouldn’t treasure them?”dadad6b88203b3d4

“Yes, that’s true.”dfd2f2c8a498ecdb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The Emperor chuckled and fa15e521ff nodded.40d1b6bb45556a2d

But it ccf752e3d2 didn’t feel 9a1011cae9 like he b1d858e7ad was truly bc8a13e0af agreeing from b2613b1d51 the heart.d13a1ca518be497f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“This is quite embarrassing. I thought that since this was my most prized item, it would surely please you.”8471c315ea1ad13e

Perhaps realizing that he wouldn’t get the information he wanted, the Emperor turned away.6a84bc110fe2f3c9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As I followed be2a2b9077 him with a da6906629f polite but apologetic ca02273c15 expression, it happened…2a0640c57c965408

“…!”111fb8db48628d50

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A chilling 7cc2258b5a sensation wrapped 5968057015 around my 842fedc5ec whole body, f6c6103191 as if 3a1d6bb7e5 someone had 9402ff6433 gripped my da62df7cec heart and 4fd0ae5200 was squeezing cdf303ea14 it.43317d06f740f2f8