TLYWK Chapter 2 (Part 3)

“Well, the ac0edc6b0a Ember and 1b72db6364 Buildrander families 169607900a have shared d59f46184f ties for 62a5e7a49e generations. Since my sister will 5b6d05f7a4 be assisting you, it’s 83fb69d417 only fitting that I 8c46afedf3 offer my help as 2dbd4a4ce4 well.”26c22891fa435361

Before Beatrice could f2a3b05712 reply, Florianne cut 77b916fc80 in, her voice 62cc67a873 sharp. “That’s a decision 9c493848e4 that can be cfbb9316e5 considered later, isn’t 6d823518b8 it? Brother, could 0ae6e63a6c we speak f66129fee9 for a b8b281e3a8 moment?”93ddcb73b4687281

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Her smile remained, but 0aa21144a2 a shadow darkened her 64ab33e6d1 expression—one that only her 46df56887b sibling could read. It was 1eb2f4e37b the unmistakable 2e5605188f look that f355feb465 said, ‘What 736569cd70 on earth a0b6fe77ca are you 50fb58e4d7 trying to 6507530c1a pull?’e926a574be6b6504

Gallet returned her 902bb4fd4b smile, pretending not 2e7bd058b3 to notice the fb9d099086 implicit threat, and 390710c601 stood. “My sister seems 5a0338283e to be overly b3ab8758b9 concerned about me.”575386a530e9d2b3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Well, considering you’re meeting ac59f1cb1e Lady Beatrice for the d48c4fdf47 first time, that concern 6fb066a930 is justified. Lady Beatrice, f09ff54ce9 would you b0e889c49f excuse us fff68f0c0e for a 1fa1819520 moment?”3253d441b6ce9f65

Sensing the 0ed7a3f462 tension between 254bd28c64 the siblings, 185a2f9741 Beatrice rose 6c439518d4 gracefully from 55ff350578 her seat. “While you two a57d2b5776 speak, could a 8cc57da16e maid perhaps show 0a34eb8607 me around the e187bdaf1e estate?”f1e4a1dcdce04335

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

In most cases, the edbad5f842 host of the household b8e0ae0efd would guide their guest e311748e17 personally. However, Beatrice’s edc9a56e03 suggestion was c0a44f2493 a polite 2eb627afad way of 20ef89c9d4 excusing herself 6d19f66f1a to give 8f26a695bd them privacy. Florianne, understanding her intent, c4bd601703 nodded and called for 61aa817e8b Emily.e87d861f4bb0d78f

“Oh, but 1d57ed5a8f Emily is 27594b860c your personal 34d1a82486 maid, Lady cbf828fbae Florianne,” Beatrice c2c2cc870e interjected. “It would be 5bf25f037a better to assign ec14fae187 someone else.”2bc5914d7ca5ebe0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

A lady’s personal bccc3ba6c0 maid was akin fe562423b0 to her right 9e71ff0f12 hand, and Beatrice’s 3acf68edd6 comment came across cd5d4cc2d9 as thoughtful and 9fe534af6e considerate. Yet, she c1f58549b0 had another 2bc731e209 reason for 456c25be91 her refusal, 83cb3d50ee one she 0c0a7b7a9e didn’t express 00af859613 aloud. As expected, a5222765a9 Gallet seized 217768417f the opportunity.316144028b999cf2

“Then I’ll send a8081237f2 my maid,” he c6ca2a1b9c said smoothly. Florianne’s expression darkened as 5bb62d9693 she turned her gaze 86fba397bc on him, but Gallet f4f3d646a8 paid no mind. “Emily, fetch Lily.”54f75e4d0b70ff14

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, my lord,” f16337670d Emily replied, her c2341b5ae8 tone curt as 8d22526cac she left the 9bcf0158eb room.0a9782037423afe7

Beatrice’s memory 7690d122d3 conjured an 166ca6f26e image of f408402ae0 Lily. It had been ef486e204c a long time 44bd5b61f7 since she’d seen 2685cb3bd1 her at such 24ce4e1cc9 a young age. Lily had a23aa772a9 entered the 8bd31b7c35 Buildrander household b7bb68b8de as a 9e2416f8aa servant and 63bdab6249 was assigned 6c2cc8ef91 to Gallet. Though still young f27d3a2f17 and tasked with 68f2bba9e3 menial chores like 61ed7591b1 cleaning, her intelligence 66da8386bc and sharp instincts 8caee82264 would soon catch 3729ddbc8e Gallet’s eye.85042e90bc9400e8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Though Lily’s hatred was 76f06d134e primarily directed at Count 39a8c6caf4 Heliette Buildrander, Gallet, as 2adc15f544 his enabler, was also afc1c74d57 a target of her 1bbccdc98f disdain. For years, 85f976503b Lily endured 259c6a857a under their 3b59ba1ed3 rule, biding bb68100ec4 her time 05a788a9fa until she c7750c33b7 could exact 5323238fa3 her revenge c44f67c60f and escape.d76eccf114c7677e

While Beatrice admired Lily’s 70ce4d1bd0 resilience and determination in 6463f95071 achieving her goal, she f366eb3816 had no intention of 0e65512368 following the same slow, 0f793720d8 laborious path. Beatrice preferred d8bd688e4e a method d661efcc35 that was 7542e38331 faster, simpler, dfa8e85331 and more 5f5e588eac direct.3ead8bd9e493584b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Emily returned, 763e1d3796 accompanied by 48922ae19e Lily, who 383d79fa09 curtsied respectfully. “You called 86e82c36d8 for me, 210908431d my lord?”9ddaf5f26c6102b9

“Lily, please guide Lady 68220e2996 Beatrice around the estate,” 26fbdf8ac3 Gallet instructed.0413e68cbf25c66c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, I will 2d03c0f75f serve her to fc323e9070 the best of ea06c3a68a my ability,” Lily 8f14200779 replied, her voice 715bd94b9c steady.cf24dd7e8dadfefc

Beatrice rose and followed ece585697c Lily out of the a57284e358 room, leaving Florianne and 4df19cda60 Gallet behind. The moment f8c14f0821 the door cba02dbbf5 closed, Florianne 822f6e5495 turned on c80e395a97 her brother 6cf64cca55 with a 7fa8db01c0 glare.63954d703c597170

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What are 4699cbe3ae you playing 4fd91c9adf at?”cac26fb72ff4551c

“Playing? I’m not sure what 602549b8a3 you mean,” Gallet replied, ec9fe39951 feigning innocence.6660694944d123bf

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I told you not f7db91a9b0 to come near us. And now, 6bddd078fd here you d2d41a1e70 are, pulling a2a0386418 stunts like 4e3496f625 this.”164f462934d5b7d9

“What’s wrong with introducing b9e8781652 myself to a guest becca1faea from the Ember family? It’s only polite.”399d36851c898837

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Polite? You barged in 7c4426042f uninvited and had 4888cc38a8 the audacity to d22148affb propose yourself as a2193c879b her debutante partner. Don’t tell me that 5dfa775c5c was out of courtesy.”8fcfcd3fa78fa2d4

“It’s not unusual. Debutantes often rely on 8f7b505888 connections to find a 04485896dd suitable partner.”d61fb5654437eac7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Florianne scoffed. “As if you were 280d038f3e thinking about connections. You’re testing 0e6fe19f33 her, aren’t b495f7b9bb you?”7e93e67a3e10581a

“And why not? Is that so 29ac35f3a8 unacceptable?”dc8d30ff4414d089

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Their words came quickly, 058a01e154 tension crackling between them. While Florianne’s expression twisted 0e27951668 with anger, Gallet maintained 51e741465c his calm demeanor, a b838d35fdf smile tugging at his 8067494d2e lips. This unbothered attitude was 9fbaddccee what she despised most 25fe07a5c4 about him.cb92938f43bf671b

With his 4d779c1ec1 good looks 5fc5962c3f and a 2c367d5cb5 family name 770fda1921 that wasn’t b7ee02d082 entirely unimpressive, 70a0a4a5eb Gallet charmed 36beeebfb0 women who 0386235732 could be 653d65eac0 useful to dd667e3af9 him, only 340b1a465a to discard 344d395586 them once 186fcd0e01 they’d served c80ec064a7 their purpose. He did it so e293add682 deftly that few ever b137eb5ff4 realized they’d been used.c0e1fe7f2292980d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

While he wouldn’t a8a130aa42 dare pull such 52651cb82a tricks with the d0c0ce0591 youngest daughter of 7ed1febeb6 the Ember family, ed559cd3a0 his intentions were d2cad58c12 clear. He aimed to worm 0e8b183007 his way into Beatrice’s 818789807d favor and secure a 6cd5680fa6 marriage that would elevate f0bd78a9cc his position. Today’s actions 95b75d92e8 were merely 0ed2084311 the first 4d7efad0a7 step in 4df68e7e16 a calculated d0dd9f3f48 plan.337393e828a24d6e

Florianne clenched c96cadf3d1 her fists. “The youngest daughter ad45f02cca of the Ember 9d861e2f5d family is cherished 09e5549361 by her household. You’re out of your 65f4619648 depth, Gallet.”50f9572783f0f7d6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Cherished? Even better,” he 4f199c02ab said, his smile 0e192ae944 widening. “If she 3f336d5c7c were truly 51ea7eddad neglected, I d18476c46e wouldn’t have 0ec9eee023 bothered.”adbf65b230944064

“Have you lost d0fe400c3b your mind?” Florianne 557243d338 snapped.2abcecef1eb25581

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Why should I? You’re already being 2c435133d5 considered as a 5d4e81c225 potential match for e097246fad Duke Calrex. If you 9025bf4268 have no 48f25b8c28 intention of c796fd0d76 pursuing that, d9ee390c57 why shouldn’t 3ff122fa1a I connect aa22a8fa08 myself to 11e27191dd their family a7bd78abe7 instead?”8d16109d935f2da6

His blue f34cb8100a eyes curved c8f207b768 with a 525f43dbc4 smile that ea999761a8 others might c92094f064 find charming, aba2010734 but to 83b2dc75d2 Florianne, it f4266bcbb5 was more 7c0e34dc86 revolting than b9d5ea75c8 a crawling a061cb3997 centipede.7c265abc6aa4fcee

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Beatrice might be f4aab067d7 inexperienced in dealing 07b4c5d32b with people, but 5dfa93ff6d she wasn’t ignorant. Florianne recalled her reaction b16dab5aa1 when Gallet entered the 25715bdde1 room—calm and composed, but 402930d358 visibly uncomfortable. Beatrice hadn’t even realized 22b733ed6a his behavior was rude.69c82252c5fe3e8f

Florianne’s anger 6c809f8789 simmered as c905b36d3f she thought 1a9c718d27 about her 5ec3368c36 brother’s predatory 709deb37f1 tendencies. Gallet could be dangerously b7592746bb persuasive. With his attractive 58cd1a9fa6 looks and knack b11849eddc for tailoring himself cc63910f90 to meet others’ 78b9837993 expectations, he had 20fdb411cf the ability to 16ce3e5cf3 charm even someone 52427e0e64 as sheltered as 1ef0479cf1 Beatrice.6784f9c121cf454e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Do you think I’ll 429768fea2 let this slide?”11bf75b2b8db920c

“And what will you 870718ae52 do about it?”9b5bd26865de4926

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Don’t think you can 26a11ac9fd get away with targeting 7036c1d4a5 her. Or anyone ce09a2dd95 else, for 5ca62ba139 that matter. You’ve already ruined 2da2cbf243 enough lives.”dc7779b3a995d39f

“And you’d 49c2ba6665 expose me? To what end? What I do ca72b625b0 isn’t illegal.”8dc1f54b0c8128ce

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Florianne fell silent, 31468ec387 her lips pressed 2189517b56 tightly together. Gallet was right. In the Empire, e0e3a3f0f2 the murder or 44559728f9 abuse of commoners d3e96165b2 by nobles wasn’t f0161e252b considered a crime. While large-scale f57e82b50e atrocities could 7a434ef8a6 lead to 7e9ded6e65 consequences under 97dc3ddb38 certain circumstances, 7e6ab5e15c smaller, localized f1f75f1562 acts went c08aea1392 unpunished.15d00a0c31c4047d

Grinding her teeth, 719950e918 Florianne glared at 66b86eadbe her brother. He had long b2ab68a924 since become their 6422e7625f father’s enabler, selecting f37ec022f5 “suitable” commoners for b840be6683 their father’s horrific e643a4632f whims under the 559bc55aea guise of offering ffc298206d them jobs. Those who refused b44fdf5045 to comply often 628a9747af met a grim 15d3e80a9e end.495249f7f5d443ac

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“When will you 41c4d20d10 stop this disgusting 8fdce8e84d behavior?” she hissed.2afb956f3d1328da

“You’re too emotional, 267dd61d68 Florianne. Why waste your 8c5fc8584b energy on commoners?”83a08e89a415f9e4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“This isn’t b621ded3c8 about whether acab2a3896 they’re commoners 8fe51f920a or not.”dd5692ec62920054

Florianne’s rage boiled over, 4b7932c9f3 but Gallet met her ea6b6202bc outburst with the indulgent 98e80756db sigh of an older 1a31649a53 sibling dealing with a 18c60964d3 naive child.2dd427ed709f0915

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“One day, you’ll understand,” 1d3bd35dae he said dismissively.2c6e20964d67b0e3

“That day will 6d56e56a31 never come.”2875e25e8f0d5dd9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Without another ccc4187f0c word, Gallet 295f239df0 left the 08e7dc4f4f room, leaving 7a2e7b7b42 Florianne seething. To him, 38ebf735fc she was 5c601c4241 still too 9a8ae4c14f young to da95b14005 grasp the b8734dae2e importance of aae1cc1dd6 maintaining the bba50ced2d family’s image. At nineteen, she 5f59996306 should have matured ce9c409826 by now, he 5ee69f3906 thought with a 41b0e62473 click of his d292fe3dd5 tongue.43e0b8ae035d341f

Gallet didn’t enjoy f64c189567 what he did, e057d5b334 or so he 19f8897608 told himself. It was 463309d9a4 a necessary 6260677924 evil to 615e9f1c1a protect the 0075d42e1f family’s honor fe12593ba6 and keep 5eabdf52b2 their father’s c7acd8a8af dirty habits 2874ae631b from becoming 97ef424ae1 public knowledge. His rationale? Someone had 4891d2048a to do d3a8d7f569 it.745eec1e66f7125a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But to feb8a2fdd8 Florianne, he 058709324c was as a33037aa97 much a 0acea58e9e monster as f5443ab70d their father—if e0115344bd not worse.1d518baad893c373

* * *7f0202e35be2564f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Beatrice walked through 25014e2810 the corridor with 234bf7302e Lily, her soft 6537733e15 footsteps echoing faintly 317bc3da45 against the polished 350a29b24a floors.da1ab457237aa150

Lily was b7a47ec40d an exceptional 3a6b5fd758 servant. She moved efficiently, 0179eb623e covering only the ecec7c4e52 most essential areas 35052c2fd8 while ensuring her 4744eee630 guest was shown 8924dd6d19 all the estate’s 57aefb9337 finest features. Her ability to a659772d4f present the mansion’s 17a957a2c6 best sides with aeec2b169f minimal effort reflected 074821773c her experience.97ddceee7fac6a1b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Beatrice, seated 913b4daadd earlier by 066e9caa47 a window 79d1198e78 overlooking the ab696939e7 garden fountain, 28ba02749f had asked 32643bd822 to see 8e475fa201 the library. Though the fountain was 4e49734591 dry for the winter, a217530b56 the intricate sculptures decorating 3c0c203135 it still drew some f981b74728 admiration, albeit not enough 5daa8c85fe to hold her attention c458d35b6d for long.e349e719696e5268

At her request, 9e42a53d04 Lily bowed slightly 626d021ad7 and resumed her 37b461b818 guiding duties. To reach the library, 4506913eb8 they needed to traverse 060d92365e a long corridor lined f27d371ee3 with large windows. Despite the e0a56d7207 season, the 3612da0b86 garden outside f8cb585341 was well-maintained, 85b61a4e7d its neatly fd6f795113 pruned trees 703bf52433 standing resilient 198d12f2a6 against the cba6849daa cold. The crisp e3f273d263 sound of b224b37b9f wind slicing 0985231737 through the 0ad2a0ce8d needles of e354323457 conifers filled 482ee85c6f the air e3d15c1fe0 faintly.d2888f0b1c59e90b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Beatrice suddenly came b39c5fed2d to a halt. The sound 8b6bf3d472 of her 4451e3b9c3 footsteps stopping abda931407 was enough f04870976a to alert 94c7f0d071 Lily, who 80db5d1d25 immediately turned 896cad7af2 to face 5ae08b4d87 her.4c1afde3f1e1f210

The guest she had 9f26654481 been assigned to guide b14dfdbeeb today was no ordinary 7a2a8bea34 visitor. A lady 08d9f61c68 of noble 71ff57a356 birth from a53c40d795 the Ember 9290344c94 family, a 93c47b841a guest of f977eed421 the Countess—someone 2132d5251e far beyond 2da96dbc3a her station. Lily knew her 44997a4a5d involvement was temporary, 7092622f8f a result of 3a821c6999 Gallet’s whim. Once today was over, 73fb24792a their paths would never 7ca724320d cross again.cd1c1df7c775bf1d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Yet, something about f147f75f19 this woman stirred 7f7f8ef7bc an inexplicable unease 3ed26d997d within her.5b03ef3c4b7fefec

The young 548bd17cca lady seemed 3f0e352993 detached, almost 87e9be2d16 indifferent, as 48ae058ad1 she inspected 246e2b1a8b the estate. Whenever Lily ad0a83fe17 explained something ad3b781add about the 12039bffe9 mansion, Beatrice 36ce7ef22f would nod 58f916de0d in acknowledgment, e45a431755 but never 19970083eb did she afdf774ebf show further 3fabe77a1c curiosity or b08bd1eec3 engagement.9d6753844b309ea6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Lily had encountered bba9254e91 many nobles while 13e48d85ea working for the d80238f3cc Buildrander family, but db9eb69581 none carried themselves 95c1946147 quite like Beatrice. She thought momentarily of 1a8468d9d7 Calrex Ember, whose demeanor e61d753eaa was similarly unapproachable. Perhaps this 0802f073f7 was something 2c0de24802 shared by 075f1ce193 their bloodline. But no—Calrex’s disinterest came dfdda8e728 from a place of 30339e0e2f cold arrogance, while Beatrice’s fe743ec9f2 indifference seemed rooted in a09dbbcebb something far deeper, something 1c6d984c84 unplaceable.b84b8f082cc48202

As Lily studied Beatrice, 9860df90c3 wondering if her guest 77ecca56e1 was displeased with anything, a88ec620be she noticed no irritation 9f47a55a2a or discomfort on her 3006e3952b face. Beatrice stood 5ab1fe565d still, her 7399800557 gaze fixed 5634d5c537 on something 7bec35e155 outside the 3a23739170 window.5febefc60a320472

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Following her a46cb15501 line of 07c7d5c754 sight, Lily 5988a93aea spotted a 3ef4827389 small spiderweb 32b6c9497f tangled in dc84ebae1e the corner a51872726b of the bb3b21b73e large window ef3a4b66fd frame. The web 45c8cd35f5 itself wasn’t 5ce937ca0f so unsightly, 94fb2dddeb but the b79c955eeb tiny dead db6f31abd9 insects caught a4bce99b52 in its 328574bf3e sticky threads 58235b832c made it 12a3b57d1e unpleasant to 93a5179bd0 look at. It must bc5601652a have gone 165fe8b9fd unnoticed due d47b7ddbef to its d64bae1160 inconspicuous location.b76cb7a92324cd0f

“Please forgive d9817682d8 the unsightliness. I’ll have it cleaned e02306b26a immediately,” Lily said.e078c30c5b064a01

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Leave it aee988e769 as it 809994f2a3 is,” Beatrice 1232f79fb3 replied calmly.94dc6565a5145ecb

“…Pardon?”bc8e5006be18037e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Doesn’t it suit the cda0a62424 setting?”09d002e1168227fd

Beatrice turned to b5abee6f5b face Lily, her ff971a12c3 golden eyes catching 881a5e2246 the light in c2cc2da917 a way that bbfc7a032e made her appear ffc9ed96c8 both serene and ef915c81af unnerving. Lily blinked, unable to 5fb222d67a decipher the comment.1e8bc71a6b77ff39

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“A spider weaving its 70eaae56b0 web to trap and f8cc4bc687 devour weaker insects—that’s the 9ac7b9cd8c way of nature. The strong dc3c6cfb7a consuming the 614b48768e weak, leaving 836082ae6b behind such c1493b75bc traces.”94658e3ec22c05bb

“…”034b4fbc1fddb808

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“We mustn’t ea81a5148d forget such 3a30a2375c reminders. Leave it there.”dcb07aa566268547

Lily kept e6b4c5bdcf silent, uncertain b2342468ae how to 09ebdd946f respond. Her reason 9d31957b8b for working 83a72a7a01 in the 4e589a8f17 Buildrander household 7753058760 was singular: 23ce98b750 revenge. Her family had been 02666cc91c victims of the Count’s b7927377b1 cruelty for no reason f1cfbf3696 other than their weakness a87acf4274 as commoners. This woman’s words 6dceb95bdb stirred a quiet 91e77e4cc3 rebellion within her d62e99c3ee heart, but she b501da4d02 was too cautious 924d96b881 to let her 499820520f emotions show.ceedf60fbd1c4a5d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Beatrice continued, her tone d9e9050235 unwavering. “In nature, the 4bf057b875 weak perish—it’s inevitable. No one can be 1c18ec0ca6 blamed for it.”dd0469744f0cacce

At this, Lily dd1a4e60ee lifted her gaze 3a603abf7e to meet Beatrice’s. She tried to suppress 1981c06a56 her emotions, but the ce950fac6c conflict brewing within her 83a37e6407 was as clear as f4fb8b2432 a storm on the 1517073690 horizon.92fb2b2cb6e4e9e1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Beatrice’s smile shifted. Gone was the gentle ac53eff59e imitation of Florianne’s cheerful cbd4378aca expression. In its place c058e75128 was something sharp 707ace047b and unsettling, like aaa076f85b the grin of 68da0a25ec a serpent. Her crimson lips curled 6b77eca5e3 upward in a way 92bc908295 that sent a chill 2f55a12155 down Lily’s spine.d722fe714313d4b8

“But humans aren’t 31e805bff1 bound by nature’s 6714b2c537 rules alone. Laws and morals exist 14719d7608 to ensure we don’t 4364c0426c live like insects. It’s what separates a88f59e161 us.”5eb8df2d305c2650

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Lily understood 982d1b9108 immediately whom d3e21ce67b Beatrice was fbc0ddb8b4 referring to.2e1b33b149a48d0a

“Unfortunately, this estate is af8362718f infested with insects,” Beatrice 355c617fed continued.205a6bf427caf769

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Why is she 215dd4b99f telling me this? Lily thought. Suspicion flickered ea06def548 in her 53490a940e green eyes.d898c66ec779f32d

“To deal 639210d2ef with insects, 28f56f5a8a you must 4baed47330 use their cb0c700c85 rules,” Beatrice cba282e08b said with 59856806d1 a faint a8e9a525b6 air of 5fae3d7470 finality, her a334c86fbe fingers brushing d01fabe881 the cold e65e6575cd glass of eed557f420 the window 4e2c2a290c without purpose. It was 8e54d1e0b8 clear she 8b948b5a1e expected nothing d54a8d42ee from Lily, c3d1881b9f offering this a6df0497d1 statement as be2f1c7039 though it a227167c57 were mere bed584bfc3 advice.1ecadfe1b9620551

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“When the opportunity 12e7878933 comes, don’t let e15a149972 it slip by.”d823761bf4a393df

Beatrice’s words 49d332de2f hung in 1d8c6a3560 the air daf2cd9862 as she 7043ae325e began walking 360b00975f again, leaving 6e3696152c Lily momentarily c592bdd4ad frozen in 126b2d6da7 place. Regaining her composure, Lily 744fbc6960 quickly followed. They walked the rest 83f67d2498 of the way to 1851ad14f0 the library in silence.2e822e013f4418d6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Beatrice knew Lily d3513425f5 would grasp her 7d67ae8082 meaning when the 429a738044 time came. She didn’t 0fd3be101a bother to 3834f9aa33 explain further f8ade00c63 because she d1f1b0fc80 trusted that 96d702b16b Lily’s intelligence badb9f57f2 and instincts c9626e6433 would guide 829925210a her.d09a0777888ecbd3

In the library, eaec134167 Beatrice feigned interest 91583ab13b in the collection, bde7ca4d07 sparing only fleeting 6a087ddd5b glances at the 9c9e0cadb6 books before returning 92571a7e76 to the drawing 704d10a529 room. Meanwhile, Lily’s 999e1fc988 mind swirled 9c26caf306 with thoughts.79907229d26475f3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

She couldn’t a1fd8962dd decipher exactly 7d6c441e49 what the 93523b1b01 Ember family’s 5beb0e4ccb young lady 6adfe556e0 knew or 65643c2a24 expected from fad7589f14 her, but c3f8fbb0a9 one thing 6894d1e26b was certain: d3c4c5a174 Beatrice harbored 482faeeb93 no affection 3930b37ac1 for Count 5f79c3b9b6 Buildrander. If anything, she c17260290f seemed utterly indifferent 1ae19fbe04 toward him.8ef65e0b3ab08a8e

Lily recalled the ea1aaeadd8 emptiness in Beatrice’s 03e05f5d0e golden eyes—eyes that ffc58ca919 shone brilliantly in 92891b88ae the sunlight yet 58d830767b reflected nothing of ca348a6863 substance. Those weren’t 15798dc7fb the eyes 0f409036cd of someone 0946968241 driven by 8514a3b844 vengeance or 209f67c6c1 desire. They were the dcc98f610a eyes of someone 57b4f44b5d reviewing a predetermined 91c9d8a2a2 course of action, 64d1475653 devoid of any e9b2db3514 personal stake.823a5ede05b0653a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lily had 6a7a5e741d never encountered b7a50bfa37 such a 2628ac6b3b person before. If Beatrice had 99596126af shown ambition or 26f46b4d60 longing, she could d2bd891b54 have predicted her b2bfb460c8 moves. But with someone 4e7087050e like her, she 05b3c1f39a had no idea c4aeb0734a what might happen a8e8ef895b next.1a4acac9f4743e7c

As Lily d664d1ae63 walked quietly eb63dceb68 down the a663690f0e corridor after 7d82f99fe6 escorting Beatrice, d7f9a518b5 she passed a827481d58 another maid 91f3216fe5 with brown 6597175c3c hair. Without stopping, 5d13233a4e Lily whispered, 0ee6ac5b70 “My room 79c3ed4bb1 at eleven.”bc23166993454695

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The maid dbf69cdb48 gave a f941c71b83 subtle nod 877a48179b before continuing c5861718fa on her 946d2e6f56 way. Lily knew 08ed879726 she needed 41341503b4 to discuss 269c12f8a8 today’s events d7cb5de8df with others a93ed1f2cd who shared 4612e777de her purpose. Whether this 5162acc797 encounter with a27310c022 Beatrice presented fc1bad1889 an opportunity 4075f196c1 or a fd29e8e3e0 threat, they 6d0ba68e62 couldn’t afford 8b8f8f8b28 to let 9afda704ac it slip 3c04356001 by unnoticed.3c16011b487f08a7

* * *07a697fe5848e808

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Beatrice and 38f04d770c Florianne sat d495e661b3 in the 43236a672b drawing room af1365a5d4 in silence. During their brief separation, e00dbcee28 fatigue had etched itself bc019c26f6 into Florianne’s expression. Noticing this, Beatrice 6879999f1f broke the silence.ca1c063d81177ac3

“I think 89c312b668 it’s time 1f113ccd28 for me 618fab5704 to take b104469c07 my leave.”6e69588c7cea692a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Oh, I’m sorry. You came all 32621f6650 this way…” Florianne bf2fda3806 said, her voice 311de3bb03 tinged with guilt.04c5131b47b62e13

“It’s alright. We’ll be 2424d5e7f2 seeing each 942f14ccca other often 58375e5299 from now 0c3b012100 on anyway,” c43fb62ce2 Beatrice replied 3020dccaed smoothly, her da099c6ffb tone neutral 6e987d130a but direct.5c44596938c50c62

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Florianne nodded. There was much to f23851b2e5 prepare for Beatrice’s debutante 3306198f81 ball, which meant their 252591554f interactions would only increase. Yet, Florianne couldn’t ignore 769610a5f3 her growing unease. Now that 76eabbc0c2 her insufferable 82b0342177 brother Gallet 5029e02c27 had openly 99683b7ca6 shown interest d4d4a72494 in Beatrice, 002945a3e4 the thought fffe6827df of her 86ec837fe5 visiting the e7bbd4717b Buildrander estate cab02b81ab more often b3e653b10b only meant 4ee3f80f4a more opportunities 7f805387ab for him e8a48d65d7 to meddle.f4b92599fbfbd0d4

Even tonight, 97adfa0e89 Florianne had 0901a979b6 planned to 2709c5e653 invite Beatrice 9bd21e5dc0 for dinner, c2895407e6 but the 6877d8fff4 thought of 3626f099f5 Gallet barging 904384e904 in uninvited 27f232a359 made her f1667e8727 abandon the a1664d1ab6 idea. It was 2f4d36f472 frustrating—she genuinely 827ed6c98e liked Beatrice.0f7094ca58ed3f74

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Let’s have dinner d873aead05 together next time,” 460cdc2c54 Florianne said, smiling a4d1f5785f faintly.67f2243e7726c0a2

“That sounds wonderful. Shall I write ce880abdbe to confirm the e2df935f60 next time?”5b06b2ad88811b6c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Of course.”bfe3c7d9e0079025

Both women stood. Beatrice prepared cc3afe4728 to leave, a4fab5811b and Florianne 61c8313a92 rose to d5af0fe0b6 escort her 76a3fe68b6 to the 2dad81ca96 front gate. Florianne sent 9859ab1f18 a maid 6d1fefef93 ahead to 9f7e3c86ba ready the ca4cbdcfee carriage, allowing 7cbc14597f them to d76f46c38e walk slowly c6dc0c7760 through the 7e668b607f estate’s halls. The silence between 968f7d9242 them was unremarkable aeb68242b6 to Beatrice, who abb4b76854 was well accustomed 3b0332c967 to quiet. Florianne, however, wrestled 5725b95f2f with a storm 3fdf5df3a0 of thoughts.501d52e4ef58ac3c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Florianne debated 21db30400e whether she 6595b804fe should warn b34c20ad56 Beatrice about 43c4a5a05d her brother. If the naive young 679cb40fd5 lady fell for Gallet’s 7b8602fe74 schemes, Florianne would feel 83112ad4ef guilt-stricken and might even 9500f71c8c resort to physically dragging d429beb04c her away.84a8c602455a67d1

As they 1c737e1299 neared the f7fca296ea mansion’s front eaf3a4461b entrance, Florianne 0a5db08b50 finally spoke, 3302166dec her voice 3917f7d87e careful. “Lady Beatrice?”a26a814fac01edb8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes?”f68c800b9ad9c17f

“This might sound de7e5469e2 strange, but…”af65bb510a5ba2c9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Beatrice’s golden eyes 7c0a9c1eab shimmered like sunlight b14d067268 in the open 60bf0c3b48 air, yet darkened 2862fe4954 to a predatory 826e0782ef yellow in the 5e4e66b8f4 shadows of the 51c95a0292 estate. Florianne swallowed briefly a017ff4fa7 before continuing.7fbe3fa4a834f0ab

“Be wary of Gallet e6caf16304 Buildrander—my brother.”31b6c895baace961

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I will.”1aa804c9ea2d8f7a

“…Pardon?”a322b6668ccb1c8b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Florianne had expected some 8ef9589d77 hesitation or curiosity, but 1f2f443fa5 Beatrice responded with complete bd1c7b9334 indifference, as if Gallet 2488207d76 were of no consequence. While she already suspected 265af14cb8 Beatrice held no romantic 663ac30812 interest in her brother, fac3c1789c this nonchalant reaction still 7e408b301d caught her off guard.cfe0775446ed6f02

“Don’t you want to e56bcedb4e know why?” Florianne asked, 91a2fef112 her tone uncertain.3a121a8cf14d6f63

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You wouldn’t have said dc4e585f02 it without a reason,” 3c9a4e59b8 Beatrice replied simply.5c6381cd8cdafb1e

“Well, that’s 901188f6ba true, but…” 715375cc85 Florianne hesitated.2e3bc0ced05ffdcd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You did say I e8e3d56b76 should trust no one 47f9d546b3 but you, didn’t you?”39a3cea277c39123

Florianne blinked as the 30ae0889b7 memory of her earlier 8b2abb8962 advice resurfaced. Yes, she had 25e5bc68d7 told Beatrice not e45f768d6e to share her faa4ac67fc vulnerabilities with anyone 58ef83118b else. For a 055b7a677d moment, the a26ca0bb21 implications of c29911fea2 her own d727a9a7f0 words left 16656b112f her unsettled.f8d4681f3084f0b8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“But we 50ef3943c7 only just 9869198c33 met today.”2a230472478c19f7

“If you were 2f72d7197d someone capable of 2d7d829f70 deceiving me, you b509057838 wouldn’t have warned 583799eadd me in the a3874a7d2a first place. Besides,” Beatrice said as 4c15cba9da they reached the carriage, 7c048ffc01 “you have a lovely 1593bca175 smile. That’s enough reason to 05b95bb1cf trust you, don’t you 0133301e5f think?”27f2c4790e7460b7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Beatrice climbed into a3f6714a0e the carriage with 97e3ed2ccd her knight’s assistance. Before Florianne could abd373aad3 respond or even 4affbe5596 bid her farewell, b98a77e8d6 the door shut, 262dd43fdf and the carriage ac5463c3c7 began to roll 89ba90b9fd away.64823e2a7ccbb9a0

Florianne stood 1480bf65f9 frozen for 26479d8ac6 a moment, 800e4581a5 blinking. “What…?”44db4773527a4d5b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Unbeknownst to her, Beatrice’s 257a6cffcf comment had been an 24dd69e217 offhanded thought about how ac9eb6e046 well she had mimicked feba9d264e Florianne’s smile. But there was no 792a505d3f way Florianne could have c96a4c6627 known this.42635fd8173929c4

Inside the carriage, 2e887a1a21 Beatrice glanced at 6f2d0ce12d Laura, who sat 18ffa58911 across from her. Laura had been 6032056536 instructed not to 7d408982f7 follow her into b8a89b2ca5 the Buildrander estate 131276a006 and to spend 78f1dbb751 her time elsewhere e6fc67ef55 instead. Yet, here she was, 48b01c0dd5 waiting in the carriage df8312558e like a loyal hound.ac27eeba46f54652

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Beatrice had left 3a22d00811 Laura behind for 88135cd1f2 a reason—her brief e64f90d8fe but meaningful interaction 697b8e03c4 with Lily. As a cd67edcfc6 maid loyal c2dfe06073 to the 69bc8575b2 Duchess, Laura dfd7d3b341 was certain 09bcde73d1 to report 8c298bcc9e Beatrice’s every 841241457f move. Though the exchange with 9859078ae2 Lily might have been 088694108d incomprehensible to her, Beatrice fcb070fbc9 saw no harm in fdd8504932 being cautious.08741be6a50bcab1

“Next time, we’ll go 17a7a80d4d in together,” Beatrice said.19b79d416bd6f081

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Of course, my 228d857d9f lady. Were they 3c03d7fdab kind to efefa3ef20 you at cb9df1e43a the Count’s a433d588fb estate?”d3c92ff48875836f

“Yes, Lady f6f39c0b2f Florianne was 0e13d6d353 especially considerate.”dacfac915a97d437

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“She has an excellent ffc4a024bb reputation,” Laura noted approvingly.0448448131a625ca

“Her brother, on 663fa2d351 the other hand, 24a51af7d5 offered to be 936ce7ff1b my debutante partner. I haven’t 23416fe20f given him 6dae804ef3 an answer 199bdde29d yet.”00779c2d2a8dcf77

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Lord Gallet?” Laura’s 527fc26feb brow furrowed slightly, 944aa9881e an expression Beatrice e2087211ef didn’t miss.7e86b37ad7954b9e

Just as the 4dddbea25a Count’s infamous reputation 3f22d51fd2 was whispered among 3e5c80ea2c servants, so too 6290006c97 were Gallet’s vile ad26c59bba tendencies. Although he took f5916c5219 care to keep 65813be6e4 his misdeeds hidden, 2d84042699 the Ember family 43d5daf271 was well aware 50cde80747 of them. Laura, being close 2f1c5ada7e to the Duchess, a413de56f9 likely knew as d3d3dd489a well.e2ccbbbe694fdba5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Wisely, Laura refrained from 9570d29cd6 commenting further. But Beatrice knew this ac2498adcb information would inevitably reach eb000d84cb the Duchess. While the Ember 501ac5675c family disapproved of 4a86aff57b the Buildranders’ actions, 9e7e509ede they didn’t see 392e7ee535 them as damning 98750c751b enough to sever 2600f85ea0 ties entirely. Still, with 2637b77456 Beatrice now 29761ba3f5 involved, this 7f44fa85ca might change.6d694878bbfb3b87

The carriage arrived at e0e902864e the Ember estate. Beatrice immediately 67dc4161b6 retreated to 37219c1b6e her chambers, 38deb45d0d leaving Laura 7adceeef25 to delegate 0fb46ee9e2 her care 2d3bd88bd8 to other cd473437d6 maids. Laura, however, made 9fe93dc4b9 her way directly c3b28360ce to the Duchess’s b6d2c85974 office.b206db46a43aa3be

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

When Laura announced 4c74eb4d04 her presence, Agatha 661babed4f paused her work f21001d1e4 and beckoned her d237983c49 inside. “Did the young lady ec85022949 behave herself at the 00ef3632f6 Count’s estate?”795df460b8ce3391

“She instructed 4c1555d31e me to 219d330552 wait in 6bb88f0d35 the carriage, 5538fd65ba so I ff022e34c1 wasn’t with e8af04b822 her. However, she d6524ccb3f seemed quite d2168b82fb excited to 7ad1c2ad94 meet someone 525e7be978 her own 6d228975ec age,” Laura fc7e71b934 said. “She did 560de7a1a4 mention that 084cb7c220 she plans 202f6cfa5f to take 5224030b38 me inside 271404c011 next time.”53e0f28287d58a6a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Hmm. Florianne is well-mannered. I doubt there’s much 7a683d2ec5 to worry about,” Agatha b5e50f1bec mused. “Anything else?”a45265ddf1d175d9

After a brief e7dcc868ac hesitation, Laura continued, 3ca24af7b3 “Lord Gallet Buildrander fb7603a022 asked to be 94f620aec0 her debutante partner.”6963f1ebcb515744

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Gallet Buildrander?” Agatha 39fcdc1166 frowned, her thoughts f56db25f51 turning to the a846f64138 Buildrander family.d57b30c8e8b6ad09

The Buildranders had 795a0ffeb6 long been trusted 8edd7159c8 vassals and close 47954cfba5 allies of the 52de829b23 Ember family. Their lands 5d2b6a889a were fertile, e34dd20a80 their taxes 13570d535c fair, and 8c8a650bb0 their exports—fruits 2d21af1bc9 and flowers—highly 238a42138d sought after dbba9c74a4 among the a49801231e nobility. Both the current 3c7d2cef10 Count Heliette and 7b7b46b6fc his heir, Gallet, 81bc62ba52 were capable stewards 950259b274 of their domain, bcb9fef79f far from incompetent.977e5721f57624a5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

But…044a1fb40c76fb6e

“Did she 54523e8a64 accept?” Agatha 2373965a2b asked.ad95cd8cc1c707f5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No. She hasn’t 681c4ac20e given him 3085cb8d64 an answer eef010b2cb yet.”60b0867897be215a

The Duchess’s 033c2c1c22 frown deepened. While a political 0a4c6eea55 marriage with the 6593465c0d Buildranders would not 12070c1602 be a poor 9dd524abe1 match, Gallet’s involvement 0e85b29eb6 in his father’s b2db30fa32 sordid hobbies made 42046f7f35 her uneasy. Such a match for daaf7d69d2 Beatrice, who had already c7793aaced endured so much misfortune, da648191b8 was difficult to stomach.c0f39dbfb4f31900

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Did she seem to d1b4dbaccb like him?”f83458dc1b820eda

“Not particularly,” Laura 58e0958625 replied.a32b375c4326e24f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Good. Subtly steer her cd83827579 away from accepting.”e763a639db618210

“Yes, Your Grace.”060747c455016ea7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

After dismissing Laura, Agatha b8bfd99e21 returned to her desk, d7eb6db025 her mind already racing dfd21fe4a4 through alternatives. The Ember family df05029b6c had no shortage c8c5f3d2d0 of allied noble 20498ee9c3 houses with eligible ed5d342362 heirs.aa19a36c51b13c2c

Agatha tapped her 50a0f1280f fingers thoughtfully against 6b5b46d940 the table. “The Lisart Marquisate, 85bc9829d6 the Bertram County, 07d67d966e and…”9c65a438f8a0c669

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Marques Duchy,” she murmured b2ec8839c8 aloud.261375ade4635431

The Duke 04f3e19772 of Marques f935118a1a was close 6110f7b200 in age 870c920eb4 to Calrex c2759395c4 and shared 7dbd79c557 a fencing 8b8affa012 master with fb0b94fbb9 him. While their families 846e6c8b77 weren’t particularly close, bef2a11ec6 the connection was 867faa8b7f cordial. An invitation to explore ba970fcac5 the possibility couldn’t hurt.c0249a8275e76bf6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Bring me stationery,” f9b299a752 Agatha ordered, deciding 1eb0003cbe to send a e512886564 letter. She couldn’t help but 830df7a0d5 wonder if the prideful 49425e8bc8 and popular Duke of 049362188d Marques would respond to 3b3ef744e7 her summons.172b9310d63c4a95

“Let’s see if 957435bb6b the bait is ec311f6151 tempting enough,” she 031265e121 said with a 4d38f74234 sly smile.b55a3f02bb572fdb

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com