Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Valois.

For Liliana right now, there was nothing more precious than that. And, being precious meant that, in a way, that was her weakest part.

Zenith delved into that point without hesitation.

“Even though Londini is a very humble family compared to Valois, we can spread that kind of rumor.”

“Th, that…!”

“Sometimes in the social world, such ‘rumours’ …exert tremendous power.”

Zenith, who burst into laughter, patted Liliana on the shoulder and spoke, “Well, I’ll see you soon, so think carefully.”

“….”

“What happened today is, of course, a secret between you and me, you know?”

After saying those words, Zenith quickly turned around.

Liliana, who was staring blankly at her back as she moved away, dropped her head down to the floor.

‘Really… If there are even bad rumors about Valois because of me.’

…Then, what should she do?

Her eyes darkened.

***

That evening.

As Elliot and Liliana returned to the townhouse, Anriche went directly to the front door to greet her children.

“Welcome, guys.”

“Mom!”

Elliot rushed and jumped into Anriche’s arms.

After that, Liliana stuttered in and greeted her in a sullen voice.

“I’m back, Mother.”

‘Hmm…?’

Something was strange. If it was Liliana normally, she would immediately stick to her side, and she would have told the story of what happened today.

Seeing that, Anriche asked a question secretly.

“How is it Liliana, did you have fun today?”

*…That.”

Liliana, who had been fiddling with the hem of her sleeve for a while, spoke in a small voice.

“I’m sorry, Mother.”

“Yes?”

“The clothes were chosen by Mother, but I ended up getting them dirty.”

“Oh, my gosh, you don’t have to worry about that at all.”

Anriche looked at her with a pitiful gaze.

“Are you so down because of that?”

“…No, it’s not like that.”

Liliana, who was glancing at her with a complicated gaze, immediately shook her head and spoke again.

“Thank you so much for sending me tea and snacks during the day.”

“I’m glad Liliana liked it.”

“Yes, I was very happy. It was because I ate too much of the snack I had earlier, so I was a little full.”

Saying so, she then smiled awkwardly and continued, “I don’t want to have dinner tonight, is that okay?”

“Yes, do what you’re comfortable with.”

Anriche nodded her head slightly.

Liliana, who bowed her head, returned to her room. At the same time, Anriche, with a subtle face, turned to Elliot.

“Did anything happen with Liliana today?”

“I don’t know. But, it seems like she’s been in a bad mood since tea time earlier.” Elliot answered, narrowing his brow.

“Even when I ask why, she doesn’t answer, so I’m a little frustrated too.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Right, thanks for telling me.”

Patting Elliot on the shoulder, Anriche looked in the direction Liliana had disappeared.

The violet eyes narrowed.

***

Knock, knock.

At the sound of a brief knock, Liliana, who was lying on her bed, raised her head.

“Liliana, it’s me. Can I come in?”

“Yes, come in.”

While she hurriedly got her body up from her bed, Anriche stepped into the room. In her hand, she held a tray of soup.

“I didn’t think it would be good to skip meals at all, so I brought them, so can you eat this much?”

“Yes…”

Liliana silently grabbed the spoon, though she only looked down at the soup bowl blankly as if she had no appetite.

Seeing that, she carefully asked a question.

“Did anything happen today?”

“….”

“Are you offended by me sending Liliana refreshments and tea without a word?”

“Oh, no!”

Startled, she jumped out.

“Did I tell you before? I really lost my energy.”

“Then, you should be smiling broadly.”

Saying so, Anriche stroked Liliana’s cheek softly and asked back, “Why does Liliana’s expression look so dark in my eyes?”

“….”

Liliana was silent for a moment. Meanwhile, Anriche patiently waited until the child was ready to speak to her.

A few minutes after that.

Liliana hesitated and opened her lips.

“Well, mother…”

“Yes, tell me.”

“Why don’t we make a donation to the Londini Orphanage?”

“…Donation?”

What kind of donation all of a sudden?

Anriche gazed down at Liliana with a vague expression on her face. Though the little girl in front of her was hesitant to say the words.

“That’s because Baron Londini was subjected to a tax audit because of me!”

In an instant, Anriche’s expression hardened coldly.

How does she know that? In case it would put a burden on Liliana’s heart, she deliberately didn’t tell the child.

“Wait, Liliana.”

“Yes?”

“Where did you hear that you were under a tax audit?”

At that question, Liliana stiffened her shoulders.

“I wonder if Lady Londini told you that?”

Anriche also knew that Zenith was attending today’s club meeting. She even brought refreshments and tea, so it would be strange that she doesn’t even know about her existence.

However, it was in a group, so Anriche figured she’d take care of her mouth…

“…Ah, that’s.”

Facing the helpless Liliana, she let out a small sigh.

“If I offended you by touching your relatives without telling you, I’m really sorry about that. However…”

“No, I’m not offended!”

Liliana, who had raised her voice without realizing it, shrugged her shoulders.

‘Besides, you will get in trouble if you don’t listen to my offer?’

Zenith’s mocking voice sounded vivid to her ears.

‘You don’t even know the grace who raised you so far, and it seems ungrateful enough to have us undergo a tax audit.’

‘And, if rumors spread that you even refused to donate, isn’t the reputation of the Duchy of Valois going to be very bad?’

As if someone had ripped her heart with a dagger, Liliana raised her hand and pressed it against her chest.

“…I don’t think Mother did any anger against Baron Londini without any reason.”

“Yes?”

“The reason Baron Londini was under a tax investigation was, obviously, because there was that much reason…”

Anriche, who was seriously listening to Liliana’s words, opened her mouth involuntarily.

“Wait, wait.”

Waving her hand, she asked Liliana.

“What are you talking about now?”

“That, so…”

After hesitating for a while, Liliana finally fumbled about what had happened.

Zenith claimed that Baron Londini was under a tax investigation because of Anriche’s anger. Because of that, she asked to donate to an orphanage. If Liliana didn’t donate, she would spread evil rumors about the Duchy of Valois.

“…I’m afraid that Baron Londini will really spread the word.”

After she had finished speaking, Liliana bit her lip. Anriche, who looked down at her with a complicated gaze, slowly opened her lips.

“First, I have to explain to you why Baron Londini was subjected to a tax audit.”

“Did you request the tax audit?”

“Right.”

Anriche nodded her head as she replied.

“Actually, there was absolutely no reason for you to be treated like a maid during your stay with Baron Londini.”

At the unexpected words, Liliana blankly blinked her eyes.

“Because you had County Aberyt’s property left in your name.”

“…But, in Londini, they said it cost a lot of money to raise me.”

Liliana couldn’t hide her questionable expression.

“So, to pay the living expenses that have been spent on me, they say that until I become an adult, it is not enough to work until my body is broken…”

“That’s a lie, of course.”

Anriche asserted.

“Once a month, your living expenses were being deposited into Baron Londini’s account.”

“…Yes?”

“Besides that, the amount received as an extra was considerable.”

Oh, my gosh.

While Liliana’s eyes widened at what she heard, Anriche calmly concluded her words.

“And, Baron Londini took all the living expenses.”

“Ho, how could that be…”

“They’re just getting what they deserve, so Liliana doesn’t have to worry about that.”

Liliana bit her lip.

She must have felt betrayed. The feeling of debt Liliana had with Baron Londini until now was something she wouldn’t have to have in the first place.

‘By the way, Baron Londini doesn’t seem to have come to his senses yet?’

The reason why Anriche left Baron Londini only under tax investigation was because they were Liliana’s only relatives.

One day, when Liliana found the warmth of her blood relatives, she wondered if they would be better off being there. However, if they keep crossing the line like this…

‘I think it would be more helpful for Liliana to get rid of such relatives early.’

She also got to realize it more clearly.

It was for the sake of children, so she had deliberately hid it.

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