CH 5

Through an accidental opportunity, she had memories of the future, but Lilian was still the 12-year-old Lilian. For Lily, this was not the world of the story she had read a long time ago, but a stark reality.

It’s like living her second life. This time, Lilian didn’t want to be a stranger to her brother, her only blood relative.

However…

“All of this…”

Looking at the pile of gift boxes, Lilian was speechless.

“This is a gift from the Lord to the lady.”

Apparently, Cedric had more desire to get along than Lilian.

There were beautiful boxes with colorful ribbons hanging from them as if exploding into the air. Small and large boxes wrapped in fine silk and velvet were piled up to form a small mountain.

Tables, coffee tables, sofas, armchairs, and even on the window frames and floors. It was difficult to find a place that was not occupied by a box.

In place of Lilian, who was half-dazed by the overwhelming sight, a maid brought the nearest large box.

“Then I will open it, young miss.”

“Wait.”

The ribbon unraveled and the boxed opened before she could stop them. What appeared was a large teddy bear. It was a doll big enough that it could hold the current Lilian.

‘No, should I say it’s huge…’

Still, despite the size, the round, docile eyes and soft, curly brown hair looked very cute.

Lilian’s half, the 12-year-old Lilian, gazed at the doll as if possessed, so one of the maids suggested.

“Would you like to touch it, young miss?”

“Yes…”

Lilian unknowingly touched the round bear’s hand a little…

‘Acha…’

By the time she came to her senses, it was already too late.

“Then I will open this box this time.”

They didn’t even ask Lily.

The maids seated Lilian in the arms of the doll and began to open the boxes one by one.

A hairbrush cut from ivory and studded with jewels, fluffy slippers lined with precious white fox fur, a pearl gown, a wide brimmed bonnet with delicate lace covering the face, an easel and colorful colored pencils that were more beautifully sculpted than most mirrors, out of print picture books with beautiful illustrations drawn in gold powder and gem pigments…

Even cosmetics that were too early for young Lily to touch, as well as a necklace with sparkling water drop diamonds dangling like ice.

There was nothing missing and no stop to it.

The other half of Lilian, who was old enough to use the flood of extravagant and cute things, guessed.

‘Is this what happens when you pay a huge amount of money to buy anything a young aristocratic lady might like…’

But why? Concerned, Lilian carefully guessed.

‘I wonder if it’s some sort of compensation for agreeing to get engaged.’

The problem of her engagement must have been a very big headache for her brother. Still, it’s too much just for that…

It’s a bit embarrassing but that’s the only thing she could point out.

It was such a guess that Cedric, who regretted noticing the existence of his one and only sister too late and who only wanted to have a good time with this wonderful child even belatedly, would be amazed.

Then, something slightly different came into Lily’s eyes.

“Wait, that…”

It was a kettle you would only see in a kitchen. The unusual thing was that it was made of a luxurious ceramic material that could be used to make a teacup and had exotic patterns engraved on it. It was a rare item in the Empire.

When Lily showed interest for the first time, her maids quickly took the rest of the items out of the box and laid them out.

Tea cups, saucers, and small plates along with a set of small and messy tea utensils, as if they had been tailored to Lilian’s immature hands.

“In foreign countries, the custom of brewing and sharing tea is very active. Girls especially like it…”

Even while conveying the merchant’s words, the maid seemed dubious.

Of course, tea culture had not yet taken root in this Empire.

Even the maids didn’t know how to brew tea, but if the lady they’re serving wanted it, they could make some tea for her drink. Although they’re bound to be unfamiliar with the utensils.

However, it was a welcome addition to Lilian, who knew that the tea ceremony would become popular in the near future.

Besides, Lilian was one of the Imperial people who was particularly fond of the tea ceremony.

Although the taste of tea differs depending on the place of production, harvest time, aging method and period, Lilian was not the type to distinguish the fragrance delicately. She just loved the warmth that spread through her body when she drank tea.

The Empire had relatively long winters. Besides, no matter how thoroughly measures against the cold were taken, a castle was still a castle. The stone building with a needlessly high ceiling was chilly even with the heating on. In such an environment, the warmth of tea was a very precious break…

Wait a minute.

‘Break?’

While stroking the smooth body of the teapot, Lilian’s mind flashed the face of a man who needed the most rest in the castle at this moment.

***

“Why did you come to see me?”

Cedric Islar.

Ever since he succeeded his father as Elector of Turin, it had been said that Turin, which had been impregnable to public opinion, had become so thorough that not even a needle could enter.

After losing both the Master and Madam at the same time due to a mysterious accident, Turin was serving the new Lord with a more solemn and orderly attitude.

Except for their loyalty and pride, the Turin people had a reputation in the whole Empire as corpses. Now that such people had lost the Lord due to suspicious things, it wasn’t surprising that everyone turned a blind eye and became mad.

“Please avenge the former Lord!”

“No one can go over Turin. Even if it’s the imperial family!”

Cedric stood at the center of that outpouring of excessive loyalty.

Fortunately, he rose to prominence since his youth and was known for his characteristic cool judgment and perfectionism.

His innate qualities were further sharpened by passing the strict tests and teachings of his elders.

Cedric was just 21 years old, but he was not an easy Lord even for the aged vassals.

Lilian looked at Cedric’s blue eyes as he asked about her reason for visiting after a while. He looked stern and cold.

‘Indeed…’

His retainers scrambled to praise him as ‘the essence of Turin’, and he was worthy of being the successor. Just the sight of him made one shudder.

Perhaps if Lilian was just 12-years-old like she used to be, she might have backtracked or burst into tears.

‘But not now…’

She could see it now. The dark fatigue hidden behind Cedric’s cold face.

In fact, the work of the Lord was not hard or difficult. Cedric was born with the aptitude of a military officer as well as that of an administrative bureaucrat and the ability to lead.

The family retainers were blindly loyal to the young new Lord for a reason.

A young man who was perfect as the Lord, except for his young age and the accompanying lack of experience.

What was driving Cedric right now was the heavy burden of not being able to fill the void left by his deceased father no matter what he did.

Even so, Lilian thought. Everyone knew that her brother needed a break. But what if she said it straight away?

The reason Cedric accepted Lilian’s request to rest the other day was because it was unusual.

‘There’s a high probability that he won’t listen to it twice…’

So Lilian answered her older brother, who asked about her business, like this.

“Just because.”

Skip the detailed explanations!

Seeing Lilian smile broadly, Cedric was dumbfounded in the pure sense of the word.

“Just because?”

He was the heir from birth.

But no one had ever spoken like this to Cedric, the head of the household.

“I’m brother’s only younger sister. I thought it wouldn’t be strange if I just missed my older brother for no reason.”

Her eyes stared blankly as if asking if she’s wrong with her shameless reply.

Even if they have the same blue eyes, his were like ice, but why did that child’s eyes look like they’d flow down when touched? He really didn’t know.

To Cedric, who gently shut his mouth, Lilian added with a bashful smile.

“I also wanted to say thank you for the gifts.”

Allen, who was quietly observing the situation from the sidelines, had a hunch.

‘The Lord lost.’

Rather than ‘losing’, he might have been ‘persuaded’.

Anyway, as Allen expected, Cedric put down the pen. It was an action implying that he would continue the conversation with his sister.

“If there’s something you don’t like, you can dispose of it.”

“No, I like everything. I was a little surprised because it was such a nice item that I had never had before.”

Although she was surprised by the size, she was honestly happy to receive a gift, not hate, from Cedric.

‘Even if it’s just a gift sent without much meaning.’

“There was nothing I didn’t like.”

Still, she wanted to say thank you.

Lilian lifted the clothes on her and showed them off. It was an indoor cloak lined with soft fur beneath a powerfully woven white silk.

Although the dress underneath was a bit shabby and short which didn’t suit her, thanks to that, the new slippers that Cedric had given her could be seen clearly.

“I’m dressed so well. Thank you, brother.”

“If you like it, that’s fine.”

While speaking bluntly, Cedric thought.

‘Next time, I’ll have to call a tailor and have her fit some clothes.’

Fortunately or unfortunately, Lilian did a terrible move that made her brother spend more money on her.

She didn’t notice.

Because Lily was also a little nervous.

“That’s why I also want to repay older brother with something.”

“Hmm?”

“I learned how to brew tea, if you don’t mind… can I treat brother to some tea?”