Chapter 132 - Purpose of your visit

"Weird?!" Thoughtfully Valerie placed a hand on her cheek and rested her face on it. Suddenly her eyes began to glow. Happily, she laughed. "He must be head over heels in love with you, even after tow years of marriage."

With a bright red head, Lily stared at her grandmother. "Wha... what are you saying?" The girl knew the opposite was the case.

"Oh! What am I gonna do with the kiddies' things?! It made me so happy! Finally, being able to spoil a little grandchild."

Guiltily, the girl looked at her grandmother. She could introduce Adrien to her, since he was now her son. And besides, Lady de Valois already knew. She had to discuss this with Alexandre. They couldn't keep it secret forever.

"But I am your granddaughter." Lily was flabbergasted and also a little unhappy.

"Pardon! I meant my great-grandson. Well, my dear, you're too old to be entertained for this old lady." Grand-mère shrugged and reached for her teacup. " But you might give me a real pleasure if you would present me a little great-grandson soon." Valarie gave her a meaningful wink. A feeling of helplessness overcame Lilly. The visit to her grandmother was anything but helpful. It was more like a small catastrophe. The smile on her lips stiffened. She did not want to think about what her grandmother had suggested. Dazed she shook her head, grabbed her cup and took a strong sip of the still brewing hot tea to distract herself from the situation.

"Ahhh..." She groaned in pain. And let the porcelain rattling sink down onto the table. She needs something cool! Very quickly! Her tongue was burning and seemed to be swelling red.

Her grandmother, who was shaking her head, signalled one of the servants to fetch Lily anything cool for the scalded mouth of the girl.

"So, my dear, then what is the purpose of your visit?"

With the ice cube in her mouth, Lily took a deep breath and sought the gaze of grandmother. "I missed you, Grand-mère, can't I just come and see you?" She wrapped her arm around her grandmother's neck and snuggled up in Valerie's embrace.

"Oh, no, my dear. You know you can always visit your dear Grand-mère anytime you want. I'm delighted if you do so. Oh, dear, I've missed you so much lately. It's hard when the little birdie finally flies out of the nest and you know how sentimental your Grand-mère is. I got a little bored with only the old grumpy Grand-père at home." She said in a stern manner, but kissed Lily playfully on the forehead. " Well, we both know that you came to see me today for some reason, don't we?"

Lilly lowered her eyelids. "I can't keep secrets from Grand-mère."

With a deep sigh, she nestled herself like a little child against her grandmother. "Grand-mère, why is Nadine my bridesmaid? You know we're not so..." The words stuck to her lips, and she swallowed the rest of the sentence out of grief.

Her grandmother lovingly brushed a few strands behind her ear. "I know my child. Don't be sad. You are not responsible for your mother's death. Even if your father doesn't want to understand."

For a long moment they lay silently in each other's arms. Her grandmother had not yet overcome her daughter's death either. It had happened so suddenly, nobody had expected it. Lily's father still resented his daughter for being born and thereby ending his wife's life. Raymond de Clermont still loved his deceased Therese idolatrous, even after all the years since she died, hardly a day went by without him missing her. She had been his first and greatest love. However, he hated their daughter Lillian de Clermont even more, because she had taken her mother's life during the difficult birth. After hours of giving birth, the young mother was bleeding to death because of the injuries she suffered during the birth. The doctors were unable to save her. The delicate body of Therese was too emaciated.

In his deep mourning after the loss of his beloved, Raymond had thrown himself into the nightlife, where he met his second wife Ivonne Linet and in a state of intoxication with opium he produced Nadine. After the news of Ivonne's pregnancy, her father took her in as his wife. He did not want his child to be born out of wedlock and growing up in shame.