Clack clack, the sound of hooves echoed steadily inside the carriage that was filled with a quiet stillness. As if hypnotized by the sound, Lily stared blankly out the window. Her eyes reflected the lush trees lining the street and the bustling people, but her mind repeatedly recalled the moment she had conversed with Olivia.

“When the Viscountess leaves, the young master will surely try to find you. I’m trying to prevent that. I want to hide you so the young master can’t find you, so please follow my words.”

Lily wanted to say that she could hide well on her own so there was no need to worry, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so. It would have been a blatant lie. She no longer wanted to make promises she couldn’t keep.

“…Yes, I will.”

For the same reason, she accepted Olivia’s proposal. There would be no point if she clumsily ran away only to be caught by Herald again. Even if her pride was slightly hurt, it was more reliable to receive Olivia’s help.

“But I can’t leave the capital.”

It wasn’t something she should say when asking for forgiveness and help, but it was more important than anything else, so Lily spoke firmly.

“My mother is hospitalized at Calvador Sanatorium. I can’t leave her behind.”

“Then we can go together.”

“Tog…ether?”

When Lily asked in a dazed voice, Olivia nodded with a smile.

“This Friday, a delegation from the Kingdom of Herta will arrive in the empire’s capital. The young master will be too busy welcoming them to pay attention to you, so you can leave the capital with your mother then.”

From where they would stay after leaving the capital to what work she would do there, Olivia explained the future plans in detail. She also added that she would send a physician periodically to check on her mother’s condition. Lily nodded as if entranced by the flawless plan without loose ends.

She didn’t realize it then, but thinking about it now, Olivia never once mentioned divorcing Fredrick throughout her lengthy explanation of the plans. She also didn’t say she would help.

It wasn’t that Lily expected help from Olivia or the Maximilian family. It was just a bit strange that she mentioned providing a place to live, a job, and even sending a physician, but didn’t bring up that part.

Maybe she didn’t want to get involved in the messy personal affairs now. Could it be…

“We’ve arrived, Madam.”

Awakened from her thoughts by the youthful boy’s voice, Lily followed Emily and Harry out of the carriage. The place where the carriage had stopped was in front of a two-story house with an impressive blue roof. It was small but had a yard and garden.

She thought they would go to a secluded place with little traffic since they had to hide until leaving the capital, but to come to a place like this… Surprised by the location that was completely different from what she expected, Lily stared blankly at the house. Meanwhile, the front door, the same blue color as the roof, opened and a middle-aged woman with a kindly appearance came out.

“Oh my, you’ve already arrived.”

The woman approached with a friendly smile as if meeting an old acquaintance and greeted them.

“Welcome, Miss. I’m Julia, the owner of this house.”

“Nice to meet you, Julia. I’m… Sarah.”

Miss, not Madam. Immediately realizing that Olivia had hidden her identity from Julia, Lily gave a fake name. She was worried about what last name to use, but fortunately, Julia didn’t ask further.

“Come on in, please.”

As Julia pulled her hand with a friendly smile, Lily followed her in a fluster. The children quickly followed behind.

“This is the living room. First-aid supplies and such are in that cabinet over there…”

As if unaware that they were guests who would stay briefly and leave, Julia introduced the house in detail.

“This is the kitchen, it’s quite messy, right? Hoho, I did my best to clean since a guest was coming, but it still seems cluttered.”

“Not at all. It’s neat enough like this.”

Seeing how excited she looked, Lily couldn’t bring herself to say there was no need to go this far and just nodded along appropriately.

After finishing the introduction of the first floor, it naturally led to the second floor. Lily and the children’s rooms were on the second floor.

“This is where you will be staying, Miss.”

It was a suitable room for one person, with a bed fit for one, a single sofa by the window, a round coffee table, and a small wardrobe.

“Please let me know anytime if there’s anything lacking or you need anything after looking around, Miss.”

“This is more than enough. Thank you for your consideration, Julia.”

“Oh, no need to thank me. You’re Miss Olivia’s friend, so of course I should take care of you.”

She calls the Viscountess Maximilian ‘Miss’ too? When Lily looked at her quizzically, Julia smacked her forehead.

“Oops. I should call her Viscountess now, but I keep using ‘Miss’ out of habit.”

It seemed they had known each other since before Olivia was married. When Lily nodded, saying “I see,” Julia looked at her with curious eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Aren’t you curious about my relationship with the Viscountess?”

Being asked directly, she felt a bit curious, but the curiosity didn’t last long. She was too exhausted in body and mind from other matters to have the energy to think about other things.

When Lily just stared without a word, Julia seemed a bit embarrassed and waved her hands dismissively.

“Oh dear, I asked something unnecessary. Please don’t mind it, I was just saying.”

“…”

“Ah, come to think of it, the Viscountess asked me to give you a letter.”

Lily checked the envelope she received from Julia. Olivia’s seal was clearly stamped on the red wax.

“The children’s room is next door…”

“We don’t need to be shown around, Madam.”

Harry firmly refused. Julia looked at Harry, a bit taken aback by his unchildlike demeanor, then left after telling them to call her anytime if they needed anything.

“You must be tired too, so leave your luggage and go back to rest now.”

After sending the children away, Lily sat on the sofa as if collapsing. She sank deep into the backrest and pressed her throbbing forehead. It seemed like the headache would subside if she took some medicine, but she endured it, not wanting to ask Julia.

Fortunately, the headache gradually faded. When her condition had improved somewhat, Lily checked Olivia’s letter.

[Julia was the nanny who took care of me when I was young. She’s a kind and friendly person, so you won’t be uncomfortable staying there.]

So that woman was her nanny. This resolved the question that had briefly crossed her mind.

[You can do anything in that house, but don’t go out. Herald might find out, so absolutely don’t leave until Friday. If you need anything, ask Julia. If it’s something that can’t be handled by her, you can ask me.] [I’ll send someone on Friday, so follow them to the sanatorium. I’ll tell the hospital so you can handle the discharge process right away, so after getting your mother, ride the carriage you came in again. And…]

The contents after that were things Lily had heard directly from Olivia, but she read it carefully in case she missed anything. Fortunately, there was nothing different from what she remembered.

As Lily reread the letter, at the part that said [If you need anything…], she suddenly thought of her mother’s painting that she had entrusted Herald to restore.

Should I ask Olivia to find the painting for me?

“No. I shouldn’t.”

Then Herald would find out that Olivia had helped her escape, so it was better not to ask.

“Escape…”

As Lily muttered to herself, the late afternoon sunlight poured over her head. Even though it accurately described the current situation, the word ‘escape’ felt out of place because of the connotations it carried.

Why am I trying to run away from that man? What did I do wrong?

That’s right. It was a mistake to be by that man’s side. How presumptuous of me.

Questions and answers followed one after another in a long chain, and the headache returned. Lily leaned her head back and slowly closed her eyes. In the darkened world, the image of the man she loved appeared vividly.

“Lily.”

As the sweet and kind voice calling her name brushed past her ears, Lily was startled like a thief caught in the act and opened her eyes again. The letter paper was crumpled badly from unknowingly gripping it tightly.

The letter said to burn the paper after reading it, but Lily didn’t do so. She neatly folded the crumpled paper and put it back in the envelope to prepare for any unlikely situations that might occur.

[This is the timeline separator]

The peaceful Maximilian estate became chaotic when Herald Braden visited. Herald, who came to the mansion with bloodshot eyes flashing fiercely, asked about Olivia’s whereabouts without preamble.

The butler informed him of her absence, but Herald did not believe it. Insisting that she must be hiding somewhere, he began to search every nook and cranny of the mansion.

No matter how much they said it was the truth, he wouldn’t listen, so the butler and servants fidgeted restlessly. Unfortunately, not only Olivia but also Hamilton and the Duke and Duchess Maximilian were out, so there was no one who could stop Herald.

“What is this commotion?”

Fortunately, before the situation could worsen, Hamilton Maximilian returned home. After being briefed on the situation by the butler, deep wrinkles formed between Hamilton’s brows.

“Enough, Herald.”

“…”

As if finally realizing Hamilton had arrived, Herald slowly turned his head. His red lips twisted greatly.

“It’s you, elder brother.”

“…”

Even at the mocking expression and tone, Hamilton remained calm. As if he knew exactly why his younger brother was acting this way, Herald chuckled and brushed back his disheveled hair.

“I knew it was elder brother’s doing. You told her to separate her from sister-in-law, didn’t you?”

“If so, what will you…”

Before Hamilton could finish his sentence, Herald grabbed his collar as if hooking it.