Lily entered the bookstore and stood at the entrance, looking around. As she took in the sight of books tightly packed on the shelves and inhaled the unique scent of paper and ink, her heavy and uncomfortable heart became a little more at ease.

If only there was a space like this in the Benjamin Viscount’s mansion.

There was a study, but it was exclusively for Fredrick’s use, so Lily couldn’t use it. Even if she wanted her own personal study, she couldn’t have one because Samantha wouldn’t allow it.

Besides that, there was nothing Lily could do freely in the Benjamin Viscount’s mansion.

The newly realized fact made her heart, which had just been comforted, heavy again. But Lily pretended nothing was wrong as she browsed the books and approached the bookstore owner at the counter.

“Hello.”

“Oh, it’s been a while, madam. Welcome.”

The bookstore owner, recognizing her, greeted her warmly.

“I’ve been waiting for you to come, actually.”

“For me? Oh, if it’s about work, I’m alright.”

Whether she worked with Countess Baliman or not, she had no intention of translating novels for the time being.

When Lily declined, the bookstore owner looked troubled.

“Oh dear. I’ve already told the Count’s family that I would introduce you. This is a problem.”

“You’ve already introduced me?”

“Yes. They said they wanted to expand their business to the Kingdom of Herta, but were worried because it’s difficult to find someone who speaks Garta well, so I quickly recommended you.”

Count’s family. Kingdom of Herta. Garta language. Naturally, the face of Countess Baliman, who had shamelessly asked for help, came to Lily’s mind.

“Is the Count’s family you introduced me to the Baliman family?”

“No, it’s a different one.”

She had naturally assumed it was the Baliman family, but it was someone else?

“Just a moment.”

The bookstore owner rummaged through a storage cabinet behind the counter and pulled out a note, handing it to Lily.

“Here, a message came from the Stacy Count’s family.”

“…!”

Lily’s eyes widened as she took the note, looking puzzled.

“What’s wrong, madam? Is there a problem?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

There was a very big problem, but it wasn’t something she could tell the bookstore owner, so Lily held her tongue and checked the note. The note contained the address of the Stacy Count’s mansion and the family seal.

The Stacy Count’s family was a wealthy family that owned several gold mines and gem mines, and the current Count Stacy held the position of Royal Secretary General.

In other words, he was the superior of Lily’s father, the former Viscount Benjamin.

Moreover, Kennedy Stacy, the only daughter of the Stacy Count’s family, was the same age as Lily, so the two families often interacted since they were young, and Lily was also close to Kennedy.

More precisely, they were close until two years ago, when Lily’s father passed away in an unfortunate accident.

After her father died and their mansion burned down, Lily, left alone with her mother who was not physically or mentally well, first sought out the Stacy Count’s family. Because they were close.

She thought that Count Stacy would surely help them since they were like family, even if not related by blood, but unfortunately, her expectations were off the mark.

“…”

Recalling that time anew, Lily bit the soft flesh inside her mouth hard. It was absurd that they would leave a note like this now, when they had so coldly refused her request for help back then.

Normally, she would have crumpled up the note the moment she saw it, but she couldn’t do that because of what had happened with Fredrick before she went out.

“My business needs to flourish so that I can continue to pay for Grace Benjamin’s hospital bills. I’m asking this in hopes that you will help as well.”

Especially remembering Fredrick’s threat disguised as a request, Lily pressed her lips together.

She remembered hearing somewhere that unlike iron, gold and gems were considered luxury items, so the processing and transportation costs were expensive.

If that was true, it would be more beneficial for Fredrick’s company to make a transport contract with the Stacy Count’s family than with the Baliman Count’s family. It would be much better for Lily as well.

Yes. It’s better to work with people I used to be close to than with a woman who rolls in bed with my husband. At least Count Stacy won’t hurt my pride like Countess Baliman.

Phew. A short sigh escaped, spreading like a heat haze. Having made up her mind, Lily asked the bookstore owner.

“Did the Stacy Count’s family say I could come anytime?”

“Yes. They said they’d like you to come as soon as possible because it’s urgent.”

“I see.”

Then I should go today.

It would be troublesome if the Stacy Count’s family found someone else while she was dawdling and wasting time, so Lily thanked the bookstore owner and left the bookstore.

“The lady said she would be here shortly, so please wait a moment, madam.”

After the Stacy Count’s family’s butler left, Lily, left alone, sat upright on the sofa and looked around the spacious reception room.

The gold chandelier and jewel-encrusted decorations seemed to flaunt the wealth of the Stacy Count’s family, and the curtains, carpet, and cushions, which looked as if they had been embroidered stitch by stitch by famous craftsmen, also appeared quite expensive.

With so much money, why didn’t Count Stacy help me and my mother?

Of course, she didn’t think they had to help just because they had a lot of money. Because they were close, because Lily’s father and Count Stacy considered each other like brothers and were close enough to invite each other to family gatherings, Lily had naturally expected them to help.

However, Count Stacy not only didn’t help them but turned his back on them, and didn’t even show up at her father’s funeral.

The same was true for the Countess and Kennedy. Even if they happened to encounter Lily in passing, they would ignore her and walk by, pretending not to know her.

The disappointment was as great as her expectations had been, and that space was soon filled with resentment. Looking at the front gate of the Stacy Count’s mansion that remained closed until the end, Lily had vowed never to come here again.

Yes. She had made that vow, yet here she was again.

This must be why they say you never know what the future holds. Lily smiled self-deprecatingly as she fiddled with the note the Stacy Count’s family had left with the bookstore owner.

How long had she been waiting like this?

Knock knock—

Just as the tea brought by the maid had completely cooled, there was a knock at the door. Soon after, the door opened and a middle-aged woman entered, her hair styled in a high updo, wearing a chemise dress that flowed along her silhouette. It was Countess Stacy.

“It’s been a long time, Countess.”

Liliana rose from her seat and bowed her head politely, but there was no response. Instead, she heard what sounded like a quiet sob.

What’s this?

As Liliana raised her head in confusion, a slender arm reached out and embraced her neck. Liliana’s body, suddenly weighted, was pushed backward. She nearly fell but managed to regain her balance. Blinking her eyes wide, Liliana looked down at Countess Stacy, who was hugging her.

“I’m sorry, Liliana…”

A tearful voice echoed faintly. The arms embracing Liliana trembled slightly.

“I shouldn’t have turned my back on you… I’m truly sorry, Liliana.”

While the servants of the Stacy Count’s household secretly wiped away tears or looked on with pity at their mistress’s pitiful state, Liliana, the recipient of the apology, didn’t feel the same way. Rather, this behavior from Countess Stacy felt disgusting to her.

Two years ago, when Liliana had been drenched in heavy rain, begging for help to save her mother, they hadn’t even spared her a glance. Now, this apology couldn’t possibly look good to her. She even doubted if the apology was sincere.

Liliana wanted to grab Countess Stacy by both shoulders and shake her vigorously, demanding to know why she had acted that way back then. She wanted to ask why they had turned their backs on her when she had cried her heart out, begging for help just once.

She wanted to confront her about how they could ignore her then, but now shamelessly apologize when they needed her help.

But if she did that, her plan to work for the Stacy Count’s family instead of the Baliman Count’s family would go up in smoke. So Liliana forced a smile and embraced the trembling back of the Countess.

“It’s alright. I was a bit resentful then… but now I understand you must have had your reasons. So please don’t feel too sorry.”

“But, but…”

“Really, it’s fine. If I wasn’t okay with it, I wouldn’t have come here.”

In truth, it wasn’t fine at all. She still resented them so much that even seeing the lily, the emblem of the Stacy Count’s family, made her lips tremble. But she had come here because it was better than working with Countess Baliman, who was her husband’s mistress.

Yes. She had simply chosen the lesser evil between two terrible options. Both were equally dreadful.

“I really am fine, Countess.”

While inwardly sneering, Liliana outwardly smiled kindly and comforted the Countess.

Finally seeming relieved, Countess Stacy looked at Liliana with a faint smile on her tear-stained face.

“I’m so grateful that you say that. I realize anew that Liliana, you have a heart as beautiful as your pretty face. Grace really raised her daughter well.”

“…”

Despite it being a compliment, Liliana flinched at the mere mention of her mother’s name. The fact that it came from Countess Stacy also played a part.

“Oh, we shouldn’t be standing like this. Please, sit down. It’s been so long, I’d like to hear how you’ve been doing.”

“Later.”

Liliana gently extracted her hand from the Countess’s firm grip and continued speaking.

“I came here for work now… so I’d like to take care of that first. We can chat afterward, Countess.”

“Is that so? Well, I suppose work should come first.”

Countess Stacy nodded in agreement, although she seemed a bit disappointed by Liliana’s words.

“Then let’s go to the study where he is. This way.”