As soon as Count Stacy saw Lily, he apologized for being sorry, and Lily accepted his apology plainly this time as well. It was possible because she had no intention of sincerely accepting the apology.

Next, they talked about business. Like the Baliman Count family, the Stacy Count family was also looking for someone who could speak Garta language to expand their business to the Kingdom of Herta.

“It’s not common to find someone who can speak Garta well, so I was worried about how to find one, but I’m really glad you can do it.”

“That’s right. Don’t you think this is destiny?”

The Stacy Count couple made some meaningless remarks as if trying to win her favor, but Lily listened with one ear and let it out the other while reading the contract.

Even when the Countess left the study at the urgent call of the old butler, she didn’t give a glance and focused on the contract.

The compensation was the same as what Countess Baliman had offered, and there didn’t seem to be any unfavorable contract terms for her.

However, you never know. There could be hidden traps she didn’t know about, so Lily didn’t sign right away.

“I’d like to add one more condition, if possible?”

There was also a condition that must be added.

“Sure. Tell me. What condition do you want to add?”

“Do you know that my husband, Fredrick Benjamin, runs a transport guild?”

Count Stacy, who immediately realized what condition Lily wanted to add, asked back.

“Don’t tell me you’re asking to make a transport contract with Viscount Benjamin’s guild.”

“Is it possible?”

“Well. It’s not impossible, but…”

As if there was something on his mind, Count Stacy fell into contemplation while rubbing his chin.

Lily just watched the Count quietly, neither urging him nor begging him to accept the condition. She knew well from experience that he was not someone who would listen even if she begged. She didn’t want to waste unnecessary energy.

“Lily, if it’s not rude, may I ask why you married Viscount Benjamin?”

The question that came out after much contemplation was unexpected. Lily looked at Count Stacy for a moment and asked back.

“Are you really asking because you don’t know the reason?”

Count Stacy closed his mouth, as if that wasn’t the case. Lily continued in a calm voice.

“If you want to confirm whether the rumors spread in high society are true, then yes. I married Viscount Benjamin for money. It was the only way to save my mother.”

Lily subtly emphasized that Count Stacy didn’t help. Even so, Count Stacy’s ears turned slightly red, as if feeling a pang of conscience.

“Ahem, I’m really sorry about that time. I didn’t want to do that, but I was in a situation where I had no choice…”

“If it’s not rude, may I ask what situation it was that you had no choice?”

“That’s a family matter, so I can’t talk about it.”

What family matter. He was clearly making up an excuse because he couldn’t think of a good one. Lily scoffed inwardly but outwardly nodded her head faithfully as if she believed his words.

“It’s okay. The past is just the past. It’s fine if you do well from now on.”

“Yes. Of course. I want to correct the mistakes of the past even now.”

“Then will you make a transport contract with my husband?”

When Lily asked again, Count Stacy closed his mouth. This time he pondered again, but not as long as before.

“Of course it’s possible, but… simply asking to make a transport contract is too comprehensive, so I think I should meet Viscount Benjamin in person to discuss this in detail.”

“Then I’d like to sign at that time too, if that’s okay?”

When Lily asked boldly, Count Stacy laughed out loud.

“Of course. Well, I should see Viscount Benjamin soon.”

“I’ll tell him. If you say you want to talk about business, he’ll gladly accept.”

“Then please tell Viscount Benjamin that I’d like to meet him at 4 pm the day after tomorrow.”

“Yes. Then I’ll greet you again later.”

As Lily turned around after politely greeting Count Stacy, relief spread across her face. Although she pretended to be calm, she was worried inside about whether she had made a wrong choice, and what if Count Stacy didn’t accept her condition, but fortunately it worked out well.

Is this why they say there’s always a way out even if the sky falls? Lily was very proud that she not only found another breakthrough but also achieved better results than Fredrick had said.

As Lily came out of the study, the old butler who was waiting outside said politely.

“The madam expressed her sincere regret that she couldn’t have a conversation with you because of an urgent matter.”

“Yes. I’m quite regretful too.”

What regret. Lily thought it was rather fortunate that she didn’t have to see the Countess’s pretentious face. She had been wondering how to refuse if the Countess requested to have a conversation, so this worked out well.

“Will you return to the mansion? The coachman is waiting outside.”

“Yes.”

Lily followed the old butler down the long corridor, taking in the mansion. The Stacy Count’s mansion hadn’t changed much since her last visit three years ago. If her memory was correct, only a few paintings had been added to the walls.

‘Mom loved paintings too.’

At the sudden thought, Lily’s eyes sank poignantly. Grace Benjamin not only loved looking at paintings but also loved painting them. She was even good at it, so she painted the scenery of the mansion and her beloved family whenever she had the chance.

But the paintings she had painted turned into black ashes along with the mansion in the fire two years ago. They miraculously saved three pieces, but the colors had faded and they were covered in soot, making it difficult to recognize what the paintings were. Still, Lily cherished them because they were painted by her mother.

‘Should I bring painting supplies to Mom?’

It was a sudden thought, but it seemed like a good idea. She might be able to recover her lost memories if she does something she likes.

She wanted to show Grace the paintings she had painted herself, but that was difficult. Perhaps due to the shock of being at the fire scene, the paper had weakened and crumbled like fallen leaves at the slightest impact.

For now, she should just bring the painting supplies, and if it has an effect, then show her the paintings later.

As she descended the central staircase leading to the first floor hall while lost in various thoughts, she saw a couple affectionately climbing up from below.

“……!”

Lily’s eyes widened like saucers when she recognized the man’s face. It was him. The man she had spent the night with while drunk.

The capital was smaller than expected, and high society was even smaller. So she thought she might run into that man by chance someday, but she never imagined meeting him again in a place like this.

Startled by the unexpected reunion, Lily stood frozen, looking down at the man. The man also stopped when he spotted Lily.

The surrounding noise faded away, and all her senses focused on the man. As she gazed into his golden eyes, more dazzling than the warm sunlight outside, memories she had buried deep began to resurface one by one. From going to the hotel with that man to crying her eyes out while talking about various things.

“Then… will you become my mistress?”

Recalling vividly how she had made that insane proposal, Lily felt like she was going crazy. She bit her lip hard, trying to hold back the scream that was about to burst out from the overwhelming embarrassment.

The scream she desperately swallowed echoed in her chest like a reverberation. The loud, rough beating of her heart, as if she had run a long distance, was terribly distracting.

I need to run away before that man recognizes me. Her mind thought so, but her body wouldn’t comply. All Lily could do now was clench and unclench her hands.

“…Lily?”

Lily, who had been focused solely on him as if they were the only two people left in the world, rolled her eyes when she heard a clear voice like a nightingale’s call her name. Only then did she notice the face of the woman clinging to the man’s arm.

“It’s been a while, Lily. How have you been?”

It was Kennedy Stacy, Count Stacy’s eldest daughter and Lily’s former friend. Lily’s mind, which had been in a daze from the shock of the unexpected reunion, returned to reality upon seeing Kennedy’s brazenly smiling face. Lily forced her stiff lips into a smile.

“I’ve been well. How have you been, Miss Kennedy?”

When they were friends, they used to address each other casually by name, but not anymore. Because they were no longer friends.

“……”

When Lily emphasized this point by using formal speech and honorifics, Kennedy’s smoothly upturned lips fell back into a straight line, as if taken aback. Kennedy rolled her eyes as if unsure how to respond, then glanced at the man whose arm she was holding before bowing her head to Lily in apology.

“Um, that is… I apologize, Viscountess. It’s been so long since we met that I made a mistake out of excitement. I sincerely apologize.”

Usually, such a mistake would be forgiven if apologized for.

“Indeed. I hope you won’t make the same mistake again.”

“……”

But when Lily not only didn’t forgive her but even admonished her, Kennedy’s eyes widened in surprise. Her bewildered expression, as if she couldn’t understand why Lily was acting this way, was detestable.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

Lily gave Kennedy a slight nod and brushed past her. She neither greeted nor even looked at the man. If their eyes met again, she feared the man might try to acknowledge her.

Worried that their one-night mistake might be mentioned if she stayed any longer, Lily left the mansion almost as if fleeing.