Swept away by the natural invitation that flowed like water, Lily was about to thoughtlessly agree for a moment but managed to swallow her words. It was shameless to receive any more help from this man. So she tried to refuse, but Herald let out a short sigh.

“Ah, come to think of it, the mansion preparations aren’t finished yet. It looks like it will be almost done by tomorrow afternoon, so it would be best for you to stay at a hotel today.”

“Now, wait a minute!”

As Herald spoke as if it was already decided that Lily would be staying at the Braden estate, Lily grabbed his arm in surprise. Herald placed his hand over hers and spoke in a gentle tone.

“I will be with you, so you don’t need to worry.”

“That’s what I’m more worried about!”

Lily replied, almost screaming. Spending a night together with Herald. Just the thought made her heart pound and her vision spin. Remembering what happened at the Prasis Hotel made her mouth even drier. Lily moistened her dry lips with her tongue and stammered.

“I truly appreciate your concern for me, but you don’t have to do that. I can manage well on my own…”

“It’s not that I’m worried, but I’m doing this so I don’t have to worry.”

The smile on his lips was gentle, but the golden eyes looking at Lily were firm.

“I’m also concerned that the culprit who killed Lady Megan hasn’t been caught yet, and it’s still dangerous for a woman to stay alone at even the best inns or hotels.”

Well. It seemed like no place would be more dangerous than the Benjamin estate. Lily swallowed the words she couldn’t say and lowered her gaze for a long time. It was devastating that the most comfortable place in the world had now become the most uncomfortable and dangerous.

“You don’t need to think of it as difficult.”

Misinterpreting that Lily’s darkening expression was due to worrying about her stay, Herald gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb and kindly explained.

“If you think about switching places with me, you will easily find the answer to which choice is best.”

It was a considerate piece of advice that got her train of thought, which had briefly gone off track, back on its original path. Even without switching places, Lily knew the answer, so she smiled bitterly and asked back.

“What about you? Have you thought about it from my perspective?”

“Of course. That’s why I’m more anxious.”

Herald softly held Lily’s hand and continued.

“I know your situation and circumstances well, so I want to protect you. Please don’t refuse my offer. I implore you.”

Lily’s firm resolve began to waver at the earnest request and the gaze full of worry and anxiety. What shook her resolve the most was the serene sensation of his hand enveloping hers.

Moreover, when she thought about it rationally, putting emotions aside, it was right to accept his help. Not only because of what Herald said, but also because there was a high possibility that Fredrick, who found out she had run away, would come to get her.

Even knowing that, the reason Lily couldn’t readily accept his offer was because she was worried about strange rumors. Malicious rumors like the hero of the empire, Herald Braden, having an affair with a married woman.

Just as much as Herald wanted to protect Lily, Lily also wanted to protect him, so she couldn’t easily accept the offer.

“If you’re hesitating because you’re worried about strange rumors, you can rest assured.”

Lily flinched as Herald spoke as if he had read her mind. Herald brushed away a strand of hair stuck to Lily’s cheek and continued.

“Hardly anyone knows that mansion is the Braden estate. I also stay at the Maximilian estate, not the estate, so there will be no strange rumors about you and me.”

Lily brushed the spot where his hand had briefly passed and asked.

“…You won’t be staying with me while I’m at that mansion?”

“No. I was planning to continue staying at the duke’s residence, but… if you want, I will stay with you.”

“No! That’s not what I meant!”

As Lily shook her head vigorously in denial, the corners of Herald’s lips curved up.

“Well, that’s a shame.”

What a shame indeed. Lily narrowed her eyes and glanced at Herald, certain he was teasing her. It was annoying but not unpleasant. Rather, she was grateful. She knew he was joking so that she wouldn’t agonize too seriously.

By the way, the only drawback that offset all the advantages had disappeared.

It also meant there was no excuse to refuse Herald’s offer. A strange feeling, perhaps relief or anxiety, rippled in her heart. Lily looked down at Herald’s hand, still firmly holding hers, for a moment before raising her head again. The green eyes gazing at him were determined.

“I know it’s shameless, but… can I impose on you for a while?”

“Gladly.”

I wish you would continue to rely on me. I wish you wouldn’t go to that man and would stay by my side forever.

Herald swallowed the words he could never say, the words he shouldn’t say, and smiled as if flawless.

Although Lily decided to stay at the Braden estate for the time being, it wasn’t forever. As long as she was the Viscountess Benjamin and Fredrick Benjamin’s wife, Lily had to return to the Benjamin estate someday.

In preparation for that time, Herald subtly advised Lily to take Emily as her exclusive maid. Emily, as if seizing the opportunity, even knelt before Lily and begged her to accept.

Lily was once again at a crossroads of choice, but this time she didn’t ponder for long.

“If you work as my exclusive maid, you might see a lot of things you don’t want to see… Are you still okay with that?”

Lily asked one last time before answering. Emily nodded her head vigorously without any hesitation. Her neatly braided hair shook frantically with the nod.

“Yes! It’s okay!”

Should she answer this easily? Lily felt guilty for not explaining properly. But she couldn’t say anything. She didn’t know what Fredrick and his family would do. If they were reasonable people, she could at least make a prediction, but since they weren’t, she had no idea what they would do.

“Alright. I’ll be counting on you from now on.”

“I’ll be counting on you too, my lady!”

Seeing Emily’s brightly smiling face made Lily feel even more guilty. It seemed this child didn’t even know the rumors surrounding her. Should she at least let her know that? Lily pondered but ultimately couldn’t do it.

By the time the conversation was almost finished, the owner and employees of the dressmaker’s shop returned. It was perfect timing.

Since they could talk about the rest on the way back, Herald paid for the clothes and left the shop.

A shared carriage called by Emily was waiting in front of the shop. The sky beyond was reddish. When they entered the shop, the sun was high in the sky, but it was already passing the western sky.

Come to think of it, what happened to Dillon?

Herald looked in the direction of Fredrick’s company. They had been together up to the company. Dillon couldn’t go in with Herald because he was taking care of the horse that Herald had practically abandoned.

After that, Herald had completely forgotten about Dillon’s existence while taking care of Lily, a fact he only remembered after seeing him. Judging by the complete lack of presence, it didn’t seem like he was secretly following them, but Herald was curious about where he had gone without a word.

“What are you looking at?”

“Nothing.”

He’s not a child, he’ll take care of himself. Neatly putting aside his worries about Dillon, Herald asked Lily with a faint smile.

“Shall we go straight to the hotel?”

Lily looked in the direction Herald had been looking for a moment, then shook her head.

“No. Please go to the Benjamin estate.”

“……”

Herald’s face hardened in an instant. Emily, who was loading the box containing the clothes they had worn into the luggage compartment, also looked at Lily in surprise. Lily waved her hand at the gaze that clearly misunderstood.

“I’m just going to get my things, so don’t look at me like that.”

“…Your things?”

“Yes. If I’m going to stay at the Braden estate for a while, I need to get my things. I also need to bring Harry. Oh, Harry is Emily’s younger brother.”

Herald’s expression softened at the added explanation, but there was still concern in his eyes as he looked at her.

“Why?”

“If you go to the Benjamin estate, you might run into that man… Will you be alright?”

Ah, so that’s why. Lily smiled bitterly and replied.

“It’s okay. My husband won’t be home now.”

At the time of her conversation with Fredrick, Robert had been anxiously looking at his watch. In other words, he must have had an important schedule afterward.

Of course, Fredrick, who had been slapped, had blurted out some nonsense about canceling all his schedules, but Lily didn’t think he would actually do it. Fredrick was someone who prioritized money and business above all else.

Moreover, since they had a bigger fight than yesterday, Fredrick would think that Lily wouldn’t return to the estate today either. So he wouldn’t have returned to the estate.

However, Lily was worried about meeting Samantha. She would definitely try to stop her, screaming and yelling, if she tried to leave the house.

So Lily had hesitated about whether to go to the Benjamin estate to get her things, but in the end, she decided to go. She had to bring Harry, who would be waiting without knowing anything. There was also an anxiety that Fredrick Benjamin might search her room again while she was gone.

There were things in the bedroom that she absolutely couldn’t let Fredrick find out about. And there were also things she didn’t want him to touch, so she had to take them all with her.