Chapter – 70
Valois.
At this moment, nothing in the world was more precious to Lilliana than the House of Valois.
And when something is precious, it also becomes your greatest weakness.
Jenite did not hesitate to exploit that weakness.
“Even if the House of Londini is insignificant compared to Valois, we’re still capable of spreading a few rumors.”
“W-What…?!”
“And sometimes, in high society, those rumors… can be incredibly powerful.”
Chuckling to herself, Jenite lightly patted Lilliana on the shoulder.
“Well, I’ll be going now. Think carefully about what I said.”
“…”
“And of course, what happened today stays between you and me. You understand, don’t you?”
With those words, Jenite turned on her heel and walked away.
Lilliana stared blankly at her retreating figure before slowly lowering her head.
If… because of me… bad rumors really begin to spread about Valois…
…Then what am I supposed to do?
Everything before her seemed to go dark.
That Evening
Elliot and Lilliana returned to the Valois townhouse.
Anriche personally came to the entrance to welcome the children home.
“Welcome back, you two.”
“Mother!”
Elliot ran straight into Anriche’s arms.
Behind him, Lilliana shuffled inside with drooping shoulders.
“I’m home, Mother.”
Hm?
Something felt off.
Normally, Lilliana would have rushed over excitedly, eagerly telling Anriche everything that had happened during the day.
Instead…
Anriche casually asked,
“So, Lilliana? Did you have fun today?”
“…Well…”
After absentmindedly fiddling with her sleeve for a while, Lilliana spoke softly.
“I’m sorry, Mother.”
“Hm?”
“You chose these clothes for me yourself… but I accidentally got them dirty.”
“Oh my, that’s nothing to worry about.”
Anriche looked at her with gentle concern.
“Is that why you’re feeling so down?”
“…No. That’s not it.”
Lilliana looked at Anriche with complicated emotions before slowly shaking her head.
“Thank you very much for sending the tea and refreshments earlier.”
“I’m glad you liked them.”
“Yes. I was really happy. It’s just… I ate too many sweets, so I’m still full.”
She forced an awkward smile.
“I don’t really want dinner tonight… would that be alright?”
“Of course. Do whatever makes you comfortable.”
Anriche nodded gently.
After bowing politely, Lilliana quietly headed to her room.
As soon as she disappeared upstairs, Anriche turned to Elliot with a thoughtful expression.
“Did something happen to Lilliana today?”
“I’m not really sure.”
Elliot frowned.
“But after the tea party ended, she seemed upset the whole time.”
“Even when I asked what was wrong, she wouldn’t tell me.”
“I see…”
“Thank you for telling me.”
Patting Elliot on the shoulder, Anriche watched the direction Lilliana had gone.
Her violet eyes narrowed.
Later That Night
Knock. Knock.
The soft knocking made Lilliana lift her head from where she had been lying face-down on the bed.
“Lilliana. It’s me. May I come in?”
“Yes. Please come in.”
She hurriedly sat upright as Anriche entered carrying a tray with a bowl of soup.
“Skipping dinner entirely isn’t good for you.”
“I brought you some soup. Do you think you can manage this much?”
“…Yes.”
Lilliana silently picked up the spoon.
Yet instead of eating, she simply stared blankly at the bowl.
Anriche carefully asked,
“Did something happen today?”
“…”
“Were you upset because I sent the refreshments without telling you first?”
“N-No!”
Lilliana sprang to her feet in alarm.
“I told you before! I was really happy!”
“Then you should be smiling.”
Anriche gently caressed her cheek.
“Why does my precious Lilliana look so sad?”
“…”
Silence.
Anriche patiently waited, refusing to rush her.
Several minutes passed.
Finally…
“Mother…”
“Yes?”
“Would it… be alright if we made a donation to the Londini Orphanage?”
“…A donation?”
The sudden suggestion caught Anriche completely off guard.
Lilliana hurriedly explained.
“Because… because the Baron Londini family ended up under tax investigation because of me…”
Instantly…
Anriche’s face turned cold.
How does she know about that?
She had intentionally hidden it from Lilliana so she wouldn’t feel burdened.
“Wait, Lilliana.”
“Yes?”
“Who told you that the Londini family was investigated because of you?”
Lilliana’s shoulders stiffened.
“…Was it Baron Londini’s daughter?”
Anriche already knew Jenite had attended today’s club gathering.
After all, she had personally sent refreshments there.
Still…
She had assumed Jenite would at least watch her mouth in front of everyone.
“…Well…”
Seeing Lilliana hesitate, Anriche sighed quietly.
“If you’re upset because I dealt with your relatives without asking you first…”
“Then I’m truly sorry for that.”
“N-No!”
Lilliana unconsciously raised her voice.
Then her shoulders slumped again.
Jenite’s mocking words echoed in her ears.
‘If you refuse my request… you’ll be in trouble too.’
‘You’ve already repaid the kindness of the people who raised you by getting them investigated.’
‘If people also hear that Valois refused to donate… don’t you think the duchy’s reputation will be ruined?’
It felt as though someone were stabbing her heart.
She clutched her chest tightly.
“…I don’t believe Mother punished the Londini family out of personal anger.”
“Hm?”
“They must have been investigated… because they actually deserved it.”
Anriche listened quietly before blinking in surprise.
“Wait… what exactly are you talking about?”
“W-Well…”
After hesitating for a long time…
Lilliana finally told her everything.
How Jenite had claimed the tax investigation was simply Anriche taking revenge.
How she demanded a donation for the orphanage.
How she threatened to spread malicious rumors about the House of Valois if they refused.
“…I’m just… worried they might really spread those rumors.”
After finishing, Lilliana bit her lip anxiously.
Anriche looked at her for a long moment before finally speaking.
“First… I think I need to explain why the Londini family was investigated.”
“The reason?”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“In truth… while you were living with the Londini family, there was never any reason for you to be treated like a servant.”
Lilliana blinked blankly.
“Because the Everett family left behind an inheritance in your name.”
“…But…”
Lilliana looked confused.
“The Londinis always said it cost them an enormous amount of money to raise me.”
“They told me I’d have to work until I became an adult just to repay all the living expenses they spent on me…”
“That was a lie.”
Anriche answered firmly.
“Every month, money for your living expenses was deposited into Baron Londini’s account.”
“W-What…?”
“And beyond that, they took quite a bit of additional money as well.”
Lilliana’s eyes widened in shock.
Anriche calmly continued.
“And the Londini family embezzled every last coin of it.”
“H-How could they…”
“They merely received the punishment they deserved.”
“You don’t need to feel guilty for them.”
Lilliana bit her lip until it almost bled.
The sense of betrayal was overwhelming.
All this time…
The guilt she had carried toward the Londini family…
Had never been hers to bear in the first place.
Anriche quietly reflected.
The only reason I stopped at having them investigated…
…was because they were still Lilliana’s only blood relatives.
She had hoped that one day, if Lilliana ever longed for the warmth of family…
At least they would still exist.
But now…
If they continue crossing the line…
Perhaps removing such relatives altogether would be far better for Lilliana.
And today’s incident had taught her something important.
Simply hiding the truth from a child because you believe it’s “for their own good”…
Was not always the right answer.
