14. Life is easier when you live it as if you are a little drunk.
Duke Teilhard opened his mouth with difficulty first.
“You... how did you get here...?”
The incapacitated granddaughter who was supposed to be convalescing in the separate annex.
Why is Lillian here?
People were also completely awestruck by Lillian's appearance.
'She always dressed a bit vulgarly'
This was an assessment stemming from their ignorance that this was just Karkin's taste.
As for Lillian, who appeared now, she was wearing a purple chiffon dress sprinkled with pearl powder.
“Oh my God...”
Someone in the audience unconsciously let out a sigh of admiration.
This was not strange, as this was the first time that Lillian wore clothes that fit her figure perfectly.
Not to mention her entry accompanied by the First Prince’s entourage... but —
Why did she enter while holding the First Prince's hand?
* * *
They were people I hadn't seen in a very long time.
“Lillian?”
They are the same people who did not worry about me once during my absence.
Lillian smiled beautifully: “It has been a long time, gentlemen.”
It's a good night.
‘As I expected, His Majesty the Emperor is not present at his seat…’
He is a strange man, he does not care what his children do as long as the marriage takes place within the five major families.
Instead, what caught the eye was the Second Empress, the original protagonist.
And of course, Lillian's family.
Grandpa, Quirn, and Iris.
Quirin was the first to approach her: “You...! Why are you here-? And Ramio, no, I mean why-?”
It was behavior completely unbecoming of a refined young duke.
As strange as it was the combination between Lillian and the man standing next to her like a majestic statue.
“It has been a long time, my lord little duke.”
“Lillian-”
“I'm also the daughter of one of the Five Families, right? I'm not forbidden from coming here.”
“You were in the annex convalescing, so how did you get here...”
“Oh my God, the matter and everything in it is…”
Lillian covered her mouth with feigned embarrassment: “His Highness the First Prince and I...have become dating with good feelings...”
“...what?”
“Oh my God, why are you acting like you don't know...”
“What?”
Quirn seemed to be getting more and more stunned and embarrassed.
Lillian ignored his response, and gently pulled the villain towards the direction where the Duke was standing.
“Your Highness, there stands Duke Teilhard. Shall we salute?”
“Oh, yeah. Sure.”
The villain gave a sweet smile with his eyes.
He seems to really enjoy teasing others as befits a villain.
“Nice to see you on the dance floor, future grandfather.”
“H.. seriously..?”
“Why are you so surprised? If I get engaged to Lillian, Duke Teilhard will naturally become my grandfather as well, right?”
“……!”
Duke Tilard almost grabbed his neck from the severity of the shock.
Lillian kind of understood the situation.
I know, ads that aren't agreed upon in advance can be scary and overwhelming.
‘But with this action, Duke Teilhard will appear to be playing behind the Empress’s back for his own account.’
Iris for Prince Kyle.
And Lillian, after breaking off her engagement, appears to have been introduced to the First Prince.
The five families need each other, but in reality they are groups that do not trust each other.
This was an opportunity to destabilize Teilhard and Pavel.
...Yes, we will never forget. A crisis is... an opportunity.
Lillian put her hand on her cheek.
She mustered up the courage to make a bold move: “Oh my God, Your Highness. This is embarrassing.”
She lightly hit the villain's shoulder.
The move seemed very bold in the eyes of others, and in truth, Lillian felt a little worried about his reaction.
But at that moment, I clearly heard the whispers of the audience: “Oh my God! Are they really…?”
“But Miss Lillian was-”
“She broke off her engagement to Little Duke Pavel, didn’t she? That’s why she left!”
“But apparently the Tillard family knew about it?”
This was exactly the reaction Lillian was hoping for.
The Tillard family surrounded by looks of suspicion and curiosity.
But at that moment, a solemn voice filled with a tone of mockery rang out: “It is truly a face I have not seen in a long time.”
“…….”
“After you were madly following Karkin, I didn't expect to meet you in a place like this with this boy. Lillian.”
The aunt of her former fiancé (and empress) has arrived, accompanied by the original protagonist.
Kyle looked at Lillian and the villain alternately as if they were dirt stuck in a sewer drain.
“What brings you to a place like this? Is it just a whim?”
“On a whim? Well, you could say I went out with Lillian to get some air.”
The villain re-tightened his grip on her hand.
This time he not only grabbed her, but intertwined his fingers with hers deeply.
It was clear that this man was also enjoying this moment very much.
Instead of attacking the villain, the Second Empress turned towards...
“What a pity… Lillian. This is too sudden.”
She turned her sights towards the easiest and most convenient hunt.
“It is sad for a man to mention that he broke off the engagement.”
Empress Rubelia smiled beautifully: “But tolerating youthful indiscretions with grace is the required virtue.”
“…….”
“This is the role that should be played by a woman from the five major families.”
“…….”
“Lillian? What do you think?”
Yes, after meeting you face to face, I see that you have never changed.
I hated this side of Empress Rubelia.
A person who shows his true colors and screams and creates chaos is much better.
As for her, she pretends to understand while eventually siding with a man from her family.
'And I did it in front of everyone'
...Since my mother died early, there was a period when I was desperately trying to see this woman as a replacement for my mother.
That's why I obeyed her words when she asked me to submit.
But Lillian smiled sweetly.
As much as you know me, I also know you very well.
“I apologize, Your Majesty the Empress—”
“Yes, Lillian. You're a really good kid so-”
“But my standards in men have gone up a lot.”
“...yes?”
“After I met His Highness the First Prince, my God, what a shock!”
Lillian put her hand to her cheek again as her eyes sparkled.
'The Jealous Pavels'
Well, there is no human being who is devoid of jealousy.
But these people in particular, are genetically and quickly provoked if they are compared to even the most trivial matters. No matter how hard they try to refine their personalities.
“Little Duke Pavel...can never be compared to-”
The Empress was very sensitive about her family name.
“After I saw this.. beauty, I could no longer see anyone else...”
There was silence around, to the point where the sound of drops of sweat could almost be heard.
No one had ever dared to say openly that the beauty of the Tarandiyas was greater than that of the Pavels.
The protagonist and the Empress had astonished expressions on their faces.
But Lillian already knew.
Life, depending on the situation, is easier when you act crazy instead of serious.
“Lillian. It has always been said that a man is not judged by his appearance. As the years go by, everyone becomes equal.”
“Since men are equal in the end, I will now live enjoying this handsome face even if it costs me my anger...”
But she knows this man's desire for destruction, so she must...
Although she plans to withdraw as safely as possible...
“You are still young, Lillian. You have not yet acquired the outlook that distinguishes a partner’s morals before his appearance.”
“Morals are important, of course. But His Highness the First Prince’s morals surpass those of the Little Duke as well...”
I felt the hand I was holding tremble slightly.
It seemed like it made him laugh, too.
“Most important of all, he appreciates me even though I have no ability.”
Lillian smiled at the truth of her lie.
This relationship would not have existed in the first place if Lillian's ability had not been demonstrated.
But now, their minds will start working.
Since she is powerless, wouldn't it be okay to give her to the First Prince?
No, her family background makes it a big loss.
...And so, they will exhaust themselves thinking about their greed.
But the Empress sighed as if she was tired of children's play: "This kind of announcement is very embarrassing. Since no protocol was followed, I will take it as a gentle joke-"
Behind Lillian’s back, a loud, sarcastic voice rang out: “What’s so difficult, Rubelia?”
“……!”
Slight wrinkles appeared on the Empress's white chin due to tension.