Vol. 7

In this side story, we follow a young Liloa, still living in the principality of Obernyu. At eight years old, Liloa gets shortly engaged to the Duke of Lacriox, a young man of 18. This engagement is quickly broken by the interference of Henrietta, Liloa’s mother, who claims that Liloa is simply too young and immature to be engaged and that she doesn’t like the look in Lacriox’s eyes.

Liloa is eventually sent to Malus, a seaside town in the south of the continent. Here, Liloa will be taught the ways of becoming a refined lady by Madame Autriche, Henrietta’s former nanny. It’s there in Malus that Liloa is first exposed to the realisation of how small her world has been and the kind of oppression women have to face to become a refined lady. It confuses her little mind daily.

Liloa’s nanny and tutor, Ann and Charlotte, will naturally start to neglect their duties in order to pursue their own social life, giving Liloa the freedom to sneak away. She makes friends with other noble children and goes on small adventures together. One day, Liloa is dared to enter a mysterious mansion, claimed to be inhabited by a murderer who is digging graves for his victims all day. Confronted with the owner of the house, Liloa learns that he’s just a kid, barely 14 years old and digs in his garden to plant herbs. Liloa gets interested and wants to help the boy, who claims to be a doctor, to repay his kindness. Working in a garden for a while leaves Liloa sore but content.

Even though the doctor had said that her work was enough and she didn’t need to come back, Liloa goes looking for him again. To her disappointment, the boy had left the residence and wasn’t living in Malus anymore. Liloa, however, isn’t given long to sulk about this as news of her mother’s passing has reached her, and Liloa is moving back to Obernyu.

– – –

Under the guise of gauging public sentiment, Ed takes Lil to the eve of the harvest festival. With their faces painted in colourful patterns, the couple enjoys a joyful night that ends in an unexpected boat ride. During this ride, Lil explains to Ed that she wants to visit her dying father in Obernyu, when Ed immediately agrees to accompany her; preparations are set in motion.

While waiting for the day of departure, Ed goes back to the naval office for work. Making long hours and barely getting any rest. One night, Lil finds herself searching for Ed after waking up. She finds him passed out on the bed, still wearing his uniform. Lil takes the time admiring Ed and analysing her feelings for him. She clearly notices the change in her, the way she’s drawn to him, how he makes her feel and that she wants to stay by his side. The night ends in passion as Ed eventually wakes up and they sleep together for the first time.

In the days that follow, Ed comes clean about all the bigger and smaller lies he had told her. He then takes her to his private study and shows her his prized collection of murals. The wall containing those wooden murals tells the story Ed had told her months ago about the beast that wanted to cross the mountain. Lil can only be in awe of the revelation. The volume ends with Ed’s declaration:“I’ll be the first subject of your history.”

Obernyu household:

Joseph I;

Madame Celot;

Maxwell Farin;

Malus;

Villa Somemei;

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com