Episode 41
Swan’s diary was mostly torn out.
There were no dates in Swan’s remaining diary that didn’t have Lillian’s name.
No, Swan’s records were all about Lillian because this was simply left behind for her.
When she turned to the last page, the paper fell off.
Originally, it was attached to the first page of the notebook, but due to the poor adhesive quality of the glue, it eventually fell off and occupied the last page.
Even as tears fell, Lillian held onto the fallen paper and read it as if she were engraving the words.
[The reason she never leaves here is all because of me. Lillian will never leave me first.]Like carving a gravestone in my mind, like that.
“So, I’m leaving this behind in preparation for when I leave first.”
Like that…
“Ah, uh, uh…”
In the end, Lillian embraced the notebook and curled her body up. She sobbed as if groaning. The center of her chest hurt as if someone had kicked it. She couldn’t count what her only friend had left behind for her, so tears flowed.
She knew too well how precious the things Swan had given up for herself. She knew so well how old this diary was, even if no one else did…
“…Swan.”
Swan. Don’t lie. You were the missing noblewoman from Maynard.
I didn’t leave the orphanage because of you, but you couldn’t leave the orphanage because of me.
You had plenty of guarantees. A wealthy family, a high position, you could have had it all. But there was no one else but you for me. If you went to Maynard, I would have become a loner just like in my dreams, so that’s why…
You gave up everything for me.
You, just before dying, barely said you wanted to see Father…
Lillian cried endlessly.
Because the date of the first record was distant, because Swan had piled up records thickly, because she couldn’t fathom Swan’s feelings as she piled up those records and prepared for death, her tears didn’t stop.
How could she have done that? Swan could have had everything. No matter what happened to her, if she had just closed her eyes and run away to Maynard, everything would have been different.
That smart girl couldn’t have not known that. Swan knew, but she gave up everything and chose Lillian.
“Swan, how on earth…”
When her thoughts reached that point, she felt like she heard an unexpected laughter in her mind.
The lively sound of Swan’s laughter, as if leaves were rolling around.
Unconsciously, Lillian raised her head. She hadn’t thought that she would look strange to Cedric’s eyes. She just felt that if she raised her head even a little faster, Swan would be right in front of her.
Yes, with a face that smiled like that…
“Haha! Lillian, you silly girl, you’re doing the same thing!”
Ah.
Lillian blinked her eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and like the fleeting traces of spring, the image before her disappeared with a single blink.
However, Lillian didn’t chase after the image. It didn’t hurt anymore to decipher Swan’s feelings.
“…I see.”
You must have felt this way too.
Swan hadn’t been the only one giving something up. Lillian had also given up her own life to shoulder Swan’s. Swan could have been good for Lillian, and Lillian could have been poison for Swan. It was just a difference.
And for Lillian, giving up something for Swan was not a sad thing at all.
Swan must have felt the same way. Lillian knew that. They knew each other the best.
‘As much as you left me, I can do anything for you.’
Lillian hugged the notebook tightly and closed her eyes. Then she pulled out her silenced voice.
“…Duke.”
“Yes, my dear.”
“I hate the kidnappers so much. I think they should all be punished. We need to find out how many people they’ve harmed.”
“I think the same.”
At Cedric’s reply, Lillian lifted her head abruptly.
Her hazel eyes, glistening with tears, were burning and shimmering.
“I want to help Duke find the kidnappers!”
“You?”
“Yes. I’ll do anything I can. They might target me again, and when that happens—”
“Stop, stop. Dear, that’s not the point.”
“Why not? We have to catch the kidnappers and make them pay no matter what!”
“Because if I lose you in the process, what good does it do to catch the kidnappers and claim revenge with a hollow victory?”
Cedric, in stark contrast to the agitated Lillian, remained remarkably calm. He was rational and capable of mature thinking, unlike Lillian.
Nevertheless, Cedric and Lillian shared a resemblance in their faces.
The faces of people who feared loss, people who had not yet forgotten the scars of loss.
“I realized this time, Lillian. I can’t go back to how I was without you. That’s why I decided on your inheritance. Whether you’re real or fake, what’s more important is that you live happily, enjoying the things you should as my child. And I’m sure Swan wished the same for you.”
“…”
“So I’m looking for them to protect you, not for revenge. Think carefully about what’s more important. Just by you, who went missing once, being here resiliently, that alone will be a defeat for them.”
Lillian bit her lip in response to Cedric’s words.
But she hadn’t completely accepted them.
Cedric had something to protect, but Lillian didn’t.
“Duke may be right, but I still have to seek revenge for Swan.”
That was the only way to truly continue Swan’s life.
“Of course, I made the headmistress and the teachers pay, but…”
That alone wasn’t enough to consider her revenge on Swan’s behalf perfect.
According to Cedric, Swan hadn’t just gone missing; she had been kidnapped intentionally.
“Those who took your place will all pay for their sins.”
And she would let the whole world know how the Lady of Maynard was still alive.
That was how she had to exact a fair price for Swan’s life. That was the only reason she existed here.
‘Swan… she might as well have died at the orphanage because of me.’
She had to take responsibility for letting Swan be buried as an orphan.
Even if it meant dedicating her life to it…
“…Duke, you’re right. I’ll do as you say.”
Lillian quickly suppressed her emotions and removed the notebook from her embrace.
At those words, Cedric smiled a somewhat sad smile, approached, and hugged Lillian. His embrace was very warm and affectionate, and Lillian seemed to shed a few tears.
“I’ll be counting on you from now on, my daughter.”
“Yes… Dad.”
It was time to return to being a good child once again.
* * *
Lillian’s inheritance was completed quickly.
In fact, there was a secret that only Lillian knew, which almost caused a problem during this process.
Because Lillian had secretly taken the custody certificate without anyone noticing.
If by any chance it had been discovered that Lillian’s custody certificate had disappeared, it might have caused a bit of trouble, but fortunately, Lillian succeeded in returning the certificate to Cedric without his knowledge.
With this one remaining secret that no one knew, the imperial gossip and newspapers began to vigorously publish articles.
[“The Miracle Return of Maynard’s Missing Daughter!”] [Emotional Reunion of Tearful Mother… Everyone “Moved”] [The “Miracle Child” Maynard Lady, Everything About Lillian Maynard]“…The Miracle Child? I’m curious.”
A paper with a title so blatant and old-fashioned was turned over.
A murmur came from the person who turned the page.
“I wonder how much they really know about that child to use such words.”
