Lilian of Turin

It was an unexpected proposal. Cedric raised his brows.

“You’ll do it yourself?”

“Can I not?”

Lilian nervously wiggled her fingers. Cedric’s gaze naturally fell on her small, bandaged hand.

“…are you hurt?”

“A little while learning how to brew tea…it doesn’t hurt too much.”

It wasn’t that she intentionally faked it. It was a small burn caused by carrying a heavy kettle with the body of a delicate child.

There were not even blisters, just the skin turning red, but the servants, who were trembling over the young miss who just came back from the dead, made a huge fuss about the treatment.

Lilian thought there was no need to remove the bandages.

She also wanted to reassure the people below her and…

“…it can’t be helped.”

She also hoped that such words would come out of Cedric’s mouth.

Not forgetting to thank Cedric for the opportunity, Lilian honestly began brewing the tea.

She was well aware of the method. However, she injured her fingers and her arm was too weak, so Lilian’s skill at handling the teapot was infinitely clumsy.

…it’s also true that she deliberately slowed down as an excuse.

Lilian looked around slightly.

She prepared an excuse of ‘being careful because she didn’t want to get hurt again’ if Cedric pointed it out. But Cedric luckily didn’t say anything.

Only the clatter of tea utensils and the sound of pouring tea resonated in the quiet room. Cedric, who was tired, leaned against the backrest and closed his eyes halfway through.

He didn’t fall asleep, but it was enough time for his mind and body to relax for a while.

“Drink, brother.”

“Hm.”

The tea he finally tasted was somewhat…bitter.

It was because Lilian, seeing that Cedric had closed his eyes, brewed the tea a little longer. In addition, it was very sweet because jam was added to counteract the bitter taste.

‘Ugh.’

Cedric thought that if this was the taste of tea, he honestly wasn’t sure if he would like it.

If asked if it’s delicious, the answer was no.

‘How do I do this?’

While he was contemplating whether he should pretend to drink it deliciously, Lily muttered as she tasted the tea she made.

“Oh no, it doesn’t taste good.”

‘So you do know!’ Cedric, who was breaking out in a cold sweat, was greatly relieved. And he sneakily tried to console his sister with that.

“Well…it’s not bad.”

“Your review is generous.”

Any other girl would have been upset but Lilian didn’t even blink.

“It’s just sincerity so please think about it before you drink.”

On the contrary, she complained that it was excessive.

It was so funny that Cedric laughed a little.

In any case, unlike the unsatisfying taste of tea, Cedric’s tired body accepted the combination of caffeine and sugar with unconditional pleasure. It was a bonus that his vision became clearer thanks to having closed his eyes for a moment.

It was embarrassingly short to say that he took a break, but he was surprisingly energized. His nerves, which had been on edge, began to calmly subside.

Cedric thought it was thanks to Lilian for calmly caring for him without making a fuss.

Was it like that?

“Can I make tea for brother tomorrow as well?”

Cedric was unable to respond to the unexpected proposal. Then Lilian hurriedly waved her hand.

“It can’t be helped if you’re busy, but…”

“…alright.”

“Really?”

Lilian, who didn’t think he would give permission after she said it, was surprised. Soon, she was relieved and smiled.

“Thank you, brother.”

To be honest, she expected to be thrown at the doorstep so her smile was bright with pure relief and joy.

“I will definitely practice and try to make a delicious tea.”

Cedric had a strange feeling. She came on her own, brewed tea, and when she asked if she could repeat this troublesome thing tomorrow, he gave his permission. And then, his sister was truly grateful.

She was weird, but even so, he could never hate her.

“Then, I’ll come back tomorrow.”

Standing up without any regrets, Lilian’s thoughts remained the same.

‘If I dilly-dally, he’ll hate it.’

Lilian neatly turned around.

She couldn’t even imagine that Cedric, who was left behind, was regretting this parting just like last time.

***

After Lily left.

“My lord?”

“…my lord, are you alright?

Are there problems with the tea?

“There’s no problem. Don’t touch the tea, Allen.”

Rubbing his eyes with a hand, Cedric firmly added.

“Absolutely.”

“Yes, I understand… then why are you so stiff?”

“…everything.”

“I can’t hear you very well.”

“Lilian said thank you…”

“I heard that as well…my Lord?”

“She’s grateful just for that… Does she really have no desires…”

“My Lord?”

Cedric was rubbing his face repeatedly and groaning, then suddenly asked.

“Does it take some time to transfer land?”

“Yes?”

“No matter how much I think about it, I should give some land as a gift. For that kind and tender child to live from now on, she must have something in her name.”

Allen was dumbfounded.

“You must be joking, my Lord.”

“Am I joking?”

“I’m scared because I don’t think so. Please calm down for a moment.”

The gifting of real estate was a complex and time-consuming procedure.

Especially in this case.

“The young miss is supposed to marry into another family someday. Situationally speaking…”

Cedric’s brow furrowed.

“Marriage. It’s still too early to talk about that. Don’t be too quick to mention it.”

It’s just that they hadn’t seen each other, but was it still too early if there’s already a fiance who had already agreed on everything?

‘So bizarre…’

Allen just stuck his tongue out. Thinking that Cedric’s love for his younger sister was more serious than he expected.

“…it takes time, so the real estate side should be taken care of slowly. Then, for now, how about jewelry…”

“It didn’t seem like she’s wearing much of the jewelry you already gifted. Just one.”

“Why? Could it be that she didn’t like something?”

“Pardon me…the young miss is still 12 years old. Wouldn’t it be a little early to like jewels?”

“Is it…?”

Cedric was horrified and convinced.

“Well, it might be too early for a child. Besides, if she holds on to the jewels, with that kind heart, she might end up giving it away in guilt. This should be fine.”

Huu. Allen sighed. Apparently, his Lord’s abnormal symptoms today showed no signs of stopping unless he gave his sister something as a gift.

‘Then…’

The loyalist thought.

“If so, how about moving young miss Lily’s room?”

“Room?”

Cedric’s brows furrowed as he thought of villas, lands, and diamonds.

“Think about it carefully, my lord.”

Allen began persuading. In fact, Lilian’s room had been in a remote and secluded place, as if to represent her position.

The size and interior decorations were too simple for Islar’s only young miss who was living there.

It was because her biological mother didn’t even feel the need to treat her unwanted daughter well, and the father was indifferent because her biological mother was in charge of internal affairs, so she should take care of the young miss’ affairs.

“It’s not just about moving rooms, it’s about preparing the interior in preparation for the winter.”

“Hmm.”

Cedric’s brow loosened slightly at the eloquent persuasion. Taking advantage of that gap, Allen went for the last sprint.

“How about putting new furniture in the new room with a bedroom, parlor, and dressing room?”

“That doesn’t sound too bad.”

The situation caused by Lilian’s ‘thank you’ was barely sealed like that. It was thanks to the loyalist’s desperate efforts.