Chapter 12 (1/2)

Lovers

“You’re going to refuse?”

When Lilia asked him, Karhan looked down. It was like a person waiting for an admonition. It seemed very unfamiliar for him to refuse.

After observing him closely, Lilia asked again.

“May I ask why?”

“I’m discussing it with my opponent’s family, and I can’t bother them…”

Among the reasons for his refusal, none of his opinions were included.

‘I feel like this man is being suppressed by something.’

Thought Lilia, who was still listening.

“What’s your opinion, little duke?”

“……my opinion?”

“It’s not just anyone else, it’s the little duke’s engagement. The decision is yours.”

His eyes shook greatly at Lilia’s words.

He looked embarrassed as if he had never thought about it.

“I’ll understand if it’s an engagement you want. Does the little duke really want to get engaged to Delotta Young Lady?”

Karhan couldn’t answer.

He didn’t know if his lips would open after a long time as if they were a prison for locking up his voice.

“I’m….”

His eyes wandered in the air as if he were embarrassed. On behalf of Karhan, who could not grasp his mind, Lilia told him exactly what she saw.

“The little duke I saw seemed to be holding back even though he didn’t want to get engaged.”

The penetrating gaze shook Karhan’s shoulders shortly.

He was silent for a long time.

Then he said something slowly.

“……I don’t know if I can dare to make a decision.”

“There’s nothing you can’t do.”

The quick reply was smooth. It’s like breaking up was no big deal.

“Not too long ago, I couldn’t decide on my own. I’ve always followed other people’s opinions but I don’t want to do that anymore.”

Lilia’s purple eyes sparkled like the sun’s shining surface.

The lively eyes looked directly at Karhan.

“What if people pointed fingers at you? It’s not like they’re living my life for me.”

Karhan’s face, which had been calm, was torn down a little by little. His eyelashes trembled, and there was a gap in his tightly closed mouth.

He seemed to have a lot of deep thoughts for a short time.

Lilia leaned forward a little.

“If you’re afraid to make a decision on your own, tell others you’ve been scammed.”

Lilia confidently said he could blame her.

“If things go wrong, I’ll take responsibility.”

When Lilia’s words were over, Karhan remained silent. She couldn’t even tell if he was breathing properly.

Lilia waited silently without further due.

Now only his decision remains.

Silence took over the store, so only the sound of the wind outside could be heard faintly like breathing.

Breaking the long silence, he opened his lips.

“……I want to believe in fate and I don’t want to deceive myself anymore.”

It was a calm but honest remark.

Karhan closed his eyes as if he were thinking back on what he said.

When he opened his eyes again, there was light in his blue eyes as if sunlight was shining in the deep attic.

“The proposal, I’ll take it.”

“Thanks for your decision.”

Lilia smiled broadly.

At the end of the conversation, the black tea came out just in time. The old man gave only black tea and quietly went back inside.

“We bought the store and hired them together, he was good at cutting cakes.”

The man couldn’t hear them, so she didn’t have to worry about revealing their proposal anywhere.

Instead, Lilia’s escort knight had to give the menu himself.

Lilia took a sip of black tea and took out a piece of paper.

“It’s a contract.”

Karhan skimmed through the paper.

The contract was already tightly sealed.

“Can I tell you my plan first?”

“Yes.”

Lilia then put down the teacup.

“We will pretend to be lovers in the future.”

Karhan did not immediately understand. He blinked his eyes slowly at the remark.

“Well, at first, the rumors might be a little dirty, but they’ll fade over time.”

“……can I ask you why?”

“There’s no other simpler way.”

Lilia searched her bag and handed him some more paper. There was information about Richard.

“My fiance is a higher status than I am. And has connections with the royal family. If I break up without any insurance, he’ll definitely try to retaliate.”

As a personality trait of Richard, he will not try to break up his marriage. To Lilia it was a convenient, endless stream of money.

But if Lilia tries to end her marriage, she’ll end up putting pressure on her family.

He could use his power to make up innocent crimes.

Above all, it was heartbreaking because Heinley, her brother, worked for the Marquis of Tersian.

“But he’s weaker than he actually is. If my new lover is a little duke who came from Evantheon, He’ll be wary of it for sure. He can’t get into your family easily.”

“……..”

“I’m trying to use your identity as a shield.”

It was a bold statement because she couldn’t be more honest than she already was.

However, Karhan only nodded calmly.

“And the duchess wants you engaged, so you will need a new lover.”

Lilia laid her hand on her chest gracefully as she took an oath.

“I’d rather be myself than Stella Delotta if we were of the same status. I’m confident about that.”

Karhan’s family will protest at first, but they will soon recognize them.

At least there’s nothing behind Stella.