North x Northwest

Chapter 324

‘Vain words and vain sentences can surprisingly affect my reality and actually turn my entirety into a vain existence. But I’ll be able to endure, despite all the difficulties, if my inner self doesn’t erode.’

Her head knew it, but her body, which had been beaten for so long, had developed a high sensitivity for the shadow of the god of death. So much so, that Lil even thought it was tiring for Ed to deal with her.

And she couldn’t blame him, for even she was exhausted.

Lil placed her hand on her chest and pressed down until she gradually calmed. She then laid down the towel and put on her shirt and pants. Her still-wet hair smelled like Ed. As she was watching the water droplets fall from the ends of it, there was a knock on the door.

“…Lil? Are you in there?..”

Lil responded to Levi’s voice. Levi opened the door and came in after hesitating in the doorway.

Lil buttoned her shirt and called out to Levi.

“Levi?”

“Uhm…”

“What is it?”

“Well, um… perhaps… are you…”

“..?”

In response to Levi’s uncertain attitude, Lil asked with her eyes. As she came around the partition, Levi approached her with awkward movements.

“By any chance, Liloa… is your last name Obernyu?”

“…”

Levi then shrugged her shoulders and raised her index finger to point to an unknown location.

“Obernyu as in the Grand Principality over there in the East… that Obernyu?”

Lil stroked her damp hair halfway up her face and asked back.

“Didn’t Linhardt tell you?”

“No, but in that case, you’re almost like a princess, right?”

“It’s been a while since we became a principality. If you announce my title’s like that, you could get arrested, Levi.”

Levi covered her mouth with her fingertips. But rather than being surprised by her possible arrest, Levi was more surprised by Lil’s admission.

“The imperial troops stationed at Simena just stormed the hotel. They declared they were here to escort the ‘Grand Lady’*. They yelled at me, asking where you were, and then started asking around as if they were looking for a traitor, but no one could answer. They made such a fuss that Linhardt went down. I went… No, wait… Since when did Linhardt know about you?”

“From Kano. Didn’t you overhear our conversation back then?”

“Ah… there were quite a few wounded soldiers, so I was busy taking care of them.”

“…”

Nodding in understanding, Lil lifted her belt and sheath from where she had left them on the couch.

‘If Linhardt hadn’t been there to face them, then Ed would’ve had to… So I can’t make decisions just for my own wellbeing.’

As Lil tried to get out with her gun holstered, Levi grabbed her by the shoulder.

“But the Imperial Army caused a commotion and people gathered around. There are even ambiguous rumours being spread. Are you going to be okay? You were hiding your name till now.”

“…What rumours?”

“Some claim you died a long time ago and even had a funeral, some say you were resting in Malus, and others say you were attacked by a group of bandits a few years back… But none of them are making any sense.”

Levi rolled her wide eyes. The look of concern was evident, so Lil placed her hand on the back of Levi’s hand and smiled.

“I am fine..”

“Even if…”

“I know.”

When Lil opened the double doors of the guest room, the servants waiting at the door holding clean cloths and towels stepped back left and right while bowing their heads. In the hallway and the hall below the stairs, people looked at her one after another and the murmurs stopped. One by one, people turned around and raised their heads. They were in a hotel catering wealthy clientele and so all the guests looked extravagant as if they were at a salon. Eyes met through feather-fluttering fans before lowering in greeting. Everybody acted overly polite. Occasionally, some people even took off their hats.

‘What kind of comedy is this? What on earth was said and how was it spread that it turned out this way?’

The imperial army and Linhardt looked up at her from the hall downstairs. Lil, who was standing next to the railing, looked down and immediately saw three uniformed officers climbing the stairs. Even though they walked on carpet, the thudding sound of military boots got audibly closer, and the metal medals and scabbards hanging from their uniforms clattered. The three men walked fiercely as if they were racing to see who would reach her first.

The blond officer who took the lead held out his hand and bowed slightly. The gesture was obviously meant to ask for the back of her hand, but when Lil stayed put, he quickly raised his upper body.

“Miss Liloa. My name is Major Buford. It is truly an honour to meet you. The Duke of Buford is not only my uncle but also my Liege…”

The officer behind him then stood ahead of Buford’s shoulder. He spoke, running a hand through his oiled black hair.

“My name is Eloi, yes, as in Eloi of Central Eloi. A dispatch has just departed from the Simena government office for Sesbron. We will escort you until we receive a reply from His Majesty.”

“I am in no need of your services.”

“Pardon?”

“I will contact His Majesty separately.”

The middle-aged officer who arrived last spoke politely.

“His Majesty will be pleased to know that his niece, who was involved in such an unpleasant incident, has returned. However, lodging with unidentified passengers is dangerous. You must stay at the castle of the Lord of Simena.”

“I can take care of myself.”

With one single glance, the officers who were climbing the stairs behind them stopped as if they were ordered to. Lil simply tried to walk forward to pass the hallway they blocked.

“We cannot allow that.”

Buford blocked her with his sturdy body and when Lil turned to her left, he raised her arm to block her path again. Lil snorted and looked up at him.

“Are you going to lay your hands on me?”

“..!”

Lil took a step further, causing the startled Buford to take a step back.

“What exactly are you going to do?”

He clumsily withdrew his outstretched arm. Lil passed between Buford and Eloi, and glanced at Shail standing tall on the steps. His expression was no different from the rest of the other audience members.

“Where’s Edgar?”

Shail must’ve come to his senses after hearing those words because he immediately climbed the remaining two steps.

“This-this way.”

Shail led the way toward the stairs leading to the third floor. The people, who had gathered on the landing, stood aside but still followed her with their eyes. There were constant murmurs behind the fans and hats that were taken off.

‘What a sight to see.’

As Lil rounded the landing, Shail leaned over and whispered.

“…Sir Edgar is still with the Duke of Mireille…”

“All right.”

Shail turned to the left hallway and pointed to the guest room on the left side. Lil was about to head straight to the door but glanced up at him who looked at her with curiosity in his eyes.

“…Apologies, My Lady.”

Shail lowered his eyes as soon as their eyes met, clearly not knowing what to do. The pinna of his ears had turned red. Shail would often stare at her in fascination, but he also knew how to listen to her silent warnings and keep himself in line. To that extent, he could be referred to as a gentlemanly young man. Lil nodded back to the stairs. A rude onlooker who didn’t know manners, was still standing behind the wall and peering their way.

“I will handle him.”

After Shail left, Lil headed to Mireille’s guest room. Even now, where no one could be seen from the hall on the ground floor, it seemed as if countless eyes were still glued to her back.

‘Now I have to get used to those ‘gazes’ again.’

Lil sighed and grabbed the doorknob of the guest room…

“…Why? Liloa is a woman so precious that one cannot discuss her value…”

‘What kind of bullshit am I hearing?’

It was clearly Mireille’s voice. Feeling disgusted, she reflexively took her hand off the handle.

Ed’s retort was immediately heard.

“…Last time, didn’t you say you wanted to kill her?..”

Mireille laughed. It was so loud it rang beyond the guest room door.

“…The love and hate between a man and a woman cannot be explained by reason alone. Truly, there is no reason other than my personal affection. As it became clear that she was truly alive, I felt ashamed of myself for not finding her sooner. She must have suffered so much… I am sure she resents me, so I would like to apologise…”

Lil turned the knob.

Upon opening the door, she saw Ed’s back sitting on the sofa. He looked at her and stood up after reaching for his cane. Meanwhile, Mireille stood in front of the fireplace, holding his drink.

‘He looks a little older than I remember.’

His eyes, sharp at first, sank when he saw her. His gaze, tracing her body, groped around her like a reptile crawling down. A purposeful gasp escaped his alcohol-soaked mouth.

‘…How disgusting.’

– – – – –

Reference:

Grand Lady = This title was bestowed to Lil by the Emperor just before she went to war. Normally, this title would be used for the eldest princess before marriage. With this title the Emperor implied that Lil was the most noble lady in the Empire. = Chapter 279.

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