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~Chapter 50~
Blake sat down inside the jail cell, made from rough bricks mixed with straw.
But Lily was looking at him with her eyes raised, giving him a very specific look.
He knew that look well.
It was the look noble ladies gave when they wanted to scold someone, even if they acted like everything was fine.
“Sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
“I knew you’d ask that.”
The jailer watched them like he was enjoying a good play.
Blake didn’t get angry about it.
Instead, it gave him an idea.
Maybe if this were a play, I could get out of this situation…
“Please, just look at this pendant and think again?”
He said it in an exaggerated way, pretending to reach into his clothes. Of course, he didn’t actually have the locket pendant with him.
But Lily laughed.
“You’re completely crazy!”
The jailer wrote a note, very seriously.
“To win such a beautiful woman, a man needs a sense of humor…”
Finally, Blake spoke to him.
“Don’t you read the newspaper? You really don’t know who we are?”
“Ha, I’m married to this jail. And don’t touch that bump over there—that’s the head of my true love, the wall!”
After their little comedy act, Lily calmed down and became serious.
“About your war trauma… I think you should go to a hospital someday. Every time there’s a loud noise, you end up seeing people like monsters, you know it too.”
“Hmm.”
“I heard there’s a therapist who created a new method called cognitive therapy for these things. It’s an old rumor, but it might be worth finding out, right?”
The truth was, Blake had already healed once before.
When he was with Lily, he could calm down easily.
But he’d rather die than say, “I just need you to be with me.”
He’d rather bite off his tongue than say that out loud.
“Anyway, see you at the trial in three days.”
Lily said goodbye before anyone could see them together.
“The servants are outside, pretending to be trees, waiting for me.”
“Let’s hope no one uses them as firewood.”
“Now, you really can’t get into any more trouble. Promise me.”
“There’s nothing I can mess up in here. Even if a war starts, I can’t get out.”
Finally, Lily left the jail where she’d come so suddenly.
She passed dusty torches and walked up the stairs.
She was surprised by everything, but she believed it would all be fine.
The first trial had ended well.
Like he said, now that he’s locked up, he can’t get into any more trouble…
As she left, the jailer screamed,
“Hey! That’s my love’s leg! You pervert!”
Or maybe not?
Anyway, since things were going well, Lily had her own things to prepare.
She hurried away.
Blake was, of course, found not guilty of the kidnapping charge.
Count Fox didn’t even show up at the trial, but no one expected him to.
Even if he was healthy, he wouldn’t have come.
Reporters surrounded the courthouse—so many came there were more than enough to go around.
“Duke, is it true you hospitalized someone in a fight?”
“How did you feel when you were found not guilty?”
“Do you have anything to say about Count Fox, who tried to frame Miss Lily?”
They had all waited for this day.
It was an unwritten rule not to interview anyone before a court verdict was out.
A hundred years ago, during a royal court case, all the reporters had sided with the prince, hoping he’d be the next emperor. They wrote all kinds of bad things about the other side. But when the other side won, the prince lost his crown, and 30% of reporters lost their jobs in lawsuits. Ever since, they always waited for the verdict first.
“It was the obvious result.”
Lily, of course, knew all these rules.
She might not know how to handle a fancy doorknob, but she knew this world well.
While Blake just looked annoyed by the crowd, Lily handled the reporters smoothly.
“The truth always wins.”
Blake looked at her.
Today, she seemed even more dazzling. It wasn’t just his imagination.
She needed to look good for everyone—being popular in society was important for business too. Nobles made their own economy through their social clubs.
So, social standing was very important.
Lily thought,
Today, I had to wear the latest fashion from the capital.
‘I feel bad for the maids who worked so hard making my dresses.’
She didn’t have much money, but at least she could look like a “flower of society” for a day.
She borrowed dresses for free, promising that her photos would be in the newspapers the next day. The boutique owners were thrilled.
Her pale golden hair was styled for a whole hour that morning.
Her gray dress had a single pleat in the back and smooth lines down to the skirt.
It worked—reporters planned to write about how perfect she looked.
A bespectacled reporter asked,
“Do you have special feelings for Mr. Blake?”
“He’s a very good guardian.”
Once the subject came up, everyone started asking more.
A married woman seeking help from another man was shocking. It practically meant she wanted a divorce.
Everyone wondered about the beautiful noblewoman and the wild duke from Ufus—if not for the unmarried prince, she might have become a real princess.
Lily didn’t answer their questions further.
She ended it in a single line.
“We won.”
She wanted people to keep talking about it, for everyone to stay curious.
If possible, she wanted all the attention to help Blake.
“That’s the most important fact.”
One way or another, everything turned out well.
Blake and Lily booked train tickets back to the duke’s land. They’d leave the next morning.
Now, they could finally be together again.
So Blake made a decision.
Tonight, he would spend money like crazy.
He half-threatened the hotel owner, a business partner, and rented out the entire fourth floor of one of the best hotels in the capital.
It was as grand as a palace. Even Lily, who was used to fancy things, was stunned.
“If I buried your money in diamonds every day, I’d have to live a hundred years to finish spending it.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“Why did you rent the whole floor? You didn’t do this in Aquaouz. That hotel was reasonably priced and sensible. But here—even the glass is crystal!”
Blake didn’t answer.
He knew she only accepted him spending money on special occasions like this.
If he did this all the time, she’d be uncomfortable—or think he loved her.
He didn’t want that misunderstanding…
Well, he had another reason, too.
Nobles and important investors kept sending assistants to the fourth floor, pretending they’d gotten lost. If he hadn’t rented the whole floor, ten times as many people would have “accidentally” visited.
“Oh! Miss Lily is staying here! I just happened to be in the office across the street. What luck to see such a friendly face!”
Most of them talked to Lily, not Blake—he was scary to anyone who didn’t know him. Only people who’d done business with him for five years or more dared to approach.
Blake looked intimidating, even though he was handsome.
“Miss Lily… Can I call you that? Or maybe… Lady Hedwig? I’m not sure what to call you, since you’re not Countess Fox anymore.”
“Just call me what you like.”
Lily was a bit flustered.
The mood wasn’t bad, surprisingly.
Why?
She had done well today, but Blake’s violence had been extreme.
Usually, nobles hated improper behavior. They should’ve been against him.
But then came the answer.
“Lily!”
A new man arrived on the fourth floor with a soft, gentle voice.
He had light brown hair neatly combed and wore a black coat, opening his arms.
Lily stared for a moment, then her face lit up with surprise.
Is it really you? I can’t believe it!
“Ferdinand?”
Ferdinand hurried to hug her.
“Ferdinand, I never thought I’d see you today.”
“Surprise appearance, right?”
“Oh, so you’re the one who put in a good word for us with the nobles!”
Blake’s eyes turned cold.
Who is this guy now?
