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Chapter 2
Lilith hurriedly tore up the request letter and threw it into the fireplace, muttering,
“I didn’t see anything. Nope.”
“I saw it though, Doctor?”
“No. Be quiet. Nothing came to me today.”
Lilith ignored Xenia’s nonsense and let it go in one ear and out the other.
How hard had she worked all this time just to live far away from the central imperial capital?
Finishing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate courses in just six years had never been easy—but she still did it.
All for a small, peaceful life!
“This is extremely dangerous. If I accept this, I feel like my life will be completely ruined.”
“The condition says the contents are confidential and leaking them means extermination of your entire family. That’s definitely suspicious.”
“As expected, it’s a trap. It must be a scheme from someone who holds a deep grudge against me.”
“But it sounds fun. You should accept it.”
“…Seems like you also hold quite a deep grudge against me.”
Just in case, she checked three times to make sure the word “rejection” was properly written, then began preparing to go out and send the reply.
For once, she didn’t want to leave it to a servant.
She felt like she could only relax if she personally saw the reply being sent with her own eyes.
Lilith opened the door.
“Oh, Lilith!”
“….”
Thud—
Reflexively, Lilith shut the door and rubbed her eyes.
She thought she had just seen something that shouldn’t exist.
A group of knights lined up in front of her mansion—and a man smiling brighter than ever the moment their eyes met.
‘Right. I must have imagined it. I was too shocked.’
There was no way that man would come all the way to this rural place.
Laughing awkwardly, Lilith opened the door again.
“Lilith!”
But the man was still there.
Under the warm spring sunlight, his golden eyes shone even brighter than the sun itself, staring directly at Lilith—like she was his only target.
“……”
Lilith quietly closed the door again.
She was extremely flustered.
‘Why is Edrion, who should be in the imperial palace, here? Don’t tell me he came to drag me back?’
Didn’t he say he would wait for her reply?
No, that couldn’t be. This must just be a very common coincidence.
She had received the request literally one second ago, after all.
…Her thoughts didn’t last long.
“What’s going on? Why are there knights?”
“Did something happen at the doctor’s lab?”
“Oh my, is the doctor okay? Should we go check?”
Voices of people whispering gathered outside the lab.
This was a small rural village at the southern edge of the continent, far from the capital.
A place so peaceful that even seeing a knight was rare.
It was obvious how much attention a full group of knights would draw.
‘Ahh, my peaceful southern life…!’
She wanted absolutely nothing to do with the imperial capital.
In the original story, Lilith had lived quietly, yet she was falsely accused of withering the World Tree.
To be exact, the villain had caused it, but nobles who were dissatisfied with Duke Akshad’s power blamed his wife instead.
They couldn’t touch Edrion—an imperial hero and the Empress’s younger brother—so they sacrificed his wife.
Rumors spread instantly that she harmed the World Tree.
Lilith was dragged into the plaza by an enraged crowd.
No one could stop it.
Even when Edrion arrived late, it was already too late.
Her body had been torn apart and burned beyond recognition.
‘More people are gathering. It’s better to hear his business quickly, refuse, and send him away.’
Coming back to her senses, Lilith put on a wide-brimmed hat to hide her face and opened the door.
Edrion smiled brightly upon seeing her.
“It’s been a while, Lilith.”
“Ah, Duke Akshad… Let’s move somewhere less crowded—”
“I’m sorry, Lilith. Could you say that again?”
Her voice must have been too soft.
As Lilith stepped closer to whisper, a sudden gust of wind blew her hat away.
“…!”
Startled, she reached out to catch it.
Unfortunately, her terrible coordination betrayed her, and her foot caught on a stone.
Just as she thought she would fall—
“Are you alright?!”
“Ah!”
A large, firm hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her in.
She ended up burying her face in a broad, solid chest.
Edrion’s embrace.
“Lilith.”
For a moment, Edrion stopped breathing as she fell into his arms.
Then he let out a deep, satisfied sigh and held her waist.
His touch was gentle, like handling a fragile doll—but strong enough that she couldn’t move at all.
“I’m sorry I’m late, Lilith.”
“…Pardon?”
Late? For what?
Confused, Lilith looked up at him.
‘It’s been about 10 years since the engagement ceremony, right?’
Edrion’s appearance hadn’t changed at all—like he was blessed by the gods.
Silky silver hair, and vivid golden eyes like melted sunlight.
A noble face paired with a tall, strong body.
And whenever he looked at her, he smiled gently.
But for some reason, she couldn’t feel at ease.
Like a small rabbit in front of a starving beast, danger crawled up her spine.
‘Why do I feel so uneasy?’
As if something was hidden behind that smile…
While she was lost in thought, the surroundings grew quiet.
Edrion’s subordinates had cleared the crowd.
He gently caressed her flushed cheek.
“Have you been well?”
“Ah, it’s really been a long time.”
“……”
Thinking he would kiss her hand, she offered it.
But instead, he firmly held her small hand and lowered his gaze.
“I’ve been neglectful as your fiancé.”
“…What?”
“It was my fault. Entirely my mistake.”
Fiancé? That was ages ago…
There was so much to point out, but first, Lilith tried to free her hand from his grip.
It didn’t budge at all.
Even though he seemed to be holding lightly, she couldn’t move a single finger.
It felt like her hand was stuck between rocks.
“W-Why did someone as busy as you come all the way here? There must be people waiting for you. Wouldn’t it be better to finish your business quickly and return to the capital?”
“That’s true.”
“Yes, so—”
“Thank you for your consideration. Shall we talk on the way? I’ll explain everything on the road to the capital.”
“…?”
Before she knew it, he had wrapped an arm around her waist and started walking toward the carriage.
Behind her, Xenia and the servants were waving handkerchiefs, sending her off.
In front, knights stood ready with the carriage door open.
Everything was prepared to ship her straight to the capital!
Startled, Lilith stopped.
“Wait, wait a moment!”
“Yes, Lilith.”
“I can’t leave. It’s just… that is…”
“I’m listening. Take your time.”
His eyes looked soft and pleading—like a large dog waiting for affection.
Without realizing it, she chose a roundabout excuse.
“If I leave, there’s no one to take care of my lab. So I…”
“That’s not a problem. I brought someone to take care of your plants. Let me introduce him.”
At Edrion’s signal, an old man bowed.
Lilith blinked.
“Who are you?”
“Greetings, my lady. I am Pavil, the Head Gardener of the Imperial Palace.”
“….”
Wait—didn’t I just say I needed a gardener?
And you brought the head gardener?!
Is that even allowed?!
Edrion rubbed his chin.
“Ah, right. That was the setting.”
“…What?!”
Lilith’s instincts screamed danger.
Inside the carriage were countless magical devices—
Heaters, coolers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, stabilizers, even a magical cradle.
Anyone could tell something was very wrong.
“I-I don’t entrust my lab to others. I only trust my own skills.”
“…Sniff.”
The head gardener lowered his head, shoulders trembling.
Don’t cry!!
“Doctor.”
“Xenia!”
A ray of hope appeared.
Xenia knew Lilith better than anyone.
They had met six years ago, when Lilith was twelve.
Since then, Xenia had always stayed by her side.
Though her tone was cold, she was actually very understanding—
“Doctor, you forgot your ID.”
“……”
“And your doctorate certificate. There have been inspections lately. As your maid, this level of preparation is basic. No need to praise me.”
Xenia held out the documents neatly.
With these, even strict palace inspections would be cleared instantly.
Lilith stared at her.
“Who are you?”
“Greetings, Duke. I am Xenia, the doctor’s personal maid.”
“I see.”
After thinking briefly, Edrion said,
“Lilith is small and delicate. A familiar attendant would help her adjust better.”
“…?”
Then he added,
“You’re coming too.”
“I manage the household. If I leave, this place—”
“I’ll double your salary.”
“Welcome, sir.”
Xenia immediately changed her tone and climbed into the carriage first, reaching out to Lilith.
‘…Lilith will remember today’s grudge.’
Truly, the servant resembled the master.
