MLHBMH 32

Chapter 32

“Today, you can head back now.”
“Pardon?”

As usual, Viscount Benjamin had intended to wait at the carriage stand of the convalescent hospital until Lily came out. His coachman looked at her in confusion at the sudden request.

“I said you can head back now.”

When Lily repeated her request, thinking he hadn’t heard, the coachman finally came to his senses and stammered a little as he asked,

“B-But, Madam… how will you return to the mansion?”

“I’ll take the shared carriage, so you don’t need to worry.”

“But there’s a carriage right here… why a shared carriage?”

“I have an appointment in the evening. So you can go back first.”

Literally, it meant that there was a secret engagement he couldn’t show the coachman. Usually, such appointments are clandestine meetings. The coachman’s eyes gleamed sharply.

Lily, who had always condemned her husband’s affairs and carried herself like a noble swan, now had Benjamin keeping a secret rendezvous? She wondered what Predic, his family, and especially Samantha would do if they knew.

Perhaps they could use it to extort money from Lily. To do so, the coachman would need to be sure it was really a secret meeting and who the man was. He suggested with a friendly smile,

“Then I can escort you to the meeting place.”

“No, it’s fine. I can manage myself, so don’t worry and head back.”

Since Lily firmly refused, the coachman had no choice but to retreat, hiding the carriage in the innermost part of the stand. As he waited, planning to secretly follow her when she left, two men in rough clothing with swords at their waists approached.

“W-Who are you!”

The coachman shouted in surprise, but the men didn’t flinch. They simply glanced him up and down, then drew the swords from their sheaths.

“Eeek!”

The sharp tips of the swords touched just under his chin, and the coachman jumped back in shock. Unfortunately, the carriage was right behind him, leaving little room to retreat. Pressing his back against the carriage, he shouted,

“W-Why are you doing this to me…!”

“Don’t do anything unnecessary and return to the viscount’s mansion. Otherwise—”

Their cold voices were so chilling that the coachman, despite the warm spring day, could neither argue nor resist and nodded.

“Then go.”
“T-Thank you…”

“By the way, if you tell anyone about meeting us, not only you but also your wife and daughter will have no lives left.”

The mysterious men threatened the coachman with the lives of his family. His face turned pale, and in a panic, he rambled about keeping the secret until death before hastily driving the carriage away.

As he watched Viscount Benjamin’s carriage disappear into the distance, his companion asked,

“Shall we take care of that side as well?”

The intruders glanced toward the convalescent hospital and shook their heads.

“That one’s someone’s doing. Let’s watch for now and deal with it if it becomes troublesome.”

The first thing Lily did upon arriving at the convalescent hospital was meet with her mother’s caretaker to ask how her mother had been over the past week. While this might have been bothersome in a normal hospital, here each patient had a dedicated caretaker, so it was possible.

“I’m here to see Nurse Megan.”

Before meeting her mother, Lily asked the front desk staff on the first floor. The staff flipped through a chart and said,

“Megan resigned as of yesterday.”

Lily was taken aback. When she met Megan a week ago, there was no mention of her quitting. Gathering herself, she asked,

“Then who is currently taking care of Mrs. Grace Benjamin?”

“Margaret. Shall I call her?”
“Yes, please.”

Sitting in the lobby, Lily waited for Margaret while thinking of Megan. Megan had a slightly edgy appearance, with sharp eyes and a pointed chin, looking to be in her mid-forties.

At first, Lily had worried whether Megan would treat her mother well, but those worries were unnecessary. Megan cared for Grace as if she were family and answered every question Lily asked without annoyance.

Now that Megan had resigned, Lily felt a pang of regret. It was a little upsetting that she left without notice, and Lily felt guilty for not properly thanking her for taking care of her mother through all the physical and emotional challenges. She tapped the floor lightly with her toes.

“Mrs. Benjamin?”

A kind and gentle voice called from above, and Lily looked up. A middle-aged woman, seemingly around Margaret’s age, bowed politely.

“Nice to meet you, ma’am. I’m Margaret, and I’ll be taking care of Mrs. Grace Benjamin starting today.”

This was her mother’s new caretaker. Unlike Megan, she seemed pleasant, which eased Lily slightly. She stood and greeted her.

“Nice to meet you, Nurse Margaret.”
“You can just call me Margaret.”
“No, I prefer to be formal. Don’t worry.”

She was careful to avoid mistakes that might affect her mother, trying to speak cautiously.

“How is my mother? Any improvement?”

“Well, I don’t know if you’re aware, but I only started caring for Mrs. Grace Benjamin this morning.”
“Ah, then I see.”

“Comparing with the notes Megan left, there doesn’t seem to be much change. Mrs. Grace Benjamin still doesn’t recognize anyone and doesn’t know her own name.”

Though she had heard this countless times before, it still hurt Lily. She closed her eyes and opened them again, hoping maybe today would be different, maybe today she would be a little better. Her wish had never been fulfilled.

“Please take good care of my mother.”

After repeating her request to Margaret, Lily headed to her mother’s room. Walking down the all-white hallway, her expression was as dry as fallen leaves.

Her eyes, once empty, began to tremble when she stood in front of the room labeled Grace Benjamin.

“Phew.”

Lily took a deep breath to calm the churning emotions and pushed the door open with force.

“I’m here!”

Stepping into the room, her face showed no trace of sadness or pain.

Herald, having finished preparations to go out, checked the time on his pocket watch. The appointment time written in Lily’s letter was 6 p.m., and it was currently 3 p.m.

Leaving now might be too early… but better than being late.

The slightly silly thought that it might be fun to arrive first and wait for Lily made Herald put on his coat and leave his room.

Walking down the long corridor to the central staircase, he saw Hamilton and Olivia coming up arm in arm.

“Oh, young master.” Olivia greeted first. Herald nodded lightly and looked at Hamilton.

Hamilton scanned him up and down and stroked his chin.

“What’s with the outfit? Looks too fancy. Not like you’re going to meet a friend.”

It was a fair observation, but Herald played it off.

“Stop wasting your words. If you have attention to spare, give it to your wife instead.”

“I already am.” Hamilton said, pulling Olivia closer. Olivia, though frowning, rested her head on his shoulder without complaint.

“You should meet someone too.”
“Mind your own business,” Herald replied curtly, excusing himself and quickly descending the stairs.

“Looks like he’s going to meet a woman…”

Hamilton watched his brother’s receding figure, then turned to his beloved wife.

“What do you think? Does it seem like Herald is dressed up to meet a woman?”
“Hmm… I don’t know.” Olivia shrugged, glancing in the direction Herald had gone.

“I’m sure he doesn’t lack interest in any woman, though.”

“But he recently met Miss Kennedy Stacy, right?”
“I asked about that already…”

Olivia rolled her eyes, making sure no one else was listening, and whispered just loud enough for Hamilton to hear:

“It seems His Highness the Crown Prince is interested in Miss Kennedy.”

“What?”

Startled, Hamilton raised his voice, but Olivia gestured urgently for him to be quiet. He covered his lips, glanced around, and asked softly:

“You’re saying the Crown Prince is interested in Miss Kennedy Stacy? Are you sure?”

“Well, you told me, so I suppose it’s reliable. They share all sorts of secrets with each other.”
“True, but the Crown Princess is present, so another woman…”

“Well, they had a loveless arranged marriage.” Olivia explained succinctly, placing her hand on her cheek and sighing softly.

“I’m still worried about the Crown Princess. Even in an arranged marriage, she’d be shocked if she knew her husband had a mistress…”
“…Will you tell Her Highness?”
“I suppose… yes. She should be informed so she can prepare herself emotionally.”