MLHBMH 17

Chapter 17

 I Have to Run Away

Count Stacey immediately apologized the moment he saw Lily, and once again, Lily accepted his apology with her usual calm indifference. It wasn’t hard to forgive when she had no intention of truly doing so.

Then, they began talking business. Just like the Count of Balliman, the Stacey family was also looking for someone fluent in the Gartian language to help expand their business into the Kingdom of Herta.

“It’s been quite difficult to find someone proficient in Gartian. I was wondering what to do, but it’s such a relief that you can.”

“I suppose you could call it fate, couldn’t you?”

The count and his wife made small, shallow talk, clearly trying to win her favor. But Lily only half-listened, her eyes fixed on the contract in front of her.

Even when the countess was called away urgently by the butler, Lily didn’t glance up; she was still focused on reading through every line of the contract.

The pay was the same as what the Countess of Balliman had offered. There didn’t seem to be any unfavorable terms, but Lily wasn’t about to let her guard down. Hidden traps often lurked where you least expected them.

“There’s one condition I’d like to add. Would that be possible?”

She had a particular clause in mind that absolutely needed to be included.

“Of course. What kind of condition would you like to add?”

“Are you aware that my husband, Frederic Benjamin, runs a transport company?”

The count immediately caught on to what she was implying.

“Surely… you’re asking that we make a transport contract with Baron Benjamin’s company?”

“Would that be possible?”

“Hmm. It’s not impossible, but…”

The count rubbed his chin, clearly hesitant about something.

Lily didn’t rush him. She didn’t beg or plead either—she knew very well from experience that he wasn’t the kind of man to be moved by desperation. She had no desire to waste her energy pointlessly.

“Lily, if it’s not too personal… may I ask why you married Baron Benjamin?”

The question, when it finally came, was unexpected. Lily looked at him for a moment, then replied,

“Are you really asking because you don’t know the reason?”

The count said nothing. She continued, her voice steady.

“If you’re asking just to confirm what the rumors say, then yes—it’s true. I married Baron Benjamin for money. It was the only way to save my mother.”

Her words subtly reminded him of how he had refused to help her back then. Perhaps his conscience stung a little, because the tips of his ears flushed red.

“Ahem… I truly am sorry for what happened back then. I didn’t want to abandon you, but… the circumstances left me no choice.”

“If I may ask—what kind of circumstances were those, exactly?”

“Ah… that’s a family matter, so I can’t really say.”

Family matter, my foot, Lily thought. He clearly just couldn’t come up with a decent excuse. Still, she pretended to believe him and nodded politely.

“That’s all right. The past is the past. You can make it up to me by doing the right thing now.”

“Yes, of course. I’d like to correct my mistakes if I can.”

“Then, would you agree to a transport contract with my husband?”

The count fell silent again, thinking. This time, however, his pause was shorter.

“It’s certainly possible. But simply saying ‘a transport contract’ is a bit too vague. I’ll need to meet Baron Benjamin in person to discuss the details.”

“Then I’d like to sign the contract at that time, if that’s all right?”

Her boldness made the count chuckle.

“Of course. I suppose that means I’ll be meeting Baron Benjamin very soon.”

“I’ll let him know. If I tell him that you wish to discuss business, I’m sure he’ll gladly accept.”

“Then please tell him I’d like to meet the day after tomorrow at four in the afternoon.”

“All right. I’ll convey the message.”

Lily bowed politely and turned to leave. A quiet sense of relief spread across her face. She had worried that perhaps she’d made a mistake, that he wouldn’t agree to her condition—but everything had gone smoothly.

Maybe that’s what people meant when they said heaven never truly shuts every door. She’d not only found a new breakthrough, but even achieved a better outcome than Frederic had predicted.

As Lily exited the study, the old butler waiting outside spoke with a courteous bow.

“My lady sends her apologies. Something urgent came up, and she deeply regrets not being able to spend time with you.”

“Oh, that’s unfortunate.”

Unfortunate? Hardly. Lily was actually relieved she didn’t have to see the countess’s fake smile. She’d been worrying about how to politely refuse a chat if asked—this spared her the trouble.

“Shall I escort you to your carriage, madam? The coachman is waiting outside.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Following the butler down the long corridor, Lily glanced around the manor. It looked almost exactly the same as it had three years ago, when she’d last visited—except for a few new paintings on the walls.

Mother always loved paintings too…

The thought darkened her eyes with sadness. Grace Benjamin had not only loved looking at paintings but painting them herself. She’d been quite talented—capturing the scenery around their estate and their family with loving detail.

But all of her works had been lost in the fire two years ago. Three pieces had miraculously survived, but the colors had faded and the paper was blackened with soot. They were barely recognizable, yet Lily still kept them carefully—they were her mother’s, after all.

Maybe I should bring her some painting supplies.

It was just a passing thought, but a good one. Perhaps doing something she loved might help Grace recover some of her lost memories.

She wanted to show her mother those old paintings again, but that was impossible—the paper had become so fragile that even a light touch could make it crumble like autumn leaves.

I’ll just bring her art supplies for now… If it helps, then maybe later, I’ll show her the paintings.

As these thoughts drifted through her mind, Lily began descending the grand staircase that led to the first-floor hall. That’s when she noticed a man and a woman walking up from below—arm in arm, chatting affectionately.

Her eyes widened the moment she recognized the man’s face.

It was him.

The man who had spent that drunken night with her.

The capital was smaller than it seemed, and the social circles even smaller. She’d known there was a chance of running into him again someday—but not here, not like this.

Frozen in shock, Lily stood rooted on the steps, staring down. The man, too, stopped when he saw her.

The surrounding noise faded, her senses sharpening until there was only him. His golden eyes shimmered more brightly than the sunlight pouring through the windows.

Memories she’d buried deep began to resurface—the night at the hotel, her tears, their conversation…

“Then… will you be my mistress?”

The memory of her own foolish, drunken words hit her like a slap. She bit her lip hard, holding back a scream of mortified disbelief.

Her heart pounded violently—thump, thump—as if she’d been running for miles.

She had to get away before he said anything. Her mind screamed it, but her body wouldn’t move. The only thing she could do was clench and unclench her fists helplessly.

“…Lily?”

Her name, spoken in a clear, melodic voice, broke her trance. Lily blinked and finally noticed the woman holding onto the man’s arm.

“It’s been so long, Lily! How have you been?”

It was Kennedy Stacey, the Count’s only daughter—and Lily’s former friend.

The shock of seeing Kennedy snapped Lily’s dazed mind back to reality. She forced the corners of her stiff lips upward into a polite smile.

“I’ve been well, Miss Kennedy. And you?”

There had been a time when they’d spoken on a first-name basis, laughing without formality—but that time was gone. They were no longer friends.

Kennedy’s smile faltered at Lily’s use of formal speech. She darted her eyes nervously between Lily and the man beside her before bowing slightly.

“Ah, I… I must apologize, Lady Benjamin. It’s just been so long since we last met—I spoke too casually. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Normally, such an apology would have sufficed.

“I understand. I hope you’ll be more careful not to repeat the same mistake next time.”

Kennedy blinked, speechless at the reprimand. Her face stiffened, as if she couldn’t believe Lily had just scolded her.

“Well then, if you’ll excuse me.”

Lily gave a curt nod and brushed past her former friend without even glancing at the man. She didn’t dare meet his eyes again—if she did, he might speak to her, and that would be disastrous.

If that one-night mistake were ever mentioned… she didn’t even want to imagine it.

So she all but fled the manor.