MLHBMH 22

Chapter 22

 What a Relief.

The woman passionately kissing her husband — though Lily saw her for the first time today, she immediately recognized her.

It was the boutique designer — Frederick’s former lover.

No, considering they were still kissing that intensely, “former” wasn’t exactly the right word.

Lily had heard countless rumors about Frederick playing around with other women, but this was the first time she’d seen it with her own eyes.

“……”

Even though she was witnessing something she despised, she wasn’t angry — more dumbfounded and incredulous. Maybe because Frederick was just being his usual self.

Of course, that didn’t mean she wasn’t angry at all. It infuriated her that he was doing something like this even though he knew she’d be back soon. It showed just how little he thought of her.

“……Oh my!”

The woman, startled after finally noticing Lily mid-kiss, quickly pulled away from Frederick, bowing her head as she frantically fixed her messy hair and rumpled clothes.

Frederick looked surprised too, but he seemed far calmer than when Lily had caught him earlier that day speaking with his aide in the mansion’s central hall.

That only made her more curious about what that earlier conversation had been about.

Lily gazed blankly at Frederick’s now composed face, then turned to the woman. Their eyes met — the woman’s face flushed as her lipstick-smeared lips parted in panic.

“Madam, this isn’t— I mean, I—”

“There’s no need to explain. I already know who you are and exactly what was happening.”

The woman’s face turned pale this time. Trembling, she clung desperately to Frederick’s arm, silently pleading for help with her eyes.

“You said you were just fixing your makeup. I see you came back early.”

Unfortunately for her, Frederick didn’t seem inclined to help. Nor did he seem to have any intention of apologizing or explaining himself to Lily.

His brazen attitude — so utterly shameless — stoked a fresh wave of anger in Lily. But the angrier she felt, the more sweetly she smiled as she addressed the woman still clutching his arm.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of grabbing you by the hair or anything.”

The unexpected kindness made the woman’s eyes quiver. Lily met her gaze and smiled faintly.

“I’ll disappear so you two can finish what you started.”

“Lily!”

Frederick called out, alarmed, but Lily didn’t even glance his way. She walked straight out of the boutique.

It wasn’t an exaggeration that the carriage, supposedly crafted by a famous artisan, was so smooth that Harold and Olivia hardly felt it moving.

Still, compared to a bed, it fell short. He couldn’t stretch his legs or lie down fully, which was a downside — even though the carriage was larger than usual, Harold himself was taller than most.

If he’d been alone, he might have reclined halfway, but with Olivia riding with him, that wasn’t an option.

Actually, if he had been alone, he probably wouldn’t have taken the carriage at all. Harold’s half-lidded eyes drifted toward the window.

The sight outside — fully bloomed pink petals scattering like dancing snow in the wind — was beautiful, but he felt nothing.

“By the way, young master,” Olivia spoke up, breaking his reverie.

Harold turned toward his sister-in-law with a faint smile. He had to pretend he wasn’t tired, or she’d just blame herself. Acting like he was fine — that was easy for him.

Completely fooled, Olivia looked at him with curious eyes, free from any trace of worry.

“You’ve been going out quite often lately… are you seeing someone?”

Ah. So that’s what this was about.

Amused, Harold replied lightly, “Meeting friends is a kind of date too, I suppose.”

“Oh, so you’ve been seeing friends, not a lover…”

She looked visibly disappointed but pressed on.

“I heard you’ve been spending a lot of time with Miss Kennedy Stacey lately — is that true?”

Harold chuckled softly. He had only met Kennedy once, but the rumor had somehow turned into “often.” Olivia’s eyes sparkled like stars, clearly misunderstanding his laughter.

“So you do like her!”

“That’s a misunderstanding, sister-in-law,” Harold corrected politely.

“I only met Miss Stacey once, and I have no romantic feelings for her.”

“Maybe not feelings, but you must have some interest if you met her.”

“I don’t, actually.”

He replied firmly, slipping his hand into his coat pocket. The urge for a cigar came to mind — Olivia’s needless curiosity was starting to grate on him.

He realized the pocket was empty and clicked his tongue. Even if he had the cigar box, he couldn’t smoke in front of a lady anyway.

He was, after all, a gentleman — or at least, he had to pretend to be one. Ironically, to be truly free, he had to act like the perfect gentleman.

“Then… is there any other woman you’re interested in?”

At that question, Harold instantly thought of Lily.

When he didn’t respond right away, Olivia clapped her hands together like an excited child.

“Oh my, so there is someone you’re interested in!”

Interested, huh. Harold rolled the unfamiliar word around in his mind before admitting inwardly — yes, he was interested in Lilliana Benjamin.

But it wasn’t romantic interest. It was purely because Crown Prince Austin had asked him to look into why the Second Prince was investigating Viscount Benjamin.

If not for that request, Harold wouldn’t even have known the woman named Lilliana Benjamin existed.

“Is she from a noble family? Maybe someone I know?”

“There is a woman I’m interested in, but not in the way you’re thinking, sister-in-law.”

Before Olivia could get the wrong idea, Harold nipped it in the bud.

“She’s someone His Highness the Crown Prince is interested in.”

Of course, even Austin’s “interest” in Lily stemmed from Second Prince Darius — but Harold didn’t say that. It wasn’t something he could disclose.

“Oh, His Highness…” Olivia trailed off awkwardly, clearly spinning strange theories in her head. Harold didn’t bother correcting her. If it got him out of her tiresome questions, so much the better.

Having successfully redirected her curiosity toward the Crown Prince, Harold turned back to the window. The carriage had entered Euphoria Street — lined with high-end boutiques and jewelers.

The clientele here were mostly nobles and the wealthy, who preferred carriages to walking even for short distances. The street itself was almost empty, save for a few shop employees.

No nobles in sight — until…

“……”

A woman in a pink dress, like it was woven from flower petals, passed by the carriage. Harold froze. If his eyes weren’t deceiving him, that woman was Lilliana Benjamin.

It was rare for a lady in such a fine gown to be walking the streets unescorted. And the look on Lily’s face — even in that fleeting glimpse — wasn’t normal.

“What’s wrong, young master?” Olivia asked, noticing his expression. Harold almost said he needed to get off but stopped himself.

“It’s nothing.”

Whatever was happening with Lily had nothing to do with him. It was probably personal — unrelated to the Second Prince. No reason to get involved.

No reason at all.

Yet he couldn’t stop thinking about her. What if she drank herself senseless again? What if she got swindled or attacked by some lowlife?

His anxiety grew like a living thing, clawing at his nerves, until his mouth went dry — his mind filled with the image of Lily crying endlessly.

“Stop the carriage.”

He finally ordered the driver to halt.

Apologizing quickly to his bewildered sister-in-law, saying something urgent had come up, Harold jumped down and ran in the direction Lily had gone.

His dark hair streamed wildly under the sunlight as he sprinted.

What if she’s already gone too far…?

The thought made his legs move faster. His lungs burned, but he didn’t stop.

And then — as if the heavens had rewarded his effort — he spotted a flutter of pink in the distance. Lily’s dress.

Recognizing her instantly, Harold pushed himself even harder.

Lily, who had been walking aimlessly just to get as far away from Frederick as possible, froze at the sound of pounding footsteps.

Before she could even turn around, Harold caught her from behind and pulled her into his arms.

“……!”

Startled, Lily whipped her head around, only to meet molten gold eyes staring back at her.

“You…” she began — but before she could finish, Harold held her tighter, breathing heavily as he murmured,

“Thank God.”