Lily, sitting helplessly on the swing, was covered in a dark green robe from head to toe.
Tristan stepped in and approached her. âA swing hanging from a tree. Itâs what youâve been dreaming about since you were little.â
Vladâs castle had a large area, so there were quite a few secret places.
Lily found the swing at the backyard not far from the mountain.
âDid your husband make it for you? As soon as you got married, Dandelion was worried about you two because you were left alone for a week. I guess heâs more romantic than I thought.â Tristan sat quietly on a rock a little further away from Lily. âPut your hood down. Show me your pretty face.â
ââŠI want to be alone. Tristan.â
âTristan paused for a moment.
Lily noticed that he didnât move from his seat. She had known for years and knows that Tristan had a habit of procrastinating when he refused.
A stray thought popped in her head.
Was I delirious, or was Tristan next to me when I had a fever a few days ago�
Lily frowned, trying to recall the memory, but she couldnât remember anything at all.
Tristanâs reproachful voice cut off her thoughts. âDandelion is reflecting on himself, but you were still mean. You should have understood his good intentions as an older sister, knowing his personality. Youâve been doing great at that all your life.â
Lily bowed her head sullenly. âYeah. I donât know why I did that either. Like you said, Iâm sensitive these days.â
âItâs normal. Iâve heard it all over the place. For women, marriage is everything. You mustâve cared about it.â Lily paused. Her voice softened considerably. ââŠDid the ladies you manage tell you? Whatâs everything to a woman?â
Tristanâs expression hardened for a moment. He ruffled his hair with a deep sigh. âI know you donât like my job. But I didnât have a choice either, like your marriage.â
âYou directly volunteered to your father. I⊠I never said I wanted to get married.â
His voice trembled. âLily. I know you actually despise me. I know what you think of my job. I have nothing to say if you think of me that wayâŠâ
Lily looked at him, sighing and grudgingly letting her hood fall. Her clear skin shone in the sun, long eyelashes shadowed green eyes. âThatâs not what I meant. I just⊠want you to refuse when my father pays you to look over me. I donât want to be treated like that.â
She didnât want to be observed like a courtesan by someone whom her father had paid to do so.
A pained smile crossed his face. âI donât think of you that way no matter how dirty you think I am. Lily, Iâm⊠your only friend.â
Lilyâs green eyes flashed with clear regret. She hurried up from the swing and sat next to Tristan. âI absolutely donât think youâre dirty. As you said, youâre my only friend, practically family. Iâm sorry.â
Tristan managed to keep his mouth shut.
Restless like a trapped animal, the lovely Lilyâs weakness was too obvious. Since she herself was always insulted by others, she was quick to sympathize.
His gaze skated from her trembling lips to her neck. The red marks left by her husband were everywhere.
Discomfort slithered through Tristanâs stomach. He turned his head to look at the swing. âIs your husband nice to you?â
âYeah. First of all⊠itâs good that he doesnât hate me. There are more unfamiliar things butâŠâ Lily pondered over Vlad and the past few days here.
She was worried about her husbandâs work, but the servants of De Winter Castle were kinder than any aristocratic family she had ever encountered.
Lily blushed lightly, licking her lips and smiling slightly. âThatâs a relief, isnât itâŠ.?â
Although Lily had not seen it, Tristanâs expression was one of someone who had heard bad newsâfurrowed brows and clenched jaw.
Dark blue eyes locked onto Lillie. âYes. So what if your husband is a cruel tyrant or  has an ugly face? Itâs fine if heâs nice to you.â
Lily flinched. The topic she wanted to avoid the most eventually surfaced.
âIâm just worried about what will happen if you have a child who looks like your husband. Of course, thereâs a possibility that they will take after you.â
Lily frowned. Her voice sank further. âWhy⊠would you say that? You donât have to worry about my childâs appearance. Even if my husband is bald or whatsoever, heâs much better off since heâs a duke. It doesnât matter if heâs ugly.â
Tristan shut up for a moment at Lilyâs slightly sharp voice. He thought this was a line that should not be crossed. âYeah. I donât think itâs something to worry about. In fact, contrary to the rumors, heâs pretty handsome, right? Is he more handsome than me?â
Rather than laugh at his jokes, Lily only wrung her gloved hands anxiously.
A strange light flashed in Tristanâs eyes. He realized that there was something strange in Lilyâs words. âEven ifâŠâ He looked at her with a smile.
ââŠLily. Iâm just asking, have you not seen your husbandâs face yet?â
Tristan didnât miss Lilyâs surprise. His eyes narrowed.
She hasnât seen it. His face.
âHave you consummated your marriage yet?â
Instead of answering, Lily sprang up from her seat. She looked down at him with a rather stern and slightly reddened face. âIâm going to go. Youâre a precious friend⊠but I donât want to talk about it.â