/
Lily, it’s been a really long time. I’ve missed you.”
Lennon spouted out bullsh*t as soon as he saw me.
He had put on an emotional expression on his face, and he walked closer to me with his arms wide open—as if he was about to embrace me.
Taking a step back from that attempted hug, I forced out a smile.
“…I didn’t expect to see you waiting here, Lord Lennon.”
“Goodness, did you forget in the meantime? You have to call me Brother Lennon.”
Crazy prick. He’s always been obsessed with getting called ‘Brother. It’s obvious that he has some sort of fetish.
There was a smile on my lips the entire time, but I was clearly staring down at him with my eyes.
“It would be impolite of me to call you that.”
“With what’s between us, Lily, you don’t have to be so polite.”
…As always, I was filled with the need to kill Lennon Chester. If only I could.
To the very core of his existence, he was nothing but a disgusting man.
“Lily, you still don’t get along well with Duke Valentino these days, don’t you? The rumors floating around about how you’ve been having a harmonious relationship was all false. I heard everything from Miss Esner.”
“……”
When I looked sideways at Florentine, she glanced back at me with a sad expression on her face as she nodded.
At that moment, I was so baffled that I unconsciously laughed.
“You’re truly thoughtful, Miss Esner. You worry so very deeply about me even though I’m just a stranger to you.”
“What do you mean by that, Lily? A stranger? But we’re close, aren’t we? I’m just genuinely concerned about you, so…”
Florentine clasped both her hands over her chest, still with that same concern displayed on her features.
Seeing her like this, I couldn’t quite tell whether she was currently drunk on playing out her role as a pseudo-saint, or if she was really just insulting me.
Perhaps it was both.
Florentine Esner is…
Right. I know for sure now.
“Are you having fun, Miss Esner?”
“What?”
“You seem to be under the impression that trampling on me—someone you think is Owen’s possession—would somehow regain the pride you lost when Owen had trampled over you.”
“……”
Florentine smiled ambiguously, then she opened her lips to speak once more, her voice laced with pity.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying, Lily. My intentions are pure when I say I only want to help you.”
This woman seemed quite a bit of a loon, too. That’s probably why Owen had broken off their engagement.
It must have felt like he was looking in a mirror, yes?
“Lily, why are you doing this to Lady Esner? She’s only helping me and you with the goodness of her heart.”
Lennon faced me and crooned. Then, Florentine stepped forward.
“Yes, Lily. I’m really trying to help. I heard that Lord Lennon is very serious about you. That’s why it occurred to me that Lord Lennon is the only one who could possibly help you get away from Owen’s clutches.”
I smiled blithely.
“Look at you two, in perfect harmony. Even twins born from the same belly wouldn’t be able to get along as great as you both, so you know what? I think you’ll be a really great couple. Ah, right. Miss Esner, don’t you need a new fiancé so that you’ll be able to restore your reputation? Hasn’t it hit the ground recently?”
It’s best to fight bullsh*t with bullsh*t. After all, you wouldn’t be able to compete with someone who was utterly unable to communicate in the first place.
Hearing my words, Lennon reacted with evident incredulity.
And Florentine…
“……”
The benevolent mask, which she had been doggedly wearing until this moment, finally cracked.
She glared at me furiously, then she soon barked out a cackle.
“What the, I thought you were just a meek little lamb.”
Florentine muttered as she stared up and down at me.
“Seems like it’s because you’re the esteemed daughter of House Everett. Even if you’re just a half-blood.”
“……”
Actually, I’m not even half.
While I thought this instead of saying it, I observed Florentine’s true self calmly.
It’s not all that surprising to see her like this. Because I was already expecting that this was actually how she was.
“Lily.”
Then, Lennon stepped closer to me, calling me with a low voice.
Frowning, I backed away from him.
Florentine then looked alternately between me and him, then she smiled wickedly.
“Alright, you both can talk comfortably. I’ll give you some room.”
At that moment, with an ominous foreboding, I hurriedly looked at Florentine.
And sure enough, she quickly scurried out of the greenhouse and slammed the door behind her.
Ka-chak—
There, too, went off the sound of the lock being turned.
‘…Goddamn Florentine.’
Alone with Lennon, I was trapped inside the greenhouse.