IWIAHC Chapter 39

[And now, once again, you step forward so readily—I cannot even fathom the limits of your kindness.]

Lily found herself practically twisting into knots.

Had he really just used the word "kindness"? "I cannot even fathom the limits of your kindness"? Had she truly heard that sentence correctly?

The sort of phrase one might find in an embarrassingly saccharine romance novel was being delivered without a trace of shame by an extraordinarily handsome man.

Excluding her family member Julia, the highest praise Lily had ever received from others in her life had been "cleans well" and "has an even temperament."

She genuinely had no idea what to do with herself.

[Moreover, given your keen intellect, I need not waste breath explaining the dangers inherent in Julius's proposal—you understand them perfectly well.]

Compliments even more elevated than "kindness" poured forth without restraint. Heat spread from the crown of her head down to her neck. If she looked in a mirror, she would undoubtedly be red as a boiled beet.

Maintaining her composure now proved more difficult than it had been when sitting across from the Emperor, engaged in that battle of wits.

Lily barely managed to resist the urge to melt into a boneless puddle on the sofa. Aiden's words did not cease.

[Lily, your judgment has always brought favorable results. Until now I've been too busy opposing you, but I finally understand that following your counsel is the correct course. You are the herald of good fortune sent to me.]

This was not affection like gentle snowflakes. She felt as though she stood before a blazing bonfire, suffering from the heat.

Each and every word was so excessive that Lily began to harbor suspicions. Was Aiden perhaps simply employing aristocratic rhetoric?

Were such flowery compliments merely standard practice in their world, while this foolish maid floundered about, unsure how to respond?

If the speaker had been Wolfram, she would have suspected he'd eaten something rotten for breakfast and promptly ignored him.

However, when Aiden spoke thus with such warm and considerate eyes, Lily's heart could do nothing but pound helplessly.

[Therefore, Lily, once Lady Dienta completes her translation work, you may depart then.]

"Translation work?"

[Yes. You intend to go to the capital to deal with the Solmonite leader, Manus, do you not? In that case, you should bring as much information as possible. Thorough preparation will work in your favor. Am I not correct?]

"Y-yes. Yes, you're right."

Lily hastily agreed with Aiden's proposal. She wanted to end this conversation as quickly as possible.

Even thinking briefly about it, Aiden's suggestion was perfectly rational. In a situation where she couldn't know what information might prove useful, it made sense to at least fully understand whatever materials they had already obtained.

Nor would she need to wait long. Julia had been working on the translation at a frenzied pace—the scripture translation was already more than halfway complete.

[Good. Then it's a promise. Once Lady Dienta finishes her work, you'll set out for the capital.]

Aiden summarized the terms between them in a light tone.

"Yes, Your Grace."

[I need time to prepare myself mentally as well, so you mustn't break this promise.]

"I'll keep it without fail."

Lily nodded firmly in confirmation. She was relieved to be able to conclude this embarrassing conversation and, moreover, to have obtained a reasonably satisfactory result.

Aiden smiled with a satisfied expression and instructed her to relay this information to Wolfram. Lily faithfully followed that directive.

Wolfram asked in bewilderment, "His Grace agreed?"

"Yes. Though not immediately—he said I could leave once my grandmother finishes her work."

"What I mean is, regardless of the timing of departure, did His Grace actually consent to the act itself—you accompanying the Emperor to the capital?"

"Yes, Assistant."

He wore a confused expression, then asked the empty air directly.

"If that happens, as Miss Dienta explained, Your Grace will need to remain here. If Your Grace's illness is discovered to be false, it will also be revealed that Miss Dienta is actually working for Your Grace."

Lily had shared the exact same concern.

"We don't know how he'll react if he learns this truth. In the worst case, he might seek mutual destruction."

Aiden remained calm.

[I've considered everything.]

"He says he's considered everything."

Wolfram frowned as though utterly baffled, then soon bowed his head.

"I will follow Your Grace's command."

Having concluded the urgent discussion for now, they began dedicating themselves to their work.

As time passed, the shock of those praise-induced compliments that had clouded her mind gradually subsided. Only then could Lily reflect on Wolfram's attitude.

Wolfram hadn't easily believed Aiden's decision. His manner suggested that unless Aiden planned to accompany her, there was no way he would send Lily to the capital.

She'd been too pleased at receiving permission earlier to notice, but thinking about it now, it was definitely strange.

'That's right. He's letting me go suspiciously easily. Every time I tried to do anything before, he always stopped me.'

This time, however, Aiden had readily given permission without her needing to manufacture forced reasons for persuasion.

She glanced sideways. Aiden noticed with keen awareness and turned his gaze toward her.

[What is it, Lily?]

"It's nothing."

Nothing indeed!

She was feeling bewildered at the realization that Aiden had never once actually stopped her.

Hadn't he demolished the castle over a mere two nights of separation? Hadn't he practically begged her not to leave him alone...?

'I must have earned His Grace's trust to this degree. He must believe Lily Dienta is reliable enough to entrust with matters.'

Lily thought positively about it. However, truthfully, a corner of her heart felt slightly wounded.

To not scrutinize the dangers of traveling to the capital in detail, to not continue the discussion by working out concrete plans first, but to simply agree immediately...

'Perhaps Grandmother still has time left to finish the translation, so he plans to discuss it slowly during that period? Maybe he's anticipating that if he simply forbids it outright, I won't listen...'

Turning pages, Lily became aware that she was behaving with remarkable pettiness.

She herself had been the one to say she would go. Therefore, it would be proper to stop worrying about this and concentrate on work. But her thoughts proved tenacious.

'No, but the Assistant also thought it strange just now. It's not just me feeling this way. Has his heart... has his heart changed? Is my wellbeing as a mere maid no longer of any consequence now that his recovery drags on inconclusively? After spouting such teeth-rottingly sweet words?'

Still defining herself as a maid, Lily bit her lip firmly.

If only she'd been doing demanding physical labor, she wouldn't be having these useless thoughts—she'd be too busy gasping for breath.

The moderately comfortable chair and the pleasant environment that didn't produce a single bead of sweat on her forehead were instead encouraging idle speculation.

Her subtly sunken mood did not lift even after eating lunch. Aiden, seemingly oblivious to everything, gave Lily instructions as usual.

[Let's go to the library. I need something.]

The only things obtainable from a library were books.

Lily searched her memory for whether today's work had included any sections requiring reference texts. Nothing particularly came to mind.

He couldn't turn pages by himself, so it wasn't for recreational purposes either.

Lily headed toward the library with her curiosity intact.

"Good day, Miss Dienta."

Within the castle, Lily's prestige had reached such heights that even the Duke's personal librarian bowed in greeting.

"Good day, Librarian."

"What brings you here today?"

"Um..."

To Lily, who was stalling, Aiden spoke.

[Tell him we've come to borrow books imported from overseas.]

"I've come to borrow books imported from overseas."

"Even within the category of overseas, there are various types... Do you perhaps have a particular country in mind?"

As expected of a ducal library—the variety of their collection was impressive. Julia had also expressed admiration with shining eyes on this point.

Aiden whispered.

[I'd like to see books from Solmon.]

"I need books from Solmon."

"If you provide the titles, I'll bring them to you."

[Ask him to guide us directly to the shelves.]

"I'd like to browse the shelves directly."

Lily faithfully played the role of Aiden's proxy. Following the librarian's guidance, they crossed the library.

Compared to the library's total area, the proportion occupied by Solmon books wasn't particularly large. Three bookshelf sections were packed to capacity.

Viewing Solmon books in a public location felt somehow awkward and made her heart uneasy.

Lily asked cautiously, "Aren't these banned books? What I mean is, given that relations between the two countries aren't exactly favorable due to the Solmonite issue, I was wondering if it's acceptable for them to be displayed like this."

"Books that might be mistaken for banned texts are not shelved here. What's here consists mainly of academic texts and classics, along with several memoirs and poetry collections."

Listening to the librarian's explanation, she stared blankly at titles she couldn't read.

"Do you know the title of the book you're looking for? Or shall I select books corresponding to your desired field?"

[To Lady Dienta...]

Lily repeated Aiden's words without much thought.

"To Lady Dienta..."

[Send everything.]

"Send every—"

Her eyes widened as she whipped her head around toward Aiden.