wildflower chapter 12

“Okay!” He sat on the stool, tilting his chin down slightly to look at her. Lilian shifted to the edge of the bed, lifting herself up. 

“Stay still. I’ll take care of everything.” Lilian stepped off the bed and gently cupped Cairn’s cheeks. Their two blue eyes met and shimmered together. 

“R-Ready?” He nodded slightly. Taking a deep breath, she slowly brought her lips to his. Her heart pounded as their soft lips touched. The moment she parted her lips slightly and nibbled on his lower lip— “That’s enough.” Cairn turned his head sharply, avoiding her lips. 

What was that feeling? Just as a fluttering sensation began in her stomach, he pulled away, leaving her unsatisfied. Lilian smacked her lips and grabbed his sleeve tightly. “Um…. Cairn… can I put my tongue in?”

***

Full spring had arrived in Baltan. Seeking refuge from the blazing sunlight, Lilian watched the archery competition from beneath a tree. The competition had just ended, and today’s winner, unsurprisingly, was Cairn Etienne Headington. Viscount Regid, the host, presented Cairn with a platinum brooch as a prize. Using this as an excuse, the ladies flocked around him. 

“How are you so good at archery?” 

Among them was Aizen Frederick. With her fine blonde hair pulled up, Aizen was as beautiful as ever. Cairn gave a polished smile and politely answered the ladies’ questions. Watching him, Lilian felt a knot in her stomach. ‘Goodnight, Lilian.’ After slipping out of her bedroom, pretending not to hear Lilian’s bold request about using her tongue, Cairn had been desperately avoiding her. This had happened repeatedly lately, and Matilda seemed puzzled. 

In the end, Lilian had come all the way to the archery competition in Baltan just to see him. She usually loathed and avoided crowded events, but she had no choice. She needed to apologize to Cairn…. In her heart, she was already running to him, but her body wouldn’t cooperate. She couldn’t bring herself to push through the throng of ladies and approach him. 

“Ahem….” A cough sounded nearby. It was Victor Regid. 

“Good morning, Miss de Vermore.” 

“Good morning, Lord Regid.” 

“Why are you here all alone?” 

“The sun is strong.” 

“If I had known you were coming, Miss de Vermore, I would have arranged for more shade. I apologize.” 

“No, it’s my fault for mentioning it.” The conversation stalled. Contrary to the rumors that Victor Regid was humorous and skilled at conversing with women, an awkward silence hung between them. 

“…The Regid family mansion is so beautiful.” She struggled to find something to say. “Thank you for saying so. Then, would you…” 

Victor cleared his throat and extended a hand he’d been hiding behind his back. “Would you give me the opportunity to show you the mansion gardens?” 

The Regid family mansion was famous for its beautiful gardens. Lilian longed to see them, but she couldn’t just wander around a stranger’s home, so she’d remained where she was. “Yes, I would be grateful if you would. The archery competition is over, and a banquet will soon be held in the hall. Are you sure you can leave?” As she took his hand, Victor gave a charming smile. His face was flushed the same color as his red hair. 

“Yes, my father will manage.” Lilian laughed at his words, and at the same time, all eyes turned to them. Flustered, she looked around and met Cairn’s gaze from afar. His eyes lingered on the lingering smile on her lips, then shifted to her hand clasped in Victor’s. He frowned slightly, furrowing his brow. His look clearly said, What are you doing over there? 

‘So what?’ Lilian mouthed back. 

“The Knot Garden, with its maze-like paths, is spectacular. Shall we start there?” Over Victor’s shoulder, she saw Cairn beckoning her to come to him. Lilian turned her head away petulantly, and he started to move toward them. 

She’d come all this way to apologize, but Cairn’s persistent avoidance was starting to irritate her. “Lord Headington, could you teach me how to shoot a bow?” 

Aizen stepped in front of Cairn, asking him to teach her archery. Lilian looked away from him and tugged on Victor’s hand. “I’m so curious about the Knot Garden now after what you said. Let’s go.” Cairn was politely removing Aizen’s hand from his arm. 

Lilian, ignoring him, headed towards the Knot Garden with Victor. He’d ignored her all this time, and now this. ‘Hmph.’ She scoffed inwardly.