wildflower chapter 24

Lilian almost blurted out, “No, he hasn’t even had his first kiss,” but she bit back the words. “Uh, I suppose he might be?”

“Lili, be honest with me. You know him better than I do, his own mother.”

Lilian felt like a teacher conducting a parent-teacher conference about Cairn. First the Duke, now the Duchess. “No, I don’t think he’s seeing anyone.”

“Oh, he takes after his father… I had a feeling he’d have trouble finding a partner.”

Lilian had recently discovered that Cairn was notoriously unapproachable in social circles. She had seen him dance with several young ladies at balls and assumed his romantic life was flourishing, but apparently, that wasn’t the case. If she was the wallflower of the Clat Empire, he was known as “the iron fortress cloaked in manners.”

“Don’t worry too much. Plenty of young ladies adore Cairn.”

“He’s inherited so many talents, it’s only natural. And of all those talents, his most striking is his beauty.”

Despite Lilian’s reassurances, worry still etched the Duchess’s face. She was right. Cairn was objectively incredibly handsome. Even Lilian, who had known him for so long, would still be taken aback by his radiant face under the ballroom lights. Humans were creatures of habit, yet her aesthetic sense remained sharp, never quite growing accustomed to his beauty.

“The problem is… he doesn’t let anyone get close…”

At some point, the tea in the Duchess’s cup had stopped diminishing. Lilian covered the Duchess’s hand with her own, feeling the warmth through the handkerchief.

“Cairn will figure it out when the time is right. He always does.”

“Lili, why do you think he’s like this? I carried him for nine months, yet I can’t understand him. I feel like you must have some idea.”

“Well… I’m not sure about that…” Lilian offered a weak smile. The Duchess sighed again, and Lilian, who treated her like a mother, suddenly felt compelled to do something, even if it meant meddling.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided never to marry. And that’s a huge problem. He’s my only son.”

“I’ll… I’ll try. I’ll try to help Cairn find someone.”

“Would you really?” The Duchess’s eyes lit up. It was understandable. As was often the case with young people, Cairn and Lilian listened to each other more readily than they did their parents.

“Of course.”

“I heard Lady Aizen Frederick visited, but he won’t even let me set foot in the detached palace to greet her.”

Lilian understood the Duchess’s subtle message perfectly. She already knew that Lady Aizen Frederick was Cairn Etienne Headington’s best option.

“Don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Lili. Knowing I have you on my side puts my mind at ease.” The Duchess patted Lilian’s shoulder. The intense conversation had chased away Lilian’s sleepiness.

“And Lilian…” A new worry clouded the Duchess’s face, this time directed at Lilian.

“Perhaps the two of you should keep some distance. When you were younger, the concept of romantic relationships wasn’t as prominent, so you didn’t have to worry about appearances. But you’re both adults now.” Lilian’s concerns weren’t hers alone.

“People may not gossip openly in front of me, but I have ears. Do you understand?”

“…Yes.”

“I should be the one to rein in my son, but he simply won’t listen…”

“Have you already spoken to Cairn about this?”

“I told him it was for your benefit, but he completely ignored me.”

Lilian knew the Duchess’s advice wasn’t for Cairn’s sake, but out of genuine concern for her. Unexpectedly, this made the advice even more uncomfortable.

“Scandals involving the opposite sex might not affect a man, but they can tarnish a woman’s reputation. I understand the Count’s protectiveness. It’s how any parent with a daughter would feel. It’s the culture of the Clat Empire.”

Lost in thought, Lilian forced a smile when she noticed the Duchess’s intense gaze.

“Yes, I understand.”

The sound of hooves grew closer. The sun had dipped below the horizon, half-hidden, and its long, red rays shimmered against the transparent walls of the conservatory. Like those rippling waves of light, Lilian’s heart churned. The prick on her finger throbbed.