**Episode 8 –
The Most Beautiful in My Life**
—
“Um, Duke… I’m really sorry about earlier…”
“…….”
“I talked so confidently in front of the Baron, then turned around and doubted you… I don’t know how I can ever make up for being so rude…”
“Why did you say it?”
“What…?”
“Back there, at the ball.”
This time, I understood right away what he was asking about.
And even though I felt guilty, I could answer it without hesitation—because it wasn’t something I said under pressure or fear.
“There wasn’t a special reason. I just… saw your face and realized I was wrong.”
I straightened my back and lifted my head. Then I quietly looked into the man’s eyes, which had gone completely silent.
“I’ve had that same look in my eyes before too.”
“…….”
“When I suffered because of rumors I didn’t cause, and from people who refused to believe me.”
I let out a quiet sigh and turned around. My fingers brushed against soft delphinium petals.
Killian said nothing and simply walked at my slow pace. Since he was behind me, I couldn’t see his expression.
“When people in power say something, it becomes truth—whether it’s real or not. No matter how hard I tried, no one believed me.”
“…….”
“I felt so alone. Every moment of being awake and breathing hurt. But because there was nothing I could do, I slowly stopped speaking.”
Then, Killian stepped closer and gently touched my shoulder.
I let him turn me around.
The calm I’d tried so hard to keep shattered the moment he touched my cheek.
Tears started falling.
This conversation had started because I wanted to apologize and explain things to him.
I didn’t mean to end up crying and needing comfort. I hadn’t meant to be this selfish.
But the man, not knowing what I felt, gently spoke in a low voice, shaking me even more.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to bring up your pain.”
“…….”
I trembled slightly and lowered my eyes.
But then, after a short moment, I lifted my gaze and finally said the one thing I had really wanted to ask.
“You’ve had such a hard time, haven’t you?”
“…What?”
“I ended up breaking down and hurting a lot. But how did you carry all of that… and keep living…?”
“……!”
“All alone, without a single person by your side…? You must’ve been so, so lonely…”
I slowly raised my hand and gently touched his slightly cold face.
Killian’s body stiffened.
His eyes lost focus, and he didn’t even blink.
He slowly let go of me. I looked at him, and through my trembling voice—filled with tears—I finally said the last thing I’d kept buried deep inside.
“You’ve done well… You’ve made it this far… but please, don’t keep holding it all in. It’ll break you eventually…”
A soft breeze blew between us.
The gentle scent of lilies filled the air.
Tiny delphinium petals, glowing like fireflies in the moonlight, floated down all around us.
But I couldn’t enjoy any of it. I just stood there, head down, crying.
After saying those words—maybe to him, maybe to myself—all the emotions I had buried deep inside came rushing out.
Then, suddenly—
He pulled me into his arms.
With wide, teary eyes, I was pulled into his chest.
My wounded, sobbing body was tightly held in his warm, fragrant embrace.
Tears shimmered and fell.
As my head rested on his chest, all my thoughts disappeared.
Killian just leaned down more, hugging me even tighter.
My heart pounded.
Surrounded by his warmth and the sound of his heartbeat, I slowly stopped crying—and just let myself stay in his arms.
—
### \* \* \*
—
After that, I couldn’t tell what was going on anymore.
Killian didn’t say a word. He simply held my hand and led me through the quiet garden, out of the Imperial Palace.
Then, when we reached the gates, he even helped me get into his waiting carriage.
He stayed silent even inside the carriage, just staring at my hand deep in thought.
After a while—
“We’ve arrived at the Count’s estate, Your Grace.”
“I see.”
Killian gave a short answer and got out of the carriage first.
Then, he reached his hand out to me like he was waiting for me to take it.
I swallowed nervously.
After hesitating, I took his hand and stepped down from the carriage, my face red like a pomegranate about to burst.
“…Thank you for bringing me home.”
“I know a hill filled with lisianthus flowers.”
“…Sorry?”
“I ride past it sometimes. It’s a beautiful spot when the sun shines on it.”
His sudden topic change made me tilt my head.
Killian looked down at me quietly.
Then, in a slightly lower, softer voice, he continued.
“If you’re okay with it… I’d like to invite you there tomorrow.”
“……!”
“…I think I’ll want to see you again. When tomorrow comes.”
Killian looked nervous as he said those final words.
Even that made him look so dazzling, I just stared at him and slowly nodded.
And then—he smiled.
The man known as a cold-blooded monster, the leader of the witch hunts, the killer of children…
He smiled with such gentle, kind eyes that all those terrifying names suddenly meant nothing.
It made me wonder again—what kind of person is Killian really?
A moment later, he leaned down slightly with a soft smile and plucked a flower petal from my hair.
Then he whispered quietly,
“Thank you, Lilliana.”
Leaving those lovely words behind, Killian finally turned away after I entered the gates.
And as he walked back to his mansion, he carried something with him—
A handkerchief embroidered with tiny delphiniums.
My heart pounded.
Maybe it was because the person I admired smiled at me… and treated me with warmth.
“This is just being a fan… I’m just a lucky fan… Getting close to someone like Killian… wow, this is amazing…”
Like a mantra, I whispered the same words again and again to myself.
Then I gently held his handkerchief like it was a treasure, and with shaky legs, I slowly made my way inside.
—
### \* \* \*
—
“Miss, please wake up. It’s almost morning. We should start getting you ready…”
“I already did!”
I hummed happily and tapped my fingers on the vanity.
Joanne, the maid who came to wake me, dropped the dress she was holding in shock.
“M-Miss…! Did I do something wrong…? Are you getting ready without me…?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“You got up by yourself and even changed clothes… I’ve never seen you like this before!”
Oh… I guess Lilliana used to be a picky and lazy person.
Joanne’s wide eyes and dropped jaw pretty much confirmed it.
Well, the past doesn’t matter. From now on, I’ll do better—with tears, sweat, and effort.
Wait… that dress… It’s decorated with cyclamens?
“Joanne, did that dress come from the Crown Prince’s palace?”
“Um… this one…?”
Joanne looked a bit confused by my calm reaction.
But soon, she blushed and picked up the fallen dress with an excited smile.
“Yes, Miss. Around twenty dresses were delivered just a while ago. Along with a ton of jewelry and shoes!”
“Oh…”
“Would you like to go see them? There are lots of styles you like!”
I let out a soft hum and sat down at the vanity.
Then, I wrapped Killian’s delphinium handkerchief around my wrist and asked Joanne to store the dresses safely.
About ten minutes after Joanne left—
I heard hurried footsteps in the hallway. Then the door burst open.
Startled, I turned around—and saw Servian, pale and sweating.
“Brother? What’s wrong?”
“The Crown Prince… he’s here.”
“……!”
“Thanks for showing me the way, Count. But I need you to leave now. I have something to discuss with Lilliana—alone.”
Carlos entered right behind Servian, his voice cold.
Servian looked nervous but had no choice but to leave and shut the door.
Carlos walked toward me, his white shirt fluttering.
“Your Highness… what brings you—”
“Be quiet. Don’t speak unless I ask you to.”
Carlos’s dark eyes narrowed as he got closer.
Then, before I could react—he lifted me up in his arms without hesitation.
And without a single pause, he began walking straight toward the bed.
—
