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Damian Portier
The outstretched hand of the boy was about half a step longer than Lillian’s, and there was not a trace of hesitation.
Lillian knew very little about nobility, so she didn’t know how impressive the Portier family was.
But the mention of owning a doll workshop and the affluence that emanated from his confident demeanor made her imagine a life that was not meant for him.
He must have lived a completely different life from Swan, who was called a princess just because white bread was served.
‘This child is not Swan.’
Instead of something that could replace Swan, he couldn’t even be something similar.
Despite knowing that, Damian had something that triggered Lillian’s longing.
His laughter was without a hint of mockery, and his gentle words were like that.
They were things that couldn’t be found in the children at the orphanage, including Theo.
Lillian felt her heart flutter and turned her head.
“… nothing to know.”
“Then who is Swan?”
“I don’t know.”
Lillian gave a curt answer and got off the carriage.
Usually, when treated like this, most children would look away and leave, but Damian followed Lillian with a bright smile, as if he didn’t care at all.
“You know, you called me that while looking at me. It sounded like a girl’s name. Am I similar to her?”
“No, not at all. That child is pretty, but you’re ugly. I don’t want to see your face, so go away.”
“Haha! You’re lying.”
Lillian frowned at Damian’s words and turned her head.
She had thought of saying something harsh, but when her eyes met Damian’s, she couldn’t say anything.
Because Damian was smiling.
‘You always make a face like you’re going to cry when I smile. Like right now.’
That’s because he really resembled Swan…
Lillian’s expression crumbled. The child couldn’t hide the expression of longing.
Raw and unrefined emotions are usually as cruel as can be.
A suppressed voice flowed out of Lillian’s crumpled face.
“… Stop smiling like that.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t say it like that.”
Speaking like he knows everything, that’s Swan’s way of speaking.
That child is the same age as me. She always spoke as if she knew something more.
They say you die early if you know too much, is that why?
Did you leave because you knew something I didn’t?
”Don’t act like that in front of me””
“… I understand. I was wrong.”
After saying that, Damian completely erased the smile from his face.
As if that smile never existed in the first place.
The face of the boy without a smile was strangely serene and solemn. It even seemed like an expression of condolence for Lillian’s visible reaction.
“I won’t smile or say anything like that. I promise.”
Instead, Damian reached out his hand to Lillian again.
“If I do that… will you like me?”
Lillian frowned. Usually, when she heard such words, people would look at her with strange eyes and avoid her. But here, he was asking her to like him.
“You’re a little strange”
“I can’t help it. I came all the way here because I wanted to be friends with you. It wouldn’t mean anything if I earned your hatred.”””
“You want to be friends with me even after I said those things to you?”
“Yeah. I like you.”
The expression on Damian’s face was serious as he spoke.
He was truly a strange kid.
Lillian irritably rubbed her temples with the back of her hand and stared intently at the boy.
“… I’ll think about it.”
After that, Lillian and Damian made a pact.
* * *
The people who came from the doll workshop were treated to dinner at Maynard.
It was a simple gesture of gratitude for their help in bringing their luggage all the way here. Of course, there was also concern that Lillian might feel the absence of Cedric more acutely.
It was only after dinner that Lillian found out why Damian hadn’t come inside the mansion.
“I was looking for flowers, but when I saw a child near the carriage, I thought it might be you.”
“Flowers?”
“Yeah. It’s a famous flower that only grows in Maynard’s garden. I’ve wanted to see it for a while. I haven’t found it yet, though.”
“I see…”
So he didn’t come into the mansion because he was in the garden.
Lillian nodded, as if she finally understood.
The two of them walked through the garden, talking. It was late at night since it was after dinner, but the maids readily let Lillian stay out, perhaps thanks to Sally’s enthusiastic argument.
Of course, Lillian hadn’t planned to be alone with Damian, but when she saw Damian smiling all the time in response to what she said, she couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.
‘He doesn’t seem like a bad kid.’
From Damian’s perspective, it must have been strange to meet a kid who immediately started picking on him for no reason, but Damian didn’t complain and listened to her. Moreover, he reached out his hand to Lillian again.
‘But that doesn’t mean I want to become friends with him.’
It’s just gratitude for his kindness. Lillian opened her mouth cautiously.
“What does the flower look like? I’ll find it for you.”
Damian’s eyes widened at Lillian’s words.
“You’ll find it for me? Really?”
“Yeah, I know this garden well. What does the flower look like?”
“Well, actually… I don’t know what it looks like. I’ve only heard about it.”
“What? Then how will we find it?”
“I’ve been searching for it by its fragrance. It has a very strong scent, so if we get close, we’ll definitely smell it”
Saying that, Damian took out something from his pocket that looked like a small pocket watch.
But it wasn’t a pocket watch; it was a pendant that could be opened and closed, just like the one Lillian brought with her when she came here.
When Damian opened the pendant, a fragrance wafted out.
“This is the scent. How is it? Do you recognize it?”
“Hmm…”
‘Is there really a flower that emits such a pungent scent?’
Lillian looked puzzled, and Damian chuckled softly, as if he had expected her reaction.
“See? You can’t find it either””
“… No, I can find it”
Lillian’s gaze became sharp. It was due to an unnecessary misunderstanding caused by Damian’s words.
Lillian swiftly turned her body away from Damian.
“How can’t you find a scent this strong? Just wait here. I’ll go find it.”
“Lillian, wait–”
Damian called out from behind, but Lillian didn’t turn back and ran off.
There was a place that seemed likely to have the flower.
* * *
Although the people in the Maynard Ducal Manor were worried that Lillian might always get lost, she memorized the paths of the mansion within less than a day of her arrival. Of course, that included the garden.
However, if there was one place that Lillian didn’t know, it was the annex.
‘It’s only the annex.’
After secretly going to the annex and eavesdropping on Cedric’s conversation, Lillian had tried to enter the annex several times. However, unless Cedric specifically entered, the annex gate would remain locked, and Lillian had to turn away from the firmly closed fence of the annex rather than approaching it.
But by diligently climbing trees and wandering around, Lillian discovered a path that could potentially lead to the annex.
Covered by ivy, there was a small hole in a barely visible corner.
‘I haven’t tried it yet because I’ve been busy eavesdropping on the maids’ conversations these days.’
Now, in the dark of the night, it seemed possible.
In her heart, she wanted to enter through the hole and surprise Damian with newfound information. However, she couldn’t reveal the secret entrance to Damian.
“Okay, no one is following me.”
After confirming once again that there was no one around, Lillian approached the fence.
Surprisingly, a pungent smell tickled her nose.
It was definitely the scent Damian was looking for.
“This must be it!”
Last time she came, she didn’t smell this scent. Perhaps the flowers had not bloomed back then?
Lillian hurriedly ran towards the side where the hole was.
The scent grew stronger and stronger. It was becoming difficult to breathe.
After a fit of coughing, Lillian’s head became dizzy.
“Huh, why am I suddenly feeling so sleepy…?”
As she had a moment of realizing that something was strange.
“…!”
A dark shadow loomed over Lillian and engulfed her.