If I Disobey the Duke

Chapter 38
Friend (1)
Cold air enveloped Lily’s body.
Her eyes widened at the sight of the courtyard, which was wide enough to hold a military parade, packed with wagons and workers.
Talin looked around excitedly at the items. “That’s a huge amount. Even the boxes look hand-crafted. It seems that your father really cares about Madam.”
Lily just smiled bitterly at this sight.
It was an amount that could not be compared with her two previous marriages. Her father’s desperation to maintain his status was evident.
Tristan was, surprisingly, giving instructions to a worker in the middle of the yard.
Perhaps because of what happened the last time, she didn’t feel as comfortable around him as she used to be.
Lily tried not to be more reserved. “Tristan, you were unloading items from the Isles. This is my job as the mistress of the castle… Let me attend to the workers and give me the list of items.”
Tristan smiled as if nothing was amiss. “It’ll be a little difficult for Madam to take charge right now. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange it soon then I’ll give you the list.”
“But still, I…” Lily swallowed, unable to finish her words.
It was never that difficult to just arrange the gifts. However, she did not want to draw attention for having an argument in front of many people.
Lily gave up as she always did and looked around. “Where’s Dandelion?”
“As always, when I told him to help unload the carriage, he disappeared somewhere.”
“He really can’t live anywhere.” She sighed, then looked closer at Tristan. “But you look a little different today. Tristan.”
“Really? How?”
He looked particularly fashionable today. His natural curls were left alone, coat untucked and a loose cravat.
If he had a cigarette in his hand, quite a few women would be drawn to him due to his languid charm.
Lily asked him carefully, “You… you look very sick. Are you not feeling well? Isn’t it because you overworked yourself in the morning?”
“…”
It was true. Although he looked attractive, his face was haggard, and he seemed as thin as Dandelion.
Tristan was touched by Lily’s sincere concern.
But soon he smirked as if nothing had happened. “Actually, I haven’t slept well. I’ve been worried about the mistake I made… towards Madam.”
Lily’s shoulders twitched.
This was about him persuading her to take off her blindfold.
She reddened as she remembered the uncomfortable situation and the embarrassing aftermath of her actions.
Lily pursed her lips for a moment and then turned her head. “I have something to say, but… I don’t think it’s convenient to talk about it here.”
“Oh, I made a mistake. Would you like to go to a quiet room?”
“No, not a room… Can’t we just walk towards the wall?”
His mood soured at her caution, but it couldn’t be helped. He had caused it by being hasty with his words.
Today he had to be careful.
“Okay. Let’s head towards the wall.”
* * *
Lily and Tristan walked side by side towards the shaded walls.
Talin, who saw Tristan as Lily’s younger brother, followed them at a distance to maintain their privacy.
Fortunately, the weather was better than the past few days when it was so cold that her bones hurt.
However, Lily’s white cheeks and tip of her nose were red and there was nothing she could do about it.
Tristan kept glancing at her like that.
“Last time… I was so nervous and worried about you that I was out of my mind. I apologize for surprising you.”
Lily listened to him and just walked silently.
“I haven’t reported it to your father yet. So I just wanted to tell you so there’s no need to worry.
“Ah, about that…”
Lily let out a small breath. She smiled, shrugging lightly. “You can write that I’m doing well. It worked out thanks to you. I’m glad you didn’t report false things to my father. I… I was a little worried about you that day.”
Tristan paused for a moment.
“It worked out. Then… Did he show you his face? What does it look like?”
Lily’s expression looking back at him was strange. She seemed embarrassed, but also troubled.
“That doesn’t matter anymore. It’s just that my father doesn’t have anything to worry about.”
He realized it at that moment.
They did it.
The only thing Lily’s father was concerned about was whether Lily was pregnant or not.
Tristan scrutinized her again.
Because of the black dress that covered everything from her neck to her wrists, it was impossible to see if there were any marks. She had purposely covered up in a dress that almost looked like it was for mourning, so it was obvious that she wanted to conceal something.
Either a bruise or a sign of sexual intercourse.
The hair on his nape raised at what he imagined. Thinking about any traces on her skin was upsetting.