Maylily - Chapter 118

Hugh had known since the first week he arrived that Maylily performed at a restaurant on the Bredova waterfront. Even so, today was the first time he came to watch.

For some reason, it simply felt a little uncomfortable. Watching Maylily stand on a stage again when he was the one who once dragged her down from it.

However, Hugh finally accepted that in order to begin something new with her, he had to settle another wrong from the past. So the day before yesterday, he reserved a table at the restaurant where the stage could be seen most clearly.

And today, Maylily stood before the audience wearing makeup slightly more elaborate than usual. Just like before, she sang with a voice that was clear and pure. A transparent voice without form or color, like sunlight, magically spread the scenery of spring vividly across the stage.

In the middle of that enchantment, Hugh suddenly realized something. The apologies he gave her and the promises he made about the future were entirely faithful only to his own desire and calculation.

[The laughter of carefree children

splashing in the sunlit river

rolled across the green wheat fields.]

Eyes sparkling like stars beneath the lights and an expression lively like the sun. The pure passion dwelling within it. It was the figure of a singer whom everyone watching her, and soon the world that would watch her, couldn’t help but love.

The Maylily who sang carried a dream more precious than jewels, and that dream always made her shine. For Hugh, who lived a life determined by wealth and power he’d held in both hands since birth, it was a radiance he had never possessed.

That was why he was captivated and coveted it. Yet because he never understood what it meant in her life, he destroyed it so easily. Paradoxically, because he wanted to be the only man who possessed the brilliantly shining Maylily.

Only now did Hugh realize that selfish desire trampled the most precious thing in Maylily’s life. And that Maylily fled from him and came here to reclaim it. Even hiding the fact that she was pregnant with his child.

Like a merciless invader, Hugh took the stage, her hometown, and her family from Maylily’s world. And even within those ruins, Maylily built her dream again. As if proving that though Hugh could trample it, he could never take it away forever.

Maylily was still able to shine after all the hardships she endured because of the dream she held in her heart. And the pure and strong will toward that dream made her who she was.

“Becoming someone’s wife isn’t the life I dream of.”

Maylily was not someone who should shine as another man’s wife but as the protagonist on the stage. Realizing that at last, Hugh felt he could finally understand the meaning behind the words Maylily spoke when she rejected his proposal.

Hugh wanted to atone for the sins of the past by helping Maylily live the life she dreamed of. And in doing so, he hoped he might be allowed to remain beside her.

[Ah, how I long for it!

The old spring I can never return to.]

Maylily finished the song with an expression filled with longing. Very slowly, she closed her eyes and opened them again, as if waking from old memories and returning to reality.

At the same moment the piano accompaniment ended, loud applause and cheers filled the hall. Those who had forgotten even their meals while immersed in the performance eagerly shouted “Brava!” and whistled.

Maylily bent her knees slightly toward them in greeting, and a smile as bright as a flower bloomed on her face. Unlike the lyrics of the song she’d just sung, she had found a path leading toward the place she dreamed of, and tonight she was the brightest star in Bredova.

The light that star gave off seeped deeper into Hugh’s heart than ever before.

***

[You worked hard again today. These are the tips the guests left for you, Miss Aile.]

After preparing to leave work, Maylily stepped out of the lounge holding the flower basket, and the manager who was waiting in the corridor held out an envelope. The thickness of it made Maylily’s eyes widen.

[This much?]

[Your singing is just that amazing. I’m the one who chose the singer, after all.]

The manager answered playfully with a shrug. Maylily let out a small laugh and took the envelope. The wages from the restaurant were not very large, but thanks to the guests’ tips, her income increased far more than she expected.

[Thank you. I’ll accept it gratefully.]

[Then get home safely, and I’m counting on you again tomorrow.]

[Yes. You worked hard today as well. See you tomorrow.]

After exchanging greetings with the manager, Maylily went out through the back door the restaurant staff used when coming and leaving work. The night air, which had grown noticeably colder over the past few weeks, brushed against her collar.

While tightening the muffler around her neck, Maylily noticed the Count of Everscourt standing beside the door with his hands clasped behind his back. For a moment, her heart dropped. The man looked back and forth between Maylily’s face and the flower basket in her hands, and a gentle smile spread across his lips.

“I watched your performance. You still sing beautifully.”

So he came to the restaurant this evening.

When the Count was her patron in the past, he never offered sincere praise for her performances or presented flowers in encouragement. Since he was a busy man, she told herself not to expect too much or feel disappointed.

Such an easy thing to do.

The Count back then did not lack time. He lacked the heart. When that belated realization brought a hollow feeling over her, a voice called out.

“Maylily.”

Michele was walking toward them from the direction of the inn. Dylan rested in his arms wrapped in a blanket. Maylily gave a light nod as she passed the Count, then hurried toward Michele.

“Why did you come all the way here, Michele?”

“Dylan kept whining and wouldn’t sleep. I guess he missed his mom.”

“It’s late. He must be tired. Did you miss Mom that much, Dylan?”

Maylily stood close to Michele and looked down at Dylan’s face. The child struggled to keep his eyes open despite his heavy drowsiness as if he’d waited for her all this time. She felt both sorry for him and filled with affection.

“I’ll hold him.”

“He’s gotten quite heavy lately. Tell me if it’s too much.”

“Yes, I will.”

Maylily handed the flower basket to Michele and took Dylan into her arms. Feeling a gaze touching the side of her face, she turned her head instinctively. A few steps away, the Count stood quietly watching Dylan. His expression looked somewhat lonely.

“At least let me fulfill the role of Dylan’s father.”

Why did those words come to mind now of all times?

Shaking her head as if to erase the Count’s voice, Maylily started walking. Michele matched his pace beside her.

Usually, the silence between them never felt uncomfortable….

Yet the sound of footsteps behind them strangely stirred tension, making her feel as if she should say something. Maylily finally spoke one of the thoughts that had been drifting through her mind.

“Aren’t you going to get married?”

“Why are you suddenly curious about that?”

Michele’s eyes, turning to look at Maylily, flashed in the faint light of the streetlamp.

“When I saw you earlier in front of the restaurant carrying Dylan in your arms, it suddenly crossed my mind that you’d make a very good father.”

“Really?”

Michele grinned as if he liked Maylily’s compliment.

“Yes. I hope you get married soon and have a baby. Just like you’ve given love to Dylan, I’d like to give love to your baby too. I’ll be very, very good to your wife as well.”

Maylily’s childlike, innocent resolve became a dagger that stabbed straight into the foolish hope that had briefly swelled inside Michele.

So you don’t see me as a man at all. I should’ve realized that when you asked me to hold the flowers another man gave you.

Michele looked down at the flower basket in his hand and smiled bitterly. Even after the Count of Everscourt appeared, he believed there might still be hope. Perhaps his chance ended the moment he told Maylily his home address instead of the truth.

Normally, Michele could brush off any awkward remark with ease, but now he couldn’t think of a suitable response.

“…Your arms must hurt. Give Dylan to me.”

As he held out his arms toward Dylan and changed the subject, an awkward smile spread across Michele’s face. Did she think he was meddling for no reason? Growing discouraged, Maylily couldn’t even say that it was fine and simply handed Dylan over to Michele.

After that, silence built between them as they passed through several alleys. Within it, the sound of footsteps following them grew more and more distinct.

When they finally entered the inn’s front yard, Maylily slowed her steps and said, “Michele, I’m sorry, but could you go inside first? There’s something I need to return to the Count of Everscourt. I’ll come in right after.”

“All right.”

Michele nodded and adjusted Dylan in his arms before going into the inn. Watching his back for a moment, Maylily turned around, and the Count approached as if he’d been waiting.

“Count.”

At last, she turned to face him, and the Count looked at her with eyes full of expectation. Meeting his gaze directly, Maylily began to speak.

“Do you happen to know something?”