Maylily - Chapter 122

Early the next morning, a carriage and a luggage wagon arrived in front of the inn. The Count of Everscourt’s attendants, who had been hiding somewhere in the village until now, appeared together and loaded Maylily and Dylan’s belongings onto the wagon.

With her hair, now noticeably longer than when she first arrived in Bredova, neatly pinned up, Maylily stood before the family who had come to see her off, holding Dylan in her arms. The pale yellow dress with a soft sheen made her clear white skin stand out even more. It was an outfit the family had given her, hoping to support her new beginning.

“Grow up healthy and strong, Dylan. Listen well to your mom.”

“Mi-mi, ama-ba, ung….”

As if responding to Michele’s farewell, given while lightly tapping Dylan’s chubby cheek, Dylan shook the rattle vigorously. Michele let out a low laugh at the sight, then his gaze shifted to Maylily’s face.

[Take care. Write to us sometimes.]

[I will. Thank you for being such a dependable support to me, like an older brother, all this time. If you ever come to Cereno, you have to contact me. Okay?]

[Yeah. And if you ever need my help, contact me anytime. I hope that won’t be necessary, though.]

Michele glanced at the Count of Everscourt standing behind Maylily with his hands clasped behind his back. Understanding the meaning of that look, Maylily smiled quietly, her gently curved eyes shining clearly, just like the day they first met for her Cartian lessons.

May that light never change.

Praying for Maylily’s happiness and well-being, Michele lightly kissed her cheek. The feel of her lips, touching for the first and last time, was tender and dear.

At the unexpected greeting, Maylily’s eyes widened slightly for a moment. However, she soon lifted her heels high and responded to Michele in the same way. It was a simple, affectionate kiss, like siblings sharing their fondness.

That was enough. Letting out a deep sigh as if shaking off the fragments of lingering feelings, Michele stepped back without hesitation. Then he watched Maylily say her goodbyes to his uncle and aunt with mixed emotions. It was then that the Count of Everscourt approached him.

“It’s a shame. I expected you to confess to Maylily.”

[I know better than you what kind of woman Maylily is.]

If Michele had confessed his love despite knowing her heart, simply to avoid regret over his own feelings, he would have become someone erased from her life. Maylily was not the kind of woman who could keep a man by her side when she couldn’t return his feelings.

If that happened, Carlo and Giovanna would naturally have grown distant from Maylily as well.

Thinking of his uncle and aunt, who cherished her like their own daughter, he couldn’t make such a selfish choice. They had already suffered the grief of losing a child long ago. He could not burden them with another loss.

At the same time, he wanted to leave Maylily at least one place she could escape to if hardship were to come into her life again.

Protecting the bond and memories the three of them had carefully built together was far more valuable than clinging to an unfulfilled desire.

And yet, the Count of Everscourt was jealous of the thread of connection Michele had left between himself and Maylily. Even at this very moment, as he was about to take Maylily and Dylan onto his carriage.

What a relentless man.

“I can’t deny that thanks to you, Maylily and Dylan have been safe. Taking that into account, I’ll overlook the insolence of daring to take what is mine.”

What a strange way to say thank you. The way these high and mighty nobles speak really is unpleasant no matter when you hear it.

Michele, who had been shaking his head while glancing at the Count’s upright profile, as if he had never once bowed his head to anyone, finally let out a short laugh.

[I don’t need your thanks. I did it for Maylily. And I’m ready to do it again at any time, so don’t hurt her. If the day comes when she seeks me out again, I’ll take her somewhere you’ll never be able to find, Count.]

At Michele’s bold threat, the Count let out a faint laugh as well. Even at that moment, his gaze remained fixed on Maylily, who was receiving a linen bag from Giovanna.

“Once things around Maylily are settled, it would be best to visit Cereno as soon as possible. Seeing Maylily living happily by my side will help you put those futile hopes to rest.”

After speaking in his usual low tone, the Count took out his pocket watch to check the time. The silver chain glinted in his gloved hand.

“We should depart now if we’re to make the train, Maylily.”

“Yes, Count.”

At the mention that it was almost time to leave, Maylily briefly handed the child to Michele and exchanged embraces with Carlo and Giovanna in turn.

[I’ll take photos of Dylan and me in Cereno and send them to you.]

[All right, I’ll be waiting to hear from you.]

[Come visit us anytime, dear.]

[Yes, I will. Please stay healthy until then.]

With their promises of meeting again in the future, the farewell came to an end. The carriage carrying Maylily, Dylan, and the Count set off, kicking up pale dust. Maylily leaned out of the window and waved her hand, and soon her figure disappeared beyond the alley.

Even after Michele went inside the inn first, Carlo and Giovanna remained standing there for a long while. Letting out a long sigh, they headed toward the backyard. Carlo carefully watered the flower bed in front of the wall, while Giovanna pulled out the weeds that had sprouted over the past few days beside him.

The colorful flowers, glistening with moisture, shone brightly and vividly under the morning sunlight. After finishing their tasks, Carlo and Giovanna stood leaning against each other, quietly gazing at the scene for a long time.

***

Inside the linen bag were two sets of Dylan’s clothes and several handkerchiefs. Giovanna had made them by sewing day and night after Maylily decided to go to Cereno.

Inside the carriage heading to the neighboring city where the train station was located, Maylily took out a handkerchief and looked at it. The faces of Carlo and Giovanna, with whom she had just said goodbye, came to mind, and her eyes grew warm. However, she had to keep her promise not to cry.

Steadying her emotions, she gently waved the handkerchief in front of Dylan, who sat on her lap.

“Look, Dylan. Grandma Giovanna made this for you. What do you think? Isn’t it pretty?”

“Gi… ooh?”

Dylan grasped the handkerchief and looked up at Maylily with round eyes.

“Yes, Grandma Giovanna. Handkerchief.”

Dylan examined the handkerchief with sparkling eyes, then suddenly waved it around excitedly and shouted.

“Ung! Gi, ooh!”

Then, as if showing it off, he waved his arm toward the Count of Everscourt. Watching the two from beside them, the Count reached out toward the handkerchief with a pleased smile.

“What a pretty handkerchief, Dylan.”

When the Count’s hand touched him, Dylan let go of the handkerchief and flailed his arms toward him.

“Aba, a, an… dii.”

At the sight of the child fussing to be held, the Count hesitated for a moment and looked at Maylily as if asking for permission. Looking down at the bright blue eyes sparkling toward his father, Maylily gave a small nod and handed Dylan over to the Count.

The Count received the child with extremely careful hands, as if handling something fragile. Reaching out with maple-leaf-like hands, Dylan touched his cheek, and the Count gazed at him for a long while with a face full of emotion. It was an expression that showed just how long he’d waited for this moment.

Even though he’d wanted this so desperately, had he waited until I was ready to accept this moment?

A feeling she couldn’t name made her heart tighten. Maylily stared blankly at the Count’s face as he smiled at the child. Then, as he turned his head absentmindedly, their eyes met.

“I-it’s fine if you want to hold Dylan anytime. As long as Dylan doesn’t mind.”

“….”

The Count stared at Maylily’s face as she hurriedly spoke to escape the awkward moment. His gaze was so intense it made her cheeks burn.

“Why… are you looking at me like that?”

Maylily lowered her eyes shyly as she asked, and the handkerchief in the Count’s hand touched her cheek.

“There’s something on your face.”

Maylily’s eyes widened as she quietly accepted the gentle touch wiping her cheek.

“W-what is it?”

“It’s gone now. There’s something here too.”

The handkerchief moved to Maylily’s lips. The touch brushing over her sensitive skin made her shoulders flinch. Not wanting to show how much she was affected by even his smallest touch, Maylily slightly turned her head away.

“I-I’ll do it myself. Please give me the handkerchief.”

The Count readily handed it over, then returned to playing with Dylan as if nothing had happened. Watching him quietly, Maylily slowly wiped her lips. As she tried to erase the lingering sensation and calm her startled heart, the carriage arrived at the train station.