Maylily - Chapter 128

Around that time, news of Hugh Skaard’s engagement had spread widely throughout Roden. However, the identity of his fiancée remained completely shrouded in secrecy. The only thing known about her was that she was someone he happened to meet and fall in love with in Cartia.

Pamela Stein made inquiries in all directions to uncover the woman’s identity, but gained nothing. As the fruitless investigation dragged on, the season changed from winter to spring.

Then one day, through an unexpected source, Pamela Stein obtained crucial information that would determine the course of her revenge.

A rising star of the Cereno opera scene, Maylily Aile — rising in status from the Count’s sponsored singer to his fiancée?

An article she happened to see at a newspaper stand while passing by. It reported that Maylily Aile, once sponsored by the Count of Everscourt, had moved her stage to Cereno and was drawing great attention, along with suspicions about her connection to the Count’s fiancée.

This is it!

After reading the article, Pamela Stein was certain. The woman who would become Hugh Skaard’s suffering was Maylily Aile. Who his fiancée actually was no longer mattered. Pamela Stein clearly remembered the look in Hugh Skaard’s eyes and the expression on his face two years ago, when he came to find the imprisoned Maylily and looked at that girl.

Maylily Aile was proof of the wrongdoing committed by Victor Heywood and the woman who devoured her own father. There was no need to feel guilt in punishing such a wench, so there could be no more fitting target for revenge.

Pamela Stein immediately obtained a gun and headed to Cereno in Cartia, mingling among the reporters as she aimed the gun at Maylily. To be able to take Maylily’s life right before Hugh Skaard’s eyes, who happened to appear at the scene at that very moment. What a perfect revenge, she thought.

Everything went according to plan. Until Hugh Skaard threw himself forward and took the bullet in Maylily’s place.

Arrested at the scene on charges of attempted murder, Pamela Stein would stand trial in a court of Cartia after a police investigation, and unless something unexpected occurred, she was expected to be sentenced to life imprisonment.

After scanning the final line, Hugh gave a slight nod, and the attendant closed the report and withdrew.

“How is it going to be reported in the media?”

Hugh picked up a glass of lemonade beaded with condensation from the side table and asked David.

“We’ve coordinated with the police to announce it as an impulsive crime committed by a migrant woman suffering from mental instability due to financial hardship.”

Because a large number of reporters and audience members had gathered around the theater on the day of the incident, it was impossible to completely block media coverage. Adjusting the direction of the reporting to protect Hugh and Maylily’s private lives was the best David could do.

The result was not entirely satisfactory. However, Hugh knew that David had been working without rest, handling difficult matters since being called to Cartia, so he offered a brief word of praise and dismissed him.

Soon, the garden filled with the sound of wind brushing across the grass. As Hugh, lost in thought, quietly mulled over the contents of the report he had just read, the butler approached.

“Master, Miss Aile has come to visit you. Shall I bring her here?”

“Do that.”

“Yes, I will prepare refreshments right away.”

Not long after the butler withdrew, attendants brought out another outdoor chair and set it beside Hugh. The small table was replaced with a tea table draped in a white cloth.

Soon, under the sunlight pouring over the green lawn, Maylily appeared in a light purple dress. The dress Hugh had given her as a birthday present two years ago suited the warmer spring climate of Cartia better than Riverton.

Hugh watched with quiet satisfaction as the dress, long left untouched, finally found its owner again. The white bouquet of lily of the valley she held in both hands created a bright contrast with the dress. Hugh rose to his feet and greeted Maylily with a gentleman’s courtesy.

“Welcome, Maylily.”

“Hello, Count.”

It was their first meeting after confirming each other’s feelings. Seeing Maylily hesitate and bow with a face full of shy embarrassment, a soft laugh slipped out of him.

“I didn’t expect you to come. I’m glad.”

At his calm and honest expression of feeling, Maylily blinked rapidly and her cheeks flushed.

“I wanted to come sooner, but I’ve been busy with the opera company. Today happened to be a day off… but is it really alright for you to be out here like this?”

“They said my recovery is fast, so light movement should be fine.”

“That’s a relief, really.”

Maylily let out a long breath, visibly relieved, then continued, “Dylan’s coming down with a cold, so I came alone. I’ll bring him with me next time.”

“Alright.”

“Oh, and this.”

Maylily carefully held out the bouquet of lilies of the valley.

“I thought it would look nice by your bedroom window.”

Hugh gazed quietly down at the pure white flowers giving off a fresh fragrance. He liked receiving lily of the valley from Maylily very much. It felt as though she was giving herself to him.

“Have you ever given lily of the valley to anyone else?”

“…No.”

Seeing the tips of Maylily’s ears turn red at such a simple question, it seemed the feeling he got wasn’t entirely wrong. The urge to kiss her rose within him, but Hugh simply offered a restrained word of thanks and accepted the flowers. That was what suited a relationship of friendship.

The day after the shooting incident, Hugh announced that he and Maylily were merely friends who shared artistic inspiration, and that their overlapping stay in Cereno was nothing more than a coincidence. In doing so, he dismissed the rumors surrounding their relationship.

Even so, suspicious eyes still remained, and as long as there was a child who closely resembled Hugh, the truth couldn’t be hidden forever. However, Hugh didn’t want Maylily, who had only just returned to the stage, to be noticed for scandal rather than her singing.

It was Hugh who brought Director Monroe to Bredova to watch Maylily’s performance, but it was Maylily who drew out the scouting offer and secured a major role through her own ability and effort.

Of course, it would be difficult to say Hugh’s influence played no part at all, but no one could deny that Maylily possessed the skill worthy of her position, or rather, beyond it.

Hugh wanted to help Maylily fully display that ability and receive fair recognition. He intended to do everything he could to remove anything that stood in the way of her moving toward the place she dreamed of. So that she could return to him smiling happily.

“I’ll be busy with rehearsals for a new production next week, so I don’t think I’ll be able to come visit you.”

Maylily, who had been crunching on the almond biscuits set on the tea table, met Hugh’s eyes and spoke with a slightly embarrassed expression. Seeing the sugar powder clinging to her plump lips, Hugh let out a soft laugh.

“It’s alright. I can wait as long as it takes.”

Hugh lifted his teacup as he promised to wait, looking completely at ease. Thanks to that, Maylily felt more at ease as well, and as she sipped her tea while admiring the flowers blooming in the garden bed, he spoke.

“Maylily.”

“Yes, Count.”

At the gentle call, Maylily turned her gaze toward Hugh.

“Aren’t you curious why the shooting happened, and who the culprit is?”

At the somewhat sudden question, Maylily quietly set her teacup down on the saucer.

She had been curious all along. Who the culprit was, and why they tried to kill her. She hadn’t asked out loud because she was worried it might harm Hugh’s stability if it brought back memories of that time.

Fidgeting with the handle of her teacup, Maylily answered carefully, “I am curious. Did the police investigation reveal anything?”

“Pamela Stein.”

At the name that came from Hugh’s lips, Maylily’s eyes widened.

“Why would she go this far…?”

Hugh told the stunned Maylily everything, from Victor Heywood’s death to the process by which Pamela Stein carried out her revenge. He also explained what would be reported in the media going forward.

“Then….”

After falling into silence for a long time even after the explanation ended, Maylily finally spoke.

“I guess there wasn’t a funeral for my father.”

“I’m sorry I told you so late. At the time, I was worried about the pain it would cause you, so I couldn’t say it. His remains are in Riverton, so if you want, I’ll help arrange a funeral even now.”

Maylily thought for a moment, then gave a faint smile and shook her head. “No. If I can say goodbye on my own, that’s enough. Thank you, Count.”

“I didn’t bring this up to hear your thanks, but to apologize to you, Maylily.”

It was deeply lamentable that even after asking for forgiveness several times, there were still things Hugh needed to apologize to Maylily for, but there was something that had to be addressed clearly. Hugh let out a heavy sigh and continued.