Chapter 41.1

“Great news! Great news! The Killer of Night has been apprehended! Read all about it in the paper! It’s Darning Square!”

The rain which had been pouring all night stopped, giving way to the fog of morning. The paper boy’s loud voice was echoing in the street; filled with excitement, a sharp contrast to the last few weeks.

The newspaper was selling faster than usual, and the story of how the policeman caught the criminal spread throughout the capital like wildfire.

Lia sat in the carriage on her way to the Marquis’s townhouse, reading the newspaper. Her wound had not healed completely, and each time the carriage hit a bump, cold sweat would break out over her skin.

Kieran and the marchioness were arriving from Cosoar that day. She had to conceal her pain, as they did not know what had happened.

Hitting a rather large stone, the carriage jolted, sending shooting pain to her whole body.

Lia placed the paper on her lap and opened the window. Throngs of people bustled around, intent on their tasks. The sound of children’s laughter reached her.

“I find you difficult to understand,” the duke said, his breath tickling her ear.

“Good thing you don’t find me easy to understand, that would be no fun,” Lia said. “But why don’t you like me?”

“I don’t dislike you, Canillian,” he said, sending tingles through her entire body.

Still a difficult man, Lia thought to herself.

They arrived at the Marquis’s townhouse. She had caught a glance of it as she passed by before, but this was different. Servants were prepping the house for its family’s arrival. Unfamiliar attendants, horsemen, and footmen greeted her. Everyone stared at Lia curiously. The young man who looked more like a girlish boy, arriving in Marquis’s carriage.

“Soon the mistress will be arriving. Should I bring out tea?” a servant asked.

“Please. And make sure it is cold,” Lia said.

“Of course.”

Lia sat on the sofa by the window. The Marquis’s townhouse was grand and had a warm atmosphere like the mansion in Cosoar.

Lia had heard the news, the doctor had survived and ran away. She hoped her mother would be alright, praying that he would not hurt her. She wished that someone would help her mother. But her mother was too weak. She had a strong side, but cared too much, giving her heart easily.

Perhaps… If mom isn’t at Louvre? No. I heard she came back, Lia thought to herself. Putting it out of her mind, Lia took a sip of the ice tea that the attendant brought her.

Soon the attendants all moved towards the front door. Lia gingerly moved towards them, and stood in the center of the servants as a carriage pulled up.

“Lian,” Kieran said, his smile drawn, yet beautiful.

He took off his hat and approached her. Lia swallowed nervously as she saw him approaching with open arms.

“Have you been well?” he asked, closing the distance.

Lia stood in front of him, her hands folded in front of her. As he moved to hug her, he stopped. Spotting the bruise on her neck, Kieran’s expression disappeared. He carefully caressed her hair, bent down, and kissed her on the cheek.

“So brave,” he said.

Lia pondered over the compliment that she did not fully understand.

Thereafter, the Marchioness approached, finding Lia standing beside Kieran and sighing. Along with the Marchioness’s appearance, the atmosphere in the townhouse changed, becoming uncomfortable.

“You’re hurt? It seems true, Lian. Why…?” Anastasia said, stopping herself from saying more.

Lia knew that the Marchioness knew everything, but wasn’t going to admit it out loud.

“Anyway, I’m very tired right now. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the capital. We can discuss your punishment after you have recovered. Because you should be punished for being such a nuisance to your father.”

“Yes, mother,” Lia said because that was what was expected of her.

Lia glared at Kieran, warning him with her eyes not to interfere. Lia knew that if Anastasia’s beloved son defended her, the punishment would only get worse.

In the past, Lia had been forced to read the book picked by Anastasia, then write a detailed report on it. Sometimes Lia even enjoyed the punishment.

The attendants disappeared, following Anastasia.

Kieran supported Lia as they walked outside. He helped her into the carriage waiting, sitting beside her.

“Big brother…” Lia said.

“I’m going to see you off. Lots of disturbing things seemed to have happened to you while I was in the capital.”

“Pardon? What disturbing things?”

Kieran closed the door and shrugged but didn’t answer.

Her brother had gotten taller, he was almost as tall as the duke now. He also looked far healthier than the last time she had seen him. He wasn’t the same Kieran that the Marchioness worried about.

He chuckled at Lia’s soft gaze, grabbing her hand, saying, “Now that I’m here, there won’t be anything troubling you. You’ve done well, Lia.”