All Chapters of The Return of the Disgraced Daughter: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

But now, all Lilian wanted was to stay in her quiet corner, ideally never noticed, unlike how visible she was at present.While she had agreed to Prince Michael's proposal, not having the emperor's approval meant it was basically invalid, and she should not be holding hands in the public's eyeFortunately, Michael met the shrine's head priest soon after they entered and naturally had to release Lilian's hand as he prayed.Even as she quickly withdrew her hand, she sighed under her breath in relief.On the other hand, the head priest clearly meant to give Michael a personal sermon, and Michael turned toward her. "Wait for me outside for just a couple of hours. There's a place I'd like to visit with you later."Lilian was left stumped—she had never intended to stay outside for long and was going to get a lucky charm before heading back.Worse of all, Michael left soon after, not stopping to see how she was reacting.When he finally disappeared from sight, Winter could not resist a

However, Lilian had a comeback for that too."Surely you jest, General Stark." She smiled. "My last name is Kerr—it's not up to the Lestrades to lecture me.""Lilian Kerr!" Rupert bellowed furiously. "You're out of line!" "You're the ones who are out of line!" Lilian bellowed back, finally having had enough. "I just came to get Grandmother a lucky charm! Is that somehow too much for you too?! What gives you the right to tell me what's what?!"That's especially the case for you, Rupert Lestrade! You're very much silent whenever I'm wrongly accused, but somehow you're always ready to lecture me when you have the advantage! What gives you the right?!""Because I'm your brother!" Rupert yelled.There was no question that Emma was at fault, but their families were close friends, and anything could wait until they got home.Rupert could even complain to House Stark himself and demand that Emma's parents discipline her.But no matter what she did, Lilian should not have slapped her!

"Exactly. You're not the real daughter of the marquis—don't you know when to stop? After you've enjoyed the wealth and privilege of the marquis' household for years at no cost?""She's too much, saying that her brother is dead. Even the gods would be furious!"With those who recognized Lilian taking the lead, even those who did not know her joined the fray, condemning Lilian all at once.However, Lilian somehow pushed herself up despite the horrific beating, perhaps used to it over the last three years.Even as the indignant mob scorned her, she merely spat nonchalantly nearby—if it was not bloody, one might even think that she was fine from her complexion.As she looked around at the mob, she spotted Betty, Emma, Evelyn, and Henry.Some were gleeful, and some were feigning sympathy, while some were apathetic as they had always been.Eventually, she turned to look at Rupert—the same person used to make funny faces to make her laugh now only regarding her with endless rage and sp

Henry met Prince Michael's vicious glare with his own. "I'm just considering the bigger picture, Your Highness."As Michael was going to marry someone from the marquis' household, he really should not make things too ugly.However, that only left the prince snorting. "Bigger picture? Well said, general! But if you're really that astute, why were you silent before?"Was his mouth sewn shut when Rupert bludgeoned Lilian?The question somehow stung Lilian too.She had definitely given up on him and had long since understood that Henry did not care about her.So why did her heart still hurt so much?She bit her own lip lightly, hating her own incompetence even as she quickly fought back the warm tears in her eyes.Henry had turned toward Lilian as if in reflex at that moment, but from his point of view, she was half-hidden behind Michael, even looking like she was pressing herself against him.As Henry's frustration built, his tone turned darker too. "Everyone here knows who's at

Consort Darling stood up as well. "You have yet to recover. You can't—"Lilian shook her head and smiled at the consort.Though she was touched by her concern earlier, that feeling had long since faded entirely."You have nothing to worry about, Your Grace," she said and left.As for whether the consort worried about her injury or Prince Michael, that was up for the consort to decide herself.-While Lilian had spent most of the last three years in the washhouse, she would also accompany the madame to make deliveries around every corner of the palace.As such, she knew her way around the palace and was soon outside the emperor's personal study.After announcing herself, a eunuch soon escorted her inside, only for her to see that Henry, the marquis, and the marquise were all there.Did they all come to accuse her?Even as Lilian's contempt flared inwardly, she kept it from showing on her face, walking forward and kneeling before the emperor. "Greetings, Your Majesty."The gol