An Unseemly Lady - Chapter 5

Contrary to his gentle and docile personality, Cedric Royston was a petrifying and formidable prosecutor of the Elhard Empire. For that reason alone, he was able to become one of the male lead candidates even if he lacks presence.

Cedric, who also bears the title as the Commander of the Second Imperial Knights Division, started visiting our household for no particular reason at all.

Though to be fair, it was also the same with Allen and Michael.

Even it might have been a buff from the novel, it is still a wonder how much leisure time these guys can make use of and still perform their duties flawlessly.

Well, one of them does actually has duties to perform here.

“Lili. Ah, you have to.”

Allen Lowell, while on his knees, said dreadfully pleading.

Instead of arguing back, I just kept my mouth shut.

I am certain that you already gave me my medical check-up two days ago! Even a free national check-up is conducted once year, you bastard!

“No, I am not doing it.”

“Lili, Oppa[1] will be scolded by your sister…”

“Ahjussi[2].”

“Ah right, Ahjussi will get into trouble.”

He mumbled, looking all dejected as he immediately corrected his title.

Regardless of how much effort you put to look all sullen, it would not work. How could you have the audacity to call yourself ‘Oppa’?

I turned my head away from him and bolted straight towards the table.

Perhaps it is because a child’s body that my strides are short and my pace are slow.

In other words, I got caught…

“No, Lili. We can have desserts only if we finish the check-up.”

To sum it up, what he meant is running away is useless.

I glared furiously at Allen Lowell who tried to stop me benevolently.

I am certain that I am trying my hardest to break loose from him, but I got caught right away!

Well, he is pretty tall. My gaze trailed around my surroundings, looking for ways to avoid Allen Lowell’s annoying nagging.

Yulianne was with Michael, probably discussing about council affairs, Allen is continuously rambling in front of me, Cedric is knitting…

Wait, why is Cedric knitting here?

Knight Commander, how can you be like this!

“Oppa.”

Even with a hushed call, Cedric stopped what he was doing and gazed at me.

To be fair, Cedric is the only one in this room that I have ever considered and called ‘Oppa’, so it seems like he was able to immediately concede that I was calling out for him.

With a smile on my face I asked:

“Oppa, were you not busy?”

With the way Cedric’s face paled, almost turning white as a sheet, he must have misinterpreted what I have said.

No, I am seriously asking whether you are busy or not. How the hell you could have misunderstood that?

“Lili, you do not want me to come?”

Cedric meekly uttered with a wounded expression of a puppy being kicked out.

Ah, he must have comprehended it like that.

I shook my head right away.

“No!”

Without you, I could have not escaped from this disaster. In fact, you were the only one who got the memo that I hate people going here in our mansion, I will even give you points for that!

Cedric is, by far, the best groom for Lia-eonni[3].

But of course, it is only on my judgement, the final choice will be left to Yulianne anyway.

I walked pass Allen, who still has his eyes on me, and sat beside Cedric.

On the other hand, my gaze lingered between Yulianne and Michael.

Michael is a very sly being, someone whose moves are natural and inconspicuous even if he is scheming that you always must be on guard. I truly wanted to intervene between the two of them.

Since I thought perhaps Yulianne was not actually given any real work.

But as soon as I hear him say: ‘So let us…’, I would hear a response of: ‘I reckon it is a lot efficient to do it alone.’

I must say as your younger sibling right now, I praise your attitude.

Anyway, with that response alone, I never bothered them anymore when they are talking about council work and affairs.

So did Allen and Cedric and to be fair Yulianne would have scolded me if I did interfere or something.

“I like Oppa!”

That is why you can come more often.

I smiled at Cedric after uttering those words sweetly.

Cedric blinked for a moment out of surprise before proceeding to grin and nod at me.

“I like Lili too.”

What a refreshing gentle smile.

I just cannot fathom the fact that this kind of person would go to a 180-degrees shift as soon as he wields a sword.

What is even more astonishing is that he seems to be good at knitting…

I stared at his handiwork, in which was perfect and without a single fault, I asked:

“What is this?”

I know the answer, of course. I just wanted to avoid Allen Lowell and his shady check-ups.

“It is called knitting.”

“Do you want to try it, Lili?”

He uttered, this time asking me while holding out the knitting needle. I shook my head gently in response.

It is not that I am not good but in fact I am truly skillful with knitting too, good enough to get a perfect score in a performance evaluation, it is just that I do not want to reveal it here. Not right now at least.

“I just want to watch.”

“Okay then.”

Once again Cedric beamed his gentle smile after uttering those words.

No matter how hard I look at it, Cedric is the best husband for Lia-eonni.

Such a perfect gentleman, nice and gentle.

I unconsciously swung my legs back and forth, as I enter into deep thoughts.

“Lili, you are going to finish your check-up with Ahjussi, right?”

Allen Lowell asked with a smile, as he kneels in front of me.

Stop acting like that when you are actually doing this half-heartedly, you are just faking eagerness!

I understand that you are doing this because of a promise you made with Yulianne and the guilt of not examining me back then. I am not oblivious to the fact that you do not like doing this.

Annoyed, I purposely puffed my cheeks and shook my head. Even if this is Yulianne’s request, I would not do it.

It is peculiar to feel mana flowing around of my body! A lot weirder when it is inside of my body!

“Lili, today will be the last time then it is really over.”

“Hah. You are still going to do it the day after tomorrow.”

“How can you be so clever, Lili…”

Allen Lowell muttered in remorse.

I do not want to. So, I am not going to.

“Lili.”

He called out my name, this time his expression is stern.

It is not scary though. You are staring at someone who is not actually an eight-year-old.

I deliberately matched his gaze, waiting for more words to come out of his mouth.

Whatever you are going to say next, I will never let it pass. Whatever you are going to say next…

“If you finish your check-up today then I will buy you a whole cake next time.”

“…”

“It will be a secret from Yulianne. I will also allow you to eat them all.”

“Finish it quickly!”

Like what I said, I will never let what he would say pass but since it is a bribe, then it is a different story.

As soon as I finished talking, I opened my mouth. With that action, Allen Lowell nodded with relief and smiled in satisfaction.

A whole cake. I was not even expecting that he would allow me to eat even a plate of it.

Since I believe it, I opened my mouth. However, if I find out you are lying, I will give you a taste of hell.

Who knows, I might whisper wrong claims to my sister that might cause you to never approach or even see Yulianne again…

Anyway, what I meant is that I have the love of your life in the palm of my hand.

“Just wait for a moment.”

After speaking, Allen Lowell chanted that caused magic to gather and cascade around his fingertips before entering my mouth.

For a moment, an odd sensation of energy flowed inside my body.

It feels cold, then all of a sudden it turns burning hot, yet a ticklish inkling grew at the same time it pricks a little.

I am not fond of this strange feeling.

I was feeling uncomfortable that I could not bear it anymore and closed my eyes.

“That is it. It is over now, Lili. Good job.”

As soon as he finished, Allen Lowell patted my head and offered me a candy.

I cannot believe you are trying to subdue my displeasure with just one candy.

…Though I would still keep this and eat it on a day where Yulianne restricts desserts.

“You must buy me a whole cake!”

After reminding him, I turned my gaze towards Cedric and just watched him knit. Allen Lowell, who perhaps did not want to agitate me more, gently started brushing my hair.

Cedric’s knitting skills were excellent. No doubt better than my own abilities, which was already considered perfect in terms of performance evaluation.

No-nonsense movement, smooth rhythmic repetition… I reckon my judgement is right. There is no one else who could perfectly knit each and every strand.

I think the finished result is already determined…

I watched Cedric knit silently for a long time when suddenly a thud echoed around the room.

The sound came from Michael who was organizing a pile of documents.

This meant that council work is done and all that remains is Michael’s exasperating existence in my house.

As soon as the table made a noise, all three of us stood up from the chaise longue.

Good, it is all of us together in this room meaning I can keep everyone in check.

“Lia-eonni!”

I swiftly ran towards Yulianne and hugged her. In return, Yulianne hugged me back, scooping me in her arms.

My Lia-eonni is very strong.

“Did our Lili had fun while we are working?”

“Yes! Cedric-oppa is good at knitting!”

“Is that so?”

Yulianne glanced at Cedric who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. His eyes seemed to widen even more that he looked a bit helpless.

His ears were turning red. Cedric is like that when his eyes met Yulianne’s.

But my sister does not know that… Because it is the default character description of the heroine in the novel.

Not being aware of the romantic affections.

All of you will have a very hard time.

“I think our Lili is really having fun with you, Cedric.”

Look at this. You do not even notice how much you like him.

I brushed Yulianne’s hair softly and slightly shook my head.

There is still a long way for you to go. Of course, I prefer it like that.

“Then that is a relief.”

Cedric smiles with a sigh that mirrored his words.

You are the only male lead candidate that I acknowledge.

I like you very much.

“Lili, what about Ahjussi? Ahjussi buys you cookies and look after you to make sure you are healthy…”

Allen Lowell asked, not wanting to lose Yulianne’s favor.

You came to me because you wanted to become close to Lia-eonni.

I turned my face away to express my perfect dissatisfaction towards him. With that move, I was able to face Michael and his golden eyes.

He was bluntly observing me at this point. His eyes began to bend slightly as if smiling.

Do not smile like that. It becomes cold with that creepy smile.

I personally think that he will figure out that I am actually older or worse I am not actually Lili.

“I have to do something like knitting to look good in Lili’s eyes.”

Soon after he mumbles in a sweet voice that if you look very closely, it clearly has mocking undertones to it. I am certain that it was directed to Cedric.

But he did not doubt me. That is a relief then.

I sighed secretly.

Right now, I should always be cautious with Michael.

Chapter 5 end.

[1] 오빠/ Oppa is a term that younger girls use to call an older guy. Can be directly translated as ‘older brother’.

[2] 아저씨/Ajeossi/Ahjussi can be roughly translated into uncle or mister. There is no exact translation for it but something to call a male stranger around their 30s-40s.

[3] 언니/Eonni/Unnie is a term that younger girls use to call an older girl. Can be directly translated into ‘older sister’.