Free Web NovelChapter 459: Chapter 459: Adina 12
’That makes sense,’ Tan You mused. ’If they truly had any compassion, the original Adina wouldn’t have been cast out of the family at such a young age.’ As she was lost in thought, her body suddenly felt lighter, and her field of vision rose.
Tan You lowered her gaze. It was the very guard who had just made the suggestion who had picked her up. When Tan You looked at him, the guard smiled. "Miss Adina, I’m afraid you’ll have to bear with me and ride on my horse."
Tan You quickly lowered her eyes to hide the stinging sensation welling up within them. She had to admit, she was moved by the guard’s gesture. She hadn’t been moved when Mo’en rescued her, nor had she felt any disappointment or sadness when Dumont ignored her.
But in this moment, receiving this guard’s kindness, Tan You suddenly felt an ache in her heart. She understood this was his sympathy for her—not because she was a young lady of the Edmonds family, but simply for her as a person.
Taking a deep breath to swallow back the tears, Tan You said softly, "It’s no trouble at all. I’m the one bothering you. I’ve dirtied your clothes; I’ll compensate you with Gold Coins later."
"It’s not worth many Gold Coins." Schubert carefully settled Tan You onto the saddle. To protect her from the cold night wind, he wrapped her up almost from head to toe, leaving only her eyes exposed.
Seeing that the party ahead had already set off, Schubert gently kicked the horse’s flank. The steed immediately trotted forward, CLIP-CLOPPING as it caught up with the group.
Tan You watched Dumont’s back from ahead, her eyes downcast as she mulled over her secret plans. ’Now that I’m returning safely, the Edmonds family is in for a major earthquake, isn’t it?’
Her twin sister had deliberately abandoned her in a deserted valley and returned home as if nothing had happened... Just thinking about it made Tan You’s lips curl into a smirk. She couldn’t care less about any affection from Dumont or Catherine, but she was going to make sure Lilith and all those noble young ladies who used to bully Adina would suffer!
Thanks to being on horseback, they reached the Edmonds estate in less than an Oro hour. Tan You touched her head, which felt even dizzier now. She forced herself to focus. ’How boring would it be to pass out when the show is only halfway through?’
If she fainted now, Dumont and Catherine would just cover the whole thing up. Lilith would throw a tearful tantrum, and in the end, no one would stand up for her. So, even though Tan You felt unwell, she still followed closely behind Dumont as they headed for the front hall.
However, when Dumont entered the front hall, Tan You didn’t follow. Instead, she found a concealed spot to stand outside.
In the front hall, Catherine was drinking tea—though perhaps she was also waiting for Dumont to return. Seeing him enter, Catherine immediately rushed to greet him. "Darling, you’re back."
Dumont pushed her aside and scanned the front hall. "Where’s Lilith?"
Catherine was confused. "Resting in her room. She went out with her friends today and probably got tired. She didn’t even come to my quarters for dinner."
Dumont’s brow furrowed even tighter. "You haven’t seen Adina? Didn’t she and Adina go out together?"
Catherine covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled. "Lilith said she was tired from playing, so she went to her room to rest after she got back."
Dumont paused. "So you didn’t go to Adina’s room to check on her?"
Catherine was unconcerned. "Lilith said she was resting in her room, so she’s resting in her room. It makes no difference whether I check on her or not."
Dumont closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his expression had completely changed. "Get Lilith. Right now. Immediately!"
Catherine was reluctant. "The child is asleep. What do you need her for now?"
"She’s caused such a huge disaster, and you ask what I need her for?" Dumont could no longer hold back, pacing back and forth in the front hall. "To abandon her own sister in a valley, leave her for dead, and then come home to sleep as if nothing happened... I never knew my own daughter could be so ruthless at such a young age!"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Catherine became agitated. "My Lilith would never be so malicious!"
Though she said that, her heart still skipped a beat. When she went to see Lilith earlier that evening, something had indeed seemed off...
With that thought, Catherine grew anxious. "How do you know Lilith and Adina went out together today?"
Dumont was in no mood to answer her questions. He simply sat to one side, waiting for Lilith to arrive. Catherine, helpless and unable to sit still, could only pace around the front hall in circles.
Having done such a thing, Lilith naturally couldn’t sleep. When Catherine’s personal maid came to fetch her, Lilith was kneeling on her bed, praying and muttering neurotically, "I didn’t mean to... It was Karina’s idea..."
The maid guessed what had happened. Seeing Lilith’s state, her heart sank. She knew something terrible had occurred today. But she kept her composure and said softly, "The Family Head has returned and wishes to see you, Miss Lilith."
Lilith scrambled to her feet. "Father’s back? I’ll go right now!"
Following the maid to the front hall, Lilith was about to act cute and spoiled the moment she saw Dumont. But he just let out a cold snort. "What did you do this afternoon?"
Lilith’s face paled. "I... I went to play in the valley with Karina and the others..."
"Playing in the valley," Dumont said, taking a sip of tea. "And what about your sister, Adina? Your mother said she was visiting someone’s house with you. You came home safely, so where is your sister, Adina?"
Lilith was still trying to put up a futile struggle. "She... She’s resting in her room..."
"You’re still lying!" Dumont threw the teacup in his hand, and it smashed in front of Lilith. She shrieked, and tears immediately streamed down her face.
"Adina, come in." Dumont beckoned. Tan You clutched the cloak from the kind guard around herself and walked into the front hall on unsteady feet.
Lilith had the strongest reaction. She screamed and pointed at Tan You. "You... What are you doing here?"
Tan You’s head was splitting. After giving a cursory bow to Catherine and Dumont, she stood quietly in place.
"If she’s not here, where should she be?" Dumont roared. "Your sister said she waited in the valley until nightfall, and not a single person came looking for her. Today is the night of the Blood Moon! You left her all alone in the wilderness. Do you have any idea what could have happened to her?"
"When I found her, your sister was being attacked by a Violent Tooth Rat! If I had been even a step later, she would be dead!" Dumont said coldly. "And you’re still lying to my face!"
Catherine was utterly shaken, but in the end, her love for Lilith won out. "But she’s back safely now, isn’t she? Why are you being so harsh with Lilith?"
"Lilith, apologize to your sister this instant!"
After entering the front hall, Tan You looked up at Catherine for the first time. She was carefully shielding Lilith, like a mother beast protecting her cub. And yet, Adina was her daughter too. But Catherine only had eyes for Lilith.
