Chapter 201: Turning Point (1)
What kind of person was Lian’s stepmother?
Cecilia had actually been curious about that for a long time, but she never had the courage to ask Lian directly.
It made sense—her own family situation was just as complicated as Lian’s, and just as she disliked others prying into her affairs, she assumed Lian would feel the same.
At first, it had been a vague thought.
Seeing how strongly Lian rejected the subject, she assumed his stepmother must be one of those wicked women so often portrayed in fairy tales or novels.
But over time, she came to realize that wasn’t the case.
Especially when she recalled Artiac’s demeanor—it became even clearer.
Perhaps the awkwardness was from that side instead?
Or maybe it was the other way around.
‘Wow.’
And today, having unexpectedly encountered Lian’s stepmother…
How should she even describe her?
She wasn’t sure it was appropriate to use such a word for an adult, but the word that slipped into Cecilia’s mind was dignified.
First of all, she was tall.
Cecilia herself wasn’t short for a woman, but this woman looked at least a head taller than her.
She might even be around the same height as Yuran.
Of course, since Lian’s older brother Artiac had been so tall and well-built, she’d somewhat expected it—but seeing her in person, the presence she exuded was striking.
‘…She’s tall.’
Cecilia found her gaze naturally drawn to one side as she thought that.
As the woman’s gaze met hers, Cecilia flinched slightly and shrank back as if to shield herself.
What was even more striking than she’d expected was how slim the woman was.
Cecilia herself was on the slender side, but Lian’s stepmother looked even thinner.
And yet, she didn’t appear fragile or sickly.
On the contrary, she exuded the sharp, solid aura of someone who had trained steadily for a long time.
It was hard to believe she was the noblewoman who had given birth to two grown sons.
Above all, what captivated Cecilia most were the woman’s eyes.
Sharp, yet carrying a certain unshakable resolve.
They gave off a powerful and dignified impression, like the blade of a well-forged sword.
Suddenly, Cecilia thought she could guess where Artiac had gotten his looks.
Of course, not that it compared to Lian’s.
“……”
“……”
Lian and his mother were still silent.
They had run into each other on the street, and finding it awkward to just stand there and talk, they’d ended up sitting across from each other in a café. But the atmosphere between them remained suffocatingly tense.
“Well…”
In the end, Lian cautiously opened his mouth first.
“…I never imagined we’d run into each other like this, or that you’d be in the capital. If I had known, I would have sought you out to pay my respects.”
The woman sitting across from him gave a small nod.
“…I came up briefly because of something involving Quirian.”
“You mean eldest brother?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
She answered briefly.
Lian cautiously added,
“It must’ve been important for the Countess to come herself.”
“……”
At that, Cecilia didn’t miss the subtle droop at the corners of the woman’s eyes—as if tinged with disappointment.
It was such a minute change, she wondered if she had imagined it.
“…There was also talk of Artiac’s engagement. It wasn’t something I could leave to the servants, so I came up to the capital myself.”
“…And the head of the family?”
“As always, he’s busy.”
“I see.”
“Yes.”
“……”
“……”
Silence fell once more.
After gazing out the window for a moment, the woman cautiously began to speak again.
“…It wasn’t my intention to hide anything.”
“……”
“In truth… Li—no. I was afraid you’d feel uncomfortable meeting me. That’s why I only told Quirian and came up to the capital. I didn’t even inform Artiac.”
“…Because second brother is currently carrying out important official duties.”
“Yes. I was worried he might get distracted because of me. But…”
She paused for a moment before continuing.
“Artiac was never good at keeping secrets when it came to you. So I kept it to myself.”
“……”
“……”
There was a subtle tension between the two.
Even their use of formal speech made Cecilia, watching from the side, feel breathless.
“Excuse me.”
Just then, the tea and refreshments they had ordered arrived.
As various snacks were placed on the table, the woman’s brow furrowed slightly at something she noticed.
Her gaze landed on a plate of peanuts.
“……”
Without a word, she gently pulled the small plate of peanuts toward herself—subtly placing it out of Lian’s reach.
‘Ah.’
Seeing that, Cecilia suddenly recalled a secret Lian had once shared with her.
Hives.
He had said that eating peanuts gave him severe hives.
And clearly, the woman was well aware of that fact too.
“…Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself.”
At that moment, the woman turned to Cecilia and offered a gentle smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Manoa Gwendil.”
“Ah—ah! It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. I’m Cecilia Everglenn.”
Startled by Manoa’s greeting, Cecilia hastily offered a polite, albeit slightly stiff, reply.
And then she muttered to herself in scolding frustration.
‘Idiot…!’
I should’ve greeted her first.
How could I let Mother be the one to speak first?
As Cecilia berated herself, Manoa looked slightly surprised.
“...So you’re the daughter of the Everglenn Ducal House.”
As she spoke, Manoa glanced between Lian and Cecilia.
“Are the two of you, by chance...”
“We’re friends.”
Lian answered before Manoa could even finish.
Cecilia felt a sudden surge of emotion, but she composed her expression and echoed Lian’s words.
“...Yes, we’re friends.”
For now.
Cecilia mouthed the words silently, low enough that Lian wouldn’t hear.
“...”
Lian, sitting beside her, didn’t notice. But Manoa, sitting across from her, clearly caught the shape of her lips.
She pretended not to notice, but the gaze she directed at Cecilia softened just a little.
“...Friends, I see. I hope I haven’t been holding up two busy people.”
Manoa glanced at the time.
“It’s about time for a meal—was I interrupting something?”
“No, Countess. I, uh, I’m not hungry.”
Cecilia, unusually flustered, waved her hands.
But cruelly, just then...
Growl.
“...”
“...”
“...Ah.”
In the quiet café, the sound of her stomach echoed embarrassingly loud.
Cecilia’s face instantly turned beet red.
She lowered her head and bit her lower lip, as if trying to hide her embarrassment.
Of all people, to be humiliated in front of Lian and his mother.
She muttered in a whisper, barely audible,
“...I’ve been trying to lose weight lately.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward spot.”
Manoa smiled gently as she spoke.
Soon, she slowly rose from her seat.
“We’ve had our talk, so I’ll take my leave now.”
“Already?”
“I’m actually cutting it a bit close on time.”
Manoa nodded.
“I’ll be staying with Quirian’s merchant group for a while, so if anything comes up, feel free to visit. As you know, it’s not far from here.”
“I’ll see you out.”
As Lian began to rise, Manoa held up a hand to stop him.
“It’s alright. I have a carriage waiting nearby. And rather than me... it might be better to focus on your friend sitting beside you.”
Lian nodded.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he spoke.
“...By the way.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I’ve spoken with Miss Amaruah about several things.”
Manoa’s eyes lit up with warm recognition.
“...I see. Did she give you the brooch?”
“Yes.”
Lian nodded again.
Then he bowed deeply to Manoa.
“It was a great help. Thank you.”
“...There’s no need for thanks.”
Manoa paused, then added,
“...If you don’t mind, would you pass along my regards to our senior?”
“I will.”
At Lian’s reply, Manoa hesitated slightly again.
Then, as if she had made up her mind, she spoke in a quiet voice.
“...I’m glad you look well.”
And in a whisper, she added,
“I was very worried about you.”
“...”
Just as she was about to leave, Lian called out again.
“...Mother.”
Manoa stopped in her tracks.
She turned, clearly startled, and Lian spoke carefully but clearly.
“Please feel free to call me that from now on.”
Manoa looked at Lian in silence for a moment.
Her gaze trembled with complex emotions.
Finally, she gave a small nod.
“Yes... No, I mean, okay. See you later, Lian.”
Leaving behind a wavering farewell, Manoa exited the café.
“...”
Lian stared for a while at the direction in which Manoa had disappeared, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Cecilia, watching him, could only wonder what had happened between the two of them.
“Well then...”
After a moment, Lian turned to Cecilia and spoke.
There was a faint smile on his lips that looked almost forced.
“Shall we head to the restaurant?”
Cecilia instinctively furrowed her brow slightly at his words.
“...You’re such a tease.”
“I heard this place is really popular lately.”
The restaurant they originally planned to visit wasn’t far from the café.
Standing in front of the well-known spot—so famous she’d even visited it a few times in her past life—Lian opened the door for her like an escort.
And then...
Bang!
He immediately slammed the door shut.
“...Lian? What’s wrong?”
Cecilia asked, puzzled, and Lian replied casually,
“Nothing. Let’s go somewhere else.”
“What?”
“The vibe’s a little off here today.”
As he said this, Lian grabbed Cecilia’s wrist and began walking quickly, almost as if they were running from something.
“But the food’s great here.”
Then came a voice from behind, a young woman’s voice that seemed to stop them in their tracks.
Lian tried to ignore it and keep walking, but the woman soon appeared in front of them, blocking their path.
“It’s the perfect place for couples or lovers to dine. Great price, great atmosphere, great food.”
While the woman spoke, a middle-aged man, approaching old age, appeared quietly from behind, blocking their escape route.
Without saying a word, the man stared silently at Lian and Cecilia.
“Ah. But I guess it’s not quite the right spot for a perpetrator and a victim to meet, is it?”
The young woman muttered as she strode toward Lian.
“Don’t you think?”
As she came face-to-face with him, her pupils began to slit vertically.
“You fucking kidnapper.”