Haunted Duke’s Daughter

Um.Lilia.

Oh, my. Whats wrong?

!

Tina gasped and her expression tensed. Lilia tilted her head, and Sakura sighed.

SLilia. Your face is scaring me. Calm down.

L.Im sorry.

She hadnt been aware of it, but somehow it had shown on her face. Lilia took a deep breath this time, and then pasted on her normal smile.

Im sorry, I just had a few thoughts on my mind.

Though she was still wary Tina walked up to Lilia and bowed her head.

Im sorry.

Not expecting an apology, Lilias mouth dropped open halfway. She quickly mended her expression and tilted her head.

Why are you apologizing?

Because

Dont worry about it.

Sakura was right, Tina hadnt done anything wrong.

So? What did you do after that?

We talked for a bit, and then I came back.

How did you get away?

Not much time has passed since then. It was hard to believe that Theo had broken off the conversation, so Lilia thought that Tina had run away from Theo but she shook her head.

Mr. Cross was passing by and saved me, he grabbed Theo by the collar and took him somewhere.

My brother?

My brother is very strict with me, but he has a soft spot for Theo. Theo is the weakest one in the family so mother and father are strict with him to some extent, but my brother always seems to indulge him. I didnt think that my brother would force Theo to go with him.

SIm sure he was just being considerate.

LWhat? My brother? To whom?

STo Lilia.

LThats impossible.

Lilia couldnt imagine it and snorted.

SBecause both your father and brother are very clumsy.

At Sakuras words, Lilia could only nod her head.

She looked at Tina who didnt say anything. Lilia let out a small sigh and tapped her finger on the table.

Lets do some studying for a change. Bring me my study materials.

Yes! Ill get it!

Tina quickly left the room. Lilia saw her off and sighed slowly.

After waiting for a while, Tina did not come back, and when I went to look for her, I found that she was lost and had been taken care of by a maid. Tina, who was being treated to sweets and tea, looked very uncomfortable.

That evenings dinner had been so sumptuous that I wondered what had happened. I was dismayed that my family wanted to look that good. Tinas eyes were black and white as she looked at all the fine food lined up in front of her.

Dont worry about anything, eat.

My parents had told her, and she had finally started to eat.

The next day after breakfast, Lilia and Tina were studying in Lilias room. Since it was her day off, she decided to study Tinas weak areas thoroughly. As she was thinking that she should finish before Tina returned home, Lilia remembered.

Tina. How long are you staying?

Well.Should I leave early?

She asked with a slightly tearful expression on her face and Lilia hurriedly shook her head.

Thats not what I meant. Im just asking because I need to arrange a carriage.

I see..What should I do?

It seems I hadnt really thought it through. I resisted the urge to sigh and asked her with a glance what she would do. Tina thought about it for a while and then said,

Lilia is that.Will you be coming to my house?

Is it about the inn?

Right. Lets ask my father now.

Yeah. And you know, if you can come, Id like you to come with me.

I guess that means shes going to stay here until then. I had no problem with this, but I wasnt sure how my father would respond.

SShouldnt you go and ask him about this right now?

LYes. Its easier to make plans if I ask early.

Tina, wait here for a minute while I go ask him.

What? I think you shouldnt bother your father while hes working.

Ill ask him later tonight. In the meantime you should cover these materials.

I gave Tina instructions and headed for the door.

If you havent finished by the time I come back, Ill add more.

What? I get it! Lilia, take your time and go!

Tina hurriedly began to solve the problems. Lilia nodded in satisfaction and gently closed the door to her room.

SLilia. I think thats too much.Wasnt it about ten pages?

LIt should be fine. Im sure shell be able to solve it in no time.

I decided to walk slowly to my fathers room.

I knocked on the door of my fathers room and waited for a while until I heard him say Come in, and when I entered the room, I saw my brother, my mother, and Theo.

Oh.Am I the only one left out?

My parents and my brother laughed when I asked them that.

Dont say things without thinking.

Thats rude.

My father replied lamely, and my brother sighed.