Sold to My Killer Husband: His Concubine's Dilemma
Chapter 51: Snowpetal II

Chapter 51: Snowpetal II

Flashback continues....

Liora held the paper in her hand, handing it over to Lily. "Here, see? This is how it looks." She had drawn a flower with five petals, clustered on a stem.

Lily nodded, taking it from her. "So, shall I bring it to you?"

"Search in the garden. It is white in color," Liora instructed.

However, the doctor had her doubts. "Isn’t it called snow petal? How would it be available in this season?"

Liora smiled. "That’s because it is named after its color, not the season."

Lily rushed out to the hallway to complete her task, but before she could step into the garden, she overheard two servants asking the other maids about Liora.

One of the servants spotted Lily and called out to her. "Miss, have you seen the concubine?"

Lily shook her head. "No, I haven’t seen Madam." Even if she had, she wouldn’t reveal Liora’s whereabouts and it would also expose the patient in the house.

"But why are you looking for Madam?" Lily asked.

"The steward asked for her. It’s a tense situation there."

Lily hummed thoughtfully. "I must go and tell Madam this."

"Oh yes, and there’s also that girl... she seems to be getting punished on her behalf," the servant added.

Lily’s eyes widened. "Which girl?" she asked quickly.

The servant shrugged. "We don’t know, but she looked pretty miserable."

Lily felt a jolt of anxiety. ’It must be Mira,’

"Well, miss, excuse us. We still need to find her, or the Queen Dowager might punish us as well." The servants hurried off.

"I must tell Madam," Lily muttered, running back to the room. As soon as she reached it, she knocked repeatedly. "It’s me! Open the door!" she called out.

Liora, recognizing Lily’s voice, opened the door. The moment Lily saw Liora, she started speaking fast. "Madam, it’s Mira, I... gasp... met... two..." She was panting, anxious, and struggling to get the words out.

"Breathe, Lily," Liora said gently, rubbing her back.

After a few seconds, once Lily had caught her breath, she relayed what the servants had told her.

"Madam... what do we do now?"

The lady doctor, who had just introduced herself as Cecilia a minute ago when Liora had asked for her name, spoke up. "Why are you hiding from her?"

Liora went quiet at the question. "Uh... it’s a long story, Doctor."

"If you say so, I won’t ask. But I have heard the Queen Dowager is very strict. I think you should go and face her."

Liora sighed. In the end, she had to face Lilian. But if she didn’t go now, she would be doing Mira wrong. Mira, who had always cared for her. And then there was Lily. She must go.

"You’re right... I must go."

She turned to Lily. "I know you want to come too, but I need you to stay and help Cecilia first, as I promised her."

Lily stepped forward and held onto Liora’s hand. "But Madam... the Queen Dowager is very angry. Given her temperament, she might punish you harshly." She begged, her voice laced with concern.

Liora smiled slightly at Mira. "It’s okay; I will apologize."

After that, She wasted no time and left the room, walking hurriedly in the direction of the tea house, holding the hem of her dress in her hands so she could reach there in time. Though deep down, she knew Lilian never gave anyone a chance to explain.

The flashback ends.

Samuel felt bad for Liora and also for scolding Lily. Now that Cecelia had told him everything, she asked, "Sir, shall I go and see Lady Liora, or do we need to call for a physician to look after her?"

Samuel shook his head. "Even if I allow you to go, it would only create a mess. We need to wait for some time until Lily can check on her." He turned to Lily. "Lily, take the ointment from Cecelia and bring it to Madam. Ask that girl Mira to apply it for her, maybe it will give her some relief."

Lily and Cecelia nodded and immediately got to work. Samuel remained there, waiting until Lily took the ointment and left for Liora’s room.

Meanwhile, before all of this, Lilian had already left for her carriage, acting slightly unusual for her. She was followed outside by Edgar, Beatrice, Roseria, and Layla.

Before stepping into the carriage, Lilian turned abruptly and called for Beatrice. As Beatrice stepped forward, Lilian’s voice dropped to a low but sharp whisper, ensuring that only Edgar could hear.

"I have given every one of you the same task, even that girl kneeling inside. And yet, all of you have failed. I even asked Edgar to send you a letter with instructions. But you, you foolish woman, still don’t get it, do you?"

Beatrice flinched but kept her head low.

Lilian clicked her tongue in irritation before turning to Edgar. "Send her the same message again tomorrow, Edgar."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Edgar gave a slight bow and followed Lilian as she stepped inside the carriage.

Just as Edgar was about to close the carriage door, he noticed Roseria lingering outside, making no move to enter. Lilian’s sharp eyes caught it too.

"Call for Roseria, Edgar."

"Lady Roseria..." Edgar did as asked.

But before he could complete his sentence, Roseria answered instead. "Edgar... um," she fiddled with her hair, hesitating to speak. "...Edgar, I... I just got to know that Lady Layla is staying here for a few days, so I wanted to..." she stammered.

"To...?" Edgar prompted.

"...Stay here too," she admitted, taking a few steps closer to Edgar. "I promise I will come back."

Her eyes darted toward Lilian, who was seated inside the carriage, staring at her. Roseria was afraid her mother would say no, but instead, Lilian said loudly, "I suppose you stay here, Rosie."

Roseria, stunned for a moment, but later a smile painted on her lips. Edgar looked at Lilian, waiting for further instructions.

"But mind you, be back in a week, and I expect Layla to follow you back too."

Layla, who had overheard, approached the carriage as well. "Yes, Your Majesty. Sir Edgar, please convey the news of me staying here to my sister. And don’t forget the other request I made."

Edgar nodded. "Surely, Lady. I will send your maids as soon as I reach the palace."

Meanwhile, Beatrice, who had been listening, felt overwhelmed by the news of Roseria staying for a few days. She immediately started thinking of all the desserts Roseria loved, wanting to prepare them. However, she wasn’t too fond of Layla, but she would have to tolerate her presence.

But now, Beatrice had another task at hand, This was the one she disliked. Lilian had asked her to ensure Lucien and Liora would sleep together. For that, Edgar would send her the necessary medicine.

After what happened today, Liora would likely need two or more days to recover. And Lucien, who was still injured, would take even longer. Beatrice had to wait until they were both well enough before carrying out Lilian’s orders.

By then, Layla would have also left the estate and that was precisely why Lilian had agreed to let her stay in the first place.

"To the palace," Edgar ordered the coachman before closing the carriage door.

Lilian left the estate with Edgar. It had been a long day for her, leaving the event, coming to Lucien’s place, being served terrible tea, and getting indirectly insulted.

"Edgar..." Lilian called.

Edgar, who was seated across from her, responded, "Yes, madam?"

Lilian’s gaze turned sharp. "Do you think that girl, Mira... is trustworthy?"

Edgar raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask, madam? She didn’t seem like a threat at all, even then and even now, she is a frail girl."

Lilian’s voice, which had been flat, suddenly took on a harsher edge. "I asked you to either send her back to her house, yet you appointed her directly to Lucien’s estate." She pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. "Do you even understand what happens if she speaks up?"

Her voice dropped back to its usual calm tone. "Edgar, after today’s punishment, Mira will keep her mouth shut. If I were to call Mira back to the palace now or secretly have her killed, it would only create more problems for me." Lilian sighed, leaning back against the cushioned seat. "I hope she takes the hint."

Edgar remained silent. He knew better than to argue with her now. If he did, she might just order him to jump off the carriage.

In Liora’s room, the servants had helped Mira bring her to bed. Liora was sleeping soundly, exhaustion and the force of the slaps leaving her still and unmoving.

Mira sat beside her, watching over her carefully. Each time Liora made even the slightest movement, Mira rushed to dab her forehead with cool water. Lily had already brought the ointment, as Samuel had instructed. She also informed Mira that a lady doctor would visit Liora after sunset. The doctor had sent word herself.

Mira was surprised. ’That’s too fast,’ she thought. For a lady doctor, traveling through the forest at night was a risk. Yet, she was willing to come. Mira felt warmth in her heart at the thought. ’It must have been Sir Samuel who arranged for this. He must have a heart of gold.’

As promised, Cecilia arrived at night to check on Liora. Mira remained in the room, and Lily accompanied the doctor. However, as soon as Cecilia entered, Mira noticed something odd, that was Cecilia was dressed exactly like her.

If not for the doctor’s distinct gray eyes and brown hair, she could have mistaken her for herself.

Cecilia immediately moved toward Liora, checking her pulse and examining her swollen cheek. Liora had not eaten since the afternoon, so the servants had also prepared some soup for her.

After finishing her examination, Cecilia turned to Mira. "Let her rest for now," she instructed. "Apply the ointment I’ve given you. It will help her heal faster."

Mira bowed slightly in gratitude, thanking her for treating Liora. "Thank you, Doctor."

Lily and Cecilia left shortly after, but before they did, Mira tried stopping Lily. "Stay with me, please."

But Lily shook her head. "I can’t. I still have work left with Cecilia."

Mira sighed, turning back to Liora. Sitting beside her, she reached for her hand, her voice trembling.

"I’m sorry, madam. This is all my fault. If only I hadn’t been there that day..."

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