The count called Lily into his room again.
As soon as she stepped inside, she saw the serious look on his face.
"Sit down," the count said.
Lily sat.
"I was told you were out gambling," he said calmly.
"I did."
The count closed his eyes and sighed. "Lily… gambling is dangerous. You could have lost everything. Well, not that there was much to lose."
"I didn't lose everything, though," she said quietly.
"That does not change the fact that you could have."
The count looked at her and stared in silence.
"You keep saying you've changed," he said. "But your actions are still just as reckless as before. Tell me, did you really change, or was that memory loss all just a lie?"
Lily clenched her hands. "Father… I know it looks bad, but I really believe this will work out. This is for my family."
He shook his head slowly. "You said the same thing before. What makes you think I trust you now?"
After a long pause, he spoke again.
"If you wish to ruin this house… then it will be your choice."
"I won't stop you," he continued. "But if this fails, you will bear the consequences of your actions."
Lily swallowed.
"Then… let me invest everything," she said. "All of it. Into the Barony for Vagrants."
The room went silent.
The count stared at her, eyes wide for a moment, then tired.
"…Very well," he said. "Do as you wish."
She felt tired. She thought to herself, "Why can my life not be perfect like that dumb little story this world is from…"
The count called for the servants and gave the order. The money she gained would be sent out.
Lily stood there, thinking.
If this doesn't work out… I'm… no, we're done, she thought.
Just then, a servant rushed in.
"My lord, the Crown Prince has arrived."
Lily froze.
Her heart dropped.
The Crown Prince…?
Her head started to hurt.
Wait…
She remembered something.
This is the guy, she thought. This is the one… that little bastard that is the reason why Lily dies.
"Lily," the count said, "…calm yourself."
She tried. She really did.
The door opened.
The Crown Prince walked in, dressed neatly, his expression calm and polite. He smiled when he saw her.
"Lily," he said softly. "It's been a while. How long has it been?"
She couldn't speak.
He stepped closer to her.
His eyes looked over her face.
"…You seem a lot different," he said. "You weren't avoiding me like this before."
His smile widened just a little.
Interesting.
"I heard you've been busy lately," he continued. "Gambling. Investing. I thought you might have lost your mind—well, not that it would make much difference."
"C-Crown Prince," she managed to say.
He leaned closer.
"Tell me," he whispered, "what changed you?"
I just wanted some more money, she thought. I just wanted to retire.
Why was this happening?
The Crown Prince straightened and smiled again.
"Walk with me," he said. "We should talk… alone. Maybe time to catch up on each other's lives?"
Lily thought to herself, All these male leads? They are all crazy. Maybe that's why the whole story was garbage.