All Chapters of The Return of the Disgraced Daughter: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

It was the 28th of December in the nation of Quindon—the middle of a harsh winter.Lilian Kerr had just finished doing the morning laundry, but the madame of the washhouse was shouting at her before she could dry her freezing hands, "Move it, Lilian! The marquis has sent for you!"She froze—the marquis?It was such a familiar title, but she had since become estranged from it.After all, she had been the marquis' daughter for fifteen years, and three years ago, she was told that she was not really his daughter.It turned out that the midwife had switched her own daughter with the real marquis' daughter, but she had somehow found her conscience before her death and told the truth.Lilian still clearly remembered how thrilled the marquis and his wife had been when they were reunited with Evelyn Lestrade, the real daughter of the marquis. They were holding each other as they broke into tears, crying and laughing.Through it all, Lilian stood in a corner, watching in confusion as to

Lilian's old pavilion was named Cherryton, and its gardens were lush with cherry blossoms.As the snow fell, the blossoms would bloom vivaciously as if it was a competition, never wilting even as spring arrived.The marquis himself had sent his people looking for those trees and moved them back to his residence, just because Lilian had once mentioned as a child that cherry blossoms were her favorite.The household had spent over a hundred silvers in nurturing those trees. Three years ago, the pavilion became Evelyn's just because she praised the cherry blossoms.Lilian was seething back then but felt nothing even as she remembered it now.In the end, Evelyn was the real daughter of the marquis, and everything here was hers—even the people.As for Lilian, she was just a cuckoo chick who had stolen into their nest."Greetings, milady. You can call me Winter."Still, the maid escort was quite enthusiastic. "Your former maid is now married, so I'll be attending to you now. Feel fre

Henry kept his eyes on the box containing the potion but said nothing.That only left Rupert fidgeting nervously. "Don't tell me that you were never summoned but went to the washhouse for her anyway?"Henry remained silent, but Rupert had known him long enough to tell that it was a yes.His voice dropped to a growl right then. "Are you crazy? You didn't give a damn about Lily when she was obsessed with you, but you do now that you're going to marry Eve? I'm warning you—they're both my sisters. Push me too far, and you're no longer my friend!" Henry suddenly snorted and looked up at Rupert, smirking. "The way you put it, it's as if you actually care."His every word earlier was meant to break Lilian's heart.Rupert's rage was snuffed out right then, but even as he glared at Henry, he could only come up with, "You're no better. Don't forget—you were there three years ago. If she holds a grudge against me, she'd hold a grudge against you too!""I know," Henry replied in his cold v

Rupert gaped at Lilian in disbelief.He was ready to accuse her of lying right then, but he realized it was true when he saw his mother hanging her head nearby, clearly not going to speak up.But how could this be?! The marquis loved Lilian to bits—how could he disown her?!He started heaving as something tore into his heart again, leaving him utterly annoyed.He looked around, and finding everyone's face an eyesore, he stormed out of the room, leaving Henry standing there a little awkwardly.Still, he walked up toward Madam Lestrade, bowing his head in greeting. "Greetings, Madam Lestrade."Madam Lestrade was polite in turn, as he was a young and accomplished general who maintained good manners at all times. Was there any elder who would not appreciate that?"Please sit!" She smiled as she beckoned. "I should be the one visiting you after you delivered such precious medicine yesterday."Henry did so, sitting opposite Evelyn while smiling mildly at Madam Lestrade. "My parents a

Lilian's words sent Evelyn bursting into tears and shaking her head repeatedly. "No, I never hurt you! I was the one who broke the bowl, and that was my fault, but Jade was the one who blamed you—"She tried her damndest to tell Lilian that she was innocent, only for Lilian to lean by the doorway, cutting her short with a gentle question. "Then why didn't you say so three years ago?"Evelyn appeared stunned, not quite realizing what Lilian meant, and watched as Lilian's lips curled into a sneer. "'I was the one who broke the bowl.' Why didn't you tell the princess those eight words back then?"Eveyln wobbled and stumbled backward, stuttering, "I-I was afraid… It was my first time inside the palace… Everyone's so noble, and I was scared—""Then why are you telling me now?" Lilian cut her short again.Evelyn sobbed, but what else could she say to make Lilian pretend those three years never happened?She hung her head, no longer daring to look Lilian in the eye. "As long as you forg