All Chapters of The Return of the Disgraced Daughter: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The marquis naturally understood that the emperor was merely asking a loaded question and went down on his knees before he spoke, "There's no question that my son had overstepped limits, committing such blasphemy in front of a place of worship."His punishment by Prince Michael was simply deserved. I can only ask that Your Majesty be wise in your decision."In other words, the marquis was not blaming Prince Michael, though he never wanted to in the first place.He knew his household's standing at court better than anyone, but the emperor had summoned him and the marquise as soon as he heard what happened, vowing to punish Prince Michael without allowing them the chance to speak.Nonetheless, the emperor was satisfied with the marquis' reaction.Still, he snorted audibly as if showing disdain and turned toward Henry. "Your thoughts, General Stark? You were there, after all."Henry bowed his head, allowing his dark gaze to linger on Lilian for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty,

The air around Henry turned cool, and his deep voice was icy. "You're really going to marry him?"Lilian met his fiery gaze and calmly replied, "Yes.""Even if he's impotent?" he pressed.That left Lilian silent, and presuming that she did not know, Henry quickly added, "Did you know that—""I do," Lilian suddenly spoke again, cutting him short as she knew what he would say.The palace maid escorting her just now was Willow, who had whispered to her the secrets she had not been aware of before.Henry was left stunned.She knew, but she insisted on marrying the prince?Then, he remembered with a start and rasped, "If it's because of what I said before, I can talk to the marquise—"He thought it was because he had said Lilian must marry first before he could marry Evelyn.To his surprise, Lilian cut him short again. "It's not because of you. I want to marry Prince Michael."Because Madam Lestrade was ailing and probably would not be alive for much longer.Because she did not

Once Lilian returned to the marquis' residence, she visited Madam Lestrade's pavilion, only to be told that Madam Lestrade was asleep.She was relieved, presuming that Madam Lestrade was unaware of what happened at Felton Shrine and therefore had the ease of mind to sleep.As she returned to Floret Garden, a pale Winter was waiting for her.Lilian winced as she remembered that Rupert kicked Winter, but the maid was acting like nothing happened, waiting on her and helping her change her clothes.After some thought, Lilian asked Winter, "Is there any place you'd like to go?"Winter paused, her pale cheeks turning even paler. "Are you dismissing me, milady?"Lilian shook her head. "No, I'm just… worried that I'd get you hurt."Winter would certainly not have become collateral if not for her, but she was left surprised as Winter cried in agitation, "I'm not worried, milady! I insist on staying even if you want me gone!"Perhaps being too emotional, Winter started hacking just as sh

Lilian had no idea when it started, but Rupert's voice absolutely got on her nerves.She turned to find him pushing away the footman supporting him and limping toward her. "Apologize to Mother right now!"Lilian simply studied him in turn—he was not standing straight because of his wounded back, and he was sweating over his brow. Just walking over to her was clearly killing him, but he still blamed her for everything despite all that!Come to think of it, he had always been pigheaded even as a child, but while he used that attitude to protect her before, he was now harassing her endlessly with that same attitude since she returned from the washhouse.Despite feeling her own heart turning cold, Lilian asked, "Mr. Lestrade, you were given quite the beating after you demanded my apology yesterday, but you're doing it again already? What punishment would you like it to be this time?"Rupert paused at the mention of yesterday but soon frowned, stubbornly insisting that it was all Lil

"Lilian Kerr!"Rupert was absolutely furious, but he could not move with the two women holding him in place.For Lilian's part, she was not bothered to keep arguing with Rupert and turned toward the marquise. "Those gifts are sent from the palace to me. It should therefore be sent to Floret Garden, don't you agree?"By right, it should be sent to the storehouse of the marquis' residence.But Lilian had spoken, and the marquise could not cast aside her pride to refuse.In fact, she considered a recompense for the last three years.The marquise nodded even as she sobbed, "Yes, you can have them…"Lilian really smiled right then, bowing her head at the marquise before leaving with Winter.Rupert's eyes were ablaze when he saw Lilian's smugness, and he bellowed, "Mother! Why would you give everything to her?!"It was only then that the marquise released Rupert, sniffling. "Our family doesn't need that stuff, and it's for her anyway! As for you, your father had just told you to cal