Chapter 68: Taking care of Lillian? Me?

Days had passed since Ailiya sprinted from the training field with Liliane on her back. The Winter family, upon hearing the news, swiftly summoned the capital’s finest physicians. According to Clara, Liliane had always had minor health issues—her grueling workload was beyond what any normal girl could endure. She’d taken to rigorous training to cope with the suffocating demands of being the Winter heir, but never let ailments hinder her work.

This time, however, was different. The diagnosis was acute fever, requiring rest. Yet the illness was stubborn, relapsing repeatedly, with Liliane even fainting for hours. The Winter estate buzzed with frantic activity, tense as a battlefield.

The news rippled through St. Freya Academy, sending Liliane’s admirers into despair—none more so than Aurora, self-proclaimed “Liliane’s number-one fan.”

In the tiered classroom of St. Freya’s Year Two Class A, Aurora was in meltdown. “A world without Lady Liliane is like a sunflower without the sun! My life’s wilting! My soul’s fading!” She pounded her desk, then paced, her golden hair a tangled mess, muttering like a deranged bard.

Ailiya, sipping iced coffee by the window, gazed at drifting clouds, ignoring the raving blonde. Talk to her now, and I’m toast. She’d tear me apart.

But trouble found her. “Ailiya!” Aurora whirled, eyes red, pointing accusingly. “As Lady Liliane’s personal maid, why aren’t you worried?!” She ranted, “Shouldn’t you be waving the Winter crest, kneeling, shouting, ‘For my beloved Lady Liliane, I offer my heart!’ and doing everything to save her?!”

What am I in your eyes, a melodramatic lunatic? Ailiya took a long sip, the cold coffee calming her. Of course she worried—Liliane was her mistress, her anchor at St. Freya, and her teacher. But her worry was useless. The Winter family had top doctors and maids tending to Liliane round-the-clock. A half-baked maid like Ailiya had no place there.

If anything, Aurora’s hysterics were over the top. She’d been a mess since Liliane collapsed, hopping and clawing like an escaped asylum patient, chanting Liliane’s name endlessly, grating Ailiya’s ears.

Sure enough, Aurora, seeing Ailiya unmoved, wailed and lunged, grabbing her collar and shaking her. “Ailiya! When will Lady Liliane recover?!”

So noisy! Ailiya’s patience snapped. Plucking the straw from her coffee, she shoved it into Aurora’s open mouth like a pacifier. Aurora’s cries stopped. Teary-eyed, she sat, chewing the straw rhythmically.

Peace at last. Ailiya sighed, propping her cheek, gazing out. The courtyard’s laughter faded with the clouds. Without Liliane, the seat behind her felt empty—no icy glares, no sharp quips, no slender fingers pinching her cheeks.

So boring…

A soft knock broke her reverie. Clara stood at the classroom door, her pristine maid uniform accentuating her graceful figure, brown hair neatly pinned, her smile warm and impeccable.

“Miss Ailiya,” Clara’s voice was gentle, “do you have a moment? I’d like to discuss something.”

“Sure,” Ailiya nodded. “Where?”

“Here’s fine.” Clara’s smile was reassuring. “This morning, Lady Liliane woke, and her condition’s improved.”

“Really?!” Aurora leapt up, eyes blazing with joy.

Ailiya swiftly pushed her back down. Clara continued, “The Winter household’s been chaotic caring for her. Now that she’s awake, we maids must tackle the piled-up work, including myself. But that leaves Lady Liliane alone.”

The entire Winter family can’t spare one maid? Yeah, right, Ailiya thought skeptically.

Clara chuckled, reading her mind. “You know Lady Liliane’s temperament. If she knew we had work, she’d insist we leave her to it. It puts us in a bind—worried for her health but bound by her orders. Even secretly assigning a guard would be noticed, and she’d be displeased.”

Her gaze turned earnest. “So, I’d like you, Miss Ailiya, to visit the Winter estate today to look after her.”

“Me?” Ailiya pointed at herself, incredulous. Aren’t you worried I’d sneak in a few punches for revenge while she’s weak?

“Lady Liliane trusts you,” Clara said, smiling, as if seeing through her. She added, “The carriage is waiting at the academy gate.”

No room to refuse. Ailiya sighed, standing.

“I’m coming too!” Aurora shot up.

“I’m sorry, Miss Aurora,” Clara said gently, blocking her. “Lady Liliane’s still weak and shouldn’t have too many visitors. Please understand.”

Aurora deflated, slumping back. “Fine… as long as it’s for Lady Liliane’s health…”

She grabbed Ailiya’s arm, voice grave, as if entrusting a sacred mission. “Ailiya, take care of her, or I won’t forgive you!” Her expression twisted into a creepy grin, whispering, “And if you could snag a glove or stocking she’s worn as a memento, that’d be perfect.”

Ailiya stared blankly, prying Aurora’s hand off. Not a chance.j,jkii