Lily couldn’t comprehend the kneeling Blake.

With her blank eyes, she whispered, sweeping only the outer surface of the locket necklace.

“Why? Why are you doing this to me?”

“Open the necklace.”

“Tell me before I do that.”

Lily really wanted to know.

Her mind was confused. Was she right to hate Blake?

The Blake she saw for the first time was a cold-hearted person, but he also had a kind heart. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have hugged Blake on a thundering day.

“What should it mean to me that you get down on your knees?”

It was as if this was the first time in her life that Lily had been angry. It wasn’t because she was nice. It was because she had a life that could not even be refuted.

Then, what was he that made her laugh so easily and get angry? Lily said she was afraid of love, she hated love, and she didn’t want to accept anyone into her heart. 

“I’ve begged. I’ve been on my knees countless times.” (Lily)

Neither of them took this as sarcastic. Lily was quietly telling him the truth.

“As a child, I had to beg my father even when I dropped the tableware. Do you know what has changed with the cursor? I always had to ask for forgiveness. Even though I did nothing wrong.” (Lily)

“Yes, you wouldn’t have even had a chance to rebel like me. I know. Roughly.” (Blake)

“How do you know? You didn’t even know I was a sorceress. You lived in a decent place without knowing anything.” (Lily)

“I really know. The fact that the Lady had a hard time.” (Blake)

“Do I have to be so pushy here?”

Lily pressed her forehead as if in pain.

“I will accept your apology. Because I don’t think I responded well. But I want it to be over. The underlying problem will not be resolved. I still have no reason to trust you.” (Lily)

Eventually, Blake slowly walked over to Lily. Blake grew bigger and bigger in her big eyes, but she wasn’t afraid. That’s how careful the man was.

“I can assure you that I know a little bit of your fears. I remembered it now.” (Blake) 

“What are you talking about…?” (Lily)

“Because I saw it myself. How difficult your life was.” (Blake)

Blake opened the locket necklace and showed her the picture inside.

It was the first time Lily had seen a painting that had faded after a long time. She couldn’t remember her childhood.

“Because we have been friends for a very long time.”

Blake’s voice was very damp, unlike her dry face. It was pitch black outside the window, so it felt like it was in the middle of pouring rain, even though there was nothing.

In addition, it was a voice that penetrated into Lily’s heart.

She tried to comprehend Blake’s words, but every word he said didn’t connect.

“I… I’m sorry, but I can’t remember at all. So we…… ?”

“When we were young, we were pretty close.”

“But how… ? How much?”

“I think it will take a long time to tell you all. I don’t remember everything either.”

Blake was finally able to take off his coat and wrap it around Lily’s shoulders. 

“Not because of love. I have many other reasons for wanting to help the Lady. First, like I said, because of this necklace.” (Blake)

Blake put one of his fingers in.

“Because you reached out to me and spoke kind words to me when I was alone. In return, I will protect you.” (Blake)

He raised his second finger and explained another reason.

“And I have something to avenge your parents. Our last meeting wasn’t very good. Because of them.” (Blake)

“Oh my god………..”

Lily quickly noticed the situation with her clever brain.

“Surely my parents were harsh on you, right? I know well, such remarks that tear even the value of existence.” (Lily)

“For a third reason, um. What else? Then let’s say it’s because of “likability” to fill in the numbers. As I said last time, I have a good feeling.” (Blake)

This time he spoke very calmly, but the tips of his ears were a little red.

“Don’t worry too much about the third reason, because I won’t make any demands in the future just because my money and power are wasted.” (Blake)

Lily quickly noticed Blake’s change again, and she felt slightly better for the first time in a few days.

‘God, you’re ashamed to say that you have a crush…?’

Others might be very surprised when it turned out that she thought that big, naughty man was cute.

“So, I ask you here again. I want to sign a guardianship contract with you. It starts with protection and supports everything you need until you become self-reliant.” (Blake)

“Then what should I do….. ” (Lily)

“Give me a chance to repay and get revenge.” (Blake)

Blake took a folded piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it under the moonlight.

Lily looked at the neatly written contract like Blake.

Her blue eyes twinkled, and then vanished over her eyelids, carrying her sorrows, and she again became wise and read the contract…

She finally smiled a little at the absurdity.

She couldn’t help it.

“Wait a minute, you’re going to give me the North Blue Diamond Mine if you break the contract?”  (Lily)

Anyway, the confrontation was successful. Her emotions tend to follow her face, and Lily became a little ordinary.

“That’s enough to open a bank in the capital. It’s one of the great reasons why the capital nobles bow to me even if they don’t like it.” (Blake)

“It’s an absurd condition. You know best how much it is worth.” (Lily)

“I have only enough resources like this to leave you if I broke my promise.” (Blake)

Lily thought it was a face-saving contract he gave her. It was not really going to happen.

In that case, Lily’s point of view was the same as before the conversation with Blake.

However, she was still terrified that she could be abandoned even by Blake, and she could still be swayed by his words.

Still, it was the picture in the locket necklace that caused Lily to change her mind little by little.

Lily thought.

‘I am smiling in the picture.’

Although she has no memory of her childhood, she knew the little girl in the picture was herself.

From the earliest she remembered, she had never been happier than the figure in the picture. Then she had no choice but to believe…. If she doesn’t trust herself, who will she trust?

“To be honest, I still don’t know. You’re only going to help me with the will of revenge? I am too much of a hassle for Lord Blake to get.” (Lily)

“But…”

“But as long as you like it, okay. I’ll agree. Thank you.” (Lily)

Lily thought Blake would like it, but she didn’t.

He looked at Lily with his fierce eyes wide open, as if he had been confronted with a very serious incident.

“Huh… . What happened?”

Lily looked behind her, but suddenly nothing dangerous seemed to happen.

“I couldn’t believe it. To be honest, it was half a gamble. More than deciding whether or not to cross a canyon where the enemy may be in an ambush.” (Blake)

“Me too. I have no idea what you just said… As a normal you, you would never have been sympathetic. I’m not saying there’s a problem with Lord Blake, but…”

“I understand. The Lady is still anxious.”

For Blake, he was proud because he had no intention of breaking the contract.

“So, let’s finish this right now. We have to go to the contract guarantor, legal advice, and finally the notary office.… ”

This time, Lily was surprised.

“I beg your pardon?”

“The contract must be sealed and finished immediately upon the original agreement. The nobles say that leisure is a virtue, but I am thorough when it comes to money. But if you need sleep, then we’ll do it tomorrow morning.” (Blake)

“Are you really going to sign this contract?” (Lily) 

They had communicated but now Blake suddenly felt stupid. What? Huh? Only the sound came and went.

Then Blake raised his voice.

“What do you see me as? I’m different from those sleazy capitalists who don’t keep their words. Of course we have to sign a contract.” (Blake)

“Then how do you see me? How do I sign a contract with a diamond mine? There is an old proverb that says that if you make a lot of money you become a maniac, but it must be true.” (Lily)

“You think I’m crazy?” (Blake)

“How could you say something so direct and harsh, I was just stating a proverb. It was a proverb that Princess Blake didn’t like to hear.” (Lily)

Lily shrugged her shoulders gracefully before realizing.

How long has it been since her head was this clear?

There were still many things she wanted to ask, but one thing was certain.

She had to thank him.

Unlike before, Unlike before, she wanted to say so without anyone’s coercion.