344 Lilith asks for a favor
The three carriages traveled to the mansionâs main entrance along the garden path. Well-trimmed bushes decorated with flowers and a couple of small trimmed stylized trees made the few minutes of distance from the gate to the main entrance enjoyable.
Sofy kept driving the carriage as if she was a natural and parked the carriage with few instructions. The horses in front of her obeyed all her commands as if Sofy led them for a long time.
Sofy climbed down and went to the carriage, which had Vincent inside. She wanted to tell him how she could now be their coachwoman, as Lilith had suggested. However, three maids and two butlers rushed to greet Vincent.
The carriage door opened. Vincent, Kazumi, and Iris received a big surprise when they saw five hobgoblins welcome them with a beaming smile. They were the same goblins and demigoblins that were sent to Lilithâs parents and accepted.
âThank you, master Vincent.â The five of them said in unison as if it was something they had yearned to say for a long time. The five hobgoblins looked at Iris next. They smiled at Iris warmly and thanked her in the goblin tongue.
*Clap* âKids, how do you feel after learning these four words and thanking the person who sent you all here.â An old maid appeared from behind the hobgoblins. âNow on with your work, and letâs give our best on this great memorable day.â
The hobgoblins nodded and split into two groups based on their jobs. The three maids quietly went behind the old maid while the two butlers went to assist the old butler. It appeared the five hobgoblins had gotten used to their new life as a genuine smile remained on their faces.
âLord Vincent and Lady Lilith, Lord Leonis and Lady Teresa would like to meet both. Please follow me. The maids behind me will take care of everyone else.â The old maid bowed respectfully and said afterward. She noticed Lupa starting to frown. âMy apologies for the inconveniences but my Lord and my Lady wishes to speak with Lord Vincent and Lady Lilith alone.â
[Do they have something to tell us? I am curious to find out, hehe.]
.....
-I hope it is good news.-
Vincent exited the carriage and extended his hand. âLetâs go to meet your parents.â He looked at Lupa and continued, âRemember to stay with Ester at all times.â
âHumph! I am not a kid like Plow.â Lupa pouted and crossed her arms. Fortunately, Plow was in another carriage, or the two of them would start bickering.
Lilith smiled while watching Lupa puff her cheeks. Such an amusing scene relieved some of Lilithâs anxiety about the big day ahead of them.
Lilith was trying her hardest not to ruin such a joyous and memorable day because of a panic attack, yet she felt safe knowing that Maid Xu wasnât the only one looking out for her now. The people she lived with and got to feel less nervous around were here to support her both emotionally and physically.
Lilith took Vincentâs hand and descended the steps. She looked at the mansion, and a wave of nostalgia brought tears to her eyes. Lilith stopped and covered her eyes. âI... I feel so happyâ *Sniffle* âright now...â
[Haha. Her parents will think you are mistreating their daughter now.]
âPlease, no.â Vincent rubbed Lilith back with a concerned expression on his face. âDonât cry, or your parents will blame me. I already saw how your father wants to make it up to you. He might kick my ass if he thinks...â
*Sniffle* âHehe.â Lilith chuckled and wiped her tears. âIt feels like home, yet it isnât anymore.â
Lilith locked her arms around his arm. âI feel a little better now. Could we walk like this? Maybe some memories will not appear with my honey by my side.â She requested.
âOkay.â Vincent turned his head and said, âSee you later, my brides.â With Lilith attached firmly to his arm, Vincent followed the old maid inside.
Ester, Lupa, Iris, and the covered Sakura exited the carriage. They saw Vincent and Lilith leave. Their yearning gaze was obvious. Each one of them wanted to be in Lilithâs place. However, they knew Lilith was the one who was going to be the official head wife of the family in the eyes of the law.
Ester wanted to be with Vincent on their wedding day, yet she felt guilty after assuming Vincent was forced to live this new life because of her half noble origins.
Lupa wanted to go with Vincent, yet she wondered when they were going to get married as she heard a variety of meat was going to be served. She was starting to get hungry after only eating a light breakfast.
On the other hand, Iris and Sakura wanted to stay with Vincent, yet both of them thought their presence would be an inconvenience until the last moment when they walk down the aisle and become husband and wife.
Ester, Lupa, Iris, Sakura, and the others were soon led to a well-decorated and elegant guest hall, where they waited for Fabio and his two seamstresses to arrive.
Lilithâs parentâs mansion appeared to be about the same size as their mansion. The guest halls and corridors were decorated with fresh flowers and embroidered cloth decorations.
Vincent saw a picture of a beautiful woman. âWas this you when you were young?â He stopped and looked at Lilith.
Vincent felt her body shiver from a question she might not want to hear. âForget it. The Lilith now is my Lilith.â He said to fix the situation.
âYes, Lord Vincent. This was drawn at Lady Lilithâs birthday fifteen years ago.â The old maid looked back and saw Lilith with her cheeks red. She smiled at the innocent-looking Lilith and teased, âShall we hire an artist and make another painting on December Twentieth?â
[It has been so hectic we didnât ask for their birthdays...]
-Yeah, but at least it is soon. Lilith can celebrate her birthday surrounded by people who wish her good after nine or ten birthdays locked with Maid Xu.-
âThank you.â Vincent thanked the old maid and looked at Lilith. âLilith, you will be able to eat how much you want on your birthday, hehe.â
Lilith shook her head. âI want to lose weight. I want to become like young me.â Lilith became determined to lose weight one way or another.
The old maid resumed leading them to a room upstairs. She knocked on the door, and âEnterâ two voices said. The old maid opened the door and waited for Vincent and Lilith to enter.
Leonis and Teresa were sitting opposite of each other in a room with bookshelves covering the walls. The bookshelves were filled with documents and books. The desk at the back also had a few documents and a quill with ink beside them.
The room was most likely Teresaâs office as she was taking care of business instead of Leonis.
Lilith let go of his arm and ran to her mother. She sat quickly on the sofa and hugged her mother. âMother, you look better.â She rubbed her face on her motherâs shoulder and was about to cry again.
Vincent and Kazumi noticed Teresa looked better. Leonis didnât look stressed anymore, and Teresa looked healthier both in appearance and vitality.
âMother-in-law, father-in-law, itâs good to meet you again. The both of you look better, butâ Vincent respectfully bowed and continued, âThank you for protecting the mansion we live in. I am not dense enough not to notice. We were safe, and when four men entered and died, we lived our lives as if nothing happened.â
âHumph. It looks like you know how much I donât trust you...â
âHush dear.â Teresa interrupted Leonis. She turned her gaze at Vincent and continued, âWe tried to help, but we are weak. My husbandâs friends were the ones who offered to help. As for my friends... they stopped contacting me long ago.â
âHow about we drink a cup of tea first?â Teresa offered. She wanted to change the mood of the room before continuing, âAhem. We need to discuss the other girls in detail. I am sure we need tea for this subject.â
âYou bet!â Leonis exclaimed immediately. He looked impatient to hear what was going to happen.
[I think Lilithâs father might need a bucket of calming tea, haha.]
Vincent agreed and discussed with Lilithâs parents about multiple subjects. In the end, Vincent and Kazumi understood the parents wanted to ascertain their daughterâs future.
Leonis seemed satisfied after hearing how his daughter was taken great care of. He was happy to hear his daughter speak with a smile on her face. Such an expression melted his worrying heart.
Lilith asked her parents a favor. Leonis felt a pang in his heart when he heard how Ester and Lupaâs parents were deceased while Iris and Sakura had a father who was far away.
âI... I will walk the other four women down the aisle. I will accept my little angelâs request.â Leonis said. Similarly, Teresa agreed to walk alongside Ester, Lupa, Iris, and Sakura in their parentâs stead.
âMother. Father. Thank you.â Lilith thanked her parents with a beaming smile. She was happy to hear of her parentâs compromise.
Lilith knew she was asking for a lot, but she felt terrible for Ester, Lupa, Iris, and Sakura. Lilith wanted them also to experience a memorable wedding instead of a rushed and forced one.
Later, Teresa mentioned the eleven rings with the requested design and informed they were prepared. Furthermore, five marriage documents were prepared. The priest knew of the extraordinary marriage and each brideâs race.
Vincent worried at first, but Teresa reassured that the priest and every person who is invited agreed to keep what they see a secret.