My Lily Pad| V. Tewkesbury

13

[XIII] Coming Back

Leo and Lily rode the carriage silently. She finally accepted the fact that she'll just have to face whatever is ahead of her. Maybe it's for the best.

"It will be fine." Leo assured her. "Marriage is something we couldn't escape. Just think that this will be an out from mother's loud voice and Lewis' gross habits."

"I guess... I couldn't back down now, do I?" She said, still looking outside the carriage.

"Yes. It'll be fine." He assured her. "If it doesn't, we'll kill the marriage together."

Lily smiled at his brother. "You'll do that? Even if I complain about his snores?" She asked.

"Even if he has a tooth missing."

They watched their manor came to view. It looks just the same. Gardeners are outside cutting the hedges. Maids and a butler stood outside the foyer to welcome the two.

"Dear!" Lily heard her mother squealed while walking towards her with arms wide open. "I am glad you are safe!"

"Your mother refuses to take any invites from her friends until there's no news about you." Her father said before puffing smokes from his cigar.

Lily looked at them apologetically. She failed to realise that they care for her so much. A tear almost tries to fall, but she stand strong on her ground. Lily quickly rushed to her parents and hug them. Her father was taken a back.

"I'm sorry." She whispered to them. "I am very sorry." She repeated her apologies over and over again.

"All forgiven. You're back and that's what matters the most." Jane said returning the hug.

"Well, I have to make a call to Lewis' office." Leo cuts in before entering the home.

Lily sat in her room, looking directly at the mirror. Guilt was washing her insides. She just left Nicholas alone. She is self-aware about the boy's life being in danger.

The door opened slowly, revealing her mother. Lily quickly wiped the tears that managed to escape her eyes.

"Lilian, what's wrong?" He asked with gentle tone.

"Nothing." She answered shortly.

"Then... why'd you ran away?" He questioned. Lily tried her best to look straight to the man's eyes, but she is terrified. "Are you scared? Did we do something wrong?"

"Please don't be mad..." She started. "I don't want to get married." Lillian looks at her father, for his reaction. It was just silent, so she decided to continue. "Well, I do want to get married, but now now. I'm still young. I want to explore the world, know myself a bit more. Maybe I'm scared with the idea of giving up myself for a man who'll be my other half as long as we live." She confessed.

Her father couldn't believe what he heard. He didn't know that because of an arrangement, he'll push her daughter in running away. Lily is worried about what her father will say. She's scared that she'll come out as disrespectful and ungrateful.

"I'm not questioning your decisions, father." She said.

"I know, dear."

"I just wish to have a little more freedom before getting married." She said.

"I completely understand. I just wish that you'd tell us, or me. I hate myself for making you feel obligated and hate me more because I couldn't cancel it." He held her hand. "I'll move the wedding until you are ready to settle down." He said.

Lily appreciated it. She hugged her old man.

"I deeply regret making all of you worry about me." Lily apologises.

"Guess we'll have to put stronger locks at everything." He joked.

The night settled in the clouds. Lily can't help it but feel worried and miss the boy. She couldn't believe it how much of an impact he has made to her little heart.

Nicholas was alone, staring at the fire of his, now, flat. He couldn't believe it that he has lost her. It's like every companion in life, he has lost all of them. First is his dad, then Enola, and now— Lily.

He can't help but think if the heavens hate him. He doesn't know what to do. Life is too dangerous for him to be alone right now. The bowler man haven't found him yet. How Nicholas wish that he stop from hunting him.

Thinking about that cruel man made hime think if that's the reason why she left him. Maybe she got attacked again and she's just tired of getting in trouble in his expense. Maybe she's found already or decided to flee to another district.

"What could be your reason?" He asked himself.

He wiped his tears and killed the fire. He couldn't do anything but hope that she is safe. It will kill him if he has put another a girl's life because of his "great plan of escape".

He lay on her old bed that is his now. Million of thoughts hunt him to sleep. Nicholas closed his eyes, hoping she'll be back in the morning with bread and milk... or with just herself.