30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 88: Castle Memories

The expansive estate, a castle enveloped in flora and fauna, presented a scene reminiscent of a kingdom from a bygone era. As they prepared to disembark, a silver-haired gentleman approached with the dignified gait of a seasoned butler. "Mr. Blackwood, welcome home!"

His professional air conjured memories of the beach house’s Butler Henry for Lily, who couldn’t help but wonder about his well-being and Bobi’s.

"He’s Angus, the resident butler," Ethan mentioned offhandedly, stepping out of the sports car and extending a hand to assist Lily.

Angus, the butler, immediately came forward to open the car door for Lily.

Ethan took Lily’s hand and headed for the castle. Bluewall Castle was where Lily had landed, this time in Europe, to seek medical treatment. Charité Hospital was not far from this castle.

Initially, Lily had presumed Bluewall Castle to be a hotel or similar establishment. However, she learned from the Nanny that it had been hastily acquired to facilitate her treatment. Angus and the staff were remnants of the previous ownership.

Such a grand castle...

Nevertheless, she refrained from fixating on financial matters. Ethan’s wealth was always more than sufficient.

In the afternoon, with Ethan out, Lily found solace on a wicker swing in the garden, basking in the sun’s gentle warmth.

"Miss Anderson, your flower tea," the Nanny offered, presenting a fragrant tea.

"Thank you, Nanny," Lily smiled, taking in the tea’s understated yet pleasant aroma.

"Is Miss Anderson acquainted with the Carter family’s son?" the Nanny inquired, her tone unexpected.

"Splat—"

The flower tea slipped from Lily’s hand, spilling across the verdant lawn.

With her face drained of color, Lily looked up at the Nanny with trepidation. "What did Ethan say?"

The Nanny’s expression confirmed her suspicions, creasing with concern as she stood before Lily. "Mr. Blackwood doesn’t seem to be aware yet. There was an altercation between Mr. Blackwood and the Carter family’s son today, and I’ve noticed your attention towards the Carter boy..."

"...." Lily fell silent.

She hadn’t realized her feelings were so transparent, even to the Nanny.

What about Ethan? In time, he will discover the truth as well. If he learns of her clandestine assistance to Alex, his reaction will be unthinkable.

"What is the nature of Miss Anderson’s relationship with Mr. Carter?" the Nanny pressed.

Fixing her gaze on the distant blooms, Lily bit her lip, realizing the futility of further concealment. "Our families have been friends for generations, and Alex and I were childhood friends. After my family encountered a tragedy, I moved to the city with my uncle, and we lost touch until our recent, unintentional reunion."

"Just friends?" the Nanny’s skeptical query hinted at deeper complexities.

The implication was clear: Alex’s confrontation with Mr. Blackwood suggested more than a mere friendship.

Yet, the Nanny, a veteran of the household, understood the boundaries of discourse.

"I don’t mean to doubt you, Miss Anderson. Regardless of your relationship with Alex Carter, it’s best to keep it from Mr. Blackwood," the Nanny advised with gravity.

Lily regarded the Nanny with surprise. Wasn’t she the one who should be most vigilant about secrecy?

"What do you mean?" Lily ventured cautiously.

"Mr. Blackwood harbors deep feelings for Miss Anderson. If he were to discover the existence of another man, his anger would be inevitable," the Nanny explained earnestly.

Anger?

Ethan, a man prone to frequent outbursts, would be no stranger to rage.

"Like? What kind of like?"

"Undoubtedly, it’s the affection a man has for a woman."

"From what I’ve seen, that kind of fondness seems more akin to love," Lily remarked, her gaze distant.

Could Ethan’s interest in her be considered affection?

His behavior suggested nothing more than possessiveness. When pleased, his cruelty knew no bounds; when displeased, his violence was doubled.

Though occasionally, he provided unexpected gestures of care.

These instances, however, failed to alter Lily’s perception of Ethan’s character.

"Mr. Blackwood truly cares for Miss Anderson," the Nanny reiterated, her kind face set with conviction.

"I refuse to believe it."

Lily dismissed the notion outright.

In her understanding, no man’s love would manifest in such a manner. Only yesterday, he had engaged another woman in the study.

No love would present itself in such a way.

"Miss Anderson...."

"However, I agree that there’s no need for Ethan to know about Alex and me," Lily stated as she rose from the rattan chair, preparing to leave.

Watching Lily’s retreating figure, the Nanny couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry.

Mr. Blackwood, whom she had watched grow up, had permanently been attached to the past. His previous disinterest in fireworks, roses, and balloons had all been for Lily.

If he were to discover that Lily’s tears during the altercation with the Carter family’s son were not for him, it would shatter his heart into a million pieces.

What would become of Mr. Blackwood?

It would undoubtedly spark another tempest. Lily has yet to see the true extent of Mr. Blackwood’s ruthlessness.

It was best she never witnessed it.

*************************

The castle, vast and beautiful with medieval architecture, housed brand new furniture, eerily similar to that of Blackwood’s villa.

Lily lay on the bed, her eyes on the word "love" in her novel.

For a moment, her mind raced, echoing the Nanny’s firm assertion.

"Mr. Blackwood likes Miss Anderson very much."

"Naturally, it’s a man’s fondness for a woman."

"Mr. Blackwood likes Miss Anderson."

Impossible; how could Ethan be in love with her?

For him, it was merely a display of dominance; she was simply a possession marked "Ethan."

He couldn’t possibly be in love with her. Never how could she accept that a man who had violated her could be in love with her? She couldn’t fathom it.

"Impossible...."

Lily looked at the novel and forced out a whisper, desperately trying to convince herself.

"Impossible what?"

The man’s magnetic voice interrupted her thoughts.

Lily turned her head to see Ethan striding into the room.

"Nothing," Lily replied, startled and shaking her head.

Ethan’s tall and commanding figure exuded an overbearing presence. His neatly trimmed hair framed a face that bore a hint of evil charm, so wicked it bordered on demonic.

Gazing at his face, Lily was reminded of Nanny’s words, which caused her thoughts to spiral. She quickly redirected her attention to the novel, only to be met with the word "love."

Lily lay on the bed, propped up on one elbow, her other hand resting on the novel. She was dressed in a light blue halter lace dress, the long skirt wrinkling as it wrapped around her hips due to her position at the edge of the bed.

Who is this woman attempting to seduce with such a pose?

Ethan’s eyes darkened, a flicker of desire igniting within them. Without removing his shoes, he pounced onto the bed and lay down beside her. His hand encircled her waist and slowly slipped to the edge of her skirt, his fingertips tracing circles.

This obnoxious man.

Lily promptly rolled to the edge of the bed, evading his grasp, and inquired, "Where have you been?"

"Inspecting Charité Hospital so that you can move there tomorrow," Ethan pulled her back with a hand, his brow furrowing in displeasure. "What are you hiding from me?"

His hand swiftly returned to the edge of her skirt, his fingers mischievously delving in.

Lily struggled to push his hand away. "I’m menstruating; aren’t you afraid of dirty blood?"

What did he have to fear from her blood?

"I am not afraid," Ethan stated assertively, his tone arrogant, though he ceased his advances.

Ethan reached for the cookie box on the nightstand and opened it.

The aroma of cookies immediately filled the air.

Ethan placed a piece in her mouth, then kissed her lips, stealing the tiny, delicately crafted cookie into his mouth, savoring the sweetness. "It’s fine."

Lily touched her lips where he had kissed them and felt a heavy mood settle.

"Why is it made so poorly?"

Ethan picked up a peculiar cookie from the box. It was a Q version of a smiley face, clearly a doodle of Lily’s making.

What was so poor about it?

She had made it to lift his spirits as a silent apology for the sleeping pills the day before.

"Give it to me," Lily held her palms out to him. Since he didn’t mind the horror, there was no point in forcing him to eat them.

"Why should I give you the cookies you made for me?" Ethan snorted cold

ly and took a bite of the cookie he deemed unattractive.

This man...

She could hardly find words to describe him.

The cell phone on Ethan’s person suddenly rang, and Lily, leaning against him, overheard Angus’s voice after he answered it.

"Mr. Blackwood, we have a guest."

Ethan’s hand stiffened, holding the cookie. His gaze clouded. "Lily, stay here for a while. I’ll be back."

A guest?

Ethan had just arrived in Denmark; what kind of guest could he have?

"Oh," Lily didn’t inquire further, watching him leave the room.

As she looked down, the half-eaten cookie he had left rested on the bedside table.

Ethan seemed perverse.

Without much thought, Lily picked up the novel and flipped through it.

"This beautiful young lady, may I chat with you?"