Chapter 13: The Way the Other Person Wants
Lily was starting to get irritated with the rude man as she couldn’t stop laughing.
“I won’t come tomorrow.”
Only then did he finally stop smiling.
“Why not?”
She couldn’t bring herself to say that it was because he had been teasing her too much—it was simply too humiliating. So instead…
“I haven’t even had lunch, and yet I’m helping with your performance as a guest.”
“You mean, after all this, you still think it’s not enough, even though thanks to me you’ve won a prize and now work officially at the hotel?”
It was the kind of remark that could make anyone feel petty, but Lily just nodded. And truthfully, reading lines on an empty stomach did make her hungry.
Christopher, hearing the embarrassing rumbling of her stomach, raised his voice slightly.
“Fine. Let’s eat.”
“There’s another problem.”
“What, a picky and expensive practice partner?”
He leaned back on the sofa, looking amused, as if inviting her to say whatever she wanted—like a generous king.
“I can’t come every day. If I get caught, I’ll be fired.”
Christopher tapped the armrest of the sofa with his fingers as if pondering her words, then replied nonchalantly.
“Who would fire a maid who does her job well enough to win a prize? So come at this time tomorrow as well.”
He spoke with such certainty that Lily couldn’t understand where it came from.
“You don’t know. The hotel is very strict with its maids. The higher the pay, the easier it is to get fired.”
“That won’t happen.”
Unlike the serious Lily, a lively expression appeared on his face. He was teasing a maid who was trying to refuse a difficult situation.
“I’ll need some proof before I accept that.”
“Should I write a letter to Lord Belmore? That you’re indispensable? Or should I go in person?”
Seeing how openly he was enjoying himself, Lily cut him off immediately.
“No, that’s fine. What you helped me with before is already more than enough.”
“Then you’ll come tomorrow, right?”
He spoke cheerfully, and Lily nodded, frustrated.
“What do you like?”
It was a casual question, but no one had ever asked Lily such a trivial thing before.
Those who donated old fabric to the convent or handed broken toys to the children only ever said, “Be grateful.”
“You must have something you like.”
“I…”
Lily hesitated for a moment before answering. She liked many things, but she didn’t know what to say. If she spoke what came to mind immediately…
A fragrant scent, books containing the world itself, piles of unread library books she could never finish in a lifetime, a mahogany desk to stack them on…
And a cavernous low voice reading aloud?
No, that wouldn’t do.
“Books.”
“You’re not a goat—you can’t eat them. I asked because you said you were hungry; I meant something to eat.”
He seemed unconcerned by her odd answer and added simply, “Separately, if you like books, you’re welcome to read mine.”
“There aren’t any books in this room.”
“If you want, I’ll have some brought in.”
Lily glanced toward a neatly packed suitcase, wondering if he carried books in there.
“They’re in the safe. I usually keep things like that in the safe.”
“Really? You really keep books in a safe?”
His deep, handsome eyes softened with a gentle curve.
“No. But starting tomorrow, I will.”
Only then did Lily realize he had teased her once again and bit her lip.
The next day, as soon as lunch time arrived, Lily hurried up to the third floor.
She hadn’t realized how out of breath she was until she hesitated in front of the door.
As if he had been waiting, he slightly opened the door first and spoke.
“Why are you hesitating at the door?”
Startled, Lily almost stumbled back. Seeing his handsome face up close, her cheeks flushed slightly.
“Come in.”
The room smelled delicious.
“What are you doing standing there?”
When he said it again, Lily gave a small nod and stepped inside.
Inside was warm soup, a tempting steak, hot vegetables with spices, orange juice in a jug, tea, and a soft cream cake topped with strawberries—an abundant feast.
Seeing the meal arranged in silverware, Lily felt embarrassed.
“I told you to sit.”
He pulled a chair close and guided Lily, who was standing awkwardly, to sit.
“Eat.”
Placing the plate in front of her, he repeated his instruction to Lily, who sat quietly.
“Who was it that said you have to eat if you’re going to be a practice partner? That’s why we’re having a meal together.”
She hadn’t expected such a lavish spread—it had only been a casual comment to save face.
“That was just something I said. You shouldn’t touch a guest’s food.”
Lily refused, so he put down his napkin.
“Then I won’t eat either. It seems you think it tastes bad.”
Bad?
Lily looked at the precious food before her. The aroma was delightful, and the dessert seemed like a sweet temptation.
When Lily picked up her fork, he finally looked pleased. If anyone knew she was being rude by touching a guest’s food, they’d be surprised.
“Why aren’t you eating?”
Lily, lost in thought, held her fork and knife. He asked again, and she poked at the vegetables with her fork.
“Try the steak too.”
His command-like tone made her hesitate.
“Yes.”
She quickly bit into the vegetables, chewing fast, feeling she had to hurry.
Because she was eating so quickly and moving swiftly, he said:
“Slow down.”
She nodded with food in her mouth, answering hastily with another “Yes.”
“You don’t have to respond with food in your mouth.”
A noble lady would never speak with her mouth full. Her plump, rounded cheeks made her look rather cute.
Lily nodded. In the meantime, he offered a plate of cut steak.
“No, it’s fine.”
“Even if you clean perfectly, you wouldn’t want steak rolling on the floor, right?”
It sounded like a reprimand about manners, and Lily lowered her head.
She’d never properly eaten meat before, except for preserved sausage stuffed with pork.
“Does it not suit your taste?”
Noticing her pale face, he asked.
Lily quietly watched him put a piece of elegantly cut meat into his mouth.
How could he be so graceful?
“No.”
“Is the work difficult? You seem so thin, barely eating…”
She remembered Mr. Gardner saying about pigs or sheep that were “too thin to sell,” and her face flushed at the thought.
“No, I can work just fine. I’m healthy and strong.”
She’d rather say that the current moment was grueling. Being watched like a hawk while eating was almost worse than practicing lines.
“Then you should be able to finish all of this too.”
She sighed, staring at a three-tier tray stacked with scones, small desserts, an omelet with beans, buttered pancakes, and candied fruit. It was too much for just the two of them, and he had barely touched the food, watching her eat.
“I’ll try.”
“Good. Today we’ll go all the way, so eat plenty.”
Lily drank cold water quickly to avoid his gaze.
If embarrassment could kill, she might have already died twice in front of him.
Unaware or unconcerned, he smiled.
In this cozy, narrow room, she couldn’t avoid his gaze, but she realized that for the first time while being with him, she felt a little free from her usual gloomy thoughts.
The feeling was strange and surprising. No one she loved existed in the world, and searching for her parents had made no progress—but she still felt joy.
“It’s a bit warm.”
Lily pressed her cheek against the cold glass, looking out toward where the convent had been.
How long would it take to read today’s script? How many times could they practice? Was it really okay to feel this happy?
“Where will the play be performed?”
“At Rotunda Hall. Want to see it?”
“Oh, no.”
She immediately refused, feeling she’d overstepped.
“If invited, you could come in. Of course, not in a maid’s outfit like that.”
Her cheeks were still warm from pressing against the glass as she murmured.
“I won’t see it, but I’m sure you’ll do well.”
“It would be good to see if I can recite my lines properly, like now.”
Lily shook her head.
“You don’t need to do that for me. I’ve already caused enough trouble.”
She removed her cheek from the glass and politely bowed.
“I’ll make sure to repay both the meal and the kindness you’ve shown.”
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said gently.
“You repay others in the way they want.”
When she lifted her head, he offered the plate again as if waiting for her.
“I mean, you haven’t finished yet.”
