chapter 4

Lilic Aster was starting to get suspicious.

Her father had always been an imposing, distant figure in her mind—an untouchable existence who barely acknowledged her presence. That was fine. That was normal. That was how things were supposed to be.

So why, exactly, was he suddenly trying?

It started small. A conversation here, an attempt at eye contact there. Then, suddenly, there were invitations—to breakfast, to the garden, even once to his study (which she obviously refused because that sounded like a trap). Lilic didn't know what to make of it. And when Lilic didn't know how to deal with something, she ignored it.

Unfortunately, it seemed her father was persistent.

Lilic had successfully evaded interaction for most of the morning, retreating to the library where she had been completely absorbed in a book on medicinal plants. She wasn't particularly interested in the subject, but it was better than thinking too hard about anything else..

The peaceful moment lasted precisely one hour and twenty-three minutes before she heard the unmistakable sound of someone entering the library.

She tensed.

It couldn't be. It wouldn't be.

"…You're reading."

Lilic stiffened. Of course, it is.

Her father's deep voice carried through the room, but she refused to look up. Maybe if she ignored him long enough, he'd leave. Maybe he wasn't even talking to her! Maybe he had just—

"I didn't know you were interested in herbalism."

Damn it.

Lilic swallowed and slowly—very slowly—looked up to see Lord Hadrian Aster standing near the bookshelves, glancing at the open book in front of her. He wasn't frowning. He wasn't scowling. In fact, his expression was so neutral that it made her even more nervous.

"…It's just something to pass the time," she said carefully.

Hadrian gave a thoughtful hum before stepping closer. "I see."

Lilic immediately sat up straighter, feeling trapped. Her father was a tall man, broad-shouldered and intimidating. When he stood too close, it felt like the room itself shrank.

To her relief, he didn't say anything else. Instead, after a long pause, he turned and left as suddenly as he arrived.

Lilic blinked. Huh?

She stared at the empty space where he had been. That was… strange. But at least he was gone now.

She shook her head, pushing the encounter to the back of her mind. It's fine. Everything is fine. Back to my book.

The Next Day

Lilic didn't think much of the encounter—until the next morning when she arrived at breakfast.

She took her usual seat, focusing on her plate while avoiding her father's gaze. It was a system that had worked so well for her these past few weeks. But today, something felt different.

There was something… off about the table.

Lilic frowned, glancing at the stack of books sitting neatly at the edge of the dining table.

She blinked. Then blinked again.

"…What is this?" she asked slowly, pointing at them.

Hadrian, calmly sipping his coffee, didn't even look up. "Books."

Lilic clenched her jaw. Yes, obviously.

She cautiously reached for the top one, flipping through the pages. The moment she recognized the topic, she nearly choked on her own breath.

Herbalism. Botany. Medicinal plants.

All books related to the one she had been reading in the library yesterday.

She glanced up at her father in horror. "…Why?"

Hadrian finally looked at her, raising a brow. "You seemed interested."

Lilic opened her mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again.

Elise, standing by the side, covered her mouth to suppress her laugh.

"…I was just passing the time," Lilic tried to explain.

Hadrian simply nodded. "Then these should help."

Lilic had no idea how to respond to that.

She sat frozen, staring at the books as if they personally betrayed her. This was—what even was this? Her father had never done something like this before. In the novel, he had barely acknowledged her existence!

And yet here he was, buying books for her based on every single conversation.

"…Thank you," she finally managed to say, hesitantly.

Hadrian only gave another nod before returning to his meal as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

Lilic, on the other hand, was deeply unsettled.

Her father was acting weird. He was trying. He was… paying attention.

And she had no idea what to do with that information.

Across the room, Elise whispered to another servant, "I give it two weeks before she realizes."

The other servant grinned. "You're being generous. I say three days."

Later That Day

Lilic sat in her room, staring at the books now sitting on her desk.

"…What is happening?" she muttered to herself.

Her father had never cared about her interests before. What changed?

Was he trying to get close to her? Was this some elaborate noble tactic she wasn't aware of? Did he hit his head?

The books sat there, mocking her.

Lilic groaned, flopping onto her bed. "This makes no sense."

She didn't know what to do.

So, she did what she always did when things confused her.

She ignored it.

The quiet routine Lilic had settled into was shattered a few days later when an announcement rang through the estate.

"The Young Master has returned."

Lilic, who had just taken a sip of tea, promptly choked.

What?

Elise, standing beside her, sighed. "Yes, my lady. Young Master Leor arrived this morning."

Lilic placed her teacup down very carefully. "...And you're just telling me this now?"

Elise smiled innocently. "You seemed relaxed. I didn't want to ruin that."

Lilic stared at her, scandalized.

Her brother—the dramatic, brooding, future male lead—was back.

And she was not prepared.