chapter 8

The next morning, Lilic found herself standing awkwardly at the entrance of the estate, watching as Hadrian's carriage was prepared. The air was crisp, the scent of freshly cut grass lingering as stable hands hurried about, making final adjustments. She had expected many things from her new life, but a father-daughter outing with Lord Hadrian Aster was not one of themoutside a grand bookstore in the heart of the capital, her father beside her. The building was massive, its towering shelves visible through the large windows. Lilic had to admit—this was the best possible start to their outing.

She stole a glance at the man in question. As always, Hadrian looked composed, dressed in a refined navy suit that complemented his sharp features. The few servants nearby maintained a respectful distance, their eyes lowered in deference. He was the kind of man who commanded attention without effort, and Lilic, even after spending weeks under the same roof as him, still didn't know what to make of him.

Hadrian, ever composed, gestured for her to enter first. "You may choose whatever books you like."

Hadrian turned to her, motioning toward the carriage. "Shall we?"

Lilic blinked. "Whatever I like?"

Lilic hesitated, then nodded, stepping inside. The interior was as luxurious as expected, lined with plush seats and embroidered curtains. The moment they were seated, the carriage rolled forward, the rhythmic clatter of hooves filling the silence between themHe nodded, and she wasted no time stepping inside, the scent of parchment and ink instantly soothing her nerves. She moved from shelf to shelf, running her fingers along the spines of beautifully bound volumes. To her surprise, Hadrian followed her, observing quietly as she selected books.

"Are we going to the market?" Lilic finally asked, trying to guess their destinationAs she skimmed through titles, she noticed Hadrian picking up books based on her interests. He seemed intent on understanding her choices, even asking the shopkeeper for recommendations. It was an oddly endearing sight—Lord Hadrian Aster, feared noble, taking book-shopping very seriously.

Hadrian shook his head. "No. I thought you might enjoy a visit to the bookshop."

After an hour of browsing, Lilic had a respectable stack of books, and Hadrian carried a few more. When she gave him a questioning look, he simply said, "I thought these might interest you."

Lilic blinked. "A bookshop?"

Her heart did an unfamiliar little flutter. "Thank you," she murmured.

"You've been reading frequently," Hadrian noted. "I assumed you'd appreciate more books of your choosing."

With their books purchased and neatly packed, Hadrian led her to the next stop—a dessert café tucked away on a charming cobbled street. The interior was warm and inviting, with glass displays filled with delicate pastries and cakes.

For a moment, Lilic was speechless. It was such a simple gesture, yet it caught her off guard. In the novel, Hadrian Aster was portrayed as a ruthless, detached man—certainly not someone who would take his illegitimate daughter on an outing just because he noticed her reading habits.

Lilic's eyes widened slightly as she took in the assortment of sweets. "I wasn't expecting this."

She cleared her throat, glancing away. "That's… thoughtful of you."

Hadrian pulled out a chair for her before sitting across from her. "I recall you have a preference for sweets."

Hadrian merely nodded, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

She looked at him, surprised. "You… recall?"

The rest of the ride was quiet, but not uncomfortable. When they arrived at the bookshop, Lilic's eyes widened in delight. It was a grand place, filled with towering shelves stacked with books of all sizes and colors. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of tea from a small corner caféHe nodded, signaling a server to bring them an assortment of pastries. Soon, a beautifully arranged platter arrived, filled with éclairs, fruit tarts, and sugar-dusted biscuits.

Lilic wasted no time. She darted toward a nearby shelf, scanning the titles with eager fascination. She had spent most of her time at the estate's library, but there was something exciting about choosing books freely, without the constraints of what had already been collected over the yearspicked up a tart, taking a careful bite. The buttery crust and sweet berry filling melted in her mouth. She let out a small, involuntary hum of delight before realizing Hadrian was watching her with the smallest hint of amusement in his eyes.

Hadrian, to her surprise, followed at a leisurely pace, occasionally picking up books and flipping through them. It was an odd sight—Lord Hadrian Aster standing idly in a bookstore, observing his daughter as she practically vibrated with enthusiasm.

She cleared her throat. "This is good."

She reached for a particularly thick novel, only to find another hand grabbing it at the same time. Startled, she looked up and found herself face-to-face with none other than Rosaline Velmont.

He took a sip of his coffee. "I'm glad."

"Lady Lilic?" Rosaline's eyes lit up in recognition. "Fancy meeting you here."

The two of them sat in comfortable silence, enjoying their desserts. Lilic, against all odds, found herself genuinely enjoying the outing. It was strange, really—she had spent so much time fearing Hadrian, yet here he was, simply sharing sweets with her.

Lilic quickly released the book, waving her hands. "Oh, you take it! I was just looking."

Maybe, just maybe, this father-daughter dynamic wasn't as terrifying as she once thought.

"Nonsense," Rosaline replied with a playful smile. "I insist. I have too many books as it is."

Hadrian observed their exchange quietly before finally speaking. "Lady Velmont."

Rosaline turned to him and curtsied slightly. "Lord Aster. I wasn't expecting to see you here."

Hadrian gave her a small nod. "It was a… suggestion."

Lilic glanced at him, raising an eyebrow at his choice of words. Suggestion? He made it sound as if he'd been forced into this outing rather than planning it himself. Then again, perhaps he wasn't used to such outings either.

Rosaline chuckled. "Well, it's a pleasant surprise." She turned back to Lilic. "Are you looking for anything specific?"

"Not really. Just browsing," Lilic said.

Rosaline tilted her head, then suddenly clapped her hands together. "Then allow me to make some recommendations. I promise, no tragic romances."

Lilic snorted. "Thank goodness."

The two of them quickly fell into conversation, discussing different books and genres, while Hadrian remained nearby, occasionally listening but mostly observing. For the first time in a long while, Lilic found herself enjoying an outing without having to worry about ulterior motives or political maneuvering.

After a while, Rosaline left, which left Lilic alone

After an hour of browsing, Lilic had a respectable stack of books, and Hadrian carried a few more. When she gave him a questioning look, he simply said, "I thought these might interest you."

Her heart did an unfamiliar little flutter. "Thank you," she murmured.

By the time they left the shop, Lilic had a small stack of books in her hands, and Hadrian had personally handled the purchase without a word.

With their books purchased and neatly packed, Hadrian led her to the next stop—a dessert café tucked away on a charming cobbled street. The interior was warm and inviting, with glass displays filled with delicate pastries and cakes.

Lilic's eyes widened slightly as she took in the assortment of sweets. "I wasn't expecting this."

Hadrian pulled out a chair for her before sitting across from her. "I recall you have a preference for sweets."

She looked at him, surprised. "You… recall?"

He nodded, signaling a server to bring them an assortment of pastries. Soon, a beautifully arranged platter arrived, filled with éclairs, fruit tarts, and sugar-dusted biscuits.

Lilic picked up a tart, taking a careful bite. The buttery crust and sweet berry filling melted in her mouth. She let out a small, involuntary hum of delight before realizing Hadrian was watching her with the smallest hint of amusement in his eyes.

She cleared her throat. "This is good."

He took a sip of his coffee. "I'm glad."

The two of them sat in comfortable silence, enjoying their desserts. Lilic, against all odds, found herself genuinely enjoying the outing. It was strange, really—she had spent so much time fearing Hadrian, yet here he was, simply sharing sweets with her.

Maybe, just maybe, this father-daughter dynamic wasn't as terrifying as she once thought.

As they returned to the carriage, Hadrian finally spoke again. "Was this enjoyable?"

Lilic hesitated, then smiled. "Yes. Thank you."

Hadrian simply nodded, and for the first time, the silence between them felt a little less distant.

after a while