Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 13
Your own good. The magical words that made Caroline a good child.
But that didn’t work on Cecilia.
She asked with a bitter smile on her lips,
“May I once again suggest that I be punished?”
“Yes. If I discipline you beforehand, at least she’ll be quiet for a while.”
Adam tapped the end of his sternum as he spoke, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
“This is the best way. A fiery-tempered horse is not tamed with carrots. Even the finest horse can be a problem if it has bad habits.”
Such a lengthy explanation was proof of his discomfort. However, Cecilia didn’t argue.
“Yes, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn.”
She took the blame for Lilith and apologized on her behalf. Before her engagement with Logan, such incidents were commonplace. Lilith often made many mistakes for her level of ambition.
“I’m glad you understand. If you had just stayed quiet in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened. What made such an obedient child suddenly…”
Adam sighed heavily with a deeply furrowed brow, looking at Cecilia who kept her hands together.
“Yes, Father, you’re right. It’s all my fault.”
***
A husband who beats his wife deserves to die. A master who raises a hand to a servant is despicable.
But what about parents who punish their children?
“…You disciplined her?”
Lilith’s voice trembled thinly.
“Why…?”
Lilith always worried about losing Count Lasphilla’s affection. But her greater fear was Cecilia being ostracized and abandoned in the Lasphilla household.
“Why all of a sudden…?”
Lilith asked, not understanding the situation.
Adam had hoped Cecilia would explain properly why she was scolded.
Properly, that is, as if it were Cecilia’s own idea.
“You should have just stayed quiet.”
Lilith’s eyes wavered. She became still as a wax figure for a moment before her gaze tragically collapsed.
“…I’m sorry.”
“…”
Lilith could not bear to lose and let go of her pride.
But for the sake of her child, she could stoop to licking the dirt off the floor.
Adam was well aware of her persistent maternal instinct and knew how to exploit it.
Cecilia guessed that her mother would be confined to her room for a while.
As always, Father’s wishes would be fulfilled.
***
Lilith Dust was a tough woman for her lowly birth. Mere words wouldn’t suffice with her, and threats of dismissal only resulted in her scoffing.
“Do you think you’re the only man who wants me?”
For Adam Lasphilla, Lilith was too burdensome to keep forever, yet too precious to merely enjoy momentarily.
What about beating her into submission? Even the uneducated could learn the alphabet of obedience once they’re faced with a whip.
But that was problematic. Adam was a nobleman.
It was common for nobles to have paramours, but blatantly wielding power over those beneath them was deserving of scorn. It was acceptable to have a lover, but not to beat one.
Adam had to find his solution in threats, not violence.
What if he threatened to deprive those that Lilith considered precious?
Gold, silver, jewels, dresses.
Any man could provide those.
He had something for her that only he could offer.
On a day when his wicked contemplation deepened, Lilith became pregnant.
It was a nuisance and a fortunate convenience at the same time, as Lilith dearly loved her then-unborn child.
More obsession than love, the emotions she felt for that child nearly hinged on madness.
Having seen his wife indifferent to their firstborn, Adam was fascinated by Lilith’s desperate maternal love.
When he heard she had secretly given birth and was raising the child, he finally found a way to trap her in his jewel box.
“You must be mad to think that it’s acceptable for my child to live in a gypsy den. I’ll take the child. I’ll send it to a reputable orphanage, so just wait.”
He had enough daughters, so it didn’t matter to him where or how Lilith’s child was raised.
But the child was a useful leash for Lilith.
“No, not an orphanage! Please let me raise the child myself. I’ll do anything, anything at all. Please…”
Lilith’s weak appearance was new to him.
The proud and haughty woman, now kneeling before him and him alone.
A new thrill blossomed within him.
“…I can’t watch my child become a gypsy. For your sake, I’ll arrange to bring the child into the family. She will be registered as my wife’s child.”
“And what about me? Won’t I be able to see my daughter?”
“If you want to be near the child, you can stay in the mansion. I’ll put your name on the servant list. But you can’t expect to be called ‘Mother’ for the rest of your life.”
“That’s okay, that’s okay. …Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
Cloaking his acquiesce was benevolent consideration, he loosened his control over that which he desired, instead taming it to stay by his side.
