Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 259

Since returning to the Coffret Manor, Cecilia had struggled to interact with Lilith as she had before.

Several times, she hesitated outside Lilith’s room, pacing near the Garnet Room’s door, only to turn back each time.

In the end, it was Lilith who couldn’t bear the frozen tension between them and reached out first.

“Hey, why are you being so stiff lately? Just because you’ve had a taste of city life in the capital, does that mean you’re ignoring your mother now?”

“…Miss Lilith?”

Cecilia blinked in surprise at the unexpected visit. As capricious as her mother could be, it was rare for her to enter without knocking.

Lilith clicked her tongue and shook her head at Cecilia’s blank reaction.

“You know, back in the day, I used to soar through the Mannheim party scene. I know that city better than you could ever imagine.”

Cecilia was left even more dumbfounded. Lilith rarely spoke of her time as a dancer in such detail.

Sensing her mother had come with determination, Cecilia cautiously offered an explanation.

“Ignore you? That’s absurd. As you said, Miss Lilith, I’ve only been to Mannheim once.”

“Exactly, you’re still a country bumpkin. There’s so much I still need to teach you.”

Lilith’s words were sharp, but her tone softened as she continued.

“So, don’t forget… I’m still your mother.”

Her gaze lingered on Cecilia, her jeweled eyes darting toward her daughter and back again.

“You’re not planning to stop seeing me entirely, are you?”

How could that be? Cecilia hadn’t avoided her mother out of dislike but because she felt unworthy.

“Did I do something embarrassing when I was drunk that night? If so… Fine! It’s my fault!”

“Do you not remember?”

Lilith flinched, her cheek twitching as though caught off guard.

“…I’ll stop drinking.”

She even made a promise she clearly couldn’t keep. What kind of misunderstanding had driven her to this?

Cecilia was the one who owed an apology, yet it was Lilith who kept saying sorry, her gaze darting nervously as though she couldn’t meet her daughter’s eyes.

Ah, no…

Cecilia recognized that look. She’d seen it when she was young, back when Lilith was harshly scolded by Count Lasphilla.

And now, that same anxious gaze was directed at her.

Lilith resembled a dog with a history of abandonment—pushing others away relentlessly, only to cling desperately once she felt dependent.

“I won’t drink… or at least I’ll drink less. Is that okay? Hm? Would that make you happy?”

Cecilia didn’t want to face her mother like this, so fretful and uncertain.

She embraced her, nuzzling her cheek against Lilith’s. Lilith quickly placed her hands on Cecilia’s back, hugging her tightly, even more so than Cecilia.

“No, I avoided you because I was ashamed, not because I disliked you. I’m sorry, Miss Lilith.”

“…Was it because of what happened with Sir Nigel?”

Lilith’s tone was unusually cautious.

“Yes. I was careless and hurt you because of it.”

“What? That’s all?”

Lilith relaxed, pouting her lips in exaggerated disappointment.

“This mother of yours is fine.”

She lightly patted Cecilia’s back in an awkward attempt to comfort her.

“A broken engagement is no big deal. It’s not like it’s just any family—it’s a Marquisate! My daughter could become a marchioness, so why would I be upset? You’re ridiculous.”

Lies.

“A marchioness! A Marquis’s wife! That’s so much better than marrying a commoner. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Lies.

But Lilith spoke as if she genuinely believed it, as if she wanted to shield Cecilia from the consequences.

…Her lower lip tasted of iron.

Suddenly, Lilith grabbed Cecilia’s shoulders and held her at arm’s length.

“Did someone badmouth you?”

The long silence seemed to displease her. She glared, her eyes blazing.

“Don’t pay attention to what anyone says. They’re just jealous of you.”

“Miss Lilith, that’s not it.”

“No, it is. They’re jealous. I know because I’ve been through it.”

Her voice carried unwavering certainty.

“It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“……”

Cecilia smiled faintly, like a sigh escaping her lips.

‘You’re saying something so hard to swallow’

You’re probably not the perfect mother in everyone’s eyes. I’m likely not the ideal daughter either.

But I know you want my happiness more than anything.

And so, I want your happiness too.

I want you to be safe.

I hope for you to be more at peace than you are now, to live a long, healthy life far better than in your previous life.

“…Alright.”

Finally, Cecilia spoke. Lilith had treated her as usual, so she gave her the usual reply.

“You’re right, Miss Lilith.”

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