My New Love That Isn’t Fated - Episode 36

Sitting behind the counter, Lilia recorded the titles of the book’s visitors brought in for checkout, along with their names and addresses on the forms.

She explained that the lending period was two weeks and gave each guest a warm smile.

Around midday, Josephine—who had gone on break earlier—came over to her.

“Lilia, you can take your break now.”
“Thank you, Miss Josephine.”
“Actually, can I talk to you for a minute?”

Just as Lilia was about to head out, Josephine grabbed her arm and guided her to the door leading to the break room. It was in a quiet area, far back in the first archive, where few people ever came.

“What’s the matter, Miss Josephine?”
“Lilia, did something happen? You’ve got an injury on your face.”
“Oh… this? It’s really nothing serious.”
“It is serious. It’s not very noticeable, but if you look closely, you can tell. Who hurt you, my sweet junior? What happened?”

Josephine gently pushed Lilia into the break room and followed her inside, closing the door behind them.

The room was small, with two leather sofas side by side, used only by the staff during their breaks. The Tenegro Library had several rooms like this—for private reading or small meetings.

“A wound on your face is no small matter. Are you caught up in something dangerous?”
“No, not really… I just had a fight with my husband.”
“He hit you? Any man who hits a woman is scum—marquis or not.”
“Miss Josephine, actually…”

Rather than trying to hide it, Lilia decided it was better to tell her the truth. She was only worried and trying to help.

As she explained what had happened, Lilia realized something—this was one of the first times she had really opened up to someone about herself.

The first time had been with Owen.

Her painful past, the scars she carried, the things she feared—she’d always kept them to herself. But now, it felt like she was finally putting down a heavy burden she’d been carrying with both hands.

As if a locked door had quietly opened, her lips began to move, telling her story.

When Josephine heard it, her eyes widened in horror. She covered her mouth with both hands, clearly shocked.

“That’s horrible… Lilia, are you okay?”
“Yes. Lord Owen saved me. I know I should’ve handled things on my own, even the divorce papers… but I left it all to him.”
“That’s perfectly fine. That’s exactly what you should’ve done. And you must never go near that man—Elad—again.”
“I understand. I’ll be careful.”
“Oh! Lilia, it’s payday today, isn’t it? You should buy yourself some makeup. It’ll help cover the bruise—and give you a little boost for new love. Not that you need it. You’re already so cute even without makeup. Oh! Wait just a second.”

Josephine pulled a small pouch from her bag and took out some makeup.

She skillfully applied it to Lilia’s face.

“Just as I thought—you look absolutely beautiful. Now all you need is to wear some brighter clothes. You’re still so young. Falling in love with a prince who saved you from a terrible man—that’s the ultimate romance. I just know wonderful things are waiting for you.”
“Romance… I’ve only just finalized my divorce.”
“There’s nothing wrong with starting a new life and falling in love after escaping a terrible man.”
“I don’t want to trouble Lord Owen.”
“Sweetie, no one moves in with someone just to be nice—unless they care. Lilia, there’s a saying in another country: Misfortune and happiness are twisted together like a rope. You’ve had more than your share of bad things happen. That just means it’s time for good things to come your way.”

Josephine was five years older than Lilia.

But her gaze was filled with the warmth and kindness of a mother. Her voice was gentle and full of love.

“You’re allowed to be angry at your mother, you know. And it’s okay to feel sad about it too. If it were me, I’d never abandon my child. No matter how hard life got, that’s something you just don’t do. Ever.”
“Yes… thank you. I feel a bit stronger now.”
“See? Talking to me always makes people feel better. My husband says it all the time. Lilia, I’m always here if you want to talk. Even love advice—I’m great at that.”
“Thank you, Miss Josephine. I’ll count on you.”
“Of course.”

After Josephine left, Lilia sat down on the sofa in the break room.

Right now, Owen was probably with Elad.

She felt a little guilty for relying on him so much, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel warm and safe in this moment.

Maybe… it was okay to fall in love. Even if it was a love that might never come true.
She pulled out the Princess Ayril’s Exchange Diary Owen had lent her and opened it.

She couldn’t stop thinking about what would happen next. What became of Princess Ayril and the witch Lindel?

Did Princess Ayril find happiness in the end?

They were people from long ago, already returned to the earth.

And yet, Lilia still worried about them.

Now that she had read part of their story, she felt she had to see it through to the end.