Chapter 8: Crocodile Tears - Caught in the Dog Training Scene by a Best Friend...

It was nearly dusk when the funeral ended. Lilith and Heinrich boarded Sofia's gondola, and the four of them, along with a rabbit, headed towards Sofia's mansion in Venice. The small boat swayed gently on the tranquil canal, a sea breeze blowing softly, peaceful and serene.

Sofia's maternal family, the Dandolo family, is one of the oldest and most prestigious families in Venice. Enrico Dandolo, one of the greatest doges in the history of the Venetian Republic, led the Fourth Crusade, winning control of three-eighths of Constantinople, the entire Aegean Sea, and all the most important ports on the Peloponnese peninsula for the Maritime Republic.

Even today, the Dandolo family still holds an important position in the Senate of the Republic, a far cry from the gradually declining Cnarro family. Sofia's late husband was the Marquis of Este, whose family controlled Este, Ferrara, Modena, and other areas in northern Italy, with a history that can even be traced back to the ancient Roman Empire.

This was a perfect match, a union made in heaven. But shortly after their marriage, the Marquis of Esther died unexpectedly in a battle with the Duchy of Milan. Sofia thus became a widow, living even more freely than Lilith—a distinguished family background, a huge inheritance left by her husband, and a carefree heart that enjoyed life.

In contrast, Lilith's situation seemed much more difficult. Her isolated and ostracized family, her controversial career, and her painful past that she had never mentioned were all hidden beneath her carefully crafted smiles, but were cruelly torn apart and exposed nakedly to everyone by an unreasonable abuser.

"Look, at least the pretty boy you bought is pretty useful." Sophia comforted and teased Lilith, trying to cheer her up. "Mauro hitting someone in public was indeed against the rules, and the priest came over and gave him a good scolding."

"No one saw me crying, right?" Lilith had long since wiped away her tears and touched up her smudged makeup, now looking just like the dignified and elegant noblewoman she had been at the beginning of the funeral.

“No, your black veil covers your face, no one can see your tears, they can only see your heroic figure standing in front of Maria.” Sophia leaned affectionately on Lilith’s shoulder, playing with the veil on her friend’s head. “Besides, it’s your husband’s funeral, what’s wrong with shedding a couple of tears? It’s only natural to cry a little.”

“He used to beat me like that,” Lilith said quietly. “In front of Father, even in front of the servants, he would grab my hair and slap me… Thanks to you and Aunt Elena, I was able to escape that hellhole… Now that he can’t beat my sister, he’s turned on his wife…”

“It’s all in the past,” Sofia said gently, patting her back. “Tonight we’ll drink together and give him a piece of our minds. You can stay here tonight, sleep in the bedroom next to mine, just like when we were kids. I’ll take you home tomorrow morning.”

"Thank you, Sofia, you're still so kind."

"No need to thank me, we've been old friends for so many years."

“I have no idea why he came to my husband’s funeral,” Lilith pondered. “It must have been my father who sent him. To maintain appearances, who could have imagined he would cause such a mess and bring shame to the family?”

“If your father finds out, he will definitely scold him. After all, family scandals should not be aired in public, and no matter how bad things are between siblings, they should not resort to physical violence in public.”

"It's just for show," Lilith scoffed. "How could they bear to properly punish their only legitimate son?"

“Don’t think about these things. You’ve moved out now, so you don’t need to have any unnecessary entanglements with them anymore. Oh, by the way, I haven’t introduced you yet,” Sofia pointed to the man in strange clothes behind her, “This is Brunello, a tailor I hired from the central region. His designs are quite innovative. When we get back, I’ll have him design two outfits each for you and your gigolo, and then deliver them to your house. After all, you can’t keep wearing mourning clothes forever; you should get a couple of new dresses.”

“Mourning clothes are actually quite nice; they save me a lot of trouble. My husband has only been in mourning for a month, and I’ve already received more marriage proposals in my home inbox than I sent out for our wedding.”

"It's alright, it'll be fine in a while. I went through the same thing," Sophia said with a smile. "By the way, I haven't asked yet. It's not very polite to keep calling you 'pretty boy.' What's your name, pretty boy?"

"Oh, his name is Heinrich."

“...Naming slaves after their husbands, so you have this kind of fetish.”

"What's wrong? I think this name sounds pretty good." Lilith pouted.

Sophia suddenly turned her head and scrutinized Heinrich from top to bottom, making Heinrich feel a chill run down his spine.

Do you think you would be happy if you actually married a German?

“Definitely not,” Lilith said bluntly. “I can’t trust any man. Because men are primitive animals that only calculate interests and have no feelings. I can only do business with them, not talk about feelings. As for Heinrich, he’s not a man, he’s a dog I keep.”

A cold, grey-green gaze fell upon Heinrich, staring at him coldly as if examining an insignificant object. Heinrich was thus made an innocent scapegoat. He was seething with anger under that gaze, with nowhere to vent it, and could only swallow all his hatred.

What a waste of all the comfort and advice he had given Lilith earlier. Punishing Mauro would have been one thing; it was practically a conditioned reflex for Heinrich, his upbringing making it impossible for him to stand idly by while bullies abused their power. Even if Lilith hadn't been the one attacked, he would have stood up for justice.

But what he said later was entirely from the bottom of his heart, after witnessing the whole thing. He genuinely admired certain aspects of Lilith, so much so that when he saw her cry, he almost forgot how ruthless and heartless she had been to him.

She believed that men were all selfish individuals who only calculated gains and losses, but what about herself? Did she treat Heinrich as a human being?

The will for revenge once again took hold of him. However, on the surface, he merely raised an eyebrow expressionlessly, readily accepting the label his mistress had given him. Endure. He had to continue enduring, patiently watching for crocodile tears, until he finally gained Lilith's trust.

He glanced at the rabbit in the cage. On this ship, he seemed to have the most in common with this fellow.

“You’re just treating men the way men treat women. What’s that saying again, ‘I just made the mistake all men make,’ hahahahaha.” Sophia laughed and patted Lilith on the shoulder. The ship docked, and the four of them, along with the rabbit, entered Sophia’s magnificent palace, greeted by servants.

During dinner, under the guise of attacking Mauro, Sofia drank quite a bit of wine, while Lilith only sipped a little. Slightly tipsy, Sofia soon collapsed into the tailor's arms and stumbled back to her bedroom.

Fortunately, the maid who had been arranged in advance had already prepared a guest room for Lilith, along with temporary pajamas and toiletries, and lit Lilith's favorite fragrance. However, she left without making any arrangements for Heinrich to stay.

"...I'll go home and get Cecilia to keep you company."

Heinrich felt somewhat awkward sharing a room with Lilith. Actually, the distance from Sophia's house to Lilith's wasn't far; it was only about a half-hour walk, which was probably why Sophia hadn't arranged a separate bedroom for him.

“If you dare utter a single word about what happened today, I will kill you.” Lilith sat on the soft bed, glaring fiercely at Heinrich.

"Are you not satisfied with my handling of the situation?" Heinrich frowned somewhat impatiently.

"You make me feel threatened."

"Is that so? So it was me who was threatening you."

"Heinrich! Mind your place!"

"Did I say anything inappropriate for my status?" Heinrich knelt on one knee before Lilith, utterly exasperated. No, he had to endure it. He couldn't let her find fault with him. He took a deep breath and looked up at her again. "What did I say that offended you?"

Suddenly, Lilith raised one leg, and the sole of her leather shoe landed unexpectedly on Heinrich's broad chest.

“I know you’ve been wronged today and are still angry.” Heinrich reached out and held Lilith’s shoes in his hands, then gently placed them back on the ground. “But if doing this makes you happy, then feel free to take your anger out on me.”

Lilith's eyes widened in surprise. She watched as Heinrich unbuckled his belt and handed it to Lilith with both hands.

"...If I did that, what difference would there be between me and Mauro?"

“The difference is that I did it voluntarily. And I am your slave, not your husband. You just said you were going to kill me. For me, being beaten is better than being killed.”

Lilith was rendered speechless by his words, unable to muster any anger. She knew she was being unreasonable. Heinrich hadn't done anything wrong; it was just that her hatred for Mauro and her family had nowhere to go, making him the scapegoat. Yet Heinrich wasn't angry with her; instead, she was completely at a loss for how to react.

"Smack!"

The door was flung open by the drunken Sophia, slamming against the wall with a heavy thud. Lilith jumped in fright, dropping the belt she was holding. Seeing the scene inside, Sophia quickly closed the door again, shouting from outside,

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I forgot you two were in the same room... It's okay, you can continue..."

"Hey!" Lilith rushed out of the room, her face flushed, and grabbed Sophia. "We're not in that kind of relationship!"

“What does it matter? We’re all adults, having a few quirks is only natural…” Sophia chuckled awkwardly and turned her face away, but her expression suddenly turned cold. “I actually came to tell you that a guest came to visit you. She went to your house first, but couldn’t find her, so she came to mine. It’s just that you probably don’t want to see her…”

"Who is it?" Lilith frowned.

“It’s Maria. She said she wants to thank you in person for what you did for her today.”

Lilith's expression froze instantly, and she couldn't help but shiver. Although Maria was pitiful and had probably suffered a lot of abuse from Mauro after marrying him, she was still Mauro's wife. That very identity alone was enough to make Lilith think of many very bad things.

“If you don’t want to see her, I’ll have the maid tell her you’re asleep. Anyway, this is my house, not their Knaro territory. She can’t possibly barge in to see you.” Sophia looked at her with some concern.

“Please let her in.” Lilith struggled to control her emotions, her hands clenched into fists. “Heinrich, come with me to see her.”

A note from the author:

----------------------