“Where did you get such shallow tricks? It seems like you’re trying to come up with something because you’re cornered. Don’t talk nonsense. Are you saying I brought fakes here?”
“Yes, that’s right. You called yourselves nobles and yet you were amazed even when you saw the fakes. How could you be deceived like that?”
“What? What did you say?”
“After boasting so much, in the end, you couldn’t even tell if it was fake or real. Wasn’t that amusing?”
“…”
Rebecca glanced at the ladies surrounding her as if demanding an explanation from them for this entire misunderstanding. However, the sound of her displeasure grew louder. “Do you believe her? That woman’s words?”
“Ah! No, it’s not like that.”
“I couldn’t have brought fakes! You all must have seen it too!”
“W-well, that’s true.”
The ladies, who had been dazed for a moment, belatedly agreed. The shine, the cut, and the size. Even from up close, it was undoubtedly a real diamond.
“Oh my, goodness! No matter how urgent it is———” And Lania, who had been silently observing the situation, seized the opportunity and sighed. “You had to lie so blatantly, didn’t you? If you had spoken from the beginning, no matter what it was, I would have willingly given it to you.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes. Have I ever withheld anything from you?”
“…”
Even though she lied without hesitation and any shame, Lania’s gaze toward Catherine was filled with pity. “But you’ve made a mess of things and brought disgrace to the Evendell Duchy. I can’t just let that slide.”
“Disgrace? I only told you what I saw and heard.”
*SIGH*
“Then why don’t we search the lake? According to you, we can immediately determine whether the ring is real or fake.”
“Well, that sounds good!”
Now that she had gained a complete advantage, a triumphant expression appeared on Rebecca’s face. With this, she had created the perfect opportunity for her to be overwhelmed and there was no need to hesitate.
“If we call the investigators right now and search——”
“Why bother? Let’s just start by confirming whether the Duchess has the genuine ring or not.”
“…”
“Since it seems like you don’t believe me anyway, wouldn’t it be quicker to choose ‘whatever the purpose may be’?”
That’s right. Lania’s eyes, filled with dwindling patience, suddenly flashed yellow. Yet, she didn’t divert her gaze as if trying to guess her inner thoughts. “Do you want that?”
“Of course. It would be less trouble than searching the depths of the lake.”
“…”
“Rebecca mentioned placing the genuine ring on the shelf near the window in her room. It’s better than aimlessly rummaging through the bottom of the lake.”
If she insisted on doing it herself, she wouldn’t stop her. As she pointed to the lake outside the window, the deep blue water hid even the depths of it. Moreover, the waves weren’t calm enough to guarantee to find the ring.
“What will you do, Lady?”
“Well, if Mother wishes it, then——” Lania, too, wouldn’t miss this opportunity. From the slight smile she showed, it seemed she had already imagined herself tapping her in front of the empty shelf. “Then we should depart immediately, even if it’s just for the sake of your innocence.”
“Do you mean just the two of us?”
“If not us, then who——-” Lania’s confident steps, as if she were about to leave for the Duchy, faltered. She turned her head in the direction of her gaze and fixed her eyes on the most prominent figure in the room. “Surely, you’re not suggesting we go see His Majesty right now? How can you interrupt him with household matters?” “If you wanted to finish household matters, you shouldn’t have initiated this in my palace from the beginning.”
“…”
“Or is there another reason you can’t go?” She couldn’t be sure what she was thinking with her still furrowed brow, but Rashid seemed to be in the same situation. However, his red pupils, piercing through Catherine, made her feel strangely alive.
“…”
Was she okay? The unfamiliar but comforting concern, which was now being conveyed on its own, made her kneel before Rashid. “I believe that if Your Majesty accompanies us, you will become the most trustworthy witness. As you can see, in a situation where we cannot trust each other, if we go as the Duchess and the Duke’s daughter, the only thing that will change is the location of our fight.”
“…”
“Don’t just stand there. It’s also fine if the people here come with us. The more witnesses, the better. The weather is perfect, so we can easily take a walk instead of bothering with a carriage. Even though it’s not publicly known, the path from the winter palace to the Duchy, through the lake and forest, is incredibly beautiful. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”
“Well, that’s true.” He blinked his eyes and then nodded slightly as if holding back laughter.
‘Prepare yourself.’
With the Emperor’s permission, the actual stage had shifted to the Duchy. Gradually, people started to slip away, following the Emperor to witness this exciting scene.
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