The expression she wore while nodding to herself was so serious that it seemed she genuinely believed what she was saying.
“Where did your belief that you’re the real one come from? The scar is in the same place, and I have more memories than you. Think carefully, Arrie. Are you really Ariella? Or could it be that you, wanting to be a princess, have been deceiving yourself because you’re so envious of that position?”
Envious of that position.
Ariella let out a small laugh. She slowly lowered her long eyelashes and asked.
“Lizzy, how long do you plan to have this meaningless conversation?”
“What? I…”
“Neither of us needs to waste time here. How about we stop the act that deceives no one and get to the point?”
The tear-filled violet eyes and the cold, frozen lavender eyes met.
Time passed in silence, but neither of them averted their gaze.
And soon, a smile slowly but distinctly blossomed on Lizzy’s face, which had been filled with sadness and resentment.
“Then, shall we?”
A chilling smile that seemed ready to devour the person in front of her alive. It was Lizzy’s true nature.
“Let’s see… what should I answer first?”
With a plop, Lizzy sat down on the soft bed. The way she crossed her white legs and brushed her bangs aside made her look as comfortable as the owner of the house.
“Oh! The dress? I threw it away. It was too stained with bodily fluids, it was dirty. It’s probably in the incinerator by now… If you really want it, should I have a maid fetch it for you?”
“…”
“Having traces of your fiancé all over it is indeed a bit much, right? That’s why I threw it away. Next, did you ask why I lied? The reason…”
Lizzy fiddled with her chin as if deep in thought. Then she grabbed the hem of her dress and waved it gently toward Ariella.
“Look at this, Miss. Isn’t it pretty? His Highness bought it for me.”
The dress, embroidered with intricate designs, looked expensive at first glance. Unlike Ariella’s, its design was trendy and eye-catching.
“Oh, and this bracelet too. It’s a bit heavy because the gold is so thick, but His Highness likes things like this. Flashy and shiny. What do you think?”
Ariella remained silent, biting the soft flesh inside her lips.
Hmph, it seemed Lizzy was not pleased with her reaction, as she scoffed and stood up again. Then she strode toward Ariella.
The face she once regarded as a sister was suddenly right in front of her.
“It suits me better.”
“…What?”
“The flashy dress, the expensive jewelry, the seat next to His Highness…”
Clink. The sparkling bracelet swayed in front of her.
And a soft voice followed.
“Your life too.”
Thump, thump.
Her heart began to race faster. Her lips felt like they were trembling more and more.
“So I’m going to take it. Is that okay?”
Lizzy clasped her hands together and gave a sly smile. A face that was both lovely and adorable.
“You didn’t really like it, did you? You always seemed indifferent, as if everything was meaningless. Do you know how annoyed I was every time I saw you like that? I wanted to tear that pretty mouth of yours apart, oh.”
Most of what Lizzy said fell within the range of what Ariella had expected.
However, the way she expressed herself was far more provocative than Ariella had imagined, and that gap shook Ariella’s heart even more.
Ariella turned her head to look at the clock. The minute hand was slightly tilted to the left from the twelve o’clock position.
“Good things should go to those who recognize their value, right? The same goes for good positions. So—”
As if it were beneath her to focus on Ariella, Lizzy’s long fingers poked under Ariella’s collarbone.
A whisper that sounded like a snake hissing followed.
“Stop struggling and get lost, Arrie. This is my spot now.”
Ding-, ding-, ding-.
The chime announcing midnight resonated softly.
It was Tuesday.
The week of silently observing had come to an end.
A thrilling sensation began beneath the collarbone and spread throughout her body.
“Ugh…!”
Ariella lowered her head, letting out a moan. Her face was obscured by her hair, but from the outside, it looked like she was crying.
“Oh dear… Our young lady, how can you be so weak? It’s only going to get much harder from here.”
Lizzy clicked her tongue, her eyebrows furrowed. How much more could a noble girl, who had grown up knowing nothing of hardship, possibly endure?
She leaned down to better appreciate Ariella’s despair.
She wanted to see the face of someone crying in fear. She aimed to capture the sight of tears streaming down, terrified of losing a position she had never truly valued.
