‘So there’s no reason to hesitate.’
Lizzy believed this without a doubt.
Until Ariella continued speaking.
“Why, it’s true. You’re a year younger than me.”
With a bright smile and a whisper, Ariella’s voice pierced Lizzy’s ears. At the same time, the ominous energy that had been swirling around her suddenly ceased.
Lizzy froze as if time had stopped.
‘You’re just fishing for information without knowing anything.’
Her heart raced wildly as she struggled to think, but it was of no use. She knew all too well that Ariella wouldn’t have said such a thing without any basis.
To prove this, Ariella added,
“You’re not twenty-two, but twenty-one, right?”
This was something Jane Chestnut had told her just before she passed through the front door of the old house.
“Lizzy, that girl. She’s a year younger than you said.”
“……What?”
“She was four years old when she was entrusted to us. She ran away at twelve. She’s the same age as our son, Jasper, so I’m sure of it. So she must be twenty-one now, not twenty-two.”
It was shocking. It wasn’t the fact that Lizzy was actually a year younger that shocked her, but rather that she had never doubted it until now.
Age. Why had she never once thought that it could have been a lie? If she could just prove it, there would be no more solid evidence than that.
“I didn’t even know that, and I thought you felt so young even though we’re the same age.”
Well, even if she was twenty-one, it wasn’t a huge difference. Ariella nodded and muttered.
“So, you still haven’t contacted your family?”
As Ariella tilted her head toward Lizzy, she could see the shock painted on her cute face more clearly.
Ariella exaggeratedly waved her hands, pushing her deeper into shock.
“Why, your sister. Not me, your real sister, who shares your blood.”
Thud. It felt like something had dropped.
Lizzy’s eyes darted around, frantically scanning Ariella. She was trying to figure out how much Ariella knew and who she had contacted to obtain such information.
It was understandable to be confused. If Ariella truly wished for Lizzy’s downfall, she should have immediately brought the Chestnut couple as witnesses and presented them before everyone.
If the Chestnut couple wasn’t the one who leaked the information, she should have brought in whoever else was responsible and appealed to the Duke right away. Instead, she was giving Lizzy time to destroy the evidence.
However, Ariella was alone, and rather than informing someone, she was secretly revealing the information she had in her own room.
Had she only obtained information from somewhere without any evidence?
Lizzy naturally made this judgment.
“I have no idea what nonsense you’re talking about. Did you hit your head that day? Is that why you’re having delusions?”
“You don’t have to be so tense and prickly, Lizzy. I have no intention of telling anyone else.”
Ariella turned around and sat on the chair in front of the vanity. Then, looking at Lizzy through the mirror, she laid down a condition.
“As long as you don’t provoke me further here.”
Lizzy swallowed hard, glaring at Ariella with fierce eyes. Despite having her weakness exposed, she was determined not to show any fear.
“Lizzy, let me tell you something you don’t know. I have no problem with you taking what’s mine. In fact, I’d be glad. So don’t be too tense.”
“Hah, you’re joking. Where do you get such nonsense—”
“Why can’t it be true? I’ve become this happy lately. Can’t you see it?”
Ariella cupped her face with her palms, as if forming a flower.
Tilting her head slightly and smiling brightly, she looked much fresher compared to a few months ago. It wasn’t just because of her attire. Her usually dark eyes had brightened, her cheeks were lively, and her previously stoic mouth now held a smile.
It was as if she had truly become happy.
“But Lizzy, how have you been lately? Are you living happily? Do you regret doing something pointless?”
Lizzy, who had been staring blankly at Ariella’s reflection in the mirror, flinched.
There was absolutely no regret. She should have said that right away, but she hesitated for a moment because similar thoughts had crossed her mind today.
“Oh dear. Even if that’s the case, it can’t be helped.”
As Ariella shook her head with a look of pity, Lizzy, biting her lower lip hard, strode toward the vanity.
“I absolutely—!”
Her words were cut off again. It was because Ariella had grabbed Lizzy’s wrist and pulled her toward herself.
Their faces drew closer, and a low voice echoed in Lizzy’s ear.
“Because you…”
Before she knew it, the mirror was filled with the reflections of two women.
Blonde hair, violet eyes, and a splendid dress. The two women looked remarkably similar in appearance, but their expressions were perfectly different.
