Ch#81
Going back in time to around when the Emperor decided to put forward Tenebrey as the culprit based on Bishop Marik's options. Conversely, rumors spread among the people that Yeremia had killed her father. The origin of the rumors was unknown, but speculation abounded that it started because Gabriel suspected Yeremia.
The story that began to spread quietly eventually reached the ears of the person involved. Shocked by the bizarre rumor that she had murdered her own father, Yeremia fell ill and took to her bed. Her twin sister, Tenebrey, nursed Yeremia.
“Tenebrey. Have you heard the rumors? They say I killed Father…. How, how could they say something so cruel?”
Yeremia crumpled her tear-streaked face sorrowfully and gripped her twin sister's hand tightly. She turned her eyes toward Tenebrey. Her vision blurred by tears, she couldn't see Tenebrey's face clearly.
“It's because Sir Gabriel suspects you and is trying to shift the blame onto you.”
She was told that the rumors of Yeremia killing the Crown Prince had started because of Gabriel. Yeremia, who had once admired the knight, now hated him intensely in this moment.
“That knight just wants Lady Rohanson to be innocent, so he's trying to pin the crime on you. No one else believes it, so don't worry too much, Yeremia.”
“Really? But the rumors have spread so much.”
Tenebrey looked at Yeremia with disgust, seeing how the usually carefree girl who ignored gossip was so swayed by rumors about herself. Unaware of Tenebrey's vicious expression due to her tears, Yeremia kept talking.
“Tenebrey, you were right next to Father. Didn't you feel Lady Rohanson up to something? If you testify, everyone will know she's the culprit.”
“But we switched necklaces that day, remember? It was a secret, Yeremia.”
“That's right….”
Yeremia nodded in agreement.
Just before the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, Tenebrey had visited Yeremia and asked to switch necklaces for a little while.
That day, Tenebrey pleaded with Yeremia with a much more vibrant and sparkling face than usual. She said she wanted to dance the first dance with her father too, but since the Crown Prince only asked Yeremia, she wanted to pretend to be Yeremia and dance.
The Crown Prince's favoritism toward his two daughters was no secret—it was a well-known fact. Only oblivious Yeremia was unaware of it. Yeremia had naively believed the Crown Prince's excuse that they couldn't dance together because Tenebrey's skills were lacking.
“Father must think your dancing skills are still lacking. First, pretend to be me and dance, then secretly tell him it was you. He'll realize your skills have improved and invite you next time.”
Ignoring the Emperor's command never to remove the necklace, Yeremia cheerfully agreed to switch, saying it would be their secret.
“My beloved daughter, may I request a song to celebrate your father's birthday?”
Just switching necklaces had made the treatment drastically different. Beloved? As if he couldn't tell Yeremia and Tenebrey apart without the necklace, what love!
Tenebrey patiently endured the urge to strangle the naive Yeremia right then. No need for jealousy. That golden moment she had briefly experienced would now belong solely to Tenebrey.
“Sleep for a bit, and when you wake up, everyone will realize it's nonsense and the rumors will die down. You're the princess everyone loves, Yeremia.”
Yeremia nodded at Tenebrey's comfort and closed her eyes. Exhausted from crying, she fell asleep quickly. Confirming Yeremia was in deep sleep, Tenebrey secretly unclasped the necklace and put her own black necklace on Yeremia.
Was her stupidity and innocence—never suspecting others—innate? Or was it arrogance from always being loved, assuming no
