Chapter 20: 20

Charelize had hidden one of the emerald earrings she had taken from the jewelry box in her sleeve. She took it out, laid it on her palm, then showed it to Hailey.

 

“That’s right. It can be said that it was a memento of the predecessor Empress and Crown Princess Elizabeth.”

 

Empress Roxana passed away without watching her two lovely daughters grow up. The same happened to Crown Princess Elizabeth, who died after her head was cut off unfairly by her older brother, whom she trusted.  

 

The emerald earrings were handed down by the empress of the Elioter Empire from generation to generation.

 

“Princess, I think the time has come to give this to Princess now.”

 

“Mother, these emerald earrings…”

 

“My sister kept these and gave these to me on her last day. Now that I think about it, maybe she already knows. About… everything… but she still went to the birthday banquet.”

 

Her mother, who rarely shed tears, shed tears as she said those words.

 

“Crown Princess Elizabeth already knew it, but she still attended the birthday banquet.”

 

“…Your Highness.”

 

“Why did family matter? Even though she knew it would be dangerous, she went to congratulate him… Why?”

 

At Charelize’s words, Hailey didn’t reply.

 

For Charelize, her family was an indescribable existence.

 

“Madam want Your Highness to be happy.”

 

“Hap…py.”

 

Charelize muttered the word ‘happy’ in her mouth for a long time.

 

“I can’t be happy.”

 

“Your Highness…”

 

“Being happy, I can’t.”

 

Charelize swallowed it and hid it deep in her heart. He couldn’t be happy thinking about her baby, who had never seen the light of the world.

 

Hailey was worried about Charelize, who had been getting hurt a lot lately. Charelize was a person who struggled alone but pretended to be okay in front of others.

 

“You can… be happy, Your Highness.”

 

“…”

 

“Until Your Highness can be happy and even after that, people who remain by your side will be watching…”

 

“It’s like a word from a fairy tale book.”

 

“…Your Highness.”

 

Then, Viscountess Loen and Jenny came out. Regardless of who did it first, they bowed deeply to Charelize.

 

“I’m going to go now. Thank you so much, little Duchess.”

 

Viscountess Loen, who had been thanking her again and again, left.

 

“I have some work to do, so I will go first, Your Highness.”

 

Jenny also left to continue her work.

 

“Butler.”

 

“Yes, young Master.”

 

“Without any exceptions, gather all the employees working in the Duchy in one place.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Not long after, all the servants gathered in the hall on the first floor.

 

“Among all of you, there are those who have been working in the Duchy for a long time, and those who have just come recently.”

 

“…”

 

“Does everyone know what this is?”

 

“What is that?”

 

“Eish. How could you not know that? It’s the predecessor empress’s memento! That’s why, it was given to the…”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Why did Your Highness bring it up all of a sudden…?”

 

The gathered servants murmured when Charelize showed them one of the emerald earrings.

 

“Silence.”

 

The noisy hall quickly became quiet at Charelize’s word.

 

“Some know, and some don’t know about it.”

 

“…”

 

“This emerald earring, which is the memento of predecessor empress and crown princess Elizabeth, and given to me by my mother, missing its pair. Someone took it.”

 

“…”

 

“Whoever brought it back by tonight or anyone who sees it being taken, come and talk to me privately.”

 

The servants began to be careful of everyone’s movement. If it was time to clean the room with expensive items in it, they didn’t go alone as usual. It was to prevent suspicious behavior in advance.

 

“Your Highness, if it’s missing, you can search every servant’s room right now—”

 

“No, the earring isn’t gone.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Those who know that they are innocent, and who worked for someone else will be more careful about their actions by now.”

 

“…”

 

“They would slander others while fearing their sins would be found out.”

 

As soon as Charelize finished speaking, someone knocked on the door.

 

“Your Highness, this is Kanna.”

 

“Come in.”

 

Kanna, who knocked on the door, got a recommendation from Baron Ite.

 

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“Kanna, what brings you here?”

 

“That… I-I’m afraid I will have quit my job today for some reason.”

 

“Yes, yes, Your Highness.”

 

“Someone saw you standing around my room for a while. What brings you to my room?”

 

“Th… that… that…”

 

Charelize asked because Kanna said she had to quit her job suddenly, but it was strange for her to react like that.

 

“I was, just trying, to say Baron Ite’s words, and say thank you.”

 

Kanna bowed her head and stuttered as she looked down at the floor.

 

“Did Baron Ite have something to say?”

 

“Yes, th-that’s… th-thank you for believing in him… and for choosing me.”

 

“Are you going to tell me to believe it now?”

 

“That, I mean… Ah! Je-Jenny… I saw her go into Your Highness room and steal the earring.”

 

“You’re not lying, are you?”

 

“Trust me, Your Highness.”

 

“I get it for now.”

 

“Wh-What will happen to Jenny?”

 

“I… really hate the act of hitting my back.”

 

“I-I’m going out now, Your Highness.”

 

“Stay here for a few days. The witness of what happened must be here.”

 

“…yes.”

 

When Kanna opened the door, Mari was waiting outside. Kanna hurried towards the stairs, avoiding Mari’s eyes.

 

“Mari?”

 

“I have something to tell, Your Highness.”

 

“Come in.”

 

“…Your Highness, the emerald earring was taken by Kanna.”

 

Mari knelt down on her knees as she was afraid to come inside.

 

“Kanna?”

 

“Kanna left Your Highness’s room, and… I witnessed it.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“She even framed me, not wanting to be found out about what she did… and spread strange rumors about me…”

 

“…That. It looks like you didn’t get along because you were suspicious of each other.”

 

“…”

 

“You said Kanna took it, and that child said Jenny did it… But what to do? The earring is with me.”

 

“Yo-Your Highness, I just did what I was told. Please forgive me just one. I… I have a young son.”

 

“Mari.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“That’s so ugly of you.”

 

Mari begged for forgiveness, using her son as an excuse.

 

“I have been ordered by an acquaintance who serves Baron Ite. I couldn’t refuse because he saved my life. I will do anything. So, please save me.”

 

“If you really cared for your son, you wouldn’t bring him up here.”

 

Tears welled up in Mari’s eyes at Charelize’s words.

 

“Precious things should be hidden so that no one could touch it.”

 

“I, I…”

 

“Couldn’t deceive me, don’t have loyalty to your old master who has done you a great favor… and don’t have affection for your son. It is you, Mari.”

 

Charelize let out a bitter laugh.

 

“If it’s really for your son, don’t ever think about seeing him again.”

 

“…”

 

“Until the day you die, you won’t be able to live near Duchy Marsetta nor work as a maid.”

 

“…”

 

“That’s the punishment for someone who wrecked another family.”

 

“…”

 

Mari kept looking at the floor but didn’t answer.

 

“Is there anyone out there?”

 

“Did you call, Your Highness?”

 

“Give me your command, Your Highness.”

 

Knights outside came in and bowed their heads.

 

“Drive this child away and never set foot near the duchy again.”

 

“I accept your orders.”

 

“I understand, Your Highness.”

 

Charelize forced her to pay the price of her sin of wrecking a family for the rest of her life.

 

“Bring Kanna and Baron Ite here right now.”

 

It was time to punish those who betrayed their master. 

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