Chapter 12: The Missing Necklace
The day after Tristrian sent a cradle to Serenity, the tea party had ended in a muddled fashion.
The Navis Palace was abuzz with murmurs.
“It’s noisy,” I commented absentmindedly, causing the maids assisting me with my attire to flinch.
Bennet, the most talkative among them, glanced at Jessica for approval before whispering to me.
“Well, after what happened yesterday, it’s inevitable. It’s relatively calm here in Navis Palace, but outside, it’s absolute chaos.”
“Is that so?”
“The servants who brought in supplies at dawn said that after the tea party ended, the noblewomen didn’t return home immediately but scattered in different directions. Can you guess why?”
What else?
They were undoubtedly spreading the news that Serenity, the eldest daughter of the Bifis Ducal House, had become pregnant before marriage—at Navis Palace, no less.
Nothing entertains noblewomen more than a scandalous affair.
Jessica, sensing the gravity of the situation, didn’t stop Bennet but instead added to the conversation.
“Even the maids attending to Lady Serenity had already noticed something strange, so the rumors are spreading even faster.”
“Exactly! That wretched Greta is boasting everywhere that she knows all about Lady Serenity’s circumstances. She’s even running errands at the main palace just to show off!”
Greta—she was one of the maids attending to Serenity.
I remembered that in my past life, I had explicitly instructed that she not be assigned to Serenity’s service. She was loose-lipped and careless.
“How is my sister’s condition?”
“The physician said that fortunately, both the young lady and the baby are fine. However, he advised that she should rest as much as possible for the time being.”
“I see. It may be troublesome, but Jessica, please keep an eye on her for now. I don’t trust Greta or the other maids attending to my sister.”
“Understood.”
“…Has His Majesty said anything?”
“No.”
“…”
I had slapped Tristrian and hurled harsh words at him yesterday, so I had expected a furious response from him by now.
That selfish, unrestrained man—what was he plotting this time? The uncertainty made me uneasy, but I knew worrying about something that hadn’t happened yet was pointless. I quickly pushed the thought aside.
“You’ve worked hard. You truly look stunning today.”
Just as my dressing was completed, I lifted my head and looked into the mirror.
My dress was elegant but not overly extravagant, and my hair was neatly styled in an updo.
I was dressed perfectly to receive the guests coming to Navis Palace.
“Thank you, Bennet. You’ve done well today. I’d like to rest for a moment—do I have time?”
“There’s still some time left.”
Once the maids left, leaving me alone, I took a deep breath to steady myself.
I was about to face a guest who could wound me more easily than anyone else.
Resolving not to be swayed by them, I approached the bedside table to touch the necklace Mirse had given me, hoping to soothe my nerves.
“…Huh?”
The drawer, which I had locked, was open.
Startled, I quickly pulled it open and searched inside.
The necklace was gone.
I wanted nothing more than to drop everything and search for the necklace, but my guest was about to arrive, leaving me no choice but to leave my bedroom.
Where on earth had it gone?
I distinctly remembered placing the ornament inside the drawer and locking it the moment Serenity arrived. I also clearly recalled tucking the key between the seams of my chair cushion.
If no one had deliberately taken the key to unlock the drawer and remove the necklace, then it simply couldn’t have disappeared.
…Deliberately opened the drawer and taken it?
“…No way.”
Standing outside Navis Palace, waiting for my guest, I bit my lip at the sudden realization—then quickly masked my expression.
The suspicion that had surfaced in my mind soon solidified into certainty, but I couldn’t reveal it now.
I didn’t want to show any weakness to the person I was about to face.
Clatter!
The waiting carriage arrived, slightly past the appointed time, and stopped in front of Navis Palace.
The door of the large, opulent carriage opened, revealing a middle-aged woman whose mere presence made my chest tighten.
My mother.
Miune Lilafull Bifis.
“You’re here, Mother.”
“Serenity!”
Miune barely spared me a glance as I curtsied, gripping the hem of my dress.
She brushed past me swiftly, hurrying into the grand hall of Navis Palace, supported by a maid, and rushed toward Serenity.
“Oh, my beautiful daughter! My goodness, you look so frail! How could you go through all this without telling your mother? Do you have any idea how shocked I was when the Duchess of Monste informed me?”
“Sob… Mother, I missed you…”
Behind me, an emotional reunion unfolded.
It wasn’t my first time witnessing this, nor was it unexpected. Yet, I found myself unable to turn around immediately.
I understood.
I understood that my mother pitied her eldest daughter, who couldn’t live like a normal noble due to her injured leg.
I also understood why she resented me—the daughter responsible for Serenity’s condition.
But understanding didn’t make the loneliness any easier.
If Father were here, maybe I wouldn’t feel so alone.
I thought of my father, risking his life in battle on the warfront, and forced myself to maintain a composed expression.
I smiled at the restless maids beside me while Miune continued to dote on Serenity.
“Now that I’m here, don’t worry anymore. Who is the wretched man who dared to defile the precious daughter of the Bifis family and then refuse to take responsibility? Tell me, my dear. No matter who he is, I will see his entire lineage wiped out!”
“Mother, please don’t be angry at him. He… he has his own circumstances.”
“Circumstances? What nonsense! There is no excuse for a man who impregnates the eldest daughter of Bifis and then disappears! Tell me, has that scoundrel even brought you a single loaf of bread while you’re suffering from morning sickness?”
“That’s…”
“I knew it! I knew it! Some shameless bastard couldn’t control his loins and seduced my innocent Serenity! I will find him and cut off his manhood!”
“Please, Mother! If you do that, I’ll be heartbroken…”
“Oh dear, don’t cry! There, there. I won’t cut it off. Don’t worry, my darling.”
“Thank you…”
“But at the very least, allow me to sew shut the mouths of those gossiping noblewomen! The rumors in the social circles are scandalous beyond belief! How could they be so loose-tongued?”
“T-That’s awful…!”
“Don’t worry. Do you know who I am? I will pour every resource Bifis has into protecting your honor.”
Indeed, Miune would have to pour everything into it.
Protecting Serenity’s honor—unwed and pregnant with an unknown man’s child—would not be easy.
And I knew that better than anyone.
Once a rumor spreads, it cannot be taken back—especially when the gossip is as shocking as this.
But despite the daunting task ahead, Miune showed no hesitation. There was not even a sliver of blame or resentment in her words toward Serenity.
Was this a mother’s love?
The man who had impregnated Serenity was truly despicable, but Miune never even considered the possibility that Serenity might not be entirely innocent.
What if Serenity had seduced or manipulated the man? What if she had blackmailed him into being with her?
Even if that were the case, Miune would still stand by her daughter’s side.
“…”
I listened blankly, staring at the floor.
If Serenity had never been injured, would I have received that kind of love too?
It was a question that had haunted me every time I saw my mother and Serenity together in my past life.
I hadn’t devoted myself to Serenity purely out of kindness. I had done it hoping my mother would love me too.
Realizing that truth had always left me feeling guilty and ashamed.
A deep ache settled in my chest.
I had spent so many years trying to change the unchangeable, clinging to meaningless what ifs.
Releasing my clenched fists, I turned away.
No matter how much their love hurt me, I still had a duty as the mistress of Navis Palace.
“Please, come inside, Mother. Tea and refreshments have been prepared. Sister, let’s go in as well—the wind is cold, and you might catch a—”
I stopped mid-sentence.
Ascending the steps to guide them inside, I froze.
Dangling from Serenity’s neck was the necklace I had lost.
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