DDSWTB 12

Chapter 12

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About a week had passed.

My sister’s treasured necklace had gone missing.

They say she’s been terribly depressed.

Everyone in the main residence has been searching for it, but it hasn’t been found.

Just after I finished breakfast and getting dressed, Chrono came to me.

“The Duke requests that you come to his study immediately.”

At this timing?

It must be about my sister. Which means, of course, I’m the one being suspected.

“So… that means I really have to go, right?”

I asked, just to be sure.

“I’m sorry, but it is the Duke’s order. You must go.”

“I thought so. I’ll head there now.”

“Yes, I will escort you.”

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“Most likely, this is about Lady Ellie’s necklace.”

So, Chrono thought so too.
Does that mean Chrono also suspects me of stealing it?

“But I didn’t steal it.”

“I know, my lady. I would never doubt you.”

It seemed he truly believed me.
I don’t know why, but it made me feel strangely ticklish inside.

We arrived before the study door.
My nerves tensed at the thought of the Duke being just beyond it.

“Do not be nervous before His Grace. If anything, act as though you were facing down a wild beast.”

“Ahaha… you’re right. I haven’t done anything, and I’ve even reconciled with my sister, so surely nothing bad will happen.”

To think, serious Chrono would say something like that just to ease my tension.

“Now then, my lady, I shall open the door.”

“Your Grace, Lady Tiana has arrived.”

“Enter.”

Chrono looked at me, nodded, and smiled.
It was his way of telling me everything would be fine.

Thank you, Chrono. Tiana thought this silently as she stepped into her father’s study.

She walked forward with firm resolve, stopping before the Duke’s desk.

“You called for me, Father?”

“I hear you’ve been visiting Ellie’s room quite often lately.”

He glared at me with sharp eyes.
If I were an ordinary eight-year-old child, I would’ve cowered under such a piercing gaze, unable to say a word.

Of course, he already knew from having me watched, so asking me directly was unnecessary. He must want to hear it from my own lips.

Or maybe this is just a new form of harassment.

“Yes. I used to mistreat my sister, but I’ve stopped. I reflected on my actions and apologized.”

“Now, we’ve reconciled, and we even enjoy talking together.”

“I see. Then you are aware that Ellie’s necklace has gone missing.”

“Did you steal it?”

There were times I may have admired it, but never once would I stoop to stealing.
No—I refuse to.

But Father clearly believes I took it.

Those ruby-like eyes bore into me, as though to intimidate me.

My body tingled. This was killing intent. My hands trembled from fear.

Still, if I don’t deny it here, I’ll only be punished again.

“I most certainly did not steal it.”

“I understand why you would suspect me, but I did not.”

“If you ever bring disgrace upon the Astaire family again, I will not forgive you.”

Flinch.

He stared at me with a terrifying expression.

I wanted to escape this place immediately.
No matter what I said, he wouldn’t believe me.

This man never listens to my words.

“I understand that you cannot trust what I say. But could you not, just once, listen to me?”

Father’s brows, which had been furrowed in a scowl, lifted as he looked at me in surprise.

In the novel, not once was there a scene where he listened to Tiana’s words.
It wasn’t written explicitly, but the absence itself implied that he had never once done so.

The Tiana in the story gained no one’s trust and met a miserable end.

But the cause of that lay with these people.
No one had ever accepted her.

In a family that was otherwise perfect, Tiana alone was the outcast.

If only someone had defended her, the ending—and even her personality—would have been different.

If I don’t say this now, I won’t be able to avoid that worst future.

“Your daughter is not only Ellie, Your Grace. I may be the outcast, but I am your daughter too.”

(Did she just call me “Your Grace”? She has always called me Father before, hasn’t she?)

“It’s true, I did mistreat my sister. But you’ve never once asked me why I acted that way, have you?”

“Since there’s nothing more to discuss, please excuse me.”

I bowed deeply.

“From now on, I will do my best not to cause any further trouble.”

With those parting words, I left the study.

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(Have I truly never listened to that child’s words? But Tiana has never defied me before… Is something beginning to change?)

“Vice.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Compile a report on Tiana’s recent actions.”

“As you command.”