DDSWTB 16

Chapter  16

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Just moments ago she was trembling, yet now Lily wore a triumphant expression. Even though she was the one who had set this up.

“I’ve been with the young lady this whole time, so I believe she still has it.”

“Tiana, show me what’s in your pockets,” the Duke said to me.

“Tia would never take anything from me. She even helped me look for it!”

My older sister believed I hadn’t taken it. I was glad I’d managed to get close to her beforehand.

“She’s the one who stole it, isn’t she?”
Liam directed his words at me.

“Tiana, I’m sure you haven’t stolen it, but just in case, let’s check your pockets,”
Gilbert said with a smile.

Even so, Gilbert probably thought I’d stolen it too.

Everyone likely knew that this necklace belonged to Mother. They must have already decided that I had committed the theft out of jealousy because only my sister had been given it.

Indeed, after hearing Lily’s story just now, I did look like the most suspicious one. The servants around us began murmuring uneasily.

It was about time.

“Is everyone doubting me? I haven’t stolen anything. My sister treasured the necklace she received from our mother. If it were found that I had stolen it, she would be heartbroken. I would never do anything to make my sister sad. Look, there’s nothing in my pockets.”

I stood up and turned my pockets inside out so everyone present could see.

“Th-that’s impossible…”

Lily started to panic.
She must have thought the necklace would be in my pocket, but it wasn’t going to be that easy.

“Earlier, in the room, I happened to see Lily cleaning—‘unusually,’ for her—and I noticed something glittering in her pocket. I thought it was a jewel, but… maybe…”

As soon as I finished speaking, I rushed over to Lily.

“Hey, hey, can I check what’s in your pocket?”

All eyes were on Lily and me.

“Of course. Go ahead.”
She must have realized it would look suspicious if she refused. She agreed immediately.

Without hesitation, I slipped my hand into Lily’s pocket.

Feeling the texture of the necklace in my palm, I pulled my hand back out.

I held the necklace up for everyone to see.

“Isn’t this my sister’s necklace? Why do you have it?”

“That’s the necklace I lost!”

My sister pointed at it and declared publicly that the stolen necklace was hers.

Lily’s face drained of color all at once.
When I glanced over at Isabella, she too had gone pale and seemed unsettled.

Of course—her partner-in-crime was now in danger.

 

But the two of them wouldn’t be able to stay here any longer.