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~Chapter 35~
“Monet, I’ll tell the nanny to open this door right now. I’ll… I’ll make her get you treatment immediately.”
Viviana’s throat stung, making it hard to speak, but she forced herself to keep talking.
“It’s okay, Your Highness. I’m leaving the palace tomorrow anyway.”
“What?”
“Nanny said I’m useless now, so she’s sending me back to the orphanage.”
Monet hung her head, pretending to sound calm.
“No! I won’t let you go. I’m going to talk to the nanny right now.”
“Please don’t, Your Highness. You must be careful of the nanny. She isn’t the same as before.”
“Wait for me. I’ll find a way to get you out.”
Viviana hurried off, heading straight for the nanny’s room.
Even if she’d grown sharper over the months, the nanny had always been like an angel, so loving and caring.
But who could have beaten Monet so badly? Could it really have been the nanny?
Her steps grew heavier as she walked. No matter how much someone changes, could she really hurt Monet like that?
Viviana shook her head, black hair falling into her face.
No, it can’t be the nanny. Maybe it was one of the other maids working under her.
The nanny’s office and bedroom were connected, since she managed the entire princess’s wing.
Viviana peeked through the office door and saw a sliver of light coming from the nanny’s room.
She’s still awake?
Her heart pounded at the thought of facing the nanny. She almost wanted to run away, but Monet’s bruised face filled her mind.
I have to tell her to treat Monet. I have to ask her to send Monet back.
Her palms were sweaty with nerves. She wiped them on her pajamas, then slowly reached for the doorknob.
Just then, she heard voices from inside.
“Yes, as you know, the princess can’t go against me. Oh, another reward? That’s not necessary! I’ve already received plenty.”
The nanny was chatting brightly with someone.
Viviana let go of the knob and peeked through the crack in the door.
Her eyes grew wide. The nanny was holding a necklace.
A gold chain with a ruby shining like the midday sun.
Why does she have that?
That was her mother’s keepsake—the necklace she had thrown into the lake.
“The princess will never give this up. She’ll go to the lake again for that fake I gave her, not knowing I have the real one. Hohoho…”
Viviana nearly gasped out loud. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
The nanny tricked me. She lied, just because she wanted the necklace…
Dazed, she started to back away—and bumped into a flowerpot on the floor.
Thunk.
“Wait a minute.”
Viviana froze, scanning the room in panic. She spotted a desk nearby and crawled underneath it, holding her breath.
“Who’s sneaking around like a little rat?”
The nanny’s sharp voice was right beside her. The flickering candle she held cast long, frightening shadows, creeping closer and closer like ghosts.
At that moment, a strong wind blew in through the open window, and the candle was snuffed out.
The wind rattled the window loudly.
“Tsk. Can’t anyone do things right? I told them to shut the windows properly.”
The nanny slammed the window shut and left the room, slamming the door behind her.
Viviana didn’t move, barely breathing. She waited, afraid she’d be caught if she left too soon. She stayed hidden until she saw the light fade from under the door.
How much time passed?
Finally, when all the lights were out, Viviana crept out of the office on trembling legs.
She wandered out, her mind spinning.
I trusted the nanny all my life. Why did she change like this? Was it greed for Mother’s necklace? Was she always this kind of person? Or did she just… change?
Viviana stumbled down the dark hallway, lost.
Who should I ask for help? My brother?
But then, he’d find out she’d thrown away their mother’s necklace. That necklace meant so much to him, too.
Just imagining her brother’s cold disappointment made her heart ache.
I wanted to be a dignified royal, like my brother… but I failed.
She couldn’t see a way out. She wished, desperately, for someone—anyone—to help her.
She didn’t even realize she’d left the princess’s wing behind, and no one came searching for her.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, one after another.
Her mother had died giving birth to her, and her father had never smiled at her, maybe even blamed her for it.
She had to pretend to be distant from her brother in public, and the only person she truly trusted—her nanny—had betrayed her.
There was no one left by her side. No one at all.
Maybe if she went to the lake and got the fake necklace, she could confess everything to her brother. Maybe if she went into the cold water again, she wouldn’t feel so alone anymore…
Just then—
“Your Highness?”
As she stumbled, crying, toward the lakeside, a voice called out from behind.
Viviana turned slowly, dazed.
There she was—the beautiful young lady who had once saved her.
“M-my lady? Hic…”
Before she realized it, she ran to Dahlia and threw her arms around her.
Soft arms wrapped around her back, holding her gently.
“It’s alright. You’re safe now.”
Dahlia’s warm hand gently patted her back.
Viviana burst into sobs, comforted by that gentle warmth.
And from the shadows, a figure watched the two, then clicked their tongue and slipped away into the darkness.
Bee-bee-bee-bee-bee!
Late at night. Lemon suddenly started chirping loudly right beside Dahlia’s bed.
“Lemon?”
Bee-bee-bee-bee!
Half asleep, Dahlia opened her eyes. Lemon flapped his tiny wings and flew to the slightly open window.
“You want me to come out?”
Bee.
Lemon nodded, then tugged at Dahlia’s hair, urging her to get up.
“Alright, I’m coming.”
Dahlia threw a shawl over her pajamas, grabbed a candle, and slipped into the next room.
Annie was sleeping quietly.
If I sneak out alone at this hour, she’ll scold me for sure… I’d better tell her first.
Dahlia tiptoed over to Annie’s bed and whispered softly,
“Annie, I’m going out for a bit. Just letting you know—”
“Where are you going?”
Annie shot upright, eyes wide open.
“Whoa!”
Dahlia stared at her in shock.
Was she really asleep? How does she wake up so fast?
“I’m coming with you. You’re not allowed to go anywhere alone.”
“Alright, I’ll wait.”
Relieved, Dahlia leaned against the wall, but sleepiness quickly washed over her again. Why did Lemon have to wake me up in the middle of the night…?
“Let’s go.”
“Mmm.”
Annie, now wrapped in a shawl, gave Dahlia’s shoulder a gentle tap.
Dahlia nodded, eyes half closed, and followed Annie outside.
Tonight, the moonlight was so bright they didn’t even need a candle. Lemon’s orange feathers glowed yellow under the moon, leading them like a signpost.
“Are we just following Lemon?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“I have no idea. Maybe we’ll find out soon…”
Dahlia let out a long yawn, then suddenly stopped in her tracks.
There, walking in her nightgown with a dazed expression, was the princess.
Annie saw her too and gasped in surprise.
The two hurried toward Viviana.
Lemon chirped brightly over the princess’s head, as if to say, “See? I brought her to you!”
Bee-bee!
