Chapter 18
“When she gave it to me, she placed this picture inside.”
Priscilla’s voice carried nostalgia as she recalled that moment. A tone I never expected to hear from her. Seeing the snake shed its mask and speak sincerely was stranger still.
But upon seeing the worn picture inside the necklace, I understood her reaction. Yet, it only deepened my confusion.
It was a picture of my mother, looking as if she had just become an adult, gazing tenderly at someone.
That someone was a young girl just beginning to show feminine features—Priscilla. They appeared deeply attached to each other. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that the young Priscilla’s eyes were red.
I was truly bewildered.
‘Priscilla was close to my mother?’
Close enough for my mother to give her a necklace similar to her own.
It was natural to think so.
This necklace, with its unique structure, could only have been made by a craftsman my mother knew.
So, it was hard to say Priscilla had crafted a similar one to deceive me.
I clenched my teeth. The truth I couldn’t accept.
That the person who cunningly took my mother’s place was actually her friend.
I had never heard in my life that my mother and Priscilla were close.
‘Was it a relationship my father didn’t know about?’
Was that why he married Priscilla as his second wife? Perhaps he didn’t tell me because he didn’t know.
Or perhaps…
I looked at Priscilla’s necklace and took a deep breath. I felt like I couldn’t breathe if I didn’t.
Everything seemed like a massive trap strangling me.
My face gradually stiffened. I gripped the necklace tightly, then loosened my grip gently. Priscilla spoke slowly.
“Do you think I forged it?”
As if she anticipated my reaction, Priscilla commented with a faint smile. She placed her hand over mine, which hesitantly held the necklace.
“You know. This necklace and picture couldn’t have been forged to deceive you.”
She confronted me with the facts I tried to deny. After taking a breath, Priscilla continued.
“I always tried to talk to you. You were the one who ignored me, Erica.”
“…”
“It’s true, if I had spoken to you then, you would’ve told him everything right away. Aren’t you his loyal dog?”
“…Priscilla.”
A cracked voice came from my throat. Priscilla glanced at the door for a moment, then tapped the back of my hand twice. It seemed Lilith gave a signal from outside.
I was so confused I didn’t hear the signal. I already had too much to think about.
“Oh, it’s time. If I stay with you longer, he’ll get suspicious.”
“…Why tell me now?”
Why didn’t you stay silent as before? If you had, I wouldn’t be this confused.
A sourceless resentment overwhelmed me. But it was so weak it dissipated into the air.
“Because you’re now trying to break free from him. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”
“…”
“So I felt we could understand each other now.”
In other words, only now could we look toward the same goal.
As if imprinting the fact in my mind, Priscilla affirmed the truth. As if she wanted me to accept it unconditionally.
“Think calmly. You need to give me a final answer today. Oh, and get ready quickly and come down for breakfast. We don’t want him to suspect.”
With those final words, Priscilla glanced at the necklace I still held, then turned and left my room. Silence suddenly filled the room, but my mind was in chaos.
‘How should I act?’
What and how should I do? I wanted to confront Priscilla and ask why she took my mother’s place.
How could she be friendly enough to receive a necklace and picture, then do that?
But, rationally, I needed her help now.
‘At the regular meeting, I need a strong ally to support me.’
And now, that person was Priscilla.
Moreover, most of the elders were on her side. If I joined her, I could steer the meeting toward the outcome I wanted.
‘No matter how much my father yells.’
It was truly a welcome proposal. But, honestly, I didn’t want to take the hand of a woman like her.
‘Priscilla thought I’d follow her if she told me about her connection to my mother.’
But she didn’t expect it would backfire.
I bit my lips hard. But my troubled mind didn’t calm easily.
At that moment…
“Miss, I’m here. I’ll help you prepare for breakfast.”
It was Mary, rushing in after hearing about the breakfast. She didn’t notice the open door and approached me.
“Miss, did something happen?”
“No, nothing. I’m just tired.”
“Then that’s good. Oh, right! I found this in the storage yesterday. It seems they hid it on purpose to annoy you.”
What a bunch of jerks.
Mary showed her anger. I looked at what she held and laughed. It was the grooming tools they couldn’t prepare yesterday.
“…Bear with it, Mary.”
“But they’re jerks!”
“…I’m bearing with it too.”
“…”
Mary nodded and began helping me with what she brought. Since my father would be there, Mary put in extra effort, and she seemed satisfied.
“Look, Miss, you’re radiant!”
“…Does it look good?”
“You’re this beautiful and always wear comfortable clothes. Wear dresses sometimes!”
“They restrict movement.”
“Still.”
Mary grumbled beside me. It wasn’t like her, but there was one reason for it.
‘It seems Mary can tell my mood isn’t good.’
I took a deep breath and smiled lightly at her.
“Come on, Mary.”
“Yes!”
I headed to the breakfast table where my father and Priscilla awaited.
With each step, I felt as if something nonexistent was pulling my ankle down.
But since Priscilla insisted I attend, it was an important meeting, and I couldn’t return to my room.
I bit my lips and took a deep breath. To face my father, I needed to be fully focused.
I took another deep breath. Erica, the perfect heir, stood tall again.
No matter the pain or difficulty, the ingrained postures and behaviors made me stand firm in such moments.
‘In some ways, this is impressive.’
My father’s ability to make me this way was truly impressive.
When that thought ended, I reached the dining room.
My father and Priscilla were already there. The table was filled with dishes made from the finest ingredients.
“You’re late.”
It was expected that my father would scold me with his usual cold tone.
“I apologize.”
“Don’t be late again. It maintains your dignity.”
“…”
“Erica.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Sit.”
His glance at me was brief, but I felt like I was being scrutinized from head to toe. Perhaps he was trying to figure out why I was late. But I looked fine outwardly, so he let it go. Or perhaps he no longer cared about such minor reasons.
‘It doesn’t matter, as long as my father doesn’t say anything.’
I sat in my designated place. The maid placed utensils and a glass of water in front of me.
Then the stifling breakfast began.
Clink, clink.
The sound of utensils touching plates filled the room. No one spoke first. But this atmosphere was better.
At least I could eat quietly.
‘But I’ll ask Mary for digestion medicine later.’
No matter how delicious the food, how could I eat calmly in a room full of tension?
A fresh green salad, smooth mashed potato soup, and roasted duck as the main dish. As I neared finishing, my father, who had already finished his meal, finally spoke.
I was about to find out why Priscilla insisted I attend.
“Erica, I plan to move up the date of the regular meeting.”
Attending breakfast was the right decision.
