Chapter 38
Estella let out a small sigh as she looked at Sienna, who was visibly flustered.
It was all her own mistake.
I should have figured it out back then. Instead, I trusted only Daphne Roxie’s words and cornered the young lady.
The image of Sienna insisting, with a face full of indignation, that she hadn’t stepped on the dress came to mind.
“Your Highness! Why would I ever ruin your dress?”
“You had plenty of reason. I wore the dress you wanted.”
“What do you take me for? I’m not that petty! I didn’t do it. To be humiliated just because I happened to walk past you—this is outrageous! I should be the one receiving an apology!”
And how had Estella treated Sienna when she made that claim?
She had believed Sienna’s reputation, thinking she was being shameless and trying to turn the tables.
I should have only trusted what I saw with my own eyes.
The first to discover her torn dress was Daphne Roxie.
And the first witness had pointed the finger at Sienna Winter—the infamous troublemaker of House Winter.
Naturally, Estella had sided with Daphne Roxie.
After all, she was the woman her brother admired. Surely her character was trustworthy.
But that had been a grave mistake.
“Wh-what should I do…? I made a terrible mistake toward both Your Highness and the young lady… I’m so sorry. Truly, I’m sorry, Your Highness…”
Now that Daphne was trembling in belated realization of her own fault, Estella could not punish her.
It had been Estella’s own failing—recklessly believing someone else’s words and doubting Sienna.
“I’ll give a proper apology. The dress incident was not the young lady’s fault. If anything was her mistake, it was raising her voice and glaring at me so stubbornly in front of a princess.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
On that point, even Sienna had nothing to say.
“I apologize once again…”
“And I too… I slapped you in public… ahem. My apologies.”
She had wanted to apologize once she learned the truth, but Sienna hadn’t shown herself, leaving her no chance.
But to go to her myself? My pride wouldn’t allow it. I was ashamed that I had doubted her just because of someone else’s words.
She had once vowed not to be like Sienna Winter—someone said to lack brains and decency. Yet in truth, the one who lacked decency was herself.
Sienna apologized before everyone for something that wasn’t even her fault, but what was I so embarrassed about that I couldn’t even go to her?
Really, she was so pathetic she could hardly face herself.
But hiding now would make her truly contemptible.
Estella raised her head and addressed those watching the scene.
“Everyone should know this—the one who ruined my dress that day was not the young lady. So refrain from criticizing her for that matter.”
Sienna blinked in surprise at Estella’s active defense.
“Why are you going this far…?”
“As the Empire’s princess, I can’t hide behind others like a coward.”
Sienna stared blankly at Estella’s smile.
Wow. So this is how it turned out?
I’d thought the misunderstanding about the dress would never be cleared up in my lifetime.
It was truly a blessing. If not for the dress incident, half of Estella’s bad feelings toward me would’ve already been gone anyway.
In other words, my plan was already half a success!
Since I’ve managed to turn the princess’s heart, should I drive the nail in now?
I covered my mouth like someone deeply moved.
“Your Highness’s boundless generosity leaves me… cough, cough!”
And right then, I made a point of coughing loudly.
“Young lady, are you alright?”
“Cough… I think… I need to rest a little…”
I angled my bloodstained handkerchief just enough for Estella to see. Her eyes froze instantly.
“…Come with me. Now.”
Concerned that someone might see this, she wrapped her arm firmly around my shoulder.
Then she turned to Herace, who had been standing a step away, watching.
“And you? Are you coming as well?”
“Herene, I’ll be right back. Tell brother for me, will you?”
I could have taken Herace along, but if Noah found out, he’d be terribly alarmed. It was better to leave the follow-up to her.
Besides, I don’t need Herace’s help to get the Tear of the Stars anyway.
I gave her a small signal with my eyes.
“If that’s what you want—”
Herace smirked reassuringly.
Sharp as always.
She had grasped my plan at once, and with a wink hidden from Estella, she added:
“Don’t worry. Rest well.”
“Then let’s not waste time.”
And so, before I knew it, I was escorted by Estella to a lounge.
All I’d done was spit a little blood, but Estella seemed to think I could hardly walk. She supported me until I was seated on a sofa.
“Come now, young lady. Lie down.”
“…Pardon?”
“Lie down. I’ve already sent for a physician. Just wait a bit.”
No, the checkup wasn’t the issue—I needed to talk to her!
But Estella pushed my shoulder back, and I ended up lying down.
Blinking at the unexpected force, I thought:
I didn’t expect her to overreact like this.
“I didn’t realize you were this unwell.”
Neither did I.
“I’d heard you weren’t in good health, but I didn’t think it was this bad. Is that why you’ve kept yourself hidden all this time?”
“Yes.”
“…I’m sorry. If I’d known, I would’ve gone to you directly to apologize…”
“It’s alright. But, Your Highness, about the dress incident—how did you find out? Back then, you were convinced I tore it.”
“I was mistaken. The timing, the position… everything lined up too perfectly. But later, when I had it checked, the tear was too clean. Not something from a heel—it looked like someone had cut it with a blade.”
“Did you ever find the culprit?”
“That, even I couldn’t discover.”
Looking back, it hadn’t seemed aimed at humiliating the princess, but rather at framing me out of spite.
Sure, I’ve been hated plenty of times, but dragging the princess into it? That’s crossing a line.
I leaned my head weakly against the sofa.
“Whoever it was, they’ve got guts—going after Your Highness.”
“Indeed. Their guts must be spilling out of their stomachs. Whoever it is, if I catch them, they won’t escape unscathed.”
“If you ever need help, let me know. Driving people insane with torment is my specialty.”
“…And you’re proud of that?”
Estella gave me a look of disbelief, then burst into laughter.
I couldn’t help laughing with her.
“I shouldn’t have hidden. But I heard rumors that Your Highness ground your teeth so often at the mention of my name that your gums had all disappeared. I was too scared to step outside.”
“My gums are perfectly fine, young lady.”
“They do look healthy.”
Her light laughter trickled down from above my head.
“So you do have things you fear?”
“Plenty.”
“Such as?”
“The scariest one is death.”
At that, Estella’s face instantly darkened.
I pretended not to notice the shadow that crossed her features.
You have to lay some groundwork like this.
If the princess pitied me, I couldn’t let that chance slip away.
“Since I was young, I thought I was always close to death. But it wasn’t true. Now that it’s really approaching, I’m afraid.”
I deliberately steered the conversation into somber territory.
Just then, someone announced:
“Your Highness. The physician has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
“There’s no need, really…”
But Estella was firm.
She had no intention of sending him away, and I had no choice but to be examined.
“Well? What is it?”
“That is…”
At Estella’s question, the imperial physician hesitated.
Of course he would. How could he put it into words?
I understood his reluctance, but Estella, not knowing why, pressed him.
“Speak. Quickly.”
“…The young lady’s health is not good. It isn’t one specific part—it’s her entire body, overall…”
He trailed off, then asked cautiously:
“Young lady, are you aware… that you don’t have long?”
“Yes.”
At my calm gaze, the physician nodded.
“I see.”
“What are you saying? Not long—what do you mean by that?”
Estella, unable to follow the conversation, demanded an answer from the physician.
