Even though Mepeilu had spent the entire night preparing herself, the moment she heard Liana say those words, there was an instant where she wanted to march out and execute Countess Ruth on the spot.
But in the end, she held herself back.
Tears slipped from the corners of Mepeilu’s eyes.
Liana’s casual tone made it sound as though she hadn’t lived through those experiences herself. (Which, technically, she hadn’t.)
Everything that had happened up until a month ago belonged to the original Liana. The past month, however, was entirely fabricated—she couldn’t exactly say she was a transmigrator, after all.
“...I’m sorry. It’s all my fault... I kept saying I would protect you, but I let you go through something like this...” Mepeilu lowered her head, her fingers trembling.
“I didn’t tell you this so you’d blame yourself even more.”
Liana cupped Mepeilu’s face, making her look at her.
Her violet eyes shimmered like precious gemstones, mesmerizing and radiant. A soft, teasing smile played on her lips.
“I just wanted you to praise me a little, Mepeilu... Big Sister.”
“...That’s not fair.”
Liana was the one who had suffered all this time. Liana was the one who had endured the torment.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
And yet, she smiled so gently, as if she were the one offering comfort.
It wasn’t fair.
Mepeilu had come here to console Liana, yet she was the one crying uncontrollably.
Liana held her in a tight embrace.
It was obvious that Mepeilu had been putting too much pressure on herself. In front of others, she was the perfect heir, the most rational and capable Grand Princess of Lisat.
But in private, she was no different from Liana—just a fourteen-year-old girl.
“...Feeling a little better now?” Liana asked softly.
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Mepeilu’s face was red. “Compared to you, I still have a long way to go. I’m supposed to be the older one.”
Liana let out an awkward laugh. Technically, she was older than Mepeilu, but considering what Mepeilu had already accomplished at her age, it was impressive enough.
She was the Grand Princess of Lisat, yet she had two older brothers ahead of her, both five or six years her senior. And even so, she had risen to compete for the throne at such a young age. That alone was proof of her exceptional talent.
“But you were the one who figured out the truth, weren’t you?” Liana tilted her head, curious. “How did you find out, Mepeilu?”
If Mepeilu had known about the antidote from the start, she wouldn’t have reacted the way she did. That would’ve made her a true master of deception.
“Well...”
“Ahem.”
A cough came from behind them.
Minoja.
If Liana found out that Minoja had been secretly watching her for an entire month, she might never stop looking at her with that expression.
Liana turned toward her.
“What?”
“...These cookies are awfully dry,” Minoja muttered.
She had no intention of revealing that she had been spying on Liana all this time.
The cookies: You’re so noble, so righteous. You’re a Judicator. You’re always right.
“...I haven’t touched the tea yet. Feel free to have some.”
“Well, thank you, Lady Liana.”
Mepeilu, noticing how strange Minoja was acting, immediately understood.
She quickly changed her words.
“Actually, Minoja knew about the antidote from the very beginning.”
“She just didn’t tell me. Don’t blame her—she was testing whether I could stay calm and think for myself.”
Liana: Yeah, sure. That was definitely an act the two of you put together.
“What do you plan to do now?” Liana asked.
“At this point, we have no choice but to collect evidence slowly,” Mepeilu replied, analyzing the situation.
After all, much of what had happened was done by Liana, not Countess Ruth.
Even though she had Minoja—one of the strongest combatants—by her side, she couldn’t just do as she pleased.
If they acted before they had solid proof, Countess Ruth would become suspicious. And right now, she held two-thirds of the authority over the Venus Estate.
She had even taken the portion that originally belonged to Liana.
If not for Eline’s presence, the entire estate might have already fallen into Ruth’s hands.
“All we have right now is your testimony, Liana. But unfortunately... your credibility is nonexistent. In Ruth’s presence, no one will choose to stand with you.”
Mepeilu paused, realizing how harsh that sounded. She quickly added, “But I will always stand by you! You can trust me.”
Liana chuckled.
“I know that. You don’t have to be so nervous. Just treat me like you used to.”
Besides, Mepeilu had always been by her side, hadn’t she?
“...Okay.”
Mepeilu took a deep breath. She had been too on edge. She couldn’t afford to show such immaturity in front of Liana.
“We’ll have to investigate things carefully. Countess Ruth is smart—she knows how to manipulate people to protect herself. And she never gets her hands dirty. To others, she appears to be an excellent regent.”
Liana nodded in agreement.
When it came to playing a role, Countess Ruth was a master.
“If only someone could catch her giving you the forbidden drug.”
Liana shook her head. “Unlikely.”
For one, Ruth was deeply paranoid. Every time she gave Liana the drug, it was inside her private chambers. There was always a magical formation in place.
More importantly, she had a high-level Executor guarding her—someone comparable to Olivia.
With the magical formation’s protection, even a Judicator like Minoja couldn’t conceal her presence from Ruth.
Having Minoja follow her was out of the question.
“...Do you already have a plan?” Mepeilu asked.
“...Sort of.”
Liana let out a slightly awkward smile.
Once the protagonist’s trio is assembled, we’ll clear the Venus Estate in no time.