Chapter 84
She intercepted a gift box that arrived for Camilli and checked inside—Resjul’s new chocolates. Someone who sends chocolates and flowers is very likely a romantic partner.
The letter didn’t say who it was from, only hoping the recipient would like it. Dahlia stuffed the chocolates into her mouth, cheeks puffed out.
“Who is he?”
She had been suspicious ever since Camilli suddenly started going out more. After breaking up with the prince, she’d been holed up at home. Now that she was suddenly out and about, the reasons were obvious: either she’d developed a taste for spending money or found a new man.
But Camilli’s financial situation wasn’t good enough for gambling or shopping addiction. Their allowances were strictly controlled by Glinda, and their mother was especially stingy with Camilli’s money.
So there was only one explanation.
“Who are you seeing?”
The suspicion peaked when Dahlia smelled a subtle male cologne on Camilli after returning from the Aidepen family ball. It became certain when she found a love letter delivered directly, without going through a servant.
The picture had a secret code only Camilli and the man knew, which made Dahlia laugh. Last time, the chocolate gift didn’t even have a family name on it. How low must one’s status be to send something so secretly?
“Isn’t that girl being fooled by some strange guy?”
One of her friends thought so too. A penniless officer posing as a wealthy foreign noble had tricked her friend into a premarital pregnancy.
Surely Camilli wasn’t doing anything so reckless.
“Tch, feelings alone aren’t enough.”
Camilli looked cold and cunning on the surface but was actually the softest person around. She only spoke sharply but endured Glinda’s unfair treatment without complaint, and never defended herself when false reports about the prince breakup surfaced.
Though she didn’t enjoy sweets much except chocolates, she faithfully ate the cookies Dahlia baked. The pitiful girl seemed to be getting hurt by some scoundrel who saw through her delicate nature, which worried Dahlia deeply.
“I have to snap her out of it—.”
“Who are you to care what I do, who I meet, or where I go? Why do you meddle?”
The harsh words flashed through Dahlia’s mind, and her clenched fist slowly relaxed. She pouted and sat back down on the sofa.
“…You terrible girl.”
Dahlia knew she couldn’t stop Camilli if she truly wanted to marry. But she still planned to do her best to prevent things from reaching a point of no return.
Because…
“I’m your elder sister.”
Long ago, after chasing away the kids who teased and bullied Dahlia by calling her a fool, Camilli had said those words.
Sister, and younger sister.
Though those unfamiliar words had never come up again, that one moment remained etched in Dahlia’s heart as fiercely as the scorching sun that day.
“Younger sister.”
On a hot summer day, a strong back standing against the blazing sun. A face shining brightly like the sun behind her, even in the backlight.
As long as Dahlia remembered that, she couldn’t give up.
Even if the other had already given up.
“Lucy, bring me some stationery.”
With that thought, Dahlia called a maid and ordered her. The maid’s eyes widened as she watched Dahlia write quickly and confidently—a rare sight for her.
“Who is this for?”
Dahlia folded the letter twice neatly and replied,
“Ren Abyss.”
“Ren Abyss—the investigator in charge of you and Miss Camilli’s case?”
Without further explanation, Dahlia handed over the sealed letter. Memories from the investigation room replayed in her mind.
“I’d like you to keep me informed about Miss Camilli from now on.”
“…Are you asking me to betray my sister?”
“Not that kind of information. I just have a little interest.”
Better a known figure than some random scoundrel. Besides, as an investigator, maybe he could help uncover that scoundrel’s identity.
No deep thought was needed. Dahlia was always intuitive.
Right now, shaking hands with Ren Abyss felt like the most reasonable choice.
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