Chapter 61
“A family lady-in-waiting?”
Sylaria spoke as though she knew nothing. Seeing her show interest, Grizelle nodded her head vigorously.
“Yeah!”
“Hm…”
Sylaria stroked her chin in thought. Of course, she wasn’t really debating whether to take Grizelle as her family lady-in-waiting.
What she was weighing was whether to cut her off cleanly and refuse right now, or toy with her a little first before turning her down.
If she was going to refuse anyway, a sharp, immediate rejection would be neatest. Yet somehow, it felt like a waste to dismiss Grizelle so easily.
“I’ll stay in the palace and keep you company. There’s no one who knows you better than I do.”
Growing anxious at Sylaria’s silence, Grizelle jumped in eagerly. At that self-satisfied tone, the corners of Sylaria’s lips curved faintly.
“You really think so?”
“Huh?”
“I’ve got Ellie here in the palace. Do you think you know me better than my own sister?”
“Uh…”
Grizelle faltered, her eyes darting left and right under Sylaria’s pointed remark. Swallowing hard, she hurried to defend herself.
“But Ellie’s sick! I can take care of her, too. You know how well I’ve always looked after her, don’t you?”
Ah. So that’s why she’d been so well-behaved until now.
Sylaria crossed her arms, watching Grizelle quietly. She’d thought perhaps the girl had come to her senses since she hadn’t caused trouble before the engagement ceremony. But no, of course not. Grizelle hadn’t changed.
“His Highness the First Prince has already arranged a dedicated medical team for Ellie. They’ll take care of her.”
“Th-that’s… wonderful news!”
Grizelle blinked rapidly, then forced a bright smile. But Sylaria didn’t miss the faint twitch at the corner of her mouth.
“So there’s no need for a family lady-in-waiting. Goodbye, Grizelle.”
“……”
Sylaria’s cold, clean dismissal made Grizelle lower her head. Uncrossing her arms, Sylaria simply observed her.
She’d exhausted her prepared excuses. If she couldn’t persuade with words, then her next move was obvious.
“Hiic…”
Tears. The classic ploy.
‘As expected.’
Sylaria didn’t flinch as she watched the fat, glistening tears drop from Grizelle’s eyes. Her friend’s shoulders trembled faintly, but Sylaria’s face showed no reaction at all.
“Hiic… I… I just don’t want to be apart from you…”
Grizelle’s voice quavered as she dabbed at her tears. Sylaria merely studied her, calm and detached.
‘Seeing it now, it’s so obviously fake. Why didn’t I notice before?’
Sylaria’s smile turned wry. In her past life, every time Grizelle cried, she’d panicked, desperate to soothe her. It always felt like her own fault somehow. Truth or not, she’d rush to apologize first.
And so, at some point, Grizelle had learned to wield tears like a weapon. Whenever she felt cornered, she’d cry to sway the mood to her advantage.
Sylaria had fallen for that trick more times than she could count.
“…Fine.”
“Then…!”
When Sylaria finally spoke with a sigh, Grizelle’s tearful face lit with hope. But just as she tried to smile in relief, Sylaria cut her off coolly.
“I understand how you feel. Now go back to Gideon.”
“……!”
Grizelle’s eyes flew wide in disbelief, her jaw trembling as if the floor had dropped from under her.
“Syllie…?”
“I understand you, but even looking after Ellie is overwhelming enough for me. You need to return to your own place.”
“But—!”
“Why? Do you have some pressing reason you absolutely must stay in the palace?”
At Sylaria’s sharp question, Grizelle’s face twisted with frustration.
The reason was obvious. She wanted to live in luxury here and try to snare Arendtert.
But of course she couldn’t say that out loud. Grizelle clenched her fists and muttered through gritted teeth.
“…No.”
“Then go on, Grizelle. Cora will prepare your carriage.”
At Sylaria’s final, dismissive command, Grizelle dragged her feet as if they weighed a hundred pounds.
Watching the defeated girl retreat, Sylaria’s lips curved slowly into a satisfied smile.
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