Chapter 87

Chapter 87 – Other Version (2)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

“I thought so, since I first saw you,” Annette went on. “You’re a proud woman. I didn’t think you would do anything so undignified. Of course, sometimes I was frightened by the way you looked at me, but from the bottom, you’re a person of integrity, aren’t you?”

“What are you talking about…?”

Celestine’s expression had hardened. It wasn’t that she was angry; Annette’s words had sounded something like a compliment, and she automatically frowned, hiding her embarrassment. Annette smiled as she watched Celestine’s reaction.

“So when that incident happened…I was disappointed, because I thought you had planned it. I thought you weren’t that kind of person. But if you’re not the culprit…I can’t think of who it might be. Who would have planned something like this?”

“I thought…you did it,” Celestine said, finally opening her heart for the first time. “But it seemed strange to me…”

Annette listened with rapt attention.

“You didn’t need to do that to me,” Celestine said, her eyes lowered with embarrassment. “It was obvious that you would be Crown Princess! Why would you do something so dangerous, when my chances were already zero? No matter how much I think about it, it endangers you more than it benefits you. I don’t think you’re that stupid.”

“Then…you mean, you believe me?” Annette covered her mouth in amazement. She had thought that Celestine must have suspected her innocence to some extent, to have come here at all, but this was the first time she had admitted it outright.

Celestine’s face turned red.

“Don’t misunderstand me!” Celestine said haughtily. “I still don’t fully trust you.”

Maybe the tension between them had eased, at least enough for her true personality to appear. Enough for tears to appear in Annette’s eyes. Was it because Celestine had shouted at her?

Celestine’s heart twinged, and just as she was about to apologize, Annette spoke.

“I’m sorry,” she said, wiping away her tears. “It’s the first time someone else believed I was innocent. I couldn’t help crying. Thank you so much, Celestine. It means a lot to me that you believed me.”

She smiled sadly, closing her reddened eyes, and Celestine felt her heart clench. She had been so immersed in her own misery, she had never considered Annette’s position, until now. She had even hated her for what she thought she had done.

Celestine only had to close her eyes to remember the day she was kidnapped. The stranger’s hand clamped over her mouth. The suffocating terror that he might be dragging her away to r@pe her, even though he had never touched her. Cowering in the darkness, shivering as she wondered what would become of her.

Fortunately, she had been rescued without incident. But the nightmare of that day still haunted her. More than once, she had awakened screaming. Though as Crown Princess she was surrounded by glamor and luxury, she was not happy. She despised Annette for the terrible trauma she had suffered.

Were you invited to Lady Bavaria’s wedding? It was so beautiful! The groom’s background is not the best, but that face is compensation, isn’t it? Such a handsome man. Perhaps that’s why Lady Bavaria seemed so happy. Even if she doesn’t get to be Crown Princess, it’s good fortune to live with such a man. She’s a smart woman.

Celestine listened to all this snide gossip and knew that she now occupied the position of Crown Princess in Annette’s place. She would now suffer the jealousy of others. Celestine had always stubbornly kept herself on the fringes of society, and now everyone was eagerly searching for a way to take a bite of her.

Gods, the new Crown Princess doesn’t know how to treat people properly. It would have been so much better if Lady Bavaria had become Crown Princess instead…

All those pink, painted lips spoke only slander. Unable to shake off the psychological shadows of her kidnapping, Celestine began to be afraid to go out socially at all. When she left her home, all she found was enemies. Even her best friend, Lady McClaire, could not hide her jealousy.

Celestine’s only refuge was in the arms of God. That was the only place her beleaguered heart could feel safe.

And then a few days ago, even that sanctuary had been destroyed.

That was why Celestine had visited Annette.

Partly pride, partly curiosity. In fact, Celestine had had her own doubts about the kidnapping.